Somerset Holmes #1
Published by Pacific and © by Bruce Jones Associates, Brent Anderson and Al Williamson, September 1983
Title: “Somerset Holmes”
Synopsis: A young woman wakes with no memory of who she is – or why people are trying to kill her!
Writer (plot): Bruce Jones, April Campbell and Brent Anderson
Writer (script): Jones
Penciler: Anderson
Inker: Anderson
Review: One part Modesty Blaze, one part “Bourne Identity,” this excellent debut of Somerset Holmes is a slow-burn thriller. Stylistically, the story feels more like the decompressed comics of the early 2000s, and Brent Anderson’s excellent art and design add to that cinematic feel. This series was ahead of its time.
•••
Title: “Cliff Hanger”
Synopsis: A woman crashes her plane in a South American jungle, then teams with roguish hero Cliff Hanger.
Writer: Bruce Jones
Penciler: Al Williamson
Inker: Williamson
Review: A story starring Cliff Hanger ends in a literal cliffhanger. This throwback serial lacks subtlety but features nice art.
Grade (for the entire issue): A-
Second opinion: Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Again, the cinematic style on this one has a thoroughly modern feel. It’s miles ahead of most work being cranked out by the Big Two during this period.
Notable: Also features “Putting It All Together,” a two-page photo feature documenting the creative process. … Editor April Campbell served as the artist’s model for Somerset Holmes.
Character quotable: “W-who are you? ….” – Unknown female protagonist, soon to be known as Somerset Holmes
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Sequential Reaction (Vol. 1) on April 1, 2016.
