Bob Al-Greene’s graphic novel adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express adapts Dame Christie’s work in the stunning visual language of the graphic novel. He hews to the original plot, using his art to embellish Christie’s words rather than alter anything. Al-Greene’s character designs are particularly enjoyable, with each of the main cast distinctively rendered and situated in the opulence of the interwar luxury train operated by Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. His portrayal of Poirot is the most enjoyable, with all of Poirot’s unique expressions and mannerisms matching Christie’s description in her 1920 novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles: “He was hardly more than five feet four inches but carried himself with great dignity. His head was exactly the shape of an egg, and he always perched it a little on one side.” The original 1934 novel, Murder on the Orient Express, described Poirot as “a little man with enormous moustaches.” Personally, I prefer the neatly-shaped mustache David Suchet wore, but Al-Greene’s art honors these character descriptions to the letter.

As this graphic novel demonstrates, Hercule Poirot remains as popular as ever, with the David Suchet’s portrayal concluding only a decade ago, Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express and its two sequels, John Malkovich’s 2018 portrayal in the BBC adaptation of The ABC Murders, and the 2023 video game adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express from Microids and set in 2023. Bob Al-Green’s adaptation will delight fans of Poirot and is an excellent introduction for newcomers to this classic story of detective fiction! ( )