Villordsutch reviews Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency #4…
The penultimate chapter in Dirk Gently’s first big comic-book storyline! It’s time for the museum gala and all the otherworldly mayhem that ensues…
After last month’s chapter of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency [review here], you’d be concerned that Dirk may be in a bit of a pickle. There’s a roaming life force-stealing Ancient Egyptian named Neferthop on the prowl in San Diego, and not only this but wandering into the Detective-themed tea shop is the male half of the serial-killing holiday couple who intends on seeking his revenge on Dirk Gently for the presumed death of his homicidal wife.
With the tea shop patrons attempting to dissuade the killer from removing Dirk from this mortal coil, our Detective – of all things interconnected – has discovered that the golden mobile phones generate power using “Souler Power” or the life-force of the owners. During Dirk’s wittering, not truly giving a damn about the large gun in front of him, he receives a bullet through the heart and with that the serial killer leaves to find his wife. As the tea-shop owners panic, Craig – our second risen Ancient Egyptian – steps in with the golden mobile phone to resurrect Dirk – but not before we’ve seen the face of a familiar God and Dirk’s had a chance to mutter a familiar answer to us Adam’s fans. With an attempt to resolve the problem of Nerferthop fails at the museum, Dirk and team – including Kate from the CIA (and former lover of Thor) – head towards the Gala opening of King Ahktenkhamen. They’re aware that Neferthop will be drawn to this and plan on making this their closing moment, however what they don’t know is that a mysterious stranger has also been making his way through the myst’s of time to be at this specific moment too.
You can feel Chris Ryall expertly weaving these threads together in this penultimate issue; everything is coming together so well you can feel yourself smiling come the closing pages. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency shines in the hands of Chris Ryall. Given that we also are treated to some excellent art, inking and colours from Ilias Kryiaszis, John Livesay and Leonard O’Grady (respectively), issue #4 is quite fantastic.
Another excellent chapter in this excellent series.
Rating : 10/10
Villordsutch likes his sci-fi and looks like a tubby Viking according to his children. Visit his website and follow him on Twitter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=oIqao-7FJ_I
Originally published September 30, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
