Following the release of two graphic novels from Tripwire Comics Presents, telling stories of Sherlock Holmes, the world’s greatest detective as never seen before, the publisher is releasing a collection that brings both acclaimed parts together in one volume for the first time, in April.
Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders is an epic alternate world sci fi adventure featuring The World’s Greatest Detective as people have never seen him before.
When Watson leaves Holmes to help Crick unravel the DNA helix and finds himself in the employ of England’s most evil man, Holmes is forced to team up with an unlikely group to defeat this monstrous figure and return England to its status quo. But can he defeat the machinations of the man at the rudder of the country?
Holmes and the Empire Builders by writer/ co-creator Joel Meadows and artist/ co-creator Andy Bennett attracted fans that include some of the cream of the comics and genre world, including Jeph Loeb (Batman: The Last Halloween, Batman: Hush), who describes Andy’s art as “gorgeous… that captures the mood and the spirit of Joel’s page turner”; Oscar winning director Guillermo del Toro (Hellboy, The Shape of Water, Frankenstein), who called it “A darn good yarn”; author Michael Moorcock (Elric, Jerry Cornelius), who thoroughly enjoyed this original tale; and top Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin (Rebus).
““Classic Sherlock Holmes!” Rankin enthuses. “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!”
“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,” said Batman and Dracula artist Kelley Jones. “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.”
For the new collection, Eisner award winner Laurence Campbell (BPRD, The Sword of Hyperborea) has created a brand new wraparound cover and Moonshadow and Spiderman: Kraven’s Last Hunt writer J.M. DeMatteis has written a brand new introduction.
The book also includes the unique pin-ups that appeared in the two individual volumes from the likes of George Pratt (Enemy Ace: War Idyll, Batman: Harvest Breed), Shawn Martinbrough (Thief Of Thieves, Detective Comics), John K Snyder III (Doctor Midnite), Dan Panosian (Batman, Conan the Barbarian) and Frazer Irving (2000AD, Batman).
“After publishing these in two separate volumes, Tripwire is pleased to offer them as a single volume,” says Joel.
Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders The Gene Genie, which will be published 21st April 2026, is a two-part graphic novel adventure starring the world’s greatest detective as you’ve never seen him before…
Joel Meadows is a journalist and writer with over three decades of experience in newspapers, magazines, and books. His CV includes some of the most renowned publications in the world, including Time magazine, The Times, the Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Observer. He has also written extensively about comics, film, TV, and culture for publications such as Variety, Empire, Big Issue in the North, and Comic Heroes. He is the editor-in-chief of Tripwire, the long-running publication that covers comics, film, TV, and related subjects. He was also one of the founders of the successful Portsmouth Comic Con.
Andy Bennett was born in southern Ohio, a graduate of Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, and The Columbus College of Art & Design in Columbus. Today he serves as a digital media designer at Highlights for Children in Columbus, as well as offering freelance design and illustration work for a wide range of clients. He currently lives in Columbus with his wife Lisa.
• Sherlock Holmes and The Empire Builders: The Gene Genie – The Complete Collection by Joel Meadows and Andy Bennett, cover by Laurence Campbell, introduction by J.M. DeMatteis is available to pre-order | ISBN: 9781545824283 | AmazonUK Affiliate Link | Bookshop.org Affiliate Link
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Current British Publishers, British Comics - Graphic Novels, Comic Previews, Comics, downthetubes Comics News
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