You may have heard this curious phrase in the media recently, along with images of people dressed in Victorian clothing and garb, sporting all sorts of unusual accessories. He may have thought to himself what the hell is this?
The term Steampunk originated in the 1980s and is used to describe a science fiction and fantasy subculture with an emphasis on alternate history.
Steampunk worlds typically focus on the period largely known as the Victorian era with many stories set in Britain and the United States, although there are a number of international adventures and a large Steampunk following in Japan. Because many of these adventures involve all kinds of weird, unusual, and old-fashioned modes of transportation, these stories can take place anywhere above, below, or even within the world!
Although the term Steampunk is credited to author KW Jeter coining a phrase for books by Tim Powers and James Blaylock, you can find its earliest influences in the works of HG Wells and Jules Verne. The Time Machine and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea could certainly be considered works of great influence and references for future authors.
Steampunk is not reflected in any form, there are books, graphic novels, jewelry, fashion, animations and clothes. You can often find Steampunk influences creeping into many forms of art, as well as video games and role-playing games.
There are a plethora of websites dedicated to this exciting genre, with new sites and fan pages appearing daily. There are also a number of shops offering a range of all kinds of goods including Steampunk jewellery, pens, USB drives and glasses.
Because Steampunk is such a vague term, people come up with all sorts of captivating interpretations; in fact, Steampunk can often be a fascinating, inventive, and downright eccentric genre.
Recently, the world of Steampunk has been creeping into the mainstream, through bands like Abney Park, video games, and television series.
A great upcoming Steampunk influenced release is Bioshock Infinity which is a video game that will be released in 2012. The game takes place in a city above the clouds and has a lot of clear Steampunk and Dieselpunk influences.
Steampunk-themed movies include Wild Wild West, Steamboy, and Laputa: Castle in the Sky. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen also has Steampunk influences, although the film was seen by many as a disappointment and the graphic novel of the same name is often considered superior.
YouTube also has many Steampunk short films and animations worth checking out.