HENRY V GOT THE SILVER! - by Paul H Birch

Classical, for those unaware yet, produce differing text levels of its books making them suitable for all ages and skill levels. The same artwork is featured in all versions.

Henry V was adapted by John McDonald and illustrated by a relatively new professional comic artist, Neill Cameron. It was coloured by Jason Cardy and Kat Nicholson who've previously worked on titles such as Transformers, Action Man, and Spider-Man for the youth market. Kat told me: "Henry V proved to be a very different type of challenge!" The collective's treatment on the book evoked a medieval flavour but in an enhanced manner suitable for contemporary readers.

The company's scriptwriters include teachers, playwrights and novelists, while artists range from legendary adventure newspaper comic strip artists to guys who pump out the modern adventures of Spider-Man and Wolverine with the odd Eagle award winner tossed in for good measure.

Bryant's business acumen had previously been applied to new media enterprises (ie. the mobile phone industry and satellite TV channels) before he established Classical Comics Ltd in 2007. Karen Wenborn came onboard as managing director, and soon afterwards Jo Wheeler became creative director.
"Neither Karen or I have a publishing background," Bryant admitted at the company's outset. "But we're both strong business people, and are probably overly enthusiastic about books, literacy and education. Jo comes from a print background, so we rely on her to make sure the end product is right."
In a year where he returned to critical and popular acclaim on the English stage, Patrick Stewart, these days internationally renowned for his more pop culture appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation and The X-Men films, took time out to comment on Classical Comics' Shakespeare adaptations, saying:
"I find them gripping, dramatic and, although for me the original Shakespeare is always my reason for turning to these plays, I think that what you are doing in illuminating and making perhaps more lucid, especially for young people, is clever and meaningful."

These were comments echoed by the director of the National Association for the Teaching of English, Ian McNeilly:
"This is a fun way of getting into the stories. Plays are not meant to be read but to be seen. The illustrations in these books are an easy way of following what is going on. The genius of Shakespeare is in the language but for some students understanding it can be a struggle. It will be useful for teachers to have three different versions of the text."
Classical Comics has received quite a bit of media attention in the UK, ranging from interviews on the BBC to coverage within Birmingham's very own Mail newspaper. However, some national newspapers have intentionally tried to portray Classical Comics in a poor light to grab headlines. Bryant appears to take such yellow journalism in his stride, however:

"I suppose with anything new, there are always going to be critics - and we are strong in the belief that we will engender in our youth an appreciation for literacy and literary culture that will serve our society well for years to come." Bryant stated.

Whereas, John McDonald, who has been adapting the company's Shakespeare plays into comic scripts dryly noted: "This isn't dumbing down, it's clueing up!"

Macbeth came out in spring this year and it is to be followed The Tempest, both these books being drawn by Jon Haward with inks by Gary Erskine. Classical works other than Shakespeare are also being adapted, notably Jane Eyre (I've had the pleasure of seeing this and its been beautifully illustrated by noted British weekly comic and newspaper strip cartoonist John Burn), vintage gothic horror in the form of Frankenstein (drawn by Declan Shalvey) and Dracula (drawn by Staz Johnson).

Aptly due in at the end of the year is A Christmas Carol drawn by Mike Collins (who was born in West Bromwich) and inked by David Roach - According to those who've seen the pages Collins' work on this is "something special."

Classical Comics Ltd have lofty expectations and laudable goals, as Bryant explained:

"Kids don't read classical literature the way they used to, and going to the theatre where Shakespeare's supposed to be seen and heard (not read) is beyond the reality of most kids' experiences, so these big comic books act as a doorway - They're a visual excitement experience initially, and once they're been read they start to read the actual book. Our aim is to create interest in classical literature, and Shakespeare in particular, by making it relevant to today's audience."

In just over 12 months Classical Comics has picked up an international award, made inroads in a notoriously difficult fan based UK comics speciality market and, as I've personally witnessed, been literally bombarded by teachers and the like at events like the NEC's Education Show.

Classical Comics have worked hard at developing a niche market in the education sector. As long as they don't make the mistake of expanding drastically and pumping out too many books, it will prove interesting watching this company develop.

Related Websites of Interest:

For Classical Comics visit: www.classicalcomics.com

For more on Neill Cameron visit: http: www.neillcameron.com

For more on Mike Collins visit: www.freakhousegraphics.co.uk

For more on Jon Haward visit: www.jonhawardart.com

For more on Staz Johnson visit: stazjohnson.com

For more on Declan Shalvey visit: www.risecreatives.ie/declanshalvey/index.html