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BATTLE REVIEW: Kill Shakespeare #6

By | October 28th, 2010
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

Kill Shakespeare #6
WRITERS: Conor McCreery, Anthony Del Col
PENCILS: Andy Belanger
COLORS: Ian Herring
COVERS: Kagen McCloud, Andy Belanger

Rebellions end in glory – or death! In the series’ thrilling first-half conclusion, Hamlet witnesses the peaceful town of Shrewsbury — fueled by Juliet and the Prodigal movement — become a bubbling cauldron of insurgency. But with Richard’s men marching on Shrewsbury, Hamlet must choose what role he wishes to play — and for what side.

Not to be outdone by Teen Titans #88, Josh and I bring you another Battle Review, this time presenting IDW Publishings’ Kill Shakespeare #6! At the end of the first half, we decided to discuss what we like and dislike about the sometimes controversial book that re-imagines some of Western Culture’s most famous characters. Read on!

Gil: So Josh, we’re officially at the halfway point for Kill Shakespeare, what have been your thoughts so far?

Josh: Well first off I had no goddamn clue this was a mini until like last week! I could totally go for years of Kill Shakespeare after what we’ve had so far!

Gil: (it may take me a minute to respond, I’m all in this Giants game)

Josh: As both a fan of high concept fantasy and of the Bard himself, this series has been throwing Lincecum-level strikes (see what I did there?)

Gil: I did. haha. Yeah, I can see what you mean. There’s so much they can get from this concept, and it can go on for years if they wanted

Josh: For sure…though my wallet is probably grateful that there’s an ending in sight, I won’t lie. I like the way this issue ramped things up though

Gil: Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking!

Josh: I get the feeling this was the precedent setting issue. and that the road moving forward is pretty clear right now.

Gil: there was a ton of action, and Hamlet seemed to finally gain his footing.

Josh: True say! Though I’m wondering what will happen between this whatever it is between Hamlet and Juliet once Romeo inevitably shows up.

Gil: I have a feeling Romeo won’t show up. They said he might, but the monologue kind of sealed his fate. Unless he shows up as a lieutenant for Richard, which would be a great twist.

Josh: I’m betting he will…Shakespeare had a knack for presenting living characters as dead. That and he’s on the Kill Shakespeare website haha

Gil: I think one of the best things about the book is the atmosphere

Josh: do tell

Gil: They clearly know the universe, and put in this little in jokes for Shakespeare Nerds. The pub in the beginning “Midsummer Night’s Dram”

Gil: But speaking of the monologue, if there’s one thing that seemed a bit distracting this go around, it was the instertion of the thee’s and thou’s. I usually don’t mind it, but it felt like there was a little much this time.

Josh: I disagree, I think it really does keep with the tone the book HAS to set to cross over into the more straight laced Shakespeare world. It manages to not be excessive, which is great.

Gil: It felt a little excessive to me. It wasn’t as pervasive in the beginning as it was in the end. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me.

Josh: Guess its an acquired taste.

Gil: I can see that.

Josh: Yes indeed, though that does seem to be the point of this book. Something I really liked about this issue though are the layouts, for sure. The scene where Juliet took out Richard’s commander was just fantastically visualized.

Continued below

Gil: Belanger is a genius when it comes to layouts. Every issue he’s hit it out of the park. It almost makes you wonder where he had been for so long. He’s a relatively new talent in print comics. But he’s done work online for some time.

Josh: Well that’s kinda the answer to your question now innit?

Gil: true

Josh: I suspect we’ll be seeing a LOT of talent making the switch from web to print in the coming years, as web-comics gain more prominence in the industry overall.

Gil: We touched upon this earlier, but the character work seemed to really move forward like a locomotive.

Josh: oh for sure, especially Iago.

Gil: we got more of Hamlet, Juliet proved why she’s the leader, and Iago…that…bastard.

Matt: hi Gil

Gil: hi Matt

Josh: Final Verdict, you scholar you? I’m going with a solid 8.8

Gil: Hm…I think I’d probably give it a 8.5. It was a fantastic looking issue, and the story really moved along, I just had that one issue with it. Do you have any final thoughts?

Josh: I’m really looking forward to where they’re going and when/if the Bard makes an appearance. I’ve been pushing this book on English teachers at the school that pays my bills, many of whom never really considered comics as a valid form of literature, and I’d hate to have the ending fall apart on them!

Gil: How are they taking it so far?

Josh: thumbs up, son!

Gil: That’s good to hear!


Gilbert Short

Gilbert Short. The Man. The Myth. The Legend. When he's not reading comic books so you don't have to, he's likely listening to mediocre music or watching excellent television. Passionate about Giants baseball and 49ers football. When he was a kid he wanted to be The Ultimate Warrior. He still kind of does. His favorite character is Superman and he will argue with you about it if you try to convince him otherwise. He also happens to be the head of Social Media Relations, which means you should totally give him a follow onTwitter.

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