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Talking Comics with Tim: Dwight L. MacPherson

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Last month saw the launch of Sidewise, the Zuda Comics series by writer Dwight L. MacPherson and artist Igor Noronha. Now that the series has been running for a few weeks, I email interviewed MacPherson to learn why he set out “to create a smart, engaging, action-packed historical fiction story that will appeal to readers of all ages… and still be cool”. The story is described at its Zuda site as: “Teen genius Adam Graham borrows his parents’ time device to visit 1902 London, only to find himself in an alternate dystopian past. As a member of Nikola Tesla’s band of young freedom fighters known as SteampunX, Adam must wage a war against a myriad of deadly steam-powered robots, mad scientists and a nefarious state police controlled by Queen Victoria’s preserved brain to free the oppressed nation, crown a new monarch and return to his world in time for a final exam.” Be sure to visit the Zuda site every Thursday for new installments of the webcomic.

Tim O’Shea: For folks that don’t know steampunk, two-fold question, could you provide a brief description and what it is about the genre that appeals to you?

Dwight L. MacPherson: Certainly. Steampunk fiction is a sub-genre of science-fiction and fantasy. Stories generally take place during Victorian times (hence the “steam”) and contain fictional technological advancements (such as steam-powered robots, laser rays, battle dirigibles, etc.) or technology that was created at a much later date (such as the computer). Because of the inclusion of futuristic technology, alternate history is also a large part of most steampunk fiction. The works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne are prime examples of steampunk fiction, as are the novels “The Anubis Gates” by Tim Powers and “The Difference Engine” by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, and the classic television show “The Wild, Wild West.”

Everything about the steampunk sub-genre appeals to me: the romanticized time period, Victorian sensibilities, futuristic gadgetry, magic and alternate histories. I became a fan of Wells and Verne as a child, so I guess you could say that I also find it nostalgic.

O’Shea: The story has alternate versions of historically recognized figures such as Tesla and HG Wells. Is Ms. Hopping inspired partially by any historical figures in particular?

MacPherson: Every member of Tesla’s team (there are members we haven’t met yet) has a name with a historical or mythical connotation that is–or should be–important to the British people. With a bit of research, I’m certain readers can learn some very cool historical facts about England as well as learning a bit about British mythology.

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