Even More Steampunk Graphic Novels for Fans to Read

'Bitter Root' by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene, Rico Renzi, and Clayton Cowles

Bitter Root follows members of the Sangeryes family who hunt monsters in Harlem in the 1920s. It also embodies one of my favorite things ever: diversity in steampunk. (See my Book Review: 'Everfair' by Nisi Shawl for more.)

We have been seeing more and more steampunk (and other 'punk) stories taking place outside of Victorian England, and fantastical locations based on Victorian England, but all too often those places are somewhere in White America. If your experience with steampunk is distinctly lacking in melanin, allow these fine creators to expand your palate.

Like in other graphic novels and comics I have mentioned in previous articles, the characters of Bitter Root fight monsters. (See Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter in 4 Graphic Novels for Kids Who Love Steampunk and Boston Metaphysical Society in 4 More Steampunk Graphic Novels For Fans to Read.) What sets it apart is that it is rooted in African American history and culture. The monsters are called jinoo, "what humans become when their souls are infected by hate, or greed, or whatever evil you can think of."

Through rootwork (African American folk magic) the women of the Sangeryes family know how to brew a special serum that can cleanse jinoo and bring them back to themselves. But then a jinoo comes along that can't be cleansed, or is it even a jinoo at all? All hell breaks loose in Harlem, and the Sangeryes family must stop it or the world, as we know it, might just come to an end and evil will triumph. (No pressure.)

This is a series packed with adventure and unforgettable characters. There are two volumes out so far, Family Business and Rage & Redemption. A third volume, Legacy, is expected to be published in late fall 2021.

4 Steampunk Graphic Novels Every Fan Should Read

'Impure Blood' by Nathan Lueth

Impure Blood is a web comic that is available in bound editions. (I purchased the PDFs via Nathan Lueth's Kickstarter campaigns.)

The plot follows Roan, aka "The Abomination," a man of mixed human and Ancients lineage; Dara, a mysterious magic-wielding woman on a secret mission; Elnor, Dara's protector who really loves her ale; and Caspian, another person on a (mostly) secret mission. They are also joined partway through volume one by Mac, who seems obsessed with machines and is a big Abomination fangirl.

Tech includes motor cars that better resemble carriages, airships, and pocket watches that tap out text messages. (I kind of want one of those pocket watches.)

4 More Steampunk Graphic Novels For Fans to Read

'Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island' by Warren Ellis and Raulo Caceres

Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island takes place in an alternative 1830. I have consumed enough media by Warren Ellis to feel beat over the head with his political views. Whether I share them or not is irrelevant; they exude basically everything he does, and Captain Swing is no exception.

The main character is actually not Captain Swing, but Charlie, a peeler (Metropolitan police officer), who just wants justice for his murdered associate.

Captain Swing is an aeronaut, electrical pirate captain, and revolutionary who wants to empower the people who he feels are being ground under the boot of a select few elites who have harnessed the "magic" contained in a meteorite they think came from Mars. While not being the character we follow throughout, Swing is the narrator.

Polly is Swing's right-hand woman and an electrical pirate. Charlie has an odd sexual tension with her throughout because I guess even a piratical badass has to be "tamed" by the hero.

I found the technology in this one to be unique and interesting. More electricity-driven than steam-powered, I think the surrounding trappings of Victorian London put this firmly within the steampunk wheelhouse.

4 Graphic Novels for Kids Who Love Steampunk

'The Five Fists of Science' by Matt Fraction and Steven Sanders

A title like The Five Fists of Science is hard to resist. The location is New York City in (an alternative) 1899. Mark Twain, Nikola Tesla, Baroness Bertha von Suttner, and Timothy Boone (one of the new made-up characters) team up to coerce the leading powers of the day to declare peace by creating, essentially, mutually assured destruction. And they're the good guys!

On Team Definitely Bad, we have John Pierpont Morgan, Thomas Edison, Guglielmo Marconi, and Andrew Carnegie. They have decided to mix science and technology with the Dark Arts.

This story is a bit bonkers, but it's a quick read and includes some of steampunk's most beloved historical figures.

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