Aetheric Mechanics

[JollyBob]

I don't think this has been mentioned before, but apologies if it has. I just got it, anyway:



By Warren Ellis, a quite short graphic novel, and technically not VSF as its set in 1907, but since it stars a not-Holmes and deals with Britain at war with Ruritania I figured this was the best place for it. Flying battleships in it too.

Malamute, you'd love it. 

And its cheap as chips on Amazon at the moment:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aetheric-Mechanics/dp/1592910483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267958452&sr=1-1

[Red Orc]

Looks smashing.

If it's got flying battleships and Ruritania, who cares if it's set in the ridiculously modern 1907?

[Fuzzywuzzieswiflasers]

Sounds interesting. Any more images we can see?

The up coming War of the Worlds: Goliath film is set around 1914-15. VSF can easily move into Edwardian times.
I generally cut off VSF at the start of WWI where it becomes the Pulp Era.

[Doc Twilight]

Eh, it's technically "Edwardian Science Fiction", but who cares? Looks like a good read:)

-Doc

[Malamute]

Sounds promising, thanks for the heads up

[Svennn]

I expected to see some wonderful conversions which you had called by a posh word I didn't understand

Usually these things have fantastic cover art and then falldown in quality inside. This cover is not giving much away at all is it.

I may risk it just on your recommendation though as it does sound interesting.

[JollyBob]

The inside artwork is all black and white line drawing, quite old school. I like it. For some reason it reminds me of Bob Burden's work in Mystery Men and Flaming Carrot.

As I said, the story itself is quite short - I wish it was a lot longer or that some sequels where in the offing but I don't think they are, worst luck. It really does leave you wanting more.

For a couple of quid, its definitely worth a punt for some groovy drawings of hovering hansom cabs, Ruritanian dive bombers and a quite demonic looking iron giant if nothing else.

[Svennn]

Hovering Hansom cabs - say no more.

why didn't you say that in the first post

[Thunderchicken]

It's all a bit tempting....

[chantyam]

ok that my order in

[fastolfrus]

And mine.
Got it through Abe Books - it was only about 20p cheaper (but four bob is still four bob)

[JollyBob]

Of course, now you've all gone and ordered it, if you think its crap it wasn't me that told you.... 

[Red Orc]

I didn't think it was crap. Like you I would have liked to have seen more; more of London and more of the war. Too short! Not enough Ruritania! But for the price, a very nice half-hour read, and couple of hours admiring the artwork. At that price, I'm considering getting a second (and maybe third!) copy to cut up and write notes on about conversions and scratchbuilds!

[Elprez]

If you enjoyed Aetheric Mechanics, can I also recommend Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island, by the same author, and with full colour art by Raulo Caceres, published by Avatar. The first part of four is out now.

Warren Ellis calls it "An Electrical Romance of a Pirate Utopia Thwarted". I enjoyed the first instalment, set in Victorian London and it features Spring-Heeled Jack. Theres a preview of the first issue here:-

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/02/24/avatar-plug-of-the-week-part-one-warren-ellis-captain-swing-and-the-electrical-pirates-of-cindery-island/

[Red Orc]

Yeah, Twrchtwyrth posted this over on 'inspiring books' a couple of days ago - I thought it looked groovy.

What's it like? As I say, I enjoyed Aetheric Mechanics, in spite of one jarring Americanism - no educated Englishman of 1907 would say 'how long had this man been laying here...' because the answer would 'Laying what? Carpet? Eggs? Foundations?'

In fact, I think it's unlikely that an educated American of 1907 would use 'laying' for 'lying' either.

But that aside I thought it was pretty smart (combining both British and American usage there). I'd certainly be interested in more of his stuff, and hell, Electrical Pirates, what's not to love about that?