My break from this blog ended up being longer than I anticipated. While my Otakon write-up has been posted to the gaming blog, I still have yet to start writing about Furrydelphia or processing the photos I took. That said, I actually did do some writing between conventions on Tumblr. It was regarding Sleepy Sundae’s decision to put The Dragon Slayer on hiatus. I have criticisms regarding how that story’s been handled, why I stopped reading, and what I think she can do moving forward. Warning, it’s a long entry.
As for this week’s round up, today is Labor Day in the United States. It seemed like a good time to get back on the regular blogging train.
Africa | Page(s): 436 – 437 | Patreon
Bibi’s conversation with Mosi started off on the harsh side. Though she’s not wrong in that they’ll have to go their separate ways, and that he can’t show mercy to most prey if he wants to survive. That said, I love how the conversation swings back to Mondo, and how Bibi insists the kitten is innocent (because he is). Not only that, but his aggression is in part driven by trauma. She then asks if the teen leopard would prefer if she raises Mondo, so he can spend more time with Africa. That leads to my favorite moment so far in this scene, Mosi revealing that the caracal has what it takes to be a mother. After all, he survived cubhood because of her efforts.
The next pressing issue is Bibi’s cough and her catching whatever’s going around the crater thanks to that foul water. I love that Mosi is ready to go hunting for the both of them. Especially since he’ll have to learn to hunt for himself someday. I’m also really curious about the tricks that Africa taught him while they were together. Seeing him hunt solo would be pretty cool, though I’m worried there might not be much in the way of prey. We did just have an epic tug of war between the lions and wild dogs over one stray gemsbok.
What Lurks Beneath | Pages(s): 923-933 | Patreon
I simply couldn’t resist talking about the scene I’ve been waiting ages for. Kelp has indeed put together that Egret is her son, and has finally confronted Sturgeon about the matter. It is pretty clear that Sturgeon wanted to tell her sooner than later, but everything with Threser made that prospect complicated. After that, she didn’t know how to approach Kelp. Egret’s own resentment with the Family didn’t help either. Despite everything, our favorite mother is thankful to our resident schemer. Part of me feared that she’d be angry, but this cat is a saint. Better her to see her son alive and thriving rather than indignation over not being able to raise him herself.
Now Kelp effectively has four children, even if Egret doesn’t know it. The next question is if Kelp will let her son know who she is, or if she’ll respect him not wanting to know who his mother is. I feel like such an issue could go either way.
Even with this reveal, I’m not surprised that Kelp still doesn’t want to return to the caves. For one, she’s not proud of what Trout has done. Second, Hake has a broken heart and needs her more. Sure Mollymawk is with him, but she can only do so much. That and she has absolute faith that Sturgeon will figure something out, maybe more faith than queen’s sister has in herself.
The exchange between Egret and Sturgeon is about a surly as I expected. I get that this guy is quite young, but boy is that ageism something he needs to work on. He underestimated Wrasse and got that cut on his face as result. I’m sure he’ll be surprised by Kelp in one way or another since she’s not a pushover. There’s a reason why Hake promoted her to Trout’s Lionheart.
Speaking of Trout, I don’t like Egret’s line of questioning. I feel like something could possibly be stewing in the back of his head. I just hope he doesn’t do anything stupid or rash.
The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 29, Page: 21-22 | Patreon
The situation is fully out of control at the facility and on the moon base. I’m not surprised that Melissa is still alive, as she wouldn’t let herself be offed so easily. That said, she’s fully disconnected from the machine and is in trouble. Idowu is still alive and has successfully taken down Natasha, but she’s in bad shape with a broken helmet, a torn space suit, and blood pouring out of her shoulder. Rodney is merging into the Black Idol, and Krizman has one heck of a monologue. I have to admit, the bit of the idol around his neck is flowing behind him like a cape, and it looks really cool. My first thought was he looks like a Helldiver with the spacesuit and cape combo. Considering where they are, he might as well be.
His speech is actually quite important. The Black Idol may have figured out a way to get around being locked into anthro forms by the gods or the kae-kariin, and I suspect the black smoke has something to do with that. The idol is on its way though the gate, and I wonder if it will successfully make it into the facility. Meanwhile, Julia is desperate to get to the moon base. Will she succeed, and has her earlier encounter with Air’asha given her immunity to the Black Idol?
Exciting times!
In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): 57-60 | Patreon
Turns out that officer wasn’t alone. There were four others patrolling with him. Of course, when given a chance to explain herself, Kay just botches it hard. She could have blamed the officer’s comatose condition on Harzuk, but she outright admits she hit him. Unsurprisingly, they detain her. Worse, they recognize her as a royal. So Kay’s no good, very bad day continues. Interestingly enough, Harzuk seems to be infamous, to the point where she’s believed to be dead. I bet those cops had aim worse than stormtroopers, and she just played dead. I need to know more about this mysterious blue bunny alien.
At the very least, I have my answer about what happens at 10pm. Everyone on the street without a good excuse for being out is rounded up by the police, and sent to “The Gathering.” It seems to be held in a giant arena or coliseum. I couldn’t help but notice how ridiculously large the front door is. So I’m going to wager these poor critters are about to be fed to the local Tyrant. How the heck is Kay going to get herself out of this mess?
Lost Scent | Page(s): 96 | Patreon
The best way to sum this page is that Motte got laid last night, so she’s in a really good mood.
Tulpi suffered from anxiety and had nightmares, so she’s in a pensive mood, despite putting on a smile. That said, I’m glad the girls are reunited. I’ve missed their dynamic together. I’m also amused by Tulpi voicing the thoughts that most would leave unspoken. That’s what makes the Akita-mix so cute. She’s so upfront and earnest with her thoughts. That said, it feels like Motte is flirting a bit with her companion. Has spending the night with the Selkie given her a boost in confidence? Is the ship between our two characters literally and figuratively setting sail? Who knows? But I wouldn’t mind seeing them pair up.
On another note, I like how the ship is dog powered. I had wondered what the treadmills and harnesses were for, and it makes sense now. I adore the world building in Lost Scent. The dogs have such creative solutions for a post-human society.
Golden Shrike | Page(s): 325-327 | Patreon
I’ve been wanting to write about these pages for a few weeks now. There’s no way I wouldn’t talk about the events at the cave, and the continuation of the March.
On page 325 I nearly gasped when Antaras called for a blessing. I thought this would be the moment that he somehow summons Loss, Eve or both, Grffith-style. Yet his actions are way more insidious. The March is at a low point with the leaders having lost nearly half their members, and struggling to keep morale high. Everyone’s tired and barely holding it together. Then here comes the God-Caller offering a blessing to lift everyone’s spirits. Except, this blessing involves smearing his blood on their foreheads and telling them the mark will keep them safe.
Everyone in the March gets one, including the leaders. You’d think that Antaras would have done this BEFORE they set off on their journey, not after disaster has already struck. At first, I pondered if it could have just been a blessing, but the kicker is that he didn’t mark Usma. Not only that, but he used her being his daughter as an excuse as to why she didn’t need his blood. Of course, they’re very much father and daughter, but they aren’t related by blood. Not that the rest of the March knows this. I’d imagine Usma probably thought it strange as well, but didn’t push back. I mean, why would she?
As the March left without Antaras as he insisted, he catches up with the group later, just as they’re about to cross a dangerous ice ledge. Now his eyes are totally devoid of light, and he tells his daughter to harden her heart. Every time I come across the phrase, “harden your heart,” it usually means something atrocious is about to go down. Typically, in the Bible someone steels themselves to do a genocide, or to turn on family or friends. In this case, I’m very much convinced that the blood blessing is actually marking the March for a sacrifice.
I’m guessing Loss is about to come down and claim all of their lives, or that ledge is about to fall, killing them all. Either way, I’m certain that these deer are about to die in exchange for Loss being bound to Antaras, and Eve using Oudia’s corpse as a puppet. As one astute reader on ComicFury pointed out, the tine Antaras used to cut his leg and smear the blood on the others is the same tine the ring will appear on.
RIP to all of these deer, probably.
Home | Page(s): 928-930| Patreon
Marduk’s story is truly done. Not only has Jahla ripped off his head just for the sake of it, but Father is back. Without saying anything to the pack, he burns Marduk’s body to a crisp with a fire tornado, and then opens fire on the obelisk, destroying it. As epic as Kique tried to make the scene look with more dynamic angles, the curtain falling on the gray alien dog’s story is so anti-climatic. I’ve said enough about how this villain’s potential and the showdown with him have been squandered to bits. So let’s move forward.
First, I think it’s fascinating that Rhov is the first one to comfort Jahla. It’s not Lifa, Thakir, or Argeirr (though he does come in for a group hug). I’m going to assume for the sake of their relationship, Rhov at least made sure his partner, Feaf, was okay before going up to his ex. That said, Jahla and Rhov’s relationship has more chemistry than Jahla and Romé’s, or Rhov and Feaf’s. It reminds me of Kargo and Roamer, post-revival. I have the feeling that if Rhov and Feaf remain a couple, Kique might go with another poly relationship with these three. Now having put the idea of Rhov getting his own little harem out there, please excuse me while stare off into the void for a while.
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Okay, I’m back.
I’d love to see Father’s excuses for why he couldn’t come to the rescue of the Asmundr pack sooner. I guess Marduk’s obelisk kept him away, despite having more than enough firepower to destroy it. After all, this comic is chock-full of manufactured conflict that doesn’t make sense the longer you think about it. Anyway, I can’t help but wonder what’s next for the pack. Will they continue their plan to head north to move in with Ronja? Will they stay in Jahla’s territory for a while?
At this point, I’d rather them start reuniting, so moving north makes the most sense. After all this, I’d be shocked if Jahla didn’t join them, after having nearly lost them. That said, no one in their group knows that Ronja and her tribe packed up shop. So what on Aedra is going to happen when they find the territory abandoned? Will they head over to Whispervale and hang out there for a while?
On hiatus:
My timeliness. Sorry this round up is so late.
The second I read “harden your heart” I started going “Why do I hear Prince of Egypt’s Plague Music!?” One line of dialogue is effective, blunt, and brutal and has me making scared cat faces at the page. Really can’t wait to see whatever the next update is going to unleash.
Absolutely. Whatever happens it’s probably going to be heartbreaking.