Fiendish Fabrications, SteamPulp

Fiendish Fabrications is working on a new game called SteamPulp.

What is SteamPulp? 
SteamPulp will be a skirmish level game of adventure set in the era of steam. Where steam-power drives industry, arcane powers are at work in dark places, the dead don’t always rest in peace and a bold captain can lead their crew on fantastic ventures in search of booty and infamy. Adventure awaits and SteamPulp will take you on that journey. With your courage, your wits and a loyal crew, on land, sea or air, you can carve a name for yourself that will go down in the annals with the great adventurers.

SteamPulp is currently being developed and it will involve some of our current Gothic Miniatures as well as a whole new range made specifically for the game. SteamPulp will be game of  narrative based, character driven adventures where you can use the cast of characters detailed in the rules whilst also having the chance to create and develop your own characters using a unique Character Generation System.

Fiendish Fabrications, Clockwork Bases

Here are some really cool bases by Fiendish Fabrications.  You can purchase either the standard type bases or the round lip bases.

Fiendish Fabrications are glad to announce the return of their popular Solid Earth, Clockwork Bases now in the Round Shoulder style.
We took these bases of the market for a while in order to re-model and repackage them. The result is a more streamlined look with some new designs mixed with some of our originals. Like our other recent base sets these new Clockwork babies come in three sets:

• Set 1 with 6x30mm bases,
• Set 2 with 2x40mm bases and 1x50mm base
• Set 3 which a combination of sets 1 & 2.

Studio McVey, Ruby

Here is another amazing sculpt by Studio McVey called Ruby.  The detail work is gorgeous.  I am not totally sure this is exactly Steampunk, but I figured what the heck.  This is a limited edition figure and is priced at £24.99.  This miniature is a multi part kit and comes supplied with a 50mm plastic base.  Ruby is strictly limited to 750 high quality castings.

Black Cat Bases, Cog Base Inserts

Black Cat Bases has come out with Coge base inserts.  They have these in 30mm, 40mm and 50mm sets.  The bases range from £6.00 to £8.00

Fighting Trousers, Professor Elemental

I don't know why, but I thought this video was sort of funny.  Fighting Trousers.

Max Mini, Steampunk 28mm weapons

Max Mini is working on some cool 28mm Steampunk weapons.  These are great for people looking for miniature conversions.

Cf Originals, Polymer Clay

Christi Friesen of cforiginals.net sent me a nice package of her Polymer Clay tools, a Steampunkery book and steampunk gears.  I will have reviews of the tools and gears in upcoming posts.  The book however was a real surprise and gives ton of how-tos and ideas.

The Steampunkery book retails for $14.95.

We all know what Steampunk is, a sort of Victorian-era mad scientist-adventurer look- all clockwork gears and brassy bits, leathery straps, and even the occasional bit of lacey filigree.   Now apply that look to polymer clay creativity and you have 'steampunkery'! a wonderful way to combine polymer clay sculpting tricks (like making a miniature leather strap complete with wire buckle and tiny little fake stiching) with embellishments of vintage pieces (like watch parts), found objects (like old pen nibs), and stuff you've got in your craft stash (like beads and paper scraps).  Doesn't that sound like fun?!

There is a lot to enjoy in this book- a hinged heart pendant that opens to reveal it's inner workings, cute little steampunk critters (complete with goggles of course) and other fun stuff-- pendants, sculptures, wall pieces, even thing you can add to costumes, if you're into that sort of thing. 

All the projects are presented step-by-step with lots of pictures and thorough explanations (with some silliness thrown in, just for fun). It doesn't matter what your skill level, the projects are challenging without being stressful, and structured without being confining. Plus there are lots of hints and creative nudgings to help keep your creative gears turning.

Reaper Miniatures, Chronoscope

Reaper Miniatures has a 28mm wargame miniature line called Chronoscope.  There are quite a few figures in the line that would be perfect for Steampunk gaming.  Here are some of my favorite Steampunk types from that line.

Spartan Games, Dystopian Wars Battle Groups

Here is a look at the pre-production battle groups of the Spartan Games Dystopian Wars.

Lady Mechanika, Comics

Lady Mechanika is the newest creator-owned comic book series by Joe Benitez, inspired by the steampunk genre. "Steampunk" is all about re-imagining history, usually combining the elegance of the Victorian Era with more advanced science fiction technology.

The background for Lady Mechanika goes something like this.  The tabloids dubbed her "Lady Mechanika", the sole survivor of a serial killer's three-year rampage through England. Authorities found her locked in an abandoned laboratory amidst an undeterminable number of corpses and body parts, her own limbs having been amputated and replaced with mechanical components.

With no memory of her captivity or her former life, Mechanika eventually built a new life for herself as a private detective, using her unique abilities to solve cases the police couldn't or wouldn't handle. But she never stopped searching for the answers to her own past.

Set in turn of the century England, a time when magic and superstition clashed with new scientific discoveries and inventions, Lady Mechanika is about a young woman's search for her own identity as she solves other mysteries involving science and the supernatural.

Written and illustrated by Joe Benitez with colors by Peter Steigerwald.  Publisher is Aspen Comics.

Fire Extingusihers, Pyrene, Merlite

I am always looking for cool ideas for steampunk kit bashing.  Back in the day, there were some cool brass hand held fire extinguishers by Pyrene Company of Delaware (Pyrene) and  Merlite Industries (Presto).  The Pyrene fire extinguishers are around 13 to 14 inches.  The Merlite/Presto ones are around 5 1/2 inches.  Both are very cool, but you do have to be careful since the contents could be harmful. 

You can find these on ebay for $20-$100.  My advice is to hit up antique stores for better deals on these, you may get lucky.

Merlite Industries (Presto) - 5 1/2 inches long

 Pyrene Company of Delaware (Pyrene) - 13-14 inches long

Spartan Games, Kingdom of Britannia

Here is a first look at the Kingdom of Britannia for Spartan Games Dystopian Wars.

Sellof, Steam Wars

I came across this very cool website called Sillof that has taken Star Wars and twisted to become Steam Wars.    The work is awesome.  It is a must see for anyone who is into steampunk.

Eggbeater Guns

While looking at Antiques I came across an Egg Beater Drill from Miller Falls.  The drill was probably made in the early 20's or 30's.  It was in great shape and only $14, so I thought what the heck.  It is really cool to piece of history.  It really amazes me how much quality was put into this tool.

When looking for these look for eggbeater drills look for Nos. 2, 2A and 5 made by Millers Falls. All the drills were made to a really high degree of precision.

Here is a cool article on the hand drills.
Here is a great resource for hand drills called Old Tool Heaven. 

Pith Helmet

For those of you that are in the market for a nice Pith Helmet, Tag Safari carries the nicest one I have been able to find.  The pith helmet retails for $71.10 and is much nicer than the typical ones you can find on Ebay for $30-$40.  The helmet come in two colors, Khaki and Stone.  I opted for Stone because it seemed more punk like.  The strap is actually leather and the helmet looks like the real deal.  You definitely will not be disappointed.  Tag Safari has a wide range of other safari items, so check them out.

Cf Originals, Hearts

I found a really great article on creating Steampunk clockwork hearts.  The article comes from Cf Originals where the author Christi Friesen uses polymer clay to create amazing pieces of art.  Christi walks you through step by step on creating inspiring looking art.  This is a must read for any Steampunk gear head.

Here is an example of a Steampunk Rhino

Steampunk, Jewelry

I am starting to see a lot more Steampunk jewelry out there on the market.  Here are some really nice pieces.  Many of the pieces are made from old watch parts.  If you search for "Swiss Watch Parts" or "Swiss Moving" on Ebay, you will find a bunch of stuff.  The following jewelry were made by Steampunk Designs.

Chet Art

Here are some funny cards by Chet Art also known as Chet Phillips.  Each card contains an image of a Steampunk monkey with a picture on the front and a description on the back.

Spartan Games, Dystopian Wars

Here is a first look at the Prussian Empire for Spartan Games Dystopian Wars.

Steampunk, Cards

Everyone needs a deck of cards.  I thought these cards by Tormented Artifacts are especially cool.  The deck sells for $20.

Leather Gauntlett

Leather Gauntlets can really spice up a steampunk outfit.  Here are some gauntlets I thought were really cool.  Love the wrench and leather finger hoops.  Entering keywords such as "Gauntlets", "Bracers",  or "Arm Guards" should bring up a lot of results.

Spartan Games, Dystopian Wars

Spartan Games is working on a new game called Dystopian Wars.  There are currently 4 armies slated for the game.  Kingdom of Britannia, Empire of the Blazing Sun, Prussian Empire and Federated States of America (FSA).  The Kingdom of Britannia was formed in 1801 when the Kingdom of Great Britain invaded and conquered Ireland. The Empire of the Blazing Sun was officially born in 1822 with the coronation of Empress Maya.  The Prussian Empire is probably the strongest nation currently in Europe, controlling much of the mainland, as well as the territories of Sweden and Norway. The Federated States of America (FSA) is a relatively young nation but is quickly establishing itself as a global power. The FSA came about after the end of the Civil War of 1860-64, when the States of the North and South engaged in a fierce conflict.

Catalyst Games, Leviathans

Leviathans is a game in development by Catalyst Game Labs that simulates combat between warships that have taken to the air in an alternate history 1910. The king leviathans, the battleships, are the largest vessels. Maneuvering in support are the smaller ships of light cruisers, destroyers, and others ships.

To find out more check out http://monstersinthesky.com/

Steamcon II, Conventions

Here is an upcoming convention for you Steampunk guys and gals.  It is called Steamcon II and it is in  Seattle, WA. 

Pressure Gauges

One of the cool things people do to Steampunk their gear is often add various gauges to their weapons and gadgets.  Usually looking for the terms "Pressure Gauge" or "Steam Gauge" on Ebay will display a bunch of gauges for sale.  Typically you want one that is around 3.5 inches for kit bashing.