As a collector I've made it my mission to try and collect pretty much all the graphic novels published by Humanoids in English. Humanoids (or Les Humanoïdes Associés to give it its proper name) is a French publishing house founded in the 1970s and has published a variety of comics, mostly by European creators of every conceivable genre and variety. You never know exactly what you are going to get when you pick one up, though if there is one thing that is almost universally constant it is that the art is usually outstanding.

And that is the case here. The story also is an interesting one - a series of gruesome murders of eminent psychologists in 1920s USA being investigated by one John Lord and his lady sidekick. And herein lies the biggest problem with this comic - the characters. John Lord is supposed to be some hotshot hardboiled detective. The lady sidekick (whose name I can not currently recall) is supposed to be his boss but is basically there for him to have someone to explain things to and show up all the time. Its a character dynamic that becomes a little irritating - the know-it-all guy explaining everything (and even ordering around) his female boss who is apparently a little out of her depth. Neither character seems to acquire much depth either. Maybe something is lost in translation from the original french but much of the dialogue seems to be exposition and thus somewhat stilted. The origin story of the serial killer too is very gruesome, and is told in short, often wordless, flashbacks that involve (SPOILER ALERT!) a mutiny on a ship, murder, rape, a shipwreck and cannibalism.

In other words not everyone's cup of tea. ( )

In post WWI New York, the Unlimited Private Investigators (UPI), under the auspices of the Mayor's office, reforms to investigate a series of brutal murders. The only surviving member of the original incarnation joins the new group's leader Clara Summers for an investigation that involves piracy, a deserted island, a jungle woman, love, revenge and other diverse topics. Reminiscent of Torchwood, writer Filippi and artist Laumond craft compelling dual storylines that perfectly illustrate the eras and conflict. The tales culminate in a telegraphed though satisfactory conclusion. ( )