TWWR Round up 11/10/2025– Let the Seeds of a Coup Bloom

For my Jumanlanpelko fans, how are we feeling about the comic’s ending? There’s an epilogue coming, but the main story is over. This comic has been quite the ride. The last chapter was just so consequential. This cat cult comic is the polar opposite of a story like What Lurks Beneath. By that, God isn’t real in WLB and The Tide is just some hermit crab. True power is held by the monarch and their advisors. In Jumanlanpelko, She (the protector god) is very much real, and has more understanding of the cats in her cult than she actually lets on. She can make her presence and anger known, and Guard’s confrontation with her was nothing short of explosive. I’ve read the final chapter four times since it was released a few days ago. I’d like to write some thoughts on it once I get a chance, though I might wait for the epilogue.

As for The Dragon Slayer review, I had a lot that came up at week’s end. The start of this week isn’t looking much better on a personal front. Again, the review is written, it just needs to be edited and proofed. It will be up sooner than later. I’m just sorry it’s taking me so long.

Africa | Page(s): 447 | Patreon

It’s official, Nuru is taking the position of matriarch for herself. While the clan was divided several days ago, they all seem united against Faida now. With the sole exception of Faida’s mate, Badru. I’m of two minds here. Even though Nuru is going for a low blow by taking a jab at the matriarch and her lack of cubs, she’s not totally in the wrong. She took the time to have the clan vote, and she found the elephant to begin with. Meanwhile, Faida has focused so hard on getting revenge on Bes, and wanting Africa to succeed her as leader, that she neglected her own clan.

First, she failed to relay her revenge desires to the rest of the hyenas. I doubt they would have agreed with her. Next, she unilaterally made plans to have Africa be her successor, and even put the priority of the cats above her kin. For example, Africa had semi-successful hunts while the rest of the clan went hungry. Faida should have been prioritizing feeding her clan while making sure they didn’t harm their cat members.

Perhaps that could have looked like sending more hunters out, or having the cats leave once Mondo was older to conserve resources. Not much could have been done about Safari after his leg was badly injured. At a bare minimum, Faida should have been more open with her clan. She should have never offered the role of matriarch to Africa, as the leopard wouldn’t have taken it, and it made the clan resentful.

All that said, I do believe Nuru is making a mistake in completely brushing aside Faida’s concerns about the giant carcass. The clan might not be coughing or appear to be sick, but I firmly believe that foul meat will affect the clan eventually. It might be delayed sickness, or something that targets the vulnerable. I just can’t believe the hyenas will be completely spared from whatever’s happening.

The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 29, Page: 32| Patreon

I wasn’t expecting a return to Melissa and Krizman. Even as his body dies, he makes one final plea. If Melissa could know what those absorbed by the Black Idol remembered, or could see, she wouldn’t have rejected them. I’m kind of surprised at how desperate the idol seems through the fox. I would love to know more about the Black Idol and its thoughts even as there’s not much of this comic left. (We’re at the penultimate issue right now.)

All this time the idol has been largely regarded as an animalistic creature trying to become whole, but there’s definitely more to the story. Why did the gods decide to give the people of Earth distinct forms, split off from the Black Mass? Is it a truly universal threat that originated on Earth? Does it come from somewhere else? Do other nations besides Egypt know about the idol? Who are the aliens collaborating with it?

For now let’s focus this page. At the moment, Melissa’s condition is concerning. I thought she’d transformed into Kenazil, but it seems like the black dog just used her body to manifest, then left her to die. It’s concerning she hasn’t moved once during Krizman’s plea. The only glimmer of hope that I have is that the light hasn’t left Melissa’s eyes, unlike the fox next to her. That said, unless help arrives immediately, I’m not sure how long the tiger has left before she bleeds out. Surely, Julia is on her way. Right? Right???

In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): 67-68 | Patreon

There’s a lot happening in The Lion’s Den. Given Klea Rathburn’s speech, I get the impression the city is well, a city state, and not a city within a state, province, or ward. The Lion’s Den sounds like it’s ready to either invade its neighbors, take the giant-owned countryside by force, or do a bit of both. But before that expansion can happen, the local undesirables must eliminated. And by the city’s therian, Maximus the Revenant at The Gathering. It’s part sport for the masses, and a purge for the government. If there was any doubt the current leadership of the city were fascists, this page should put said doubts to rest. This is a speech right out of the fascist playbook, and instead of a firing squad, or hanging, a giant lion (based on this book’s cover) will do the murdering.

I’m curious to see if this is a straight-up slaughter, or something closer to gladiator sport, where not every combatant is killed. Considering the masked cat mentioned he was detained twice already, there must an option where some people are allowed to leave. Let’s see how Kay fares. On another note, I do find it fascinating that the therian has a name, unlike its counterpart in The Wolf’s Veil. Maybe because there is a city myth, and Maximus and their supporters are feeding into it?

Lost Scent | Page(s): 103 | Patreon

Poor Tulpi is having a full-blown panic attack combined with the start of self-harm. The jagged panels really convey her inner turmoil. Additionally, this episode of hers is extremely relatable. The thoughts, wanting to escape, being in dialogue with yourself, and an overwhelming negative voice. At this point, I’m really glad someone broke Tulpi out of her thoughts. I’m guessing its Desna.

I’d wager Motte won’t blame her friend for this, as the cage snapping open really was an accident. Hopefully the Borzoi-mix will be able to see that Tulpi needs her reassurance more than anything. Though part of me fears this will be something that simmers below the surface before it explodes if Motte doesn’t take notice of her friend’s feelings.

Home | Page(s): 942 | Patreon

Ranach has quite the gathering for his speech. Though most of the dogs are hostile to him and the fact that he was once leader of the Meteor Tribe. Other than a bunch of dogs who went out of their way to antagonize the Norgarde Tribe, and Axi who was fired from the Guild for misconduct, I’m not why anyone would willingly attend a meeting led by a dog they despise. Perhaps, the saying “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” is in full effect here? I fully expected to see Flameguard Tribe present given their falling out with Solar Stag Tribe. Heck maybe even Bhima given the thorny situation with the Forngrym and Shiverfall Tribe.

Still, I can’t figure why Ranach suddenly cares enough to lead the rebellion against Solar Stag. They just happened to look away from him and his father’s crimes as the Meteor Tribe. I guess he was so used to no one caring that it was shocking that SST attempted to do something about Southspear Tribe and that bruised his ego? Otherwise, I can’t really buy any sort of actual redemption for Ranach, even if that’s what this author badly wants. Even him being invested in Southspear outside of wanting to bone Iberon is suspect to me.

On another note, I sorely wish there had been build up to Solar Stag having an evil, power-hungry faction. The tribe turning a blind eye to the actions of the Meteor Tribe under Arenak could have been foreshadowing. But no. It just feels like Kique needed an antagonist for Ranach to stand against, and the SST had to be a big enough threat for him to leave his former tribe alone. It was only after he joined Southspear that we saw the capital demolishing a new tribe, trying to make an alliance with NG, and we had the reveal regarding the genocide of the Forngrym. Again, I’m not disappointed that the SST is evil, but a proper buildup to this reveal would have been nice.

That said, I’m curious to see if any of the dogs air their possible grievances against the largest tribe on Aedra. They must have a good reason to be putting up with Ranach and his speech.

Off for the week:

Nothing

On hiatus:

What Lurks Beneath | Pages(s): | Patreon

Golden Shrike | Page(s): | Patreon