Convention season is finished, and my schedule is back to normal. Feel free to read about my time at Furrydelphia 2024. I also took a few pictures.
Africa | Page(s): 383 | Patreon
With Africa and Mondo on one side of the gorge, and Mosi and Bibi on the other side, mother and son finally begin their talk. Africa apologizes to Mosi for not being there when he needed her the most, and admits the lion attack must have been terrifying. She asks her son to tell her what happened. He replies that if he’s alive, it’s only thanks to Bibi’s help. The caracal wonders if Africa remembers her, and the leopard cuts her off, as she remembers the horn contest. Bibi goes to apologize, and the leopard tells her that Chui is the only one to blame. The caracal then admits she’s been following the leopard and her children since Chui chased them off their lands. Bibi wishes she could have done more to help, including helping Binti. Africa then realizes that Bibi was the one who helped lead Binti to Faida’s clan when they first arrived at the crater.
The talk is finally happening and to be honest, I feared it would be derailed in some manner. I’m glad those fears were unfounded. While Africa and Mosi talking was the entire point of this meeting, it’s wonderful to see how Bibi has gone above and beyond to make up for her part in driving the leopard off her lands. I thought she’d be a one-off character, or Chui’s stooge, but she’s really grown into her own. She could have resented Africa for refusing to let her hunt and taken a similar path to Sabra. Instead, this caracal has made amends, and even helped to raise Mosi. Bibi is quickly become my favorite character in Africa.
This page also clears up the mystery of how after escaping the African wild dog pack, Binti arrived at Faida’s clan. I had originally assumed that after Sabra helped Africa get away from Bes and his pride, that she also helped Binti reunite with her mother. But no, it was Bibi who stepped up without even taking any of the credit for herself. It’s a great reveal, though I wonder if the connection could have been stronger if Binti had been allowed to state that someone else helped her. That would have made us wonder if it had been Bibi when she showed up to help Mosi.
I will also note that one reader made a great point about how Africa already knew who Bibi was, so the caracal should have known she’d be recognized. It’s a small plot hole, as it’s hard to believe that Africa wouldn’t remember the smaller cat. Perhaps it’s Bibi being worried about not being remembered, or that so much has happened the leopard might not have recognized her. Either way, it’s not surprising that Africa would remember her, especially since she knew her by name in her previous territory.
To Catch a Star | Page(s): 539, 540, 541, 542 | Patreon
Considering that Sleepy returned from a two-week hiatus, I was fortunate enough not to miss a beat with To Catch a Star.
Trouble stops Lupi and asks if they’re going to wish for a new world like what the Supernova want. The sun wolf reassures the Dusky that it’ll be a good world. Trouble has doubts and is worried that the world might be worse off, or that Lupi might be captured by the Supernova and forced to create a bad world. Lupi insists they have to try, especially now that the moon wolf is dead, and they have to find the final star and the new moon wolf. Trouble knows that the Supernova already know where the new moon will reappear. After all, that’s how they were originally captured. Lupi thinks about it, and then states that Hearth is with the pack and promised he’d change them. The former Supernova is surprised.
Lupi declares that they’ll go directly to the Supernova. Blaze and Cloud try to stop them, as going to the fanatics is just a bad idea overall. Meanwhile, Danger tenses in pain, and Blaze turns her attention to the expecting Dusky. The blind wolf asks if it’s her first litter, and Danger replies in affirmation. Cloud utters a “cripes.” Danger continues to grimace and in despair admits she’s worried that her puppies will be born dead. Blaze tries to reassure her that there’s no reason to believe this, but the young Dusky states that Dusky puppies are almost always born dead. Cloud backs Danger up, and Blaze is shocked. She apologizes and suggests that the young mother could always try again. The young wolf winces again as she holds back tears and cries that it’s impossible because Ray is gone.
Let’s get the stuff with Lupi and Trouble out of the way first. The sun is counting on Hearth to have changed the Supernova. We as the audience know that Hearth hasn’t had a chance to change anything, and likely isn’t even with the pack. This again illustrates one of my biggest problems with To Catch A Star, despite loving this story. The passage of time is so unclear. I can only guess that a month or two has passed since Hearth parted ways with Backlash and company. The only indications we received are that Backlash’s wounds healed, his growth spurt, and Danger being visibly pregnant. So theoretically, that could be enough time for Hearth to make changes. Of course, if Lupi goes and discovers for themselves how the Supernova are the same, it would be more dramatic irony. Of course, there’s the possibility that Trouble joins Lupi, or Lupi runs into Hearth on their way to the Supernova stronghold.
Now for Danger. This page pretty much confirms what the audience has known since her pregnancy was revealed. Ray is the father. I had speculated in January that if Ray wasn’t the father, it was either Takedown or some unnamed male. Honestly, I didn’t really think for a second that it was anyone else but Ray. I was just waiting for the story to confirm it. On that thought, I wish we’d seen a bit more of their romance, though it was clear that they were into each other by the time Ray died. Before he went looking for Danger, he was drawing a picture of her. Even so, it would have been nice to see more of their moments together. Now, I wish he’d survived, as the two having offspring together and raising them would have been a big deal.
At this point, all I can hope for is that some or all of Danger’s puppies survive. As I’ve been curious for a long time on if Dusky and Nova could have pups together. Nothing in the story suggests that they can’t. At one point, a friend had tossed out the theory that Sunny (aka Trouble) might have been a Dusky-Nova hybrid before it was revealed that he was a Dusky who managed to dye his fur. Anyway, I want the pups to survive as it would show that the two types of wolves aren’t that different after all, and can have children. Danger’s mixed puppies would also be the perfect addition to Cloud and Blaze’s pack.
Speaking of Blaze, hell of a way to find out that her grandson is dead, and that he’s also a father. Calling the emotions to come “turbulent” would be an understatement.
The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 28, Page 15 | Patreon
One of the scientist is attached to the Shankar Amplifier prototype via wires coming from his helmet. A monitor tracks wavelengths and the scientist grits his teeth. He stares at a sample of the Black Idol encased in glass. It stares back with its multiple eyes and veins pop under its skin. It seems to be struggling.
I’m not sure what the scientist is thinking here as the device amplifies his thoughts. Maybe he wants to bring the Black Idol harm? If the Shankar Amplifier actually works and can push back or stop the idol, it is an effective way to fight back against a formidable monster. If the experiment is a success, I wonder if the scientists will deploy a similar device to tackle the huge amount of idol in the moon.
Lost Scent | Page(s): 55 | Patreon
After running off to be alone for a while and to sort through her feelings, Tulpi returns to the spot where she left her sibling and the cart. She notices everyone is gone and calls out for them. As she wanders into the ruins, she stops in her tracks. She notices a figure in the distance that causes her to first become shocked, then enraged.
Tulpi was understandably upset and ran off. She needed to be alone for a while. That said, it’s absolutely shitty that her sibling and the others just left. They didn’t bother to tell her they were moving on. It’s not like finding her would have been difficult, as they could have tracked her scent. No wonder the poor girl has abandonment issues. I would too if my companions just left me to fend for myself in an unknown place.
I’m extremely curious about what’s gotten Tulpi so upset. There’s clearly the reflection of a dog in her eyes. That said, either something terrible has unfolded in front of her, or she’s seeing someone she has absolute disdain for. For a moment, I thought it was the pugs who stole from the cart, but the dog reflected in her eyes has pointy ears, not drooped ears. Unless this figure is working with said pugs? Ah, I’m so curious. I guess we’ll find out next Sunday.
Golden Shrike | Page(s): 278| Patreon
The three bucks banter about fighting and strategy, while Runi is bored senseless. Nero notices her acting odd, and asks if her neck hurts. The lone doe admits it feels like she’s home again where her brother and his friends would talk about their muscles and nethers (aka dick measuring contests) all day. Nero insists they can talk about things that interest her, and Kasko agrees. So the bucks ask what she wants to talk about and suggest flowers, dancing, and prancing. Runi groans in frustration.
I admit, I was worried that Runi was getting sick in the previous page. Turns out she was sick– sick of listening to guys talk about things that don’t interest her in the slightest. I can’t blame her there. I do think it’s cute that the boys want to make her feel included as well. They’re just not great at doing so, but the effort counts. I also like how the ice has been effectively melted within the group, and now even Boneslav feels like a part of their ragtag family. Perhaps one more character, someone who can better relate to Runi besides Nero would fill things out nicely. I’m still holding out hope that Usma will join their party. My feelings are based solely on vibes, by the way.
If last week’s page was bad, this page isn’t much better. I absolutely hated the reveal that Feaf is indeed pregnant, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. The hint that the Golden Lioness was in fact making her pregnant is as subtle as being elbowed in the throat. To be fair, I don’t think Kique was going for a surprise, this page was just to confirm the plot he’d been working on. A shame that plot sucks.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. The fact that Feaf and Rhov are suddenly going to be parents is kind of gross. They had sex knowing that they couldn’t produce cubs or pups on their own. There is nowhere that they previously expressed the desire to create a larger family together. Feaf joined The Guild knowing she couldn’t start a family, including having a mate. Granted, it was something her family wanted for her, but there’s no indication that she hated being a part of The Guild or planned to leave. If there was, it was something that needed to be said or indicated by her character on screen.
As for Rhov, he never expressed a desire to be a parent either. Hell, in all the years he was together with Jahla including fully expecting to be the next leader of the Asmundr pack, they never talked about pups. He fell for Feaf, and broke up with Jahla knowing full well that if he wanted pups he’d have to adopt. But again, he never expressed a desire for children. So the Golden Lioness suddenly granting them children without their consent is creepy.
It’s like one of those weird conservative talking points about how the goal of every cishet couple should be to have children. With this line of thinking people never express doubts about having children, and they’re happy to be pregnant even if said pregnancy happened without their express consent. Even more so for women who only exist to bear children in this worldview.
As for page 870, it only exists because people rightfully called Kique out. Because you know what couple DID express wanting children, and lamented the death of their son? Yep, Zahira and Raimo. If the Golden Lioness wanted to bridge the gap between their species (as Zioqa are also felines like Taiga Lions), she should have started with them as they were already parents, and would have been delighted to have more children.
Also, Feaf just magically knows about their situation and decides to give Zahira the feather. You know what this story needed? A page where Feaf and Rhov discussed the implications of the pregnancy beyond the talk with her mother. Somewhere in the page a line about Zahira and Raimo could have been brought up, and Feaf giving the feather to the Zioqa wouldn’t be so jarring.
At the very least, I guess Feaf expressing some doubts about possibly having hybrid cubs or pups is something, in addition to the worry about how others would see it. Still, this is the first time she’s really expressing a desire to have cubs. It feels less like something she was actively into, and more of something that had to come along as a result of her getting together with Rhov. Because very few straight couples in this story are allowed to pair up without producing offspring, and supernatural rules had to be applied in order for Feaf to be expecting. I guess it was asking too much for them to adopt even after they turned down Marduk’s offer. And I’ll never stop pointing out the fact that the alien god ASKED them first. This already makes him better than the Golden Lioness.
It just goes to show you how fucked up it is that the Golden Lioness chose Feaf to be a vessel to bridge two species without her consent. This wouldn’t be so bad if again she were given a choice in the matter. And no, magical abortion herbs don’t count, because violation of consent already happened. I’m just shaking my head at the spirit knowing that the world is cruel, deciding to make Feaf pregnant, and then Feaf just accepting she’s going to be a mother, and just being fine with it despite the weirdly specific circumstances. Nevermind that she’s only been with Rhov for a few months. It’s the Lifa/Ranulfr story all over again, sans the kidnapping and Stockholm syndrome.
I guess the only good thing to come out of this is Zahira and Raimo getting to decide whether they want cubs or not. And it’s also a pity that the nice backgrounds on this page had to be ruined with the crap handling of a sensitive subject.
On hiatus:
In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uprising | Page(s): | Patreon
i’ll copy paste my comment over from DA about Homes last page. i mentioned a few topics you did too.
“i hate this page because it feels like kindergartners pulling off a drama play. theres no real build up. its like lightly mentioned – cut to next scene – “your pregnant! congrats!” becuase little kids aint known for there acting skills.
instead of all the natural steps a person would take like kajirra said. (and storys should take.)
no investigative – hmm, this sickness is strange. could be food poisoning, parasites, other environmental poisoning, bug bite, reg stomach flu, or a horrific disease like cancer? *investigates or checks with healer to rule all of those out.
mom visiting wasint shown and there for we couldn’t get mom investigating. “hmm, you’ve had this for a bit and healers say its not any XX? AND roves been your only sex partner. could you be pregannanant?!”
mom doesn’t question about any of the above being a possibility. even if the feathers a dead give away, why rove and feaf AND NOT the other cat/ dog couple whose adopted son died? you telling me theres been absolutely no other cat/dog couples anywhere?
the feather just means general blessing anyway. so preggo should not be an immediate conclusion. it could be saying, ya you gonna be horribly sick, but you’ll beat your disease! or something bad will happen, but have no fear! they started getting feathers when heading to the capital to quit/ heading to asmunder tribe. which could have been pointing to those possible issues.
no body seems truly shocked, there all just rolling with the flow. there was no proper talks of them having kids or any expectation to, because physically different species and all that. its no wonder they hopped into bed so quick and easy when you can safely assume pregnancy will never happen. and i hate how casual everyone is about throwing “strange” hybrids into society. its not gonna be eezy peezy with some bumps in the road. heck, we got the big bad eviction commity after rebranded meteor, and for what? they have no real reason. the old meteor hasn’t been that way for a while now. there like a quarter of the size with new leaders. you got jahla and whats her face skipping back to her shitty tribe already being targeted and excluded by the whole continent. you put someone whose life is on the line for how they look with a tribe of 3 people. (4 is you count the two bunnys together for one persons worth). and out of those 3-4 only 2 can really fight. so if a big clan on even 10 decides to fight, they should be screwed. unless kique (of course) pulls mega plot armor like eviction commity loosing to rebranded meteor.
back to the -want to have kids build up-
the perfect time WOULD have been right after marduks offer to get more foundation on how they view kids together.
“do you not want kids?”
“no, id love to have kids with you,”
“he could-”
“not through his help.”
TA-DA! solved. at this point you could have them search for options even because they really want it. eventually talking with mom about it. “we have the feather, maybe we could ask the golden lioness?” and be happy to learn the news its already set up and they don’t have to go on some dire quest to the death valley desert of dog eating lava ponys guarding some shrine.
another thought/ plot that could have been- would be mistaking who caused the pregnancy. was the golden lioness the one or did marduke pull a vile move without them knowing. as the news did line up with his offer rather poorly. if mom never told them it seems they wouldn’t have guessed the lioness blessing weeks/ months down the line.”
These are some points I didn’t even consider because it was obvious that Kique was going to use the Golden Lioness to supernaturally make Feaf pregnant. Considering how impossible this is, that possibility should have been the last thought on anyone’s mind until Feaf started to show. Then it would have been a question if Marduk did anything or if it was spirits playing with people’s lives.
Even so, the conversation sample you provided would have been an easy way out for Kique not to have this entire scene be creepy. Again, expressing a desire to have children, then boom it happens without them having to rely on Marduk.
On a side note, I think Feaf’s mother did mention she was going to see her daughter. But how did she know she’d be at Asmundr pack territory? We’re just to assume that she went to Solar Stag Tribe and the Viscountess said she’d probably be in Asmundr? Did she track her daughter’s scent from the last time they were in Solar Stag? A short scene where Feaf asked how her mother found her would have cleared this up, but no Kique doesn’t believe in this type of show not tell. Ugh.