I have been
a steampunk fan since childhood. For those of you who are not familiar with the
genre, think of the tv show,
The Wild Wild West with Robert Conrad and Ross Martin or the movie of the same
name with Will Smith and Kevin Kline. The blend of science fiction with 1800s technology is truly inventive. That is
why I was super excited to snag my next guest.
Without
further ado, I would like to introduce you to Madeleine Holly-Rosing, the
creator of the webcomic the Boston Metaphysical Society.
The Story Behind The Story
I love writing BOSTON METAPHYSICAL
SOCIETY. Not only does it bring my love of science fiction and history
together, (which by the way, equals steampunk), the steampunk time period
allows me to address the themes of classism, sexism, and racism in America in a
thoughtful and entertaining way. For at its very core, BOSTON METAPHYSICAL
SOCIETY is an American story. And you can't tell an American story without
including women and people of color.
It has been and always will be
important to me to write characters who, though they come from diverse
backgrounds and have different points of view, are able to work together for
the common good.
BOSTON METAPHYSICAL SOCIETY began as a
TV Pilot which I wrote while I was in the MFA Program in Screenwriting at UCLA.
It was somewhat inspired by a script I had written called Stargazer,
which was about a real life astronomer who lived in Boston in the late 1880's.
(Stargazer went on to win the Sloan Fellowship.) It was suggested that I
adapt Boston Metaphysical into a six issue graphic novel mini-series. I agreed
and the hunt was on for an artist. Many months later, I met Emily Hu through a
mutual friend and a partnership was born. Her passion for the project matched
my own and I knew the story was in good hands. I launched BOSTON METAPHYSICAL
SOCIETY as a webcomic in May of 2012. The following year we printed a special
edition of the first chapter.
Through a combination of self-funding
and the generous support of Kickstarter backers, we were able to finish the six
issue series and now we are back to print this expanded version of the trade
which includes a brand new ten page short story.
However by wading into the deep end of
the pool, I discovered a terrible truth – I love writing comics.
So I bring you Samuel, Caitlin, and Granville
who represent the best, the worst, and every shade of gray of the society in
which they live. They are products of their world yet strive for not only more,
but better.
Much like you and I.
By backing this project, you would not
only be supporting the printing of the trade paperback, but a vision of a
future where the teamwork and sacrifice of a diverse group of individuals
ultimately defeats evil.
Please join us
in bringing this project to life.
www.bostonmetaphysicalsociety.com
or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BostonMetaphysicalSocietyComic
Written by Madeleine Holly-Rosing; Art by Emily Hu; Color by Gloria Caeli
Boston, 1895 - Steam driven
technology dominates and dirigibles rule the sky. A new century and new technology looms on the
horizon turning the social and political status quo its head. People are
uncomfortable with change and, in fact, many people fear it.
That fear and the violence which follows, causes a psychic rift to puncture the veil of space and time
allowing an entity known as "The Shifter" to escape into our
world.
It feeds on the resentment and fears between the
rich and the poor and triggers a rash of murders.
Alexander Graham Bell,
Thomas Edison,
Nikola Tesla,
And Harry Houdini.
BUT THEY FAIL.
Frustrated by their own in-fighting, they look to ex-Pinkerton detective,
SAMUEL HUNTER.
A man driven by revenge, for the one mistake The Shifter made was killing Samuel Hunter’s wife.
Samuel gathers his unlikely team of… Caitlin O’Sullivan, medium and spirit photographer,
and Granville Woods, Scientist Extraordinaire.
Their job:
Stop The Shifter before Boston tears
itself apart.
I love the steampunk style just disappointed it's not set in Boston Lincolnshire, there's not enough stories about this overlooked town. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Captain & checking out Madeleine's post! I am embarrassed to admit I don't know the town you are referencing. Maybe you could try a steampunk graphic novel or webcomic. I think you would be good at it!
DeleteSteam Punk is very cool, I have never been able to crack the code, but I love looking at it.
ReplyDeleteI have liked it since The Wild Wild West & I have found Doctor Who has some SP elements along with an old USA series, Jack of All Trades. You probably have cracked the code & just don't know it! 😉 Thanks for dropping by, Tim. Always enjoy the visits.
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