DARK HORSE COMICS
WRITER: Cole Haddon
ART: M.S. Corley
COLORS: Jim Campbell
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
32pp, Color, $3.50
The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a recent four-issue comic book published by Dark Horse Comics. The film weaves together the Jack the Ripper legend with characters from the novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by author Robert Louis Stevenson. Ultimately, the series pits Hyde against Jack the Ripper.
The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde #1 focuses on Thomas Adye, an inspector with the Metropolitan Police Department. It is 1888, and London is in a state of fear because of the murder of several prostitutes. Ayde, who uses the most modern methods and science of police work, has been brought in to more or less save Scotland Yard.
During his investigation, Ayde uncovers evidence that suggests these murders are similar to the Edward Hyde murders from 5 years earlier, but Hyde is dead. Or is he? Ayde takes a trip deep into the bowels of Scotland Yard to meet with Hyde’s creator, Dr. Henry Jekyll, where he may have to make a deal with the devil.
To put it simply, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde is a great read. Two things stand out. First, is the stunning art by M.S. Corley, which stylistically combines Kevin O’Neill’s work on League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and woodcut engraving. With Jim Campbell’s colors, Corley’s work seems perfect for a comic book offering a Victorian murder mystery.
The second powerful element here is the writing by Cole Haddon, especially the character writing. In terms of personality and dialogue, the characters are well drawn and propel this intense, but evenly paced story. Ayde is perplexing, but ultimately intriguing, and Haddon’s Dr. Jekyll easily surpasses Alan Moore’s Jekyll in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. If the rest of this series lives up to this first issue, The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde will be fantastic.
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