Quick Summary: While not a perfect book, this adaptation of a Holmes story manages to accomplish a difficult task with style.

Title: The Sign of the Four

Author: Conan Doyle, Arthur; Culbard, I.N.J, & Edginton, Ian

Imprint: Sterling Publishing

Date of Publication: 2010

It can be difficult to take a well-loved and famous work of literature and adapt it into another medium. This graphic novel has some problems, but on the whole completes the adaptation with considerable aplomb.

The Sign of the Four was Conan Doyle's second Holmes novel. It is the first story that begins to develop Holmes into a real person. The original story also spends considerable time fleshing out Watson's character, including introducing him to his wife, Mary. This graphic novel version succeeds admirably in humanizing Holmes, but is less successful with Watson.

The Holmes presented in this version of the tale is tall, physically powerful - and utterly debilitated by his fondness for the famous "seven percent solution". He is presented as languid, with red-rimmed eyes, until the case presents itself. Then, he turns into the bright-eyed analytical machine we know and love.

Watson's character is not explored as deeply in this graphic novel as in the original Conan Doyle story. In part, this effect is due to the limitations of the graphic novel medium, but it is also due to the fact that the graphic novel has no narrator- we have no window into Watson's internal thoughts and dreams, as we do in the novel. For example, to the uninitiated, Watson's profession of love for Mary will likely come as a complete surprise, since we haven't been prepared by his constant mental approval of her.

As for other matters, the plot is treated very well - it constantly moves and engages the reader. Character design is rather stylized, but powerful - from Holmes' red-rimmed eyes, through Watson as a stalwart, auburn-haired everyman, to apparent villain Jonathan Small's little beard and pea coat (oddly, in terms of facial structure he looks a bit like a cross between "Girl Genius" character Airman Higgs and Bob Hoskins' version of Mr. Smee ).

Recommended.

Originally Written: October 28, 2011