A Study in Emerald

If a mash-up of Arthur Conan Doyle’s world of Sherlock Holmes with H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu tales isn’t enough to interest a comics reader, how about adding one more name?

Neil Gaiman.

Gaiman has written a delightful one-shot graphic novel for Dark Horse Comics that brings Cthulhu to Holmes’ Victorian London.

Of course, does the award-winning Gaiman do anything that isn’t delightful? Whether it’s books, comics, movies or TV?

With “A Study in Emerald” — and yes, that’s a play on the title of a Sherlock Holmes’ title, Lovecraftian creatures have inherited the Earth … or conquered it. Queen Victoria and royal family are strange beings who rule with an iron tentacle.

Someone has murdered a tentacled member of the royal family and the game is afoot.

Rafael Albuquerque provides the stunning artwork. Together, he and Gaiman create a fascinating world. 

The “advertisements” highlighting the opening of each chapter are reminiscent of Alan Moore’s “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” Each “ad” has a literary/historic reference, such as Vlad Tepes’ elixir to remedy arthritis and liver complaints; or the V. von F. Company’s manhood booster called “Victor’s Vitae.” All fun stuff.

To top it off, Gaiman wraps the whole thing with a mind-blowing twist.

If a fan of Gaiman, comics, Sherlock Holmes or Lovecraft, it’s all elementary. “A Study in Emerald” is worth finding.