I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere

"Dark Rumours Gathered Round Him" [FINA]

<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/4181732741_724a46fc2d_m.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/4181732741_724a46fc2d_m.jpg" style="float: right; height: 240px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 191px;" /></a>Many of us are aware of the events of Reichenbach Falls - of that final clash between Holmes and Moriarty as chronicled in <a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/readings12.html">"The Adventure of the Final Problem" [FINA]</a> and <a href="http://sherlockholmes.stanford.edu/2007/notes1_1.html">"The Adventure of the Empty House" [EMPT]</a>. But for many Sherlockians, there is a darker variation that they will not - or dare not - consider:<br />
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<i>What if Moriarty was the victor at Reichenbach Falls? What if the Great Detective fell that fateful day and the Napoleon of Crime stood triumphant?</i></div>
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That is the premise behind <a href="http://www.imagecomics.com/">Image Comics'</a> new <b><a href="http://www.professorjamesmoriarty.com/">Moriarty</a> </b>series, written by Daniel Corey and drawn by Anthony Diecidue, and is now three issues into its inaugural arc, "The Dark Chamber".  It is also, for Sherlockians, a great modern style "what if" take not on Holmes, but on his nemesis.</div>
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We begin the story twenty years after Moriarty's triumph - he is living in relative seclusion, preferring to remain in the shadows. He is recruited by British intelligence on a unique mission - to locate the missing Mycroft Holmes....and if you think this is going to be another Holmesian pastiche, think again. Corey's writing provides a great mix of modern storytelling style with a working knowledge of the canon, creating a fully plausible "what if" scenario. (There is a scene of deduction in the first issue that not only connotes Moriarty's standing with Holmes, but is also one of the best written sequences I have read in awhile). There are some interesting twists and turns (without spoiling, there's a surprise cameo in # 2), and although the series takes a more science fiction-style turn, this is a pretty solidly written comic. For traditional Sherlockians, it may not have an easy appeal, but may be good for transitioning younger members into the canon.</div>
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My only real objection is with Diecidue's art - perhaps it's a bias on my part, but it looks <i>too</i> modern. (Moriarty appears to have jumped out of modern production). It tends to have a slightly jarring effect - unlike Moffatt's Victorian-character-in-modern-times, a modern-take-on-Victorian-character, art wise, doesn't quite seem to fit. It is a slightly acquired taste, admittedly, but Diecidue does have a great ability to drive atmosphere forward in his art.</div>
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Writer Corey is no stranger to the canon - for more information, please listen<a href="http://comicrelated.com/news/12534/panel-discussions-10"> his podcast interview with my fellow Comic Related scribe Russell Burlingame.</a> With <b>Moriarty, </b>he uses the canon as a jumping-off point to tell a more modern story....and quite frankly, it's one of the better Holmes pastiches.</div>
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The first three issues have been released, and can be found at your local comics store.</div>
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<i>Editor's note: Gordon regularly covers the intersection of Sherlock Holmes and the entertainment industry. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.blogthispal.com/">Blog THIS, Pal!</a> and <a href="http://www.comicrelated.com/">Comic Related</a>.</i></div>
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"Dark Rumours Gathered Round Him" [FINA]

Many of us are aware of the events of Reichenbach Falls - of that final clash between Holmes and Moriarty as chronicled in "The Adventu...