Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders is an alternate world sci fi steampunk graphic novel series. Over twenty years in the making, we put the series down in 2003 and went back to it in 2018 when one of the Tripwire writers Scott Braden was asking me if I had any comic series that never saw the light of day that I wanted to talk about. After I did, I thought it might be worth revisiting it and after three shorts that ran in the Tripwire print magazines in 2020, 2021 and 2022, we decided to bite the bullet and publish a full-length Holmes graphic novel. I have always been a huge fan of Holmes whether on TV, in film and in the original Doyle tales. Young Sherlock Holmes has always been a film favourite of mine as has the Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. Tackling such a well-loved character was a little daunting but here I have made him older and less sure of himself. Basically in this world, Watson goes off to unravel the DNA helix with Crick and Oswald Mosley becomes England’s Prime Minister. Watson regrets helping Mosley but it is too late. So an elderly Holmes with the aid of Gurkha Six, Mohock rebel Franklyn Miller and a few others decides to defeat the machinations of the evil Mosley and return the country to its status quo. Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders The Gene Genie owes a great deal to the work of Bryan Talbot (Luther Arkwright) as well as fantasy legend Michael Moorcock. The first volume did very well in crowdfunding as well as through comic shops so we thought it was time to wrap up the first story. We have already garnered a number of impressive fans of the comic: “A darn good romp!” – Oscar winner Guillermo Del Toro (The Shape Of Water, Pinocchio, Hellboy); “When you think there is nothing more to be said or done with Sherlock Holmes, along come Meadows and Bennett to breathe fresh life into the great detective. Bravo! I’m thoroughly enjoying this original tale!”– Michael Moorcock, fantasy writing legend (Elric, Jerry Cornelius); “Holmes. Watson. Dark conspiracies. And, of course, mysteries to be solved. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE EMPIRE builders promises to be an intriguing twist on the classic Doyle stories, in the hands of two enthusiastic and capable creators.”– J.M. DeMatteis, writer, Justice League International, Kraven’s Last Hunt and “The game is indeed afoot! It’s no small feat to take on the works of Conan Doyle, and yet Joel and Andy had done a neat job of it. Holmes feels quite like the Sherlock we know and love — except he’s found himself out of his element. Meanwhile, like every great heroic story, there’s a villain who… well, you’ll just have to read it for yourself. Gorgeous artwork by Andy that captures the mood and the spirit of Joel’s page turner. Enjoy it all!”
- Jeph Loeb, writer Batman The Long Halloween, producer Daredevil TV show, producer Jessica Jones.
Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders The Gene Genie is published by Tripwire Comics Presents. Volume Two is funding on kickstarter until 13 December, with volume one available as a second printing hardcover and in a brand new paperback edition.
