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Romeo and Juliet: The War
Presents a futuristic retellling in graphic novel format of the story of Romeo and Juliet as the rivalry between the Montagues, cyborgs with manufactured DNA, and the Capulets, genetically enhanced humans, threatens to destroy the Empire of Verona while Romeo and Juliet, after falling in love, hope to bring about peace.
140 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 21, 2018
Exquisite art, pouring in a strange mixture of baroque drawings and digital paintings. The story its the same old one, with some sweet twists. In the end, really satisfying
February 9, 2012
I don’t mind in principle that the adaptors set the R&J story is a futuristic world of warriors with augmented bodies and advanced weaponry. I’m interested in what is kept from Shakespeare, what is not used, and what is transformed with the hope that all of these make sense in the retelling. By this measure the book is not bad, though I cannot describe the changes without spoiling the story. Not bad does not mean good, however. A couple the changes are interesting, but nothing seems great, especially clever or especially revealing.
The book has three things going against it, the dialog, the art and the printing. Very few of Shakespeare’s lines are used, but I am fine with that. The lines which replace them, alas, are functionary at best and too often banal. Lines such as, “I’m sorry I ruined your life,” and “This is just a costume” abound. They sometimes move the story forward, sometimes not, but seldom interestingly.
We consider the art and the printing together. The art was obviously created on a computer or so processed on one that the difference is not apparent. The result is a style that looks like a video game. That is fine for video games, which are lit by a computer screen, but on a page the printing renders the images muddy. It is often difficult to identify the characters and more often difficult to understand their physical actions. This is a combination of the drawing and the printing. Being a bound comic book, there are fights, three of them, and it is virtually impossible to follow the action due to both the drawing and the printing. Fights are usually visually exciting in comics, but there are dull looking and confusing. Both the art and the printing made the art very hard to follow and that makes the story hard to follow. The fact that Romeo is obviously based on Justin Bieber annoyed me, but it may please a younger generation.
This is not a bad concept for a graphic novel, but the execution fails. Maybe it should be turned into a video game instead. You may view the book’s trailer here, but be warned that viewing this on your computer makes the art look much better than it does in print. http://video.comicbookresources.com/c...
The book has three things going against it, the dialog, the art and the printing. Very few of Shakespeare’s lines are used, but I am fine with that. The lines which replace them, alas, are functionary at best and too often banal. Lines such as, “I’m sorry I ruined your life,” and “This is just a costume” abound. They sometimes move the story forward, sometimes not, but seldom interestingly.
We consider the art and the printing together. The art was obviously created on a computer or so processed on one that the difference is not apparent. The result is a style that looks like a video game. That is fine for video games, which are lit by a computer screen, but on a page the printing renders the images muddy. It is often difficult to identify the characters and more often difficult to understand their physical actions. This is a combination of the drawing and the printing. Being a bound comic book, there are fights, three of them, and it is virtually impossible to follow the action due to both the drawing and the printing. Fights are usually visually exciting in comics, but there are dull looking and confusing. Both the art and the printing made the art very hard to follow and that makes the story hard to follow. The fact that Romeo is obviously based on Justin Bieber annoyed me, but it may please a younger generation.
This is not a bad concept for a graphic novel, but the execution fails. Maybe it should be turned into a video game instead. You may view the book’s trailer here, but be warned that viewing this on your computer makes the art look much better than it does in print. http://video.comicbookresources.com/c...
January 12, 2015
Ok.... Umm...?
Really, I don't even. I CAN'T even.
This book is literally a massive copyright infringement. All of the characters are just real people only drawn really well. Friggin like, Juliet; She is literally Courtney Cox and and Romeo is Zac Efron. All of the other characters where just some lookalikes that the guys and I could point out. Other than that, the art is magnificent almost near real picture quality. But the story? Hot damn they took something already not that great and took a big steamer right on it. I know, let's take something set in the 1500s and just throw them in the 2500s. There is literally no character development and it doesn't even really explain WHY the Montegues and the Capulets are fighting. And actually, *Spoiler Alert* THEY COMMIT SUICIDE BY BLOWING THEMSELVES UP WITH A GRENADE WUTTT???? probably one of the worst and best things I've ever had to consume.
Really, I don't even. I CAN'T even.
This book is literally a massive copyright infringement. All of the characters are just real people only drawn really well. Friggin like, Juliet; She is literally Courtney Cox and and Romeo is Zac Efron. All of the other characters where just some lookalikes that the guys and I could point out. Other than that, the art is magnificent almost near real picture quality. But the story? Hot damn they took something already not that great and took a big steamer right on it. I know, let's take something set in the 1500s and just throw them in the 2500s. There is literally no character development and it doesn't even really explain WHY the Montegues and the Capulets are fighting. And actually, *Spoiler Alert* THEY COMMIT SUICIDE BY BLOWING THEMSELVES UP WITH A GRENADE WUTTT???? probably one of the worst and best things I've ever had to consume.
August 3, 2012
I never really liked Romeo and Juliet, mostly because the main characters irritated the hell out of me (especially Romeo) -- and even remakes usually left me cold -- maybe because to me this was a tale on the folly of youth and love, and it felt there was always some "grumpy ol' man" bitterness behind it. I did like the Romeo and Juliet modern movie remake, but more out of the smartness of the reimaginning of the setting than the story itself.
However, from the 2 stars I'd normally give something like this, it got two extra stars for:
- The setting (cyberpunk, which I love and love the take they give here)
- The art (half realistic, half anime, fully digital painted with amazing light effects).
The format is a tad unwieldy, but it works very well with the art, so letting it pass.
However, from the 2 stars I'd normally give something like this, it got two extra stars for:
- The setting (cyberpunk, which I love and love the take they give here)
- The art (half realistic, half anime, fully digital painted with amazing light effects).
The format is a tad unwieldy, but it works very well with the art, so letting it pass.
March 31, 2016
I really enjoy this interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, the whole sci-fi atmosphere it has is truely exciting and fits this tragic tale we all know. It feels essentially like a dark marvel comic book that I've have read before. You can really tell Stan Lee's creative genius was a part of this graphic novel. It's the same story as we all know, Romeo and Juliet, except the two families are different based on other features. One has mechanical body parts, essentially making them half cyborg, and the other family are genetically enhanced super humans. Which is why they fight constantly, and everyone else in the city hates the two families. It's romantic, it's action paced in almost every page, with guns and fist fights and blood and robo bits. I recommend anyone who likes adaptations of things to read it, or if you like sci-fi I recommend it.
May 13, 2016
By far the best adaptation of Romeo and Juliet that I have ever seen. Reading this book felt like watching a 3D movie: the action practically explodes in your face. This scifi world and its inhabitants are beautifully designed, and the story flows from panel to panel with impressive grace. This is a must-read for any Shakespeare fan, while also serving as an accessible entrance to the Bard for timid readers.
August 1, 2012
The story is a little rushed, but the art is really beautiful and the sci-fi world is a fitting setting.
May 14, 2023
Me pareció un retelling muy interesante. La manera en que le encontraron la vuelta fue bastante entretenido e innovador para una historia super conocida. Si bien mantiene algunos elementos de la obra original de Shakespeare que se adaptan correctamente, hay uno que para mí tuvo que ser removido porque en un lugar con semejantes avances no pueden mantener un elemento como la carta, eso me pareció un error bastante grosero en la trama, pero aun así el resto estuvo muy bien ambientado y el final me convenció totalmente. Por otro lado, me gusto como plantearon a ambas familias, dotándolas de diferentes ventajas desarrolladas por la tecnología que surgen del trasfondo de dos personajes que quedaban bastante bien para empezar a desarrollar la trama familiar. La atmósfera futurística concediéndole un aire nuevo a la ciudad de Verona fue acompañada magistralmente por las ilustraciones.
February 14, 2022
This was a fun scifi take on Romeo and Juliet. Super cool! Lots of modern language mixed with some of the iconic older lines. Modern interpretation and takes on some lines that actually made it a great commentary and addition to the original.
The only big scifi change I didn't like was tradingthe sleeping potion that Juliet drank for a robotic chip that was inserted into her underboob. I really didn't need to see sexy naked pix of Juliet. I just didn't. And yes, the pictures of her were heavily sexualized, way more so than Romeos.
Other than that I enjoyed this adaptation. The art was wonderful and I thought it was really creative, too.
The only big scifi change I didn't like was tradingthe sleeping potion that Juliet drank for a robotic chip that was inserted into her underboob. I really didn't need to see sexy naked pix of Juliet. I just didn't. And yes, the pictures of her were heavily sexualized, way more so than Romeos.
Other than that I enjoyed this adaptation. The art was wonderful and I thought it was really creative, too.
February 14, 2021
AWESOME read :)
Gorgeous art, fast pace, and a creative interpretation on Shakespeare's classic text. This won't be for everyone, because so many people are protective over the R&J story, and it's far from perfect, but it's an interesting, beautiful, and futuristic take on the classic work if you're wanting something new. There's not going to be anything else like it out there, and it'll definitely appeal to this generation, maybe even help them understand or pique their interest in the classic text.
I'll happily read this one again :D
Gorgeous art, fast pace, and a creative interpretation on Shakespeare's classic text. This won't be for everyone, because so many people are protective over the R&J story, and it's far from perfect, but it's an interesting, beautiful, and futuristic take on the classic work if you're wanting something new. There's not going to be anything else like it out there, and it'll definitely appeal to this generation, maybe even help them understand or pique their interest in the classic text.
I'll happily read this one again :D
March 10, 2018
The artwork was great, the concept was fantastic, the execution was lacking.
I understand that when you retell Romeo and Juliet hundreds of years in the future, many things will be different, but taking literal poetry and replacing it with writing that could have been conceived by an elementary student is not the greatest thing that could have been done.
I didn't expect Shakespearean language or talent in the writing, but I expected more than what is there.
I understand that when you retell Romeo and Juliet hundreds of years in the future, many things will be different, but taking literal poetry and replacing it with writing that could have been conceived by an elementary student is not the greatest thing that could have been done.
I didn't expect Shakespearean language or talent in the writing, but I expected more than what is there.
August 28, 2025
This was a great spin on a classic tale. The illustrations were amazing! Their ending deaths felt a lot more justified than in the original story, and the characters were well established for such a short book. The extras section was much appreciated! One note is that the drawings felt muddy; I understand the book had darker themes, but I feel the colors could have been clearer while still conveying the overall vibe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2017
An interesting take on a classic. The artwork is awesome as well. My only gripe is that the beautiful oversized pages don't fit well on a bookshelf.
March 2, 2022
A futuristic retelling of Shakespeare's classic.
Spoiler: The ending doesn't change.
Spoiler: The ending doesn't change.
August 2, 2020
This book had a lot of interesting ideas, but they didn't really go anywhere that impressive.
The story is just the story of Romeo and Juliet, which I'm assuming most people already know. It doesn't do anything groundbreaking with the story. It still has the same ending and everything. I didn't notice any big changes as far as the basic story went.
Where this book is different is in the setting. This version of the story takes place in the future and so it has some futuristic elements. The most important of these is the idea of body alterations. In this version of the story, the reason the Montagues and the Capulets are at odds with each other is because the Montagues are people who have had their bodies modified mechanically while the Capulets have been modified genetically. The big conflict between them is basically which one is better.
This theme is pretty common in sci-fi/cyberpunk and I usually like it so I liked it here. I thought some of the differences too had interesting potential. The Montagues are described as being more physically strong, while the Capulets are more agile. This could be an interesting setup for a fight, since there are several fight scenes in R and J, but it doesn't end up amounting to much. The fights are all kind of the same and you don't really get an idea that the two sides' fighting styles are vastly different from one another.
I think this is kind of an issue with the art too. I like some of the art, but I don't think it portrays the action very well. A lot of the fight scenes were pretty blah and some were a little too dark to get a good idea of what was going on. I don't think it was the best at conveying expressions either which made some of the dialogue not come across as well as it could have.
The story is just the story of Romeo and Juliet, which I'm assuming most people already know. It doesn't do anything groundbreaking with the story. It still has the same ending and everything. I didn't notice any big changes as far as the basic story went.
Where this book is different is in the setting. This version of the story takes place in the future and so it has some futuristic elements. The most important of these is the idea of body alterations. In this version of the story, the reason the Montagues and the Capulets are at odds with each other is because the Montagues are people who have had their bodies modified mechanically while the Capulets have been modified genetically. The big conflict between them is basically which one is better.
This theme is pretty common in sci-fi/cyberpunk and I usually like it so I liked it here. I thought some of the differences too had interesting potential. The Montagues are described as being more physically strong, while the Capulets are more agile. This could be an interesting setup for a fight, since there are several fight scenes in R and J, but it doesn't end up amounting to much. The fights are all kind of the same and you don't really get an idea that the two sides' fighting styles are vastly different from one another.
I think this is kind of an issue with the art too. I like some of the art, but I don't think it portrays the action very well. A lot of the fight scenes were pretty blah and some were a little too dark to get a good idea of what was going on. I don't think it was the best at conveying expressions either which made some of the dialogue not come across as well as it could have.
July 2, 2014
This is simply the story of Romeo and Juliet with a sci-fi setting, which is why I picked it up at the library. Every page is visually stunning and I hoped that since it only said it was based on the play that they might play with the story more.
I was thoroughly disappointed.
Dr Montague stumbled upon artificial DNA while trying to discover a way to walk again. This DNA allowed him to create robotic organs that worked better which made them far superior soldiers. Dr Capulet didn't appreciate how much the Montagues are making from the government so finds a way to enhance the body without robotic body parts. Together they wipe out all other threats to fair Verona and are left with only each other to fight.
And from there it is just your basic Romeo and Juliet. Lots of killing each other and then avenging that persons death. Crashing a masquerade ball. Love at first sight. A crazy fast wedding. More death. Exile. Some miscommunication. The death of the title characters and then some reconciliation. (I don't need to say spoilers for a play that's hundreds of years old anymore right?)
While there are some excellent scenes, especially fight scenes, that come from this futuristic setting that's all you're really getting from this graphic novel. I liked that the more famous lines were simply left in unchanged but I had hoped that this story might change the plot slightly.
By changing the setting to a completely different place it offers an opportunity to change the story. Add some twists and surprises to keep you more invested in this story.
I was hoping for a reimagining and all I got was a re-telling.
I was thoroughly disappointed.
Dr Montague stumbled upon artificial DNA while trying to discover a way to walk again. This DNA allowed him to create robotic organs that worked better which made them far superior soldiers. Dr Capulet didn't appreciate how much the Montagues are making from the government so finds a way to enhance the body without robotic body parts. Together they wipe out all other threats to fair Verona and are left with only each other to fight.
And from there it is just your basic Romeo and Juliet. Lots of killing each other and then avenging that persons death. Crashing a masquerade ball. Love at first sight. A crazy fast wedding. More death. Exile. Some miscommunication. The death of the title characters and then some reconciliation. (I don't need to say spoilers for a play that's hundreds of years old anymore right?)
While there are some excellent scenes, especially fight scenes, that come from this futuristic setting that's all you're really getting from this graphic novel. I liked that the more famous lines were simply left in unchanged but I had hoped that this story might change the plot slightly.
By changing the setting to a completely different place it offers an opportunity to change the story. Add some twists and surprises to keep you more invested in this story.
I was hoping for a reimagining and all I got was a re-telling.
June 21, 2017
This book is awesome. Coincidentally the main theme from Romeo and Juliet is love at first sight. That is how I felt when I first saw this book in previews. I saw the preview of the next gen art and though I must keep a look out for this book, but it never materialised in my comic book store. For some reason it was not as well received in London. I finally found a copy on amazon. I have to say the book does not disappoint the art work is consistent and incredible all the way through. The book keeps to the themes and story line of William Shakespeare original story, the dialogue is completely different, which I (the barbarian I am) do not think is a bad thing. Rather than the language of love Romeo and Juliet have a more personal link between them with might be lost on some people being the first of the next generation of their species. When you read the book you will understand why I say species instead of families. This book is well worth the money and beautiful to look at. I personally think it is the next generation of digital comics, I can see this looking even better on tablets, and would not be surprised to see an movie made of this I mean 90% of the art work is done why they hell not. Great book well worth the money.
December 10, 2012
Remaking a story into something new -- even just changing the time period -- usually makes me very happy. I find it interesting to see how it'll play out in a different way. So this book looked like a winner. Plus the artwork was really really good.
On the downside: (1) I'm just not a fan of fight scenes in graphical novels, no matter how good they are. I really like words. (2) I was very disappointed with one of the major changes made in this version. I mean, come on. If you're going to make a change, at least make it for the better. The Romeo + Juliet version where Juliet wakes up before Romeo is fully dead... that's a change for the better. This one had a change for the worse.
Also, I might have enjoyed having more words from the Shakespeare version. Maybe not everyone would, though. There's probably a lot of variation in how different readers would like that.
Overall: Well done. There are just a few things that could be changed to make me happier.
On the downside: (1) I'm just not a fan of fight scenes in graphical novels, no matter how good they are. I really like words. (2) I was very disappointed with one of the major changes made in this version. I mean, come on. If you're going to make a change, at least make it for the better. The Romeo + Juliet version where Juliet wakes up before Romeo is fully dead... that's a change for the better. This one had a change for the worse.
Also, I might have enjoyed having more words from the Shakespeare version. Maybe not everyone would, though. There's probably a lot of variation in how different readers would like that.
Overall: Well done. There are just a few things that could be changed to make me happier.
February 22, 2012
A fantastic re-telling of a tragic, legendary love story with a futuristic twist.
Battles between Montague cyborgs and genetically-enhanced Capulets, along with the developing romance between two young star-crossed lovers, makes this an exciting, page-turning read despite knowing the outcome in advance.
And now that it's over, I can enjoy the beautiful visual display it provides while sitting on my top shelf.
The artwork is stunning and even more enjoyable in its large coffee-table size as opposed to the smaller, standard graphic novel form.
Romeo & Juliet: The War will appeal to all fans of science fiction, fantasy, action, and romance; whether you read graphic novels or not.
http://addicted2heroines.blogspot.com...
Battles between Montague cyborgs and genetically-enhanced Capulets, along with the developing romance between two young star-crossed lovers, makes this an exciting, page-turning read despite knowing the outcome in advance.
And now that it's over, I can enjoy the beautiful visual display it provides while sitting on my top shelf.
The artwork is stunning and even more enjoyable in its large coffee-table size as opposed to the smaller, standard graphic novel form.
Romeo & Juliet: The War will appeal to all fans of science fiction, fantasy, action, and romance; whether you read graphic novels or not.
http://addicted2heroines.blogspot.com...
May 29, 2012
Stan Lee can work magic - but trying to tweak the work of William Shakespeare may be too much. Author Max Work teams with the Marvel master in an attempt to explore the Capulet/Montague feud in science fiction terms. The Montagues are artificial soldiers, bred with cybernetics to help win a brutal war. Nearing the end of the conflict, the genetically-enhanced Capulets are introduced to seal the victory. Resentful of each other, the 'bloodlines' are effectively separated to opposite ends of the city following numerous clashes. As one would expect, the classic characters make their appearances amidst the Romeo/Juliet tale. Cybernetic Romeo and genetic Juliet play out the scenes as expected. Overall, a pale imitation of the original.
November 5, 2015
Via Black 'n Write Review
My final thoughts:
I don’t know if I’d put this book on my To-Be-Purchased list for school, but I thought the art was pretty amazing. Reminded me of so many of those violent video games. Like so many other Shakespeare parodies, this is another story about the young lovers Romeo and Juliet. Although this particular book focused on the graphic nature of violent cyborgs with quick reflex Terminator-like posture, it was still able to en-capture the emotions of the characters whether they were unsure, furious, upset, or any other attitude they displayed throughout.
- Krys
My final thoughts:
I don’t know if I’d put this book on my To-Be-Purchased list for school, but I thought the art was pretty amazing. Reminded me of so many of those violent video games. Like so many other Shakespeare parodies, this is another story about the young lovers Romeo and Juliet. Although this particular book focused on the graphic nature of violent cyborgs with quick reflex Terminator-like posture, it was still able to en-capture the emotions of the characters whether they were unsure, furious, upset, or any other attitude they displayed throughout.
- Krys
February 1, 2015
Visually stunning, this is a gorgeous comic, with an interesting conflit and resolutions (no actual surprise, considering its "Romeu and Juliet, but it was still well executed).
This work's only flaw was the insta-romance which did not convince me AT ALL. Romeu and Juliet just fell into each others arms for NO reason at all.
Aside from that, this is a comic that deserves to be seen and appreciated in all other things (except romance, and that seems criminal considering it's "Romeu and Juliet", but it's still very much worth it).
This work's only flaw was the insta-romance which did not convince me AT ALL. Romeu and Juliet just fell into each others arms for NO reason at all.
Aside from that, this is a comic that deserves to be seen and appreciated in all other things (except romance, and that seems criminal considering it's "Romeu and Juliet", but it's still very much worth it).
April 3, 2014
For a brief overview of this book it is at its core the Romeo and Juliet story but modernize it and then push it forward another 500 years into the future. The two major factions (Capulet's and Montague's) are war assets derived from the pursuit of the perfect super soldier but they branch off two completely different ways but both are highly improved humans. I would recommend this book to anyone who would rather read a graphic novel and futuristic version of the classic book written but Shakespeare.
January 23, 2017
This was a rather ridiculous graphic novel depicting a futuristic Romeo and Juliet, Marvel style. The story line is the same as the play with the same characters but this was just a little overboard for my taste. Even the drawings were not as good as I thought they could be. The book randomly kept at least one original line from the play (“Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo”), but did not keep any other lines. I mean, was there a point to that?
Either way, I finished it. There were a lot more deaths in this book than the play and much more war (though, I suppose it’s called “The War”).
Either way, I finished it. There were a lot more deaths in this book than the play and much more war (though, I suppose it’s called “The War”).
July 2, 2012
I like this adaptation although the tone bore more than a passing resemblence to the Leonardo DiCaprio/ Clare Danes movie. The artwork is fantastic and certainly the book is worth the price for the art alone. I liked the concept of mutated and cloned family groups and there are some plot lines that differ from the original and this is not a bad thing. Be warned though, this is a heavy book. Even the paper version cannot be comfortably read without a supporting surface.
January 20, 2013
One old story got a new coat and it fits like glove. Verona is not town but an empire, which used two powerful faction cyborg Montagues and genetically enhanced humans Capulets to fight for its glory. However the enemy was defeated and those soldier were left behind to devour themselves in neverending fights until two starcrossed lovers met. The artwork made the trick and butchered classical story got perfect background.
September 7, 2013
[3 and 1/2 stars]
The Bard's tale gets a light SF makeover, with the Montagues and the Capulets being two clans of genetically-engineered soldiers who turn to fighting each other after a long war against the empire of Verona's external enemies. There's an overabundance of fight scenes at the expense of the love story/tragedy, but there are some nice touches of humour, and the CG illustrations are fairly stunning.
The Bard's tale gets a light SF makeover, with the Montagues and the Capulets being two clans of genetically-engineered soldiers who turn to fighting each other after a long war against the empire of Verona's external enemies. There's an overabundance of fight scenes at the expense of the love story/tragedy, but there are some nice touches of humour, and the CG illustrations are fairly stunning.
September 28, 2013
why do i expect a different ending just cause its an alternate romeo & juliet story? *sigh. i guess i will never give up hope. lol. anyways , i did enjoy the graphic novel but i felt the love story was rushed and some of the page drawings were too dark. i could barely see. i know its night time but i still wanna see. overall, i liked it.
October 13, 2012
The artwork is amazing with futuristic, colorful scenes. I love science fiction, so that aspect of the adaptation was interesting. It stayed true to the classic story but also had little differences that complimented the graphic novel.
October 16, 2012
I have to admit it was a good book! Very creative plot about the feud of Montagues and Capulets! Also love the illustration as well! If you love comics and like Shakespeare, then I highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews