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A Study in Emerald
This supernatural mystery set in the world of Sherlock Holmes and Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos features a brilliant detective and his partner as they try to solve a horrific murder.
The complex investigation takes the Baker Street investigators from the slums of Whitechapel all the way to the Queen's Palace as they attempt to find the answers to this bizarre murder of cosmic horror!
From the Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, Nebula award-winning, and New York Times bestselling writer Neil Gaiman comes this graphic novel adaptation with art by Eisner award winning artist Rafael Albuquerque!
The complex investigation takes the Baker Street investigators from the slums of Whitechapel all the way to the Queen's Palace as they attempt to find the answers to this bizarre murder of cosmic horror!
From the Hugo, Bram Stoker, Locus, World Fantasy, Nebula award-winning, and New York Times bestselling writer Neil Gaiman comes this graphic novel adaptation with art by Eisner award winning artist Rafael Albuquerque!
88 pages, Hardcover
First published June 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 956 reviews
November 12, 2018
Sherlock + Cthulhu = A Study in Emerald.
I went into it knowing that it was some sort of Doyle/Lovecraft mash-up, but that was about it. I had no idea what Gaiman was trying to pull off as far as plot goes, and I'm glad I didn't. Because while this was exactly what it purported to be, it was also quite a bit different than I was expecting.
A detective with uncanny skills and his war hero roommate set out to solve a royal murder in London.
Yeah, that sounds like a Sherlock Holmes story, right?
But these royals? They, um, bleed green. To say the least, this is a very interesting alternate history.
And that's not even the twist .
I have a tumultuous relationship with Gaiman's writing. He's got all the talent in the world and I love his stories, but I wish they were a tad less rambling and drawn out. So, the forced compaction that naturally happens in graphic novelizations really worked for me here.
Recommended for anyone looking for a bit of something different.
I went into it knowing that it was some sort of Doyle/Lovecraft mash-up, but that was about it. I had no idea what Gaiman was trying to pull off as far as plot goes, and I'm glad I didn't. Because while this was exactly what it purported to be, it was also quite a bit different than I was expecting.
A detective with uncanny skills and his war hero roommate set out to solve a royal murder in London.
Yeah, that sounds like a Sherlock Holmes story, right?
But these royals? They, um, bleed green. To say the least, this is a very interesting alternate history.
And that's not even the twist .
I have a tumultuous relationship with Gaiman's writing. He's got all the talent in the world and I love his stories, but I wish they were a tad less rambling and drawn out. So, the forced compaction that naturally happens in graphic novelizations really worked for me here.
Recommended for anyone looking for a bit of something different.
September 21, 2019
Forget Pokémon—it’s my mission in life to catch all Holmesian graphic novels, particularly those that are not adaptations of canonical stories, but rather additions to it (bonus points if the art is so stellar that I can get completely immersed in Victorian London or if there are supernatural overtones (or even just a hint of the supernatural, a la Hound of the Baskervilles)).
(Another reason to say forget Pokémon? Squirtle. I mean, come on—someone was either intentionally trying to coin a term to describe a particularly tricky (and aqueous) sex act or completely clueless; my money is on the former.)
Enter Gaiman, adapting his 2004 award-winning short story of the same name, an intriguing mashup of the world of Holmes and the twisted oeuvre of H.P. Lovecraft. The artwork is solid, the pacing brisk, and the tentacles ubiquitous. And, the concluding twist would makes the kiwi in Lisa Turtle’s favorite beverage* look like a sapsucker. If you’re a traditionalist, it’s a little out there, but if you’re open to a little bit of weird with your Victorian sleuthing, it’s well worth checking out.
*That is an INCREDIBLY obscure Saved by the Bell reference, and I award eleventy-billion points to anyone who picks up on it. Also, we should be best friends.
(Another reason to say forget Pokémon? Squirtle. I mean, come on—someone was either intentionally trying to coin a term to describe a particularly tricky (and aqueous) sex act or completely clueless; my money is on the former.)
Enter Gaiman, adapting his 2004 award-winning short story of the same name, an intriguing mashup of the world of Holmes and the twisted oeuvre of H.P. Lovecraft. The artwork is solid, the pacing brisk, and the tentacles ubiquitous. And, the concluding twist would makes the kiwi in Lisa Turtle’s favorite beverage* look like a sapsucker. If you’re a traditionalist, it’s a little out there, but if you’re open to a little bit of weird with your Victorian sleuthing, it’s well worth checking out.
*That is an INCREDIBLY obscure Saved by the Bell reference, and I award eleventy-billion points to anyone who picks up on it. Also, we should be best friends.
August 26, 2019
I'm a big fan of the original Sherlock Holmes stories and Neil Gaiman, so “A Study in Emerald” was an exciting discovery for me! It’s a spooky, strange, and very exciting take on a Holmes story. Probably about what you would expect from Neil Gaiman in terms of the weirdness -- and I mean this in the best and most adoring way possible!
Roughly following the plot of “A Study in Scarlet”, the novel is narrated by a British soldier newly returned home after being injured in a war in Afghanistan. Through a mutual acquaintance, he becomes flatmates with a brilliant if unorthodox consulting detective. One day they are called by Inspector Lestrade to assist with the investigation of the gruesome murder of a member of the Royal Family. A member who is both far more and far less than human...
Readers familiar with the Sherlock Holmes canon will be lulled into a sense of security by the standard opening, before realizing that this is not the same story. but to say anymore would completely spoil the ingenious way that Gaiman plays with the original Study in Scarlet --the role reversals he uses, and how he incorporates Lovecraftian elements.
The illustrations pay tribute to the styles of both Conan Doyle and Lovecraft, being practical in the paneling, but with a sense of underlying unease in the atmosphere. The writing also captures the elegance expected from both of these masters. A huge twist is hidden right in plain sight too, though I suspect the most hardcore Holmes fans might have guessed it from the beginning. If you're a fan of Holmes, or Gaiman, or both -- you will probably quite enjoy “A Study in Emerald”!
Roughly following the plot of “A Study in Scarlet”, the novel is narrated by a British soldier newly returned home after being injured in a war in Afghanistan. Through a mutual acquaintance, he becomes flatmates with a brilliant if unorthodox consulting detective. One day they are called by Inspector Lestrade to assist with the investigation of the gruesome murder of a member of the Royal Family. A member who is both far more and far less than human...
Readers familiar with the Sherlock Holmes canon will be lulled into a sense of security by the standard opening, before realizing that this is not the same story. but to say anymore would completely spoil the ingenious way that Gaiman plays with the original Study in Scarlet --the role reversals he uses, and how he incorporates Lovecraftian elements.
The illustrations pay tribute to the styles of both Conan Doyle and Lovecraft, being practical in the paneling, but with a sense of underlying unease in the atmosphere. The writing also captures the elegance expected from both of these masters. A huge twist is hidden right in plain sight too, though I suspect the most hardcore Holmes fans might have guessed it from the beginning. If you're a fan of Holmes, or Gaiman, or both -- you will probably quite enjoy “A Study in Emerald”!
September 20, 2018
I didn't know anything about this before reading it. It's a good way to read this one as the surprises are enjoyable. This seems loosely based on the Sherlock Holmes story 'a Study in Scarlet'. It is then blended with H P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu, which I still need to read. It turns into something of it's own. I don't know that Neil uses Watson or Holmes. They are called the Major and the Detective, I believe. It is at Baker's street.
There is a mystery and there is surprise. Neil has such a gift for words in my opinion. It is such a gift. He can make anything interesting. I thought the artwork was wonderful. It is great for Victorian England. The characters are sharp and the story is too short. It's my big complaint, the story needed to have more of it.
I will say, this does not really answer questions, it simply leaves you with more questions.
There is a mystery and there is surprise. Neil has such a gift for words in my opinion. It is such a gift. He can make anything interesting. I thought the artwork was wonderful. It is great for Victorian England. The characters are sharp and the story is too short. It's my big complaint, the story needed to have more of it.
I will say, this does not really answer questions, it simply leaves you with more questions.
January 5, 2019
شرلوک هلمز در مقابل کثولهو
داستان در دنیایی موازی می گذره. در دنیایی که هیولاهای باستانی، هفتصد سال قبل برگشتن و جهان آدم ها رو تسخیر کردن و بر آدم ها حکومت می کنن.
ماجرا از زمانی شروع میشه که یه جنگجوی جنگ افغانستان به لندن بر می گرده و در جستجوی همخونه، با یه کارآگاه هوشمند مواجه میشه: شروع آشنای داستان اتود در قرمز لاکی. بازرس لستراد به سراغ کارآگاه میاد و برای قتل فجیع یکی از هیولاها که خاندان اشراف سلطنتی انگلیس رو تشکیل میدن، کمک می خواد.
بعد دیگه شیوه های آشنای هلمزه، استنتاج ها و حدس های هوشمندانه، تغییر چهره، و... عاقبت این تحقیقات کارآگاه قصه رو به این میرسونه که قاتل ها از فرقهٔ بازگشتطلبان بودن، گروهی که معتقدن انسان ها بدون سلطنت هیولاها زندگی بهتری داشتن و باید دنیا رو به روزگار قبل از حکومت هیولاها برگردوند، دو نفر با این مشخصات: یک فرد دراز قد و یک پزشک که یک پاش لنگ میزنه و اونم در جنگ افغانستان خدمت کرده.
بعد اما ماجرا هیجانانگیز میشه.
موقع خوندنش این رو نوشتم:
برگ برندهٔ لاوکرافت اینه که توی کل داستانش*، کثولهو رو اصلا نشون نمیده و غایب نگهش می داره. فقط آدمایی که می پرستنش و براش آدم قربانی می کنن رو نشون میده، یا آدم هایی که خوابشو می بینن و فریاد زنان خودکشی می کنن رو نشون میده، یا... ما فقط در انتهای داستانه که بعد از انتظاری طولانی و اضطرابآمیز یک نظر کثولهو رو می بینیم. و همینه که باعث تأثیرگذاری داستان لاوکرافت میشه. چون در حقیقت خود کثولهو در واقع این قدرا قیافهٔ وحشتناکی نداره، اگه مدام در نور باشه این قشنگ حس میشه. اما لاوکرافت، با تدبیر هوشمندانه ش، با بیرون از دید نگه داشتن کثولهو، هاله ای از وحشت و اضطراب کیهانی دورش ایجاد می کنه که خودش به خودی خود نداره.
* The Call of Cthulhu - H P Lovecraft
داستان در دنیایی موازی می گذره. در دنیایی که هیولاهای باستانی، هفتصد سال قبل برگشتن و جهان آدم ها رو تسخیر کردن و بر آدم ها حکومت می کنن.
ماجرا از زمانی شروع میشه که یه جنگجوی جنگ افغانستان به لندن بر می گرده و در جستجوی همخونه، با یه کارآگاه هوشمند مواجه میشه: شروع آشنای داستان اتود در قرمز لاکی. بازرس لستراد به سراغ کارآگاه میاد و برای قتل فجیع یکی از هیولاها که خاندان اشراف سلطنتی انگلیس رو تشکیل میدن، کمک می خواد.
بعد دیگه شیوه های آشنای هلمزه، استنتاج ها و حدس های هوشمندانه، تغییر چهره، و... عاقبت این تحقیقات کارآگاه قصه رو به این میرسونه که قاتل ها از فرقهٔ بازگشتطلبان بودن، گروهی که معتقدن انسان ها بدون سلطنت هیولاها زندگی بهتری داشتن و باید دنیا رو به روزگار قبل از حکومت هیولاها برگردوند، دو نفر با این مشخصات: یک فرد دراز قد و یک پزشک که یک پاش لنگ میزنه و اونم در جنگ افغانستان خدمت کرده.
بعد اما ماجرا هیجانانگیز میشه.
موقع خوندنش این رو نوشتم:
برگ برندهٔ لاوکرافت اینه که توی کل داستانش*، کثولهو رو اصلا نشون نمیده و غایب نگهش می داره. فقط آدمایی که می پرستنش و براش آدم قربانی می کنن رو نشون میده، یا آدم هایی که خوابشو می بینن و فریاد زنان خودکشی می کنن رو نشون میده، یا... ما فقط در انتهای داستانه که بعد از انتظاری طولانی و اضطرابآمیز یک نظر کثولهو رو می بینیم. و همینه که باعث تأثیرگذاری داستان لاوکرافت میشه. چون در حقیقت خود کثولهو در واقع این قدرا قیافهٔ وحشتناکی نداره، اگه مدام در نور باشه این قشنگ حس میشه. اما لاوکرافت، با تدبیر هوشمندانه ش، با بیرون از دید نگه داشتن کثولهو، هاله ای از وحشت و اضطراب کیهانی دورش ایجاد می کنه که خودش به خودی خود نداره.
* The Call of Cthulhu - H P Lovecraft
May 16, 2020
Victorian England and a royal is found murdered in a cheap Shoreditch rooming house - but who could commit such a treasonous act? Perplexed, the police turn to the greatest detective in the world and his companion, based in Baker Street. The game is atentacled in this brilliant cross between Conan Doyle and Lovecraft!
I read A Study in Emerald when it was published in Neil Gaiman’s short story collection Fragile Things but that was so long ago that I’d forgotten the absolutely inspired twist ending when I came to read this comic adaptation so I was blown away all over again. It’s no less great a story in graphic form.
The mystery is compelling, the world-building is terrific and it’s the perfect meeting of two writers’ worlds with Lovecraftian elements so beautifully incorporated into Conan Doyle’s Holmes stories you’d think they were made for each other. And that twist is totally unpredictable and ingenious.
I love the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen-esque interstitials - fake ads nodding to Victorian literature - and the design of Queen Victoria is genuinely creepy with “her” human mask.
It’s not a huge critique but the only thing that stops me from giving this one a perfect score is Rafael Albuquerque’s art. I’m just not a fan and, while I appreciate the colour choices suit the time and setting, the pages look very drab and dull to look at.
Otherwise, A Study in Emerald is a superb and imaginative blend of Victorian detective fiction and Lovecraftian horror, executed masterfully - a fantastic read!
I read A Study in Emerald when it was published in Neil Gaiman’s short story collection Fragile Things but that was so long ago that I’d forgotten the absolutely inspired twist ending when I came to read this comic adaptation so I was blown away all over again. It’s no less great a story in graphic form.
The mystery is compelling, the world-building is terrific and it’s the perfect meeting of two writers’ worlds with Lovecraftian elements so beautifully incorporated into Conan Doyle’s Holmes stories you’d think they were made for each other. And that twist is totally unpredictable and ingenious.
I love the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen-esque interstitials - fake ads nodding to Victorian literature - and the design of Queen Victoria is genuinely creepy with “her” human mask.
It’s not a huge critique but the only thing that stops me from giving this one a perfect score is Rafael Albuquerque’s art. I’m just not a fan and, while I appreciate the colour choices suit the time and setting, the pages look very drab and dull to look at.
Otherwise, A Study in Emerald is a superb and imaginative blend of Victorian detective fiction and Lovecraftian horror, executed masterfully - a fantastic read!
January 4, 2019
An adaptation of Neil Gaiman's short story from a Sherlock Holmes anthology. It mashs up Doyle's and Lovecraft's most popular creations. The art is wonderfully moody, giving London a spooky, foggy vibe. I didn't see the twist coming at all, although I would say it could have been delivered a bit clearer. Even when I saw there would be a twist, the art didn't make it clear that it had happened, leaving too much to be inferred.
September 29, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
I'm curious to see if they will turn this into a series since the book ends on a cliffhanger. I had to check this one out because...
1. It's written by Neil Gaiman and 2. It's a Sherlock Holmes retelling.
A Study in Emerald was an unique retelling of the famous Sherlock Holmes solving a murder that had H.P. Lovecraft themes. All hail the Cthulhu!
I thought the art work by Rafael Albuquerque was really well done for all the well loved characters from Holmes, Watson to Lestrade.
I'm glad I took the time to check this out from the library. It was definitely different but fun!
I'm curious to see if they will turn this into a series since the book ends on a cliffhanger. I had to check this one out because...
1. It's written by Neil Gaiman and 2. It's a Sherlock Holmes retelling.
A Study in Emerald was an unique retelling of the famous Sherlock Holmes solving a murder that had H.P. Lovecraft themes. All hail the Cthulhu!
I thought the art work by Rafael Albuquerque was really well done for all the well loved characters from Holmes, Watson to Lestrade.
I'm glad I took the time to check this out from the library. It was definitely different but fun!
October 17, 2019
The more I read Neil Gaiman, the more I think that I can only truly appreciate his graphic works. I do believe that his style and narrative are perfect for this kind of art, and when he finds the right illustrators, who are able to capture the atmosphere of his creations (like in this case), the result is stunning. This short book is one of the most original and interesting retakes of the character of Sherlock Holmes I ever read.
Perfectly timed, beautifully illustrated, lovecraftian, weird and surprisingly creepy, I enjoyed every minute of this brief story. A great Halloween read!
January 7, 2020
This is the graphic novel version of Neil Gaiman's "A Study in Emerald," which won the Hugo Award for short stories in 2004. It's a brilliant mash-up of the Sherlock Holmes universe and H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu mythos, a weird but wonderful fantasy variation on a Sherlock Holmes mystery.
So I'm normally not a graphic novel kind of person - I like my reading straight-up, the traditional way, not in audio or graphic novel version - but when I saw this book sitting on the library shelf staring at me I couldn't resist picking it up, since the original "Study in Emerald" is one of my favorite Gaiman short stories. (Really, it is brilliant.)
It's Victorian days inEngland Albion, and a doctor, wounded in the Afghanistan war (in this case, by a monstrous being), moves in with a new roommate. Names are never mentioned, but the new roommate is a consulting detective with a deep knowledge of obscure facts. Oh, and he lives on Baker Street. Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard comes to beg the detective's help in solving a mystery: an alien noble from Germany has been murdered, emerald blood scattered everywhere. All the nobility and leaders of nations in this world are Lovecraftian aliens, owing to their conquest of the world 700 years earlier. But the thing is, most people heartily approve of government-by-alien-monsters, despite some ... drawbacks. So the detective and the good doctor set off to hunt down the murderers.
I still like the original written version of this story better, but this graphic novel does have about 80-90% of the original version's text (I was doing a side-by-side comparison for most of the novel). The illustrations are appropriately creepy, especially Queen Victoria and her magic tentacles and human mask. :)
Once you read this, I highly recommend Wikipedia's spoiler-filled page about this book, which includes discussion of the many hints and Easter eggs that Gaiman slipped into this story. Here's a link to the Wikipedia article. The "advertisements" are to die for.
So I'm normally not a graphic novel kind of person - I like my reading straight-up, the traditional way, not in audio or graphic novel version - but when I saw this book sitting on the library shelf staring at me I couldn't resist picking it up, since the original "Study in Emerald" is one of my favorite Gaiman short stories. (Really, it is brilliant.)
It's Victorian days in
I still like the original written version of this story better, but this graphic novel does have about 80-90% of the original version's text (I was doing a side-by-side comparison for most of the novel). The illustrations are appropriately creepy, especially Queen Victoria and her magic tentacles and human mask. :)
Once you read this, I highly recommend Wikipedia's spoiler-filled page about this book, which includes discussion of the many hints and Easter eggs that Gaiman slipped into this story. Here's a link to the Wikipedia article. The "advertisements" are to die for.
August 18, 2020
3.5*
Un homenaje de Neil gaiman a Arthur Conan Doyle y lovecraft. Uniendo el universo e Sherlock Holmes y a los seres primigenios. Estos últimos en una versión monárquica bastante desopilante. "La llamaban Victoria porque nos había derrotado en combate hacía unos setecientos años, y se la llamaba Gloriana porque era gloriosa, y se la llamaba la Reina porque la boca humana no estaba conformada para pronunciar su auténtico nombre. Era enorme, mucho mayor de lo que yo habría creído posible, y se ocultaba entre las sombras, mirándonos desde arriba sin moverse"
Una lectura rápida y entretenida. Con unos dibujos de Albuquerque que cumplen bien.
Un homenaje de Neil gaiman a Arthur Conan Doyle y lovecraft. Uniendo el universo e Sherlock Holmes y a los seres primigenios. Estos últimos en una versión monárquica bastante desopilante. "La llamaban Victoria porque nos había derrotado en combate hacía unos setecientos años, y se la llamaba Gloriana porque era gloriosa, y se la llamaba la Reina porque la boca humana no estaba conformada para pronunciar su auténtico nombre. Era enorme, mucho mayor de lo que yo habría creído posible, y se ocultaba entre las sombras, mirándonos desde arriba sin moverse"
Una lectura rápida y entretenida. Con unos dibujos de Albuquerque que cumplen bien.
September 12, 2019
The place that leechlike mouth had touched me was tattooed forever, frog white, into the skin of my now withered shoulder. I had once been a crack shot. Now I had nothing, save a fear of the world-beneath-world akin to panic. pg. 7
A graphic novel adaptation of A Study in Emerald. Basically Gaiman is bringing together Sherlock Holmes and the works of Lovecraft.
The story is good: creepy and creative. I like the lurking evil and the undertones of world domination by The Old Ones and the creeping horror. It also has a few twists that are interesting.
The art is kind of dark, it's not my favorite style, although it does fit in with the narrative and it is easy to follow.
The writing is good, Gaiman has a way with words. His renowned creativity is a bit stifled, seeing as he is cribbing from two very famous worlds here: Sherlock Holmes and Cthulhu.
It's enjoyable and fun, and the mashup is creative, but overall the concept is giving Gaiman less room to shine because he is constrained by the worlds already in place. Probably the funniest twists are the little newspaper advertisements Gaiman puts in here while winking at the reader. For example, "V. Tepes, exsanguinator" or Henry Jekyll selling "Jekyll's Powders" for people who suffer "constipation of the soul."
Might be better as a prose story, but I haven't picked up the prose-story, only this version.
RELATED MATERIALS:
A Study in Scarlet
by Arthur Conan Doyle
At the Mountains of Madness
by H.P. Lovecraft
The King in Yellow
by Robert W. Chambers
Captive State - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5968394/ - Strong similarities here
Crooked
by Austin Grossman
A graphic novel adaptation of A Study in Emerald. Basically Gaiman is bringing together Sherlock Holmes and the works of Lovecraft.
The story is good: creepy and creative. I like the lurking evil and the undertones of world domination by The Old Ones and the creeping horror. It also has a few twists that are interesting.
The art is kind of dark, it's not my favorite style, although it does fit in with the narrative and it is easy to follow.
The writing is good, Gaiman has a way with words. His renowned creativity is a bit stifled, seeing as he is cribbing from two very famous worlds here: Sherlock Holmes and Cthulhu.
It's enjoyable and fun, and the mashup is creative, but overall the concept is giving Gaiman less room to shine because he is constrained by the worlds already in place. Probably the funniest twists are the little newspaper advertisements Gaiman puts in here while winking at the reader. For example, "V. Tepes, exsanguinator" or Henry Jekyll selling "Jekyll's Powders" for people who suffer "constipation of the soul."
Might be better as a prose story, but I haven't picked up the prose-story, only this version.
RELATED MATERIALS:
A Study in Scarlet
by Arthur Conan DoyleAt the Mountains of Madness
by H.P. LovecraftThe King in Yellow
by Robert W. ChambersCaptive State - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5968394/ - Strong similarities here
Crooked
by Austin Grossman
August 23, 2020
This would be a fine Halloween Bingo read! Sherlock Holmes/Cthulhu mashup. Cliffhanger ending though.
July 5, 2019
I had kind of stopped reading these comics adaptations of Gaiman short stories, had reached Gaiman saturation, but I knew the story, the cover looked intriguing, I saw that Gaiman was able to attract (as he among very few can do) the very best team (Dave Stewart, one of the most celebrated colorists ever, and the most celebrated letterer ever Todd Klein) and I just sighed and walked this little dog home.
The story is Gaiman's clever 2004 Hugo-award-winning adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet. Why emerald? Well, in part because the spilled blood here is not red, but green, because Gaiman is making a little Victorian mash-up drawing from the worlds of Doyle and Lovecraft, featuring appearances of Cthulhu. The art by Rafael Albuquerque is moody, terrific. I like the little Victorian fun adverts, throughout, and the surprise ending. Clever, entertaining, all around.
The story is Gaiman's clever 2004 Hugo-award-winning adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet. Why emerald? Well, in part because the spilled blood here is not red, but green, because Gaiman is making a little Victorian mash-up drawing from the worlds of Doyle and Lovecraft, featuring appearances of Cthulhu. The art by Rafael Albuquerque is moody, terrific. I like the little Victorian fun adverts, throughout, and the surprise ending. Clever, entertaining, all around.
June 11, 2019
Sherlock Holmes (and someone else...) meets the Cthulhu Mythos in an excellent comic book adaption of one of Neil Gaiman's best short tales ever, available in anthologies like Shadows Over Baker Street and Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders, but you can downoad and read it for free on the author's website too: http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/...
I've read the original tale something like three times already, so the final twist was not unknown to me, but it was still great as the first time and Albuquerque's dark and gritty artworks added a lot of atmosphere to this wonderful horrorific pastiche.
A really have to look for and play the tabletop board game inspired by it sooner or later.
January 17, 2019
"A Study In Emerald" is Neil Gaiman's take on mashing together the worlds of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and H.P. Lovecraft. He does a great job with it.
Imagine a Sherlock Holmes story set in a Lovecraftian Cthulhu world. Gaiman nails the setting and the story perfectly, blending it well into the "Victorian Age" timeline where the mankind had lost to the Old Ones and the reigning monarchs of Europe and the world are all Old Ones. So we see our characters go through and solve a case in the typical Holmes/Watson style, well "typical" if one includes Old Gods. However I noticed that the characters are never named and Gaiman drops STRONG hints about the identity, though it is never confirmed or denied. So if you don't want to spoil it and figure it out yourself..do so and read no further. However the rest of you guys:
I, IMHO, think in this messed up Cthulhu world it's actually James Moriarty we are seeing as Holmes. The Watson character is hinted at by the end with the story being signed off by an S.M., Major (Retd.) I can only think of Moriarity's side-kick Sebastian Moran. In fact the limping doctor and the whole "Rache" incident is actually done by Holmes. Just my thought. Either way very cool.
Great story, great artwork and an awesome mix of two similar but disparate worlds joined by the Victorian Age. Neil Gaiman weaves another very cool fantasy tale. Highly Recommended.
Imagine a Sherlock Holmes story set in a Lovecraftian Cthulhu world. Gaiman nails the setting and the story perfectly, blending it well into the "Victorian Age" timeline where the mankind had lost to the Old Ones and the reigning monarchs of Europe and the world are all Old Ones. So we see our characters go through and solve a case in the typical Holmes/Watson style, well "typical" if one includes Old Gods. However I noticed that the characters are never named and Gaiman drops STRONG hints about the identity, though it is never confirmed or denied. So if you don't want to spoil it and figure it out yourself..do so and read no further. However the rest of you guys:
I, IMHO, think in this messed up Cthulhu world it's actually James Moriarty we are seeing as Holmes. The Watson character is hinted at by the end with the story being signed off by an S.M., Major (Retd.) I can only think of Moriarity's side-kick Sebastian Moran. In fact the limping doctor and the whole "Rache" incident is actually done by Holmes. Just my thought. Either way very cool.
Great story, great artwork and an awesome mix of two similar but disparate worlds joined by the Victorian Age. Neil Gaiman weaves another very cool fantasy tale. Highly Recommended.
April 10, 2021
عالی عالی عالی
برای من که علاقه زیادی به شرلوک هلمز داشتم این داستان یه چیز عجیب غریب خوبی بود. نشونهها و ریزه کاریایی که توی داستان بود و تهش با افشا شدن توییست نهایی همه چی معنی پیدا کرد.
و با اینکه خیلی در زمینه چیزهای لاوکرفتی اصلا متخصص نیستم، اما به نظرم این داستان خیلی خوب تونسته بود اون دیدگاه لاوکرفت رو تو فرم داستانش بیاره.
برای من که علاقه زیادی به شرلوک هلمز داشتم این داستان یه چیز عجیب غریب خوبی بود. نشونهها و ریزه کاریایی که توی داستان بود و تهش با افشا شدن توییست نهایی همه چی معنی پیدا کرد.
و با اینکه خیلی در زمینه چیزهای لاوکرفتی اصلا متخصص نیستم، اما به نظرم این داستان خیلی خوب تونسته بود اون دیدگاه لاوکرفت رو تو فرم داستانش بیاره.
October 16, 2023
"إن تعلمنا شيئاً من دراسة التاريخ، فإنها حقيقة أن الأشياء دائماً بإمكانها أن تُصبح أسوأ."
القصة المصورة "دراسة في الزمرد"، تحمل في طياتها الخليط المجنون المُناسب لصنع حكاية خرافية وبأحداث واقعية، فهي تحمل ثلاثة عوالم خيالية بداخلها، عالم شيرلوك هولمز، وعالم كثولو ولافكرافت، وعالم كاتب مجنون يُجيد صناعة العوالم كـ"نيل جايمان"، فكان الناتج مُثير للدهشة، مُتتبعاً كل فصل وكل صفحة بحكاية مجنونة، لكنها لا تخلو من واقعية أيضاً. ولا تخلو من سخرية يُجيدها "جايمان"، بخصوص ملكة إنجلترا ستدهشكم بالتأكيد.
استمتعت برفقة الحكاية وإن كانت النهاية تُمهد لجزء ثان، أتمنى أن يكون في مخطط "جايمان" أو على الأقل أن يتحول هذا الجزء إلى عمل مصور مُمتد، فالحكاية وجنونها، وجوانبها تحمل العديد من الاحتمالات التي قد تبني فيلماً قائماً بذاته، أو مسلسل كامل أيضاً.
يُنصح بها.
January 19, 2020
Went into this knowing almost nothing about it (though, in hindsight, I should have figured something from the title), and I was in for a nice surprise: a Sherlock Holmes mystery set in Lovecraft Country. And the implications towards the end are simply delicious!
November 15, 2023
In a world ruled by the Great Old Ones, a consulting detective is called to the grisly murder of the Queen's son...
I first read this in Smoke and Mirrors (I think) eons ago and remembered the bare bones of the plot but reading it in comic form was a great reading experience. Most of the cosmic horror is merely hinted at. I remembered who the detective was but forgot a lot of the particulars. Still a fun alt-history Victorian detective story. Rafael Albuquerque did a fantastic job on art.
I first read this in Smoke and Mirrors (I think) eons ago and remembered the bare bones of the plot but reading it in comic form was a great reading experience. Most of the cosmic horror is merely hinted at. I remembered who the detective was but forgot a lot of the particulars. Still a fun alt-history Victorian detective story. Rafael Albuquerque did a fantastic job on art.
June 19, 2022
What if Sherlock Holmes' London of 1881 was instead an alternate version ruled by Eldrich Horrors and called New Albion? Leave it to Neil Gaiman to concoct a wonderfully creepy story around just that premise.
Many people know Sherlock Holmes, almost everyone will have heard his name at least. But here, while we get the classical set-up of him and a former member of the British Army sharing rooms, numerous details have been twisted and changed. Such as .
Thus, we get the case of a German royal having been carved up expertly. A classical whodunnit - with the aforementioned twist.
I had read the story before in one of Gaiman's short story collections and had liked it very much. What made me read it again was the graphic novel format and the artwork.
It's impressive and fascinating to see how well Gaiman's works translate into many different forms.
https://iili.io/2zXofn.png
This last piece of artwork actually wasn't in my comicbook (I wonder if it's the difference between paperback and hardcover or digital version versus one of the printed ones) but it's still cool:
https://i.postimg.cc/7P5hft4f/Screens...
So yeah, very nice take on the first Sherlock Holmes story, clad in beautiful artwork.
P.S.: No, I'm not too stupid to incorporate images in my review, it's GR acting up again. *sighs* So for now I'll leave you with the links to the second and third picture. *grumbles*
Many people know Sherlock Holmes, almost everyone will have heard his name at least. But here, while we get the classical set-up of him and a former member of the British Army sharing rooms, numerous details have been twisted and changed. Such as .
Thus, we get the case of a German royal having been carved up expertly. A classical whodunnit - with the aforementioned twist.
I had read the story before in one of Gaiman's short story collections and had liked it very much. What made me read it again was the graphic novel format and the artwork.
It's impressive and fascinating to see how well Gaiman's works translate into many different forms.
https://iili.io/2zXofn.png
This last piece of artwork actually wasn't in my comicbook (I wonder if it's the difference between paperback and hardcover or digital version versus one of the printed ones) but it's still cool:
https://i.postimg.cc/7P5hft4f/Screens...
So yeah, very nice take on the first Sherlock Holmes story, clad in beautiful artwork.
P.S.: No, I'm not too stupid to incorporate images in my review, it's GR acting up again. *sighs* So for now I'll leave you with the links to the second and third picture. *grumbles*
July 14, 2018
Full review here
I always loved reading graphic novels and I noticed that one of the challenges in this medium is to convey an original story while having a clear storyline in just a few pages. Neil Gaiman, Rafael Alburerque and company did just that. They manage to set up the world building in a Lovecraftian way but keep all the Sherlock Holmes references at the same time. The perfect pastiche. A Study in Emerald is foreshadowing The Study In Scarlet by Conan Doyle. The dialogue is funny, entertaining and as thought provoking as the original works from Doyle. The story follows the simple murder mystery plot until the last page ends WITH A FRKN TWIST! A magnificent twist, dare I say, for I am a fan of big reveals. The kind of reveal that makes you want to re-read the story and find the clues that you missed the first time.
As for the length, It is short I must warn you, I wish they will continue this a series because I’m sure they have plenty of ideas to explore 😀
I always loved reading graphic novels and I noticed that one of the challenges in this medium is to convey an original story while having a clear storyline in just a few pages. Neil Gaiman, Rafael Alburerque and company did just that. They manage to set up the world building in a Lovecraftian way but keep all the Sherlock Holmes references at the same time. The perfect pastiche. A Study in Emerald is foreshadowing The Study In Scarlet by Conan Doyle. The dialogue is funny, entertaining and as thought provoking as the original works from Doyle. The story follows the simple murder mystery plot until the last page ends WITH A FRKN TWIST! A magnificent twist, dare I say, for I am a fan of big reveals. The kind of reveal that makes you want to re-read the story and find the clues that you missed the first time.
As for the length, It is short I must warn you, I wish they will continue this a series because I’m sure they have plenty of ideas to explore 😀
Read
December 31, 2018پنج از پنج بدون کوچکترین تردید.
داستان عالی بود. گیمن به اندازه کافی حقه تو آستینش داشت که تا آخر داستان بتونه شگفتزدهم کنه. البته بهتره قبلش یه آشنایی کمی (حتی خیلی کم) با شرلوک هلمز و کوتولهو داشته باشید.
نقاشیها و مسائل فنی کمیک هم خوب و بینقص بودن. هیچجا رشته روایت از دستتون در نمیرفت یا نقاشی گنگ نمیشدن. هیچ مشکلی به لحاظ خشونت عریان یا مسائل اخلاقی دیگه نداشت و همه چیزش استاندارد بود.
یه کمیک باید چی داشته باشه که بهش پنج بدم؟
داستان عالی بود. گیمن به اندازه کافی حقه تو آستینش داشت که تا آخر داستان بتونه شگفتزدهم کنه. البته بهتره قبلش یه آشنایی کمی (حتی خیلی کم) با شرلوک هلمز و کوتولهو داشته باشید.
نقاشیها و مسائل فنی کمیک هم خوب و بینقص بودن. هیچجا رشته روایت از دستتون در نمیرفت یا نقاشی گنگ نمیشدن. هیچ مشکلی به لحاظ خشونت عریان یا مسائل اخلاقی دیگه نداشت و همه چیزش استاندارد بود.
یه کمیک باید چی داشته باشه که بهش پنج بدم؟
July 3, 2018
4.5 stars.
An excellent adaptation of the seminal Neil Gaiman story that fuses Sherlock Holmes and the Cthulhu Mythos.
An excellent adaptation of the seminal Neil Gaiman story that fuses Sherlock Holmes and the Cthulhu Mythos.
January 14, 2023
Había leído este relato en la antología Objetos frágiles y esta adaptación me ha gustado tanto como el original. Pastiche holmesiano, dioses primigenios y Neil Gaiman, nada podía fallar, pero además el dibujo de Rafael Alburquerque está totalmente a la altura de la historia.
May 10, 2018
Recently while listening to a podcast, I discovered that Neil Gaiman had written a re-telling, or pastiche, of one of the Sherlock Holmes’ stories, “A Study in Scarlet.” It can be found online for free here, and this version is actually printed like an actual newspaper with ads and all. However, there are other versions as well: a graphic novel, an audiobook, the version found in Shadows Over Baker Street where it was first found, and Amazon has it as an ebook that’s listed as 80 pages long? And costs $10? I’m not sure what that’s about because the pdf I linked is only 9 pages long.
Anyway, Gaiman does a great job of imitating Doyle’s style, but I didn’t realize the point was basically to use all the same plot points and almost the same details as the original story? While the narrator goes unnamed, his back story is exactly like Watson’s and is introduced in the same way, some of the major plot points are exactly the same: the “rache,” the cab driver, etc. which I found confusing. What’s the point of a re-telling if you’re telling the exact same story in very similar words? And why is it a study in emerald, of all colors?
Also, it’s a re-telling that takes place in H. P. Lovecraft’s world, so if you’re not familiar with that (like I wasn’t), then you’ll be even more confused.
But the plot twist at the end I really liked and made this story worthwhile. I did not see it coming at all:
I was excited to read this story because I’ve heard so many good things about Neil Gaiman and love Sherlock Holmes, so I thought it would be a great place to start, but I was wrong.
Another site besides wikipedia that helped me understand this story: Tor, especially knowing this following part before reading the story would have really helped me out: “ The story begins long after the worst terrors embedded in the Mythos have come true—and become commonplace. The cultists have taken over, answering to their unholy overlords. Royalty exudes both fear and fascination, and leaders who give prosperity with one hand (limb) can carry out dreadful deeds behind closed doors. The world isn’t entirely like ours, though; the moon is a different color.” And the “rulers demand the price of minds (souls) for their general benevolence.”
In conclusion, if you’re a fan of Gaiman’s and/or Lovecraft’s, you’ll probably enjoy (and understand) this story more than I did. It even won the Hugo Award in 2004.
Anyway, Gaiman does a great job of imitating Doyle’s style, but I didn’t realize the point was basically to use all the same plot points and almost the same details as the original story? While the narrator goes unnamed, his back story is exactly like Watson’s and is introduced in the same way, some of the major plot points are exactly the same: the “rache,” the cab driver, etc. which I found confusing. What’s the point of a re-telling if you’re telling the exact same story in very similar words? And why is it a study in emerald, of all colors?
Also, it’s a re-telling that takes place in H. P. Lovecraft’s world, so if you’re not familiar with that (like I wasn’t), then you’ll be even more confused.
But the plot twist at the end I really liked and made this story worthwhile. I did not see it coming at all:
I was excited to read this story because I’ve heard so many good things about Neil Gaiman and love Sherlock Holmes, so I thought it would be a great place to start, but I was wrong.
Another site besides wikipedia that helped me understand this story: Tor, especially knowing this following part before reading the story would have really helped me out: “ The story begins long after the worst terrors embedded in the Mythos have come true—and become commonplace. The cultists have taken over, answering to their unholy overlords. Royalty exudes both fear and fascination, and leaders who give prosperity with one hand (limb) can carry out dreadful deeds behind closed doors. The world isn’t entirely like ours, though; the moon is a different color.” And the “rulers demand the price of minds (souls) for their general benevolence.”
In conclusion, if you’re a fan of Gaiman’s and/or Lovecraft’s, you’ll probably enjoy (and understand) this story more than I did. It even won the Hugo Award in 2004.
June 15, 2022
A fun short read having just finished A Study in Scarlet by Doyle. The parallels to the same story in the early going were fun. I loved the artwork- especially the bits in between chapters- those were especially well done. The way “The Major” (aka Watson) was drawn made me laugh. He seemed to constantly be in distress. I will probably go reread the short story of this included in Fragile Things since it has been a bit since I first did so. The Old Ones will return! 🦑 Well… maybe not, but that was an interesting twist on the original tale. 😀
The blending of the Victorian setting and Cthulhu elements made me think of Carnival Row.
The blending of the Victorian setting and Cthulhu elements made me think of Carnival Row.
March 28, 2019
A quite satisfying Sherlock Holmes Cthulhu inspired mashup from the madly creative Neil Gaiman. Gorgeous artwork too.
July 14, 2018
I want to start by saying that I know nothing when it comes to Lovecraft. I'm aware that there's a green, octopus-looking creature called the "cthulhu" that lives in the ocean, and that's literally the extent of my knowledge. I've always been intrigued by his stories, but I've never read any of them.
Sherlock Holmes, on the other hand, I know quite a lot about. Without having read any of the actual books, I know a good deal because of adaptations I've seen — Benedict Cumberbatch and the BBC adaptation will always be my favorite!
So with a minimum amount of background knowledge, I went into this graphic novel hoping for the best because it's Neil Gaiman, and Neil Gaiman can do no wrong. I didn't know that the plot line was going to follow A Study in Scarlet so accurately, so that was a nice surprise. For some, I can see why that would be a negative, but for me, I liked the fact that I knew the base story because sometimes the Lovecraft references were over my head. I'm sure there are a bunch that I've missed or didn't recognize. That being said, I did like the Lovecraftian influences. They made the story unique!
To avoid spoilers, I won't say much about the ending minus the fact that it threw me for a curve ball, for sure. It makes a lot of sense after the fact, but I definitely enjoyed that twist of sorts. Another thing I enjoyed was the art style, it matched the writing style very well. I hope this graphic novel will become a series because I'd love to see more in this interesting world.
Sherlock Holmes, on the other hand, I know quite a lot about. Without having read any of the actual books, I know a good deal because of adaptations I've seen — Benedict Cumberbatch and the BBC adaptation will always be my favorite!
So with a minimum amount of background knowledge, I went into this graphic novel hoping for the best because it's Neil Gaiman, and Neil Gaiman can do no wrong. I didn't know that the plot line was going to follow A Study in Scarlet so accurately, so that was a nice surprise. For some, I can see why that would be a negative, but for me, I liked the fact that I knew the base story because sometimes the Lovecraft references were over my head. I'm sure there are a bunch that I've missed or didn't recognize. That being said, I did like the Lovecraftian influences. They made the story unique!
To avoid spoilers, I won't say much about the ending minus the fact that it threw me for a curve ball, for sure. It makes a lot of sense after the fact, but I definitely enjoyed that twist of sorts. Another thing I enjoyed was the art style, it matched the writing style very well. I hope this graphic novel will become a series because I'd love to see more in this interesting world.
November 14, 2020
Original cómic en el cuál Neil Gaiman rinde homenaje a dos grantes escritores clásicos, por un lado a Arthur Conan Doyle, escritor de novela policiaca, aquí Gaiman rinde homenaje al personaje estrella del escritor Sherlock Holmes y por otro lado, a H. P. Lovecraft, escritor de terror cósmico y aquí hace referencia a los mitos de Cthulhu de Lovecraft, la mezcla es verdaderamente singular.
Las ilustraciones de Rafael Albuquerque verdaderamente impresionantes.
Las ilustraciones de Rafael Albuquerque verdaderamente impresionantes.
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