The Kickstarter campaign for Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders nears its conclusion.
If you're like anything like us, when filmmaker Guillermo del Toro sings the praises of a project, we take notice. The Shape of Water director has slapped his approval on Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: The Gene Genie Volume 2, and we're ready to see what he sees in this new comic by Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett. The comic is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter, and you and we only have days left to participate.
Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders: The Gene Genie finds the titular detective at a low point. His usual comrades are unavailable, so he has to turn to new friends for support in taking down a criminal Prime Minister. The 120-page, oversized hardcover comes wrapped in two covers by Dan Panosian and Frazer Irving. Bonus: the book also comes stacked with pinups from George Pratt (Enemy Ace, Batman: Harvest Breed, Wolverine: Netsuke), Tomm Coker (Black Monday Mysteries), John K Snyder III (Doctor Midnite), Barry Kitson (Supergirl, Legion) and interior Holmes artist Andy Bennett.
Reading the press release below, dig deeper into this new twist on a classic character.
Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders - The Campaign
After a campaign that saw it more than double its target, Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett’s Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: The Gene Genie comes back to finish the two-part epic featuring Sherlock Holmes as people have never seen him before.
Volume Two has Holmes at his lowest ebb, losing his closest friend and confidante to Prime Minister Oswald Mosley’s thugs. But a cornered man is perhaps the most dangerous, so can he with the assistance of rebel Mohock Franklyn Miller, Mosley’s former cats paw Six and others bring down Mosley and restore England to its status quo?
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. Under two exclusive covers by hot artist Dan Panosian (Conan, Nightwing) and Frazer Irving (Batman, Flash Gordon), 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 (Enemy Ace, Batman: Harvest Breed, Wolverine: Netsuke), Tomm Coker (Black Monday Mysteries), John K Snyder III (Doctor Midnite), Barry Kitson (Supergirl, Legion) 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.
For those completist pledgers who missed out on Volume One the first time around, we are offering a brand new paperback edition with a cover by Mark Chiarello (Batman: The Last Halloween) and a new printing of the hardcover also with a cover from Chiarello. We have prints from all of the pin up artists and the cover artists including a black and white version of Frazer Irving’s cover too.
Holmes has already gathered a number of high-profile fans in the worlds of comics and genre:
"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, Powers co-creator
"Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders features a Sherlock Holmes you’ve not seen before, but still a Sherlock Holmes you’ll love. Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett give us a Holmes who is older, alone, in the grip of despair… and very much a worthy addition to the tapestry of the world’s greatest detective. The game is afoot again, delightfully so. " – Ron Marz, DC vs Marvel, Green Lantern
“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)
‘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 (Lord Of The Rings films, Planet Of The Apes)
“A brilliant celebration of an iconic character. Joel Meadows delivers in style, with a refreshing take on Sherlock Holmes and the art by Andy Bennett is just what you need in a comic. I can’t recommend it enough.”– Mark London CEO/CCO Mad Cave Studios and Writer of Hunt.Kill.Repeat, Wolvenheart, Battlecats, Knights Of The Golden Sun
“As a lifelong Sherlock Holmes devotee I'm very happy to add this to my collection of the master of 221 B Baker streetsadventures! 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’sart 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, artist, Batman, Dracula
"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
“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, writer Batman The Long Halloween, producer Daredevil TV show, producer Jessica Jones
“Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett have delivered a rare treat for fans of Sherlock Holmes - tantalizing new stories that stay true to the tone and aesthetic of the canon.”– Frank Quitely, Batman, All-Star Superman
“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, writer/artist Grandville, Luther Arkwright
"A darn good romp!" – Oscar winner Guillermo Del Toro, Pinocchio, The Shape Of Water
“Classic Sherlock Holmes! You can smell the chimney-smoke and feel the clatter of hooves. Here’s the character we all know and love, given a fresh polish for the 21st century!” - Ian Rankin, Rebus
“This actually looks pretty great. Lovely art, great scripting, gorgeous covers. Nice work! Check it out!” - Gail Simone, writer, Uncanny X-Men, Red Sonja