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Karen Wenborn of  Classical Comics has been in touch to let me know that 5^th November is the release date for the Henry V graphic novels. 

Some of you may recall the feature a while back based on the preview copies?  Well,I thought they looked impressive but the 144 page editions are superb! 

But a little info first. 

Henry V by William Shakespeare  “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;Or close the wall up with our English dead!” This historic tale of war and peace between England and France in the reign of Henry V is presented just as Shakespeare intended…only much more exciting!

See and experience the Battle of Agincourt as never before - and fully appreciate a decisive chapter in the history of the realm. 

Script Adaptation:  John McDonald

Pencils:  Neill Cameron

Inks:  Bambos

Colouring:  Jason Cardy & Kat Nicholson

Lettering:  Nigel Dobbyn For ordering:

For Original Text the ISBN is: 978-1-906332-00-6 

For Plain Text the ISBN is:  978-1-906332-01-3 

For Quick Text the ISBN is:  978-1-906332-02-0 

And each book is only £9.99  Graphic Novel format  Full colour and 144pp in length 

What I never fully realised from the 16pp previews was just what the books would look like and contain. 

For one thing there is a two page spread at the beginning titled Dramatis personae –these are head shots of all the main characters so that when  you start reading you know “who is who”,a very nice touch. 

A brief synopsis then follows,again,useful and a nice touch. The skullduggery and plotting is well balanced and the battle scenes are what you’ll find the youngsters going over endlessly -kids haven’t changed that much over the decades! 

The art pages were so gorgeous I contemplated wearing gloves so as not to ruin them with my dirty fingers!   So it isn’t all talk and no action;the adaption into comic –sorry,”graphic illustrative”- format cannot be faulted. 

But there is more! 

After the story there is a very concise bio of William Shakespeare himself –as well  as one on Henry V. 

Not enough?  Okay,there is a summary,again quite accurate [was I expecting anything else?!],of The Battle Of Agincourt and even a small “battle plan”. And more!!  A look at how the pages of art were created…a look at Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre and,finally,a  summary of current interest and fascination in Shakespeare. 

All three of the books are just superb. 

If you want your child to read Shakespeare but the books are all too wordy [and even I can’t wade through them these days!] buy the Quick Text version.   I do know that at school we often had those lessons where teacher asked us “What do you think he/she meant when they wrote this?”  To most of us wordy text was just that but I think any school interested in  educating its pupils in English literature should buy a copy of each book.   

Kids are more likely to read books that are illustrated — the basics of learning to read if you think about it:in the “old days” we learnt to read before we got to school through comics.  Once in school we had “Peter And Jane” books –illustrated to keep a child interested and demonstrate what they were reading about.  Suddenly,at a later age the pupil is asked to read Shakespeare and understand what is going on when the subject matter probably hasn’t even been taught in History classes. Having pupils read the Quick Text version is a great way to encourage reading and help them understand the Original Text version –the scope for projects using all three books in the school environment are huge,but then,I’m no teacher. 

Parents would be doing their children a favour buying one or all the versions as part of their library –or even as presents.   

And I’m just hoping  Public Libraries will order copies. Apart from the old Look And Learn which educated and entertained,I cannot think of any other such project in the UK or elsewhere. 

The superb quality from cover-to-cover and for such a low price is almost stunning.  I just hope that these books sell as well as they deserve to! 

And,looking forward to Summer 2008,Classical Comics will be giving us another great…. Frankenstein

 

 “Cursed be the hands that formed you!”  True to the original novel (rather than the square-headed Boris Karloff image from the films!) Declan’s naturally gothic artistic style is a perfect match for this epic tale.

Frankenstein is such a well known title, yet the films strayed so far beyond the original novel that many people today don’t realise how this classic horror tale deals with such timeless subjects as alienation, empathy and understanding beyond appearance. Another great story, beautifully crafted into a superb graphic novel. 

Script Adaptation:  Jason Cobley

Pencils:  Declan Shalvey

Inks:  Declan Shalvey

Art Direction:  Jon Haward

Colouring:  TBA

Lettering:  TBA    

UK Publication Date: Summer 2008

Format: 132 pages (approx)

full colourpaperback246×168mm

Versions:Original Text (abridged)Quick Text(2 different books)

Price: £9.99 

And with genius Jon Haward in charge of art can they go wrong?  I got a mail from Jon recently where he refers to his work at Classical..and Panini:

“..twenty years ago you published my first comic strip ‘DEMAN’ -can’tbelieve where the time has gone and what a long road it’s been.

Brum Con 2 was fantastic and there was great interest in CLASSICAL COMICS HENRY 5TH and MACBETH . 

I’m also art directing the Eagle award winning Declan Shalvey on FRANKENSTEIN for CLASSICAL COMICS ;this is a trueadaption of the novel and I think it will make Declan a star here in the UK and in the US!.

I’m near finishing MACBETH  which has been a huge job ,it looks great thanks to Nigel Dobbyns great colouring and lettering.

I’m also still regular artist on the Panini MARVEL pocket book range which I enjoy doing as they are reprints of classic marvel with art byKIRBY,BUSCEMA,TRIMPE,ROMITA,KANE,BYRNE,COLAN all my childhood heroes of American super hero art. Any way terry great news site and thanks for your support of CLASSICALCOMICS.”

And to prove how good the art work looks…

As I’ve pointed out before,Cinebook have produced quality European BD in English and with Classical Comics another huge leap forward has taken place. 

PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE BUY A COPY!!!