IDW Publishing 2015
Written by Chris Ryall
Illustrated by Tony Akins
Ink Assists by John Livesay
Coloured by Leonard O’Grady
I am a huge fan of watching my local PBS stations and the BBC does a series of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency that’s pretty brilliant and that was my first exposure to the character, I wish I could say it was from reading Douglas Adams but alas. So when I saw this was being done I got excited because the show is incredibly quirky the way his mind works is challenging at best for most people but it’s also extremely entertaining at the same time.
I’ve got to say that when I saw the interior artwork I was even more intrigued. It’s got this unique look to it with some great attention to detail on the characters that really gives them their own unique personalities and helps them shine.
Chris deserves so much applause for not only taking this on and introducing the mainstream to this wonderful character but for perfectly capturing him and his mannerisms his scatterbrained thinking through his dialogue just touched the right notes. This is the kind of humor that’s missing in today’s world and we need more of it, the intelligent makes you think kind of humor that you’ll miss if you don’t pay attention not the obvious slapstick stupid “American” humor we see so prevalently nowadays.
I’m also incredibly impressed how this bungling detective who seems to get the case solved against all odds finds himself in the situations he does and the one Chris has instantly created for him. I do find it interesting that this story takes place in San Diego to open up his adventures and not London but as the story unfolds before us it delightfully makes complete sense. Though because of the way I was introduced to it I do miss his assistant back home he made the perfect straight man foil to Dirk.
So keep your eye on the Ken and Barbie couple because they are the kind you love to hate and try to understand. I wanna say a modern day Bonnie and Clyde but that isn’t accurate though it’s a good start so their introduction and the way they get involved with Dirk yeah it’s pretty freakin spectacular and totally fits into the way Dirk’s life seems to work.
Chris thank you for Gumshoes & Tea Leaves and all the people inside. Oh and the art here really is just, I sit here and clench my hands because I wanna find the right words for it but it’s just incredibly delightful.
There are two things happening here that I’m terribly interested in seeing how they combine. With the events we see at the San Diego Natural History Museum to the Ken and Barbie stuff not to mention is new temporary supporting cast this introduction has it all it’s wonderfully done. Engaging, fun, smart and full of twists and surprises it really went beyond what you should expect from a first issue.