TWWR Round up 07/22/2024– Revelations in the Forest

These roundups will be back for the next two weeks. Then I’ll need to decide if I want to take a one or two-week vacation again because I’ll be at two conventions a week apart from each other. (Otakon and Furrydelphia, if you’re curious.)

Africa | Page(s): 379 | Patreon

Kafil sees Chui in the distance hunting his former herd. He gasps in horror before flinching and watching the attack. The large leopard cuts through the morning mist and lunges for the gazelles. Lead by Hazina, the zebra and gazelle herd navigates through the mist. However, Chui is closing in fast on Jamal as he falls behind the group. Some distance away from the hunter, the group stops.

It’s pretty clear to me that Kafil is a coward through and through. Although he’s been banished from his herd for cutting a deal with Chui and helping to murder Abasi, he still trails behind them. Perhaps unable to let go of what he could have or perhaps remorseful about the pain he’s caused. I’m doubtful about the latter. After all, he had the perfect chance to be selfless and warn the herd of Chui’s approach. Instead, he looked on too afraid of the monster that he cut a deal with, only to take it back.

Given how the herd was caught by surprise, especially after Hazina told everyone to be on their guard, I think someone’s going down. Considering how close the villainous leopard was to Jamal, he could be the next target. Unless he’s able to get away like Paa did when driving the big cat off in their old grazing lands. Of course, Chui was being greedy then as he already had Abasi’s corpse to eat. Perhaps Hazina will stop and defend Jamal before he can be killed. Let’s hope so.

To Catch a Star | Page(s): 535, 536, 537, 538 | Patreon

First, To Catch a Star will be on a two-week hiatus just in case you haven’t heard the news.

Trouble begins to panic after he learns that Backlash is dead. Lupi then clarifies that the young Dusky wasn’t killed because of Trouble’s actions and that he died recently. A bit calmer, but still distraught, the former Supernova begins to cry, and he apologizes to the sun. He wanted to apologize to Backlash. Before he can say anything else, a voice shouts for Lupi.

Tussle, Sweep, and Danger have been pinned down by members of Cloud’s mixed Dusky and Nova pack. As Lupi charges forward, one of the Nova recognizes them and asks if the three Duskies are with them. Both Lupi and Trouble vouch for the girls, and they’re immediately released. Cloud appears with Blaze and a few other Nova in tow. The black Dusky immediately recognizes Lupi and walks up to them with a smile.

Meanwhile, Blaze sniffs around and realizes Danger is pregnant. She asks the younger Dusky as much. For her part, Danger immediately sees the family resemblance to Ray and flinches. She hesitates before confirming her pregnancy and Blazes asks her how far along she is. Cloud asks Lupi where the others are. Tired and immensely sad, they reveal that Hearth left, and Blacklash and Shadow are now Lost. Cloud flattens her ears at the news and bitterly notes that the world always goes for the good ones. The sun looks away in grief. Lifting her head, the pack leader lets the others know that they are welcome to stay with them. Ecstatic, Tussle thanks the elder Dusky.

Lupi turns away and announces they need to find the last star. Trouble is surprised at the news and stammers a “Please don’t…” to the sun wolf.

I absolutely adore Cloud, Blaze and their mixed pack. I’m glad Danger, Tussle, and Sweep are being given the opportunity to stay with a pack with members that actually care about each other. The pack shows that Duskies and Nova can get along. This might work out nicely, as I’m sure the pups Danger is carrying are Ray’s. At some point she is going to have to break the terrible news about his death to his grandmother. It’s a conversation that needs to happen, and I hope it’s not skipped in favor of Lupi’s quest to find the remaining star. I doubt it will be, but I’m also just putting my worries out there since the story seems to be near the end.

I do think the news of puppies will soften the blow a little, as Blaze might be happy that Ray at least got to spend his final days with someone he cared about, and who in turn cared about him.

As for Trouble, I have to wonder if he’s going to ask Lupi to either hold off on that wish, or to go with them. If this conversation revolves around the former Supernova going with them, I wonder what the sun will say. They’re already not a fan of this guy considering that he nearly killed Backlash, and lured them to the Supernova. On the other hand, I’m not so sure that Lupi wants to travel alone. And if they go together, there’s the possibility of meeting Hearth along the way. There’s also another potential scenario. Lupi decides to go alone and Trouble follows them anyway.

The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 28, Page 11 | Patreon

Okpara sits alone in an interrogation room. Her disguise is gone and her Kae-Kariin form is on full display. She wordlessly sits in thought as a figure opens the door and enters the room. Agent Jackson sits across from Okpara and announces he’s going to ask her a series of questions. He mentions she’s at a serious disadvantage and that it is in her best interest to comply. The Kae-Kariin doesn’t say anything in response and simply looks down.

I’m not sure why, but I figured we wouldn’t be seeing Okpara any time soon. Seems like events are moving quickly. Of course Jackson needs to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding this conspiracy. That said, I fear the SIU agent is a few steps behind, as I’m assuming Okpara’s comrades are already seeking a way to free her. After all, they’ve already kidnapped the scientist who had left the facility to visit her mother. I’m guessing they’ll use the poor woman to gain information about the project and replace her with another Kae-Kariin. The issue is if Jackson will be able to sniff this plot out before it goes too far and all the scientists’ hard work is compromised.

Lost Scent | Page(s): 52 | Patreon

Tulpi talks to the pug who shares a story about not being taken seriously because of his small size. The Akita finds his story relatable as she tells him about the Nubian goats her family breeds. Of course this is all a ruse by the pug, so his companion can raid the cart. Fortunately, the rest of Tulpi’s traveling companions discover this and chase him away. However, the second pug manages to grab a bundle of sausages, fabric, and a bag before dashing off. The two of the three larger dogs chase him down, while the third talks to Tulpi.

Earlier flashbacks have shown us that Tulpi hasn’t had a great life living with her family in her hometown. She always felt alone and alienated even though she was surrounded by other dogs. I believe this incident will contribute to her anxiety, and will be one of the reasons she’s now traveling with Motte. In the immediate aftermath, I can’t see her not being chewed out for being easily distracted by the one pug, while the other raided the cart literally under her nose.

Golden Shrike | Page(s): 274 | Patreon

Kasko says the Stonekrovns seem rather easy going considering they’re supposed to be God’s vengeance. Boneslav admits he doesn’t really know if his kind hunted down Mousara and ended his bloodline. It’s just a story. Nero scoffs at the idea of Karuna being offended by one guy and whining about it for ages. The Marshlander thinks its pathetic. The Stonekrovn thinks it’s sad to be so deeply hurt.

Nero retorts that Karuna didn’t seem so shy about appearing to him after lifetimes of hiding himself away from deerkind. In fact, the god was more like a male bird courting a mate. All flash and bling. Kasko chuckles and likens Nero to a lady bird. The Marshlander buck tells him to shut it.

It’s fascinating. I was certain that Mousara was the first Stonekrovn. It was actually his act of violence against god that lead to the creation of the Stonekrovn. To create predator deer means Karuna wasn’t playing around. That makes me wonder if Mousara has kin or others who believed he wasn’t in the wrong for wounding the moon, so to speak. If so, could they have anything to do with the massive conspiracy surrounding Anatras and Karuna’s missing tines? Also, it can’t be coincidence that the Tongue (or Speaker) is nestled deep in Stronekrovn territory. I think the story is more true than Boneslav could imagine.

Home | Page(s): 886| Patreon

Roamer emerges from the artisan hut with new Nordgarde face paint. Rogio, waiting outside for him asks which paint is it. Roamer replies Warrior, and reveals he decided to step down from the Baron role. Warrior suits him better. His mate smiles and says he’ll make a great Warrior along with Kargo. Elsewhere in the territory, Fjordor find Kargo sitting alone on a rock outcrop in the forest. The elder Rifle trots up to the Jaro-mix and utters a “Good evening.” Kargo replies with his own good evening, announcing Fjordor’s new rank as Thane in the tribe.

The elder dog gets right to business and asks the younger dog how he felt after being revived. Kargo admits it was difficult as he didn’t feel alive at first, and was mostly cold. Otherwise, he felt fine. The Thane then lowers his head and admits he shouldn’t have reported Kargo to the bounty hunters. The younger dog replies that Fjordor isn’t at fault, and he thinks it had to happen this way as he sees things more clearly now. Also, the Jaro-mix is used to living life as an outlaw. The Rifle reminds him that the others will know some day, and they will come after him.

First, I have to marvel at the fact that Roamer and Rogio have a discussion about his new rank face paint, yet we never get a clear view of said paint. How hard would it have been for Kique to flip Roamer in the second and third panels so we could see the new paint? Worse yet, we get clear views of Rogio, Kargo, and Fjordor’s new paint. This may come off as a nitpick, but it’s yet another example of “tell, don’t show” that plagues this comic.

Roamer was a terrible Baron in the Meteor Tribe, so it’s good that he’s stepping down from the role in Nordgarde. Perhaps his mate knows this too, which is why he isn’t pushing back. Or maybe he just doesn’t care. It’s quite the contrast from when Rogio stepped down from his role. I don’t think either of these two idiots are fit to be Baron, but it’s whatever. At least Roamer no longer has a leadership role that was given to him purely because of nepotism.

As for the Fjordor and Kargo talk, I’m glad the former apologized. He shouldn’t have turned his tribe member in who was clearly suffering and was left alone. He’d just broken up with the love of his life, and his best friend was too busy chasing after the Jarl’s dick to notice. Otherwise, either Ferah or Fjordor would have noticed Kargo’s strong case of PTSD, and at least offered to talk to him. If the talk happened and Kargo constantly pushed them away, then that’s one thing. At least they would have offered. So yes, an apology is completely appropriate here.

That said, I do wish Kargo wasn’t so quick to accept said apology. Maybe he could have noted that how he felt during those days when he was lost. Or how upset he was to be on the run again, and being forced to return to the place that caused him so much trauma. Instead, we get nothing. Just a “perhaps it’s good things turned out this way,” and a threat of bounty hunters coming after him in the future. As if those bounty hunters could be bothered to do their job properly. I’m not sure why Kargo is such a top priority when the former Jarl of the Meteor Tribe is around and literally starting a rebellion against Solar Stag Tribe.

I just find myself constantly frustrated with a story that’s so convoluted for no good reason.

On a quick note about the art, I hate how there are rays of light that illuminate the backgrounds, but none of the characters benefit from this atmospheric lighting. These pages are so dull and boring to look at, and the dark brown of their coats do them no favors in the forest setting. Even a hint of sunlight on the dogs would have been nice to see.

 

On hiatus:

In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uprising | Page(s): | Patreon