Released just in time to capitalize on the still growing popularity of a classic and beloved character. I’m sure that the fact that Benedict Cumberbatch’s name being all over the place in the recent years will do something to help out as well. Let’s face it, everybody, Sherlock Holmes is a character that isn’t going away. Why we don’t see more of him in this medium is beyond me. By the time that I got to the end of this book, I was preparing a petition to send to Dark Horse to get an ongoing series up and running. I guess that I just gave it away, didn’t I? You don’t even have to get to the end of the review to know that I liked it. Spoiler alert, I guess. Regardless, this was a pleasant surprise for me. I knew that I would dig the book, but I figured that it would get one of those “fun read” reviews. There’s nothing wrong with being a fun read, but that usually doesn’t sell books. Sherlock Holmes and the Vampires of London was awesome. That sells books. So listen to this synopsis:
Sherlock Holmes died during his fight with Moriarty in the Reichenbach Falls. Of course, that’s what everybody thought, especially the press, and Sherlock’s good friend and partner, John Watson. However, Holmes is alive and has decided to take advantage of his situation to travel the world. Unfortunately, the fates have a different plan for him, and he is forced to intervene when Britain is plagued by vampirism.
I guess that that sells books too. Here I am reviewing it.
Sylvain Cordurie does an exquisite job of writing Sherlock’s dialogue. That is by far the best part of the book. Well that and the narration. I really thought that I was inside his head while he was doing his little detective thing. I hadn’t had a chance to see how Sherlock would deal with a vampiric problem before, but I’m happy to say that it surpassed my expectations. I would very much like to see more from this creative team. I hadn’t really had a chance to read a lot of Sherlock Holmes related fiction before the last few years, but it has definitely been a ride. This will make a terrific addition to the mythology of the character.
Now the art is very fitting. Britain looked amazing throughout the entire book. I tend to spend a lot of time reading dialogue a lot more than I do looking at art, that’s just what I do, but Laci’s work stopped me cold a few times. There I was, chugging along in my normal routine, enjoying the story. But before I knew it, I was rudely interrupted by some of the most beautifully drawn horror comic book art that I had seen in a while. Make sure to look out for a particular panel that contains a reflection of Holmes in a puddle of blood. I really enjoyed the look of this book, and I’d like to see some more of Laci’s work as soon as I can.
So now that we’ve reached the reflection part of the review, I’d just like to say, hey! And now that I’ve got your attention, read this book. It’s not every day that you can read something awesome and original, and yet be about a character as old as fiction itself (I’m exaggerating a little). Make a trip to your local comic shop and track this thing down. If you can’t find it, look harder.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Sylvain Cordurie Artist: Laci Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $17.99 Release Date: 1/29/14