BRISTOL

What a good day, what an enjoyable convention, what a good time had by all. If you were not there then you were square. 

It was good to run into people we knew and to meet such a group of creative people.

Three cool attendees.
I love the hand knitted Batman cardigan.

The stylish and mega-talented Jennie Gyllblad

I think for me the only downside of the whole day was the conclusion of the panel on the future of space travel that we shall not be in space in the foreseeable future. I was saying this to my daughter and see replied to the effect that my attachment to space was more to do with when I grew up and the Moon Landings. (Here we go again, bleating on about the lack of jet packs and holidays on Mars, get over it, Dan dared but Nasa didn't-Ed)

The Future of Steampunk panel was especially interesting. A lively debate among contrasting viewpoints. book your ticket for next year, you have been told.

Next weekend we are back in Cardiff, the cultural heartland of Wales. See you there.

STEAMPUNK AESTHETIC

Once again Czar Tim sets the controls for the heart of that we call Steampunk and reflects on how you create a culture.

The beginning of Steampunk technology can be sourced to the thinking machine of one Charles Babbage. From there I could talk about the great engineering works for Brunel and similar. But that would take an awfully long time and I only have limited word space.

So, the main thing to bear in mind when thinking about the manufacturing of Steampunk tech is that there is unlimited scope for ideas and invention. So you want a gun? How big? A flying machine?  Gas or Aether engines?  A mobile phone? Give me time…

But your materials are very limited. Technology levels may be advance but the basic kit to build isn’t great. Plastic is one thing we now look at and think nothing of, but back then? Non-existent, Possibly some form of Bakelite may of existed but as a general use Item? I highly doubt it. (Alexander Parkes made the first plastic back in 1862, it was a thermoplastic celluloid  called Parksine – Ed). So we have our metals (Brass especially), leather (various hues) and Wood. Good old wood, with a skilled hand it can be carved to all sorts of shapes. Herein lies part of the beauty of Steampunk, Not its functionality, but its aesthetic.

 Retro-Tronic is the term I believe.  Within this there is a form of comfort I believe, it hails back to a simpler time. Much like watching an episode of ‘Dad’s Army’ safe in the knowledge  that  this will be followed  ‘Noel’s House Party’. (Yes I am old and apologies to our continental viewers who have no idea what I’m talking about). (Unfortunately I do, I am still in therapy because of it-Ed)

To make something Steampunk, look at its form. What would you make the body out of? If it has buttons, what kind would have existed then? Can I add more decorative cogs? There really isn’t a wrong answer to this. If you dedicate the time to the building then it’ll be worth it. I’ve been repainting guns and making props for about 3 years now and it never fails to impress (I thank God He gave me hands that can do these things). No one has ever said ‘That’s wrong’, because of the multifaceted nature of the beast of Steam. See what people have done with NERF (there are other Foam Dart gun available) weaponry and be amazed.

Throughout writing Victoriana I had the issue of dealing with this interesting problem. In my universe it’s all steam power. Giant cogs and the smell of oil fill the streets of old London town, producing the fog and the problems that brings. But I had an issue to deal with in the Agency Masks. They have to be able to communicate like a Walkie-talkie. So with a little design and some thought I added batteries to the universe. It’s odd how simple a solution this was.

I’m not a scientist, I know nothing about circuit boards or engineering (having friends who know these things are handy) but I have imagination and that’s enough to get on with.

Until next time!


Tim

FOUND ART

I am a day late this week, having flown the rookery for foreign climes. In Creixell, Catalunya I came across this rather interesting piece of graffitti emblazoned on a railway bridge support. I assume that out there in the wilds of Catalunya is an artist whose tag is CO2, thank you for the unknown endorsement. It's a well known around the rookery that there are many such connections around humans-the trick is seeing them, usually we walk around with our eyes closed. As a great man said: "You live your life as if it's real" (At last! You have moved on from the Incredible String Band as a source of quotes - Ed).

The good news of the week though is the post about Corvus over at Speech Bubble (http://blogs.birminghammail.net/speechballoon/2012/10/coming-from-corvus-press.html), a blog about comics that is connected to the Birmingham Mail. Thanks Paul for the generous write up. It is worth a gander as Paul managed to get our most taciturn artist to be almost loquacious. I could do with a few tips on how to get him to spill the beans (I suggest plying him with Woodforde's Nelson's Revenenge, it usually does the trick- Ed). David also provided some beautiful art work from CO2 which is worth a look by itself.

Next weekend, the 20th October, we are proud to be at the BristolCon 2012 (http://www.bristolcon.org/). The guests include John Meaney, Gareth L. Powell, Ann Sudworth and Colin Harvey. I believe there are still tickets on sale, so get one and I'll see you there.

EXETER COMIC EXPO

Those of you lucky enough to attend the Exeter Comic Expo last month were wowed by the Corvus contingent. Here is a familiar face trying to ingratiate himself with Corvus' Steampunk Czar.

Here are the rest of our photographs:

Our next outing is to the BristolCon (http://www.bristolcon.org/ ) the 20th October. Be there or be square.