Steampunk Mashups

Grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a while, because we’ve got 50 steampunk reinventions of your favorite scifi/fantasy characters from pop culture.

2001: A Space Odyssey

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The A-Team

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Assassin’s Creed

The guy doesn’t do much for me, and I have no idea what those weird dragon wings are about, but the equipment is very cool. [Source]

AT-AT (Star Wars)

I tried to focus mainly on characters for this list, but this steampunk AT-AT was just too good to pass up. [Source]

AT-ST (Star Wars)

Yes, it’s a real photo. This thing was constructed in real life — via papercraft. And at a small scale. Still, the quality of what they pulled off here can’t be overstated. Deeply impressive. [Source]

Batgirl

A really nice design that looks like the cover of a comic book. [Source]

Batman #1

In a sea of steampunk Batmen (seriously, there could be an entire subgenre there), this one stands out for those awesome mechanical wings, and for its decidedly light, optimistic feel. For once, the Dark Knight isn’t bathed in darkness, and it actually works. [Source]

Batman #2

How could I only pick one steampunk Batman when there are so many great ones available? I would totally read this if it were a comic book. Strikes the perfect note between Batman’s gritty determination and the red/orange glow of steampunk steel. Love it. [Source]

Batman #3

Last one, I promise. A much more realistic approach to the world’s greatest detective. If Batman were set in the late 19th Century, he might look a lot like this. [Source]

Bender (Futurama)

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Boba Fett (Star Wars)

Another big favorite among steampunk enthusiasts. I can see the appeal: Fett was all about the gadgets and technology in a universe where people with special abilities held all the power. I picked this one for the realism and level of detail. I’m guessing he stole the lightsabers? [Source]

Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)

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Captain America

A retro character if there ever was one, Captain America is a perfect fit for steampunk. This representation grabbed my attention because it’s a real, one-of-a-kind, customized action figure. The shield is definitely the best part; it folds out into a pair of wings that (presumably) Cap can use to glide. [Source]

Cinderella

Note the cog motif used throughout the dress. [Source]

Cylon #1 (Battlestar Galactica)

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Cylon #2 (Battlestar Galactica)

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Daft Punk

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Dalek (Doctor Who)

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Darth Vader #1

I like this one because it refuses to follow the traditional shapes of Vader, such as his distinctive helmet design, yet it’s instantly recognizable. That lightsaber is wicked cool, too. [Source]

Darth Vader #2

Had to include this one if for nothing more than its staggering level of detail. [Source]

David & Goliath

The age-old Bible story gets a steampunk makeover in this clever update. Dig the photo-realism! [Source]

Donald Duck

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Dr. Doom (Fantastic Four)

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Droids: C-3PO and R2-D2 (Star Wars)

Must… resist… urge… to insert “the droids you’re looking for” joke… [Source]

Ghostbusters

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Green Goblin (Spider-Man)

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Hellboy

The hand is mechanical, and his horn stubs are goggles. Genius! [Source]

Hello Kitty

I wouldn’t have thought it possible. Steampunk + Hello Kitty seems like an unholy union. But this is a spectacular image. [Source]

Iron Man #1

Another inventer/superhero who makes a natural fit with the steampunk aesthetic. [Source]

Iron Man #2

A lot of thought about realism and why certain parts of the suit work the way they do, went into this design. [Source]

Jessica Rabbit

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Jetfire (Transformers)

This one completely custom-made toy charmed me with its inventive airplane mode and stunning functionality. It really transforms! [Source]

Mario

A handlebar mustache and monocle is almost all it takes to update Super Mario Bros. to steampunk proportions. [Source]

Mr. Potato Head

Look at that thing. Utterly mind-blowing. [Source]

Optimus Prime (Transformers)

The leader of the Autobots is reimagined as a steam train toy that actually transforms and includes real lights built in. The look is just perfect, and I can’t decide whether I like the robot or the train mode best. [Source]

Pac-Man

Created for a t-shirt design. Note the vessel’s name, scrawled on the side. [Source]

Patrick Star (Spongebob Squarepants)

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Robocop

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Santa Claus

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Spider-Man #1

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Spider-Man #2

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Sweeney Todd

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TARDIS (Doctor Who)

This one has the distinction of having been originally sketched by one artist, and then rendered in full 3D by another artist who admired the work of the first. The idea of a more Victorian-era TARDIS is a provocative one, and here we see the familiar box-shaped footprint of the blue Police Box replaced with a hexagon footprint that’s painted entirely in red. I’m thinking this one wouldn’t blend in as easily as the real thing always seems to. [Source 1 / Source 2]

TRON

How can you not adore this? Steampunk and Tron are two worlds at nearly opposite ends of the aesthetic spectrum, but they’ve been melded together beautifully in this cheeky illustration. [Source]

Voltron

I’m crazy about anything associated with Voltron (the lions, of course, not the cars), and this steam-and-hot-metal version scratches that itch oh-so-well. [Source]

WALL-E and Eve

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The Witch King (Lord of the Rings)

Looks less like Lord of the Rings and more like something that just stepped out of Stephen King’s Dark Tower. And I mean that in a good way. [Source]

Wonder Woman

The proportions on this pin-up-esque Amazonian warrior are patently absurd (each of her boobs are bigger than her face! her waste is thinner than one of her legs!), but you gotta love the surrealistic quality of it, as well as those terrific leather textures. [Source]

X-Men

I avoided costumes on this list because it wasn’t really the direction I wanted to go with this article, but man alive… Look at the intricacy of that wheelchair! Rogue’s costume is suitably bawdy without being vulgar, while Gambit planned his costume right down to the authentically old-timey playing card in his hand. [Source]

Zoidberg (Futurama)

I thought Zoidberg was a man…? [Source]