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lesbrary's review against another edition
2.0
I was definitely intrigued by the idea of a queer women punk Sherlock Holmes retelling graphic novel set in an alternate steampunk-ish London (whew). Unfortunately, I wasn't really enjoying it at first. The worldbuilding promised by the intro seemed to be mostly missing from the comic itself—this is a world where WWII never happened and WWI only happened to a smaller extent. But the setting of the rival punk gangs' clubs seemed almost timeless, and there were only small moments that made me remember this is supposed to be an alternate 90s London. The tone is dark, messy, and violent—not quite the tidy closed-room puzzle-solving mystery I think I was expecting.
[trigger warning for transmisogyny] When I found out that there is trans representation in this comic, I was immediately more interested. The terminology ("transvestite") and general language used by the main character was cringeworthy, but this was written in the early 90s, so I was giving it a bit of leeway for addressing this at all. Unfortunately, the trans woman character didn't seem to have much of a personality except for being perpetually enraged or annoyed. I was hoping that her character would get more fleshed out later in the book, which I would regret, because she does get more time in the comic: I don't think her portrayal was meant to be malicious--they do discuss her character as being complex, but regardless of intent, this is an awful portrayal. There is a very minor character (she is in one scene and gets a few lines) who is a trans woman and is gentle and kind, but that's not enough to cancel out the main story line.
[trigger warning for transmisogyny] When I found out that there is trans representation in this comic, I was immediately more interested. The terminology ("transvestite") and general language used by the main character was cringeworthy, but this was written in the early 90s, so I was giving it a bit of leeway for addressing this at all. Unfortunately, the trans woman character didn't seem to have much of a personality except for being perpetually enraged or annoyed. I was hoping that her character would get more fleshed out later in the book, which I would regret, because she does get more time in the comic:
Spoiler
as a serial killer, who then kills herself (including cutting off her penis).matt4hire's review against another edition
4.0
Sherlock Holmes operating in the punk scene of a semi-steampunk/modern London? Should be too nuts to be good, huh?
Well, for the first half, it kind of is. The plot's messy, and characters don't get decent interactions. But the second plot picks up, delivering a nice riff on Holmes, Jack the Ripper, Moriarty, and so much else. I wish the series had gone on, delivering on its promised pseudo-Moriarty subplot...but it wasn't to be.
There are a couple stories in back, too, with the one of Sandra (the Holmesian character) meeting a man with a tweed jacket who proves to be...more interesting than she bargained for, which is fun. And the second, with the Watson homage stuck in bed on Christmas Eve, is just a nice, heartwarming thing.
Worth a read, especially for fans of Guy Davis.
Well, for the first half, it kind of is. The plot's messy, and characters don't get decent interactions. But the second plot picks up, delivering a nice riff on Holmes, Jack the Ripper, Moriarty, and so much else. I wish the series had gone on, delivering on its promised pseudo-Moriarty subplot...but it wasn't to be.
There are a couple stories in back, too, with the one of Sandra (the Holmesian character) meeting a man with a tweed jacket who proves to be...more interesting than she bargained for, which is fun. And the second, with the Watson homage stuck in bed on Christmas Eve, is just a nice, heartwarming thing.
Worth a read, especially for fans of Guy Davis.
tregina's review against another edition
5.0
Loved. Loved loved loved. Captivating and chilling and heartbreaking and wonderful and dangerous.
foxwrapped's review against another edition
5.0
Dammit my copy only has like 1/3 of the stories DAMMIT. Too good to leave me in the middle like that. Sherlock as a punk woman, I mean come on. It's amazing.
butchlukedanes's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely worth a read! I'm just disappointed with how they treated their only transgender character, but, honestly, a must for any Sherlock Holmes fan who has dabbled in punk/alt hardcore scenes.
tregina's review against another edition
5.0
Loved. Loved loved loved. Captivating and chilling and heartbreaking and wonderful and dangerous.
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