I should start by saying that I don't read many graphic novels because I'm not a big fan of the genre because I find it hard to read. I'm so used to reading a stream of words that I find it challenging to slow down and take in the images as well, which are so crucial to understanding (and enjoying) graphic novels. Having said that, this is an interesting read, although the premise is never clearly stated. It seems to take place in a world populated by all of Shakespeare's characters, sort of behind the scenes, as it were. For those of you familiar with Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books, it seems similar to the Bookworld in that series. I'm also a bit bothered by their incorrect and inconsistent usage of you/thee/thou etc. It might be intended as humor, but I find it distracting. Still, I found the plot interesting once I got into it a bit, so we'll see how volume 2 goes. I'm giving this a 2.5I think I liked the concept in theory more than in practice; I was thrilled to pick this up at the comic book store (Shakespeare as a wizard god! Juliet as leader of the rebellion! Hamlet on a quest! Lady Macbeth, Iago, and Richard III in cahoots!), but the reading experience just didn't meet my expectations.I did like parts of it, especially the colouring (good work, Herring!). I also quite liked Juliet's badass character / storyline, and am debating whether to read Vol. 2 for the sole purpose of seeing her development over time. I think there's too much going on in this volume, especially given that it's the first in a series. McCreery and Del Col seem to be in a rush to introduce and include Shakespeare's characters (and other references to his works, like the names of his plays as names of pubs) so much so that the plot and storytelling are not fleshed out. This plays out in the physical set up of the comic, too; sometimes, the pages are intended to be read one at a time (i.e. the panels are read on one page before moving on to the next) and sometimes they are intended to be read across the full spread of two pages (i.e. read the panels horizontally across both pages). Unfortunately, they don't indicate the latter by making the panels stretch across those two pages...those pages are broken down into separate panels that make it seem like the reader should go page by page. It was only clear to me after reading both pages that they were intended to be read as one full page spread. Then I had to go back and read again. (And this isn't my first foray into comics -- I'm an avid reader!) Really confusing, poorly conceived formatting. The other problem I have with the comic is the inconsistent use of Shakespeare's own words, McCreery and Del Col's attempt at Shakespearian English, and contemporary English. Lots of switching between pronouns (thee, thou, ye, you), verbs, sentence construction, etc. I think the comic would be stronger if they had chosen one of the two approaches: either go for Shakespearean English (in which case, include quotations by all means!) or adapt / "translate" into contemporary English. Switching is confusing, and undermines their ability to set consistent tone and language throughout the comic.Regardless, it's still a feat to conceptualize a world where various Shakespearian characters interact, and there's some novelty to that that I can't deny. I can definitely still see myself using this as a supporting and / or critical tool in my classroom with older students when studying Shakespeare. Despite its flaws, it contributes to a conversation about adaptation, extension, and revision of canonical text -- and, as a teacher of literature and language, I believe that's an important contribution in its own right.
What do You think about Kill Shakespeare Volume 1 (2012)?
Great concept and a good start. Hope it gets better as the writers get into their stride.
—emmey009
What a mess of overwrought graphics and poor writing. Unsophisticated and unlovely.
—Kara
