Girl Genius Steampunk Webcomic

Girl Genius is a webcomic started in 2002 written by Phil and Kaja Foglio and colored by Cheyenne Wright about a world of steampunk mad scientists that build amazing robots. Girl Genius has greatly influenced our art and writing and we recommend you read it. You can read it for free online, or buy physical copies. The authors write a new page every other day, so if you get to the end, make sure to look back to find new pages.

Trilobite fossil
Trilobites are the Heterodyne family sigil (the Heterodyne family plays a central role in the story) which is a fitting symbol of the old and mysterious family.

What we like most about the main character Agatha Clay is that she is really smart and hilarious. She builds lots of cool inventions that do amazing things, and since she thinks differently than the other characters, her dialog is really funny. Our favorite quote is,  “But I want to do math now!” Some of our favorite inventions that she had made are a coffee machine that makes coffee so perfect it makes people go mad, a deer robot that looks really pretty but has a bunch of different types of weapons, little circular robots that can make other robots, and a weaponized wagon army controlled by an pipe organ. The fact she is also very dangerous just adds to the fun!

Steampunk Web Comic Girl Genius- Agatha Clay

The artwork is fantastic and really brings to life the rich world of Steampunk Europa. What is most impressive is the attention to detail, for example, there are sometimes little monsters on the page, and you have to look carefully to notice them. Also, the steampunk robots look like they can actually work! There are also lots of scenes that are happening in the background, so look carefully, otherwise, you might miss some information! In the beginning, it is black and white, but most of the story is in lots of colors. 

Each location is rich in details and lets the reader explore a steampunk world like no other. Our favorites are a huge underwater city buzzing with lots of steampunk submarines and Mechanicsburg, the home of the Heterodyne family which is packed with danger, mystery and dominated by the powerful Heterodyne castle.

Girl Genius comics
Girl Genius comics

 

The plots take unexpected and fun detours but everything is intertwined, all the characters are somehow connected to each other, and there are no loose ends. The dialogue is hilarious and rich, for example:

Violetta, “So, when can we be sure it is done and we haven’t doomed the Earth?”

Agatha, “Oh once the containment limit returns to normal. As for not dooming the Earth- well- that is more a lifelong goal, really. But so far so good.” 

And another example of witty dialogue after Franz, a cyborg dragon defeats Humongulus, a huge robot, in battle:

Franz: What? you are not mad? 

Humongulus: Humongulus angry? Never! You have used guile! Tactics! Awareness of the landscape! Humongulus is impressed!

Franz: Good ’cause with those arms you could punch me into next week.

Humongulus: You know the very sole of Humongulus.

And it is not just us who thinks Girl Genius is great, it has gotten multiple Hugo awards!

Girl Genius
The Hugo Award!

The best part of the world is the crazy robots and monsters. There are lots of weird monsters that just live alongside everyone else, and crazy robots are an everyday sight. The robots and monsters are central to the story and some are main characters who act and think very differently than humans which adds to the realism.

Girl Genius comic
Our favorite little clank

This is a picture of a little clank (robot) that the main character made. Girl Genius is in a steampunk world and has cool robot illustrations. We were so inspired by Girl Genus’s cute and cool-looking robots, we spent two years designing and building our own working steampunk robot Number Five

Kid-made Dog Robot Number Five
Number five

The Black Apple

The Black Apple Art Cute, clever and just beautiful to look at a Hip Monster will dig the art from The Black Apple. Her work has a timeless quality yet is thoroughly in the now. Mostly portraits of young woman, her art has symbolism hiding in every brush stroke. A blend of big eye art, folk art and Symbolism a Black Apple painting is a work to be explored.

The Black Apple Art
Squirrel Girl Print
shown on the left at first seems simple, a girl dressed up as a squirrel. But soon questions begin to arise. Why does her poise seem defiant yet defeated? Was she forced to wear the costume or is it her defense against the world?

 

 

The Black Apple Art Bubblegum Betty, shown below, is one of our favorite pieces. A sassy young girl staring back at you using her bubble as a mask.

Monster Recommended for Art
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Rawtoast Design

Rawtoast Design Logo Check out Rawtoast Design for some interesting and fun limited edition prints and cool greeting cards. From revolutionary tofu to rainbow sprouting toilets to robot pirates the imagery excites a monster’s mind.

Rawtoast Design Art
The departure
is a prime example of work from Rawtoast Design. The style is influenced by folk Americana with sparing use of color and simple landscapes. Cute and sentimental the characters are deceptively simple, able to inspire hours of musing. The scenes are imaginative and fun often evoking memories from a seemingly shared childhood with the artist, Jesse Kuhn. He is available for commissioned work.

Recommended for Artsy Prints
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The Poetry Store

A store all about poetry what more could a poem-loving Monster ask for? Each poem at The Poetry Store is lovingly typed with an old fashion Royal onto a fitting graphic or photo. Nothing beats a Royal for a timeless, sincere font. And if you cannot find a poem that touches your fancy you can always commission a new poem to meet your ascetics.

 

“So we sing” shows how Silvi Alcivar’s good eye for vintage prints an frames coupled with her original and modern poems come together to make a memorable piece of art.

 

 

 

 

Recommended for Poetry Inspired Art
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Michael Leu

Michael Leu Logo Cats are the closest thing to a monster most humans will ever get near.  No creature is near to monster’s heart than a cat and few artist capture the essence of a cat better than Michael Leu. He has had a long career and wandered through many styles.  Most of his works draws its influence from European Expressionism. The works most enjoyed by HipMonsters harks to Matisse.

 

Michael Leu Art Studio Cat II has a cat doing what a cat does best, laying down. The cat’s weary eyes strains to look up. You feel as if you have disturbed his rest and want to pouch on him with loving attention. The lines seem drawn from a Zen-like state of mind.  The colors laid on as if rained down from the sky.  Michael Leu’s painting are a joy to own.

Monster Recommended for Art
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Vuduberi

Vuduberi Art Seldom have monsters been treated with such tenderness as the monsters of Vuduberi. Giant yetis with mysterious expressions look out at you; you can decide if they are friend or foe. Round balls of penguins and cute little girls complete the cast of characters in the open ended story line of Vuduberi. Vuduberi sells well-made dolls, t-shirts, trinkets and prints.

Vuduberi Art I caught myself a yeti had an adorable little girl with a huge yeti in tow. Both are illustrated with rich but not goddy details. The hair on the yeti seems to be coming to life in a breeze. Both the yeti and the girl have blank expressions; it is up to you to decide how the story plays out. Is this a viable match or a prelude to a feast?

Monster Recommended for Art
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Bumper Boy

Bumper Boy Logo A carefree and adventurous little creature, Bumper Boy takes you along as he explores the world. The illustrations have a European feel reminding me of works of Babar and Moomin. But Bumper Boy’s characters have their own which pulls you into their world.

Bumper Boy Art A tower of cute characters having fun waits you in Bumper Boy’s “Stacked”. Here you can see the range of Bumper Boy characters which enjoyable for both adults and children. Bumper Boy uses a moot color pallet to create an overall calming feel to the work. Each one look beacons to be hugged- especially the feisty looking one.

Monster Recommended for Artsy Prints
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Katedurkin

Katedurkin Logo
Katedurkin’s art has humor, style and well executed skill. A blend of European styles and American folk art she pulls from rich cross cultural of New York. Her work can be appreciated as decor for a children’s room or in a executives office, meaning depends on how far you care to look.

 

Katedurkin Art We are all Here has nine enjoyable characters to explore. This format, widely used nowadays, is well executed here. It is not just a collection of random images but is part of a larger story. Mute coloring and blank expressions aside the piece is cheerful and fun.

Recommended for Art
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Catia Chien

Catia Chien Logo Artwork for the pensive Monster, Catia Chien s work draws a Monster in. Saturated colors embrace her figures who reside in a dream world all her own. Her books are among our favorite short graphic novels with beautiful art and memorable stories.

Catia Chien Art Dark, organic and ,moody Catia Chien s Valentine captures the feelings of loneliness we have had at one time or another. Emotions always run deep in her work and this can be seen here.

Recommended Modern Prints

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Strawberry Luna

Strawberry Luna Logo
Original posters and prints from Strawberry Luna will make any Monster’s lair looks hip and happening. Bright and bold Strawberry Luna’s designs are modern and retro all at the same time. Check out their calendars.

 

Strawberry Luna Art
Going to see my Baby Yellow

Going To See My Baby Yellow is a bright colorful print. Rich in modern city cultural, you can feel the excitement as the young bicyclist as they draw closer to their lover.

Monster Recommended for Prints

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