Archard and Bishop are back on the case

[arbre_rieur]

This month marks the return to comics of the CrossGen properties. RUSE was arguably the most critically-acclaimed of their titles, so its not surprising that it's one of the two titles TPB have chosen to begin the relaunch with.

The book made mild internet waves in 2002 when Mark Waid refused a Harvey Award nomination for Best Writer for his work on the title. I don't know if his motivation was ever divulged, but it almost certainly has to do with his conflicts behind the scenes with CrossGen's founder, Mark Alessi. Waid once described working there as the emotional equivalent of being punched in the stomach everyday. (Alessi, by all accounts, was a rich man who believed being a lifelong reader of comics qualified him to publish comics, a task -- again, by all accounts -- he woefully lacked the know-how for.)

In the course of Simon and Emma's latest case, their culprit tries to flee by hijacking a horse-drawn carriage, one that already has an occupant. While Emma wrestles the culprit for the reins, Simon approaches the cab.

Comments

[blackruzsa]

"A blonde woman was also somehow involved."

.... :| Really now.

Though this series seems like a lot of fun.

[kaitou]

The first iteration of Ruse started off strong, went really wonky really quickly and broke my heart. I'll be keeping an eye on this though.
...I might have to see if I still have a few issues of this still packed away.

Art doesn't look as good, but I could forgive it for better writing.

[proteus_lives]

So, Sherlock Holmes and Rule 63 Watson?

[q99]

Not far from it :)

Archard tends to be more smug than Holmes, though.

[bruinsfan]

My immediate thought upon seeing the cover in the comic shop this week was Remington Steele: The Victorian Years.

[jelly_ace]

OMG RUSE
This was one of the early comic books that I really read--no superheroes, cheesecake, and it's kinda smart, too.

Gotta revisit this.

[lissa_quon]

Oooh, I need to pick this up. This was one pf my favorite series when I was younger.

Though I do so miss the old art team.

[philippos42]

Back when, I liked Negation & Meridian, but found Ruse disappointing. I wonder about the critics who liked it so much.

...
These pages are cute, though. It might work this time.

[icon_uk]

I picked this up, but it didn't really appeal to me, which was a shame as I thought I'd like it.

The main character is just pretty much unlikeable, and doesn't have Holmes redeeming wit or awareness of his own differences from those around him (Holmes can be dislikeable, but he is aware he is dislikeable and one gets the feeling he at least tries to compensate for Watson's sake) and the "Weren't Victorians sexist ha ha ha" bit got old very quickly.

[tsunamiwombat]

I love her dress oh god i'm such a nerd.

[endis_ni]

*happily shares in the nerdery*

[kamino_neko]

Never having read the original series, the newspaper story made me think this was sort of a Victorian Remington Steele.

Honestly, I kind of wish it was...

[strannik01]

CrossGen was my introduction to American comics, so its titles will always have a nostalgic place in my heart. That said, Ruse was one of the titles that I enjoyed reading in trades at my local library, but I never enjoyed it enough to spend my money on single issues.

I am curious to see where this version of Ruse will go. Its fairly easy to adapt to a non-Sigilverse setting, and I am curious to see how being set in Victorian era would affect it (though, I admit - I kind of miss the gargoyles).