In general I don’t like to describe books by comparing them
to other stories, but for this series I feel I must. My description will either
put you off form the book, or it will peak your curiosity. The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde
is part Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (obviously), part Jack the Ripper and
part Silence
of the Lambs. It’s an interesting combination that not only works, but
makes you wonder why no one ever did it before.
The story begins with the creation of Mr. Hyde as Dr. Henry
Jekyll injects himself with a formula he’s been working on that unleashes the
beast within. Five years later a man in a red trench coat is standing over a
prostitute killing her with precision blades. He leaves her dead body and
strolls off into the night. The next day Thomas Adye is contacted to
investigate the crime scene. He looks over the body counting the stab wounds
and compares the number stab wounds found on the first murder victim. He can
tell that the killer is not only being more precise, but that he also
understands anatomy as he becomes a better killer.
What’s peculiar is that the killer, after stepping in blood
walks away and his stride of bloody foot prints is almost double that of a
normal man. The prints also lead up the side of a building with just a simple
push up from a fence below. Adye is baffled by the crime scene. He then learns that
Jekyll is alive and well underneath the police station. It was reported that he
was killed five years ago, but in fact he was taken as a prisoner to study.
Adye must speak with him if he is going to get his help in solving the
case.
This book right away is my pick of the week. Hands down it
was one of the most interesting things I’ve read in comics and has that awesome
Dark Horse feel. It looks and feels like it belongs in the world of Hellboy
and the Amazing Screw-on Head. At first you kind of want to blow it off
thinking it’s just another book in a long line trying to do something
interesting with the Jekyll/Hyde formula, but then when you add in the other
two elements suddenly the story is very different.
Writer Cole Haddon has taken a simple concept of multiple
personalities mixed with transformation and made it into something refreshingly
different and equally dark. A serial killer with Hyde-like powers is just one
of those ideas that you hear that makes you stop and think about it. If you
find yourself nodding your head, it’s okay because that’s what the concept alone
can do to you. The dialog is enthralling and holds your attention the whole way
through the issue.
The art captures the era of London perfectly and really
helps drive the story along as well. M.S.
Corley is a very good visual story teller and really sets up his panels to
enhance the story and give it a real sense of movement. The most striking thing
in this story is Hyde and the Killer’s eyes. Both are intense and scary looking and that is very gratifying to see while reading. It gives the story a real
personality that tends to be missing from a lot of comics. This book screams intense and dark.
Like I said this is my pick of the week. It’s a great story
that has a mix of history, detective stories and classic fictional elements all
with a dark edge. Hyde has a little something for everyone and all of it is
really good! If you miss this book this week you’re missing out on a real gem
from Dark Horse that’s for sure.
Overall Score – 9.8/10
*Great for Mature New Readers*
Here's the preview for the issue so enjoy!
