Over 31,000 titles are listed at Amazon under the heading Graphic Novels. Of those, 1500 are classic titles like Frankenstein, Macbeth and Crime and Punishment.

It's the rage, but does it matter?

In a review of the graphic novel, Othello, Benjamin Russell of Belmont HIgh School in New Hampshire writes, "One finds oneself asking why these design decisions were made, and the lack of evidence of any thoughtful intent makes the adaptation unintentionally comic and bizarre. Coupled with a lackluster use of tone and shade, and a series of monologues that lacks narrative form, this volume would seem unlikely to convert manga readers to Shakespeare, nor to lead literature readers to comics."

His comment implies a connection between reading graphic novels and reading classics in the original. As in, one might inspire a reader to transition to the other. Is there evidence of this or are they two separate markets?

John Mullan of the online The Guardian wrote about Macbeth, "There have always been attempts to persuade schoolchildren that Shakespeare is thrilling, but teachers will surely grasp at this: Classical Comics' unabridged graphic novel rendering of the Bard's most frequently taught play."

Unabridged? Now that is cool.

Mullan continues, "There is certainly sensationalism in his version, but there is also something more interesting than just another attempt to make the Bard look flashy and relevant. The graphic novel helps the unschooled reader see that Macbeth - extraordinary as its language might be - is not just words."

It occurs to me reading this that Shakespeare wrote plays meant to be seen and not just heard in reader's heads. Comic versions allow for the interaction between the visual and the verbal in a manner closer to a print only version.

But tampering with the text?

In the list to the right, you can see that I have listed four versions of Macbeth. Obviously this is Shakespeare, the man whose prose reigns supreme.

Mullan explains, "There is the original text, with all of Shakespeare's play poured into the characters' speech bubbles; there is the plain text version, where the Jacobean language is translated into contemporary English; and, for the mere narrative addicts, there is the quick text version, which is not just modernised but radically boiled down."

But I have four versions on my list and I do not include all the varieties of publisher attempting to graphicate this classic novel. Now Macbeth can be purchased in the British original, as in Shakespeare was British. It can also be purchased in the original American language version. What does this mean, exactly? Original American?

This is beginning to remind me of how the Bible was translated.

Still, I plan to head to the local bookstore and check them out.