The Shadow of Empire: Issue No. 1 - "The Coachman"

The Shadow of Empire is a brand new historical horror fantasy serial, told in twenty four issues.

It begins in 1871, in the dark corners of London. Gravedigger Bill Hardwicke is undertaking a series of jobs for mysterious employer, Lord Henry Highmore. It is not something he is at ease with at the best of times, but it soon transpires the monsters of old London town seem to gather in the graveyard after dark. Bill hopes it's all in his imagination, but something tells him things aren't as straight forward as Highmore has made it seem.

The story also centers on the journey of twenty year old Rayne Merritt as he leaves his childhood home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in search of adventure. When he meets privateer Ulysses Kaylock, the temptation of adventure is too much to refuse. His stowaway younger sister, Ellie, disappears, Rayne vows to find her. He is tested in ways he never dreamed of as the quest to save his sister takes many a bizarre and terrifying turn. Not only does he begin to unlock the very darkest secrets of the British Empire, he makes discoveries that make him doubt the very fabric of the world around him.