TWWR Round up 09/30/2024– Forcefully Restrained

Long time no see.

I figured I’ll try to get in a post before September ends. My computer has been back for about two weeks now, and I feel like I’m finally ready to start writing round ups again. First a quick recap of what actually happened with my PC.

The issue with my computer ultimately came down to my motherboard. After dropping my PC off at Micro Center on the 7th, it took them until the 13th to make a diagnosis. This wasn’t surprising because I was warned there were about 60 computers ahead of mine, and it would be at least a five-day wait. Six days passed before a tech looked at my computer. They discovered my motherboard was at issue, and I was told to come in to discuss upgrade options. I couldn’t make the trip until the following day, the 14th.

So it was a full seven days after dropping off my PC that I was finally able to work on a fix. I had two options. Purchase a newer motherboard as mine was five years old at this point. A newer board meant that I’d possibly have to upgrade my CPU and RAM. Or buy an older board and keep my current components. I went with the latter option. We found a compatible motherboard. A few hours later, my PC was ready for pickup. Unfortunately, I had to wait until Sunday afternoon (the 15th) to fetch it.

The new board ended up costing me about $220, and it was $120 to diagnose the PC and to install the motherboard. Still cheaper than a new computer and less time-consuming than diagnosing and replacing the motherboard myself. Logging into to all the websites I’d logged out of, and redoing settings in OBS in order to livestream was a pain the ass. Still, it’s done and I’m back.

Let’s talk about some webcomics!

Africa | Page(s): 389 | Patreon

After Africa and Mondo have agreed to Bibi’s swap idea, the caracal turns back to Mosi with a smile. She hopes her plan can help them, and the young leopard thanks her. Still smiling Bibi reminds him that she’ll see him tomorrow. Mosi clarifies that it’s not just the swap, but also coming with him to meet his mother. She reminds him that she promised she would be by his side when he faced Africa. So it’s time for him to finally reconnect. The smaller cat tells him she’ll see him tomorrow.

On the other side of the gorge Africa tells Mondo she’ll see him tomorrow and to wait for Bibi. The two adult cats then meet at the narrowest section of the gorge as Mosi and Mondo wait by the larger gap.

I had complete faith that Africa would agree to the swap, and I’m glad Mondo agreed to it as well. Bibi remains the best character here as she’s gone above and beyond to help Mosi not only survive, but to attempt to patch up his relationship with his mother. At this point I can only hope the two leopards can really reconnect with each other. As for Bibi and Mondo, I stand by the possibility that meeting a cat in his own weight-class will be immensely helpful. I’m also certain that the caracal can bring the serval some of her good cheer.

 

To Catch a Star | Page(s): 563, 564, 565, 566 | Patreon

After Scorch turns on Lupi for refusing to grant his wish, Hearth stops the cult leader from trying to kill the sun wolf. He’s aided by other Supernova, namely the newest recruits that didn’t approve of Scorch separating them from their families. As they tackle the large wolf, Hearth tells his leader he won’t let him kill the sun and ruin everything Lupi, Backlash, and Shadow were working toward. As Scorch is restrained, he rants that there is no point in a new world if the Dusky are left alive as they’re the reason the world is dying. Hearth rebukes him and tells him the Dusky are the same as the Nova. Trouble comes out of hiding to reiterate this, as he tells everyone their souls are the same and the sun doesn’t want them to fight.

Scorch growls and finally admits he doesn’t give a damn about what the sun wants. Staring at the celestial body in the sky he begins to shout “fuck you!” over and over again. He’s angry that the sun blinded his mother and broke her heart. Flare finally approaches her son with tears in her eyes, and the large cult leader begins to break down in tears. She comforts him and tells him it’s enough. He cries as he reveals he just wanted to make her wish come true. Hearth, taking command of the pack tells the others to tie Scorch up, as he can’t be trusted.

On a quick note regarding page 565, it wasn’t until I read comments on DeviantArt that I realized it was Scorch yelling at the Sun, instead of being yelled at by the Supernova restraining him. I wish those speech bubbles were a little clearer. Perhaps a tail on the shouting bubbles in the second panel would better indicated that it is Scorch doing the ranting, and not him being told off. On the DeviantArt version of page 566, Sleepy admits that having him admit he was doing everything for Flare should have been made clearer sooner. I didn’t find the reveal out of character, as it has been made clear that Scorch loves his mother as he still calls her “Mommy.” But perhaps a few hints that his plans were a misguided attempt for Flare’s sake would have been nice.

Granted, Hearth wasn’t with the group long, and we didn’t have a POV character to get more insight into Scorch, much like we got with Takedown through Backlash. Oh, well.

As for the rest of this scene, Lupi is finally out of danger as Scorch has been restrained and has seemingly lost the will to fight. Not only that, but Hearth has stepped up and as the chosen one is now leading the Supernova. I can only hope this clears the way for Lupi to take the moon wolf, gather the last star and make the wish to create a new world. After all, the Supernova were the biggest hurdle after Takedown, and both have been effectively pacified. If the sun wolf says that the Dusky are not the problem and never were, I’m pretty sure the Nova will back down. Doubly so if Lupi chooses to reveal that it was actually Nova that destroyed the moon and caused the current state of the world.

I’d like to double back and talk about Scorch and Takedown as foils to each other. Both were large, powerful, and controlled their packs through power and intimidation. These two wolves had no issue killing the deity opposite of what they believed in. (Or at least what Scorch pretended to believe in.) But at the end of the day, Takedown had no one as he killed ALL of his family, starting with his mother. After killing Backlash and turning on the pack, that pack abandoned him. When he couldn’t let killing Lupi go, he finally met his end falling alone into the void.

In Scorch’s case as awful as he was, he loved his mother at least. His desire to make her happy became twisted at some point. That said, even in his downfall, his pack stood up to him, and he’s being imprisoned rather than killed. As physical might doesn’t make right with the Nova. Scorch still gets to be comforted by his mother. (A luxury he didn’t provide other wolves that didn’t fit into his worldview.) The biggest contrast between these two villains are that bonds still count, as does knowing when you’re beat. This is why Scorch lived and Takedown died.

That said, I’m guessing once Lupi recovers from being tossed around they’ll want to set out with the moon to locate the final star.

 

The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 28, Page 21 | Patreon

Okpara sits in the interrogation room, staring at a plate of stroganoff. Jackson tells her she needs to eat and that the stroganoff recipe was suggested by Dr. Njeri. She finally begins to eat as Njeri recalls how she used to mention it was a recipe her mother made. He then wonders how true that story is as Jackson sits down next to him. Okpara looks away as she eats. The doctor finally brings up the subject of the doppelgangers. He asks his former colleague who and what they are, and what they stand to gain by sabotaging their operations. As the Kae-Kariin sips her drink, she tells the two that she needs assurances that she can be kept safe before she shares any more information.

On the interrogation front it at least looks like Jackson is making progress in getting Okpara to talk with Njeri’s help. It’s beneficial that Njeri and Okpara were friends. I’m really hoping that she can shed light on what the modern version of the Kae-Kariin are up to, especially if they’re inserting their own kind as doppelgangers on Earth. After all, the last Kae-Kariin we met was more than happy to leave the planet, even if he didn’t quite make it that far. I wonder what’s changed within their civilization. Are they interested in helping the Black Idol get stronger, or are they worried that Earthlings have stumbled upon a power they don’t understand?

 

Lost Scent | Page(s): 60 | Patreon

The livestock guardians drive the remaining thieves away with their large physical size and insults. They then turn to Motte, Tulpi, and PIG. Later, the guardians accompany the girls and PIG as they stroll through the town. One of them tells the girls that they are known to the crooks as they often transport goods through the area and have previously crossed paths. Attacks on travelers are all too common and have been on the rise. Tulpi asks how they knew she and Motte weren’t with the gang. Their reply boils down to scent, as they can smell the gang coming from kilometers away. The Akita-mix thanks the two dogs for their help. The brown and black dog sneers and declares their help wouldn’t have been necessary if the watchdogs were doing their jobs, as it’s a scented area. Even so, the dogs within the territory behave in a less than civilized manner. The tan dog remarks that Motte and Tulpi come from the outside, but she thinks they know how to behave in scented areas.

Since I missed last week’s update, the chaos of having PIG attack the lead gang member, Tulpi joining in, and Motte tossing another dog around by his muzzle was hilarious. Way back when I predicted that the town guard might step in and save the girls. I was right…eventually. It’s just that the guardians aren’t technically the town guard and the thieves did make off with most of their belongings. It’s only because most of the thieves ran when they saw the guardians coming, and that PIG refused to leave Tulpi that the girls got to keep him.

I’m so happy to read a comic about dogs using human tools and living in more advanced societies while also having little reminders that they are dogs. (Yes, I am throwing shade at another comic.) For example scented areas. This shouldn’t be a surprise as scents are important to dogs and having territory markers like this makes complete sense. I wonder if they’ll be elaborated on in the next page.

 

Golden Shrike | Page(s): 284| Patreon

Boneslav forcefully grabs Nero by the antlers. The Marshlander demands to be released and the Stonekrovn refuses. He tells Nero to use his eyes and look at Usma’s face. The Northerner is not here to fight. As the Marshlander buck struggles to free himself, he shouts that even he can make that [sad] face and demands that everyone stay away from her. He then begins to threaten Boneslav as the larger buck flips him on to his back and begins to drag him away from the group. Runi and Kasko look on as Usma barely acknowledges the scene. They then turn their attention back to the Northerner doe as Kasko begins to talk to her.

Since I haven’t written about Golden Shrike in weeks, it turns out I was correct about a deer being in the shadows while Runi ate. Even though I wrote about how Runi would benefit from another doe in the group and that Usma would fit in well, I wasn’t expecting her to appear in front of their group this soon. I would have thought she’d be fully disillusioned with her father first before perhaps running off. Maybe she is and a flashback is coming.

While comments on the page seem to be split between readers who think Usma ran away and others who believe she’s here to spy for Antaras, I’m thinking she might have run. My only reasoning is that she could have been on her way back to her father and saw him use Loss to kill the deer who wanted Eve to revive their dead son. Such an act is as scary and heartless as it gets. Between Eve possessing the body of Antaras’s mate (it’s not confirmed if she’s Usma’s mother), Helevise being dead, and the other does leaving, I’m not sure if she wants any part of her father’s plans. She was already apprehensive about what he was doing in the first place.

That said, while I think Nero’s anger is irrational, it’s not totally illogical. They can’t trust Usma, as they don’t know what her intentions are, and she has yet to say anything. Of course, there’s no indication that they even trust her. Pressing her for potential information could be helpful, especially if she’s defected from her father. Talking to her is the only way to ascertain her plans (if she has any).

 

In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): 29, 30 | Patreon

Kay berates the rabbit and insists her name is at least easy to say. Harzuk yields slightly and admits she’s also known as “The Blue Rocket” since the feline is having a difficult time with her name. Kay then asks if she’s a mutant rodent and an exasperated Harzuk tells the feline she’s a lagomorph, or what Earth critters would call a rabbit. Kay admits she’s never heard of such a thing, and the rabbit can only wonder if she’s lived under a rock. After all, they landed recently on the planet, but enough time has passed that most people would know them.

The cat flattens her ears and reveals that she lived in a cave for the last four years. Her most recent memory of The Lion’s Den was a civilian riot so large that the Monarch’s Palace was invaded. They hunted down royals and took their belongings. Kay found herself running far away. Harzuk grins as she figured the cat was of royal descent as she has a Diamond Absynnian marking on her head. Ignoring the comment about her royal blood, Kay implores the rabbit to tell her what’s happened in her absence. Harzuk reveals the civilians and monarchs continued to fight until a deafening crack came from the Grand Hall.

I have to admit there was a huge amount of lore dropped on this page. First, it now makes sense as to why Kay was being chased earlier. It was a revolution. It was run or probably be killed. It also might explain her kidnapping, if she can be identified as a royal, someone might want her for political purposes. Kay also hasn’t realized The Lion’s Den has been taken over by a Therian as she’s been held captive by a Giant for nearly half a decade. That’s a long time to be out of the loop.

So long in fact that aliens have come to Earth and they’re rabbits! I can’t help but wonder if this is a play on the myth of the rabbit on the moon. If Harzuk comes from the moon, then that will be confirmed. As for her role in this particular story, it’s too soon to tell. I’m still tickled at the idea of suddenly aliens in a world that has mysterious giants, and anthropomorphic critters that can turn into huge quadruped beasts. That said, I’m curious if these new critters have the potential to turn into Therians, or if they’re immune being from a different planet.

Theory and speculation aside, I’m pretty sure a Therian is the reason the Grand Hall is about to burst open in Harzuk’s retelling of events.

 

Home | Page(s): 875| Patreon

Marduk tells Jahla that they can help each other. Curious the Akiulfr tilts her head and asks “How so?” The former Sky God tells her how he knows she’s been yearning to know more about the stars since she was a pup. He can provide answers to his world, Father, or anything else. In exchange for that knowledge, he wants to know about her species. Intrigued, Jahla remarks in a questioning manner that Marduk is really curious about the Akiulfr. He grins and says he’s mostly curious about her, as she’s a wondrous sight. She huffs in reply and stands to leave. As she goes, Jahla circles around the Sky God and tells him that they will meet again, emphasizing he’s their one and alone god as she bares her fangs while raising her hackles. As she walks off, Marduk turns and stares in surprise.

A lot is bothering me about this page, and I’m not sure where to start. It’s likely the fact that Marduk wants to know everything about Jahla and knows that she’s wanted to know more about the stars since she was young. Then he wants to know more about the Akiulfr. Yet a beat later he’s trying to hit on Jahla? I get that Kique wants him to be the bad guy, but why the switch between being earnest with the Akiulfr, then trying to charm her a moment later? For a guy that hasn’t been in character since Kique’s falling out with his earlier co-writer back when Marduk was named Khellir, he seems off even here. As if trying to charm Jahla is a cheap way of trying to make him feel sleazy so the audience can further dislike him. You know, opposed to showing him actually doing something sinister.

I get that he’d be curious about the Akiulfr, as their existence wasn’t intended by the Sky Gods and just happened. That said, Jahla is instantly suspicious of him before anyone in the Asmundr pack can tell her about Marduk. It would make more sense if this scene was longer and as he talked about the Sky Gods and Father. Little details and events wouldn’t add up. That way Jahla could piece together something isn’t right with Marduk. Instead, we get two pages of her being suspicious of him for no good reason and him coming off as sleazy. This is what happens when your comic is tell, don’t show. Actions and words don’t line up properly.

Again, the fact that Marduk was literally a different character (Khellir) at the start of Home doesn’t help. His purpose for joining the Asmundr pack was rewritten on the fly after Kique had a falling out with J-Harper some years ago.

Even some of Kique’s regular readers and commenters on ComicFury have picked up on how Marduk is being made out to be the bad guy and the pack’s sudden shift in how they view him.

In his reply Kique is pretty much blaming his former co-writer for the shift in personality. When in reality J-Harper asked for Khellir to be removed from the comic completely, but instead he was blocked by Kique and any credits for the character were removed. It’s rather distasteful that Kique is now attempting to change the narrative a half decade after their falling out.

Anyway, I’m glad this scene appears to be over.

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