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Moriarty #1
Moriarty: The Dark Chamber
It is the dawn of World War I, and Sherlock Holmes has been dead for 20 years. Holmes'' enemy - Professor James Moriarty - is a lost man. MI5 blackmails Moriarty into finding Holmes'' long-lost brother, Mycroft, but what at first appears to be a routine case leads to a web of intrigue that involves a psychic box and its creator, a woman from Moriarty''s past, and a new villain that threatens to be greater than Moriarty ever was
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 18, 2019
The events of this comic take place 20 years to the day after the death of Sherlock Holmes. The main character Moriarty is sent on a mission, to track down Sherlock's long-lost brother. But he encounters traps and a female distraction along the way. A few of the drawings were a little gory, the story-line at times was hard to follow. However, I generally did enjoy most of the visual elements.
June 30, 2019
(This review was originally published by Graphic Novel Reporter on Nov. 7, 2011)
Twenty years after the death of Sherlock Holmes, the world stands on the brink of World War I. Archduke Ferdinand has been assassinated by a secret society known as the Black Hand. Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, and a physics professor have both disappeared. Framed by British Intelligence, Professor James Moriarty is lured into the investigation of the missing men, only to discover a deeper web of intrigue surrounding a psychic device and a cult hellbent on world domination.
From the opening pages, it is quite apparent that writer Daniel Corey is a solid fan of the Sherlock Holmes mythos as penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He pens a tale of intrigue filled with small hints and clues, as well as requisite attention to the details and attitudes of London culture at the turn of the 20th century, which lead to brilliant, natural deductions that showcase why Prof. Moriarty was such an excellent foil for Doyle’s hero. Although the character of Moriarty has become a part of the Holmes zeitgeist, more through pop culture than by any effort of Doyle's, Corey presents a fresh examination of the man and his motivations.
While Moriarty is popularly known as the archvillain to Holmes, Corey shows their relationship to be akin to yin and yang. Although Moriarty bested his enemy at Reichenbach Falls and left him for dead, the years that followed proved it to be a hollow victory at best. Moriarty is a lost soul; the challenges of his adversarial relationship with Holmes had been the key driving force in his life and gave him purpose. Now, he is bored and discontent. In some ways, he is his own worst enemy and he has grown lazy without the constant struggles against Holmes, which, despite his best intentions, causes him to fall prey to the whims of other, more diabolical forces.
Corey successfully recasts his title character as an erstwhile antihero worth rooting for. Much of that success, of course, lies in creating a villain that challenges the readers as much as the book's cast of characters. Tartarus, the book's central antagonist, possesses a keen criminal intellect that outweighs even Moriarty’s, once the penultimate criminal mastermind. The psychic box and an impending war provide a brilliant spark to motivate these opposing forces.
While the story has plenty of action pieces, the cerebral elements are really where a lot of the book's enjoyment comes from, and the story is presented in fun, puzzle-like fashion. Watching Moriarty think his way through the traps and perils, oftentimes finding himself caught between multiple and opposing factions, and figuring out how disparate clues connect is where the real treats lie.
Like the best Holmes adventures, THE DARK CHAMBER is filled with numerous twists and turns, intuitive deductions and leaps of logic. Layered with multiple levels of duplicity, double- and triple-crosses, and familiar faces from Doyle's literary works, it proves to be an engrossing read. More important, it feels like a legitimate addition to Doyle's legacy and the canon of Sherlock Holmes.
Twenty years after the death of Sherlock Holmes, the world stands on the brink of World War I. Archduke Ferdinand has been assassinated by a secret society known as the Black Hand. Sherlock's brother, Mycroft, and a physics professor have both disappeared. Framed by British Intelligence, Professor James Moriarty is lured into the investigation of the missing men, only to discover a deeper web of intrigue surrounding a psychic device and a cult hellbent on world domination.
From the opening pages, it is quite apparent that writer Daniel Corey is a solid fan of the Sherlock Holmes mythos as penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He pens a tale of intrigue filled with small hints and clues, as well as requisite attention to the details and attitudes of London culture at the turn of the 20th century, which lead to brilliant, natural deductions that showcase why Prof. Moriarty was such an excellent foil for Doyle’s hero. Although the character of Moriarty has become a part of the Holmes zeitgeist, more through pop culture than by any effort of Doyle's, Corey presents a fresh examination of the man and his motivations.
While Moriarty is popularly known as the archvillain to Holmes, Corey shows their relationship to be akin to yin and yang. Although Moriarty bested his enemy at Reichenbach Falls and left him for dead, the years that followed proved it to be a hollow victory at best. Moriarty is a lost soul; the challenges of his adversarial relationship with Holmes had been the key driving force in his life and gave him purpose. Now, he is bored and discontent. In some ways, he is his own worst enemy and he has grown lazy without the constant struggles against Holmes, which, despite his best intentions, causes him to fall prey to the whims of other, more diabolical forces.
Corey successfully recasts his title character as an erstwhile antihero worth rooting for. Much of that success, of course, lies in creating a villain that challenges the readers as much as the book's cast of characters. Tartarus, the book's central antagonist, possesses a keen criminal intellect that outweighs even Moriarty’s, once the penultimate criminal mastermind. The psychic box and an impending war provide a brilliant spark to motivate these opposing forces.
While the story has plenty of action pieces, the cerebral elements are really where a lot of the book's enjoyment comes from, and the story is presented in fun, puzzle-like fashion. Watching Moriarty think his way through the traps and perils, oftentimes finding himself caught between multiple and opposing factions, and figuring out how disparate clues connect is where the real treats lie.
Like the best Holmes adventures, THE DARK CHAMBER is filled with numerous twists and turns, intuitive deductions and leaps of logic. Layered with multiple levels of duplicity, double- and triple-crosses, and familiar faces from Doyle's literary works, it proves to be an engrossing read. More important, it feels like a legitimate addition to Doyle's legacy and the canon of Sherlock Holmes.
November 4, 2011
It is 1914 and it has been 20 years since Professor James Moriarty killed Sherlock Holmes. Unfortunately, they have not been good years for the professor. He has lost is evil empire and has been reduced to conducting investigations a la Sherlock but for petty criminals. But Archduke Ferdinand has just been assassinated and suddenly Moriarty finds himself thrust into the role of hero. He must solve the disappearances of scientist Rupert Thomason and Sherlock's older brother, Mycroft or the nation will be destroyed.
I was a little leery about reading a graphic novel about Moriarty. After all, although his name has become almost as well-known as his archenemy, Sherlock, still he made very few actual appearances in the novels. But I was quickly pulled into the story. This novel definitely deserves a place in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Moriarty is just as detail obsessed as Holmes, shares his penchant for disguise, and throws himself into the heart of the investigation just as quickly (and, I might add, more athletically). The game, as they say, is afoot!
And if the great story isn't enough for all those fans out there, the graphics are a real feast for the eyes.
By the by, the ending did not come as any surprise but that's okay because it sets the stage nicely for more adventures of Professor James Moriarty and I am definitely looking forward to that.
I was a little leery about reading a graphic novel about Moriarty. After all, although his name has become almost as well-known as his archenemy, Sherlock, still he made very few actual appearances in the novels. But I was quickly pulled into the story. This novel definitely deserves a place in the Sherlock Holmes canon. Moriarty is just as detail obsessed as Holmes, shares his penchant for disguise, and throws himself into the heart of the investigation just as quickly (and, I might add, more athletically). The game, as they say, is afoot!
And if the great story isn't enough for all those fans out there, the graphics are a real feast for the eyes.
By the by, the ending did not come as any surprise but that's okay because it sets the stage nicely for more adventures of Professor James Moriarty and I am definitely looking forward to that.
March 10, 2012
I love reading stories about James Moriarty. I've always had a special interest in villains and their motivations, and with all the literature about Sherlock Holmes' arch nemesis available, it only seems natural that he is mostly my main focus.
I have been positively surprised. I feared it would be another "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (one cannot but compare), but it stood out onto its own. It was an intense experience to read, sucking one into the dark depths of Moriarty's mind.
I'd like to take away a 20% from the fifth star because it didn't feature Sebastian Moran, but in the end, he would have only disturbed the story, as hard as it was to accept this. To make things better, I loved the portrayal of Watson in "Moriarty", and the exciting last pages made me eager for more!
I have been positively surprised. I feared it would be another "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (one cannot but compare), but it stood out onto its own. It was an intense experience to read, sucking one into the dark depths of Moriarty's mind.
I'd like to take away a 20% from the fifth star because it didn't feature Sebastian Moran, but in the end, he would have only disturbed the story, as hard as it was to accept this. To make things better, I loved the portrayal of Watson in "Moriarty", and the exciting last pages made me eager for more!
February 25, 2020
Well its the story of Prof. Moriarty 20 years after he has killed Sherlock Holmes. Now Prof. is working as a contractor for small jobs rather than a Criminal Don. It was nice reading the story from Moriarty's prospective and being kind of a hero. Worth checking.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
January 23, 2017
The art is a tad dark, in this case actually the art is a bit over-shadowed,but it does fit the story quite nicely.
Story has sci-fi overtones, and was certainly entertaining.
Story has sci-fi overtones, and was certainly entertaining.
February 19, 2016
Moriarty has always been a fascinating character. He has been commonly called Sherlock Holmes' arch-nemesis. Yet, any Sherlock Holmes reader would know, we know very little of him besides the mentions here or there since he barely appears in the stories. To find a graphic novel that attempts to shed some light on this mysterious character piqued my curiosity and I thought I would give it a try.
Daniel Corey has created a Moriarty that is tangible and easy to understand, but he is far different from his original description created by Doyle. Instead of being an older scholarly gentlemen, he is much younger and comes across as a secret spy. He is not as formidable as I hoped him to be and nor is he smarter than Holmes. While the changes to Moriarty character is jarring, it does make sense since this book has a lot of action.
The plot of the graphic novel was a bit hard to follow at times. From what I can gather the story takes place in an alternative universe where Sherlock Holmes was the one who went over the falls at Reichenbach, and Professor Moriarty who survives, albeit in a much diminished form. His criminal network is all but lost and he is reduced to being “a sort of investigator for the criminal element”, when he is called upon to find the missing Mycroft Holmes and at last finds the first real challenge he's had since 'The Final Problem'. There were many new characters that were in the graphic novel that I was unfamiliar with and could have used a better introduction. In addition to having problems with the plot of the graphic novel, I also was not a fan of the artwork. The color black and dark red was used heavily and made the panels hard to read.
Overall Moriarty has a great premise and concept, but the execution of the story and drawings leave you with wanting more. I don't plan on continuing this series.
Daniel Corey has created a Moriarty that is tangible and easy to understand, but he is far different from his original description created by Doyle. Instead of being an older scholarly gentlemen, he is much younger and comes across as a secret spy. He is not as formidable as I hoped him to be and nor is he smarter than Holmes. While the changes to Moriarty character is jarring, it does make sense since this book has a lot of action.
The plot of the graphic novel was a bit hard to follow at times. From what I can gather the story takes place in an alternative universe where Sherlock Holmes was the one who went over the falls at Reichenbach, and Professor Moriarty who survives, albeit in a much diminished form. His criminal network is all but lost and he is reduced to being “a sort of investigator for the criminal element”, when he is called upon to find the missing Mycroft Holmes and at last finds the first real challenge he's had since 'The Final Problem'. There were many new characters that were in the graphic novel that I was unfamiliar with and could have used a better introduction. In addition to having problems with the plot of the graphic novel, I also was not a fan of the artwork. The color black and dark red was used heavily and made the panels hard to read.
Overall Moriarty has a great premise and concept, but the execution of the story and drawings leave you with wanting more. I don't plan on continuing this series.
January 25, 2012
In an alternative universe, it was Sherlock Holmes who went over the falls at Reichenbach, and Professor Moriarty who survives, albeit in a much diminished form. His criminal network is all but lost and he is reduced to being “a sort of investigator for the criminal element”, when he is called upon to find the missing Mycroft Holmes and at last finds the first real challenge he's had since 'The Final Problem'.
I really enjoyed the story, and the art, but there were just a few things that really annoyed me about this series. For one, locating Durham university in London, and not, well, Durham. Talking in the famously-silent Diogenes Club was another. Disregarding the physical description of Moriarty given by Doyle and to an extent the character as well (this Moriarty has dramatic sword fighting scenes, whereas Doyle's Moriarty is a scholarly type who has others to do his dirty work). Not enough to ruin it, obviously. It's still very enjoyable, and I'm currently working my way through the second arc in the series, 'The Lazarus Tree'.
I really enjoyed the story, and the art, but there were just a few things that really annoyed me about this series. For one, locating Durham university in London, and not, well, Durham. Talking in the famously-silent Diogenes Club was another. Disregarding the physical description of Moriarty given by Doyle and to an extent the character as well (this Moriarty has dramatic sword fighting scenes, whereas Doyle's Moriarty is a scholarly type who has others to do his dirty work). Not enough to ruin it, obviously. It's still very enjoyable, and I'm currently working my way through the second arc in the series, 'The Lazarus Tree'.
May 31, 2014
Moriarty has always been a fascinating character. He has been called Sherlock Holmes greatest enemy. Yet, if you actually read the stories of Holmes. He is barely in any of them. A mention here or there but not really a focal point of most of the stories at all. To find a graphic novel based on this mysterious character peaked my curiosity. And while Daniel Corey has created a Moriarty that I can understand and can see as the anti-Holmes, It's not the dark, smarter than all, criminal mastermind that I had expected. In some ways, he is more like Sherlock.
Now this doesn't make for a bad comic. Actually, Moriarty was a good comic. It just could have been a great comic.
Now this doesn't make for a bad comic. Actually, Moriarty was a good comic. It just could have been a great comic.
January 14, 2016
Moriarty looks like a cross between a werewolf and a skeleton, which threw me a bit. I enjoyed the sleuthing at the beginning of the volume, but wasn't into the bad guy, the allies, or the mystery at large. I went from slowly reading every word to skimming. I wondered at first why a comic and not a short story, what the point of a comic like this was, I suppose to let the art fill in the details, or maybe to have access to the inner workings of Moriarty, but neither of those things were strong here. The character was a bit of a let down, as was the story.
October 11, 2011
I can't think of another graphic novel I've read this year that succeeds in creating the perfect atmosphere for its story. It's 20 years after the death of Sherlock Holmes and his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty discovers some strange goings-on in London as the events leading to WWI have just begun. Not a lot of people are talking about this one, but they should be.
April 3, 2013
Meh. Moriarty is still wanting to be a bit evil but it suborned into kinda working for king and country, ish. The art didn't overwhelm me and the story was ok, but I don't think I'll go back for volume 2.
December 31, 2014
I have a great love for anything and everything Professor Moriarty, so these are like the greatest thing ever. The art is beautiful and the story is amazing. The writing is so perfectly in-character, it's great.
November 16, 2011
Good plot and good drawings, looking forward to the second!
Thaks to NetGalley and Imag Comics for the preview!
Thaks to NetGalley and Imag Comics for the preview!
July 10, 2012
beautiful art. cohesive story line. and it scratched my Sherlock Holmes itch. will definitely get the second trade.
December 24, 2012
Couldn't finish it. Some if it read like bad RPG video game dialog and the art equally didn't do it for me.
January 14, 2015
Please find my review at: http://echoes-empty-mind.blogspot.com...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews