Jorge Balaguer - The Monster Book of Manga Steampunk Gothic

The following are some subgenres that have emerged:

SteamGoth

This style portrays the Victorian era under the cloak of horror and supernatural fantasy. The film Van Helsing (2004) is an example of this subgenre.

Gaslamp Fantasy

Also known as gaslight fantasy or gaslight romance, it is an offshoot of steampunk. This variation tends to show a much more fantastical scene within the Victorian era, without putting special emphasis on technology or the industrial revolution.

Weird West

This subgenre mixes classic westerns with other genres like horror, fantasy and science fiction. Films like Wild Wild West and Jonah Hex (1999 and 2010, respectively) belong to this re-invented Wild West.

Its incredible, right? In addition to this, there are the literary and film cultures within steampunk, with an infinite assortment of novels and films that belong to the genre.

Personally, I would like to add that I have dedicated significant time to choosing the references that gave me the adequate design for the characters presented in this book. It is not my style to repeat myself, so I have opted to create something that is as varied as possible within an ample spectrum as unfathomably expansive as steampunk. Prepare for an experience! It is something you wont forget...

Sincerely,
Jorge Balaguer

Sun Rocket is without doubt one of the best astronauts, perhaps because he has adventure in his blood. Hardened by a thousand battles in space, he is afraid of nothing. He just awaits the next task that will whisk him away to some far-flung corner of the galaxy.

Start with the blue pencil base for your character: a jumping position works well.

Add volume to the body with a 2H pencil. Then perfect the details with a harder pencil.

Use a 05-gauge pencil to completely draw the figure and give form to the detail. The better the finish of your pencil work, the easier it will be to ink and the better the finish will be.

Go over your drawing with various calibre pens.

Here we have used a different light effect. The inside of a spaceship has a multitude of little lights so we have lit our adventurer from above and below.

Ive used the following colors for this image: yellow for the blond hair, red and blue for the suit and glasses, and gold for the other elements.

This is the part I like best: light green pencil illuminates the details of the sword, the gun, the belt, and the breastplate. Then add as many rivets and washers as you wish. In this case Ive chosen not to overburden the drawing. Now Sun is ready to embark on a new adventure!

Lady Margareth Ankor is a great lady, much respected in court and held in high esteem by the Queen of Needles. She is always seen at magnificent festivals and in the company of very powerful men... of course it is rumored that she is working as a double agent for the country who pays her services. She certainly is a mysterious and attractive woman.

Use a blue pencil to draw what will be your lady, in a position as though she is hiding something beneath her skirt. With practice you should be able to draw this using a 2H pencil.

Use the 2H pencil to create your blue skeleton and the profile of the figure, adding in the details later.

Use a 05-calibre mechanical pencil to sketch the figure, adding volume and detail.

Go over your drawing with differently calibrated pens. Use a 0.2 for detail, 0.4 for the figure, and 0.8 for the contour. Once the ink is dry you can remove the pencil with a soft eraser: always rub in the same direction.

The light source for this lady comes from above, casting strange shadows on her face and figure.

A variety of greens and golds applied with colored pencils and brush pens provide the clothing for this magnificent lady of the court. Some purple touches create the elegant look that you are after.

Use color pencils to add the final shine to the purples and golds. Add rivets to the dress and some screws with a gold pen. Fantastic! A mysterious and attractive woman ready to seduce...

Rushell Monroe is the captain of the terrestrial army. Under his leadership, his battalion has won countless battles: he is a brilliant strategist and excels in finding his enemys weak spot. Now he is preparing his maneuvers for taking over the northern lands.

Draw the captain in blue pencil, in a pose that suggests a state of alertness.

Add your pencil strokes to give the figure consistency and to shape the silhouette.

Use a mechanical pencil with a 0.5 mm 3H lead or an H3 pencil to work up the figure and details, removing and cleaning up leftover strokes until the design is ready for inking. The fewer unnecessary pencil marks you make, the better the drawing will ink.