Big Finish Productions have revealed story details for The Adventures of Luther Arkwright: Heart of Empire, a new audio adventure series starring David Tennant as comic creator Bryan Talbot’s multiverse-spanning adventurer, due for release in June 2023.

Back in 2005, Big Finish adapted Bryan Talbot’s dystopian graphic novel series The Adventures of Luther Arkwright into an epic audio adventure. And after nearly two decades, the sequel box set is on its way.

Heart of Empire, originally published in 1999, finds the legacy of Luther Arkwright (played once more by David Tennant, soon to return to TV screens in Doctor Who) haunting his daughter Victoria (Georgina Hellier) as she embarks on a mission to uncover her family’s hidden secrets…

The Adventures of Luther Arkwright: Heart of Empire is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition two-disc CD box set (+ download for just £15.99) or digital download only (for just £12.99) here.

Part One: Daughter of Albion

Princess Victoria Arkwright never knew her father, a man whose shadow she has lived under since he saved the multiverse from the cataclysmic forces of the Disruptors. 23 years after she and her brother Henry were born in the flames of war, Victoria seeks answers, but the truth lies deep in shadow. As rebellion gains momentum against Queen Anne’s totalitarian rule, dark forces grow at the heart of the British Empire, forces that threaten all realities. The multiverse needs Luther Arkwright to save it once more, but Luther Arkwright is dead…

Part Two: Cataclysm

Victoria Arkwright is drawn towards destiny as she unravels the dangerous secrets that have remained hidden since her brother’s brutal murder. Prophecy says that reality will cease on her 23rd birthday – Victory Day – but with the help of Harry Fairfax and Rose Wylde, Victoria is determined to prevent the new apocalypse. To unlock her true self, Victoria must embrace painful realities and the enormity of the multiverse; only then will she discover the legacy of Luther Arkwright.

Mark Wright, who adapted the graphic novel for audio, said: “The original adaptation of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright sits high on my list of cherished Big Finish projects – Bryan Talbot’s acclaimed graphic novel, meeting the legendary and much-missed Paul Darrow for the first time, and witnessing David Tennant’s star-making talent in front of the microphone.

“We’d always intended to adapt Bryan’s incredible sequel, and now, 18 years later, the stars and parallels have aligned to plunge us into the Heart of Empire. I’m thrilled that David has returned to the role of another dimension-hopping hero and to hear Siri O’Neal, Jez Fielder, India Fisher and Robert Jezek reprise their roles has been a joy.”

• The Adventures of Luther Arkwright: Heart of Empire is now available to pre-order as a collector’s edition 2-disc CD box set (+ download for just £15.99) or digital download only (for just £12.99) here

• Bryan Talbot is online at bryan-talbot.com

This release contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners. All the above prices include the special pre-order discount and are subject to change after general release.

Big Finish is currently operating a digital-first release schedule. The mail-out of collector’s edition CDs may be delayed due to factors beyond our control, but all purchases of this release unlock a digital copy that can be immediately downloaded or played on the Big Finish app from the release date

John Freeman

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.

Categories: Audio, British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds

Tags: Big Finish Productions, Bryan Talbot, David Tennant, Doctor Who, Georgina Hellie, Heart of Empire, Luther Arkwright, Mark Wright