Muppet Comic Mondays: Muppet Sherlock Holmes #2

Muppet Sherlock Holmes #2

"A Scandal in Bohemia"

Written by Patrick Storck

Illustrated by Amy Mebberson

James Gannon - Y’know how I was gonna well verse myself in Sherlock Holmes media by the time the second issue came out?  Uh… I saw the 1959 Peter Cushing “Hound of the Baskervilles” movie.

But we’re talking about Muppet Sherlock Holmes issue number 2, “A Scandal in Bohemia.” Enter this month’s victim, Link Hogthrob, playing Duke Wilhelm Ornstein (wait till you see how Sherlock deduces that one). His addiction to gambling and even the games themselves have been noticed by one Miss Irene Adler (Miss Piggy), who has been using them as blackmail. The mission: to expose Miss Adler and retrieve all of her blackmail photos before the Duke has to buy the rest of them up.  

This leads to perhaps the oddest stake out (which is even taken literally) I’ve seen in comic form. Sherlock, Watson and LeStrade hide behind various implements, create a very anachronistic bugging device out of more time appropriate implements (let’s just say, mics made out of cans), and finally infiltrating a high society event at Miss Adler’s house.  Sherlock dons the guise of the inventor Eddie San Telsa to slip into the party. Gonzo does his best Rodney Dangerfield here, insulting all the guests to stall for time, while LeStrade and Watson employ what’s at hand to find any evidence. And in trying to find her hiding places, the story almost becomes Muppet Pink Panther with jokes enough to make it Muppet Naked Gun.

The issue is a non-stop laugh fest. Too bad there’s not much of a plot to get in the way. Make no mistake, this is a fun read. It seems, however, the issue basically sets out to establish Irene Adler’s character. Quite basically her spying techniques fascinate Holmes, gaining his respect (and in Gonzo’s case, absolute love), even though she is slightly his rival. And apparently she was a singer who was a prima donna (Piggy to the letter, perfectly cast). I hope if she makes a return appearance, they manage to go deeper into her character.

Other than a few great scenes and some great references (a reference to a certain 80’s British TV show killed me), the jokes seem a little overkill and the party sequence seemed a might longer than it needed to be. And while Gonzo is at his best as Sherlock,  Fozzie seems to be playing the character, rather than being the character. Though, Kermit’s LeStrade is much more understanding of Sherlock’s eccentricities, even going along with his wild plan in this issue (he even has his own little alias at the party).

So, not as strong as issue 1, but still a good read. Hopefully next issue will have more action balanced perfectly with the gags. That said, I picked up a truly rancid vintage comic adaption of an outside media source that made me further appreciate the amazing work BOOM!’s crew has been doing. Especially Amy’s wonderfully classical cover for the issue. Muppet Sherlock Holmes #2 is safely ensconced in the Mylar protective sheath. That other comic is now at the bottom of my dust bin. And it was one of my favorite cartoons too.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier