Watson and Holmes is a Study in Amazing

In honor of Black History Month we took a closer look at African-American talent who are making waves in the comics industry.

You know that sinking feeling when you find out about a comic when it’s already a few issues into the run? The dilemma — do you take a chance on an issue later in the run or wait on a trade? Well, that was how I came to issues #5 and #6 of Watson and Holmes, a modern, urban reboot of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic doctor and detective duo from New Paradigm Studios.

Written by Karl Bollers and Brandon Easton, respectively, the two issues quickly orient the reader to the world and set up single cases that function on their own as well as part of a larger, progressive story. The issues are steeped in dialect without being cartoonish, and establish relatable, strong protagonists: Jon Watson a former soldier returning from Afghanistan who is working in a city clinic, and Holmes a former programmer for an Internet startup that went belly up. His career ruined, he turns to private investigation.

Artists Larry Stroman and N. Steven Harris handle the respective issues, and both are very consistent in layout and storytelling. They pick up from where Marvel standout Rick Leonardi left off, whose work is now available in trade paperback. If there is one place that these pair of issues could be improved, look to the covers. Although they stick with the established look of the series, they are, well, a little generic. Neither convey the story ahead, except in tone. But that’s a minor quibble when you consider the strength of the whole issues.

If you’re on the fence at all, buy it, subscribe to it, and enjoy, especially issue #6. I can only describe the story as both brave and surprising. And I keep coming back to that one word: brave. Its mystery takes turns both tragic and tender. Don’t be the person who misses out on this one.

Available from http://www.newparadigmstudios.com/