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MacBeth

Classical Comics 

Now,when I found the postman curled up,his back having given way once again,I wondered who the package was from.  It was heavy. Poor postie. Erm. Anyhoo,opened up the package and there was the latest release from Classical Comics –MacBeth! 

All three versions! 

Before I get into the review I’ll give the Classical Comics info: 

 

Macbeth

William Shakespeare

“All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.”

Fate? Destiny? Or one man’s obsession with power?

Macbeth is probably the most dramatic of Shakespeare’s tragedies.

Set in 1040, this spectacular treatment of one of the greatest works of the Bard will give you a brand new and totally fulfilling view of the sheer genius of his story telling.

 

Witchcraft, superstition, murder - it’s all here!

Featuring stunning artwork, and full of action, atmosphere and intrigue from start to finish; this new graphic novel of The Bard’s wonderful tragedy will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

 

Script Adaptation:  John McDonald

Pencils:  Jon Haward

Inks:  Jon Haward

Inking Assistant:  Gary Erskine

Colouring:  Nigel Dobbyn

Lettering:  Nigel Dobbyn

   

UK Publication Date: 25th February 2008

Format: 144 pages

full colour

paperback

246×168mm

 

 

Versions:

Original Text (full and unabridged)

ISBN: 978-1-906332-03-7

 

 

Plain Text

ISBN: 978-1-906332-04-4

 

 

Quick Text

ISBN: 978-1-906332-05-1

Price: £9.99

 

 

 

I think that I’ve said before that the two companies publishing from the UK that you need not worry about over quality are Cinebook and Classical Comics. 

John McDonald has done an excellent job of translating Shakespeare to graphic novel format. Original,Plain and Quick text versions are all good reads –Quick Text possibly the best for getting youngsters reading.  If you think converting Shakespeare to a workable comic book script is easy –try it!  McDonald does a top notch job.

 

 

The artwork. Well,what can you expect when Jon Haward is involved?  Superb.  Gary Erskine gives an inking assist for which he should receive credit as I’ve been a little rough on his recent Dan Dare work.

 

 

Some of us know Nigel Dobbyn from the old Third Kind Small press days and in recent years for his D.C. Thomson work on Billy The Cat.  I have to hope that Nigel’s eye-sight does not suffer because lettering three different versions is not something I’d wish on anyone –but he does a great job!

 

 

Jo Wheeler’s design and layout is really nice and easy on the eye. 

The books begin with the two pages of Dramatis personae –an illo of each character so you are primed and don’t have to ask “who the hell is this?!”.  This might seem a minor inclusion but it is invaluable!

 

 

 

 

The clothing,armour,hair-styling and armaments such as swords,spears,etc.,are all accurate and the buildings and backgrounds are nicely rendered.  No doubt there was a lot of research before hand!

From the sinister three witches to Hecate and banquet hall,battlement or battle right up to the fateful ending this is enjoyably drawn -and the murder of Lady MacDuff and her son..ooh! I’ll admit that I can’t really find fault with this work.  After all,it is Jon Haward!

 

 

Will this sell to comic fans?  I really cannot see why it should not.  The book opens with the infamous three witches and just wait until you see Hecate the Queen Witch!! There is a ghost,a ‘curse’ and battle and if you are into Sword & Sorcery there is no reason why you should not enjoy this.  Even if you are into ghost or horror comics this should tickle your deckle. Into history?  This one you’ll like.  Educating youngsters or trying to educate them to read –this fits the bill!

 

 

There is a text feature on Shakespeare and,most importantly,a text feature on the real MacBeth.  Yes,there was a real MacBeth!  There is a nice “family tree” showing MacBeth and the Kings of Scotland and a look at how Shakespeare’s “MacBeth” compares to the real character.  A look at page creation and more.

 

 

 

 

The educational benefits of these books I’ve mentioned before and I can only hope that public libraries or school libraries are buying copies.  Maybe I’m too old fashioned but as a term English language/literature [I assume they are still taught!] project these books would offer a great deal.  Not simply comparing how Shakespeare translates into modern English but the amount of learning involved in a “Real MacBeth”,”Scottish history”,”Costumes in history” or even “every day 11^th century life” projects would be invaluable.

 

 

Although Shakespeare seems to be considered “arty-farty and aloof” as far as the majority of the British public is concerned,it seems the Americans,Europeans and Japanese cannot get enough of “British Culture”.  Now the Japanese should love this as it is Shakespeare but in comic format and has all the melodrama you could want! The Quick Text means that someone who does not have English as a first language can read this without worrying too much.

 

 

I still find it hard to believe that books of this quality can be sold at such an affordable price.  While we have trash TV programmes such as “Robin Hood” and it’s many,many historical inaccuracies [fantasies!] it is nice to see that a well researched, written and drawn graphic novel can come from the UK that the industry can be proud of.

 

 

If you want to check the books out you can download Adobe Reader samplers and a great deal more about Classical Comics including how to order at:

 

 

http://www.classicalcomics.com/books/macbeth.html

 

 

Can I make it any plainer?

BUY!! 

Now,all I need is an original Jon Haward illo….