Prince of Cats Puts a Modern Twist on a Classic Tale
Wes Walcott — September 26, 2012 — Pop Culture
References: vertigocomics & kotaku
Artist and writer Ronald Wimberly gives Romeo and Juliet an urban makeover in the sharp-witted graphic novel from Vertigo Comics titled Prince of Cats.
Loaded with references to things like the Wu-Tang Clan and The Warriors, Prince of Cats is as much an homage to hip-hop culture as it is to cult film classics. The story is written from the point of view of Tybalt, Romeo's primary antagonist, as he and his Capulet brothers continue their war against the Montagues on the streets and rooftops of New York.
The story is chock-full of action and clever juxtaposition as characters face off in rap/samurai battles and wax poetic using archaic Shakespearean language infused with modern slang. There's even a love story hidden in there somewhere. Best of all, the entire thing is written in iambic pentameter! So even though there are rapping hip-hop samurais all over the place, it maintains a vibe that is uniquely Shakespeare.
Prince of Cats marks an impressive comic debut for Wimberly. If you're a fan of Romeo and Juliet, rap music, or samurai swordplay, you're definitely going to want to check this one out.
Loaded with references to things like the Wu-Tang Clan and The Warriors, Prince of Cats is as much an homage to hip-hop culture as it is to cult film classics. The story is written from the point of view of Tybalt, Romeo's primary antagonist, as he and his Capulet brothers continue their war against the Montagues on the streets and rooftops of New York.
The story is chock-full of action and clever juxtaposition as characters face off in rap/samurai battles and wax poetic using archaic Shakespearean language infused with modern slang. There's even a love story hidden in there somewhere. Best of all, the entire thing is written in iambic pentameter! So even though there are rapping hip-hop samurais all over the place, it maintains a vibe that is uniquely Shakespeare.
Prince of Cats marks an impressive comic debut for Wimberly. If you're a fan of Romeo and Juliet, rap music, or samurai swordplay, you're definitely going to want to check this one out.
Trend Themes
1. Hip-hop Shakespeare Comics - The fusion of hip-hop and classic literature in comics presents an opportunity for artists and writers to create unique and fresh re-imaginings of well-known stories.
2. Urban Remakes of Classic Tales - Revamping classic tales with gritty urban settings and modern twists creates opportunities for writers and artists to introduce new audiences to timeless stories.
3. Merging of Cultures in Media - Incorporating elements from different cultures into mainstream media offers opportunities for fresh interpretations and the exploration of previously uncharted territory.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - The publishing industry can benefit from commissioning graphic novel adaptations of classic literature that merge hip-hop culture with traditional stories.
2. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can tap into a consumer audience looking for modern retellings of classic stories that incorporate diverse cultural elements into the mix.
3. Art and Design - Artists and designers can take advantage of the trend to merge classic stories with urban culture by creating visually captivating graphic novels that bring these hybrid stories to life.
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