The first steampunk-themed web series I came across, and I guess the first one in general, was Riese. Since then, a fair number of such productions have been attempted, with varying budgets and even more varying rates of success. The strangest one I came across was a story completely told through the medium of dance. I cannot remember the name and I found it extremely odd. It was on YouTube, should somebody desire to go looking for it.
Really good productions are comparatively rare, but there are some jewels and about one such jewel I want to talk today.
But first, some info why I am so excited about this one.
Long before I joined the steampunk scene, I was already heavily into the work of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos, so it is with great joy I introduce this web series to you.
Dirigible Days started as a modest-budget Kickstarter project with a great story and a very interesting teaser video. Enough people were just as excited about it as I was so the first season took off.
The first season is about the adventures of the airship S.S. Beatrix, commanded by Captain Dunbar. They are transporting some very dangerous cargo, a priest of the Cult of Cthulhu. Of particular interest, I think, are the flashbacks, which reveal more about the backstory of the characters and the world in general, which brings me to the next thing I want to talk about: the world
Dirigible Days is set in an alternate-timeline Earth. A strange meteorite crossed Earth’s path and caused an apocalyptic event, yes, it is a post-apocalyptic setting.
For the details of the event, please go and watch the videos, it will all be explained.
Dirigible Day‘s Earth is throughly steampunk. Airships, floating islands called “Skylands”, bionic Gatling guns, you name it. And, as I said, a priest of Cthulhu. The Cthulhu Mythos features rather prominently and Lovecraft’s work is cited, sometimes quoted, on a number of occasions by the priest.
Thus far, three full episodes of the first season have been released. You can watch them here.
