attacked by pirates, leaving him drifting out at sea. He is then found by Richard the Third, who tells him that he is part of a prophecy whereby he is to seek out and kill Shakespeare in order to save the people of England.

Issue 2, "Something Wicked This Way Comes": Hamlet begins his journey with King Richard and Iago. They encounter "prodigals"—religious zealots who attack the king. That night, the group is attacked again, and in the ensuing chaos, Hamlet is knocked unconscious and kidnapped.

Issue 3, "The Fool Doth Think He Is Wise": Hamlet's kidnapper reveals himself to be Falstaff and claims he was trying to save him from murderers. The two continue The Shadow King's quest, while King Richard seeks assistance from Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Issue 4, "So Wise So Young Never Do Live Long": Falstaff brings Hamlet to Juliet and Othello, who are discussing rebellion against King Richard. They are soon attacked by the king's men, but they prevail after Iago intervenes.

Issue 5, "O Coward Conscience": King Richard and Lady Macbeth have formed an alliance, seeking to obtain Shakespeare's quill. Unsure of whom he can trust, Hamlet ventures out on his own. He has more visions—this time of his father and Polonius—and narrowly avoids being found by the king's men. Juliet and company arrive at Shrewsbury, where people have been talking about her rebellion and The Shadow King. Hamlet, meanwhile, has been found by a group of travelers, who take him in and nurse him back to health.

Issue 6, "Lend Me Your Ears": Hamlet reunites with Falstaff and the others. Cracks are beginning to show in King Richard and Lady Macbeth's alliance. After Juliet gives a heroic speech imploring others to join the rebellion, Shrewsbury comes under attack from the king's men. The rebels are victorious by working together, and a bond begins forming among them.

Issue 7, "The Play's the Thing": Iago conspires with Lady Macbeth. A traveling theater troupe performs a play, inciting memories of Hamlet's past. He and Juliet open up about their individual mistakes, bringing the two of them closer together.

Issue 8, "Journeys End in Lovers Meeting": Hamlet has begun to accept his role as The Shadow King, Othello and Iago train the rebels how to fight, and the rift between King Richard and Lady Macbeth continues to grow. In an homage to the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet is visited by Juliet and the two embrace. The next day, Hamlet, Falstaff, and Iago leave in search of Shakespeare.

Issue 9, "Is This a Dagger I See Before Me?": Hamlet proves himself as The Shadow King to a group of Shakespeare loyalists and then ventures out on his own to find him. Iago reveals his betrayal as well as Lady Macbeth's plan to kill both Hamlet and Shakespeare.

Issue 10, "What's Past Is Prologue": The battle between King Richard and the rebels begins. Hamlet saves Shakespeare but ultimately leaves empty-handed. He returns to the battle to find Falstaff, who dies in his arms.

Issue 11, "Once More Unto the Breach": Falstaff's death leads Hamlet to return to Shakespeare to retrieve the quill. The two of them return—along with Shakespeare's army of creatures. The rebels, who regain their hope after seeing their 'god' return to them, continue the battle against King Richard's men. The issue ends with Hamlet, Shakespeare, and Juliet seemingly about to be killed by Iago, King Richard, and Lady Macbeth, respectively.

Issue 12, "To Thine Own Self Be True": The rebels are victorious; Othello slays Iago, Shakespeare reluctantly kills King Richard, and Lady Macbeth retreats. Shakespeare then implores both sides to lay down their arms and stop fighting. In the aftermath, the rebels mourn their losses, and Shakespeare decides to walk the earth among his people.

In the world of Kill Shakespeare, a number of characters from Shakespearean works exist together in a single universe. Shakespeare himself exists in the work as the creator and god of this world.

Hamlet serves as the primary protagonist. While being banished from Denmark for the death of Polonius, he encounters a strange mist that urges him to kill his uncle. He refuses and begins to sail to England, and that night, he encounters the mist again. Shortly after, his ship is attacked by pirates. After narrowly escaping, Hamlet wakes in a room with Richard the Third, who asks him to seek Shakespeare's quill. In exchange for this, Richard promises to restore the life of Hamlet's father.

While journeying with Richard and Iago, Hamlet is kidnapped by Falstaff. Falstaff tells Hamlet that he is trying to protect him. When the two meet up with Othello and Juliet Capulet, Falstaff tells them that Hamlet is the "Shadow King," which neither of them believe. Though much conflict ensues between the characters, all are ultimately driven by the quest to destroy Shakespeare.