The one thing this series has going for it is how it expands on its premise consistently. Here, they do that by bringing in elements of The Tempest that fit naturally into a fantastical/fanboy element (wizardry and Caliban especially). Still, I have some complaints about characterization and known people meeting each other (the final meeting between Prospero and Shakespeare is a bit of a letdown). But overall, if you've come this far you should enjoy the continuation of the story. ( )

Three months after the war between Richard and Juliet, the prodigals are beginning to settle into a quieter life with only the threat of Titus on their borders. But when Miranda arrives and claims the help of the Shadow King to prevent her father, Prospero, from destroying everyone, all that is quiet is thrown into turmoil. As Hamlet, Juliet, Othello, and Romeo travel to Prospero's island, they will discover threats to themselves, their relationships, and to the life of Shakespeare himself.

Definitely my favourite volume so far. The anarchic world of Prospero's island really allows the characters to develop and while the main narrative arc is resolved in this single volume, plot points are laid that will make for intriguing future volumes in the series. There's also some really gorgeous art in this volume as they create the wildness of the island. ( )

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Richard III and Lady Macbeth have been defeated, but Titus remains. Hamlet and Juliet have continued to hold them off without the help of their maker will Shakespeare, but they may soon be overrun. And they face an even greater danger, Prospero, one of Will's first children has awoken and he means to destroy all creation. Only the Shadow King can stop him and hopefully the won't be too late. And perhaps, just perhaps, Romeo will prove himself.

If you're a fan of Shakespeare and a fan of the Fables series by Bill Willingham, then this comic should be right up your alley. The authors take the world of Shakespeare and turn it upside down. The characters are self aware and break the bonds of their own stories. In the previous two volumes the looked for...and found Master Shakespeare. Now they battle to save their world from the rouge wizard. One of the biggest problems that I had with the first two volumes is that I felt like I had to know all of Shakespeare to follow things, but that's been improved in this volume. Here the characters, while still somewhat attached to their stories, aren't hindered by their past. They live and breathe on their own, which makes it easier to follow them.

The artwork isn't bad, and they finally, finally get to show emotions other than being angry! We actually see them smile. The characters are well drawn out and they've got a new colorist for this volume who is able to actually make the characters separate from the backgrounds and carry the same characteristics throughout the story, which is nice.

All in all this is a great improvement upon the first two volumes, while still keeping alive the idea of Shakespeare's characters being alive. I look forward to seeing where it this story will go next. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. ( )