Classical Comics News News archives for previous years are available here: 2009  2008  2007
11th June 2010	And the winner is.... Romeo and Juliet! Romeo and Juliet has scooped its first award, fighting off stiff competition from Pearson to win the category of Reading and Language Arts in this year's AEP Awards held in Washington. This means that each of our Shakespeare titles has won an award. Particularly pleasing is the recognition of the benefit our books bring to education, giving students a positive learning experience when studying Shakespeare and the classics.
22nd May 2010	Audio recorded for the Romeo and Juliet Interactive Motion Comic Production has started on the Romeo And Juliet Interactive Motion Comic (in the same vein as the Macbeth Interactive Motion Comic, available to preview here). We finished the recording of the audio this week, and now begins the arduous task of editing it all together and linking in with the animations. The leading roles are played by two wonderful young actors: Juliet is played by Anne-Marie Piazza (who plays Annette in the long running radio play The Archers) and our leading man is Tom Mison (Lost in Austen and many other west end productions). You can just make out the production team through the glass, checking the recording as it is being performed. Once again we were honoured to have many familiar names in the cast: Juliet Stevenson plays the Nurse and Lady Montague, while Lord and Lady Capulet are played by John Sessions and Patricia Hodge. All-in-all, a top-notch production!
6th May 2010	The Tempest shortlisted as finalist in IPPY Awards For the third year in a row, one of our titles has reached the finals of the Independent Publisher Book Awards ("IPPY Awards", based in the US). The Tempest is guaranteed a bronze medal, and may even be selected for silver or gold. The results will be announced next week. Updated 14th May 2010: The Tempest was awarded the Bronze Medal.
4th May 2010	Praise from (the great) Actor and Comedian John Sessions We recorded the audio for the Interactive Motion Comic of Romeo and Juliet last week (similar to the product we are creating for Macbeth here). It was a wonderful experience, hearing the Original Text, and our Plain and Quick Text versions being delivered by professional actors including Juliet Stevenson, Patricia Hodge and John Sessions. Afterwards, John Sessions gave praise for what we are doing: "Classical Comics break down so many of the barriers that children see when confronted with that dreaded word, 'Shakespeare'. Juliet Stevenson and I really felt we were putting our shoulders to the wheel of a great cause. It's also great to try and get a voice to suit the face in the cartoon. A very different kind of work for us and, hopefully, for the children. Onward, Classical Comics!" - John Sessions
3rd May 2010	Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest nominated for AEP Awards Romeo and Juliet and The Tempest have both been shortlisted as finalists in this year's AEP Distinguished Achievement Awards. The books are both in the Reading and Language Arts category for grades 9-12. Fingers crossed that we do well!
28th February 2010	Macbeth Interactive Graphic Novel ! It's been nearly a year in the making (and still isn't quite finished!) but we can now reveal our BRAND NEW product for 2010 - an Interactive Motion Comic. Featuring the wonderful artwork and all three text versions of our Macbeth graphic novel (Original, Plain and Quick Text), this exciting addition to our range is designed to give teachers and students the very best environment in which to experience the play. Not only do you see the characters move, but you also hear them speak in a full audio production that includes the vocal talents of the wonderful Juliet Stevenson ("Truly, Madly, Deeply", "Bend It Like Beckham", "The Snow Queen") and the eminent Sir Derek Jacobi ("I, Claudius", "Hamlet", "Gladiator", "Doctor Who" [and so many more!]) In every possible way, we are truly "Bringing classics to life!" See for yourself in this online demo!
25th February 2010	Tesco for Schools and Clubs The Tesco for Schools & Clubs scheme enables UK schools and clubs to redeem vouchers from Tesco purchases for a variety of useful items - and this year, schools and clubs have the opportunity of receiving starter packs of our graphic novels for their classroom or library: Classical Comics Starter Set Available in two versions: 3,520 vouchers per set Original Text – full Shakespeare scripts and the authors' original words. Quick Text – same as Original Text but with reduced, simplified language. Includes eight titles (Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The Tempest, Henry V, Frankenstein, Jane Eyre, Great Expectations, A Christmas Carol) each adapted into a full-colour graphic novel. Don't miss out - get involved and get collecting!
24th January 2010	See us at the UK Education Show, 4-6 March, NEC Birmingham Once again, our first exhibition of the year is at the Education Show. Come and see us on stand C74 where we'll have special show offers, plus you'll be able to see a preview of the new products that we are developing to Bring Classics to Life!
18th January 2010	Canterville Ghost delayed Regrettably, we've had to push back the publication date for The Canterville Ghost from February to May. Although we hate to miss a publication date, we had many challenges to solve in 2009 that have resulted in this title being late. We are really sorry, and rest assured that as always, our number one priority is to produce a top-quality publication.