What is steampunk? I'm so glad you asked.
When I think of steampunk, I envision brass goggles, punch cards, Victorian fashion, difference engines, airships, and Captain Nemo’s elegant submarine. Just cast your eyes below to see what I mean:
Steampunk is everything hip about Jules Verne & H.G. Wells, yet it also suggests the terror of living in a steam powered culture. Either way, these retro-futuristic stories just keep getting better.
A subgenre of SF & Fantasy, steampunk also has elements of action/adventure, horror, mystery, and romance. You’ve encountered it in books, film, and television shows even if you didn’t know its name. It’s also a fashion & cosplay trend, as you might have noticed while attending your last comic book convention or Halloween party.
Steampunk inspires artists, engineers, architects, and inventors to visually stunning heights. But it’s much more than all of that, of course.
Steampunk is a state of mind.
There are reasons galore behind the popularity of “retro-alternate-19th-century science fiction”. Steampunk is quixotic fashion paired with innovative inventions. In fact, the concept of inventions that debut far ahead of schedule represents one of the most fascinating aspects of the genre. Steampunk science is far from cold, modern, and sterile. It’s warm, flashy, and larger than life. New collides with old to the point that the inventions are characters in and of themselves.
Steampunk—and its subgenre clockpunk—enables the audience to fantasize about being that first person to invent a clockwork automaton or steam powered rifle. But no matter how surreal, the technology means nothing without a riveting tale to give them life. There’s no limit to the places a steampunk adventure can take you. Characters explore the shadowy corners of 19th century London, traipse through exotic lands, soar across the untamed skies, and even venture into the nether regions of space.
For an exceptional discourse on the steampunk genre, visit Voyages Extraordinaires, which presents “A History of Steampunk”:
Part I - From Scientific Romances to Silent FilmsPart II - The Victorian Atomic Age
Part III - The Birth of Steampunk
Part IV - A Genre Comes of Age
Part V - Putting the Punk into Steampunk
(Thanks to SFSignal for the links.)
But if you really want to take the plunge, The Aether Emporium is “...a one-stop resource and archive for all things Steampunk.”
Since, stylistically, steampunk is one of the most romantic subgenres of SF, The Galaxy Express is hosting a week-long celebration this week for your reading pleasure. There’ll be commentary and links galore—a refresher for some, an introduction for others.
I know you’re itching to ditch this locomotive to board one of those fancy-schmancy zeppelins, but don’t leap out the airlock just yet. Stick around for some steampunky giveaways later this week!
Joyfully yours,
Heather
16 comments:
I love the idea of steam punk, just amazing, sort of like Phillip Pulman etc come to life. The idea from the late 19th century of what the future would be like and reality now can be bizarre at times. Imagine in 100 years how people will view our attempts at speculative fiction.
I'm really looking forward to this week's extravaganza. I just started Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti, which is wonderful timing, don't you think?
Natalie, Phillip Pulman, exactly! There is some really bizarre concepts in steampunk, but bizarre in a fascinating way. Thanks for commenting!
Hiya, ella! Hope you enjoy my little tour (better clear your schedule because my next post is big and fat!). Too funny about Clockwork Heart--it's on my nightstand and next in line! I found out about it via Tia's review at Fantasy Debut. Beautiful cover, don't you think?
Awesome! Thanks so much, Heather. I've been going crazy trying to learn more about Steampunk. It's just so cool, you know? I'll go post about this column at youngadultsciencefiction.blogspot.com
Thanks Heather, it is exactly what I've been looking for. Just found out about the genre and find it very fascinating, but also confusing and wouldn't know where to start.
I don't know why, but I haven't really thought about this genre as an independent entity until now. Now that I am, I'm all kinds of inspired. Hmmmmmm, it makes me think. That is a good and dangerous thing.
Hi - thanks for the link (www.geek-speak.co.uk), and thanks for a good article!
I have to admit to loving steampunk, I've got a bit sick of the cold sterile sci-fi we see so often. That also spreads to a love of things like Babylon 5 and the new Battlestar Galactica series, which are all a little more grungy than other shows.
Anyway, thanks again.
I'm so glad this is turning out to be a good resource for everyone. There's been so many articles and links popping up that I thought it might be helpful to compile a bunch of 'em.
Kiki, Jess, thanks for the feedback--it means a lot!
Kimber An, thanks for the linkage!
Chris, my pleasure! Any friend of steampunk is a friend of mine, lol!
I agree about the gritty nature of this genre. Despite the flashy designs it has a sense of realism that makes it accessible. Plus, the trial and error of inventions, especially of the Victorian age and earlier, couldn't have been very pretty. I thought WHITECHAPEL GODS presented some good examples of that aspect.
Excellent! I'm looking forward to reading what you have in store!
Hi, tia, thanks for stopping by!
This is just a fascinating post. I love the designs and costumes. I'm inspired to re-decorate my house with a steampunk theme.
Do you think that 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' counts as steampunk? It has the victorian setting, loads of interesting inventions (my favorite is the fried egg and sausage machine) and a car that turns into a boat AND can fly.
Will you all still respect me if I say it's in my top ten list of all-time favorite movies? Oh, and it has a delightful romance in it, too.
Z, absolutely Chitty counts! Thanks for coming! Now that I think about it, that film was probably one of the earliest influences on me regarding my current love of steampunk.
Chitty is one of the many faces of steampunk, and no one can conclude anything but that you have superior taste in film!
Hope you have these on there during the week.
http://www.thewillowsmagazine.com/home.htm
http://community.livejournal.com/steamfashion/profile
http://www.gdfalksen.com
http://helloquizzy.okcupid.com/tests/the-steampunk-style-test
Ok, I'm totally lame for missing this--but I am definitely becoming an ever increasing steampunk fan. I loved Dru Pagliassotti's Clockwork Heart--and of course love the classics of Jules Verne, the revamped versions in Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, etc.
Off to read the rest of your posts I have missed :)
Sure hope we see you folks at the convention in October.
Dex Garvey
California Steampunk Convention 2008
http://www.steampunkconvention.com
oopsie!
Evelyn, thanks for those links! I'm sure I'll revisit steampunk in the future so I will be sure to share them.
Thea, thanks again for visiting! Hope you had fun.
Dex, darn you! I just moved from CA, blast it all. At any rate, your convention looks fab. Thanks for sharing the info!
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