Comics Do Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 1: Ill Met by Website

A very merry day of birth to the King of Pop Theatre, William Shakespeare, on this day in 1564, which makes him simultaneously 458 years old (try getting that many candles on your cake, 'specially in a thatched cottage), dead, and immortal. Geez, it's like he's one'a them Immortal X-Men that are all the rage these days. Get outta the goldball and start writing more plays, Shakespeare, ya bum!

Here's everything you need to know to pass the pop quiz on Shakespeare your teacher will give you tomorrow, courtesy of the good folks at Classics Illustrated. Classics Illustrated: Summing up priceless works of literature and All Quiet on the Western Front, since 1947.


"William Shakespeare" from Classics Illustrated #87 (Gilberton, September 1951), pencils and inks by Alex Blum
Ah, but we here at Comics Oughta Be Fun! are not content to give you just a mere summary of the Bard Who's Barred in Several Red States, no no no no. (No.) Today, all day, and (luckily for you) only this day, you get to read the Shakespare canon through that medium we love so much: Jell-O comic books! First up, let's take a peek at Shakespeare's 1595 or 1956 A Summersummer Night's Dream romantic comedy/fantasy/excuse to wear a big-ass donkey head, as seen in that very same ish of Classics Illustrated I showed you above. Who says this isn't the Bountiful Bully Bonus of Beautiful and Blessed Benerosity?


from Classics Illustrated #87, script by Samuel Willinsky, pencils and inks by Alex Blum
Haw! It's funny because he's an ass! Still, that's the kinda sophisticated and witty comedy you get from the bard of Avon Calling.

Stay tuned today for more Shakespeare in comics fun, until the curtain falls tonight or until I get bored with it.