Toil and Trouble #1by Patti MartinsonReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Smertae, a witch, arrives on Alba (Scotland) in the company of enemy Norwegian ships who have come to parlay with a Scottish traitor, Macdonwald, who seeks to rule Scotland and trade with Norway. Smertae quickly joins her sisters, Riata and Cait and together they plot to shape the battles that are to come. Smertae and Cait wander through the camp, and we see the familiar characters of Banquo, Macbeth, and Malcom, and we realize Smertae is one of the three witches from Macbeth.Like pretty much a lot of people, I am familiar with the well-known Shakespeare play, The Tragedy of Macbeth. While it isn't my favorite play, one of my favorite parts of the play is the three witches to lead Macbeth to his doom. So I was interested in a comic that retells the tragedy from their perspective. I do like that straight-off, the sisters have an uneasy relationship. Smertae was exile for nine years by her two sisters and she has not quite gotten over that. Her sister Cait, appears younger and pleasanter. Riate is the leader of the three and is fairly cold in personality and clashes with Smertae. Nevertheless I do like that they remain loyal to each other and are the main protectors of Scotland, despite the fading of such creatures as themselves. I also liked how each of the sisters looked. Cait has wood elements like branches and has a snake familiar. Riata has a bird familiar and has the ability to fly. Smertae seems to be associated with water as her familiar is a crab. I'm not sure if it is deliberate or random, but I do like the natural elements being associated with them. I'm also very curious on how they will follow through with the rest of Macbeth, how each will drive the plot of the play forward. It already appears that Smertae is sad about what she and her sisters are about to do, but seems resigned to the fate that drives them all. I love the idea of a different perspective of a very well-known story and I do feel like this will be told quite well. Written: November 14, 2015
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