MORIARTY: CLOCKWORK EMPIRE #4, from Titan Comics on 5/17/23, brings the stellar Sherlock Holmes adventure to a close with robots, monsters, and mayhem. Oh, my!
The Details
- Written by: Fred Duval, Jean-Pierre Pécau
- Art by: Stevan Subic
- Colors by: Scarlett
- Letters by: Lauren Bowes
- Cover art by: Claudia Ianniciello (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: May 17, 2023
Is It Good?
It’s always a pleasure to read an enjoyable, inventive comic series, and it’s even better when that series sticks the ending in the finale. MORIARTY: CLOCKWORK EMPIRE #4 sticks the landing with a fast-paced, thrilling, imaginative, climactic race to save the Queen of England and the entire country from Moriarty’s dastardly plans.
When last we left Sherlock Holmes, he barely escaped capture by Lady Li Mei before realizing he wasn’t Mei’s only captive. Holmes returned to London just as an army of Hydes dropped onto the city streets to cause mass havoc and panic. Now, Prime Minister Crimson finagles permission from the Queen to fund the building of remote-controlled tanks and weaponry as a defense against the Hydes, leading to the imposition of martial law and a hunt for the only man who can stop the monster army – Dr. Jekyll.
Duval and Pécau effortlessly build on the escalating sense of momentum as the streets of London prepare for an all-out war between an army of monsters and an army of robots controlled by an increasingly oppressive government. Holmes, of course, knows exactly what’s going on, and in true Holmsian fashion, uncovers every misdirect, red herring, and hidden villain with pristine pacing, clever plot twists, and rip-roaring action.
In the best way possible, each issue of this series gets a little crazier than the previous one, so if you like your stories to end with a bang, Duval and Pécau absolutely nail the ending.
Likewise, Stevan Subic’s art is next-level brilliant. The rough, blotchy inks instill a sense of energy and movement. The blotches add texture to faces, clothes, and settings to give the visuals an authentic, grounded look. And Subic’s cinematic eye for camera angles and movement is fantastic.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our MORIARTY: CLOCKWORK EMPIRE #3 review to find out how Sherlock Holmes escaped Lady Li Mei’s clutches.
We begin with Lord Crimson making an unusual presentation to Queen Victoria. Crimson believes he can save lives and protect England if the Queen will authorize the commission of a radio-controlled army of robot tanks. The Queen agrees, eventually leading to Lord Crimson’s ascension to the Prime Minster post.
Unfortunately, PM Crimson uses his new position to impose martial law on London for the good of its citizens. Mycroft Holmes grows increasingly uneasy with Crimson’s power grab, and he seeks an audience with the Queen to express his concerns and announce that Dr. Jekyll has found a permanent cure for the Hyde army.
We conclude the issue with multiple imposters, robots gone wild, and the death of an idea… for now.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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MORIARTY: CLOCKWORK EMPIRE #4 is a Grade-A finale to an inventive Sherlock Homes story about a nefarious force scheming to take over the world. The writing is fast-paced, energetic, creative, and exciting. And the dramatic art is perfect for this type of story.
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