Something Wicked Comes to Archaia

Macbeth is one of the most enduring works of literature in all of history, rife with memorable characters and quotes. Three of those characters are well-known for their haunting rhymes and spellcasting abilities--the three witches. Archaia is delving a bit more into their story in Toil and Trouble, written by Mairghread Scott and Kelly and Nicole Matthews. The trio will reinvent the tragedy by putting the power in the hands of the three witches as they control the destiny of a king and the fate of Scotland.

“Toil and Trouble takes the coolest parts of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and flips it around to show how these three powerful witches were pulling the strings the whole time,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Mairghread has crafted a story of three incredible women whose desires will shape a country’s destiny, and Kelly and Nichole infuse that story with beautiful, lush artwork crackling with magic. I think even the Bard himself would co-sign this.”

The three Fates—Riata, Cait and Smertae—have always been guiding and protecting Scotland unseen, indirectly controlling the line of kings according to the old religion. When there is a disagreement in the sisterhood, Riata and Smertae will use men as pawns, and Smertae will direct Macbeth to a crown he was never meant to have.

“[Toil and Trouble is] a gorgeously drawn story of a battle for ancient Scotland, that is secretly watched over by three feuding witches and their familiars," tweeted writer Gail Simone (Red Sonja, Secret Six), who got to read an advance copy. "Absolutely one of my favorite new books. I can't wait for the next issue, it feels like a TOP-NOTCH fantasy novel, but with adorable art."

Toil and Trouble #1 (of 6) arrives in comic shops on September 2nd with a main cover by Kyla Vanderklugt for the price of $3.99 under Diamond order code JUL151089. Also available in a limited quality is a 10 Years incentive cover by Meredith McClaren, and a retailer incentive cover by Haemi Jang. The Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is August 10th.

Full press release below.

Something Wicked This Way Comes to Archaia in 'Toil and Trouble'

 

Toil and Trouble 10 Years Cover by Meredith McClaren (full wraparound image shown)


Toil and Trouble Incentive Cover by Haemi Jang

August 6, 2015 (Los Angeles, Calif.) - Archaia, an imprint of award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios, invites readers to look behind the scenes of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to see who wields the real power in the new, original limited series Toil and Trouble. Mairghread Scott (Transformers: Windblade) and debut artists Kelly & Nichole Matthews reinvent the famous tragedy by putting the power in the hands of the three witches as they control the destiny of a king and the fate of Scotland.

 

“Toil and Trouble takes the coolest parts of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and flips it around to show how these three powerful witches were pulling the strings the whole time,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “Mairghread has crafted a story of three incredible women whose desires will shape a country’s destiny, and Kelly and Nichole infuse that story with beautiful, lush artwork crackling with magic. I think even the Bard himself would co-sign this.”

 

The three Fates—Riata, Cait, and Smertae—have always been guiding and protecting Scotland unseen, indirectly controlling the line of kings according to the old religion. When there is a disagreement in the sisterhood, Riata and Smertae will use men as pawns, and Smertae will direct Macbeth to a crown he was never meant to have.

 

“[Toil and Trouble is] a gorgeously drawn story of a battle for ancient Scotland, that is secretly watched over by three feuding witches and their familiars," tweeted writer Gail Simone (Red Sonja, Secret Six), who got to read an advance copy. "Absolutely one of my favorite new books. I can't wait for the next issue, it feels like a TOP-NOTCH fantasy novel, but with adorable art."

 

Toil and Trouble #1 (of 6) (formerly The Third Witch) arrives in comic shops on September 2nd with a main cover by Kyla Vanderklugt (Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Witches) for the price of $3.99 under Diamond order code JUL151089. Also available in a limited quality is a 10 Years incentive cover by Meredith McClaren, and a retailer incentive cover by Haemi Jang (Clive Barker’s Next Testament).

The Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is August 10th. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! Fans can print out, fill in, and bring in the order form below to their local comic shop. (Please note that most shops will require payment in advance.) It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.

ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS

Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints. The original Studios imprint is home to Mike Carey's Suicide Risk; James Tynion IV's The Woods; Mark Waid's Irredeemable; Sons of Anarchy; and Big Trouble in Little China. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 Guns was released as a feature film from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Steven Universe; Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid; and Natasha Allegri's Bee and PuppyCat. BOOM!'s experimental imprint BOOM! Box publishes The Midas Flesh and Lumberjanes. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, Gunnerkrigg Court, Rust, and Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into a unique first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of titles and giving the publisher access to Fox's vast catalog of films. In August 2014, BOOM! Studios began a similar first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox TV to develop properties for the small screen.