Comics
Review: “Kill Shakespeare: The Mask Of Night” #3
“Kill Shakespeare: The Mask Of Night” #3 delivers an action-packed thriller that doesn’t know how to slow down. The classic Shakespearean characters feel more alive, developed, and modernized as they become part of the swashbuckling genre. In a fresh and new direction, the “Kill Shakespeare” series has found a clever way to appeal to both newcomers and longtime readers.
Written By: Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col
Art By: Andy Belanger
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
Release: August 27, 2014
Reviewed By Jorge Solis
In the aftermath of “Vol. 3: Tide of Blood,” Juliet, Hamlet, and Othello are captured on the pirate ship, The Boreas. Hamlet cannot put his trust in Juliet, because she may be carrying Romeo’s child. Though they are held captive, pirates Cesario and Viola are about to learn there is no honor amongst thieves. Now that the traitor has finally been revealed, Lucius Andronicus is just moments away from making his terrifying arrival.
Writers Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col are really at their best when they spotlight the female Shakespearean characters. This reviewer believes there’s more depth to these characters because the writers have steered away from the romanticism. It’d definitely not a pretty sight when Juliet, who was originally the lovelorn teen, has a heart-to-heart talk with Hamlet. Everything is revealed and wounds are reopened as Juliet is forced to remember she cheated on Hamlet with Romeo.
McCreery and Del Col have carried the narrative with suspense hinting at the upcoming arrival of the rival ship Lavinia. Even though we never see Lucius Andronicus, everyone seems to tremble when his name is mentioned. This is the issue where Andronicus shows up and it doesn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store with this deadly antagonist.
The highlight of Andy Belanger’s artwork is what his drawings can say so much with silence. Notice how Belanger is able to create so much mood and suspense in the first two pages. The illustrations focus on a flying black bird as the winged creature delivers a message to Viola. And when there’s dialogue, Belanger adds so much creativeness to the panel layouts in an impressive splash page.
In Belanger’s character design, Andronics looks more like a Goth rock star, with his long hair and pale skin. Notice when danger is around, he is always smiling. Belanger adds so much personality in his facial features during his grand entrance. I do like that he has a small crossbow strapped to his wrist.
“Kill Shakespeare: The Mask of Night” #3 continues to be a riveting swashbuckling adventure with tons of plot twists. I can’t wait to see the Lavinia and the Boreas do battle in the waters.
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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