John F. McDonald (2)

You can read Shakespeare better in any edition, which clearly should not be at issue, so the real question is how well the book succeeds in the translation to sequential art. It does not. The quality of the art, the artist's sense of pacing and composition, the use of light, shadow, and color -- every aspect of the medium is at best below average in this adaptation and detracts from the telling of the story. This is the gravest sin in comics.

If you made it through high school here in America, you've probably read Macbeth. It's one of William Shakespeare's most popular plays (possibly because it is the shortest of the tragedies) known for outstanding characterizations and universal themes that can be easily adapted to any time or place. It is one of the Bard's most frequently performed plays, and thought by many in the theatre community to be cursed. It is not uncommon for actors to refer to it as "The Scottish Play" or "The show more Bard's Play" rather than saying the name proper.

Classical Comics has taken Shakespeare's Macbeth and created a beautiful graphic novel. It is available in three versions:
Original Text: The complete text of Macbeth, unaltered from the Bard's vision
Plain Text: Macbeth's script is updated to "normal" English, but maintains the form and pacing of the original plain
Quick Text: Macbeth rendered in modern speech. This is the closest version to our regular speaking patterns.

I read the Original Text version, and it was superb. The art was stunning, with bright, vivid colors and bold, clean lines. It looks just like a "real" comic book - let me explain. Often when I have read graphic novel adaptions of literature, the art just isn't that good because the creators are not comic book artists. They might not follow the conventions of comic books, or the figures they draw will look odd because proportions are off...these minor sorts of things. But this is not a problem with Macbeth. Jon Haward is a veteran of the comic book industry, with over twenty years experience, and it shows through in his art.

It's important to keep in mind that Shakespeare's works were meant to be viewed, to be performed, and I feel that graphic novels like Macbeth help bridge the gap between the text in a book and on the stage. The illustrations bring life and energy to the old play, and due to the multiple literacy levels there's an edition that would suit anyone.

Classical Comics appears to be working their way through the Shakespeare canon. Current and upcoming titles:
Henry V (available now)
The Tempest (May 2009)
Romeo & Juliet (July 2009)
Richard III (March 2010)
Hamlet (2010) show less

A graphic novel version of my favorite Shakespeare play would have a fair chance of winning me over, and this one does. The art is very engaging and the characters distinct. There are a few times where I would have directed the characters differently, but I'm sure that any Shakespeare-lover has their own idea of which lines should be said with which emphasis. The artists have done a great job with many of the pivotal scenes and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who wants a show more somewhat more accessible way of reading The Bard. This edition has the original text, but there are two other versions available as well, one in "Plain Text" which has the same lines but using modern English and one in "Quick Text" which gives the bare minimum to understand the storyline. show less

Maximilian Moeran is an American Senator who's running for President. He's also a murderer, a womaniser and an ex-american-football star. Max is a popular man, who runs his political life without scruples - until he has a sexual affair with Esme, a young schoolgirl, and this is the only thing that troubles his conscience. One night, left alone in a football stadium, Max falls into a black hole and has an epiphany - he changes.
Suspected by family and friends of having had a nervous breakdown, show more Maximilian becomes what he always appeared to be - an honest man. However, most people preferred the old Max and shun the new one.
Childeyes is more than a beautifully crafted political parody, the novel also asks some big questions about the ultimate meaning of life and our concepts of good and bad - and guilt. The Lolitaesque affair between Max and Esme is controversial and taboo-breaking, but also treated sensitively and without hysteria. show less