Steampunk Originals, Vol. 1
Written by various authors
Illustrated by various artists
Arcana Studios
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Cover Price: $14.95

I can’t think of a better way to showcase the aesthetically pleasing visuals of steampunk than with a comic book anthology. In Arcana’s newest collection of comic shorts, Steampunk Originals, multiple writers and illustrators are able to push the boundaries of steampunk tropes by combining its concepts with those of other genres. The end results are a culmination of many creatively engaging stories. Check out my picks for some of the best from the volume.

“Rule Britannia: The Messenger” by Axel Howerton and Red Tash is the story of a girl who’s taken over her brother’s messenger job when he signed up to a pilot. She is tasked with delivering a note to Prince Harry from his brother, Prince Billy; but she’ll have to fight her way through a group of sleazy bar patrons first. Steven Yarbrough’s art draws you in from the first panel with is fast-paced, cartoon action and over-the-top characters.

Vincent Price: Tales from the Darkness #4
Written by CW Cooke
Illustrated by Ezequiel Rosingana
Colored by Doris Lotewing
Lettered by David Hopkins
Cover by Graham Hill
Bluewater Comics
Release Date: June 19, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Punishment for the idle observers of war is the hard-hitting theme of Vincent Price: Tales from the Darkness #4, the latest installment in the series from Bluewater Comics.

Current events in horror comics are sure to push buttons with readers because of our intimate connection to the reality of these horrors thanks to the media exposure we’re subjected to each day. Plausibility is frightening. That’s where writer CW Cooke collects the strength for this story, but that’s also sadly where it ends.