Review by James Bacon
CAUTION: SOME MILD SPOILERS AHEAD
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.
Review by James Bacon
• Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders Pt 1. The Gene Genie is available from all good book shops (AmazonUK Affiliate Link) | ISBN 979-8872388036
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “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.
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