Zachary Holmes: Case One: The Monster

    (Dark Horse, 2002)
™ and © Dark Horse Comics, Inc.

America has sadly abandoned the boy hero, but Europe remembers and has given us a memorable one. Without even attempting a rationale, we’re introduced to boy detective Zachary Holmes (if he’s any relation, it doesn’t come up) and his mouse assistant, Watson, who live on their own and have the respect of the police commissioner.

Asked to clear the name of The Frankenstein Monster, Zachary uses a combination of pluck, intelligence, and unexpected legal expertise to win the day. It’s a whimsical blend of mystery, horror, high adventure, and action, where a riveting courtroom scene can be followed by an unexpected chase, then an ending that’s every bit as endearing as it is unexpected. Instead of being done in a European cartoony style (à la Tintin or Spirou), the art is a lush and strangely effective blend of the realistic (main characters) and impressionistic (backgrounds) that works, thanks in large part to very effective coloring. For every kid who knew in his heart The Frankenstein Monster deserved a lot better than he got.

— S.A. Bennett
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#1 (Hardcover Edition)

27-Feb-2002
Cover Price: $14.95
2 copies available from $9.99 		Carlos TrilloJuan Bobillo