Deathstrok

Kill Shakespeare #1
File:Alt Cover 1.jpg Alternate cover for issue #1, designed by Kagan McLeod.
Publication information
Publisher	IDW Publishing
Publication date	April 14, 2010 - Present
No. of issues	2 Published, series intends to run for 12 issues
Main character(s)	Hamlet, Juliet, Falstaff, Richard III, Lady Macbeth, Iago, Othello, Romeo
Creative team
Written by	Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery
Artist(s)	Andy Belanger, Ian Herring and Kagan McLeod

Kill Shakespeare is a comic book series that is being produced by Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery, who also act as co-writers, alongside Andy Belanger as head-artist, Ian Herring as colourist and Kagan McLeod as cover artist. The first issue was published on April 14th, 2010 and the second on May 19th of the same year. The third issue is planned for a release on July 7, 2010.

History of the Series

The idea first came to Del Col and McCreery in 2005, however due to other commitments the project was put on hiatus. Originally Kill Shakespeare was intended to be a video game, the pair also contemplated using the idea for a movie as well. In 2009, the pair attended the New York Comic-Con and sparked interest in publishing companies, from whom they eventually chose IDW. The series is intended to run for 12 issues, with the first paperback for release on November 9, 2010.

Synopsis

The comic, as described by the creators, is "a combination of Fables, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Lord of the Rings". Kill Shakespeare pits the bard's greatest heroes against his most menacing villains in a fantasy world, wherein competing factions attempt to find and kill, or save, a powerful wizard named William Shakespeare.

Issue #1

Banned from his native Denmark, a grief-stricken Hamlet, after being thrown overboard in the midst of a pirate battle, has washed ashore on a strange land. Richard III, believing Hamlet to be a prophesied ‘Shadow King’, has offered Hamlet a fantastic deal: he will bring Hamlet’s dead father back to life (with the assistance of his three witches) if Hamlet can track down a reclusive wizard… by the name of William Shakespeare.

Issue #2

Hamlet has begun his journey to discover the reclusive wizard William Shakespeare – and in doing so has accepted Richard III’s offer to bring his dead father back to life. Once on the road, however, Hamlet has become the target of attacks by the shadowy Prodigal movement, Iago’s relentless assassins, and become the prisoner of a mysterious fool Falstaff.

Cover design for the first issue by head artist Andy Belanger.

Characters

Hamlet

After his Father the King is murdered by Hamlet's Uncle the young Dane vowed revenge. However, after killing family friend Polonius with a blow meant for his Uncle, The Prince questions his thirst for vengeance and flees Denmark. Confused and distraught, Hamlet is now caught up in a destiny far greater than he could have ever imagined.

Richard III

One of the most powerful and shrewd generals in the land, Richard oversees a growing nation built on the backs of his serfs. Along with his desire to create a legacy through the glorification of his name Richard seeks to crush all opposition and conquer further kingdoms.

Lady Macbeth

Beautiful and ruthless, Lady Macbeth has an unmatched thirst for power. Using her sexuality - and three witches as her council - she has subtly steered her husband's rise to prominence. But with Lord Macbeth now locked in a battle with Richard III the time is ripe for the Lady to step out of her husband's shadow.

Iago

After fleeing from Othello's side Iago quickly attached himself to Richard III. Using wits and treachery the Spaniard efficiently moved up the ranks and is now one of Richard's most relied-upon deputies. But the corrupt influencer continues to play the odds, a charlatan who can easily change his allegiances.

Falstaff

A wonderful pain-in-the-ass, Falstaff is quick with both the jab and the jibe. While he plays the quintessential fool he possesses more wisdom and heart than most. A man of faith, Falstaff is unshakeable in his belief in Shakespeare as Creator.

Layout

Kill Shakespeare uses unique panel layout by incorporating smaller panels into larger panels by having the larger panels act as a background for the smaller ones. It also creates physically interaction between adjacent panels, for example a letter is seen floating from one panel into another in issue #1. The first issue is exactly 32 pages long, however the second and third run for only 24 pages. The series is intended to be 12 issues in length, putting the full story of Kill Shakespeare at around 300 pages, which may be incorporated into a graphic novel in the future.

Convention Presence and Critical Reception

The Kill Shakespeare team makes a point of visiting conventions to not only participate in merchandise selling, but also to hold panels so that public can get a better grip on what they are trying to do with the project. There have been Kill Shakespeare panels at the San Francisco Wonder Con, Toronto Comicon, as well as at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, and the creators hope to keep their convention presence up in the coming times.

Kimberly Cox, who is a Shakespearean scholar as well as partner of well known comic book creator Frank Miller, attacked Kill Shakespeare in an April 2010 interview, saying that "I am shaking my head. I want to cry. I want to bitch slap whoever was involved with creating it. However, this kind of crap is nothing new." Later on she also says that "These guys really are helping to kill Shakespeare. This time, for comic book readers. Besides, KILL KING ARTHUR doesn’t sound as good, anyway.", as well as writing a 14 line poem for the sole purpose of expressing her opinions in that interview.

Shakespearean actor and writer of 'Shakespeare on Toast', Ben Crystal says in the interview that "First off, I think it’s *beautifully* drawn. Reminds me of Hellboy, particularly the ghosts and witches. It looks great, has a good pace, and is exciting to read." Later on he states that despite this there is some room for improvement, "The language is a bit of a tricky one. For the most part, it works well. There’s an error here and there... but those aside, I think it falters when the writer tries to attempt a mock-Shakespearean style."

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  Issue #1 design by Kagan McLeod
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  Issue #2 design by Kagan McLeod
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  Issue #1 design by Andy Belanger
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  Issue #2 design by Andy Belanger