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jstilts's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
To start with the good stuff: the art in this graphic novel is great if you like a more realistic style, which suits the Victorian Era nicely with puffy thugs bruised and brawny, and people down on their luck visibly suffering from their unfortunate lifestyle. I do have issue with the speech bubbles and lettering though, it implies everyone is raspy - but a minor niggle
The story however does let the art down. We start promisingly enough with a younger pre-Watson Holmes investigating the disappearance of his current roommate (a nice deviation from the norm). However - and my personal bias shows here - I am exceptionally tired of modern Holmes tales that pin their mysterys on either a) nefarious steampunk science that is outside Holmes' ken, rendering his methods useless b) the supernatural, which has the same effect but doubly so, and c) his nemesis Moriarty to whom which Holmes' methods are also somewhat negated. Why write Holmes if you can't write a coherent mystery worthy of challenging him without sidestepping him?
Unfortunately, this graphic novel decides to do *all three* with mind-swapping devices, vampires and Moriarty. Two Moriartys in fact, and on top of that this also yet another "how Holmes first met Moriarty" tale. In a book as overstuffed as this with villainy there was little time for Holmes to acually do much deducting, and it was unfortunately unable to reach a satisfying conclusion for every aspect. As a result it looks like this is a series - but one I definitely won't be following.
The story however does let the art down. We start promisingly enough with a younger pre-Watson Holmes investigating the disappearance of his current roommate (a nice deviation from the norm). However - and my personal bias shows here - I am exceptionally tired of modern Holmes tales that pin their mysterys on either a) nefarious steampunk science that is outside Holmes' ken, rendering his methods useless b) the supernatural, which has the same effect but doubly so, and c) his nemesis Moriarty to whom which Holmes' methods are also somewhat negated. Why write Holmes if you can't write a coherent mystery worthy of challenging him without sidestepping him?
Unfortunately, this graphic novel decides to do *all three* with mind-swapping devices, vampires and Moriarty. Two Moriartys in fact, and on top of that this also yet another "how Holmes first met Moriarty" tale. In a book as overstuffed as this with villainy there was little time for Holmes to acually do much deducting, and it was unfortunately unable to reach a satisfying conclusion for every aspect. As a result it looks like this is a series - but one I definitely won't be following.
littlepanda's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't really liked the plot but I loved the art.
annataeko's review
4.0
I literally loved it. The only thing I really missed was Watson's character. Sorry– but I truly love him and this is like Don Quijote and Sancho Panza. If there's a Sherlock, there must be a Watson, personally. But apart from that, everything was genuinely written, very astounding and absolutely incredible.
I haven't studied Art/Painting (not very profoundly), but those images though, I can tell– so good! so realistic! so well done! :)
If you're a Sherlockian, you may have some expectations (some obvious ones), but here's my advice: don't try to look for anything other than enjoying and getting yourself entertained. I guarantee you, you'll like it. Lots of different scenarios and characters, thrilling moments,– This Sherlock you'll meet, differs from the ones we've met (Sherlock TV series, last Sherlock movie, original Sherlock), this one is more of a charismatic one and "more human". I cannot deny I expected to find the Sherlock's character from the TV series or either the one created by ArthurConanDoyle.
All in all, I liked it very much. The story, you'll see, makes you jump somehow and it has some plot twists which are unexpectedly well done.
The only thing left to say here is: give it a try! you'll be certainly entertained and amused!
I haven't studied Art/Painting (not very profoundly), but those images though, I can tell– so good! so realistic! so well done! :)
If you're a Sherlockian, you may have some expectations (some obvious ones), but here's my advice: don't try to look for anything other than enjoying and getting yourself entertained. I guarantee you, you'll like it. Lots of different scenarios and characters, thrilling moments,– This Sherlock you'll meet, differs from the ones we've met (Sherlock TV series, last Sherlock movie, original Sherlock), this one is more of a charismatic one and "more human". I cannot deny I expected to find the Sherlock's character from the TV series or either the one created by ArthurConanDoyle.
All in all, I liked it very much. The story, you'll see, makes you jump somehow and it has some plot twists which are unexpectedly well done.
The only thing left to say here is: give it a try! you'll be certainly entertained and amused!
mcbenzie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Didn’t realise this was part of a series, or translated from French, as the blurb on the copy I read mentioned neither! It’s an odd Holmes tale and seemed to contradict what’s known about his world, but does find a way to make it work…mostly. Set five years before the earliest Holmes tale, and seemingly before the others by these authors, so there are few familiar characters and a few unexplained elements here. Overall an interesting take on early Holmes; but I think I might have been better without certain things from the canon in it…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
dianadawn's review
4.0
I literally loved it. The only thing I really missed was Watson's character. Sorry– but I truly love him and this is like Don Quijote and Sancho Panza. If there's a Sherlock, there must be a Watson, personally. But apart from that, everything was genuinely written, very astounding and absolutely incredible.
I haven't studied Art/Painting (not very profoundly), but those images though, I can tell– so good! so realistic! so well done! :)
If you're a Sherlockian, you may have some expectations (some obvious ones), but here's my advice: don't try to look for anything other than enjoying and getting yourself entertained. I guarantee you, you'll like it. Lots of different scenarios and characters, thrilling moments,– This Sherlock you'll meet, differs from the ones we've met (Sherlock TV series, last Sherlock movie, original Sherlock), this one is more of a charismatic one and "more human". I cannot deny I expected to find the Sherlock's character from the TV series or either the one created by ArthurConanDoyle.
All in all, I liked it very much. The story, you'll see, makes you jump somehow and it has some plot twists which are unexpectedly well done.
The only thing left to say here is: give it a try! you'll be certainly entertained and amused!
I haven't studied Art/Painting (not very profoundly), but those images though, I can tell– so good! so realistic! so well done! :)
If you're a Sherlockian, you may have some expectations (some obvious ones), but here's my advice: don't try to look for anything other than enjoying and getting yourself entertained. I guarantee you, you'll like it. Lots of different scenarios and characters, thrilling moments,– This Sherlock you'll meet, differs from the ones we've met (Sherlock TV series, last Sherlock movie, original Sherlock), this one is more of a charismatic one and "more human". I cannot deny I expected to find the Sherlock's character from the TV series or either the one created by ArthurConanDoyle.
All in all, I liked it very much. The story, you'll see, makes you jump somehow and it has some plot twists which are unexpectedly well done.
The only thing left to say here is: give it a try! you'll be certainly entertained and amused!
joannes's review against another edition
3.0
My first graphic novel. Not a typical Holmes story & no Watson. It was ok but not great
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