Time to further broaden my steampunk horizons! I’m finally reading Girl Genius. I read Phil & Dixie when I was in high school and in the ever-popular Alternate Reality club… a group for gamers. It took me awhile to make the connection between the gaming comic and Girl Genius, but I was thrilled when I finally figured it out.

Girl Genius is the story of Agatha Clay, a long lost member of the Heterodyne family, folklore heroes and amazingly talented Sparks (think mad science geniuses, but not necessarily evil). Agatha has no idea of her heritage, as she is a klutz and can’t build a working clank to save her life. When her brooch is stolen, her favorite professor killed, and Baron Wulfenbach takes control of her town and university, Agatha experiences a major breakthrough in her abilities… but only while she’s asleep. Soon she is whisked away to Castle Wulfenbach, part of a floating armada of dirigibles. She must contend with monsters, the baron’s son, a crazed guardian construct, and a hero intent on having her as his sidekick.

Yes, this comic is just about as crazy as it sounds. But it’s also lots of fun, with plenty of humor and Agatha running around in her underwear. You can read the entire comic online, or start with individual books. I think it’s a great comic for people looking for a strong heroine, some sci-fi/fantasy, or, like me, want to expand their steampunk horizons!