Revenge or justice – which is more important.
Creative Staff:
Story: Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini, David Wohl & Honor Vincent
Writer: Honor Vincent
Pencils: Oliver Borges & Alessandro Uezu
Inks: Oliver Borges, Alessandro Uezu & Jagdish Kumar
Colors: Fran Gamboa with J.C. Ruiz
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
As Nolen Savoy’s apocalyptic plot nears fruition, Spencer Holmes and Erica Houdini must join forces, much like their famous ancestors did once before to save the world. But is it already too late?
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
As Spencer and Erica patiently listen as Watson tells the origins of the Order, and how the world’s greatest detective and a certain escape artist became the latest caretakers of various dangerous artifacts, these contrasting partners have differing opinions as to the importance of the story, with the feisty brunette now understanding why she received a satchel at her doorstep, but is dispassionate in joining their club, more interested in gaining revenge against the man who destroyed her fiancé Sam. As she boldly voices her decision, Houdini casually looks down at her cell and is shocked by the number of alerts, with one particularly drawing her attention as she shows the others a video posted by Savoy, one in which this arrogant billionaire alerts the world about a terrorist organization called the Order who wish to stall humanity’s progress. While pictures of Holmes and Houdini are shown and Nolen labels them leaders of the group, he urges the two women to surrender before they can spoil his important announcement, one that will improve the lives of everyone on the planet, before closing his bold bluster by declaring they cannot stop him. It is then when Spencer concludes his world changing proclamation will be made at the Global Leaders Summit in two weeks, but as Watson realizes they do not have much time before the artifact is used, he is more concerned by its after effects since the longer it is operated, it becomes increasingly destructive, until eventually merging with the mind of the wielder and due to Savoy’s megalomaniacal tendencies, those concluding results will be devastating.
In Summary:
When story creators Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Dave Franchini, David Wohl and Honor Vincent first introduced a curious audience to the concept behind Holmes & Houdini, we were uncertain as to how such a contrasting personality would mesh with the adventurous Spencer, a methodical woman who has been well defined due to readers becoming acquainted with her during the pursuit of Cthulhu, and yet when we are abruptly shown how the spontaneous Erica will go to any lengths to find what happened to her fiancé, it makes us question what either of these women have in common, their dispositions immediately clashing upon their first meeting. As writer Vincent attempts to expand upon why Houdini is so driven to finding answers as to what happened to Sam, it is the complexity of the narrative which works against itself, so many divergent plot points that the audience initially cannot understand what is happening or why it is necessary to the overarching story, making us pause to consider the actions of each individual plus Holmes’ new backstory, with neither willing to cooperate until it is absolutely necessary. Thus, when they finally have coordinating agendas, it seems to be under a serendipitous situation guided by an unseen hand, with no clear resolution made as to the need of Project Grey Matter or why people had to die for Savoy’s foul machinations, aside from casting this egomaniac as a sadistic villain without a clear goal until more clues are carefully laid out before the confounded reader, even as Erica’s all consuming goal for revenge is pushed aside to make room for more and worldly important things.
Then we have the underlying purpose of the Order, a cryptic group who is the driving force behind mysterious benefactor Watson and keepers of strange artifacts which prove to be Spencer’s motivation, and yet we have no idea as to who they are or why the initial search is so important, both the audience and Holmes unerringly trusting the importance of her first mission with little resistance. While Vincent may have done this to push the narrative forward after Erica’s introduction, this lack of information quickly becomes infuriating, dredging up ominous aspects of cults and even when we are given a few clues, their significance clashes with the foul impression of Project Grey Matter, making readers wonder which is the worse organization, for while both have a need to keep secrets, one has to question is it better to hide due to evil deeds or due to a need to keep the truth hidden from those who would seek to destroy them.
When Vincent finally presents a chance to understand the Order, it feels like the necessary flashback at the introduction of this finale was forcefully wedged in as a means to answer lingering questions, the ominous inklings of Savoy’s ambitions put on hold until we learn how two families became invested within the same goals, even if one of their ancestors will not accept the importance behind noble ambitions to keep the world safe. As such, there is no true attachment for the audience either, seeing this narrative detour as nothing more than a distraction and not necessary aside from entertaining a nagging itch at the back of our minds, disrupting the spontaneity of an otherwise linear story, and no information given as to the truth behind the real danger of Tidebringer. It is only Erica’s attentiveness for her cell which propels readers back into the paused spontaneity of the main story, thereafter making us question why Watson gave us this history lesson when a madman is threatening the planet, plus making us wonder as to the truth behind Spencer’s words as to the completeness of the Scribe’s notes, or is this mentor recalling details from memory, giving the artifact a personable welcome at the end as if greeting an old friend.
As we finally return to the driving force behind the threat, the closing pages feel hurried as preparations proceed, both Watson and Houdini taking on roles as Q from the James Bond franchise, sending agents into the field with special gadgets against a classic megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur, cleverly disguised so they may infiltrate the meeting after being marked as terrorists, all in hopes to save the world before it is too late. Yet as our heroines face this twisted savior, one cannot but reflect on how much Vincent’s tale is taking on all the signs of a blockbuster spy movie, even as everything around them is sinking, they cannot but confront this lunatic with a big action scene including excessive explosions as Nolen reveals his true intentions, and yet we know Holmes and Houdini will save the day even as it seems there is no chance they will win, since the good gals always win.
Yet as we become content with this entertaining story, it is the bold imagery from Oliver Borges with Jagdish Kumar’s heavy lines that makes the opening so pronounced due to nuanced expressions, being able to watch as familiar icons of Holmes and Watson materialize upon the page with darkly defined details and made more sober due to Fran Gamboa with J.C. Ruiz’s almost suffocating color scheme, wondrously melding the depressing nature of a man who thinks he is no longer useful. However, as we meet a new face in Houdini who will breath new life into his barren world, the surrounding tonal atmosphere become lighter to reflect a chance to see new possibilities, bright smiles announcing hopeful futures for both, even as we sink into the sourness of friendships gone wrong, made more cynical as we watch the mocking gaze of Erica look down upon the importance of knowledge. But as this eclectic group watch Savoy’s shocking announcement, with the Scribe and Seer stern in their reactions, one cannot but chuckle as the Mage’s comical panic lightens the mood, giving the audience a momentary pause before the explosive excitement explodes across the page, sighing in exasperation as we watch Nolen arrogantly display at his nonexistent prowess and our heroines save the day as we know they will in the end.
While Holmes & Houdini may attempt to create an intriguing foundation for our new heroine, introducing a fascinating woman who initially has a clear goal to guide her through the title, this leading story sadly falls short on several narrative fronts, never sincerely fulfilling our brunette’s objective in finding what happened to her fiancé when she was so close to the truth, instead pushing aside selfish desires in order to help a forceful stranger save the world, even as the audience becomes inundated by divergent paths confusing the clarity of the tale. As distinct illustrations and a moving palette draw us into the adventure, the audience cannot but lose the spontaneity of constantly shifting viewpoints, for though it may serve to enlighten a perplexed reader, this confusing entertainment feels out of focus when taken as a whole once the story closes, wishing essential information would have been told in related sections instead of scattered across the narrative field. However, as Spencer and Erica part ways with a clichéd villain defeated and nothing completely resolved, it makes one question how the future will be handled for these forceful women, one accepting her new role in the Order and the other not willing to dedicate herself with due to uncertain problems, it makes us wonder if this will be the last we see of this shaky partnership or will it be necessary to Seer and Mage to confront curious dangers in the near future.
Grade: B+
Series Grade: B+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: March 27, 2024
MSRP: $5.99
