Billy, Charlie, and Tom are inseparable, and for good reason. Filled with con men and scoundrels, London’s East End is not easily survived alone. Fortunately, the three friends—and their faithful feline companion—can count on the protection of Sherlock Holmes, for whom they sometimes act as spies.
When Tom’s girlfriend is kidnapped, the Baker Street Irregulars must put their budding sleuthing skills to use. Then, when a Russian immigrant is framed for a Jack the Ripper–inspired crime, our heroes set out to discover the truth and uncover a conspiracy that may go deeper than they ever imagined. Armed with only their quick wit and street smarts, the Baker Street Irregulars must work together to solve mysteries in the nick of time. Make way for the youngest detective team of the Victorian era!
Hailed by critics and audiences, The Baker Street Four has received numerous awards and was featured at Angoulême in 2012. Insight Editions is proud to continue to bring this exciting story to English audiences worldwide.
Originally published in French in 2009/2010, this English translation (by Mark Bence) had a release date of May, 2017 under the Insight Comics imprint.
The story is written by Olivier Legrand & J.B. Djian. The virtuoso art is by David Etien. This volume includes two full stories (really novella sized). Both stories are solid. I've always been a fan of the canonical Holmes stories which include the Irregulars, and even though these stories obviously aren't in the canon, they live up to the Holmes legacy.
I've read a -lot- of Holmes pastiches and stories and homages... most of them are weak in one respect or another. These two stories are entertaining and complete. I enjoyed both so very much.
The art is absolutely beautiful and lifts the narrative to a whole other level.
As other reviewers have stated, because this is a graphic novel (i.e., 'comic book') it doesn't follow that it's a kid book. There is a lot of explicit fighting and violence, prostitution and adult themes.
Well worth picking up. Lovely treatment of Holmes and the Irregulars!
Five stars
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.
