Entertaining!

쾌걸! 증기탐정단 7
아사미야 키아 지음 / 학산문화사(만화) / 2000년 5월

There is a certain charm about titles such as ORGUSS 02 or ESCAFLOWNE that take place in alternate universes. In a day and age where many shows seem to be rehashing the same ideas over and over, the otherworldly feel of an alternate setting often provides just the right amount of spice to spark the viewers' interest.
Asamiya Kia's ongoing 'STEAM DETECTIVES' series uses this 'retro' theme. In keeping with the early manga style of the 70s, Asamiya breaks away from his intricately drawn, lavishly ziptoned illustrations and uses simpler, cleaner lines and flat-shaded surfaces. The result is a visual style somewhat similar to that of GIANT ROBO or KISHIN HEIDAN, both of which feature stylized mecha designs and characters with sharp-looking hairdos.

The setting is 'Steam City,' which looks like an early twentieth century London or Gotham City. The premise of the alternate setting is the automatic coal burner, which allows people to use coal the way gasoline is used today, in turn allowing for steam-driven limousines, scooters, and the requisite mecha. The story opens with a villain who bears an uncanny resemblance to Batman confronting a rich couple. Calling himself 'The Knight of Phantom,' the villain takes the couple's kid hostage and guns them down in cold blood.