I had another busy weekend and was in need of another day off. April is looking to be quite busy as a month, so I can’t promise there will be a round up every week, but I’ll do my best.
Africa | Page(s): 415 | Patreon
After Bibi and Mondo’s touching moment, we have a scene shift. It has been a while since we’ve seen how the herd is doing on their journey to get to the crater. Unfortunately, their travels haven’t been going well, as Chui has been in hot pursuit since he was darted by humans and brought to their location. Worse, not only is the herd being followed by the malicious leopard, but Kafil is also following them despite his banishment.
It’s funny, Kafil might not be actively leading Chui to the herd, but he’s damn sure not doing anything to warn them. Unfortunately anyone who tries to drive him off would have to leave the herd for a while and risk running into the stalking leopard. At the same time, it would be nice if said big cat went for the traitorous zebra, but he likely wants to make the exiled sentinel suffer as he picks off his former friends one by one. Once Chui has had his fill of the herd, then he’ll likely kill Kafil.
Sadly, this means more suffering for the herd as two of their biggest headaches will continue to follow them. One bright spot is that if they make it to the crater, all the enemies that Chui made will be waiting for him there. Of course, that situation is cold comfort given herd would also have to deal with Africa and her sons, the hyena clan, the wild dog pack, and the lion pride.
What Lurks Beneath | Pages(s): 876, 877, 878 | Patreon
I wonder if Sturgeon had sent anyone else but Egret, would Kelp still be interested in following him? Doubly so, given how insincere Egret is about actually helping them, and is just doing so as a favor for Sturgeon. Nevertheless, I’m certain she recognizes Egret as her other son and likely wants a chance to talk to him. I mean how could anyone not see the family resemblance?
Of course, I don’t mean to imply that she doesn’t care about everyone’s health. Egret is offering them shelter from the rain, and he knows Sturgeon, so going with him is safe. It’s just crushing to see how devastated Hake is to be leaving Ray’s grave behind. I also think if Kelp (and Mollymawk) hadn’t accompanied him, Hake would have likely not cared if Egret left him behind. Which would have likely led to his big sister coming to see him herself.
The bigger implications of these pages will be Kelp confirming that Egret is indeed her son. What will it mean, and will it change her relationship to Sturgeon going forward? Why keep her in the dark about her child for so long– especially after Thresher’s death? I do believe she’ll be grateful that her son was kept alive despite the king’s orders, but she won’t be happy that Sturgeon didn’t think it was necessary to tell her. A rift may or may not open between them. Also, how will Hake take the news that Thresher forced Kelp to part with her son, in order to be a mother for him and Trout? I don’t think he’ll blame anyone except Thresher. After all, it was the Blood King who insisted that a small kitten had to die, just because he didn’t want him raised alongside his own children. (He just used population control as an excuse.)
The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 29, Page: Cover | Patreon
It has been nearly five months, but The Order of the Black Dog resumes this Friday. Which means I’ll cover the first page of the new issue for next week’s round up.
As for this cover, it looks like we’ll finally see The Black Dog in all her glory. The issue is titled “The Wrath of the Black Dog.” She seems poised to attack the Black Idol on the moon. I’m assuming her wrath is directed at that particular god, and hopefully not at the people of Earth who were once a part of said idol.
This story is approaching its end, and Issue #29 is set to be the penultimate issue. Everything will end with Issue #30. There’s a lot that has been revealed, and a lot to wrap up. There will likely be about 60 pages of this story left. My only hope is that the ending doesn’t feel rushed, and that most, if not all the plot threads are tied up. Of course, endings are hard, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some things about this story are left unanswered.
I’m also feeling a little melancholy about this comic coming to an end. I’ve been following it for well over a decade now. The Order of the Black Dog has been ongoing since 2012, and all things eventually come to an end. I’m just glad this comic will have a proper ending instead of a permanent hiatus or cancellation. Fingers crossed it all ends on a high, glorious note.
Lost Scent | Page(s): 80 | Patreon
Lost Scent doesn’t update on the last Sunday of each month. Since I missed last week, I get to cheat a little and talk about that page.
The group changes the conversation to ask Tupli and Motte about how they found out about Morgan’s group. When it’s revealed the dog with the mustache told them, Motte and Morgan have a moment of bonding. While this is nice for the Borzoi-mix, her smaller companion is feeling a ping of jealousy. It seems like she can’t communicate with Motte as freely and easily as Morgan can. I just hope there isn’t a misunderstanding between the two, especially since people tend to relate to others differently. Some friendships just have a varied vibe.
At the end of the day, Motte and Tulpi are the ones traveling together, and they have a bond that no one else shares. I hope our favorite Akita-mix realizes that sooner rather than later.
Golden Shrike | Page(s): 305 | Patreon
I love it when events in a story converge. Iralee gave this herd more hope than anyone else has so far. As the dame walks her away, she reveals the couple with the stillborn fawn who confronted Antaras and were subsequently killed, were from this particular herd. Not only that, but the herd tracked their missing members down and discovered the two does, and even Helevise.
It’s easy to forget or not realize it, but Iralee doesn’t know her mother is dead. After all, the last time they talked, the old caller was alive and well. Had she not helped this herd out, I believe she would have discovered her mother was dead by running into Usma (with Nero’s group), or let’s say Dousa. Fan theory points to him being the murderer, and this is what I’ll believe until the story says otherwise.
I think Iralee learning about Helevise’s death from this herd, and the other deaths will lead to her discovering that Loss has been used on other deer. Not only that, but if she goes and finds her mother’s body, she’ll see that Loss wasn’t responsible for her death. Now, for my own theory. If and when she meets up with Dousa again, he might mention something about the old Caller’s death, and this may make Iralee suspicious of him– especially if she doesn’t reveal the death to anyone else. Or the Caller could blame all of this on Antaras, and confront the former Caller. Doing so may lead to her own death.
Again, these are just my own theories, and I’m probably way off base.
Thankfully, the talk of the polycule has been shelved because more pressing issues are facing Nordegarde Tribe. Mainly, a delegation from Solar Stag Tribe. They want Kargo to join their ranks. In exchange, his crimes against The Capital will be dropped. This conversation leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Yes, Kargo did kill two merchants thanks to his PTSD. However, the Meteor Tribe (under Arenak’s rule) has been a menace for decades and Solar Stag never confronted them. Worse, no one bothered to track down Ranach after he left the tribe for what are serious crimes. Kidnapping, murder, enslavement, and systematic rape all happened under his father’s watch, and as a Baron he participated in these acts. There was little hope that he’d changed much after becoming Jarl.
Yet, Kargo has been hounded for the death of two merchants even after his own death. I guess their lives are worth more than everyone affected by the tribe to the north. Worse, it was only after the Jarl was ousted that anyone decided to do anything to the MT. I doubt the raid on the former Meteor Tribe was sanctioned by Solar Stag.
Another thing that bothers me, is that no one has questioned why Kargo is still alive. Especially since he was listed as dead the last time the Guild came around to collect scrolls. Did no one call off the wanted bulletin? Also, Kargo’s not exactly undefeated if he lost to Ranach. I just don’t see the point of only recruiting him. Wouldn’t an alliance with the entire Nordgarde Tribe make more sense, seeing how they managed to drive off the raiders? They could combine that strength with members of Whispervale Tribe.
I’m doubtful any of that will happen, because Home is currently painting Solar Stag Tribe as villains. They made an entire tribe disappear without explanation. They decided the Forngyrm had to die and nearly did the same to the Taiga Lions. There’s a low-key coup against the Matriarch. As mentioned above, they largely turned a blind eye to crimes of the Meteor Tribe when it was ruled by Arenak. So I don’t expect this meeting to end well. Either the Capital representatives will be rejected, will try to attack, or will threaten violence in the future.
On hiatus:
In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): | Patreon
copied from DA:
“this whole offer/ convo is absolutely stupid. and absolutely makes the capital seem weak and desperate. if ranach is so easily allying EVERYone against you, there’s prob something wrong with YOU.
“we’re offering to pardon you if you join us.”
NOW, they step in.
not with meteors obvious vast history.
not with souths spears whole outlaw raiders. FOR kargo. the “undefeated rebel” because YOU assholes didn’t help!
only because an asshole (the one they ironically ignored to “not get involved”) gathered everyone who hated the capital for being the most useless bums. who only did census surveys for no reason and committed a genocide.
i hate ranach, but good riddance when the capital is raked across the coals.
the story wont change at all. the capital is somewhat shown and pumped up as this big force. but now it feels like they’re scrambling for people. does the capital not have at least 20 dogs? i swear it feels like only 5 dogs actually work and the rest are just traveling surveyors who cant fight for squat. if nordgarde can fend off a massive group with only 10-ish dogs then the capital shouldn’t have this much of a desperate struggle.
ironically to come crawling for one dog “outlaw” who they refused to help in the first place, against the issue they ignored.”
I get the feeling that Kique wrote the Capital to originally be a force of good, but maybe after all the feedback, he realized that it was in fact terrible. It’s nice to see them being called out, a shame Ranach is the one leading the rebellion against them because he sucks, and benefited from them turning a blind eye to the Meteor Tribe.
i feel more like this and the mideval ish setting before the RDR2 arc was following the game of thrones hype and the capital was suppose to mimic its capital in the books/ show. but kique cant pull something like that off.
For sure, Red! Kique would need to do more research and critically think about the media he consumes. So yeah. XD