December 4, 2023 Johanna Mysteries Leave a comment

Sherlock Holmes: The Spider’s Web

Who would have thought mixing a traditional Sherlock Holmes pastiche with Oscar Wilde’s characters would work so well? Philip Purser-Hallard, that’s who. I picked up Sherlock Holmes: The Spider’s Web because I’d read and enjoyed some of Purser-Hallard’s writings on Doctor Who. I was pleasantly surprised to find an authentic-feeling novel with quite the deductions. Then a body is found at the Moncrieff house during a ball, and in wanders the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest. It’s all […]

December 3, 2023 Johanna Other Prose Leave a comment

The Great Gatsby, Illustrated by Robert Nippoldt

As The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald entered the public domain a couple of years ago, it’s no surprise to see new editions released. I was surprised, though, by how attractive and compelling this Andrews McMeel version, illustrated by Robert Nippoldt, was. As the contents of books become easier to scan and download, holding a handsome, print-focused volume becomes more appealing, reminding the reader to value the time and attention spent reading. This gold-trimmed hardcover comes with several items […]

December 3, 2023 Johanna DC / Vertigo Leave a comment

Superman vs. Meshi Volume 1

In Superman vs. Meshi by Satoshi Miyagawa and Kai Kitago, Superman loves the food in Japanese chain restaurants. He uses his powers to jaunt around the world to get lunch and still get back to work at the Daily Planet an hour later. This is the kind of superhero comic I can get behind! I know the genre exists to fight battles for justice, but sometimes, I get tired of all that punching. If I was a superhero, this is […]

December 3, 2023 Johanna Other Leave a comment

Book Review Philosophy Found in a Continuation Novel

I’ve been reading Thrones, Dominations, by Jill Paton Walsh, although I don’t enjoy it. It’s one of those continuation novels, adding to Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey series long after her death. I love the character and the series, and I’d love to have more, but this, although based on notes Sayers left, just doesn’t have the fun of the original novels. Mostly because Lord Peter doesn’t sound like himself. (I also didn’t enjoy Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night by Sophie […]

November 27, 2023 Johanna Other Publishers Leave a comment

Murder on the Orient Express: The Graphic Novel

Murder on the Orient Express: The Graphic Novel is a faithful adaptation of the famous Agatha Christie novel, adapted and illustrated by Bob Al-Greene. With one odd exception: Hercule Poirot is completely bald, with an exaggerated mustache that continues into his sideburns. Regardless, it’s an entertaining way to re-experience the story at one’s own pace. The frequent use of full-page horizontal panels captures the claustrophobic feel of the train cars, even when they’re divided into panels to more easily guide […]

November 24, 2023 Johanna Manga News Leave a comment

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia Box Set Now Available

One of the fan-favorite episodes from Sherlock Season 2, “A Scandal in Belgravia”, is now available in complete manga form. The retelling of Sherlock Holmes (as played by Benedict Cumberbatch) meeting with Irene Adler (Lara Pulver) was originally released as two comic-format miniseries. Part One was collected in late 2020, and Part Two in March 2023. Just in time for the holidays, both volumes are available in one slipcased box set. There’s no cost savings, and the “two exclusive art […]

November 23, 2023 Johanna Other Leave a comment

Find Out What I Don’t Like About Sherlock Holmes in Comics

I was honored to be asked to contribute an essay to Reading Holmes!, a book now crowdfunding. It’s about different approaches to reading about Sherlock Holmes. My essay is titled “What Makes a Good Sherlock Holmes Comic?” and starts off As the owner and operator of SherlockComics.com, my dirty little secret is that there are a significant number of comics featuring Sherlock Holmes that I don’t like. Most of them result from a conflict between what people think of when […]

A Study in Scarlet Magnetic Press edition

November 23, 2023 Johanna Other Leave a comment

Magnetic Press Study in Scarlet On Sale This Weekend

Earlier this year, Magnetic Press released a gorgeous version of A Study in Scarlet. This novel by Arthur Conan Doyle is the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes, and this version is illustrated by Vincent Mallié. It’s a lovely magazine-sized hardcover, and it’s available in two editions: the book by itself or in a slipcase with Arsene Lupin by Maurice LeBlanc, also illustrated by Mallié. But the best news of this Thanksgiving weekend is that both editions (along with all other […]

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