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Just Two Weeks Left To Support Sherlock Holmes And The Empire Builders The Gene Genie Vol.2 On Kickstarter
…So Here’s A Few Reviews Of Sherlock Holmes And The Empire Builders
So our current Kickstarter campaign for Holmes Vol.2 ends in two weeks on 17 February but don’t just take our word for how good it is. Here are three reviews from The Convention Collective, Downthetubes and Comic Book News UK on the first volume…
Comic Book News UK:
If you’re a fan of poring over black and white artwork, mystery, intrigue, Sherlock Holmes, and a dash of sci-fi with your Victorian/Edwardian-era stories, then Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: The Gene Genie could be exactly what you’re after. This new series from Tripwire Comics’ Joel Meadows, with Andy Bennett on art, has all the makings to be something special.
Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders is a science fiction adventure taking place in an alternate world, featuring the world-renowned detective in a way never seen before.
Watson leaves Holmes to assist Crick in unravelling the DNA helix. However, he ends up working for England’s most evil man. In order to defeat this monstrous figure and restore England to its previous state, Holmes must join forces with an unlikely group.
The art by Andy Bennett is a style that I absolutely adore. The black and white inked drawings create a sense of realism and seriousness, with some nice cross-hatching for added texture or shadows where needed. Large sections are fairly simplistic in that it uses heavy use of black of white blocks, letting the linework take centre stage. A few single-panel pages really stand out in showing that this comic is a real work of art.
The intricately crafted art style effortlessly captures the reader’s attention and imagination with a masterful use of light and shadow. It creates an immersive atmosphere that sets the perfect tone for a thrilling and dramatic story, promising a journey that will leave the reader on the edge of their seat.
That thrilling and dramatic story is written by Tripwire Magazine’s Joel Meadows, whom I had the pleasure of talking to at Thought Bubble last year. Taking on the legendary Sherlock Holmes is no mean feat, especially when you’re looking for something fresh. So, moving this to an alternative world and adding in some sci-fi elements gives this Sherlock story something different. It’s far from heavy on the sci-fi side of things, but you never know what’s going to come in volume two – although I’m quite happy with subtle sci-fi tones rather than full-blown sci-fi madness, even if I am a sci-fi fan.
Joel shows a great understanding of what can make a Sherlock story enjoyable. To create a captivating and original comic book series that blends historical fiction, science fiction, and mystery in a compelling way shows his ability to craft a different kind of Sherlock story whilst still showing respect to a beloved character. The story is well-written, engaging, and full of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing what’s to come.
Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: The Gene Genie is a comic that has my attention, and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next instalment. The creators, Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett have crafted a story that pays homage to the original Sherlock Holmes while also adding their own twists and innovations. The art style is stunning, with detailed and attention-grabbing black-and-white drawings that create a vivid and immersive atmosphere. The comic is a must-read for fans of Sherlock Holmes, as well as anyone who enjoys a good adventure. The first volume sets up an intriguing plot that’ll leave you eager for more, and promises a thrilling and satisfying journey ahead.
If you want to read a digital copy, you can do so via Global Comix. Or if you’d rather have a physical edition, you can grab a copy from Tripwires bigcartel store for £25.
Rating: 4.5/5
Convention Collective:
A story 20 years in the making after being partly serialized in Tripwire Magazine. Creators Joe Meadows and Andy Bennett bring us an OGN about Sherlock Holmes and his long time partner Watson during their later years. While both men have settled on slightly different paths they find themselves thrusted into the crosshairs of yet another dilemma and possible government conspiracy.
I really enjoyed this! It’s Holmes and Watson like we’ve never really experienced them. Set in an alternate world and dealing with cases that seem to be more personal and grounded. Rooted in events that very easily could be happening to some extent in the world we live in today. Especially given the parties involved. Both Holmes and Watson feel fresher and more relatable than ever before. Vulnerable and almost lost at times. Forced to juggle thoughts and circumstances within the realms of their own mental fortitude. It’s a deep dive into each man and their intricacies. I loved the art as well. The black and white palette gives it that old-timey feel but it’s also very detailed and full of expression. It’s the kind of art that feels perfect for the world of Sherlock Holmes and all its grandeur. It’s really a nice package and overall it adds a new and welcoming chapter to the lives of two of the greatest characters ever created. I look forward to reading Volume 2 when it’s released. If you are fan of crime, mystery or Sherlock Holmes in general this book should be on your radar!
My rating – 9/10 Great!
Downthetubes:
This first volume of Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders is a brilliant introduction to a very well imagined world, where Sherlock Holmes faces a considerable challenge in his later years. We see a rise of the right in London and Holmes coping with a variety of unfortunate events and losses, while Watson gets involved with the scientific, that has considerable consequences.
Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett have done a really lovely job of crafting a compelling tale, skillfully taking Holmes away from the usual scenes, and giving the reader much to think about, in the dystopian story where we encounter historical as well as fictional characters, new and old.
There continues to be such a huge attraction to Sherlock Holmes. The best bookshops often have a section dedicated to not only the canonical works, but the pastiches and non-fiction, and there is so much to choose from and so much written.
With comics, there is always a much stronger commitment and determination required to deliver a good story, the combination of story and art, the workload that is beyond typing up a story, which in itself is no easy task, adding the collaboration requires effort and skill as well as the creation of the art. Thus I have quite enjoyed nearly all the Sherlock Holmes stories that have been in comics, and I do feel that it is because bringing the work to fruition in this format demonstrates an immediate desire and appreciation to do a very strong job that is lost in some of the prose I have read. This instance is such a fine example, where some of the best aspects of comic storytelling, and Sherlockian tales, are brilliantly presented to the reader.
There is a great subtlety to the story telling in this comic. We see the relationship between Holmes and Watson, ending in a fashion, not at all on bad terms, but in a very thoughtful and likely way, as Watson pursues a path with Dr Crick in pursuit of more scientific solutions for his curious mind.
The story is set in a more modern time than the Victorian Doyle stories. We see that time has passed, and unfairly upon Britain, with Oswald Mosley in power. Watson has joined Crick and they have helped Mosley secure his position, that of “Leader” and there is a level of rottenness and corruption that is well shared through the story. The Empire Endures, and murder occurs with impunity, the press is under the control of the government. There are some wonderful elements to the story that made me smile, adeptly appealing to the Sherlockian.
The team have introduced an interesting element with a character called Franklyn Miller, the “Last of the Mohoks”: a well portrayed rebel, who offers another aspect of intrigue and, one hopes, further story development.
The black and white art is distinctive and cleanly drawn, there is good use of shadow, and action is portrayed well; and there is a nice pace to the story, thoughts and ruminations are well portrayed and form an important part of the overall narrative.
As this is the first part to the story, it leaves one wishing for more, wondering what direction this tale will now follow, how Holmes will resolve the issues at hand and what part Franklyn will play.
The Walt Simonson cover is delightful and there is a fantastic selection of pin ups, including some stunning work by Liam Sharp and Bill Sienkiewicz, Barry Kitson, Frazer Irving and Mark Chiarello amongst others, as well as additional material.
I was very impressed and pleased with this comic, and look forward to the next instalment, a campaign for which I understand will start in summer.
In Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders Pt 1. The Gene Genie
And here’s me talking about the comic on I Hear Of Sherlock Holmes Everywhere
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