Steampunk News

Steampunk Magazine | April 9, 2013

Progress is an upcoming web series about Wiki-leaks style adventures on a steam-powered Victorian internet. I chatted with the creators about some of the inspirations for the series. Check it out at their website; you can also support their IndieGoGo campaign!

Tell us a bit about the world of  Progress. How does wiki-leaks happen in a 19th century style world?

Armando: How could it not happen?  In the 19th Century technology advanced much faster than law or society norms.  Inventors (the original hackers) were breaking barriers every day and challenging all beliefs.  It’s only logical that, if they had the means, they would have created a channel to expose corruption and hypocrisy.

What were some of your inspirations for Progress?

Armando: During one of the many Wikileaks scandals last year a couple of TV pundits were bashing the whistleblowers: “”these people are nihilists!” “Terrorists!”  ”Murderers!” “They’re like Jack the Ripper with Internet access!” — and we thought “hey, that’s a great idea for a series!”

The main character, Oscar Lerwill, is in trouble with the government for exposing Jack the Ripper. Why? You’d think they’d be thanking him!

Armando: Oscar is a hacker and, like all hackers, he does the right thing the wrong way.  He breaks protocol and asks no one for permission.  This is seen as a serious offense in Victorian times (good thing those silly repressive laws change, don’t they?)

Progress includes some transmedia elements – can you tell us about those?

Armando: We’re developing a lot of stuff with other steampunk enthusiasts, including a virtual world with a steam-powered web — but, in the meantime, we can tell you that everything in Progress is a clue wrapped in a riddle.  The names of the characters, for example, can you decipher them?

Nicole: I think the transmedia elements are going to be awesome! We have two companion websites that we are developing to go along with the story. Once the series airs, fans can log into the pages and decipher clues about who the killer is and who the next target will be! These puzzles will keep you guessing! Like Armando said, we are developing a lot of stuff with other steampunk filmmakers and designers too! Stay tuned as we will soon be releasing more details about these developments!

Who’s your favorite character in the series?

Armando: Everybody has a favorite.  Fans identify with Oscar Lerwill because he’s a heroic hacker; producer Nicole identifies with Lila DeClide because she’s a smart girl hindered by a retrograde society; screenwriter Armando identifies with Adam Rhett because he’s a troll… and wait until you meet Mr. Humbbaugh!

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Tags: Adam Rhett, Humbbaugh Nicole, Oscar Lerwill, Victorian

Steampunk Tribune | March 26, 2013

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Tags: Alluring Cam Harlot, Gothic Steampunk, Oscar Lerwill, Victorian

Steampunk Magazine | February 27, 2013

Victorian Lara Croft ” by *Esaikha on deviantART.

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Tags: ART, Victorian

Steampunk Magazine | February 26, 2013

via The Midnight Archive – Art and the Occult – YouTube.

NOTE: Not strictly a Steampunk thing really, but obviously the tones of the Occult and the Aesthetic crossover with that of the Victorian era, and as much as we see it as some sort Edwardian aesthetic, we can see also how the Art Nouveau and Victorian feel, hand made accoutrements kind of vibe together, right?

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Tags: ART, Midnight Archive, NOTE, Victorian

Steampunk Tribune | February 26, 2013

As a new Victorian sim with an adult focus, from the times I’ve visited the Victorian Corrective Spa, I have been quite impressed with their friendliness and congenality – thus, if this genre piques your interest, I would most certainly make a point of visiting… the virtual coach will lead you to grounds, located at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/aigle/94/39/3251/

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Tags: Doctor Bellog, RL, VCS, Victorian

Steampunk Tribune | February 17, 2013

Part of a series that I started ages ago on the Steampunk Shipyard was one about the similarities between nautical ships (past and present) versus airships.  Not so much regarding the technical aspects of a Steampunk airship, as the real nautical mechanics are academic when compared to Steampunk airships (e.g. most Steampunk “science” is a “hand wave” when it comes to airship propulsion and power generation, be it a bag of lighter-than-air gas, unexplained “aether”, or some alternative means of keeping an airship aloft and moving).  Most individuals are actually more interested in the goings on aboard a ship (at least within a story-telling vein).  For those not familiar with the sea-going world, a ship can be an odd place, full of strange ranks, words, and traditions.  Thus… I’ll do my bit to attempt to lend a hand, not only in explaining the nautical world, but how they might logically be applied to Steampunk.

Two brief disclaimers… starting with “why Navy and not ‘Air Force’”?  My belief (and bias, which will display in a moment), is airships would have more in common with sea ships, than an organized air force (at least as we’ve come to know it today).  There is a higher propensity for an airship to be isolated from civilization (as a ship), or take off / be sent onto unknown destinations (and adventure), whereas an “aero-force” exists on a more direct military basis – an aero-force Coronal likely would not simply send a flight out for an extended period of time to “explore”.  I would think a stringent timeline would come into play (“go here, do this, come back”), along with a limitation of supplies (most importantly fuel… which then begins to buffer into Dieselpunk).  One could always make the argument for a giant aircraft, as per Sky Captain’s giant aircraft ship (and Angelenia Jolie in her tight leather – every soldier and sailor’s fantasy superior officer), but… I digress.  I’m of the opinion that airships of the era would mostly likely be associated with naval ships, and thus business aboard one would be treated as such.

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Tags: Admiral Keppel, OOD, Rahmos Airforce, Victorian

Steampunk Tribune | February 3, 2013

I do not do many book reviews, as my RL impositions unfortunately tend to intrude on the amount of time available to properly read a published endeavor.  However, when approached with regards to A Steampunk’s Guide to Sex, it seemed an intriguing crossroads between Steampunk and a topic not usually associated with the genre, so I accepted the offer.  A good choice, as interestingly enough, it proved to be one of the better Steampunk works I have had the pleasure to read.

As the topic does state, it is about sex and Steampunk, or perhaps more accurately for the majority of the work, sex in the Victorian era.  In a direct and informative manner, the authors (as it is a collaborative work), provide an insightful view into the vices, engagements, and entanglements of the era.  While incisive but taciturn in its narrative(e.g. there are no inappropriately lascivious descriptions with regard to the topic), the first three sections certainly exemplify “fact is stranger than fiction”.  I was quite under the impression that I was well informed about this particular topic, but to my surprise after reading The Guide, I was enlightened to the impressive extent over a range of topics, ranging from Victorian slang (with regards to sex) to 19th century pornography (and the amazing efforts to smuggle it into England), from the world of Victorian prostitution, to the unexpected impact effect women migrating to the United States west had on civilizing the frontier, and from bizarrely painful cures for sexually transmitted diseases, to a really nice and informative chapter on how to perform a Can Can – from attire to steps!

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Tags: Prince Albert, Steampunks Guide Sex Guides, United States, Victorian

Steampunk Tribune | January 20, 2013

Much to my chagrin, I missed the initial airing of Ripper Street!  My partner Breezy asked how I liked the premier of Ripper Street, so to satisfy my frustrating oversite, I’ve posted the initial trailer for the BBC presentation. 

The Victorian styling, atmosphere, and use of the new science of “forensics” to attempt to resolve the mysterious murders, all combine to be one of the best Victorian / Steampunk prodcuctions (I’m confident that though I have not seen the production as of yet, my optimistic projection will be sustained)!  For much, much more regarding Ripper Street, including well done “behind the scenes” works, background on Whitechapel during the late 1900s, and a plethoria of additional items, please visit the BBC America webiste for Ripper Street, located at: http://www.bbcamerica.com/ripper-street/

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Tags: BBC, Ripper Street, Victorian

Steampunk Magazine | January 3, 2013

BY BENJAMIN JACOBSON
Self-published
Reviewed by William H. Rose, III

“In the grand tradition of Charles Dickens and Johnny Rotten, this serialized tale comes both to celebrate the past and bury it.”
- Benjamin Jacobson

Steampunk is one of the fastest growing genres in literature today. Simply employing the word to describe a work evokes images of the Victorian era, and gears, and corsets, and goggles. It can be written in an array of different stylistic forms and unique voices. For example, I’ve read a series of novels where a dirigible acts as a main character and another where swashbuckling air-pirates drive the plot. Others center on a mystery or a murder and still others that are motivated by suspense or political intrigue. Some are mech-centric or filled with fantasy, romance, or time-travel and, well, I think you get the idea – elements of Steampunk can be applied to almost any genre. And that’s what makes it so compelling to me as a reader. Because of Steampunk’s flexibility, fans of every genre of literature will become exposed to it, and that will only help it to grow in popularity and thrive in the marketplace.

SteampunX, an online serial novel by Benjamin Jacobson, is an example of the elastic qualities of Steampunk and is a unique and distinctive variation of the genre in its own right. I prefer to call it “New World Steampunk” but that alone does not give it the weight it deserves nor is it a precise enough label to fully explain its uniqueness. While most Steampunk focuses on the Victorian point of view, SteampunX takes a much different approach. In a true reversal of sides this story is told from the perspectives of members of a peaceful tribe of Native Americans forced to the brink of war by conquering invaders. While unique in both its approach and world-view I found SteampunX entertaining, ably-conceived, expertly-crafted, and as alive as any published work I’ve ever read. SteampunX is an incredibly engrossing story that is, in essence, a cautionary folk tale of the spreading stains of technology across an innocent nation.

Read more...

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Tags: Native Americans, New World, Railroad Undergroun, Victorian

Dieselpunks.org | December 22, 2012

Richard Williams’ A Christmas Carol

Animated by hand in a dark Victorian style, this Dickens Christmas classic has almost fallen into obscurity due to age. It was directed by Richard Williams (Who Framed Roger Rabbit), produced by Chuck Jones (Warner Bros, Looney Tunes, The Grinch, etc.), and primarily drawn by Ken Harris. It tells the familiar tale of Scrooge, but lights it in the gaslamp style of Victorian ghost stories (which it is). In 1972, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film and to this day remains the only film adaptation of the story to be so honored.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Category: Dieselpunk | No Comments »
Tags: Dickens Christmas, Ken Harris, Merry Christmas, Victorian

Steampunk Tribune | December 15, 2012

The other day I was became aware of a new Steampunk titled, “Steampunk, An Illustrated History of Fantistical History, Fanciful Fiction, and Other Victorian Visions“.  I admit to being intrigued by the retrospective of a retrospective genre, and must admit to being pleasantly surprised upon taking the opportunity to review the book.

First, the physical presentation of Steampunk, An Illustrated History, is exceptionally well done.  A very nice inlaid cover with the prototypical Steampunk icons (airships and cogs), the interior of the book is also a gorgeous work to behold.

Divided into numerous sections, the author, Mr. B. Robb, takes the challenging effort to attempt to illuminated the disparate threads from which the beloved genre has evolved.  Beginning by meshing early literary icons (e.g. Wells, Verne, et al), with the amazing real engineers and inventors of the era (e.g. Tesla, Babbage, Brunel), and follows a comprehensive narrative which includes insights into socio-economic tribulations of the era, and how they affected the form of Steampunk.

Continuing through the modern literary era with the current writers who have worked towards expanding and adding depth to Steampunk, Mr. Robb makes an Herculean effort to catch the many threads of Steampunk in the “modern era”, including classic literary novels, and later, reviewing the vast array of graphic novels in which Steampunk has a staring role.

Delving into “moving pictures”, the range of visual Steampunk is explored from the earliest incarnations of “Victorian Romance” (a la “A Trip to the Moon”), following its progression through the mid century production (such a “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea”, “The Master of the World”, and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”), and reaching modern classics such as Hugo, The City of Lost Children, and The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello, the author does a yeoman job of not only touching on directly apparent Steampunk works, but also reflecting the impact that associated genre movies (e.g. cyberpunk, pulp era serials), infuse into the Steampunk genre.  A trip to the  small screen was inevitable, but again, well done, with homage paid to some of the lesser appreciated works of Steampunk television (e.g. The Wild Wild West series, and Briscoe County Junior).

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Tags: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Complications Ensue Delving, Illustrated History, Victorian

The Steampunk Librarian | November 27, 2012

Hello there. Book giveaway video is coming soon, I promise! (Oh, the tech issues we've had this year…)

Cherie Priest is curating a Tor board on Pinterest. Lots of steampunky goodness!

On the game front: Steampunk Odyssey is a free game (help an Abraham Lincoln type through a city). If you’d like to support future games, there’s a Kickstarter campaign for The Ship: Full Steam Ahead. In the more distant future, Clockwork Empires is in progress, and billed as “steampunk meets Lovecraft,” which sounds awesome, of course.

On the maker front: here’s a lovely tutorial on making interesting, steampunky boxes.

On the cinematic front: io9 looks at some gorgeous Victorian-era gadgetry.

Category: Steampunk, Steampunk Librarian | No Comments »
Tags: Clockwork Empires, Ship Full Steam Ahead, Steampunk Odyssey, Victorian