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nonesensed's review against another edition
2.0
An alternate take on how a much younger Doctor John Watson and Sherlock Holmes might have met.
I am almost upset at how much I didn't enjoy this comic, because I got it from a friend who knows I enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories and he was so happy to have found me a fitting gift. Very irksome.
Why didn't I enjoy this comic? Because it might have the names and setting of a Sherlock Holmes story, but there the similarities end and the tired "modernized Sherlock" cliches start raining down like hail cast down to earth by an angry god. We've got:
- Sherlock Holmes in a relationship with Irene Adler (despite her original plot being that she had another guy she was very in love with and went off to marry, and then never showing up in another story ever again).
- Very little mystery solving. Just a lot of murder, a clear indication they're all connected ('cause "new" Sherlock never solves simple, isolated cases no more) and very few clues that you as a reader can try to follow along with.
- Waaaay more action scenes. Canon Holmes isn't exactly a behind-the-desk sitter, but "new" Holmes picks fights left and right. Much less mystery, much more jumping from buildings and punching people.
- Moriarty being a serial killer who wants to take over the world. This time with Greek fire. Sure. Why not. This is already nonsensical enough.
Basically, this is a comic about a lot of people getting murdered in brutal ways, sometimes briefly interrupted by young!Holmes and Watson commenting on it, and then Holmes punches someone. If that's your thing, buy this comic! If not, give it a miss.
I am almost upset at how much I didn't enjoy this comic, because I got it from a friend who knows I enjoy Sherlock Holmes stories and he was so happy to have found me a fitting gift. Very irksome.
Why didn't I enjoy this comic? Because it might have the names and setting of a Sherlock Holmes story, but there the similarities end and the tired "modernized Sherlock" cliches start raining down like hail cast down to earth by an angry god. We've got:
- Sherlock Holmes in a relationship with Irene Adler (despite her original plot being that she had another guy she was very in love with and went off to marry, and then never showing up in another story ever again).
- Very little mystery solving. Just a lot of murder, a clear indication they're all connected ('cause "new" Sherlock never solves simple, isolated cases no more) and very few clues that you as a reader can try to follow along with.
- Waaaay more action scenes. Canon Holmes isn't exactly a behind-the-desk sitter, but "new" Holmes picks fights left and right. Much less mystery, much more jumping from buildings and punching people.
- Moriarty being a serial killer who wants to take over the world. This time with Greek fire. Sure. Why not. This is already nonsensical enough.
Basically, this is a comic about a lot of people getting murdered in brutal ways, sometimes briefly interrupted by young!Holmes and Watson commenting on it, and then Holmes punches someone. If that's your thing, buy this comic! If not, give it a miss.
jaq_oconnor's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lizabethstucker's review against another edition
3.0
A series of murders with a connection to the tales of the Caesars is the lynchpin for this redo of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John Watson. The authors took familiar names from the Canon, from Professor James Moriarty to Irene Adler to Greg Lestrade to Victor Trevor to Mike Stamford, and threw them into a blender. The art is stylistic, somewhat dirty looking in certain scenes.
I'm not anti-AU looks at classic stories. After all, I'm just as big a fan of the Jeremy Brett version of Holmes as I am the Benedict Cumberbatch one, but this may have been just a bit too much blending and a little less respect for the original work itself. 3.5 out of 5.
I'm not anti-AU looks at classic stories. After all, I'm just as big a fan of the Jeremy Brett version of Holmes as I am the Benedict Cumberbatch one, but this may have been just a bit too much blending and a little less respect for the original work itself. 3.5 out of 5.
melrailey's review
3.0
This graphic novel is an origin story of Sherlock Holmes. It includes the introduction to Dr. Watson and a back story as to how they became roommates and partners. It has an interesting mystery that introduces us to Dr. Moriarty (and boy is he evil) and sets up their rivalry quite well. It wasn't a great mind-blowing mystery but still good and I felt like this collection was more of a set up for future graphic novels than anything.
I thought the graphic novel had very good artwork. I didn't like that the characters had purple skin. There is a possibility that was just because I was reading it on my nook and maybe the colors were off.
I thought the graphic novel had very good artwork. I didn't like that the characters had purple skin. There is a possibility that was just because I was reading it on my nook and maybe the colors were off.
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