Ruse

A short-lived but atmospheric detective series from CrossGen's early 2000s line, Ruse pairs the brilliant Victorian-era detective Simon Archard with his enigmatic assistant, Emma Bishop, as they investigate a world where logic and the supernatural collide. Written primarily by Mark Waid and Scott Beatty, with art by Butch Guice and Paul Ryan, the series stands out for its lush, period-appropriate visuals and its twist on the classic Sherlockian mystery formula. Though it ran only two issues in its initial 2002–2003 outing, Ruse remains a cult favorite for its clever plotting and the compelling chemistry between its leads.