Billy Tucci

About me:

Graphic novelist and filmmaker Billy Tucci is best known for his modern-day samurai fable "Shi." Through Billy’s Crusade Fine Arts, the multi-Eisner Award nominated "Shi" has been printed in four languages and has sold more than 4 million comic books. His warrior-woman has also grossed over 25 million dollars in prints, toys and other merchandise worldwide while garnering several international creative and printing awards. Shi has been featured on FOX, NBC, and E! television while also gaining recognition in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today. The character has also crossed over with many comic book icons including Daredevil, Witchblade and Wolverine. For more than two years "Shi – The Way of the Warrior 1" remained firmly atop Wizard Magazine’s Top Ten Comics list, a record for any single issue that still stands to this day. Billy is also one of the few comic book creators recognized by Wizard on both their Top Ten Artists and Writers list. Billy went “mainstream” in 2006 with his hugely successful run on Marvel Comics’ "Heroes For Hire", DC’s "Versus" cards, the release of the massive 576 page "Definitive Shi", the "Illustrated Warrior" novelization and penning the critically acclaimed "Zombie-sama!" with illustrator John Broglia. Producer Mimi Polk Gitlin’s Lion Eyes Entertainment (Open Range, Trapped) has recently optioned "Shi" for a major motion picture. Billy is writing the screenplay with Kevin Bernhardt and will serve as Executive Producer. He also wrote, produced and directed his own award-winnings short film, "some trouble of a serious nature" that has delighted festival audiences the world over. The former paratrooper is also an honorably discharged veteran of the US Army, the New York and Rhode Island National Guards and is currently working on his dream project, "Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion." Based on actual events during the Normandy Invasion and the battle of the Vosges mountains, Rock and Easy Co. will find themselves trapped 9 miles behind enemy lines by a force 10 times their size. The six issue monthly miniseries will be released by DC Comics in November. Billy is also busy doing public/motivational speaking, including schools, universities and most recently, Lockheed Martin. Billy currently working on several other major “mainstream” and creator-owned comic book projects to be announced soon. For more info please log onto www.crusadefinearts.com or www.williamtucci.com.