A special edition of Stan Lee's sci-fi take on one of Shakespeare's most famous plays has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest graphic novel ever published.

Unveiled at a charity event in Los Angeles last week, Romeo and Juliet: The War (Limited Collector's Edition), measures 63.18 cm (24.875 in) by 83.82 cm (33 in) by 5 cm (2 in) and is being released by 1821 Comics and POW! Entertainment.

The graphic novel is a scaled-up version of the 152-page New York Times best-selling hardcover edition that was released in January.

Written by Max Work from a concept imagined by Stan Lee and Terry Dougas, the graphic novel was illustrated by Skan Srisuwan.

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The record-breaking version was printed in a run of 25 copies and made available at a cover price of $10,000.00 US (£6,4000).

Comic legend Stan was on hand to accept the Guinness World Record certificate at the unveiling at The Vault Art Gallery in Culver City, where he also signed original artwork and books for a silent charity auction for the John Wayne Cancer Institute.