Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini #4 Review


Can Holmes and Houdini match the might of Rasputin? Or will this mystic megalomaniac prove the downfall of these egomaniacs? Read on to find out. The official description from Dynamite:

The improbable has become the impossible! With magician Harry Houdini arrested after a blood bath that has left his wife at the edge of death, detective Sherlock Holmes must overcome his suspicions – and his demons – to free Houdini and overcome a powerful enemy that commands the unholy powers of the spirits.

HolmesHoudini04CovBWorleyThe events of Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini have certainly been heating up as of late, with the malicious intentions of Rasputin finally bringing the two bitter rivals together. Though that’d seem like a step in the right direction as far as our detective and escapologist go, fate seems to prove otherwise, with Lestrade’s inability to cooperate with the two egomaniacs, and the further developments from Rasputin putting a roadblock in front of the titular characters.

Kill Shakespeare creators Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery have continued to impress me with their work on this series, as though there have been some moments that have felt long winded, it wouldn’t be a Sherlock Holmes tale otherwise. In this penultimate issue, the writers do a marvellous job of bringing some of the developments to a head, as though there’s still plenty that can be explored within the finale, we get some crucial developments here. The most notable amongst them has to be the use of Rasputin, and how his manipulation of Holmes and Houdini leads to a gripping cliffhanger.

The art that Carlos Furuzono has created over the course of this series has proven to be rather striking, having a fluid texture throughout. There is also an energetic flair to proceedings, with the sporadic reactions of Holmes and Houdini, and thrilling actions of Rasputin captivating. The emotional depth within Furuzono’s art also manages to impress, as though the facial expressions feel a little over stretched at times, they add a realism to events. The colours on the other hand left me once more in two minds, as though Aikau Oliva‘s palette adds a wonderful atmosphere to this tale, the boldness sometimes feels overbearing.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Harry Houdini is certainly getting into it’s element, with the suspenseful developments allowing for some enthralling moments. The menacing presence of Rasputin also manages to add more depth to this tale, and along with the ominous vibe he brings, it only goes to add more reasons for picking up this series.

OUR RATING
8.5
  • + Holmes and Houdini are stronger together than apart.
  • + Suspenseful vibe from Rasputin.
  • + Gritty tempo to events.
  • - Some developments felt a little sudden.

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