How long have you waited for a Shakespeare comic for kids? Well, your wait is over. Kev F Sutherland has launched a Kickstarter for his Shakespeare Comic, a 32 page, full colour anthology containing comic strip adaptations of seven of the classics – Romeo and Juliet, Richard the Third, Macbeth, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear and Twelfth Night.
“Brevity being the soul of wit, these are excerpts from my full length graphic novel adaptations, so now you can sample my takes on Shakespeare without having to buy the full book every time,” Kev, perhaps best known for his work on BEANO and Doctor Who Magazine, who has created several graphic novels inspired by the Bard, tells us. “And the even better news – you could be in it!
“I’m supporting the comic with a Kickstarter campaign, where you can simply order an advance signed copy of the comic or, should you fancy, you can appear in person on the Map of Shakespeare’s Britain, which forms a free A2 pullout poster.”
The project has clearly hit a chord, as it’s already hit its relatively modest initial target!
Kev F Sutherland has been a comic book writer and artist for many years, working for everyone from Beano to Marvel comics, via Viz magazine, Red Dwarf Smegazine, Zig & Zag’s Zogazine and a hundred titles you may never have heard of. His debut graphic novel, Findlay Macbeth, came out in 2020, re-released in 2025, followed by more Shakespeare adaptations with a twist: Richard The Third, Prince Of Denmark Street and The Midsummer Night’s Dream Team. His collection, Comic Tales From The Bible, was published in 2022.
• Check out the Kickstarter campaign before Saturday 13th June 2026 to grab your copy
• You can find Kev F on social media at @kevfcomicartist and at kevfcomicartist.com
Kev F’s Shakespeare Graphic Novels
An adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy, with a comic twist. The debut graphic novel of Kev F Sutherland, writer and artist who’s worked for Beano and Marvel comics, and most others inbetween. This is the enhanced second edition, now with greyscale halftoned artwork, published 2025.
It’s 1977 and, in the small Scottish firm of Alba Industries, Findlay Macbeth is Salesman Of The Year. But when he gets overlooked for promotion, things turn ugly. Abigail’s Party meets The Scottish Play in this 125 page graphic novel. This edition is purely the comic strip (other editions are available, which include Shakespeare’s full text at the back).
Hamlet is a punk rocker, in this 120 page graphic novel retelling of Shakespeare’s tragedy, written and drawn by Beano and Marvel creator Kev F Sutherland. “Something’s rotten, look at the state of Denmark Street” It’s 1977, and on London’s Tin Pan Alley, the home of the music business, Hamlet and The Danes are the hottest new punk rock band.
But when Hamlet discovers his dad’s been killed and his uncle’s taken over the music biz, while also marrying his mum, there’s hell to pay.
This book gives you the 120 page graphic novel, plus the full Shakespeare play so you can see how much is by the bard and how much by Kev F, plus there’s a Soundtrack Album, and an article about the history of London’s Denmark Street.
• The Midsummer Night’s Dream Team
Theo the Greek is marrying Hippolyta at their restaurant Athens, while some star-crossed lovers disobey their parents and a prog rock group performs their concept album Pyramus and Thisbe. And next door in Woods nightclub, Titania, Oberon and Puck are having a ball. What could possibly go wrong?
Quite a lot, it seems, when Quince gets the gang together for one last job.
• Richard The Third – Full Colour Edition
Shakespeare for fans of Dogman and Bunny vs Monkey – First Full Colour Edition of the Paperback second edition (revised, with additional pages and rewrites). It’s Shakespeare like you never saw before! King Richard is one part Dennis The Menace, one part Captain Underpants, and 100 percent evil Shakespearian villain.
Follow his stabby stabby death death exploits as he takes over the throne of England, with his trusty best mate Bucky the Unicorn! A fab fun comic retelling of Shakespeare’s so-called tragedy.
Romeo & Juliet – Shakespeare like you never saw before. The classic tale of star crossed lovers, tells Shakespeare’s comedy straight, but keeps it fun throughout.
• You can find Kev F on social media at @kevfcomicartist and at kevfcomicartist.com
• Check out the Kickstarter campaign before Saturday 13th June 2026 to grab your copy
- About the Author
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, Creating Comics, Crowd Funding Projects, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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