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joshpants101's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
midici's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5
There is so much going on in this first volume. You don't need to know the plays to understand what is happening, but it does help inform the interactions between certain characters, and to understand the ongoing call backs to specific plays.
This story begins with Hamlet, who is clearly going to be a main character throughout. He's an absolute disaster, which is true to the play as well. His father was murdered by his uncle, and he has been banished from the city after accidentally killing a nobleman. After he gets tossed off his ship during a battle with pirates, he washes ashore a strange land.
He wakes as a guest of King Richard who proclaims that Hamlet is clearly the "Shadow King" of a prophecy, someone able to kill the "wizard" Shakespeare, and gain control of his magic quill. King Richard wants this quill, wants to rule the neighbouring kingdoms, and wants Hamlet dead as soon as the quill is recovered. This is where things get complicated.
Richard is in an "alliance" with Macbeth, which becomes an alliance with Lady Macbeth after she murders her husband. Titus and Lear are both mentioned as neighbouring kingdoms. The land is full of rebels called "prodigals" who believe that Shakespeare is a god, and that the Shadow King will bring him back to the land to set things right. They are also hoping to dethrone King Richard, who they see as a tyrant.
Juliet Capulet and Othello are leading this rebellion. Iago, who has proclaimed he is Richard's man, but says he has turned his back on him to follow Hamlet, but is in reality working with Lady Macbeth, is playing absolutely every possible field and is not to be trusted.
The next issues will fill in more of the backstory here I imagine. Hamlet is completely confused and semi-useless but honestly props to him for just flat out saying, several times, that pulling someone off a beach and proclaiming them the key to your prophecy is INSANE. This land - and the Shakespeare religion - are completely new to him so he'll be the source of exposition as we follow him along to figure out exactly what his destiny is. Besides a bloody one.
There is so much going on in this first volume. You don't need to know the plays to understand what is happening, but it does help inform the interactions between certain characters, and to understand the ongoing call backs to specific plays.
This story begins with Hamlet, who is clearly going to be a main character throughout. He's an absolute disaster, which is true to the play as well. His father was murdered by his uncle, and he has been banished from the city after accidentally killing a nobleman. After he gets tossed off his ship during a battle with pirates, he washes ashore a strange land.
He wakes as a guest of King Richard who proclaims that Hamlet is clearly the "Shadow King" of a prophecy, someone able to kill the "wizard" Shakespeare, and gain control of his magic quill. King Richard wants this quill, wants to rule the neighbouring kingdoms, and wants Hamlet dead as soon as the quill is recovered. This is where things get complicated.
Richard is in an "alliance" with Macbeth, which becomes an alliance with Lady Macbeth after she murders her husband. Titus and Lear are both mentioned as neighbouring kingdoms. The land is full of rebels called "prodigals" who believe that Shakespeare is a god, and that the Shadow King will bring him back to the land to set things right. They are also hoping to dethrone King Richard, who they see as a tyrant.
Juliet Capulet and Othello are leading this rebellion. Iago, who has proclaimed he is Richard's man, but says he has turned his back on him to follow Hamlet, but is in reality working with Lady Macbeth, is playing absolutely every possible field and is not to be trusted.
The next issues will fill in more of the backstory here I imagine. Hamlet is completely confused and semi-useless but honestly props to him for just flat out saying, several times, that pulling someone off a beach and proclaiming them the key to your prophecy is INSANE. This land - and the Shakespeare religion - are completely new to him so he'll be the source of exposition as we follow him along to figure out exactly what his destiny is. Besides a bloody one.
iceberg0's review against another edition
2.0
The art did not connect with me, it seemed juvenile. The story was not great either, he tries to do it in a Shakespearean tone and it feels like he is reaching without ever making it. It just comes across as cliche. Real potential here but it remains unrealized.
-Russell
-Russell
j_olip's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting concept. The paneling is sometimes hard to follow, the characters are drawn too hyper masculine or feminine and the battle scenes are boring but the storyline keeps things moving at an enjoyable pace.
thelucyfan's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted so much to like this book and the series, but i found it lacks the cleverness it should possess. I also do not enjoy a graphic novel in which the characters are drawn in ways which make them difficult to identify easily. Lady Macbeth and Iago were inconsistent in features, specifically.
bushraboblai's review against another edition
5.0
Juliet finally gets to be more than just a setting for Romeo's thespian tendencies and become the magnificent hero she was meant to be.
krpollard's review against another edition
3.0
A really fun reimagining of Shakespeare's characters. Lady MacBeth is a predictably awesome villain, and Hamlet is as whiny as you'd expect him to be. Also loved the appearances of Othello, Iago, and Richard III.
faithtrustpixiedust's review against another edition
I came here to watch Shakespeare be hunted down and killed by his own characters and I honestly feel so betrayed.