Ian Bass

An Edwardian secret agent, portrait artist, libertine and cad investigates the deaths of Britain's top scientists.

I actually bought this book on the strength of the Stephen Fry quote: "The most delicious, depraved, inventive, macabre and hilarious literary debut I can think of. More, I want more!" even though he was talking about the novel and not the graphic version.

And it is a unique and funny mystery written by one of 'The League of Gentleman' (a very funny british tv comedy) and obviously a man of many talents. Lucifer Box is our dashing agent, dandy, rake and larger than life main character. Other character names are Bella Pok and Charlie Jackpot and the whole style has an almost exaggerated James Bond romp about it.

The writing is witty, the art is very good and suits the dashing dastardly action perfectly, and the only criticism would be that the novel is not long enough. I understand they edited quite a lot from the original novel to produce this graphic edition; perhaps it was toned down too far.

One warning is that this is a adult novel. There are two scenes that will surprise you, I wasn't expecting it at all and was pleased I hadn't let my kids read this first. Otherwise, a great wee read.… (mere)