Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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).

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."

Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous Sherlock Holmes story is transformed into a brilliant graphic novel by Ian Edginton and I.N.J Culbard. I was very impressed by this graphic novel. The adapters certainly did their research of the Holmes stories, passages of dialogue from the Doyle original seamlessly fit into place. If you're a fan of Sherlock Holmes, or you're trying to learn the stories for the first time, this is an excellent book. I highly recommend.