Finally, a week where nothing interesting is happening on the personal front. For those of you wondering about my dog, Star, she made a full recovery. She also had a surgery to remove a lump on her cheek. The lump turned out to be cancerous, but tests revealed the removal of it was enough to cure her of the cancer. My old lady dog is doing well.
Africa | Page(s): 390 | Patreon
Africa asks Bibi is she’s able to leap across the gorge. The caracal notes that she can, but neither of the cubs should be able to make the jump. The leopard finds that to be perfect. Bibi then suggests they meet back up at the same spot at dawn and Africa agrees. As the smaller cat crosses over, she’s thanked again for helping Africa’s family. Bibi tells her to stop and that she wishes she could have done more as she’s sorry for following Chui’s plan. The leopard flattens her ears as she says “You know…”
Again, I have to remark on how brilliant the gorge idea is, even if it represents a rift in Africa and her kids’ relationship. Even so, it’s thanks to Bibi’s help she can spend some time with Mosi (by literally crossing the rift) and not worry about Mondo. When we were first introduced to Bibi, I never thought she’d be such a reliable character. I was certain she’d be a one-off as she was responsible for Africa losing the contest to Chui. Her remorse is very real and here she is doing all she can to make amends. At this point, I’m pretty sure the leopard is going to tell the caracal that she has no hard feelings, especially given how the smaller cat aided her family.
To Catch a Star | Page(s): 567, 568, 569, 570 | Patreon
The Supernova detain Scorch and they leave Hearth behind with Trouble. The Nova recognizes his old Dusky friend as Sunny and hugs him while calling him an idiot. Lupi is up, but they’re bleeding from a head wound. Still, their focus remains on the moon wolf. The sun wolf limps over to the small pup and collapses just before they reach them. Hearth and Trouble turn around in concern.
Before passing out, Lupi touches noses with the puppy. As everything fades to dark, they remember an older pup who’s half-Dusky and half-Nova. The pup sits as a Dusky and Nova look on. The two look at the pup, then at other Dusky and Nova fighting. They then go in separate directions leaving the pup behind.
It looks like Lupi sustained damage to their lower back and may have been concussed after being thrown down by Scorch. It was all they could do to drag themselves to the moon wolf pup and touch noses. I’m certain that Hearth and Trouble will look over them, if not take care of them. That said, it looks like they won’t be traveling any time soon.
Instead, we’re getting a flashback. I admit, I found this scene confusing. At first, I wondered if it was the merged consciousness of Lupi and the moon wolf. Then I noticed in the description on DeviantArt that the Dusky-Nova wolf is Lupi. In other words, this is a flashback of the original Lupi and their legend. It’s clear that the two wolves with them are the parents, as they have features from both parents, in addition to their colors. Are these just two random wolves that had a hookup, a child resulted, and neither wants to be responsible for them? Or are they the sun and moon incarnate who left their celestial bodies to create a wolf who’d be both Dusky and Nova? Then seeing that their creations do nothing but fight, decided to give up and leave Lupi to their own devices? Since there’s no dialogue, it’s hard to tell. I’m guessing this scene will become clearer as the flashback unfolds.
The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 28, Page 22 | Patreon
Dr. Njeri wants to know who Zira needs to be safe from. He insists the doppelgangers aren’t going to find her in the facility. He then begs her to tell them what the danger is so that they can protect her. If she wants to help them, then they’re on the same side. The Kae-Kariin finally replies that they’re not on the same side, and they’re not equals. She explains that before her time, her people enslaved the citizens of Earth before they were people. They were considered tools, and they’re currently still beneath the Kae-Kariin no matter how much their motivations align.
This was a pretty big lore dump which explains a lot in a few short sentences. The Kae-Kariin might be on the side of the people of Earth in their desire to stop the Black Idol. However, they will not work together and instead are going the infiltration and doppelganger route because they don’t consider the Earthlings to be people. This aligns with the attitude displayed by the Kae-Kiriin in the 1800s, Leister. I thought he was weary of the Earthlings because he knew they were once a part of the Black Idol. Unfortunately, his hatred ran much deeper.
The Kae-Kariin are racist and have a superiority complex over the people they once held as slaves. Their bias runs so deep that they’d rather infiltrate and perhaps subjugate instead of forming an alliance where resources and knowledge could be shared. It makes me wonder if the Black Idol wiped most of their kind out, or if the enslaved people revolted against them, and drove them off-planet. Hell, they might have even created the Earthlings in their attempt to make the Black Idol useful to them. Either way, I’m fascinated. Also, I feel like Zira’s pride is going to be her downfall.
Lost Scent | Page(s): 61 | Patreon
The guardians explain to Tulpi and Mottee what scented areas are. Basically areas marked where societies and norms exist, like in cities, despite being just outside of cities. There are representatives, and anyone who violates these rules have to face the consequences. Tulpi notes that her village had a similar system with resident representatives. The tan colored guardian dog notes that her village is well organized in that case. As for the city and scented areas, a council makes decisions and judgements while watchdogs keep order.
She then turns to Motte and insists the two travelers report the incident, otherwise Gooselake will continue to fall into lawlessness. The Borzoi-mix declines as they’re in a hurry and need to find a boat. The tan dog notes that the watchdogs can help them find a boat. Tulpi asks what happens if a dog is attacked outside a Scented Area. The black dog replies the victims have to clear things up themselves, including hiring an expensive tracker dog. The tan dog laments that they should be a civilized species by now, but some dogs might be stuck following their primitive instincts.
This was a text heavy page, but a lot of information was revealed about the world. Although the world seems to be recovering from a state of ruin, there are cities and towns that are well organized. Furthermore, law enforcement and private detectives exist. Which means on the flip side there are probably well organized criminal operations. I suspect Motte was part of one such organization and that’s why she’s pushing so hard to keep moving.
The world building in Lost Scent is pretty good. It’s a story where dogs are trying to be more organized and civilized while still remaining dogs.
Golden Shrike | Page(s): 285| Patreon
As Usma looks down, Kasko asks her whose side is she on. She looks lost in thought, as the scene flashes back to when Pou and his mate died. A voice off-screen can only ask what happened upon seeing the two dead deer, and wonders if there was a fight.
I’m glad that with Nero restrained Kasko and Runi can get to business by questioning Usma. Even though she doesn’t reply to them on screen, it’s pretty clear we’re going into a flashback. The only conclusion I can think of is that she came across the two mates and their dead bodies and began to immediately ask questions. Though I’m not sure if there’s someone with her asking questions or if she’s asking multiple questions. I’m leaning toward the latter as Helevise’s two helpers left, and it was just Usma, Antaras and Eve traveling.
I’m guessing Usma is going to ask her father what happened. He’ll either be direct with her, and that will scare her off, or she’ll put two and two together and still leave. A remote possibility is that she was forced to spy on the group for Anataras and is sad because she doesn’t want to do so. And here she could be telling a story that mixes fact with fiction in order to gain the group’s trust. I honestly don’t know yet, it is far too soon to tell.
In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): 31, 32 | Patreon
A humongous paw emerges from the shattered roof of the Grand Hall. Out of it a huge lion Therian or Tyrant emerges. It shrouds the city in a scarlet musk that forms a barrier, and Critters are prevented from leaving. After releasing its musk, it seized control of the city and created a new government with some socialites. Those socialites also became its most loyal followers.
Shocked, Kay inquires about not being able to leave The Lion’s Den. Harzuk replies that most people wouldn’t be here if it were possible to leave. Narrowing her eyes, the feline is determined to find a way out and storms off to the docks. There she finds a boat and insists she’ll row her way out. The rabbit follows her to the docks and only looks on expressionless.
And here’s our Therian, or Tyrant. Just like with Dunbar in The Wolf’s Veil, Kay won’t be able to leave. Harzuk knows this and is probably watching and waiting for the feline to fail. If Dunbar’s old town is anything to go by, I’m sure sacrifices are made every few days and the people are just living in terror of the giant lion and its supporters. I’m wondering if the people who orchestrated Kay’s kidnapping are part of the ruling socialites. It would be a fantastic twist if they were.
I guess this page also confirms that the rabbits are also affected by the Therian’s musk. Seems like the only way out is not to breathe it in, and perhaps those fortunate enough to own gas masks might be able to freely leave the city. Maybe.
Jahla returns to Kainan, and he asks her how it went. She notes that she wanted to say more to Marduk’s creepy little face. Smirking, Kainan reminds her that they all have to play nice, and the Akiulfr scoffs. Noticing Johaan has arrived, Jahla asks him if he knew that Ronja is a mother. Shocked, he can only stammer “A..a mother?” back at her. She explains that Ronja has three daughters, Naeva, Sumersaga, and Elvind. Kainan grins at the news. Annoyed, Johaan pushes his face against the Rifle’s and insists that he needs to see his daughter.
Taking on a serious expression, the pack leader reminds Johann that he knows, but they must come up with a plan first. They can’t risk being hurt. Jahla tells them not to do anything while she’s not around. She wants to help, but has to sort out a few things at home first. Kainan insists they’ll keep Marduk happy until they’re ready and know what to do.
Let’s start with the good on his page. On the fifth panel we have Johaan and Kainan with actual facial expressions. Not only that, but Johaan actively wants to see his daughter, which is more than anyone else in Home is trying to do regarding their family. More of this please, Kique.
That said, the rest of this page is still a mess. Let’s start with the biggest issue. Rhov has been with the Asmundr pack for two months now. Not once did this idiot mention that Johaan is now a grandfather. He just mentioned that she’s now the leader of the Meteor Tribe. Yet that doesn’t ring any alarm bells, as it was Roamer who took Kainan right to their gates to negotiate with Ranach about Kargo. At the very least, there should have been a conversation about the tribe, its name, and what it could mean that Ronja’s now leading a tribe with such fraught past.
However, I’ll give Rhov the benefit of the doubt, as he was told to stay the moment the guild made it to the Meteor Tribe. He then wordlessly told Ronja not to say anything about him, and she just obliged. Mind you Ronja and Rhov are FIRST COUSINS. (Just like Jahla and her brothers are first cousins with Roamer.) But the plot of Rhov keeping his family status hidden from the guild and the Solar Stag Tribe was so convoluted it hurt. If Ronja was a better leader, she’d at least ask about him. If she was a more forceful leader, she’d demand to talk with her cousin, and he’d discover she had children, and that he had more cousins in MT. But no, he never learns about her kids. Also, how did Rhov even know that she was the leader of the MT given he couldn’t talk to her? (I guess we’re to assume Axi or Feaf mentioned it at some point.)
Thus, we get to this page and it takes Jahla to tell Johaan almost as an afterthought of Kique’s. As in “Oh yeah, Johaan should probably learn that Ronja has children.” Again, he’s the only one who wants to see his daughter. He might be the only consistent character from the original pack in Home. And Kique continues his tradition of keeping family apart by not even having Rhov and Jahla interact since she arrived. Her visit had to be mostly about Marduk being a creep, and Lifa suddenly being okay with domestic violence. Or perhaps Rhov is just hiding out because he doesn’t want Jahla to know he got Feaf pregnant thanks to an intervention from a local spirit. I don’t know.
That brings me to my second issue with this page. Kique again telling us Marduk is holding the pack hostage instead of showing us. So far there’s been zero indication that leaving their territory has been forbidden. Feaf’s mother was allowed to come and go. Jahla, Argeirr, and Folluin were allowed in and plan to leave. Visitors are not being kept out, that’s for sure. It stands to reason that some (or all) of the pack can probably leave. There was never a scene where the pack asked to head north for a visit and Marduk refused. It just feels like Kique says he’s evil, so the pack has been forced to assume none of them can leave. At the very least, some of them could probably ask, and if that doesn’t work, try to sneak away. Now if the obelisk or a shield kept them from leaving, it would be a different matter.
Again, we see none of that. So for poorly defined plot reasons poor Johaan can’t visit his daughter and granddaughters.
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copy pasteing mine from DA.
“ugh, there’s just so much wrong.
the fact that only NOW johans been told hes a grandpa. and basically got the “happy news” half. not any part of ronja was forced into a rapist tribe and held captive. heck, he doesn’t even ask how ronjas mate is doing. which is more meta writing failure on kiques part- the characters arn’t suppose to know that ranak is out of the picture. but kique knows, so he doesn’t bother with characters questioning for news when they should.
if i was a parent suddenly getting that news. i’d like to know how the whole familys doing. especially in such a survival world where hunting accidents or disease can take out a family member. is she still happy with the dog she chose? (that he never met even.) johan would also assume there still at the meteor, because they have no idea of the eviction commity. but i bet everyone magically knows where to go.
(looking back, im not even sure if zilas parents even ever found out that meteor killed him. as jahla and rove decided it best to lie and claim it was a hunting accident. before their split and the relocation with mardukes appearance. after roamer and kianans talk with ranak at the gate, ronjas rescue mission was abandoned. zilas’s parents confronted marduke on their sons death, but only that. that he died at all and wasin’t saved. they still didin’t know meteor did it.)
a little weird jahlahs “please dont do anything-” sentence ends with a “?”
and jahlah just waltzed in and can freely waltz out when ever. it would solidify marduke being evil if he grew obsessed and trapped her here, somehow. forcing heavens reach to actually do something for once. this would be the perfect loop back to mr cockatoo with his stealth mohawk actually having a purpose and revealing an ability to disable the obelisk. but hes a forgotten character.
right now it feels like there’s nothing holding anybody. as others have repeated, wait till hes asleep and leave. the obelisk did only activate because marduke was attacked. although with kique it probably is activated by marduke on a whim.”
Yeah, it’s little details like this that Kique can’t be bothered with, so the characters don’t bother with them. It’s just “Such and such has kids now.” “Oh.” If Kique didn’t want to bother with these kind of important details, he should have just left them out. It’s like the man never interacts with anyone or has any life experience, nor can he even be bothered to research it.
And no, Zahira and Raimo never found out that Zilas was killed by the Meteor Tribe. I doubt they’ll ever learn that truth.
Better yet, if Jahla is going back to her tribe, she can just bring Romé along and have him give meat to Marduk that’s been coated with sleeping herbs or something. Then the pack could escape, but no, they’re just sitting around until Kique can figure out how to make Marduk look even more evil.
have rogio do it. he did it with ranachs dad.
Maybe instead of murder, Rogio just bangs Marduk while everyone else escapes. LOL Or Marduk suddenly becomes a Rogio simp and is no longer a threat. XD
of course! he just needs a fuck buddy!
Why does everyone in Home react so dry to important news?
-you are pregnant with impossible babies
-ah ok
-you are a grandpa
-oh cool
I guess life changing events just don’t register with these characters.
At least Johaan had a reaction of wanting to see Ronja, but you’d think he’d ask more follow up questions. Like who’s the father? Does she need help raising them? Is everyone well? Etc, etc. But no, can’t have family feelings getting in the way of RogioxRoamer romance.
I’m glad Johaan and Kainan have real facial expressions. If Kique gave his characters actual personalities and facial expressions throughout the comic, they would have more consistency and would not have the same dull half-assed facial expressions all the time.
And yes, Johaan is probably the most consistent person in this whole comic, since almost everyone has forgotten up until this point that they have family. It’s ridiculous that every time something important or life-changing happens they have the most underwhelming inappropriate reactions ever.
Roamer just disobeyed Ronja and killed a raider while his back was turned? No big deal.
Ronja has puppies now? Cool I guess.
Johaan is a grandfather now? Whatever.
It also annoys me how very little of a presence the Asmundr pack has gotten. They’re barely in the story at all, and yet Kique keeps popping them back in as if to remind us that they’re still here, or he suddenly remembers their existence, after spending too much time on Roamer x Rogio shit and relationship dramas, and none of them have given a rat’s ass about their family throughout the majority of the comic until it is suddenly convenient.
So it’s like he suddenly remembered Johaan was Ronja’s adoptive father and so would want to see her. It would have been interesting to actually SEE the pack searching for Ronja after Roamer told them he, Kargo, and Ferah would help look for her, but the search for Ronja was dropping like a hat. Also, if I recall correctly, this is the second time he has said ANYTHING in this whole comic. Hell, Raela, Kainan’s mate, hasn’t said anything at all, and she’s still the same non-character she was in the first comic.
It’s so dumb that Kique wants us to have negative opinions about Marduk despite not even showing him doing anything evil. If a shield was in place keeping the pack from leaving the territory, or if the obelisk was controlled by Marduk, like almost shooting one of them down as they actually TRIED to escape (considering they haven’t actually tried to do anything about their current situation), it would make more sense.
*dropped like a hat