A new book in Bryan Talbot's award-winning science fiction graphic novels series, starring the legendary character Luther Arkwright The story continued in the comics anthology pssst! in 1982. After five more episodes, however, the story was interrupted when pssst! was canceled, less than half complete. The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, is considered by many to be the first British graphic novel. Written and drawn by its creator, the acclaimed graphic novelist Bryan Talbot, it was first serialised in the adult SF comic Near Myths in October 1978, featuring the character Talbot had previously introduced in The Papist Affair in 1976, a short strip for Brainstorm Comix where Arkwright teamed up with a group of cigar-chewing biker nuns to recover the sacred relics of St. Adolf of Nuremberg from "a buncha male chauvinist priests". But The Adventures was a far more serious and ambitious tome. Stories were later continued in pssst! magazine, interrupted in 1982, less than half complete, though republished in a collected edition.

The Adventures of Luther Arkwright is a comic book limited series written and drawn by Bryan Talbot in the period 1978–1989. The story is adult in tone, with many mythological, historical, and political references, and a little explicit sex. What can I say about Bryan Talbot‘s new graphic novel, The Legend of Luther Arkwright that might usefully add to the much deserved praise it has already had on release?Luther Arkwright, an evolved human with psychic power capable of traversing the swirling multiverse of infinite existences, is pursued by a far superior adversary across multiple historically divergent parallel worlds, both utopian and dystopian. Only Arkwright’s experience and force of will provide any hope to avert humanity’s annihilation. Director and Executive Producer Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Bryan’s work with Heart of Empire. I first came across The Adventures of Luther Arkwrightin a small comic shop whilst at university. I was immediately caught up in the amazing world that Bryan created and the vivid characters that inhabited that world. It was truly ahead of its time. a b Johnston, Rich (14 July 2022). "Bryan Talbot's Legend Of Luther Arkwright Out Today & I Just Read It". Bleeding Cool. Art Evolution: Especially notable between The Papist Affair and the other stories. Heart of Empire also used very different techniques than the earlier stories, besides being in full colour. Tripwire’s editor-in-chief Joel Meadows takes a look at Bryan Talbot’s The Legend Of Luther Arkwright, out now from Jonathan Cape…

A work ambitious in both scope and complexity that stands unique upon the comics landscape... stunning."--Alan MooreExperience the sweeping biography of the one and only Bryan Talbot, the writer and illustrator behind some of the most acclaimed comics in British and American history. The sequel to The Adventures of Luther Arkwright comes 18 years after the original’s release – not long before Tennant was announced as the Tenth Doctor. For this new story the cast have reunited, with the sad exception of the late Paul Darrow. Heart of Empire told a different kind of adventure, told in a different style. The Legend of Luther Arkwright, is intended to be another stand-alone story in this tradition, while still maintaining continuity with the Arkwright mythos.

Talbot also introduces us to a number of alternate Englands – some feel outlandish while others are scarily credible. Dark and Troubled Past: Luther again. Kidnapped from the maternity ward by the disruptors, raised by machines, then on the run both from the disruptors and himself until he was found by Rose of parallel 00.30.22. Parental Abandonment: The case for Victoria. Luther retired to another parallel after the end of Adventures, and Anne was warped by the death of Henry, turning into "a hateful bitch" in Victoria's own words. No surprise her reaction to meeting Luther was first to slap him and then to cry in his arms. Talbot said: “I’m very excited that Three River Studios is working on a TV adaptation of the Luther Arkwright stories. With the digital technology at their disposal and a genuine love of the original, I’m very much looking forward to the series.” And now, in 2022, we are to get the third Luther volume from Bryan Talbot, The Legend of Luther Arkwright, 46 years after his original story first saw publication. To be published by Jonathan Cape in the UK and Dark Horse Books in the US, Bryan Talbot has completed the script and has started drawing it.

The Adventures of Luther Arkwight and Heart of Empire are going to be a TV show!

In one timeline, perhaps, I could be pointing out that not only does this story build on a huge, involved history, the first Luther Arkwright story initially serialised in 1978, and that this new story took some two years of solid work to complete… The original Luther won four Eagle Awardsand the Society of Strip Illustration Award for Best Graphic Novel, was adapted into role-playing games and a 3-hour audio drama starring David Tennantas Arkwright. The second Arkwright graphic novel, Heart Of Empire, began publication by Dark Horse in colour in 1999, collected in 2001. Both books have been in continual print since they were first published. Since then, Talbot has worked on many other comics and graphic novels, including Alice In Sunderland, Dotter Of Her Father's Eyesand the Grandvilleseries.

Luther Arkwright was always a slightly unlikely hero and Talbot uses him here as ever with subtlety and nuance to tell what appears to be his final tale. There is a cerebral intelligence on display here which marks Arkwright out from other works of comics science fiction. After their great adaptation of The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, I can’t wait to hear Big Finish’s production of the second story, Heart of Empire. I’m especially pleased that David Tennant is reprising his role as Luther Arkwright.” Hosts in the Shell podcast interview Bryan and also review the Legend of Luther Arkwright: "In this episode, the Hosts' excitement is at fever pitch as they welcome legendary comic book and graphic novel artist and writer, Bryan Talbot!! Creator of Luther Arkwright, Bryan is discussing the brand new volume of the hero's adventures, as well as his other award-winning works including Alice in Sunderland and Grandville, and exploring the multiverse decades before Marvel did..." Arkwright has always been one of British comics’ most complex and intriguing figures, a man out of time who could have used his powers for ill but thanks to his scruples he is always on the right side of history.

W.O.T.A.N. detects the following tropes

It’s been wonderful working with the original cast,” he continued. “David, India, Siri, Robert and Jez have all shown such love for the original production and have enjoyed working with each other again after all this time. They are joined by new characters played by Emily Haigh, Georgina Hellier and Ahmed Hamad who all bring something new to the series.” Luther’s unique status as a traveller between parallel realities and his saviour-like qualities might liken him to Doctor Who – but an R-Rated version, that doesn’t shy away from sex, politics and the grim realities of violence,” Drake added. The series is being produced by Jonathan Drake, CEO of Three River Studios, with Talbot attached as executive producer. The legacy of Luther Arkwright haunts his daughter Victoria, as she embarks on a mission to uncover her family's hidden secrets...