Girl Genius Vol 1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Bettleburg Clank

Girl Genius Vol 1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Bettleburg Clank (2002) Phil & Kaja Foglio

I came across the Girl Genius comic online, and got completely sucked in. After reading a good bit from the start of the story, I realized that I could purchase this in actual book format, which would be 1) easier to read and 2) support the artists.

So we picked up volumes 1 through 3 at the local comic store, and then ordered 4 through 6 online, because it was a whole lot cheaper that way.

The Girl Genius series is a Steampunk comic. (If you don’t know what Steampunk is, check out that link. I already tried to explain it to my parents this afternoon.) Considering my love of The Wild Wild West, it’s hardly surprising that I’d be fascinated by the Steampunk genre.

Agatha Clay is a student at Transylvania Polygnostic University where she is attempting to learn to create clanks–mechanized objects and creatures that resemble many modern inventions. The Mad Scientists who can create such objects are said to have Spark–an extra special something that allows them to create and animate these creatures. Agatha’s terrible luck is seemingly leading her to a life as a lab assistant, but her love of Clanks keeps her trying, despite her continued failures.

Agatha Heterodyne and the Bettleburg Clank introduces us to Agatha and her world, as well as several other characters. Primarily it is an introduction to the world and how things operate, but there are several important hints made in this volume that will make sense later in the series. And I have to admit that going back and reading the first volume really clarified some of the questions I had.

Although I have to admit that I simply have a hard time reading on-line. E-books are never going to become popular with me, no matter how much more convenient it is to carry a PDA rather than a book.

Although the story was a bit confusing the first time through, it still pulled me in despite the confusion, and thigns got good enough that I had to go out an purchase the series. (Also, Michael read all three books in less than 24 hours.)

I think the only thing that really bothered me about the series was Agatha in her underwear. I mean, all things equal, Vistorian bloomers really didn’t expose that much flesh.

But otherwise, if you think that Steampunk is at all your interest, then you’ll want to check out the Girl Genius series.
Rating: 7/10

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