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.2007 marks "Shi’s" 13th Anniversary with the release of Billy’s newest miniseries "The Ring of Fire" and a slew of crossovers. Among them will be alongside Brian Pulido’s super-creation in "Lady Death/Shi" (Avatar Press), Peter David's "Fallen Angel" (IDW Publishing) and Darren Davis' "10 Muse" (Blue Water). Dark Horse Comics is also producing a new 200-page hardbound "Art of Shi" coffee table book showcasing the very best talents in comics and illustration.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. He 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.
