The Hound of the Baskervilles (Illustrated Classics): A Sherlock Holmes Graphic Novel [Paperback]

Ian Edginton (Adapter), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Author), I.N.J. Culbard (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 2009 | Series: Illustrated Classics

After the success of their Illustrated Classics version of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Ian Edginton and I.N.J. Culbard have teamed up again to create a visually compelling graphic novel adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s masterpiece. And the superb writing and beautiful art takes Conan Doyle’s supernatural tale to new heights.

All the elements are here for a thrilling tale: A gnarled walking stick, missing boot, neglected family portrait, convicted killer on the loose, and the ancestral curse of a phantom hound. The great detective himself, Sherlock Holmes—with the help of Dr. Watson has his work cut out for him in a dramatic mystery that will keep readers guessing until the very end.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This better than average comics version of the quintessential 1901 Sherlock Holmes novel shows the first private detective's cool rationality confronting gibbering horror in order to thwart an ancient curse, a hound from hell that kills the male heads of a wealthy family. Patriarch Sir Charles Baskerville just having been frightened to death, Holmes and Dr. Watson set out to protect the family heir, Sir Henry. Few trappings of gothic mystery are missing from the action, but they are countered by Holmes's instructions that Watson should observe closely and analyze skeptically everything he sees. Edginton's script is much closer to Conan Doyle's original than most adaptations, although that does mean that the characters get to talk a lot. Culbard's energetic layouts and darkly sinister backgrounds are effective; when he turns to the story's people, unfortunately, the Seth-like brushwork stretches their heads until they look like animated kidney beans. Overall, though, Hound gives modern readers a taste of what makes Sherlock Holmes an immortal character. (Sept.)
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About the Author

I. N. J. Culbard is an artist and writer. In 2006, he surpassed thousands of other writers and had his work published in Dark Horse Comics’ New Recruits anthology. He has also appeared in the Judge Dredd Megazine. Culbard is an acclaimed animation director with considerable experience in directing commercials, developing projects for television, and producing and directing short films. This is his second full-length graphic novel as an artist, having collaborated on The Picture of Dorian Gray with Ian Edginton.

 

Ian Edginton, one of Britain’s best-known writers, has had a tremendous impact on the world of comics. In his illustrious career he has worked for Lucasfilm, Paramount Pictures, and 20th Century Fox to adapt Star Wars, Star Trek, Alien, Predator and Terminator properties, as well as with the H.G. Wells estate to adapt War of the Worlds for Dark Horse. He owes his success to good collaborations with other artists from the industry, most famously D’Israeli (Scarlet Traces) and Steve Yeowell (The Red Seas). He recently adapted Edgar Allan Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue (illustrated by D’Israeli) for SelfMadeHero’s graphic anthology Nevermore. In 2007, his graphic novel Scarlet Traces: The Great Game was nominated for Best Limited Series and Best Writer at the prestigious Eisner Awards.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (August 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402770006
• ISBN-13: 978-1402770005
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hopefully just the start, August 14, 2009

By 

Jon Repesh (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Hound of the Baskervilles (Illustrated Classics): A Sherlock Holmes Graphic Novel (Paperback)

While certainly enjoyable in its' own right, there could be a loftier purpose behind this graphic novel, one that is quite commendable and hopefully just the dawning of many similar projects to follow. Transposing traditional novels into more reader friendly alternatives may open up these time treasured tomes to an entirely new audience, people who normally don't read many full length books, and what better place to start than an entertaining Sherlock Holmes mystery. Admittedly The Hound of the Baskervilles is not the most riveting of detective tales, but it is probably the most noteworthy of all of the legendary sleuth's adventures. The adaptation is written proficiently and true to its' original material and tone, and while the illustrations are somewhat simplistic by modern standards, they do convey a fun quality and effectively play their part in the telling of the tale. With children, and even many adults, currently reading less and less, this would be an excellent means of reversing that regrettable trend and also dispelling the unwarranted unfavorable reputation that graphic novels have with some, and in the process turning those unfortunate uninitiated into comic book converts.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, July 15, 2009

By 

D. Reed - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Hound of the Baskervilles (Illustrated Classics): A Sherlock Holmes Graphic Novel (Paperback)

I have always thought that the Sherlock Holmes stories should make good graphic novels, and that The Hound, the best of all the stories, should make a particularly good one. While there have been several attempts, as far as I know, this is the only oustanding success. The graphics follow a "cinematic" approach which is very effective, and the story is quite faithful to the Novel, unlike some adaptations (not to mention the gripping, but over-the-top Lee/Cushing Hammer film version).

3.0 out of 5 stars Adaptation of the story needs some tightening-up, September 13, 2011

By 

Sibelius (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hound of the Baskervilles (Illustrated Classics): A Sherlock Holmes Graphic Novel (Paperback)

This graphic novel adaptation of one of my favorite Sherlock Holmes cases was a bit sloppy with its reconstructed storyline and even with my familiarity of the tale and characters left me a bit confused at times. On the flip-side I.N.J. Culbard's presents a nice, minimalist style that goes well with the narrative and manages to properly evoke the gloomy atmosphere of the setting. This edition also presents a few goodies at the end with character concept sketches, floor plans, alternative covers and a quick 4-page preview of their next Sherlock adaption - "A Study in Scarlet."