Ruse Series by Mark Waid, Jackson Butch Guice, Scott Beatty, Mike Perkins

The world no longer holds any mysteries for Simon Archard, the greatest detective of his age. The stupidity of the common criminal, the ease with which he's caught, the paltry stakes of the game all of it has pushed Archard to the verge of retirement. Then a mysterious new menace takes the stage, a hideous evil playing for very high stakes indeed. Aided by his beautiful and charming assistant, Emma Bishop, Archard embarks on the case of his career... moreThe world no longer holds any mysteries for Simon Archard, the greatest detective of his age. The stupidity of the common criminal, the ease with which he's caught, the paltry stakes of the game all of it has pushed Archard to the verge of retirement. Then a mysterious new menace takes the stage, a hideous evil playing for very high stakes indeed. Aided by his beautiful and charming assistant, Emma Bishop, Archard embarks on the case of his career. Ruse is an ongoing duel of warring masterminds held under the cold glow of gaslights. Panoramic artwork recalls Victorian England in painstaking detail, right down to the rain-pooled cobblestone streets. This steampunk mystery series pits logic against magic with wit and brio. A sure hit for mystery fans. less

Collects Ruse #1-4.Renowned as the Victorian world's greatest detective, Simon Archard is the most intelligent of men. But when he crosses paths with the mysterious and enchanting Emma Bishop, has the smartest man in the world met his equal?

In times of trouble, the city of Partington looks to its favorite son--the greatest detective ever known. But just who are Simon Archard and his lovely partner, Emma Bishop? This is the burning question behind each fantastic case solved by these stylish sleuths. In a world where a veneer of Victorian finery hides mammoth mysteries, Simon and Emma maybe the biggest mystery of all. But Simon was previously apprentice to another detective, the cold and calculating Malcolm Lightbourne... moreIn times of trouble, the city of Partington looks to its favorite son--the greatest detective ever known. But just who are Simon Archard and his lovely partner, Emma Bishop? This is the burning question behind each fantastic case solved by these stylish sleuths. In a world where a veneer of Victorian finery hides mammoth mysteries, Simon and Emma maybe the biggest mystery of all. But Simon was previously apprentice to another detective, the cold and calculating Malcolm Lightbourne. Once though dead, Lightbourne has returned with a vengeance of climatic proportions less

In times of trouble, the city of Partington looks to its favorite son--the greatest detective ever known. But just who are Simon Archard and his lovely partner, Emma Bishop? That is the burning question behind each fantastic case solved by these stylish sleuths. In a world where a veneer of Victorian finery hides mammoth mysteries, Simon and Emma may be the biggest mystery of all... moreIn times of trouble, the city of Partington looks to its favorite son--the greatest detective ever known. But just who are Simon Archard and his lovely partner, Emma Bishop? That is the burning question behind each fantastic case solved by these stylish sleuths. In a world where a veneer of Victorian finery hides mammoth mysteries, Simon and Emma may be the biggest mystery of all. On the trail of the elusive Baroness Miranda Cross, master sleuth Simon Archard and his intrepid partner Emma Bishop are forced to depart the city of Partington for travels by land and sea, eluding assassin crime smiths and apocalyptic calamities in their attempts to excavate Miranda's otherworldly origins less