saltylane's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I really enjoy reading different interpretations of Sherlock Holmes, and adding a modern and diverse twist was very interesting to read. I can say this iteration was good… but I think the pace was a bit too fast.
Action jumped around a lot— to points of confusion sometimes— and some scenes changed jarringly . I would’ve enjoyed a little bit of slow down to get to know the characters and bond with them a bit more. The character motivations weren’t super clear, and I wish I could’ve seen more interaction between the main cast that wasn’t plot related or rushed. Despite all that, I would still enjoy reading additional adventures with them.
The art style is nice, and for the most part, it fit the scenes depicted very well. The character designs weren’t super complicated or unique, but they were still recognizable, especially Holmes.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. Though if I am unable to read any additional stories from this series, then I’d be okay, too.
Action jumped around a lot— to points of confusion sometimes— and some scenes changed jarringly . I would’ve enjoyed a little bit of slow down to get to know the characters and bond with them a bit more. The character motivations weren’t super clear, and I wish I could’ve seen more interaction between the main cast that wasn’t plot related or rushed. Despite all that, I would still enjoy reading additional adventures with them.
The art style is nice, and for the most part, it fit the scenes depicted very well. The character designs weren’t super complicated or unique, but they were still recognizable, especially Holmes.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. Though if I am unable to read any additional stories from this series, then I’d be okay, too.
librarianryan's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The art in this book was amazing, but the violence was so over the top that it was hard to put myself in the story. This modern version puts Watson and Holmes as Black men in Harlem. Holmes is still a private eye, but one willing and likely to use a gun and get in street fights. He still uses his mind but comes off more brute than brain. Watson is just a medical intern, and he has lost his heart. He is an Afghanistan war veteran with PTSD who feels pulled to Holmes. However, the friendship between the two does not feel real. It feels more like hero worship. Watson seems more inclined to find action like his military duty, while Holmes is not so much about showing and learning, as bragging and snobbery. I wanted to like this but didn’t. However, I think the main problem is I am the wrong audience. I have never lived in Harlem or neighborhoods like it. I have never had to deal with the issues and hardships of inner-city life. So, to someone else, this book is probably amazing, and I think libraries should carry it, but for me, it just was not my thing.
buffalokid's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Curious. Flat. Unique.
I am a fan of most things Sherlock Holmes, but this was askew of what i needed. I wanted to like it so bad, but I just couldn't. I see where the authors and publishers wanted, but it just didn't get there for me. I hope others pick it up and continue it, because the mysteries of two brothas solving crimes in a historically black neighborhood has mad potential - unfortunately this one just isn't it for me. I finished it, so that's saying something but I don't know if I was looking for more or continued reading it just to see how it ends. That's something though. If they took this as more of an adult pursuit at the intellectual level of other Sherlocks - COUNT ME IN!
Good YA though for those who are looking! Would def give this to a young reader who can handle mature content.
I am a fan of most things Sherlock Holmes, but this was askew of what i needed. I wanted to like it so bad, but I just couldn't. I see where the authors and publishers wanted, but it just didn't get there for me. I hope others pick it up and continue it, because the mysteries of two brothas solving crimes in a historically black neighborhood has mad potential - unfortunately this one just isn't it for me. I finished it, so that's saying something but I don't know if I was looking for more or continued reading it just to see how it ends. That's something though. If they took this as more of an adult pursuit at the intellectual level of other Sherlocks - COUNT ME IN!
Good YA though for those who are looking! Would def give this to a young reader who can handle mature content.
bookbrig's review
4.0
I thought this was a good re-working of the familiar framework, with gritty art and some clever word play. I also thought the story grew more compelling as it went, and I'd happily read more in this world.
locpressedbooks_'s review
4.0
New indeed
4.25 stars
This was a very good take on the classic Sherlock Holmes and Watson. But there were moment when the scene changes kinda through me off. And sometimes the dialogue seemed to drag on a bit too long in some scenes where it seemed like he was trying to make sure that Holmes said those classic Sherlock quotes. And Watson was just the muscle. The art was great..I think how it was drawn really help with the type of story he was trying to convey, them being in New York and all. Can't wait for the second volume, hopefully the dialogue is better.
4.25 stars
This was a very good take on the classic Sherlock Holmes and Watson. But there were moment when the scene changes kinda through me off. And sometimes the dialogue seemed to drag on a bit too long in some scenes where it seemed like he was trying to make sure that Holmes said those classic Sherlock quotes. And Watson was just the muscle. The art was great..I think how it was drawn really help with the type of story he was trying to convey, them being in New York and all. Can't wait for the second volume, hopefully the dialogue is better.
tylovesbooks's review
4.0
I was excited to finally read this graphic novel. I am a Sherlock Holmes fan in most of its iterations so I had high hopes for this version, perhaps the second version where the story is told as African American characters. It took a chapter or two, but i was drawn to these characters from Harlem. Watson is a bit more brooding but he is not the comic foil or clueless tagalong in this iteration. Holmes is a bit less of a PIA and has more manners, but still just as smart. And the drawing is great! I will be picking up the next volumes. As a plus, my husband was even interested in reading this, and that’s saying something.
mlindner's review
4.0
http://itinerantlibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/10/booknote-watson-and-holmes.html
http://marklindner.info/blog/2015/03/30/bollers-et-al-watson-and-holmes/
http://marklindner.info/blog/2015/03/30/bollers-et-al-watson-and-holmes/
charleysketches's review
4.0
Gol-lee, this has to be one of the best adaptations of Sherlock Holmes I've come across since Elementary.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
4.0
I enjoyed this better than the BBC Sherlock in terms of it being a contempory Sherlock. It equals Elementary in terms of dealing with modern problems in a real world as opposed to the Whoish feel of the BBC series. Also Bollers is better with the women charactes - Lestrade's counterpoint is Stroud, a woman for instance.