Sherlock Holmes vs Harry Houdini 3 & 4

The improbable has become the impossible! With magician Harry Houdini arrested after a blood bath that has left his wife at the edge of death, detective Sherlock Holmes must overcome his suspicions - and his demons - to free Houdini and overcome a powerful enemy that commands the unholy powers of the spirits.

Writer:

Anthony Del Col

Conor McCreery

Art:

Carlos Furuzono

Publisher:

Dynamite

The third and fourth installment of the series carries on the high benchmark set by the first two issues – as our mystery deepens and our two leads are put to the test as they face off against a mighty Russian menace with supposed supernatural powers.

Whilst this is the main thrust of the issue, it’s really an exploration of two men of their time (yes, I’m aware Holmes is fictional, but this comic treats the two as if they lived during the same time period) and the various flaws of their character that they have to overcome to solve the case. Both are raging egomaniacs and think they know the correct solution to every scenario. Holmes’ addiction to drugs is one well know, whereas Houdini’s desire never to back down from a challenge, regardless of the cost, is explored also.

They both make compelling protagonists due to their struggles and their often tempestuous relationship with their friends and (in this comic) one another. It’s this slow realisation that is the crux of the two issues, as Holmes fails to resist his vices and Houdini learns that even his actions can have unexpected consequences.

The only real misstep of the issue I suppose, (and this completely my own very selective opinion) other than the art which continues to boldly stride the line of average, is that this focus on the two central leads comes at the expense of any of the other characters.

It would have been nice to see a bit more of Watson or Lestrade, or Houdini’s wife. Though their lives are well developed, thanks to the many years they have been in public consciousness, they are left very unexplored here. To the point that, when they are put under danger in #4 it’s very hard to actually care much about their plight.

Holmes himself doesn’t really seem to even regard them as existing, merely being objects as part of his own personal desire to best the villain of the series. In fact, we’re you to remove anyone but Holmes, Houdini, the Villain of the series and his multiple goons, you really wouldn’t notice their absence.

Despite my own personal gripes, it’s still a very good miniseries that I’m enjoying a lot. The action scenes help bridge the two protagonists investigations and meant that I never felt a sense of the issue flagging in pace.

With one issue to go, it’s all to play for, especially as this issue ends with a literal Bang! I look forward to seeing how it resolves.

Cover image courtesy of Dynamite! Entertainment

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Sherlock Holmes vs Harry Houdini 2

The world's most famous detective meets the world's most famous magician... and death ensues! Famed detective Sherlock Holmes and brash showman Harry Houdini must combine forces to defeat a mysterious mystic dedicated to destroying Houdini's career and killing anyone who gets in his way.

Writer(s):

Anthony Del Col

Conor McCreery

Artist:

Carlos Furuzono

Colourist:

Aikau Oliva

Lettering:

Rob Steen

Publisher:

Dynamite Comics

Writers Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery knew they had hit gold with the relationship dynamic between Holmes and Houdini in issue one of this miniseries and it seems they've determined that will be the main draw for the rest of it. Its no so much that the series is lacking when the two aren't sharing a scene, its just that when the two central characters lock horns and verbally spar with one another it becomes a far more entertaining comic.

Furthering the events of last issue, the duo investigate a film studio, hoping that it may explain the appearance of the looming face and the suicide at the end of issue 1. If nothing else, it's an efficient use of plot, letting it simmer in the background whilst we get to enjoy these two larger than life personalities interacting.

It's not all fun and frolics through- time is taken to discuss the slightly worse aspects of both these characters. Though it's ultimately to show that the two are more alike than they would admit, their traits make them quite unlikable I liked this touch a lot, as Holmes has always been shown to have a somewhat caustic personality and from what I gather, Houdini wasn't friendly himself when incensed- this stops the comic from becoming a blind tribute to the greatness of the two that ignores the darker sides of their nature.

I haven't taken the time to mention much of the artwork because it's sort of just 'there'. The dimensions of some characters faces seems off a lot more in this issue than the last and characters proportions seem completely off in the odd frame or two. Now were this a more fantastical fare I would be able to forgive it, but as it stands, the story and the focus is on a more grounded world, so I can't excuse it, even if Aikau Oliva's colours are wonderful.

All in all, it's an issue driven more by the frisson of the two characters clashing off one another than anything spectacular plot or art wise. It results in some very fun dialogue, but be prepared for some disappointment over the everything else. Well, expect the colouring. That really is wonderful.

Cover image courtesy of Dynamite Comics

Sherlock Holmes vs Harry Houdini #2 is available from Dynamite Entertainment or your local comics retailer.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Sherlock Holmes vs Harry Houdini 1

The world's most famous detective meets the world's most famous magician... and death ensues! Famed detective Sherlock Holmes and brash showman Harry Houdini must combine forces to defeat a mysterious mystic dedicated to destroying Houdini's career and killing anyone who gets in his way.

Writer(s):

Anthony Del Col

Conor McCreery

Artist:

Carlos Furuzono

Publisher:

Dynamite Comics

In the realm of literature, it's very common for two famous people to meet and share adventures. After all, we know poet and Romantic Lord Byron met many figures who we consider key people of their time, simply because of his wealth and station in life, so why not imagine what it would be like if two famous personalities met one another? It becomes even more fun once you start pairing fictional characters with those who actually existed- and so we come to how this comic was probably thought up initially.

So...how does the pairing of two of the great minds of the Victorian era (even if one never existed) work out? Well, pretty well actually. There have been many portrayals of both Holmes and Houdini throughout the past 100 years, one because of artistic licence and the other because Houdini himself liked to err on the side of theatrical, even with close friends. However, one through line between the two was that they were very both very logical and methodical people and both happened to enjoy exposing fakes who claimed to posses supernatural powers.

It's this tack that the comic takes to bind the two, for though they are very different people, they clearly have an admiration of one another. The other through line is that they are both, and lets put this bluntly, kind of arseholes. Though Houdini is the one whom we seem to be taking the point of view of the story from, the comic still exposes his faults. And Sherlock Holmes, well anyone who has spent any time in the presence of any of his adoptions will know how as a character he always found ways to push people's buttons. The art work brings both of these characters traits out well, Houdini being a slightly garish circus strongman, whilst Holmes is a smug aristocrat.

Despite all this though, it's those slightly unpleasant elements of the character that make spending time in their presence enjoyable and the comic itself click. Much like the recent BBC Sherlock adaption or the Guy Richie films, the comic is mostly two people and who have respect for one another, but who nevertheless are irritated by the others mannerisms. Que fun quipping and continuous attempts at one-upmanship.

Were this handled by a lesser collaborative team I don't think it would have worked, but Del Col and McCreery's script, combined with Furuzono's art which always has each character reacting to the other with a twinkle of amusement in their eyes, means the good natured humour shines through.

Bring on the next issue.

Cover image courtesy of Dynamite Comics

Sherlock Holmes vs Harry Houdini #1 is available from Dynamite Entertainment or your local comics retailer.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.