Things have gone from bad to worse for the Prodigals. Having escaped Prospero’s Island, they were quickly taken up by Cesario and his ship. In this issue, they continue to suffer from the after-effects of the Island’s madness, quarreling among themselves as they are held prisoner by the crew who have mutinied and plan to had them and Cesarioover to Lucius and his crew in return for their own safety.
McCreery and Del Col continue to tell an inventive tale that veers further and further afield from the Shakespearean sources as the characters respond to the new situations, although some character traits remain constant–Hamlet, for example, is still prone to harsh words and strong emotional responses. Shakespeare himself, though he remains in his creations’ world this time, remains silent, still ill from the island and the battles there. Hamlet has not taken Juliet’s attempt to kill Romeo well and continues to badger her in a suitably dramatic fashion. Juliet, herself ill from the island and from her pregnancy, remains a leader, trying to calm Othello, to keep Shakespeare alive, and to plan the best possible outcome for all involved. Viola remains an unpredictable pirate, a great addition to the cast. The plot moves swiftly, with a number of emotional and physical surprises, and the issue ends with quite a cliffhanger.
Belanger draws a good array of people here, refraining from giving anyone the stereotype comic book proportions or armor. Everyone is dressed for their work. There are also some panel arrangements worth more than one look, particularly as the crow flies to Viola and back. Chankhamma keeps the palette muted, giving the book a slightly old-fashioned, almost manuscript look.
Kill Shakespeare remains a must-read for people who love retellings, enjoy Shakespeare, or want a good tale about rebellion, lost causes, frail deities, and the relationship between artist and art.
Kill Shakespeare: The Mask of Night #3 is available from IDW today.
Writer: Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col
Artist: Andy Belanger
Inking Assistance: Adam Gorham
Colors: Shari Chankhamma
Letters: Chris Mowry
Covers: Andy Belanger, J. K. Woodward
