Exploring Two Titles in My Webcomic Backlog

While I was on vacation, I made sure to check out a few webcomics that friends recommended to me. While I have more comics that I need to catch up on, getting around to these two was a start.

The Rabbit Hole (also on ComicFury):

The Rabbit Hole is one of the most unique comics I’ve read in a long time. Visually, the style is very simple, but striking. Only a total of three colors are used for this comic, and character faces are limited to their eyes, ears, and some of their mouth. In this case less is more, as this comic conveys character expressions well. I can’t imagine making a comic in this style would be easy for an artist to pull off, especially with the limited use of colors. However, Detrah does so well.

In this rabbit warren there exists a deep pit. The pit is there for the sole purpose of having rabbits jump into it. No one knows how deep the hole is or what’s on the other side. However, the rabbits do know it is a one way trip. Despite this, jumping into the pit is considered a heroic sacrifice. In order to let the other rabbits feed outside the warren in peace, one rabbit must jump on feeding days. If no one volunteers, a council of rabbits determines who the pit wants for the next sacrifice.

A rabbit with a torn ear believes in the pit and doesn’t think twice about the sacrifice of others when he’s eating. One day he’s chosen to jump, and freezes up at the thought– he’s unable to feel pride or a sense of heroism. All he feels is fear. His older brother speaks up and is about to take his place, when another rabbit suddenly volunteers. They jump into the pit. The next day, the rabbit with the torn ear is terrified of eating, fearing he’ll once again be selected by the pit. Unable to watch his younger brother waste away, the older brother declares he’s going to escape. He tells his sibling to wait for him for three days, then he’ll return. On that day they can escape together.

The story isn’t overly complex, but it does have a variety of complex themes just under the surface. The first being the nature of the pit, and how it isn’t magical. It becomes clear early on in the story that the council of rabbits leading the warren use it to control the others. The rabbits are only allowed to leave the underground tunnels to feed every few days, and they’re only given a few moments to do so. They know nothing of the outside world. The warren serves as more or less as a cult. At the point I reached in the story before catching up, it’s never outright stated what purpose the pit serves. That’s heavily implied.

Without getting into spoilers, the pit and the surrounding cult likely serve as a means to guarantee safety. Who’s safety, exactly? Well, the leaders since they’re never picked to jump. The rabbits in the warren (aside from the leaders) likely thought this was a fair exchange for safety and food at some point in the past, and forgot the original reason rabbits jump. It’s also revealed that not many outsiders are let into this warren. Nor do many rabbits attempt to escape for whatever reason.

The Rabbit Hole is close to completion with the story’s climax having been recently reached. Unfortunately, Detrah’s upload schedule isn’t consistent, so it might be a while before this comic concludes. If you’re a fan of Watership Down, you’ll feel right at home. The Rabbit Hole not related in any way to Richard Adams’ work, but it feels like it could be a side story within that world. If you’re also into stories about animal cults and sacrifice such as What Lurks Beneath or A Doe’s Salvation, this story about rabbits will scratch that itch. Needless to say, this comic is highly recommended as an excellent read.

Follow Your Heart (Also on ComicFury):

This story was recommended to me by a friend. It took me a while to get to her recommendation for two reasons. One, I’m not a fan of the Warrior Cats series. Not because I don’t like Warrior Cats, I just never got into the books. When the first book was released in 2003, I was well into college and I was the tender age of 20. I had no idea these books existed until a few years ago. Two, NiteTheKitten’s art style didn’t really grab me. It seemed way too cute for what I was told would be a comic exploring heavy themes. I do like the art, but it didn’t grab me in the same way as ArualMeow’s What Lurks Beneath or Tac0Bella’s No Man’s Land. Still, I decided there was no harm in checking out Follow Your Heart. It stands well on its own even as a Warrior Cats fan comic.

The Thunderclan is prosperous, and one of its younger members, Mousekit is currently on his way to become an apprentice. He’s given the name Mousepaw, but the ceremony is cut short when Minnowtail gives birth to three kittens. She and her mate, Sleekfur give them the names Crowkit, Ravenkit, and Sootkit. Time passes, and the kittens grow older. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes when Crowkit dies. Forced to go on without their brother, Sootkit and Ravenkit eventually become apprentices in their warrior training.

The help is needed as other clans occasionally encroach on their territory and pick fights. Meanwhile, Sootkit (now Sootpaw) tries to get closer to the warrior Mouseclaw (formerly Mousepaw). It’s clear the young kit has a crush on the older male. Things take a dark turn, as Mouseclaw begins to make advances on his younger peer, and tells Sootpaw their relationship must remain a secret. All of this happens while Thunderclan has to fight both Riverclan and ShadowClan.

The main event of this story is the daily happenings of Thunderclan. The secondary event is Sootpaw’s relationship with the abusive Mouseclaw. From the beginning, NiteTheKitten makes it clear that Mouseclaw is in fact abusing Sootpaw, is a pedophile, and no aspect of their relationship is okay. Given how many animal/xenofiction comics tend to brush off troubling sexual relationships and abuse (Home being one of the biggest offenders), it’s a relief to see Nite addressing this. Not only is the issue addressed, but they implore their audience to seek help if they or anyone they know is currently or has experienced such a harmful relationship. Major respect for Nite for taking this topic so seriously.

As for the story, it’s good enough to catch my attention despite never having read anything about Warrior Cats. I’m invested in Thunderclan’s fate, and seeing Sootpaw and Ravenpaw become warriors themselves. I also hope at some point Sootpaw realizes he’s being lied to and used by Mouseclaw, and is able to break through the abuse. Otherwise, most references to WC lore is completely lost on me. Sorry.

As for the art, I find it extremely cute. Which can belie how dark and violent this story can be at times. But hey, this isn’t the first story I’ve read where cutely drawn animals exist in an extremely dark and troubling world. (Looking at you, The Order of the Black Dog.) If you’re into Warrior Cats, Follow Your Heart is a pretty easy recommendation. Heck, you might already be reading it. If you’re like me and have managed to exist for twenty years without ever knowing about Warrior Cats, FYH is still an interesting read, especially for cat lovers.

As an avid reader of dog and wolf fiction, reading cat fiction has been a wonderful change of pace.