Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Leah Moore
Artist: Francesco Manna
Colourist: Inlight Studie
Release date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

Swords of Sorrow: Dejah Thoris & Irene Adler is the strangest mash-up since Archie Meets the Punisher. But writer Leah Moore and artist Francesco Manna make it work by focusing their ambitions.

Swords of Sorrow: Dejah Thoris & Irene Adler #1 focuses on Sherlock Holmes nemesis/love interest Irene Adler, hired by Sherlock’s brother Mycroft Holmes to track down a beast responsible for attacking The House of Commons. Meanwhile, London has developed trans-dimensional gateways. By keeping the plot focused on this straightforward premise the story can proceed without too much complication.

Although Swords of Sorrow: Dejah Thoris & Irene Adler #1 loses a little steam when it does try to mix things up. Resulting in small, questionable plot holes: Irene disguises herself as a not-very-convincing male for no apparent reason at all. Irene assumes, without explanation, that her gun would not harm the mystery animal simply because the plot calls for her to use a strange sword she possesses.

Moore makes the same mistake Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle made: Irene tells Deja Thoris she is a “contralto prima donna,” which is an oxymoron (contralto singer don’t play leading rolls). And why would she tell the Moon maid she’s a singer anyway?

Manna’s art improves the story, the faces and figures well-crafted and good attention paid to Victorian details in dress and furnishings.

Overall Swords of Sorrow: Dejah Thoris & Irene Adler is off to a good start, despite the plot holes.

One hopes the story sticks to straight action and adventure and does not try to be anything deeper.

 

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker