Elementary...

Sometimes a literary character becomes so ubiquitous, it's easy to forget that she or he is not a real person. Sherlock Holmes, for example, has found immortality and fame as a character in both his own works and spin-offs and appropriations. Mr. Holmes has also led a long and varied life on the small and silver screens. While some people believe that Basil Rathbone is the ultimate Sherlock, I think that the television and movie series starring Jeremy Brett characterizes both the original stories and Sherlock Holmes character the best. However, another actor is donning the Sherlock Holmes mantle soon. While Robert Downey Jr. doesn't quite have the Jeremy Brett Sherlockian profile, lets hope he pulls it off.

If you'd like to view the Holmes universe from a different angle, a new graphic novel by Leah Moore (daughter of Alan Moore of Watchmen fame) and John Reppion puts our intrepid detective in an uncharacteristic situation. It starts slowly, but definitely becomes a page-turner, especially in front of a cozy fire on a chilly winter evening. The first volume, The Trial of Sherlock Holmes, also brings a lot of depth to the Dr. Watson character that many other adaptations miss.

If you've read all the books and stories, watched the shows and movies, and belong to as many Holmesian Societies as you have time for but your interest still isn't slaked, an interesting area of research is Holmes's creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We have several biographies about him, and here's an interesting article about his interests in the occult and spiritualism.

As the great character queried: "...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?" And the truth is that Sherlock Holmes and his many creators will be entertaining and enlightening fans new and old for years to come.