Sherlock: A Study in Pink #1 (of 6)

   Sherlock (Holmes) is one of the best shows on TV (although the gap between each mini-series is a long one - but that's the price of quality).

   Smart scripts, terrific actors, inventive direction - it's well worth your time.

   The characters involved are based, of course, on the legendary detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle.

   When I saw that Titan Comics was creating a comic book based on the (modern day) TV series, I was anxious to see it.

   Then I saw that it was written by series creator Steven Moffat, and I was even more impressed.

   But the series isn't exactly what I expected. Instead of a new story, it's an adaptation of the first episode of the series.

   This series was originally published in Japanese by Kurokawa, with art by "Jay." - so the layout is not the typical left-to-right sequence American readers use. Each page reads right-to-left, which takes some getting used to.

   But once you get past that, it's an entertaining, original take on the story, which introduces eventual partner in detection Dr. John Watson (and yes, they "meet cute"), a mysterious string of suicides (that may not be suicides), and the hunt for a new apartment.

   It's a lot of fun, and should help tide fans over until they get around to the next Sherlock series.

Grade: A-

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Guest Review: Sherlock Holmes: The Liverpool Demon #2

Just in time for the holiday, my pal Glen Davis is here with a guest review about a new comic featuring the world's greatest detective:

Sherlock Holmes is a classic character who never goes out of style. Created during the Victorian era, the character is still featured in at least two television shows, and a very successful movie franchise.

This comic book take on the character is set in 1888. After stopping a Victorian-era identity thief and murderer, Holmes and Watson are approached by a former schoolmate of Watson's. It seems that a syndicate with the goal of introducing the elevated railway to England is meeting with some difficulties Meanwhile, some thugs are roaming the streets, and Spring Heeled Jack is making his presence known.

The writing is pretty good, complete with the displays of rationication all Holmesians hold dear, the foggy, gaslit streets, and all the portrayal of 19th Century London that make Holmes, well, Holmes, are present.

Unfortunately, the art is inconsistent, and that serves to handicap the whole project. Several characters, including Holmes himself, change features from panel to panel.

Hopefully the writing continues to be topnotch, and the art improves.

Grade: B-

Sherlock Holmes #5 (of 5)

Comic books do not have a great reputation for managing stories based on literary characters.

Too often the stories are cut down or dumbed down with the idea of appealing to a wide audience.

Far better is the tact of writing an intelligent story and trusting the reader to sort it out.

Thankfully, that's the method used by Leah Moore and John Reppion, the authors of this mini-series based on literature's most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.

In this issue, Holmes is finally brought to trial on the charge of murder, having been caught red-handed in a locked room with the murder weapon in his hand.

We arrive at this issue with lots of questions and loose plot points, hoping that all will be resolved.

The art for the series has been outstanding. Aaron Campbell captures the era well, and manages the difficult task of rending the cast clearly, so we can tell the players apart. I look forward to seeing more work from Campbell.

If you're a Holmes fan, this series fits in well with the Great Detective's existing adventures, while taking a different approach to the story. A collected version will be available soon, and is well worth tracking down.

It's intelligent, clever and well done. And thus, refreshing.

Grade: A-

Sherlock Holmes #3

The great detective has been adapted to just about every entertainment vehicle imaginable (TV, movies, video games), but Sherlock Holmes hasn't always fared well in the comic book format.

That's probably why this series is such a treat. Here we have a comic book that respects the source material, plays fair with the reader, and still provides another entertaining chapter in this unfolding mystery.

After being arrested and charged with murder, Holmes manages to escape prison, and this issue we see what he's been up to and begin to get an inkling of where he's going from here.

The issue focuses a lot on the supporting cast, and I'm delighted to see one of my favorites characters make an appearance herein (no, I won't spoil it for you by naming that person).

The art is again fantastic, including both the outstanding cover by John Cassaday and the detailed interior art by Aaron Campbell, with colors by Tony Avina.

But the highest praise must be reserved for the writers, Leah Moore and John Reppion. They've crafted a Holmes story that doesn't follow the usual format, but manages to fit will in the time period and the style of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next chapter.

Grade: A-

Sherlock Holmes #2

It's a real delight to read a comic that adjusts its style to stay true to its parent material.

When you're dealing with an iconic character like Sherlock Holmes, too many creators would be inclined to put their own stamp or style on the story, to the detriment of the character.

But there's no effort here to speed up the pace, throw in outlandish page layouts or otherwise muck around with Holmes and his supporting cast.

Instead we get an intelligent, methodical and interesting mystery spooling out before our eyes. The art by Aaron Campbell captures the era well in the appearance of the characters, their costumes and the setting. Solid work here.

And writer Leah Moore and John Reppion do a fine job of taking us to Holmes' era. My only complaint about this issue is that we see all too little of Holmes, since he's inconveniently locked in prison after apparently committing murder.

If you're looking for fast-paced action, then you're definitely looking at the wrong book. But if you're looking for an intelligent story told well, you could do a lot worse.

Grade: B+

Sherlock Holmes #1

There are lots of bad Sherlock Holmes adaptations and knock-offs out there in the literary world - and quite a few good ones, I should add - so I approached this series with no small amount of trepidation.

I've read and enjoyed all of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original Holmes stories, so I'm always hoping a new author can capture the real detective and provide us with a new story worthy of the originals.

It's too soon to say that this issue manages that difficult feat, but it's certainly a good start.

The cover by John Cassaday, for example, is outstanding. The interior art by Aaron Campbell is quite good, too. It's not flashy at all, but it captures the era well and sets the moody setting.

The story by Leah Moore and John Reppion is solid so far, although we just get the setup in this first issue.

The story follows the investigation into a massive explosion that destroyed a warehouse in the East End of London (located at the too-cute address at the corner of Doyle's Street and Challenger Lane).

Threats are made to the life of an elderly gentleman, so Holmes investigates, along with his friend Dr. Watson, and the result finds Holmes in unfamiliar territory.

There's still a lot of story to unfold, and some may quibble with the characterization of Holmes at the end of the story, but so far I'm enjoying this one. I do look forward to seeing more of Holmes' analytical side, though.

And I managed to get through the review without a single mention of the word "elementary!" Well, except for that one.

Grade: B+