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Clue: Candlestick #1-3
Clue: Candlestick
Who did it? How'd they do it? And Where? Answer these classic questions and solve the mystery in this graphic novel based on the timeless detective game.
Cartoonist auteur Dash Shaw unleashes his murderous imagination on the quirky, thrilling, and mysterious world of Clue! Ripe with puzzles, secrets, and lies, everyone's a suspect in this suspense-filled whodunit! Was it Miss Scarlet in the conservatory with the lead pipe? Suspicions mount as bodies start piling up.
Dash Shaw is a cartoonist and animator whose past work includes the graphic novels Doctors, Bodyworld, Bottomless Belly Button, and New School, which was named one of the Best Books of 2013 by NPR. His animated works include Seraph, Wheel of Fortune, The Unclothed Man in the 35th Century AD, and My Entire High School is Sinking Into the Sea.
Cartoonist auteur Dash Shaw unleashes his murderous imagination on the quirky, thrilling, and mysterious world of Clue! Ripe with puzzles, secrets, and lies, everyone's a suspect in this suspense-filled whodunit! Was it Miss Scarlet in the conservatory with the lead pipe? Suspicions mount as bodies start piling up.
Dash Shaw is a cartoonist and animator whose past work includes the graphic novels Doctors, Bodyworld, Bottomless Belly Button, and New School, which was named one of the Best Books of 2013 by NPR. His animated works include Seraph, Wheel of Fortune, The Unclothed Man in the 35th Century AD, and My Entire High School is Sinking Into the Sea.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2020
118 people want to read
About the author
Dash Shaw
69 books194 followersDash Shaw is an American cartoonist and animator, currently living in Richmond, Virginia.
Shaw studied Illustration at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. He has been publishing short comics and illustrations in a number of anthologies, magazines and zines since his college years. In 2008 Fantagraphics Books published Shaw's first long format graphic novel, the family comedy-drama Bottomless Belly Button. Among his other notable works: BodyWorld (2010, Pantheon Books), New Jobs (2013, Uncivilized Books), New School (2013, Fantagraphics), Blurry (2024, New York Review Comics).
Shaw's animated works include the Sigur Ros video and Sundance selection 'Seraph', the series 'The Unclothed Man in the 35th Century AD' and the movies My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea (2016) and Cryptozoo (2021).
Shaw studied Illustration at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. He has been publishing short comics and illustrations in a number of anthologies, magazines and zines since his college years. In 2008 Fantagraphics Books published Shaw's first long format graphic novel, the family comedy-drama Bottomless Belly Button. Among his other notable works: BodyWorld (2010, Pantheon Books), New Jobs (2013, Uncivilized Books), New School (2013, Fantagraphics), Blurry (2024, New York Review Comics).
Shaw's animated works include the Sigur Ros video and Sundance selection 'Seraph', the series 'The Unclothed Man in the 35th Century AD' and the movies My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea (2016) and Cryptozoo (2021).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 7, 2023
A nifty little murder mystery with an Agatha Christie vibe based on the characters from the classic board game -- which I have never played. Thankfully, Tim Hodler provides an article after the story explaining the history of the game and its appeal.
Alternative artist Dash Shaw was a surprising but inspired pick to create this media tie-in. He has fun with the art and plays around with the expectations of graphic novels and murder mysteries, even dropping in a few activities and puzzles along the way.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Candlestick / Dash Shaw, story and art -- On Murder Considered as a Recreational Activity / Tim Hodler, writer -- [Cover Gallery] / Dash Shaw, Jed McGowan, Sophie Franz, and Kevin Huizenga, illustrators -- Shaw in the Studio with the Candlestick / Suzette
Alternative artist Dash Shaw was a surprising but inspired pick to create this media tie-in. He has fun with the art and plays around with the expectations of graphic novels and murder mysteries, even dropping in a few activities and puzzles along the way.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Candlestick / Dash Shaw, story and art -- On Murder Considered as a Recreational Activity / Tim Hodler, writer -- [Cover Gallery] / Dash Shaw, Jed McGowan, Sophie Franz, and Kevin Huizenga, illustrators -- Shaw in the Studio with the Candlestick / Suzette
March 7, 2022
Shaw has taken the classic Clue board game and created a story based on the characters. There are clues dropped throughout and there are puzzles to solve that will help the reader discover the ultimate culprit. But it isn't just a matter of saying "Colonel Mustard in the billiard room with the lead pipe." There are several murders and it isn't necessarily so that they all were committed by the same hand. So watch out for red herrings and false villains.
So...I went down an online rabbit hole searching for an e-copy of Nancy Drew and came up with this graphic novel based on the mystery board game. The plot is basically okay and the mystery is pretty good for story length. But...I don't really think Shaw has captured the feel of either board game or the 1985 movie. Which may have been the point--but for those of us who grew up on the game and who really enjoyed the movie, it was a bit of a let-down. It seemed a bit odd for Shaw to give us a whole essay at the end where waxes nostalgic about playing the 1972 version of the game (the version I myself played for years) and then to miss the mark in creating a story about it.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
So...I went down an online rabbit hole searching for an e-copy of Nancy Drew and came up with this graphic novel based on the mystery board game. The plot is basically okay and the mystery is pretty good for story length. But...I don't really think Shaw has captured the feel of either board game or the 1985 movie. Which may have been the point--but for those of us who grew up on the game and who really enjoyed the movie, it was a bit of a let-down. It seemed a bit odd for Shaw to give us a whole essay at the end where waxes nostalgic about playing the 1972 version of the game (the version I myself played for years) and then to miss the mark in creating a story about it.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
December 29, 2019
Probably the most brilliant piece of adaptation I have ever read.
Dash Shaw creates a dazzling showcase for his designing talents, an intriguing cast of characters, funny dialogue and clever references, and a pretty solid murder mystery. Also, he does all of this while making a pretty faithful adaptation of a freakin' board game!
The panel designs in this comic are some of the best I've seen anywhere. They play a vital part in the storytelling. Speaking of storytelling, Shaw manages to inject a few poignant notes about art, feminism and the nature of collections and collectors into the murder mystery. He simultaneously weaves some interesting relationships that develop in unexpected ways, between people who are at their core stock characters.
If all that sounds like a lot, don't worry! You can just focus on the fun twists and turns, or play the little games that Shaw sprinkles throughout the three chapters. If you're really smart, you can solve the mystery before the story gets to its end.
Dash Shaw creates a dazzling showcase for his designing talents, an intriguing cast of characters, funny dialogue and clever references, and a pretty solid murder mystery. Also, he does all of this while making a pretty faithful adaptation of a freakin' board game!
The panel designs in this comic are some of the best I've seen anywhere. They play a vital part in the storytelling. Speaking of storytelling, Shaw manages to inject a few poignant notes about art, feminism and the nature of collections and collectors into the murder mystery. He simultaneously weaves some interesting relationships that develop in unexpected ways, between people who are at their core stock characters.
If all that sounds like a lot, don't worry! You can just focus on the fun twists and turns, or play the little games that Shaw sprinkles throughout the three chapters. If you're really smart, you can solve the mystery before the story gets to its end.
August 28, 2020
Clue as an indie comic. Dash Shaw does a decent job with the mystery, even if it's a classic closed-door whodunit with few surprises. The stock Clue characters are mostly fleshed out in interesting ways. The art veers from amusing to abstract, the dialogue generally dry and flat. Intentionally so, of course, this being an indie comic.
I appreciated that Shaw offered the reader the opportunity to solve the mystery before the book did. I didn't bother to complete the puzzles, being short on time, but perhaps another reader will take a crack at them and solve the murrRRRdurrrRRR.
I appreciated that Shaw offered the reader the opportunity to solve the mystery before the book did. I didn't bother to complete the puzzles, being short on time, but perhaps another reader will take a crack at them and solve the murrRRRdurrrRRR.
November 5, 2020
Trying to hard, and clashing, unappealing art styles to boot.
March 22, 2020
Dash Shaw es de esos tipos a los que siempre hay que prestarle atención. Aún manteniendo un estilo reconocible, en cada nueva obra se nota una búsqueda por transitar nuevos caminos estéticos para explorar la narrativa secuencial.
Clue: Candlestick es una miniserie de 3 números en la que, como su título la delata, Shaw se mete en el universo del famoso juego de mesa. Cada uno de los personajes, así como las locaciones y los objetos usados para los asesinatos, son los mismos del Clue, y Shaw plantea la historia de tal manera que el lector podrá ir "jugando" a deducir quién es el asesino a medida que avanzan las páginas.
La cantidad de recursos narrativos que Shaw despliega dejan en claro que estamos ante un autor súper talentoso, de referencia obligada para todo el que quiera saber qué está pasando en los márgenes del cómic gringo más mainstream.
Clue: Candlestick es una miniserie de 3 números en la que, como su título la delata, Shaw se mete en el universo del famoso juego de mesa. Cada uno de los personajes, así como las locaciones y los objetos usados para los asesinatos, son los mismos del Clue, y Shaw plantea la historia de tal manera que el lector podrá ir "jugando" a deducir quién es el asesino a medida que avanzan las páginas.
La cantidad de recursos narrativos que Shaw despliega dejan en claro que estamos ante un autor súper talentoso, de referencia obligada para todo el que quiera saber qué está pasando en los márgenes del cómic gringo más mainstream.
February 25, 2020
So much fun to be had with this comic by Shaw. Really displays the strengths of following monthly comics (I read this as a collection, sadly). The page layouts here are wild while being understandable for those wanting to figure out who done it. Highly recommend for mystery tale lovers as well as folks wanting a comic engrossing enough for a night time train ride.
January 12, 2020
Destaca por su originalidad, tanto en el arte con interesantes adiciones al carácter experimental de la obra, como en la historia que aprovecha el mini universo de Clue para construir un relato atrevido, sin miedo a transgredir las normas que le impone el juego de mesa. Quizás falla en que puede sentirse corta ( sólo 3 números ) y que obliga a una resolución apresurada y predecible.
January 2, 2023
I just love Clue. This was such a fun quick read, but the puzzles were so fun to do! Such an interactive way to tell the story.
December 29, 2019
Dash Shaw's artsy and experimental graphic novel adaptation of the "Clue" tropes (it's hard to call any adaptation of "Clue" part of the same story or franchise, since it's just a series of names, items and locations) is much cooler and more stylistically ambitious than the 2018 miniseries. However, with so much ambition it's hard to pull off everything attempted.
Shaw's main writing style deployed throughout is an Alison Bechdel-esque blend of NPR prose, comic tropes and loose 1990s-alt-comic aesthetic. This portion works much better than the inserted "New Yorker" type panels, the use of "do it yourself" puzzles stuck into the narrative, or the Watchmenesque inserts of prose at the end of each issue. I won't deny that I enjoyed "Candlestick," but I can't imagine feeling much of a desire to revisit it.
Shaw's main writing style deployed throughout is an Alison Bechdel-esque blend of NPR prose, comic tropes and loose 1990s-alt-comic aesthetic. This portion works much better than the inserted "New Yorker" type panels, the use of "do it yourself" puzzles stuck into the narrative, or the Watchmenesque inserts of prose at the end of each issue. I won't deny that I enjoyed "Candlestick," but I can't imagine feeling much of a desire to revisit it.
February 24, 2020
I didn't connect Dash Shaw with 'My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea' (which I rather enjoyed), so I was a little surprised by how pretentious this entire book was. It's got an auteur's style, which means that if you're not in tune with his approach, it's unapproachable. As well, this is a book that suffers from its digital format - there are some puzzles in here that would have been interesting to solve in physical form, but are basically page-fillers when seen digitally.
The story here is unrelated to any other Clue interpretation, which is fine, but I didn't find it particularly compelling. Miss Scarlet is central to a lot of it, and it's not the most comfortable of obsessions. Some of the ideas and tools of the story are utilized well, and it uses the game's characters, items, and tropes well, if perhaps a bit too slavishly. But I was ultimately underwhelmed by the actual resolution and some of the humor bordered on tasteless. The art style takes some getting used to - it's very minimalistic, although the characters all manage to be pretty distinctive. The essay and interview at the back up the pretentiousness, and I'm not sure if leaving off the final page of the interview was intentional or not, but either way, it was a bad decision.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the other Clue experiences I've had more; the other graphic novel series and the movie (my enjoyment of that led to a star being removed just due to the author's comments on the movie). If you're a Clue fanatic or a big fan of Dash Shaw, you'll probably enjoy this. For everyone else, I can't recommend it.
The story here is unrelated to any other Clue interpretation, which is fine, but I didn't find it particularly compelling. Miss Scarlet is central to a lot of it, and it's not the most comfortable of obsessions. Some of the ideas and tools of the story are utilized well, and it uses the game's characters, items, and tropes well, if perhaps a bit too slavishly. But I was ultimately underwhelmed by the actual resolution and some of the humor bordered on tasteless. The art style takes some getting used to - it's very minimalistic, although the characters all manage to be pretty distinctive. The essay and interview at the back up the pretentiousness, and I'm not sure if leaving off the final page of the interview was intentional or not, but either way, it was a bad decision.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the other Clue experiences I've had more; the other graphic novel series and the movie (my enjoyment of that led to a star being removed just due to the author's comments on the movie). If you're a Clue fanatic or a big fan of Dash Shaw, you'll probably enjoy this. For everyone else, I can't recommend it.
July 26, 2019
I’d be curious to know what readers who “played” while reading thought of the mystery, but I was caught up in the idiosyncratic style, the engaging story, and the playful and strangely profound approach to character. Worth every colorful, entertaining page.
September 7, 2020
This... this was a weird one for me. There were a lot of stylistic choices throughout that I just wasn't too familiar with. It felt less like a comic series / graphic novel and more like a series of art pieces showcased in a museum with a plot linking them together.
Now just because I wasn't familiar with the style of this work, that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it. I honestly can't say that there was nothing noteworthy about it, because the approach behind the entire thing is noteworthy in itself. It's just hard for me to find the words to express my thoughts on it, which is probably because there was a lot of emphasis using abstract visuals which is itself a different art form than a novel. This was a hybrid of a mystery novel and an art gallery.
There were some great references; one in particular tying in another game with arguably more notoriety than Clue (by a small margin). It had a good range of representation among the characters. It also dealt with some dark topics that are far more psychological than I've seen in any other licensed Clue product. Needless to say it was definitely a new experience that I wasn't expecting.
I recommend going into this with as few preconceived notions as possible and to keep an open mind to an artistic style that you may not be familiar with. I can't give it 5 stars because it didn't enthrall me the way other works have, but it definitely deserves 4 stars for a fresh new approach on a classic franchise.
Now just because I wasn't familiar with the style of this work, that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it. I honestly can't say that there was nothing noteworthy about it, because the approach behind the entire thing is noteworthy in itself. It's just hard for me to find the words to express my thoughts on it, which is probably because there was a lot of emphasis using abstract visuals which is itself a different art form than a novel. This was a hybrid of a mystery novel and an art gallery.
There were some great references; one in particular tying in another game with arguably more notoriety than Clue (by a small margin). It had a good range of representation among the characters. It also dealt with some dark topics that are far more psychological than I've seen in any other licensed Clue product. Needless to say it was definitely a new experience that I wasn't expecting.
I recommend going into this with as few preconceived notions as possible and to keep an open mind to an artistic style that you may not be familiar with. I can't give it 5 stars because it didn't enthrall me the way other works have, but it definitely deserves 4 stars for a fresh new approach on a classic franchise.
May 21, 2021
I'm only giving this 2 stars because while the story was good, the artwork just killed it for me. This is NOT the artist that should have been commissioned. The characters are, quite frankly, painful to look at. They look absolutely haggard, dumpy, and unlikable and when there are those odd moments where humor is shoved in, it's done so clumsily and doesn't result in any real laughs because the illustrations are just sucking the life out of the story.
The other thing that really grates me about this work is that neither the editor or artist had any real good memories or love for Clue. And neither of them liked the movie.
Let me stop you right there, gentlemen, and say how effing dare you.
If you cannot see the brilliance and wonderful comedy that that movie exhibits, than you have absolutely no business writing this story.
If you're a true fan of Clue, do yourself a favor and read the other graphic novel that recently came out based on the game. This one is just a huge disappointment.
The other thing that really grates me about this work is that neither the editor or artist had any real good memories or love for Clue. And neither of them liked the movie.
Let me stop you right there, gentlemen, and say how effing dare you.
If you cannot see the brilliance and wonderful comedy that that movie exhibits, than you have absolutely no business writing this story.
If you're a true fan of Clue, do yourself a favor and read the other graphic novel that recently came out based on the game. This one is just a huge disappointment.
January 28, 2020
From cartoonist Dash Shaw, who came to my attention with his surreal animated feature My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea, CLUE: Candlestick adds a new spin to the classic murder mystery narrative. Professor Plum receives a letter from Mr. Boddy, who invites him along with others to an evening house party. Fearing that someone is planning on stealing his prized collection of iconic murder weapons, Mr. Boddy is shot dead. Now that everyone in the household is a suspect, they are each split up investigate who the killer is.
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
July 22, 2020
This is a pretty brilliant interpretation of the Clue settings and characters. It's also a great example of what can happen when you allow a creative person to be creative. The pages here are so full of symbolism, Easter eggs, and games (yes, games!) that it may require repeat readings to fully appreciate it all.
The most fascinating aspect of this comic for me was Shaw bringing personality to the famous Clue murder weapons.
Tim Hodler's essay comes oh so close to being intriguing, but loses points for me when he flirts with pomposity.
Suzette Smith's interview with Shaw at the end is enjoyable and insightful.
The most fascinating aspect of this comic for me was Shaw bringing personality to the famous Clue murder weapons.
Tim Hodler's essay comes oh so close to being intriguing, but loses points for me when he flirts with pomposity.
Suzette Smith's interview with Shaw at the end is enjoyable and insightful.
October 26, 2023
Eh, started skimming it after the beginning when I saw what kind of comic it was. Shooter is guy closest to gun - no particular logic/deduction/clues with that, then he (professor plum) used a secret passage to get to one of the victims too. Didn't really care for it since there's no meat on the deduction/cluing bones. Art wasn't particularly fluid/vivid, and it was also a little hard to tell some characters apart.
When it comes to mysteries, I need something more in depth/complex, just a bit. This had cute nods to the board game, but that aside, it's a very shallow and empty piece. Meh.
When it comes to mysteries, I need something more in depth/complex, just a bit. This had cute nods to the board game, but that aside, it's a very shallow and empty piece. Meh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2020
I had heard really good things about this and I did enjoy it but wasn't knocked over. The puzzles are a fun idea but I only did a couple of them because they're not really my thing. They are clever in the way that they include the reader though. The artwork is well done, too, especially the little arrows and notes that indicate details about the characters and plot.
February 19, 2020
This showed pretty nicely what comics can do what nothing else can. Great play on formats, expectations and the board game link. It works so especially well as it is not only showing off but works on its distinctive layers as well
February 20, 2020
Read when this was coming out last year, recently got the GN. Dash Shaw brings a lot of creativity to the presentation, including clues and puzzles you can work out yourself to figure out who the murderer is before its presented in the story. A lot of fun!
March 1, 2020
Always fun to spend another night in the Clue Mansion. This take on the story of murder and mystery is fun, visually detailed, and full of little easter eggs. I love how the Clue storyline is infinitely adaptable!!
June 6, 2020
I love everything Clue related. This is a fun read and really neat graphics. I also really enjoyed the Q & A session at the end and also how he told the history behind the board game. Recommend for any Clue fan!
October 24, 2020
amei a liberdade e os experimentos do autor brincando com o mundo de Detetive. o segundo capítulo foi o que me ganhou, mas as cinco estrelas vão pra resolução, que achei esquisita e incrível (e que pode maravilhar ou enfurecer quem estiver lendo). bem bom
January 1, 2022
An enjoyable and easy read. No real surprises as a whodunnit, but elements of Clue/Cluedo are cleverly woven into the narrative and artwork. There were also a couple of quirky moments - that I won't spoil here - that made me laugh out loud.
January 20, 2022
Sometimes books look cool but if they are based on a video game, I just won't read it. It must be a bias I have, lol.
Here, Dash Shaw made a graphic Novel based on an old board game,
how hilarious is that?
Here, Dash Shaw made a graphic Novel based on an old board game,
how hilarious is that?
January 19, 2025
An interesting enough take on Clue. I like the metagame aspect of it, where there's games and brain teasers within the comic to help you figure out who the murderer is, as well as suggesting you use a Clue game board of your own.
June 16, 2019
Very cool. Love the style.
February 4, 2020
Probably too smart for me. I think I'd enjoy it more on a second reading, but...
February 27, 2020
This book was fun. Perfect for any Clue fan. I loved that it included puzzles to solve as well.
March 1, 2020
[Placeholder]
Grade: A
Grade: A
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews