Posted in: Comics, Current News | Tagged: joel meadows, sherlock holmes

Sherlock Holmes Gets His Very Own Universe With The Empire Builders

Sherlock Holmes gets his own universe with the Empire Builders: Gene Genie by Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett... is this the SherlockVerse?

Joel Meadows of Tripwire Magazine asked me if I'd plug his Kickstarter for the second volume of his graphic novel series, Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: Gene Genie . I said it depends on whether you can find me a story, something to entertain, educate, and inform Bleeding Cool readers. Joel Meadows has worked in newspapers and magazines, he should know the value of a good headline, a hook to excite. This is what I tell everyone who wants a Kickstarter plug, sometimes it works, often it does not. Especially in this case as that "Volume 2" isn't as newsworthy as "Volume 1". So the game was afoot! Could we find something that might actually make an article on Bleeding Cool? I got out my massively oversized magnifying glass and donned my impossibly sized deerstalker to take a closer look.

Joel Meadows told me, "this campaign will offer the new volume Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: Gene Genie but also a brand new paperback edition of the first book and a new printing of the first hardcover so that people can catch up on the action" which is possibly not the dullest thing I've ever heard, but it comes close. He then told me that "The first volume was funded back in 2023, and it more than doubled its target. So it was time to tell the second part of this epic tale." I am not sure it was, but there was no stopping Joel at this point. He opined, " the second volume is even heftier than the first. Volume Two will be 120 pages oversized hardcover with dustjackets and around 96 pages of story. It will also include a colour gallery section with original pin-ups from the likes of acclaimed US comic illustrator and painter George Pratt, Tomm Coker, John K Snyder III, Barry Kitson and interior Holmes artist Andy Bennett plus script pages and pencil pages from the second instalment. Bennett is returning as the interior artist, offering his uniquely gothic renderings that have garnered him fans internationally. Under two exclusive covers by hot artist Dan Panosian and Frazer Irving." I will grant Joel this, getting work out of Frazer Irving is pretty hard, something that Si Spurrier has spectacularly failed at in recent decades. But was that enough?#

"I am continuing to build on this work and planning a third volume. The first volume was a big success, so that is that is why we are doing the second one. Plus, we have had pledges every single day on this campaign." My eyes began to droop again, but a tincture of some of Holmes' "special medicine" perked me right up, and I was determined to solve this case. Joel told me, "The second Sherlock Holmes book will usher in a new epoch in quality UK indie comics. It will change British comics forever". I think Joel might also be on the special medicine. I asked him to back up such a ludicrous claim."We have a line of Sherlock Holmes comics planned, including a third stand-alone story after this and a spin-off miniseries set in the world of the Empire Builders featuring a major character from The Empire Builders but not Holmes." So, basically, a Sherlock Holmes Universe of titles? What would we call such a thing? Sherlockverse? Lockverse? Bakerverse? It wasn't bad., But it still needed something else. "We shall have the same level of quality artists involved in these new projects as we have done so far. We have gone from never publishing comics to creating our own niche."

So close, one more? Oh yes, Joel Meadows offered to shoot me a new headshot the next time he's in town. And that, with one day left to go on the Kickstarter for a brand new SherlockVerse, was enough to push it over the edge. Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: Gene Genie has currently raised £8,685 against a £5,000 goal from 180 backers and only twenty hours to go. You made it, Joel, you made it! Oh and why not have some quotes from some much more famous folk than I…

• "Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett deliver an original detective story where murder and conspiracies collide in a fresh take in the legendary world of Sherlock Holmes. Highly recommended for fans of crime and mystery!" – Michael Avon Oeming
• "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
• 'Drawing from the wonderful classic that is Sherlock Holmes, Joel Meadows and Tripwire have once again delivered an electrifying story in a dynamically driven comic spread'.– Richard Taylor, Wētā Workshop
• As a lifelong Sherlock Holmes devotee I'm very happy to add this to my collection of the master of 221 B Baker streets adventures! Meadows and Bennet have accomplished a small(but important!) miracle in capturing the spirit and mystery of Conan Doyle's Holmes in their great imagining in this new story with the eccentric and brilliant private consulting detective. Meadows has written a tale full of mystery and he draws you in with his mastery of the detective tale. Bennett's art is just wonderful as it has all the atmosphere a Holmes tale would require and yet has a fresh approach and graphic charm that makes this an instant classic. If you love Holmes you will love this, if you are new to Sherlock Holmes you could have no better introduction."– Kelley Jones,
• "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
• "The game is indeed afoot! It's no small takes 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
• "Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett have delivered a rare treat for fans of Sherlock Holmes – tantalising new stories that stay true to the tone and aesthetic of the canon."– Frank Quitely
• "If you thought nothing new could be done with the Great Detective, check out Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders, a labour of love by Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett." – Bryan Talbot,
• "Meadows and Bennett have done the impossible: they've found a rich, dark, brilliant new solution to the mystery of Sherlock Holmes, that ties him to the darkest secret histories of the 20th century."–Lev Grossman
• "A darn good romp!" –  Guillermo Del Toro

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