Geeks logo

4 Steampunk Graphic Novels Every Fan Should Read

For Steampunk and Comic Fans Alike

By Crysta CoburnPublished 5 years ago 5 min read
Like

I have learned from talking with fellow fans of the steampunk genre that the first title to spring to most minds when steampunk comics are brought up is The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen co-created by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill. There are undeniable steampunk elements in this series as well as several references to Victorian literature, which I find personally entertaining. It is, however, far from the only comic in the steampunk arena. If you are a fan of steampunk and graphic novels, check out these titles. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but I think of it as a good place to start, and these are some of my faves.

'Scarlet Traces' by Ian Edginton, art by D'Israeli

There are two main collected volumes in this series, Scarlet Traces and Scarlet Traces: The Great Game. These are sequels to H. G. Wells’ 1898 novel The War of the Worlds that answer the question, “What happens after the Martians have been defeated?” The United Kingdom reverse-engineers martian technology, creating a new industrial revolution with dire consequences, that’s what.

The world has many steampunk elements without relying on cliches or stereotypes of the genre. For example, the technology is based on alien technology rather than steam, thus is developed in totally different ways than ours in the real world. Carriages have been re-engineered to scuttle around on clockwork-style crab legs rather than wheels, but they are still recognizably early 20th century conveyances, and are not powered by actual clockwork. The power source repeatedly named is “heat ray,” though how this actually powers anything is never explained.

The first book in the series takes place ten years after the events of The War of the Worlds. The second book occurs 30 years after that. Edginton and D’Israeli also created their own comic book version of The War of the Worlds, and if you keep an eye out, you will see characters from Scarlet Traces in the background.

'The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects' by Mike Mignola

Mike Mignola is probably best known as the creator of Hellboy. He also created a super fun character called The Amazing Screw-On Head (Eisner Award for Best Humor Publication 2003). It’s a one-shot comic, but can be found in the collected volume The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects.

Screw-On Head is an agent summoned by President Abraham Lincoln to save the world (again!) from the evil Emperor Zombie, who is attempting to gain supernatural powers from the “fabulous melon-sized jewel” of an ancient warlord Gung the Magnificent, who nearly conquered the world. In later comics included in The Amazing Screw-On Head and Other Curious Objects, Gung gets his own story (which I thought was pretty clever with twists on familiar stories), as does Emperor Zombie’s cohort Doctor Snap.

Screw-On Head him(?)self is literally a metal head that can be screwed onto any of a number of metal bodies for action. His homebase is filled with metal bits and bobs, motors, and other gizmos that go largely unused, but do offer a certain atmosphere. It isn’t really clear what Screw-On Head is—an automaton, a robot, or a product of alchemy?

Other steampunk elements include the balloon that Emperor Zombie and his cohorts fly in and the rocketship that Screw-On Head and his companions use to travel, both of which reminded me of Jules Verne. Doctor Snap is also in some kind of special suit with knobs, tubes, and cranks. In his own story, Doctor Snap travels to Mars, but I don’t want to spoil how or in what form he ends up taking.

There was a 22-minute TV pilot that aired in 2006 (released on DVD in 2007), and I think it’s a real shame that it wasn’t picked up because this is a really interesting character with a lot of potential. An impressive amount of information is given about this world in a short amount of time, and I would love to see more, animated or drawn.

'Monstress' by Marjorie M. Liu, art by Sana Takeda

There are so many things I love about this series that it is difficult to put them all into words. The art is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. The pages are filled to the brim with this art deco, matriarchal, alternate Asian, early 1900s-ish, post-war world. Monstress has won several British Fantasy, Eisner, Harvey, and Hugo awards.

Main character Maika Halfwolf is a human-looking Arcanic, a magical creature, investigating—and avenging—her mother’s death. Arcanics are being terrorized by the Cumaea, with whom they had been at war, who consume Arcanics to gain their power. Maika’s left arm is slowly being consumed by an elder god, whose power and intelligence she can (sort of) tap into.

The story is gritty, occasionally violent, and deeply emotional. Liu has said one of the key themes is, "what does it take to hold on to one’s humanity when you’re forced to suffer the long, continuous, dehumanizing experience of war?"

Three collected volumes have been released as of spring 2019.

'Hopeless, Maine' by Tom and Nimue Brown

Hopeless, Maine is often described as Lovecraftian and is very much on the gothic side. It takes place on an isolated island off the coast of Maine called Hopeless; the kind of island that is generally found only by accident and left with difficulty. The time period is uncertain, but has a definite Victorian feel.

Protagonist Salamandra has powers which she doesn’t fully understand. She is a child in the first collected volume and a young woman in the second. Hopeless is populated by all sorts of interesting folk, though, and even includes demons, some with “very real teeth, and very real horns.” Be wary of the waters, friends. So if you are a fan of the eerie, supernatural, or creepy, Hopeless may be your island.

The coloring is appropriately dark and beautiful. Many things are, I dare say, cute. In some respects I am reminded of a dark Studio Ghibli.

If you are interested in tabletop RPGs, there is Hopeless Maine: Travels in Hopeless. There is quite a lot in this universe, so keep an eye out if you are a fan!

steampunk
Like

About the Creator

Crysta Coburn

Crysta K. Coburn has been writing award-winning stories her whole life. She is a journalist, fiction writer, blogger, poet, editor, podcast co-host, and one-time rock lyrics writer.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.