The Black Diamond Detective Agency

Train Bombing strikes terror in the Heartland!

John Hardin is a desperate man. He is the sole suspect of the renowned Black Diamond Detective Agency, a private operation determined to solve the mystery and bring its perpetrators to justice — at any cost. Once a quiet Missouri corn farmer, Hardin now finds himself on the run in turn-of-the-century Chicago.

Adapted from a Wonderland Films screenplay and graced with vivid and striking art by Eddie Campbell, this tale delves deep into the American era when small farmers were the backbone of the country, graft was rampant, and railroads unfurled through western towns.

"Campbell is one of the premier cartoonists of his generation. So what's he doing working on a book adapted from a screenplay by C. Gabe Mitchell? It's hard to say. John Hardin, a man with a criminal past, ends up framed for a horrific Midwestern train bombing on the eve of the 20th century. Hardin is captured — mysteriously his name is found planted on boxes of nitro at the scene — but escapes and heads for Chicago, the Secret Service and private detectives hot on his trail. He's got a notion of the men (and one woman in particular) who are likely behind the bombing. Campbell's adaptation starts quite literally with a bang, setting up a gripping criminal mystery driven by the gruesome explosion and a selection of deft, emotional images from Hardin's past. But the work is very soon plagued by confusing plot turns and Campbell's awkwardly painted, static artwork. Campbell cleverly uses the story as an introduction to industrialization and the growth of technology in turn-of-the-century America — with previews of police forensics, photography, subways and cars. But a bewildering progression of sometimes indistinguishable characters makes the whole enterprise somewhat hard to follow. A promising work though clearly not Campbell's best." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"A visually stunning graphic narrative with all sorts of complicated plot twists....The veteran artist rises to a new challenge." Kirkus Reviews

"[A] complex visual experience that weaves in interesting historical supposition...and highlights the staccato bursts of violence (including an exciting, well-choreographed gunfight in a train station) with stinging red accents." Booklist

"Despite Campbell's loose, evocative brushstrokes, the story (from C. Gaby Mitchell's unshot screenplay) is awkward and bumpy. (Grade: B-)" Entertainment Weekly

Eddie Campbell is the acclaimed artist behind From Hell, for which he won the Ignatz award for Outstanding Graphic Novel and the Eisner award for Best Graphic Album. In 2001, From Hell was made into a major motion picture starring Johnny Depp. Campbell is also the creator of the series Bacchus and Alec: The King Canute Crowd. His most recent work is The Fate of the Artist, an autobiographical thriller.