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cab65's review
2.0
I liked the premise of this more than I actually liked the story itself. By the time I got 2/3 the was thru the story I was well and truly tired of all the Shakespearean language. Now I can't fault the writers for that. The title is called "Kill Shakespeare" but after a brief while it's just irksome. I also found the changes from one story line or plot to the next disjointed and difficult to follow. Hamlet keeps being pulled or dropped into other character's story lines and I found myself struggling with associating characters with their original play. Frankly, I'm too old and it's been 30+ years since I've read any of his plays. Needless to say, I admit to just giving up at the 75% mark. I no longer cared if Hamlet managed to find and kill Shakespeare.
toebean5's review
3.0
It was... alright. I wish I knew more Shakespeare so I could appreciate all of the references and inside jokes more. But I think I get enough of it to see the cleverness lurking behind the scenes. Question, though: why would anyone ever trust Iago for anything, ever, anywhere? He's soooo evil and sneaky. Haven't they read his story?
geeknb's review
2.0
Read the first 2 issues (they were free on Comixology) but nothing I saw or read would convince me to part with actual cash for this. The story is confused at best and the artwork was a mess.
faithtrustpixiedust's review
I came here to watch Shakespeare be hunted down and killed by his own characters and I honestly feel so betrayed.
joshpants101's review
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
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
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