Atom-what? A Brief Introduction to the Atompunk Genre

Set in the United States after World War II’s warfare turned nuclear rendering the world practically unlivable, Brother Francis discovers an ancient fallout shelter full of writing from the people of the past. The story follows the rebuilding of civilization up until the year 3781 as they rediscover the technology from before and set their sights on the sky.

After nuclear war devastates America, modern technology and cities bigger than 1,000 people are outlawed by society’s new leaders. Len, a teenager, hears rumors of a city called Bartorstown where technology is encouraged and sets off on a road trip to find it.

This is an alternate history of the Manhattan Project, the United States’ initiative to build the first nuclear weapons during World War II. In The Manhattan Projects, the development doesn’t stop there. Robot arms, identity swapping, and generals willing to stop at nothing to outdo their enemies lead to one big mess.

In the aftermath of a blast that leveled Tokyo and initiated another world war, Tetsuo and Kaneda deal with growing up in the chaotic city of Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo develops strange abilities, putting a target on his back. Now Kaneda must try to save Tetsuo from governmental interference and, as his powers grow stronger, from himself.

Set in England after nuclear war has broken out, Sarah takes refuge with her family at home. In the aftermath, they’re sealed in their kitchen, hyperaware of the radiation outside that could seep in any minute. The story follows decades as they find a way to live again as the radiation mutates humans into something entirely different.

Lilith has been asleep for hundreds of years when she wakes up on an alien ship, rescued or taken by an alien species called the Oankali. They explain they’ve saved the last few humans in the aftermath of an atomic fire that killed Lilith’s husband, son, and nearly everyone else too. But being saved has consequences that Lilith must deal with to survive.