Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels) – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels)

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020

89%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Shakespeare’s emo prince gets a graphic novel makeover that actually makes the 'to be or not to be' angst feel relatable instead of a homework chore.

Hamlet (No Fear Shakespeare Graphic Novels)

book

2020

89%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

Shakespeare’s emo prince gets a graphic novel makeover that actually makes the 'to be or not to be' angst feel relatable instead of a homework chore.

4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: reading Shakespeare in the original verse can feel like trying to download a 4K movie on a 1990s dial-up connection. This graphic novel is the high-speed fiber optic version.

It keeps the integrity of the story but uses the graphic novel format to show the action that the words sometimes hide. It’s safe, it’s incredibly smart, and it’s one of the few ways to get a 14-year-old to actually care about 17th-century Danish royalty.

If your kid is struggling with English class or just likes dark, brooding stories, this is a top-tier pick.

Age Fit

Best for middle and high schoolers (12+) who are either assigned the play in school or just like a moody, well-told drama. Adults who never 'got' Shakespeare will secretly love this too.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It’s a tragedy about a guy whose uncle killed his dad and married his mom. Not exactly 'feel-good' content, but it models complex emotional processing and the consequences of revenge without being nihilistic.

Imaginative

The 'offbeat' and 'funky' art style gives a 400-year-old play a fresh visual language. It manages to make a ghost story and a psychological breakdown feel modern and visually inventive.

Safe

It’s a book, so no hidden chat rooms or microtransactions. Content-wise, there is stylized violence, poisonings, and Ophelia’s tragic end, but it's handled with the maturity expected for a teen-targeted classic.

Enriching

This is the ultimate 'cheat code' for cultural literacy. It bridges the gap between 'I don't get this old English' and 'I actually understand why Hamlet is losing his mind.' It's high-level ethics and philosophy in a digestible format.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The side-by-side modern translation means your kid won't need a dictionary every three seconds to understand the plot.
The 'funky' art style actually appeals to modern teens rather than looking like a dusty textbook illustration.
It tackles massive life questions—grief, betrayal, and 'what happens after we die'—in a way that sticks.
It’s a massive confidence booster for kids who feel intimidated by 'high literature.'

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What to Watch For

The body count is high; almost everyone dies by the end, mostly by stabbing or poison.
Ophelia’s descent into madness and eventual drowning can be heavy for sensitive readers.
Hamlet’s treatment of his mother and Ophelia is pretty toxic and worth a 'hey, this isn't how you treat people' talk.

Conversation Starters

"If your uncle did what Claudius did, would you go for revenge or just call the police?"
"Do you think Hamlet was actually crazy, or was he just a really good actor?"
"Why do you think Hamlet waited so long to actually do something?"
"What do you think of the art style? Does it make the characters feel more 'real' than a stage play?"

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