Hey, That's My Cape!: Why Sherlock Comics Should Be a Thing

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most famous characters in literature and beyond. And if you’re doubtful, the Guinness Book of World Records confirms it. First appearing in print in 1887 thanks to the mind of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes has gone on to appear in hundreds, if not thousands (blame the internet), of derivative works. Even if you’ve never read Doyle’s original stories you know the basics – Holmes is a detective with a superior mind who solves crimes with a friend and colleague named Dr. John Watson. And you might have heard something about a pipe and a hat.

Like I said, those are the basics but you might have picked up extra details from pop culture, whether it be the Moriarty episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation or the Sherlock Holmes films starring Robert Downey Jr. To be sure, we’ve had an influx in mainstream Holmes these past few years but one has left a particularly strong impression – BBC’s Sherlock.

Starring a relative unknown actor to the U.S. -- and perhaps to some U.K. viewers as well -- Sherlock presented a very modern take on the great detective. This new story was created by Doctor Who’s Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss and had Sherlock using things like cell phones and GPS to solve crimes. But it was the perfect storm of creators, modernization, and actors that made this version of the tale skyrocket to fame. And some might say it was all the actors' doing – Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

I could probably write a dissertation on Sherlock fandom but that’s not what I’m here to talk about. Suffice to say, the Sherlock fandom -- Sherlockians, if you will -- are one of the most voracious fandoms in history. If you need a comparison I’d say they’re up there with Bronies in how much time and effort they put into their love of, and devotion to, the show.

While there aren’t many official Sherlock products out there, fans have created their own, whether it be physical items (check Etsy) or fan fiction (check Tumblr). And that brings me to my point – if there were Sherlock comic books, they’d sell like hot cakes.

There are fan comics out there, sure, some a bit more risqué and clearly out of continuity than others, but when you slap the word “official” on something it gets attention. I mean, even unofficial items sell as long as they’re about something popular. I don’t know a single person who actually buys the unauthorized biography comics Bluewater Productions puts out, but they sell because they are about someone or something with an established fan base. Sherlock has that in leaps and bounds.

I’ve talked in the past about other franchises that would do well in comic form, Harry Potter in particular, but I’m considering Sherlock now because Season 3 of the show is currently filming. Theoretically, that should have been the end of it but Cumberbatch let slip they’ve already signed on for Season 4 and also mentioned a possible fifth season. And if you watch Sherlock, you know each season is just three (movie length) episodes and that the wait between seasons is excruciating.

So wouldn’t it make sense to give fans something to devour in between without utilizing your cast and crew? To me, the obvious choice for publisher would be IDW Publishing; they already have a relationship with the BBC for their Doctor Who comics, after all. But I will hug anyone who can make this happen because I’m a huge Sherlock fan myself and languish during the hiatuses.

The most obvious incentive for any comic publisher to go after the Sherlock rights is the money to be made, but a pairing like this would be a boon for the industry as a whole. We’re always talking about how to get new readers into comic shops, and whether you like it or not, franchises are one of the best ways to do that. Some people are never going to like superhero comics, but we all know the wide range of choices out there.

If you put a Sherlock comic on the shelves, the opportunity to suggest similar books is a big one. You can make simple connections and suggest something like Muppet Sherlock Holmes, or go tangential with Warren Ellis’ Aetheric Mechanics. And yes, you could even suggest some standalone stories about the other great detective – Batman.

But really, just think of all the fun that could be had with Sherlock comic books. So much more can be done in the comics medium than they could ever pull off on a television show with a limited budget – trips to other countries, runaway trains, etc. And just think: back-up features starring Mrs. Hudson! A spin-off with Irene Adler! A special Valentine’s Day issue where Sherlock and John must actually pose as a couple for a case! (Sorry, fan-fic leaked in there for a second.)

The bottom line is Sherlock comics would be a hit and if no one is already working toward making them happen, it’s a missed opportunity.

I'd say it’s even…elementary?

Jill Pantozzi is the creator of TheNerdyBird.com and Associate Editor of TheMarySue.com. You can find her on Twitter @TheNerdyBird or on IGN at JillPantozzi. Batman is her boyfriend. Don't argue.

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