The more I read these comics adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original novels, the more I feel affirmed in the view that the enduring popularity of these books comes from the richness of the characters rather than the dreary stories they appear in.
In The Sign of the Four, we see Holmes’ drug habit addressed for the first time as he injects himself with cocaine for breakfast because he’s bored! His boxing past is also mentioned and Watson meets his future wife Mary.
The actual story is some long-winded rubbish about buried treasure - honestly, I’ve already forgotten and I finished this yesterday! Doyle continues to play upon the Victorian fascination with exotic, far-flung places though - another reason why his books were bestsellers.
Artist INJ Culbard highlights Holmes’ unhealthy habits by colouring him a ghostly white throughout with strung-out, tired eyes. It’s a long way from Culbard’s best work though and a lot of the characters look absurdly cartoonish which doesn’t add to the supposed seriousness of the case.
Whether you call it The Sign of the Four or The Sign of Four, this is one of the least interesting Sherlock Holmes stories ever written. Besides the character moments, it’s an unmemorable bore not worth bothering with.
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