Steampunk Revue

Wollstonecraft: (Book 1) The Case of the Missing Moonstone

2015-01-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

Wollstonecraft by Jordan Stratford illustrated by Kelly Murphy

2.5 years in the making, and we FINALLY have a book –Yay!

Book 1: The Case of the Missing Moonstone had it's North America release on January 6, 2015 and has already been featured on Reading Rainbow.

From Amazon:

History, mystery, and science collide in a new series for middle-grade readers, perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and Lemony Snicket!

Jordan Stratford imagines an alternate 1826, where Ada Lovelace (the world’s first computer programmer) and Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein) meet as girls and form a secret detective agency!

Lady Ada Byron, age eleven, is a genius. Isolated, awkward and a bit rude—but a genius. Mary Godwin, age fourteen, is a romantic. Adventurous, astute, and kind, Mary is to become Ada’s first true friend. And together, the girls conspire to form the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency—a secret constabulary for the apprehension of clever criminals. Their first case involves a stolen heirloom, a false confession, and an array of fishy suspects. But it’s no match for the deductive powers and bold hearts of Ada and Mary.

Mystery fans will love this tween girl riff on Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. History buffs will be delighted to see all the real figures who play a role in this story and appreciate the extensive backmatter that helps separate truth from fiction. Parents and educators hoping to promote the STEM fields for girls will be thrilled to have a series where two girls use math, science, and creative analytical thinking to solve crimes. But most especially--emerging readers will love this series filled with humor, action, intrigue and wonderful artwork from Kelly Murphy.

Reviews:

“Smart and witty… Skilled b&w illustrations and comical narration and dialogue will charm readers thoroughly.” – Publishers Weekly

“...enjoyable plot...resourceful heroines and fun writing...”– Wall Street Journal

“A good fit for Common Core curricula and a fun overall read, this is a winner.”—School Library Journal

★★★★★ —various reviewers on Amazon

The UK Edition is set to launch on January 29th, here is a sneak peak of the cover...

Wollstonecraft (UK edition) by Jordan Stratford illustrated by Kelly Murphy

James Lopez: Hullabaloo Steampunk Animation Project (2)

2014-09-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

We first featured this great project back in October of 2012 and now you can head on over and support this crowd funding campaign to finish it.

Kickstarter: Vault of Adepts

2014-07-18T13:07:00.001-07:00

Laudanum Studios: Penny Dreadful meets Arkham Horror in this pen and paper RPG of secret societies in 1900 London. Occult schemes in the age of absinthe.

©Aly Fell

A New Century. A New Age.

VAULT OF ADEPTS is a pen and paper Role Playing Game of secret societies set in 1900 London. These occult Lodges attracted the elite of London society – poets and politicians, actors and heiresses, alchemists and aristocrats scheming against a backdrop of cut glass, in the age of absinthe.

©Aly Fell

You play one of these eccentric characters, choose a faction and an agenda – do you want to proceed through the mystic Grades to achieve enlightenment? To take over? To destroy from within? – and speed from location to location to secure ancient knowledge, spread rumours, and foil your opponent’s efforts.

A séance gone horribly wrong. A gentleman approached after a Mason’s meeting with an inquiry if he’d be interested in something more… unconventional. A book dealer looking over an incoming tome, and knowing more than he lets on. Somewhere in London, between Scotland Yard and the Blind Beggar, is the key to someone’s lifelong obsession. Seek it out. But will you use it, sell it, or destroy it?

Throw the best parties, summon demons, and keep it out of the papers!

©Aly Fell

Watch the gorgeous Kickstarter Video below. The game will also feature many illustrations from Aly Fell who did the artwork for the Steampunk Tarot and Mechanicals. Direct link to campaign.

Penny Dreadful

2014-05-08T17:01:00.003-07:00

Penny Dreadful! Oh my such promise for a new show that has all of the things.

ABOUT THE SERIES (Excerpt from Showcase Website)

Some of literature's most terrifying characters, including Dr. Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and iconic figures from the novel Dracula are lurking in the darkest corners of Victorian London. PENNY DREADFUL is a frightening psychological thriller that weaves together these classic horror origin stories into a new adult drama.

May the 4th Be With You, Steampunk Star Wars

2014-05-04T14:24:00.001-07:00

A quick google image search for Steampunk Star Wars brings Bjorn Hurri to the top of the list. Check out his website for a really great collection of character illustrations.

Then I saw this Otis Frampton Steampunk Bobba Fett con commission from Wizard World on Twitter and decided to make a post. May the 4th Be With You!

Edwardian Ball 2014: The Curious Sofa

2014-02-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

Edwardian Ball 2014 Poster

Another year, another Edwardian Ball come and gone. While I still haven't been able to attend, I can happily look forward to the wonderful annual video that Mark Day produces of the event.

Here it is in all its glory, this year's dazzling eye candy for your enjoyment.

20 DC Steampunk Comic Covers.

2014-01-13T11:27:00.001-08:00

Superman/Wonder Woman #5 variant by Dan Panosian, image via CBR

Batman and Two-Face #28 variant by Matteo Scalera, Image via CBR

All 20 DC Steampunk Comics Covers over on Nerdist. Some of them are silly, but I like the two above the best (actually I like Batgirl the best, but I couldn't find a larger enough image for the blog.) Also, I'm assuming that the names attached to the images are based on the comics themselves and not the image because come on, even I know that's not Two-Face --it's Robin!

The World of Steam: The Clockwork Heart (Episode 1)

2013-11-20T14:37:00.003-08:00

Episode 1 (Pilot): Hieronymous Smythe has lost his wife, and tries to rebuild his shattered heart... from clockwork. But unfortunately he has not considered if you can do something, whether or not you should...

©The World of Steam

Professor Elemental: Welcome to a Brave New World

2013-11-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

The always awesome Professor Elemental was recently featured on Phineas and Ferb.

Cherie Priest: Fiddlehead

2013-11-12T12:23:00.000-08:00

Fiddlehead by Cherie Priest

Book Description:

Young ex-slave Gideon Bardsley is a brilliant inventor, but the job is less glamorous than one might think, especially since the assassination attempts started. Worse yet, they're trying to destroy his greatest achievement: a calculating engine called Fiddlehead, which provides undeniable proof of something awful enough to destroy the world. Both man and machine are at risk from forces conspiring to keep the Civil War going and the money flowing.

Bardsley has no choice but to ask his patron, former president Abraham Lincoln, for help. Lincoln retired from leading the country after an attempt on his life, but is quite interested in Bardsley’s immense data-processing capacities, confident that if people have the facts, they'll see reason and urge the government to end the war. Lincoln must keep Bardsley safe until he can finish his research, so he calls on his old private security staff to protect Gideon and his data.

Maria “Belle” Boyd was a retired Confederate spy, until she got a life-changing job offer from the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Pinkerton respects her work, despite reservations about her lingering Southern loyalties. But it’s precisely those loyalties that let her go into Confederate territory to figure out who might be targeting Bardsley. Maria is a good detective, but with spies from both camps gunning for her, can even the notorious Belle Boyd hold the greedy warhawks at bay?

About the Author:

CHERIE PRIEST is the author of Four and Twenty Blackbirds; Boneshaker, the first book in the Clockwork Century series; and several other novels. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Gail Carriger: Curtsies & Conspiracies

2013-11-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Book Description:

Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?  

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy--won't Mumsy be surprised? Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.  

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.  

In this sequel to New York Times bestselling Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author Gail Carriger writes to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She resides in the Colonies, surrounded by fantastic shoes, where she insists on tea imported from London.

  The Parasol Protectorate books are: Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, and Timeless. Soulless won the ALA's Alex Award. A manga adaptation released in Spring 2012 and a young adult series set in the same universe -- the Finishing School series -- launched in Spring 2013. Gail is soon to begin writing a new adult series, The Parasol Protectorate Abroad (2015).

Book Trailer:

Mr.Hublot

2013-08-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

Mr. Hublot is a short animated film that looks pretty wonderful.

Here is the plot outline en français

Monsieur Hublot vit dans un monde absurde, où se côtoient des personnages rapiécés, recousus, en partie mécanique, véhicules démesurés, un monde où le gigantisme de la mécanique et l'acharnement à la récupération, règnent en maître.

Bourré de tocs, de manies, effrayé par le monde extérieur, reclus sur lui-même, Mr Hublot déteste le changement et les imprévus. Il a d’ailleurs trouvé une parade très efficace à cela : ne jamais sortir de chez lui ! L’arrivée du chien Robot Pet va chambouler ses habitudes, contraint et forcer de faire vie commune avec son nouveau compagnon très envahissant…

You can stay connected with the project through Facebook or follow them on Twitter. Shout out to Steampunk Canada for posting the movie poster this morning.

Historical Lingerie & Corset Dressing Sequence by Lace Embrace

2013-06-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Lingerie Addict made this wonderful video of the lovely Melanie Talkington of Lace Embrace at her annual Antique Corset Fashion Show at Hycroft Mansion.

I've mentioned Melanie before, and am the proud owner of 2 corsets made by her. After watching this video I feel as though I made need to add another to my collection(?) just how many things does it take to be a collection anyway?

via The Treacle Tart at The Lingerie Addict.

Steampunk Lego!

2013-05-07T13:26:00.002-07:00

Lego Master Builder Academy- Invention Designer

Lego Master Builder Academy- Invention Designer

TRAVEL TO THE PAST… AND DESIGN THE FUTURE! – Launch your Invention Designer adventure! LEGO Master Builders merge the futuristic idea of time-travel with the clockwork gears and puffing steam-engines of the Victorian 1800′s – Steampunk!

Steampunk is a science-fiction art-form that imagines the future as people might have in the past. Let it inspire all kinds of new ideas, and pick up some tips from professional LEGO designers on how to make your creations look futuristic, industrial or just plain cool!

via The Brick Blogger | Lego Club (CODE:L4MBA)

Andrew Colunga: Steampunk TARDIS

2013-04-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

©Andrew Colunga

Steampunk TARDIS, YES to this! via Doctor Who Official Tumblr

Victoria Steam Exposition IV: Event Poster

2013-04-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

FIVE WEEKS AND COUNTING: The venue, the programming, the shopping, the entertainment – but what makes this event so stellar is the *people*. In steampunk, the audience IS the show – so that means you!

  Please send this out to your curious friends, your weird co-workers, your most intriguing crush. Grab your goggles, and we'll see you at the show!

Tickets: victoriasteamexpo.com

BioShock Infinite

2013-04-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Been thinking for awhile that it was time to get another Xbox, this pretty much seals the deal.

Arthur Slade: Modo: Ember's End Graphic Novel Indiegogo

2013-04-08T18:40:00.003-07:00

Modo: Ember's End. A stand-alone, steampunk-infused graphic novel set in the Wild West. Inspired by the bestselling series: The Hunchback Assignments.

Hurry, there is only 3 days left to support Arthur Slade's Indiegogo campaign. Via Countessa Lenora of Steampunk Canada.

Eye of the Storm: Sail (Awolnation)

2013-03-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

So much better than their official Video.

Hilary Champion: The Post War Orchestra Kickstarter

2013-03-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

A truly marvellous Kickstarter by The Post War Orchestra via Warren Ellis.

Nikola Tesla vs Thomas Edison. Epic Rap Battles of History.

2013-03-12T13:28:00.002-07:00

via Steamy Link of the Day by @SteampunkBall

Joe Benitez: Lady Mechanika

2013-02-28T11:15:00.001-08:00

I had the pleasure to meet the talented, and super nice, Joe Benitez this past year at Steamcon. We bought a print of Lady M and were happy to see some of his original artwork up close. Joe is a seasoned professional and frequents many cons, so there is a good chance you can meet him too and get some prints signed of your very own.

Series Description from Aspen Comics:

Specializing in the occult and paranormal activities, Lady Mechanika solves the confounding mysteries of the supernatural others cannot. However, it is the mystery of her own origin that drives her unflinching determination. She is part human and part metal, but must use all of her wits to uncover the truth about her creation. It is a path leading her directly into the sights of Lord Blackpool, a malevolant, and deadly, arms dealer with the answers she seeks about her life— and the power to end it. Lady Mechanika debuted in the fall of 2010 and quickly became one of the best selling independent comic books of that year. The genre smashing title has captivated the hearts of steampunk and graphic novel fans around the world.

Written and illustrated by Joe Benitez with colors by Peter Steigerwald. Published through Aspen Comics.

Joe's Bio from his website:

Joe Benitez is an American comic book artist who has worked on such titles as "JLA", "Superman/Batman", "Detective Comics", "Supergirl", and "Titans" for DC Comics and "The Darkness" for Image Comics. He also co-created and penciled the sci-fi series "Weapon Zero" and the dark fantasy mini-series "Magdalena: Blood Divine" for Image. In 2005, Joe published his first creator-owned mini-series "Wraithborn" through Wildstorm. In 2009, he stepped in to finish up Michael Turner's run on "Soulfire". Joe is currently working on a new creator-owned book, "Lady Mechanika", which will be published by Aspen Comics.

And because I love his original sketches so much, I've included a few here –many of them are still for sale on his website.

The Edwardian Ball 2013: The Doubtful Guest

2013-02-26T13:34:00.002-08:00

Another year, another missed opportunity to attend The Edwardian Ball, sigh. San Francisco, why are you so hard to get to in January?

I'm blogging in my pajamas and feeling very much the slob watching this year's video –shot once again by the talented Mark Day. Enjoy!

Etsy: Carousel Ink

2013-02-21T12:03:00.000-08:00

Victorian Corset Tshirt

Victorian City Legging

Hot Air Balloon Legging

Grey Striped Pippi Legging

I think I know what will be included in my spring wardrobe purchases. I love when cosplay and everyday wear merge into geeky wonderfulness.

I was poking around Pinterest this morning and saw the Hot Air Balloon Leggings pinned by Lisa Mantchev (who BTW has great pins, so you should totally follow her) and knew I needed to prioritize this post and get thee credit card ready.

I'm a fan of Black Milk Clothing, and love almost everything they've got going on. As of yet, they haven't done anything specifically Steampunk –although, there are many pieces that could be incorporated into an outfit.

Anyway, this is where Carousel Ink fills the void, based in Nashville TN, these friends have designed some pretty great pieces of wearable art.

Via their Etsy page:

Step right up! Have your tickets ready! 

Adding a new twist to Vintage Curiosities; Carousel Ink conjures up Carnival Nights, Steampunk Dreams and a Menagerie of Fantasy.

Friends for Life—Autumn, Celena & Martin form a dynamic trio. Autumn http://www.deadmoon.etsy.com & http://www.zaylamoon.etsy.com designs and fabricates all the clothing, Martin Obakke, http://www.thefiligree.etsy.com adds his original hand drawn illustrations while Celena Cavala, http://www.thefiligree.etsy.com maintains the insanity/chaos as Ringmaster.

James P. Blaylock: The Aylesford Skull

2013-02-20T17:12:00.000-08:00

Book Description:

It is the summer of 1883 and Professor Langdon St. Ives - brilliant but eccentric scientist and explorer - is at home in Aylesford with his family. However, a few miles to the north a steam launch has been taken by pirates above Egypt Bay; the crew murdered and pitched overboard. In Aylesford itself a grave is opened and possibly robbed of the skull. The suspected grave robber, the infamous Dr. Ignacio Narbondo, is an old nemesis of Langdon St. Ives.   

When Dr. Narbondo returns to kidnap his four-year-old son Eddie and then vanishes into the night, St. Ives and his factotum Hasbro race to London in pursuit...   

The first new steampunk novel in over twenty years from one of the genre's founding fathers!

James P. Blaylock is one of the founding fathers of modern steampunk along with fellow writers and friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter. He has won the World Fantasy and Philip K. Dick Awards. Blaylock lives in Orange, CA with his wife - they have two sons.