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Gatehouse Gazette ISSUE 9 NOV ‘09 ISSN 1879-5676

BEAUtIFUl Industry EMRE TURHAL ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

CONTENTS The Gatehouse Gazette is an

FEATURES online magazine in publication

Loving the Factory, too 3 since July 2008, dedicated to the

Industry and machines in and . speculative genres of steampunk and dieselpunk. Alchemy for Mystery 4 Interview with Carol McCleary, author of The Alchemy of Murder

The Flying Scotsman 8 Not a man with wings but a champion of the steam railway.

Start up the Big Machines 16 The industrialization of Britain, Germany and France compared.

The Asylum 19 Thoughts on the recent Lincoln, England steampunk convivial.

COLUMNS REVIEWS Dieselpunk Season 12 Hilde Heyvaert’s The Steampunk Wardrobe . The Alchemy

The Martini 15 of Murder 4

Craig B. Daniel’s The Liquor Cabinet .

Boilerplate 7 Quatermass and the Pit 11 Guy Dampier’s last Quatermass review. Leviathan 10

Dieselpunk Online 6 The Invisible

An overview of what’s new at the premier

dieselpunk websites. Frontier 13

Casshern 18

©2009 Gatehouse Gazette . All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Gatehouse Gazette . Published every two months by The Gatehouse . Contact the editor at [email protected].

PAGE 2 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

EDITORIAL

LOVING THE NICK OTTENS

FACTORY, TOO THERE ARE STARK AND UNDENIABLE DIFFERENCES dieselpunk, more distinctly informed b y between the mindsets of steampunk and dieselpunk in sensibilities, is more likely to become a dystopia than its spite of the close bonds between both genres and those steampunk counterpart. “Despondency and despair” who enjoy exploring them. Steampunk has evolved subsequently “linger upon society,” according to considerably over the past few years, from Victorian Piecraft (Issue #4 , January 2009 ), one that has “long to a movement that makes its own forgotten the novelty or dynamism of the old glory days fashion and lifestyle statement very boldly. Steampunk of the Jazz Age.” No longer is the machine a beacon of enthusiasts are prone to resist the mindless use of hope and modernity ; it embodies the sad and technology prevalent in our society nowadays. As editor depressing truth of pollution and oppression in the C. Allegra Hawksmoor put it in the latest edition of Piecraftian nightmare. SteamPunk Magazine , “We adore the machines that Is that how we see the factory today? The Victorian come from an age before endless replication reduced era brought us industry and in spite of all its vices everything into soulless copies of itself —lacking any (pollution, poverty, uncontrolled urbanization and the sort of individuality, and p lastered with labels warning terrible exploitation of workers) it paved the way for a us not to interfere with machines whose workings we new era of eco nomic growth and prosperity. We live in cannot possibly understand.” She goes so far as to that era today. The accomplishments of industry are declare steampunk “non-industrial”—the genre loves undeniable. In fact, you are probably reading this on the machine, she writes, but hates the factory. one of them. For all its majesty and grandeur it is Whether she professes a contradiction in terms sometimes easy to forget the downsides of technology here or a particularly poignant comprehension of the however . Both steampunk and dieselpunk much rather steampunk ethos, I shall leave undecided for a moment. revel in the beautiful products of the progress of times What I wish to declare is that dieselpunk does not make past than submerge in a constant depression about the this distinction. many ills associated with the often sudden and violent “Dieselpunk technology exudes an aim to express arrival of change. the energetic, dynamic, and violent quality of For that reason, we dedic ate this issue to “Beautiful contemporary life,” writes Mr Piecraft in Issue #5 of this Industry” with several articles and reviews related to magazine (March 2009) , “especially as embodied in the big machinery and the impact of progress. Besides, we motion and force of m odern machinery.” We find this feature an interview with author Carol McCleary of The sentiment expressed in the sort of dieselpunk fiction the Alchemy of Murder along with the familiar columns and weblog The Flying Fortress labeled as ‘Ottensian’: the a short story by Andrew Singleton, entitled Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow side of the “Stormbringer”. genre which we can easily associate with Futurism and As always , I hope that you will enjoy this latest 1930s pulp science fiction, but also in the ‘Piecraftian’ issue of the Gatehouse Gazette and I would like to invite dieselpunk where “a you to let us know darker side to this “Mass production techniques brought whether you do. Should romanticism” emerges massively better material standards of you wish to have a letter that is almost absent or even an article of your entirely from steampunk. living for many people and own published here, The darker, grittier, need to remember that.” please, don’t hesitate to petroleum-fueled world of contact us! ■ —Arceye, The Steampunk Forum

PAGE 3 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

INTERVIEW CAROL McCLEARY Author of The Alchemy of Murder , currently worki ng on a sequel to this historical detective .

ALCHEMY FOR HILDE HEYVAERT

On the next pag e: a review of The Alchemy of Murder by the interviewer MYSTERY WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA TO USE what some call the greatest single Yankee , Shelly’s Frankenstein , Jules historical characters for your book scientific discovery in history: the Verne’ s balloon and submarine and why did you choose these? fact germs cause disease. And, of voyages, the marvellous H.G. Wells A friend of mine gave me Nellie Bly’s course , Oscar Wilde was there, tales (even chasing the Ripper to exposé, Ten Days In A Madhouse , to titillating café society with his San Francisco in Time After Time ), read. Well, once I read it, I thought scandals and wit, Toulouse was The League of Extraordinary “wow, this is someone everyone painting his beloved whores, Gentlemen (and anythin g else Sean should know”—she is a real life students were ‘plotting’ revolutions Connery plays in). So, though I heroine—and perfect for a Victorian at café tables over absinthes and wasn’ t aware of the word, I enjoy mystery. smokes, while anarchists where the era; to be truthful, better than I could relate to Nellie because planting bombs under the tables this computer age we are in. I also as her editor told her, “Your (ju st like today). love the Indiana Jones movies, which grammar is rocky…” and so is mine. The developed itself from have the same ambiance as What I also discovered about Nellie the era, a time when inventions and steampunk in a diesel era. was that she had a warm heart and scientific discoveries like t hose cared very deeply about people, of Pasteur soared and the ‘far - especially about the rights of fetched’ ideas of Jules Verne woman, and fought relentlessly to were becoming reality. The fact make their lives better. She had these two men r epresented the immense courage. two extremes of ‘science’ The rest of the characters you intrigued me. Ultimately the might say chose themselves. plot was derived from Nellie’ s courage to right a wrong (as Why choose Paris as the setting? she was constantly doing), So many of Victorian tales are set in Jules Verne’ s ideas London or New York, I thought, why and the research of the great not Paris? It was an interesting Pasteur as he bla zed new paths place during this time—Paris was in real science. brimming with discoveries, inventions and wild parties and the You like the era for the same Exposition Universelle , the World’s reason the steampunk Fair was happening. movement does: the inventions, You lived in the Orient for quite a While researching who was the science, the changes. Were you long time. D id that in any way inspire hanging around Paris at this time, I aware of steampunk when you wrote your writing and this book in discovered Jules Verne was there, the book? particular? ‘inventing’ science fiction, and had No, I wasn’t aware of ‘ steampunk,’ While I lived in the Orient onl y until once served on a health committee but I love the Victorian Age and its I was six years old, it’s been said with Louis Pasteur, the great quirky tales of st eam era science that a person’ s personality is microbe hunter, who was making like Mark Twain’s Connecticut developed early and I believe living

PAGE 4 CAROL McCLEARY ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 in the Far East has had an enormous I’d be delighted! After Nellie gets beat him.” Pulitzer knows Nellie will effect on me. I was able to back from Paris, she is taunted by do exactly that, so he agrees to let experience different cultures and Jules’ remark at the train station her go. personalities which opened my that she can’ t beat the record of his It was an age of steam ships mind to the fact that there is a fictional , Phi leas Fogg, in his that had auxiliary sails for when the wonderful world filled with all novel, Around The World In Eighty boiler broke down and steam different kinds of interesting people Days . So, one day she goes to her locomotive s called Iron Horses. and that has had a profound affect in boss, Mr Pulitzer, and announces Pulitzer’ s concerns were well my writing. Even today I find myself she wa nts to try and beat Fogg’s taken—there were no airplanes, more attracted to eastern concepts record. credit cards, ATM s or even cell of herbal remedies and mind-body Of course, he says, “No, it’s phones! And Nellie refused to take a connections than western ones. de finitely not a job for a lady. With gun for protection. all the luggage a woman requ ires Mystery, murder, the fate of You’re working on the next Nellie Bly and the need of a protector it’s nations, all stand in Nellie’ s way as novel, which is great news for all us impossible.” With that said, Nellie she desperately tries to race around fans out there. Is there anything you tells him, “ Fine, send a man and I the world in less than eighty days. ■ can tell us about it already? will go to ano ther newspaper and

REVIEW THE ALCHEMY OF MURDER Nellie Bly is a free spirited woman. an investig ative reporter working mix of historical charact ers and Anything a man can do, she can do for Joseph Pulitzer’s New York fictional events. It i s fast paced and as least as good and she won’t stop World . After going undercover in a written with the flair that one would at anything to prove it. This doesn’t mental asylum for a story she expect from an adventure set in this sound too strange, were it not that enco unters a slasher who is period . There is romance, drama she lived in the United States of the responsible for the m urder of a dear and suspense, made all the more turn-of-the-century where the social friend of hers. This is the start of a pleasant a read by the meticulous situation of women wasn’t exactly daring trip across the Atlantic attention for history the author what it is now. where she finds Paris consumed by dem onstrates. She represents these In The Alchemy of Murder , Bly is not just the glamour and excitement historical characters with great skill of the World ’s Fair, but also by a and a fine touch of imagination. deadly Black Fever. It is a dangerous While no steampunk novel, The and dark Paris, consumed by civil Alchemy of Murder has all the unrest and the Bohemian free elements celebrated by the culture spirit ness of Momartre. And it is and for that reason alone, should be exactly here that the narrative added to the literar y wish list of unfolds in to a brilliant detective every genre enthusiast. novel t hat will keep you in its grasp Even the inside imagery is a till the very end of the book. fabulous choice: instead of using a Bly is determined to see justice contemporary illustrator the served and she will do so aided by pictures are by Edouard Cucuel , sever al great men of modern history dated 1900, which really adds to the including Louis Pasteur, Jule s Verne feel of the novel. and Oscar Wilde. Their combined To make a long story short: it is skill links all events together into an absolute must -read that will keep one mad dash to prevent Paris from you in it s grasp from the beginning succumbing to anarchist warfare to the very end then leaves you and an unstoppable epidemic. wanting for more and in total The book is thoroughly expectation of the next adventure of entertaining and innovative in its Nellie Bly! ■

PAGE 5 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

SERIES DIESELPUNK ONLINE An overview of what’s new at the premier dieselpunk websites.

THE FLYING FORTRESS: DIESELPUNKS.ORG: “THE SECOND INDUSTRIAL “INTERVIEW: J.R. PEPPER, REVOLUTION” SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHER ”

A look at the technological leaps that helped give birth “How to photograph the afterlife” in the vein of Mumler to the dieselpunk era at flyingfortre ss.wordpress.com and Buguet at www. dieselpunks.org/profiles/blogs/ /the-second-industrial-revolution/ (21 September ). interview-jr-pepper-spirit (8 October ).

THE GATEHOUSE: DIESELPUNKS.ORG “CINEMA IS CINEMA” “SERIAL KILLERS ”

A new hosted blog by Sjón Refur about 1940s -1960s Reminiscing about the days of serial adventures with film at www.ottens.co.uk/gatehouse/author/Sigurjon broadcasts of Golden Era classic cinema installments at that takes it name from a Akira Kurosawa quote. www.dieselpunks.org/profiles/blog/list?tag=serial .

PAGE 6 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

REVIEW BOILETPLATE Paul Guinan’s of the Victorian era has entered the realm of the graphic novel.

MARVEL KEVIN COONEY

OF MECHANICS PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE MANY history. As a reader I love history. I fashioned by Campion after his modern men and women lack. read four non -fiction books for brother-in-law: an officer in the U.S. Patience, to most, can be tested every fictional tale that land s at my military who is killed during the when queued up at Starbucks or bedside. So I appreciate —no, lust Korean War of 1871. A real war, a waiting for your email to load. Yet after —the levels of historic detail little known war, seamlessly welded the patience of most folks is the lavished upon the universe of to the world of Boilerplate. The next blink of an eye when compared to Boilerplate. When real h istory is formative incident in Boilerplate’s the creative endurance of artists effectively, believably entwined into prehistory is the Great Chicago Fire. Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett. the world of a character like The conflagration , according to the The husband and wife have put Boilerplate, the story has historical, Boilerplate history and some real together the stunning Boilerplate: but entertaining gravitas. From life authorities, might have been History’s Mechanical Marvel (2009). meetings with T eddy Roosevelt and caused by the disintegrating Biela’s The hardcover artbook, all 168 Nicola Tesla as well as jaunts Comet. Real facts, events and yes, pages and 350 color illustrations through World’s Columbian some odd ball theories, form the (along with numerous black and Exhibition and b attles at Belleau realistic background that white photos, sketches and Wood, Boilerplate is there at Boilerplate is projected against. scribbles,) covers the fictional (yet history’s turning points. He is Guinan’s skill as an artist, able lovingly pitched as real) life of shaking hands and rubbing elbows to mimic many different styles of Boilerplate, a robot soldier and with the titans of the steampunk illustration and media, give adventurer, creation of inventor era ; he is a metal Count Saint Boilerplate historic legitimacy. Professor Archibald Campion. Germain, a Baron Munchausen with Whether the robot is in a heavily The pair meticulously gears for guts, a silent witness to all grained photograph, featured on the researched decades of history then the ma jor events from 1893 to 1918. cover of a dime store novel or stitched together real characters Boilerplate is built to spare man subject of a cubist artist, Guinan’s and events to form a from war yet the ability as illustrator allows him to breathlessly earnest adventure of war, once master them all. Every minute speculative history. romanticized by leafing through this book produces a Bennett and Guinan Victorian and Gilded Age historical tid -bit or fact expertly searched thousands of authors, is a world that woven into the story. So well done photos, daguerreotypes he flourishes in. Sure he are some events and characters, you and stereoscope images is there for domestic might not be abl e to discern fact to cull out a few follies and fairs, but from fiction! hundred, then work, Boilerplate excels as a Truly a master work, inventive digitally cajole, alter and truly peripatetic and engaging, Boilerplate: History’s remake those same American by Mechanical Marvel is worth every images to devise a leaving the United States dime and entertaining until the very photographic legacy for for broader adventurous last page. A book, which will keep Boilerplate. climes. you won dering, what is real and As a writer I love The automaton is what is Boilerplate? ■

PAGE 7 PAUL GUINAN ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

Not a man with wings but a champion of the steam railway. THE FLYING J. PARKIN

SCOTSMAN DESIGNED AND BUILT IN 1923 BY World War II, is still running Edinburgh non -stop: a record at the by Sir Nigel Gresley, one of Britain’s today —although they do use time for a commercial train, most prominent steam locomotive modern locomot ives these days completing the trip in around ten engineers, Flying Scotsman was the unfortunately. and a half hours. A train of this kind pride of the fleet of London and the Flying Scotsman, A3 Class, would normally have to stop for a North East Railway company Nu mber 4472, the sole surviving change of crew and to stock up on (LNER) and its successors: they exam ple of this type of locomotive, coal and water, but the de sign of a used it to represent themselves at made its inaugural trip on 14 May new corridor tender —a coal and the British Empire Exhibition at 1928 and in its livery of shining water storage truck pull ed directly Wembley in 1924 and in 1925. apple green, with red, black and behind the engine —which had a Built at the Doncaster Works, white details it steamed th rough the small room for the off duty crew in Doncaster, Yorkshire, at a cost of countryside of Britain and traveled it, allowed the crews to swap over £7,944 it was picked by LNER as its the 392 mil es from London to halfway through. flagship for the London-Edinburgh The train had been designed to service. The locomotive was in fact the largest specifications possible named after this service: the 10 AM and had a large round topped boiler London to Edinburgh Flying Scotsman service which has run since 1862 and other than a slight disruption to timetables caused by

PAGE 8 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 and wide firebox which gave it a filmed on th e moving train. travelling the 442 miles from Parkes long and sleek look only interrupted Bought by British Rail in 1950 it to Broken Hill non -stop: the longest by the funnel. Weighing in at around continued in service on the run by a steam locomotive ever 400 tons, it had a new designs of mainlines of the United Kingdom till recorded. It also then became the combustion chambers and new 1963, during which time it was first l ocomotive to circumnavigate value and cylinders systems, to upgraded in a variety of ways . It the globe when it travelled back to improve speed and efficiency. continued to run until 1968, the the United Kingdom via Cape In 1934, it became the first year steam traction officially ended Horn—quite a record breaking steam locomotive to be officially under British Rail. Alan Pegler, a piece of machinery! recorded at 100 miles per hour and British railway preservationist , After its return Flying Scotsman it starred in the first ever full-length bought the locomotive when it was wasn’ t seen until 1995 when it faced feature film with sound produced in scheduled to be scraped and being dismantled again. Another Britain called The Flying Scotsman . undertook to restore it as closely as buyer came al ong though: Dr Tony Originally shot in 1929 as a silent he could t o its original state. Marchington spent the sum of some film, it told the story of a young In 1969 it became an £750,000 to restore it to a condition fireman on the route who falls in intern ational star when Peglar in which it could run again but costs love with a beautiful woman. She travel ed to the United States with continued to mount and it needed a turns out to be the daughter of the Flying Scotsman where it went on a new home. The National Railway previous fireman who was fired for promotional tour, although it had to Museum stepped up to the plate in drinking on the job so he vows to be fitted with a c acophony of parts 2004 and saved this iconic get revenge on the company. Sound to fit the American rail safety locomotive for history. Now part of was added to the movie in 1930 and standards of the time. Sadly enough, the National Collection, the money the whole film is very atmospheric the backers of the trip withdrew was raised by the public as well as and includes some daring stunts their funding while the train was Lottery Grants and donations from still across the people such as Richard Branson. Atlantic. Peglar The museum has been busy went bankrupt working on the overhaul of Flying and there were Scotsman in a effort to get it serious fears that steaming again by 2010. This the British Flying depen ds entirely on public support Scotsman would however. have to stay in The Steam Our Scotsman America for good. Appeal was launched in January But, in early 1973, 2009, on Burns Night. Aiming to William McAlpine raise the £250,000 needed for the came to the rescue restoration, the appeal so far has and Flying progressed well, having raised Scotsman could be approx imately £118,000 by 9 repatriated and October but there is still a way to go repaired. During to get Flying Scotsman steaming the 1980s it went agai n by next year. The SOS appeal on another inter- offers the chance to sponsor vital national voyage, to components of Flying Scotsman, Australia, to spent from bolts for £25 to tins of paint for a year traveling £50 and the en tire outer firebox for across it, including £100,000. Y ou get a certificate to a transcontinental that effect and can get cuff-links trip from Sydney made from th e Axle box metal or to Perth. In you can go all out and buy a Australia it broke sculpture incorporating metal from another record, the Flying Scotsman Firebox. ■

PAGE 9 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

REVIEW LEVIATHAN Scott Westerfield reimagines the Great War in full steampunk glory.

ADVENTURES TRUBETSKOY

AT ARMAGEDDON THE ERA OF STEAMPUNK ENDS taken a hyperindustrial route to classic girl in midshipman’s clothing with the First World War. While power, with fleets of airships and swept into a mock -Napoleonic authors have played with twilit eras heavily armored walkers prowling sailing/zeppelin story aboard the of brass and steam existing deep in the forests. (The arsenals of both titular HMAS Leviathan , a great the twentieth century before, these sides are beautifully rendered by aerial whale carrying a n ecosystem tend to be aberrant epochs, places the magazine serial -inspired of offensive weaponry. Westerfeld where the life of the Gilded Age has sketches of Keith Thompson which cleaves quite close to the pulp - been unnaturally prolonged. When flit about the b ook.) adventure roots of his story, with the war breaks out, as it does in Ian To guide the reader through his plenty of chases, pitched battles, R. MacLeod’s House of Storms world, Westerfeld (2005), and as it is implied to do in relies on a number Stephen Baxter’s Anti-Ice (1993), it of and symbolizes the end of an age, the plotlines familiar final verdict of a world too frivolous to any reader of to last, yet too innocent to deserve period adventure the coming judgment. fiction and to any However, Scott Westerfeld, a reader of specialist in young-adult science steampunk in fact. fiction who made his mark with the The Clanker side of popular series, has taken a the conflict is different tack. Rather than explore d by positioning the Great War as the end Aleksandar von of steampunk, Leviathan imagines a Hohenberg, allo - war that has been colonized by the historical son to steampunk aesthetic. While conflict the late Archduke, breaks out in August of 1914 upon who is forced to the assassination of the Archduke flee into the Ferdinand, it is not one between Austrian wilder - monarchs, empires, or markets, but ness with a loyal between industrial ideologies. On retinue and a small one side are the “Darwinist” stormwalker after empires of Britain, France, and catching wind of a Russia which, thanks to the German discovery of DNA by Charles Darwin conspiracy against in the 1860s, have created societies his life . The powered by artificially-created life Darwinists, on the forms. Arrayed against them are the other hands, are “Clanker” powers of Central Europe represented by and the Middle East, which have Deryn Sharp, a

PAGE 10 KEITHTHOMPSON ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 races against the clock, secret proper handle on their opponents. directions. castles, budding romance, and Aki n to our world, both sides have As Leviathan is billed as the secret weapons to go around. While plenty of technology but little first part of a trilogy (the second the story is kept at a brisk pace, doctrine, a flaw made all the more book, , is scheduled for some of the characterization and unsettling by the fact that the release in 2010), Westerfeld will no world-building does come off as Darwinists and the Clankers are doubt be coming back t o address flatter than an adult reader would quite capable of fighting a WW2 - some of these issues. As it stands, expect, with the characters occa- esque conflict continent -wide. Leviathan is a solid introductory sionally being overshadowed by the While the philosophies of bot h sides novel. While not a transcendent exotic machinery they interact with. are kept in the dark (though there work, it sets up a neat little world This flatness, however, is are intriguing hints that the Social with the potential for growth, alleviated by hints Westerfeld drops Darwinism of our history has been while p roviding a superb intro - of broader forces in his world. replaced by a vaguely modern duction to steampunk for younger Despite the pulpy exoticism of the conception of ecosystems and webs readers. It is not the G reat Steam- struggles between the Darwinist of cooperation), the analogy to our punk Great War novel, but is it an and Clanker forces, there is a very history does suggest that the course enjoyable romp through a gadget - real sense that both sides are of the war, and the era of festooned landscape, a sort of final fighting blind, with little totalitarianism beyond it, could breath of mechanical irreverence understanding of how to get a develop in potentially horrifying before the coming winter. ■

SERIES QUATERMASS Guy Dampier discusses the in stallments featuring this icon of British science fiction .

GUY DAMPIER

was made. Beginning as science fiction, descending into horror and finally emer ging, triumphant, bloody and fully -formed into the apocalypse this is not a series that shrinks from confronting issues. With a plot sufficiently large to awe and a tight six -part script this is one of the, if not the best, in the Quatermass series. Scenes stay with you. A workman face etched with horror running through the streets of DESCRIBED ONCE BY THE BCC AS growing horror that whatever it is London. A hand lying on a bed of the finest thing they’d ever done it is they’ve just discovered is still alive! gravel that moves and flows like easy to see why. A construction Like all the Quatermass waves in the ocean. A military man, crew working in London uncover programs this one features a mix of eyes w ide, just staring. This is something in the ground. Something social and political commentary, in horror at its best. No gore, no that even diamond can’t cut. this case based on race riots and frights, just a gaze into the most Professor Quatermass is drawn in similar bigotries which had just horrible sight possible: the evil by a friend only to realize with blighted Notting Hill at the time it within humanity. ■

PAGE 11 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

COLUMN THE STEAMPUNK WARDROBE Hilde Heyvaert takes the reader on a tour of steampunk and dieselpunk fashion every issue.

DIESELPUNK HILDE HEYVAERT

SEASON

IT IS A MISUNDERSTANDING THAT great inspiration. The Second dieselpunk fashion should be any World War, the start of the less varied that its steampunk Cold War and period film are counterpart. While steampunk can just as important. boast a wider time period, Uniforms are inspired by dieselpunk covers an era that is both the war and movies like marked by its changes in fashions: Sky Captain and the World of from the Roaring Twenties to the Tomorrow (2004) and The early years of the Cold War, with Rocketeer (1991). More than events of great significance in one militaristically inclined between. It is those garments of dieselpunk enthusiast has days past that make up the diversity taken a good look at not just in the dieselpunk fashion styles. the real thing but also at the There is the gangsters in his uniforms of Captain Joe zoot suit with Tommy Guns and Sullivan’ s Flying Legion. The Charleston Jazz girls and aristocratic elegant and strong outf its ladies with haircuts and dresses to worn by Polly Perkins serve match, elegant and stylish at the as excellent examples for the same time. There is the more female dieselpunk. common dress of slacks, shirts, Other dieselpunks choose suspenders and baker boy caps or the more desperate, apoca- hats of the man in the street also, for lyptic look from movies like the those who like to remain a bit closer those that don’t feel like dressing latest Terminator Salvation (2009) to home can draw from the fashions the more upper class style of that or classics as the Mad Max saga. of ‘40s and ‘50s and even the more particular time period. Going for a more worn -down or classic styles of the 1960s (think But the era was not marked by even ragged, wasted and less about the wonderful outfits from the music, gangsters and Prohibition hopeful outlook on the world. TV series Mad Men ) which might be alone, although these do provide The more adventure prone more appealing. might choose an That dieselpunk is a style that is outfit akin to that very much alive is seen in the of good old collection of many gre at fashion Indiana Jones houses every season. Winter season whose wardrobe is no exception. Several designers has been an sent their models up the runway inspiration for wearing outfits clearly inspired by many who wish th e eras encompassing this style. that they could go Dolce & Gabbana even came up with relic hunting several looks clearl y inspired by themselves. And Elsa Shiaparella! ■

PAGE 12 LUCASFILM LTD. ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

REVIEW THE INVISIBLE FRONTIER An installment in the famed Les Cités Obscures series that exemplifies European dieselpunk.

ROMANTIC TRUBETSKOY

ILLUSIONS WHILE DIESELPUNK IS COMMONLY reality as seriously as our own, with Sodrovno-Voldach ia. The center associated with a pulpy, noir -and- cryptozoology a thriving practice itself has fallen on hard times; its Jazz America, there remains a and with the flow o f time shifting great dome sits in the middle of a fascination in the subgenre for the according to some unknowable will. wasteland of crumbling concrete crepuscular world of interwar While all this holds true for The and mountains of paper, while the Europe. It was a time of artistic Invisible Frontier , the messy, cartographers inside struggle with ferment and architectural genius, of unsatisfactory world we know outdated facilities and a shortage of electricity and of the machine echoes throughout the narrative. personnel. Despite his chroni c entwining themselves into the fabric The first part of the story inexperience, De Cremer soon of urban life, of cultural clashes and begins innocuously enough, acclimatizes himself to the center, sexual politics, of ambitious treading in territory familiar to learning how to appreciate the administrators uttering proclama- readers of Schuiten and Peeters’ subtle nature of mapmaking, of tions and of humbled citizens trying earlier works. The action centers representing the fractal nature of to find a place in the brave new around Roland de Cremer, the physical space and human within world. It is this brief epoch, and the inauspicious young scion of a noble the limits of a two dimensional imaginative potential it nurtured, family, and his assignment to a drawing. However, Roland is not the that finds a new home in the minor position in the great sum of his responsibilities; he ethereal world of Les Cités Obscures . Cartography Center in the state of spends his nights with a mysterious Les Cités Obscures , marketed in English as Cities of the Fantastic , is a series of graphic created by the Belgian team of François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters. Set on an unseen “Counter-Earth” connected to our own through certain landmarks, Les Cités Obscures imagines a great continent made up of countless city-states, each with a story that rhymes with the struggles of the last century. In terms of technology, architecture, and philosophy, the world of the Cités could be thought of as 1930s by way of Jules Verne, with great glider-like airships filling the skies, rounded beetle-like tanks prowling the dirt, and government ministries situated within great brick domes. It is a world that does not take

PAGE 13 SCHUITEN & PEETERS, 2002 CASTERMAN ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 call girl Shkodra, bearer of space inside the center is a curious birthmark she taken up by a enormous forever hides from the scale model of Sodrovno - world, and by day he Voldachia, forever maintains a awkward trodden by giants professional relationship sticking miniature trees with Ismail Djunov, a down or arguing about sharply dressed young the placement of walls.) man overseeing the Ultimately, despite introduction of automated the fantastic qualities, map-drawing plotters into The Invisible Frontier is a the center; a blood brother story about our own of the well-spoken world and our reactions modernizers that populate to it. The story is steeped the realm of the Cités . in symbolism to Europe’s This comfortable eternal problems with situation is thrown into borders and t he disarray, however, with nationalities they contain. the appearance of Marshal Aside from Roland, most Radsic, leader of of the cast has names of a Sodrovno-Voldachia. At Turkish and South Slavic the close of the first book, background : a reference

he makes the surprising to the upheaval suffered declaration that the Cartography writer Benoît Peeters, then, that this by the Balkans throughout the Center will become one of the reso lution is avoided. Indeed, twentieth century . As the central sites for the birth of “Greater Roland’s quest is subjected to a Cartography Center expands, Sodrovny,” charged with brutal deconstruction that Roland finds himself in continual recompiling the maps to show the ultimately raises hard questions disagreements with his sub - new additions to the realm as well about the relationship between the ordinates who simply slap the as becoming a new cultural center heroic quest and simp le self- border on the cities in the world - for the masses. As the second book deception. room under dubious instructions opens, the center has become a hive This self-deception is deftly from Djunov’s machines. As Roland of activity, with Roland accreting allegorized in the art of François and Shkodra travel to the outer promotions weekly and Djunov’s Schuiten. As can be seen in his reaches of Greater Sodrovny, the machines supplanting the earlier work in the Cités Obscures , he landscap e shows the scars of traditional forms of map-making. As maintains a draftsman’s level of nationalist strife , with ruined cities the tension rises, Shkodra becomes precision, depicting meticulously bisected by half -finished walls and a bone of contention between the rendered buildings whose very fields paved with spent shell two men, with Roland believing her deta il allow us to forget the casings. The world bears the scars birthmark to hold some great secret unreality of the whole. In fact, much of its makers, though how long they about the historical border of of the artwork in The Invisible will remain in t he unknowable Cités Sodrovno-Voldachia that would Frontier verges into surrealism, with Obscures is impossible to say. unmake the Marshal’s plans. As realistic characters wandering Still, in the end, it is the Djunov circles closer to the pair, around wholly otherworldly mingling of reality and dreamlike they abandon the center and flee to machinery, or suddenly switching that makes Schiuten and the ever-receding border. from being dominated by great Peeters’ series so remarkable. It is At this point, the reader may be arches and vaulted ceilings to this combina tion of modern issues forgiven for assuming that the story striding the countryside as a and startling technology, of present concludes in the type of heroic colossus as in a dream. (In a setup and imagined past, that makes The liberation common to fiction of this familiar to readers of Schiuten and Invisible Frontier a timeless work of plot structure. It is to the credit of Peeters’ earlier work Brüsel , a great European dieselpunk. ■

PAGE 14 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

COLUMN THE LIQUOR CABINET Every issue, Mr Daniel int roduces the reader to anothe r fascinating part of the world of alcohol.

CRAIG B. DANIEL THE MARTINI IT IS 1934 AND YOU ARE IN AN standard recipe when ordering to American bar—the kind that’s been perfectly tailor the drink to your in operation since at least last own prefer ences. These include November. You sit down in a specifying that you like your martini shadowy corner, set your violin case dryer than normal, “dirty” (w ith a down at your feet, and order a drink little olive brine added) or “perfect” while you wait for your contact to (not a value judgment but a request show up. The drink you sip while that equal parts sweet and dry you wait is, naturally, a martini—the vermouth be used) . cocktail that was synonymous with The other sort of variation is serious drinking from before the the d rinks which originated as first war until well after the second. alternate martinis but are now The modern martini is the gin cocktails in their own right. The drink par excellence —properly Bronx, popular in the 1930s, is a mixed, it’s nothing but gin with just fairly wet perfect martini with a enough other ingredients to generous dash of orange juice added heighten the herbal flavor. But it (and, of course, no olive). For Jerry wasn’t always this way—the oldest Thomas, the Manhattan C ocktail recipe I’ve been able to find is Jerry was just a Martinez made with Thomas's 1887 recipe for the whiskey in stead of the gin, but today “Martinez Cocktail,” which calls for a it is understood as being made with wine glass full of vermouth and only sweet vermouth rather than dry, an ounce of gin, and ends with the and a little bit more of it than the instruction, “If the guest prefers it martini, with 5:2 a commonly -used less) quinine powder or, in very sweet, add two dashes of gum proportion; Manhattans also still desperation, 2 dashes of bitters.” It syrup.” The recipe also calls for contain a dash of bitters and are is to be stirred or shaken with ice, bitters and Maraschino (a cherry most usually served on the r ocks strained into a glass, and garnished liqueur). Today, by contrast, the with a cherry for garnish. with a lemon peel. standard proportions are about four Another notable example is the Bond is also, of course, famous parts gin to one of dry vermouth, Vesper, James Bond’ s tipple of for his “vodka martini, shaken, not with no other ingredients save the choice in Casino Royale (both the stirred”—a drink widely ridiculed olives that have replaced the lemon book and the recent film); while the by martini fans. While vodka should Thomas used to garnish his drink. required ingredients are difficult to not be entirely flavorless, its flavor There are a lot of variations on come by (Kina Lillet, which is subtle and easily overwhelmed by the martini—and a lot of unrelated contained quinine, is not made the vermouth; gin, on the other drinks with the word “martini” in an ymore while the specified hand, has a strongly herbal flavor their name. On the latter I will waste Gordon’ s gin is not as strong today that pairs well with its martini co - no more space, except to note that as when the drink was written), star. Shaking versus stirring is a referring to them as martinis is a Esquire magazine has proposed the personal preference; the former will faux pas among serious cocktail following recipe as duplicating the chill the drink more, which has a drinkers. As for the variations, these original flavor: “3 oz Tanque ray gin, significant ef fect on the flavor, and is are of two sorts. One is a set of ways 1 oz 100 -proof Stolichnaya vodka, less popular among martini of specifying slight changes to the 1/2 oz Lillet Blanc, 1/8 teaspoon (or enthusiasts. ■

PAGE 15 TY SISCOE ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

PERSPECTIVE THE POWER OF INDUSTRY The industrialization of Britain, Germany and France compared.

START UP THE NICK OTTENS MARCIUS

RAUCHFUß

BIG MACHINES GREAT BRITAIN WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE DURING THE LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY THERE history of man that industrialized and as a were only two powers in Europe which had any chance consequence, it found itself on top of the world for well of economically c ompeting with the British Empire: over a century. British manufact ures spread ac ross the France, the leading economic power of the previous globe throughout the nineteenth century and close two centuries, and the l ose confederation of German behind, the advent of empire followed suit. Not before states dominated by Prussia. long, this small island on the outskirt of Europe Both nations had significantly different economic dominated not just the seas that represented its backgrounds which would lead to equally significant commercial gateway to the rest of the world ; not just a differences in the course o f their industrialization. formidable collection of outposts and colonies on every France had been a unified nation -state since the continent; rather entire regions and cultures found Renaissance while Germany was still a conglomerate of itself ruled by the British Crown and carefully watched federated states with different levels of dependency over by its scores of representatives that came in the amongst each other and two powers dominating at the shape of administrators, beginning of the century: Austria in the south traders and officers. and Prussia in the north. The prosperity The Industrial enjoyed by France during the last century Revolution that propelled coupled with the weariness following the Britain into the modern age before defeat of Napoleon lead to a certain caution any other power could has long been toward the adopting of new technology. a subject of study. “Why Britain?” is a A perfect example of this reluctance question difficult to answer. Nineteenth occurred in 1813 when William century historian Max Weber (1864-1920) Cockerill smuggled a modern cited the “protestant ethic” as being of major steam engine into Belgium. influence while Joel Mokyr (1974) considers In spite of this opportunity the the idea of capitalism itself, best expressed by French government as well as Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations (1776) , private entrepreneurs failed to as pivotal to the industrialization of Britain adopt steam technology early and 1917) and the western world . Others scholars like on a large scale. France also had a Immanuel Wallerstein (1930) and Douglass network of channels that had been North (1920) stress the exceptional institu - able to accommodate it during the tional circumstances in Britain, its relatively previous century but now proved to mobile social ladder and parl iamentary rule, be insufficient to supply an industria - as having contributed greatly to the develop - lizing econ omy. Instead it stalled the ment of industry. Whatever one chooses to call construction of railroads for a long time. it (religious, ideological, institutional), Britain France eventually saw a huge increase in had an advantage over pretty much everyone overall economic capacity in the else and with profound consequences. Between decades leading up to the Franco- the end of the long eighteenth century and 1901, Prussian War but it continued to lag that era we call the Victorian, British economic and behind Britain and increasingly, military power grew immensely. Although the behind neighboring Germany.

PAGE 16 PUNCH, ORLONDON THE CHARIVARI, VOL. 152 (3 JANUARY ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

North American colonies had fought The German situation at the same themselves free, they remained among time offers a markedly different picture . Britain’s foremost trading partners, as Although the German-speaking lands did the newly-independent states of struggled with the early effects of the South America. In Asia, Britain Industrial Revolution (pove rty among maintained a whole separate empire in traditional craftsmen; the plight of the India while settlements in Singapore and Hong -Kong starving Silesian spinners in 1844 ), a drastic increase in provided entry to the fabulous wealth of China. industrial capacity occurred from the mid 1840s There were signs of trouble though by the turn -of- onward . With the proverbial, stereotypical and rather the-century already. Germany and the United States clichéd Teutonic Efficiency new technologies were were quick ly catching up while France and Russia imported from Britain and oftentimes copied , refined posed serious imperial adversaries. Until the early and put into action. Especially the railway system grew 1900s, Britain found itself in really-not -so-splendid with a rapid pace , further aiding trade and also isolation while its industrial advantage was in decline. boosting the steel and mining industries. The twentieth century would not belong to British Industrialization was most prominent in Prussia , cott on and commerce: it belonged to electricity and where most of the railroads were built. This in part chemicals; two areas in which the Germans excelled. allowed the kingdom to defeat Austria in 1866 and lead From 1901 onward, the year in which the Queen died, the rest of Germany toward unification after the war Britain had to accept that it could with France of 1870-‘71. Thereafter, the development no longer rule the world all of both countries diverged even further. Germany, by itself : an unfortunate united and with the resource -rich provinces of Alsace awareness for history’s and Lorraine in its possession, enjoyed a growth not greatest empire. ■ seen before and was able to outdo the British in indus- trial capacity by 1913. France’s industry continued to grow, al though at a slower pace. Its colonies provided a certain stimulation but never had the sort of impact that the Empire had on Britain. Germany did especially well during the so-called Second Industrial Revolution and its astonishing growth and military successes contributed to a sense of invincibility. Its new found national identity, economic power and military strength all combined to foster an arrogance that, coupled wi th French revanchism, would prove to be fertile ground for another war. On a lighter note, in those days of mass industrialization in Continental Europe, in what is often called the Belle Époque , two staple characters of the less serious side of steampunk first emerge d as bad stereotypes depicting the spir it of their

respective nations: The Frenchman, more interested in enjoying the goo d things in life and lacking a certain discipline and the Pickelhaube-wearing German on the other hand , doing everything with a militaristic efficiency. Looking back on the course of industrialization in both nations, one can sort of see those stereotypes at work. ■

PAGE 17 KARIKATUR-ALBUM, (1906) C.E. JENSEN ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

REVIEW CASSHERN Piecraftian dieselpunk in a visually masterful remake of 1970s anime.

MUTATION OF SIGURJÓN NJÁLSSON

ANIME & DIESEL THE LIVE ACTION FILM CASSHERN reminiscent of other ‘artistic’ action- the optimistic ‘Ottensian’ realm, (directed by Kazuaki Kiriya, 2004) is based films as Zack Snyder’s 300 while Casshern nestles itself nicely based on the 1973 anime of the (2007) and Kerry Conran’s Sky into the world of the dystopian same name. This fact is a sore spot Captain and the World of Tomorrow ‘Piecraftian’ dieselpunk. for fans of the original, who (2004). These films are visually Of course, Casshern branches generally seem to be unanimous in stunning, and quite a pleasure to out from dieselpunk with its more their dislike of the filmic remake. On watch, although some may argue genetic experimentation, the other hand, fans of the movie that the visuals are overdone and particularly the creation of ‘Neo - may not enjoy the anime upon overbearing, and in this way it Humans’ through the use of ‘ Neo- viewing. I have to admit that I’ve amounts to personal taste. Cells.’ The general visual aesthetic is only seen a few fragments of that I mentioned Sky Captain and the chiefly diesel in nature however, original 1970s animation, but I think World of Tomorrow , which seems to drawing from film noir in its I’ve seen enough to say that I work oddly well as a companion to shadowy atmosphere and focusing actually enjoy both, for their own Casshern . Both came out in the same on an in which Asia reasons. year and feature a dieselpunk -based defeated Europa in a great world Needless to say, the ‘70s anime setting, though they differ greatly in war and subsequently became is generally bright and campy. The plot and represent different sides of involved in a battle with terrorists film is, however, dark and the genre . Sky Captain is certainly of from the ambiguous geographic extravagant (perhaps to excess). This already forces a wedge between the two, which is driven deeper by some drastic changes to the plot. Admittedly, I can see why fans of the old series don’t like the remake, but I think if taken on its own terms, it can still be quite the enjoyable experience. Visually, the film Casshern is quite the spectacle. The computer graphics already look a bit dated, but unlike many special effects driven movies, the focus is not on creating a sense of “realism,” but rather to create an extremely stylized look. The film is full of highly manipulated color and contrast, resulting in a veritable feast for the eyes. The kind of stylization I’m talking about is quite

PAGE 18 SHOCHIKU STUDIOS ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 region “Zone 7”. These terrorists just a joy to see suc h painterly use of those old classics. I think of it more steal Europa’s now abandoned color and form on the big screen. of a graphical overhaul and robot armies to wreak havoc on That said, while quite different mode rnization of the spirit of the their enemies, that the Neo- from the campiness found in the source material rather than a literal Human Casshern must defeat in ‘70s original, there is a certain translation of it to the silver screen. kung fu-esque fight sequences. element of kitsch to the whole thing. They sense of fun and extravagance Personally, I enjoy the film. It’s I think it’s important to realize that remains in tact, even if the poor incredibly entertaining, although I the creators of this film k new the animation quality and strong retro think I would enjoy it just as much campy status of the source mate rial, vibes are removed and replaced without subtitles as I do with. and while there are more ‘serious with over-th e-top production and a Really, the plot and dialogue is moments’ in the film, even these contemporary feel. chiefly inconsequential for me. The seem to be handled with a bit of For fans of the ‘ punks, I think entire point seems to be the lavish irreverent humor. Though very this fil m could easily be considered visuals, which overwhelm and different in m ood, this film’s a ‘must watch,’ although some may dazzle in their extravagance. The handling of it s original source not like the overproduced visuals. style reminds me a lot of Dave reminds me of anot her 2004 live Fans of the original series beware, McKean’s artwork, well known for action reboot of a classic ‘70s anime, though. It’s going to be different, but his collaborations with , Hideaki Anno’s Cutie Honey . The I think it still works in its own weird their cinematic work being overproduction of the dramatic way, and captures an essential part Mirrormask (2005), which likewise action scenes and visuals harkens of those old classics: spectacle and dazzles with its beautiful visuals. It’s back to the melodramatic nature of ridiculous me lodrama. ■

Thoughts on the steampunk convivial, 11-13 September 2009, Lincoln, England .

THE ASYLUM TOBY FROST

THE ASYLUM CONVIVIAL TOOK anywhere near it, but if I had to hat with accompanying brass place over the weekend of the 11th choose between a motorway and a eyewear. Pimms, be er and some to the 13th of September and was city centre with its own castle and splendid work on the steel drums by held at Charlotte House in the old cathedral, the old buildings win Lady Raygun helped the evening go part of Lincoln. Major Thaddeus every time. well. We had live music from Tinker and Lady Elsie were our Festivities began on Friday Sunday Driver and comedy from genteel hosts for what was, as far as night with a meet -up at the Victoria, Andrew O’Neill, whose splendid I know, the first specifically a pub by the impressive entrance to reassessment of the industrial age steampunk weekend in the United Lincoln Castle and opposite the set the tone for the weekend’s Kingdom—and, I’m pleased to say, main venue. I didn’t really know Victorian frivolit y. Shame about the what seems destined to be a long what to expect: would I seem burgers though —still, can you have way from being the last. overdressed in my waistcoat and a proper convention without some I went along both as an cravat? Well, no. Definitely not. sort of dubious food? enthusiast and as a contributor, in Very soon I was saying hello to One of the most appealing order to give a reading and signing Mr Peter Harrow and the guest of things about steampunk is the range of my Space Captain Smith books. honor, author Robert Rankin, and of ways people express their The city of Lincoln made an realizing that to socialize properly a enthusiasm for the genre. You’ve got excellent setting for the convivial. man abou t town really does need a artists, writers, p rop and costume Alright, there are no motorways hat —preferably a time-travelling makers, experts in Victorian lifestyle

PAGE 19 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 and pastimes, and people with many was very hard to pick a winner. I the twenty-first century. other interests ranging from the was impressed not just by the Favorite moments? It’s difficult jovial to the really quite scholarly. quality of the out fits but by the to pick out individual things, but for It’s not just dressing up. ingenuity of the characters and me one of the best aspects of the The organizers did a good job of stories behind them. It’s good to see convivial was the chance to meet showing just what steampunk can that people are going suitably other steampunks: to put names to involve in the events throughout equipped in their travels across the faces and discuss the various Saturday daytime. Steampunks Empire: steampunk really does aspects of the genre. I was could see all kinds of clothes, reward creativity . pleased—but not surprised—to find devices and accessories for sale at Saturday night was the Empire that everyone was thoroughly the Bazaar Eclectica, as well as Ball, a chance to dress impressively amenable. N ot an uncouth word was demonstrations of an extraordinary and sample a few pints to musical spoken—for as Major Tinker so array of pastimes for the discerning accompaniment. Our hosts set the rightly put it at the Empire Ball, retro-futurist, including Victorian tone for the evening by formally steampunk is welcoming, friendly formal dancing, snuff-taking, belly greeting every attendee, and there and growing ever more popular. dancing, ray-gun Asylum was construction and even always going to be a demonstration of an ambitious Bartitsu, a martial art venture, and the fact favored by Sherlock that it ran so well is Holmes. tribute to the sheer I attended a talk effort put in by by Robert Rankin, Major Tinker, Lady which was less a Elsie and all their question and answer staff. They did a session than an hour terrific job, and it of stand-up comedy, as was their hard work Robert demonstrated that made things go his skill at just right. Any ventriloquism and the negatives? None electric ukulele, worth mentioning. interspersed with a It’s not my intention range of very funny to say what should anecdotes. Sadly, I had or shouldn’t be at to miss the Bartitsu the next convivial demonstration, as it (although anything clashed with me doing a reading were some truly splendid outfits involving time machines or zeppelin from my books. It was great to talk on display. We had a wide range of racing would be nice) but suffice it to steampunks about writing in the bands and entertainment, but for to say that even if Asylum had been genre—although reading to an me the stand -out point was an established event I would have audience within throwing distance Ghostfire’s Waltz. It was a really said that it all went remarkably is actually quite nerve-racking! Of memorable moment, and smoothly. Given that this was the course, steampunks are a well- encapsulated the whole day: a great first time , the events ran behaved lot, and I survived intact variety of like -minded people exceptionally well: nothing I saw and even was called upon to sign having a really good time. seemed jarring or out of place. I someone’s teacup! Sadly, my adventure had to end gather that next year’s event will be To my surprise, I found myself on Sunday, as the real world even more ambitious, i nvolving helping to judge the costume beckoned once more. I travelled perhaps even the castle itself! Quite contest, flamboyantly compared by back to the asylum one last time to how the Asylum will develop Mr Rankin. There were over a dozen thank our hosts and say goodbye, between now and then I can’t say, entries, all of them excellent, and it and headed off to the grayness of but I will be there to find out! ■ dddddd PAGE 20

KJL ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09

SHORT STORY

S TORMBRINGER By ANDREW SINGLETON

All entries pertaining to Eugene Smith’s account of the this continent and view us, rightly so in my opinion, as Wandering Pilgrim take place within 1884 and are to be invaders. Having said this and feeling as I do I still must cross-referenced with reports made by Captain Edward continue in my current efforts, for this work has proven Fawkes concerning the death of his third crew (Report to be the only thing I find myself both capable of as a #43 according to the old indexing system, and #1884—4 means to earn a living, and enjoy doing. under the new catalog. If other relevant documents are found at a later date they are to be filed, or re-filed under May 7th the new system). The journal entries listed below have It’s been three days since I’ve written last and do so been copied and archived with permission from Robert now to record that we’ve sighted a heard of Buffalo. I Smith, eldest surviving descendent (legal documentation wish I were capable of drawing, or that Thomas could on the matter should be filed with these entries). be convinced to reproduce the scene. As soon as the The following entries are taken from the journal of horses have been readied Yuri, bell, and myself shall Eugene Smith (1857 - 1914). follow the herd close while the rest of our party follows at a far slower pace due to the need to carry the mules, May 4th supplies, extra provisions, and the general necessities It has been a month since we’ve originally set out from should we be fortunate enough to fall any of the Independence. Much of that time has been spent either massive creatures. in the saddle, or belly down on the ground observing. I’m simply thankful that my initial fears of Evening disagreements and or violence sparked by Bell’s African Yuri and I discuss what had brought us out here while ancestry and Yuri’s supposed allegiance to the Bell was tending the horses. Yuri, it seems, had grown Confederacy have so far been unfounded. Regardless, it disillusioned with those that continued to try reviving seemed advantageous to get an agreement amongst our the Confederacy. When pressed he cited that those that entire party to agree to leave politics, religion, and other claimed to pine for the way things were had equally sensitive topics unspoken for the duration. Are degenerated from the ideals of proper conduct and, we not, after all, here for a common cause? while blaming their sorry lot on everything but Beyond the mundane and routine problems that themselves, took their anger and frustrations out on the arise from any trip of this length, broken equipment, colored population. He admitted to possessing slaves occasional grumbling, and other minor issues; our luck and showed no remorse for having done so, for that was has been favorable and kind. The plains have met us how things were at the time. While he admits that he with their gentle and expansive beauty. Our base camp was wrong in doing so, he had done what he could to is in good order and well provisioned. Hunting has been give those that worked under him the best care he had tolerable, though consisting exclusively of small game available to him. till this point. We will take what we can get, but given At some point during Yuri’s explanation Bell had the price of Buffalo hides back east I would prefer these returned. Not wanting him to feel left out I had asked great lumbering beasts to our current fare. for his take on the matter. His reply struck me both as There have, as yet, been no sign of Indian activity in genuinely unexpected, and yet at the same time it feels these parts; for which I am truly grateful. We are in profoundly fitting so I leave his exact words here for the their territory and hunt the same animals they make sake of posterity. their livelihood off of. Though I fully understand and “The buying and selling of human families is sympathize with their desire to be left alone and to keep immoral and sinful, but it would be equally immoral outsiders at bay, for they have made a living off of this and sinful for me to do anything but ask that they seek land for longer than any of our families have existed on forgiveness for what they have done and do my best to

PAGE 21 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 not seek retribution for events no man can change.” fierce storm that’s blown from all around us. Our horses These views summed up my two companions are frightened and, despite Bell’s best efforts and years nicely. The conflict I had feared might come about as a horse handler neither Yuri nor myself wish to seems to have no chance at materializing and, so far as I approach. The tether that keeps them from running can tell, the two men seem to get along quite well with should hold despite their efforts. I hope it does, since I each other. This relieves me, since hearing improbable don’t look forward to having to walk back to camp and I and tawdry tales around the fire at night, and good- fear what the others, seeing our horses running fearful natured banter during the day is most preferable to the and riderless, would believe. alternative. More time has passed, the horses finally calmed and beginning to settle despite the wind, and we’ve May 8th caught sight of what the Goliath construct is here for. We sit hunkered in the darkness dumbfounded and in When I first saw it I thought my eyes were playing awe of the apparitions clashing amid the storm. I know tricks on me, it has always been my experience that not if we share some sickness or madness, but each birds do not fly in this weather, yet all of us agree it was agrees that we are seeing the same things. So I continue out there. As I watched it dive and claw at the iron to record these events despite never being able to share beast, which produced little if any reaction, I tried to this experience with the wider world for fear of being take note of its features in hopes of asking any friendly declared mad and locked away from society. natives we might come across at a later time. What we first took for a giant statue, or monument It had to be large, as big if not bigger than a draft left for reasons unknown, has been boarded by no less horse, and covered in strange feathers. Look at it once than a dozen men, possibly more for I was alerted to when the lightning flashes and they might be so dark as this activity midway through their efforts. After these to be black. Look again and they might be the color of men entered the misshapen figure through an opening dried blood. This, however, could simply be a trick of in its hind section it rose from its crouching position, the eye, but I include it here for the sake of extending and flexing misshapen elongated arms, completeness. the plumage around its head and neck smoke billowing from its mouth, and loped across the appears to be either a very pale yellow, or possibly plains on all four of its limbs. It appears man-shaped, white, and similar colored feathering along its chest and though its legs appear far shorter and uniformly thick, one or two white feathers within its tail. Its beak, and its arms reach down, in my estimates, to below its shaped like a predatory bird’s is a dull yellow and, again knees were this impossible construct to stand to its full this could simply be tricks of the mind or the eye, height. This feat, in my opinion, is an impossibility seemingly filled with sharp backward slanting teeth. because of the large cannons, which Yuri insists are Despite its wicked claws and doubtlessly sharp naval guns though I fail to see the distinction between beak, this creature scarcely made a mark on the iron the two terms, mounted one over each shoulder blade creature. However ineffective its attacks might have and seemingly able to use the shoulder joints been it had to fend off attacks against swats from its themselves to pivot and aim. opponent’s arms, blows that if they had connected I’m Yuri and I both agree that if these cannon are sure would have snapped the great bird like so much functional rather than decorative the behemoth’s kindling. Now it tries going for the ‘head’, digging its purpose as a war machine is plain as day. Where we claws into the great beast’s neck to gain purchase while disagree is on who would be capable of its construction, it flapped its wings furiously into the hellish maw of its or even gathering the money needed to buy the opponent. This prompted what sounded like the materials for its construction. He believes that it is a billowing of a heard of enraged bulls before a giant weapon the Union army had created, much as it had hand slapped against the bird’s chest in an attempt to created the Monitor, but I disagree. While the Ironclads pry it loose. are an impressive and terrifying sight, they pale in both Bell has the spyglass now, leaving me unable to tell difficulty of construction and ability to induce fear as what exactly is going on. In a way this is a blessing, as it this is capable of. forces me to focus on the sounds the great and terrible Perhaps an hour has passed since the Giant had combatants make. Though their noises are surely started moving, and though it advances towards us I muffled and obscured by the thunderstorm overhead; gain no sense that it even notices our presence here. Its the clatter and screaming of iron, animal, and nature movements remain a mystery as we seek shelter from a must sound like the coming of demons from Hell by

PAGE 22 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 anyone and everyone that isn’t either deaf as a post, or unsure if I’ve made myself clear. Why does it matter if dead. Yuri and I exchanged glances. For the time being I’m the only one that will read these words? I don’t we were well removed from the fighting, but that could know, I just want, just...just...need to make myself think well change at a moment’s notice. straight. Yuri’s handed the glass off to me and I’m No. That’s not thunder. It sounds different, and I scarcely sure what to write. feel it is a more ominous noise that seems to come from The iron beast is on its hind limbs, one of the great the vicinity of where the twin colossi battle. Yuri, after cannons on the ground slightly behind it. The other taking the spyglass from Bell, has informed the rest of cannon appears to be held by its muzzle in the giant’s us that the Goliath has begun firing on the bird. His enormous hands; apparently it cannot fire the thing, so voice sounds contemptuous as he explains the futility of seems to use the weapon as a makeshift club. It emitted trying to hit something that agile and relatively small in another earth shattering banshee wail as it charged its these conditions even with cannon shot, which he foe, weapon swishing through the air wildly. Its entire informs me the beast is likely not firing. posture and how it moves has changed, as if I were Lightning. The bird, I’m sure it is responsible for watching a wholly different creature. Where its this storm as well, has somehow called lightning down movements were slow and methodical prior were now on its foe. One strike would have been enough to rend smooth, graceful in the same way a seasoned pugilist’s most homes sundered and ablaze. Yet here this iron movements can be graceful and brutal all in the same monstrosity was being subjected to repeated strikes, instance. one right after the other such that the thunder I’ve no thought or notion on how this is possible, produced has left our ears ringing and, hopefully for anyone even remotely near to the creature when it temporarily, deaf to any other noise. The giant does not was struck should have died from the experience. move, as surely the men inside that animate it have Maybe the men served to restrain the beast in some been rendered into charred and burnt masses by this fashion, to yoke its rage for their wishes. If this is true, point. Poor bastards. They might have been in the now that they are dead, it has nothing restraining its wrong here, maybe, maybe not. This is no way to die actions. I’ve never heard of such a thing, I’ve never seen though, stuffed in with over a dozen other men in the anything remotely like this, and I have no clue hot confines of a strange beast, sweating and swearing, whatsoever if my reasoning is correct, but somehow it as they surely must be within its confines. fits. Perhaps it only appears to fit when it is, in whole or Minutes pass. The bird circles its inert opponent part, wrong. and even at one point perches on it to peer down the It is the only idea I have at this moment, and like gullet of its mouth. the storm begins to clear, possibly everything else that has happened within the past having served its purpose. The ringing in our ears evening it fills me with a sense of dread and loathing subsides and we give thanks that our injuries were only like I’ve scarcely felt before. I hope this thought is temporary. After tending to the horses, making sure wrong and that the men I saw climb into the iron beast they were still unharmed and being thankful that they still control its movements. However what kind of men were, and begun to make ready to leave this place lest would wish to go about in such a creation? I hope they the great bird decided we were somehow connected to are men and that they wield the beast’s power for the iron Goliath. That is, at the very least, what we had the greater good rather than personal greed or glory. intended to do, but that idea was soon abandoned when There is a great shrieking from all about, but was we heard a great bellowing. The closest I can describe centered on the two combatants. At first I thought it the noise is as a low long train whistle. However this came from the iron gholem, but then I realized it was comparison does not do justice to the scale and hair coming from somewhere above the fighting. It is then raising qualities of this noise. Our horses streaked and that I heard Bell’s screams insisting that we had to reared, my hair stood on end, and there was a general leave. I barely heard him though, as my mind was sense of dread. running through every prayer for shelter and salvation I Yuri demanded the spyglass, which was given to could recall. him with shaky hands. I apologize; I’ve been trying to The shrieking grew in volume and lowered in pitch recount these events now that we’ve settled down to, as the funnel cloud formed and descended. It was bigger hopefully, obscurity. Unfortunately I’m not sure how to than any I’d seen before; it was easily as thick as five proceed. Between the lightning, thunder, what I believe men from my perspective, and surely the actual is more canon fire, and my already frayed nerves I’m thickness was enough to lift a home in its entirety. The

PAGE 23 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 horses screamed, broke the ropes and managed to the intensity of the storm, has been packed away. We render much of our camp site into ruins before we didn’t see the giant beast’s departure, but neither it nor could get them under control. I couldn’t blame their its foe were anywhere to be seen; the only evidence that wanting to be anywhere but here. However what use the events of last night had actually taken place was to would running be? We wouldn’t be able to outrun it if it be found in the land itself. came our way, and I agree with Bell in that it surely was It’s entirely possible we’re doing this to reassure something the bird had summoned up as a final attempt ourselves that it was no hallucination, possibly out of to stave off its attacker. misplaced curiosity, we’ve agreed to ride out to where What happened after this I cannot say because the the iron beast fought hoping to find... I can not say, tornado obscured what is happening. However at one conformation that we aren’t mad and that what we saw point I saw something that surely was the cannon the actually happened, or do we seek conformation that giant was carrying being thrown followed soon by the things that things such as these do not, and I hope to bird exiting the funnel from a different direction only to God above cannot, exist? God help me I don’t know dart into the maelstrom as soon as it could regain its which will be worse. If giants such as these inhabit the foreword momentum. Minutes passed with nothing west in great numbers, then perhaps it is in our best visible save for the roaring and whirling Finger of God interests that we remain east of these plains lest we not moving, not lessening in intensity, just hovering incur their wrath. there unnaturally. This raises the obvious and inevitable question, What caused the funnel to dissipate I’m unsure, but which Bell voiced to Yuri and myself when he asked, I saw the iron giant fall to earth, one massive hand and I quote, “Why haven’t we heard of these beasts clinching the bird by one of its legs, preventing its before?” I have an idea on that, but right now I must put escape. It then began beating its opponent about the my pen aside till after we’ve inspected the battlefield. neck and chest with its free hand till impact. Even with Perhaps such things are common out here, but due to its body partway sunken into the ground the giant their unusual nature and the fact nothing that comes refused to lessen its grip and, even as it made efforts to close to this happens anywhere else causes everyone rise, swung the bird about. For its part the great bird who’s witnessed such events to remain silent, lest they could only squawk and shriek as it was slammed and be considered mad. slung against the earth. It could also be that events such as these provide Eventually the iron beast had to release its grip on the inspirations for dime novels and the origins of the bird in order to pry itself loose from the ground. I hearsay and legend the world over. Maybe these things saw that the great bird lay broken, crying out plaintively truly aren’t as uncommon as I believe them to be. It as its body, clearly broken with its limbs laying at odd could be that events such as we’ve witnessed lay at the angles, lay out there unable to rise. My companions as heart of old stories of pagan deities, giants, , and well as myself feel pity, even if this creature would have other such creatures of myth. devoured us if it had the chance nothing and no one Should I feel more, or less, reassured by this should have to suffer enough to make the sounds that thought? come from this broken creature. It seems that its My thoughts will remain on this question while we adversary feels much the same, for, after it somehow ride out to inspect where we think the two giants reattached both guns to its back lifted the bird again fought. God have mercy on your poor foolish servants, and, with a force that is surely unequaled by anything for that will be the only way we shall survive if we Man or Nature can produce, slammed it against the somehow encounter either of these hellish beasts. ground such that we felt the tremors even from where our the remnants of pitiful camp had been made. After inspecting the site of the battle, we’ve collectively decided that the great rents in the ground; some of May 9th these like the dents a man’s boot would make in the The sunrise after the storm broke is one that I will ground on a scale, others remind me more of what treasure above all others as long as I live. We’ve all happens when a heavy log or other massive weight survived the ordeal intact physically, though I suspect impacts. The former having a deeper impression at one each of my companions will suffer nightmares, as I place, where the majority of the weight settles. The surely will for years to come. Camp, what little of it other being a more evenly deep impression where any hasn’t been ripped to pieces by the horses’ panic and variations in depth would be explained away by the

PAGE 24 ISSUE 8 Gatehouse Gazette SEP ‘09 object that fell being less dense in those places. Strange as much of it as we could then left it in a pile at the how observations made when you’re a child come back center of her chest, covered over with her hands. later in life. Yuri placed his short brimmed cap and lain it over Though in this instance I’m grateful for the her face. recollection as I’m not much at tracking or surviving Bell added his tobacco pouch to the pile of broken outside of civilization, and neither of my companions jewelry. are capable of tracking outside of keeping what they’re I wracked my mind for something to add before after in their line of sight. Granted this is something of a finally recalling something that I had heard was handicap, but facts being what they are it isn’t terribly supposedly a prayer from tribes that lived in these difficult to spot or follow a herd of Buffalo. I realize I’m parts. I don’t know if this is true, or if it came from her losing focus and wandering off track, but to be frank I’m people if it is, but even though its only a fragment, I find unsure what to record beyond it looking like a giant had it fitting so leave a folded note between the fingers of tumbled and flailed about, making great dents and tears her left hand. in the prairie grasses. I wander about, book held in the “Make me ever ready to come to you with straight crook of my left arm and wandering about the site eyes, aimlessly till I hear Bell's shouts. So that when life fades as the fading sunset, He’s found an Indian woman in a mass of flattened May my spirit come to you without shame.” and bloodied grasses. On approaching her I at first think After we did these things and Yuri said a prayer on she is merely sleeping then realize, once I see how her behalf we covered her over with dirt. At first we sharp an angle her neck is bent, that she’s dead. She simply shoved, with the sides of our feet, the raised up appeared quite young; she couldn’t have been older portions of dirt around the body. When this dirt was than her early twenties by my guess, and in the way of exhausted, we took off our shirts, begin filling them most Indian women quite lovely. Strange that she would with dirt, and dumping these bundles over where the be here, stranger still that if she had died as a result of mound was taking shape until we felt that she was the giants duel that she is even recognizable rather than properly covered. Farewell lady of the plains. I do not being a great and bloody smear across the earth. We know who you were or if there was any connection cannot leave her like this, Yuri became quite insistent between you and what we saw last night, but I am sorry on this; even going so far as to threaten to fire on us if that you died as young as you did. we do not give her as decent a burial as possible. Thankfully there’s plenty of rents and loose soil As a personal request I would like to investigate Eugene about to cover her over with a mound of earth, Smith’s apparent connection with Kobayashi Saburo, hopefully deep enough to prevent the local scavengers otherwise known as Doctor Zeus. I feel that it isn’t from getting at the body. Before we covered her over coincidence that this man was mixed up with Saburo. each of us left her a token to take with her into the Unfortunately this journal ends August of 1884 and, even hereafter. It saddened Yuri we cannot find her family, though I feel more records exist, I have been blocked at but given the impracticalities and impossibility of this every turn by Eugene’s living relatives. Without further we’ve agreed this is the best that can be done for her. resources I fear we may lose out here. We arranged her in one of the larger rips in the soil so that she would appear, if you didn't look too closely, Respectfully that she was sleeping. After puzzling at the snapped and Frost, broken jewelry that had fallen away from her in the Investigator 3rd class process of relocating the body we did what we gathered Report Filed August 4th 1955

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