TWWR Round up 12/08/2025– This Showdown Became a Throw Down

As promised, I’m back after taking a week off after Thanksgiving. Though I needed some extra time to write this post. (I had an extremely busy weekend.) Last year, I took off all of December and some of January due to increased workload for my gaming/pop culture blog. This year, I’m going to see if I can juggle back-to-back articles for that blog and this one. Hopefully it will help that I’m writing about very different subjects for each place.

Now for some quick notes before I get to the round up.

Songdog’s I Didn’t Know ended recently. Friends and acquaintances had mixed thoughts on the ending ranging from disappointment to finding it to be one of SD’s best works since The Best of Bad Decisions. I have no opinion, as I’m no longer reading their works. That said, I do like hearing your opinions and I appreciate everyone who’s shared theirs with me. So what did you think of IDK now that it’s all done? Also, I saw the announcement that their next comics, Swordbearers and To Hunt Birds will be starting and has started updating on ComicFury respectively. If you plan to read them, enjoy.

Jumalanpelko’s epilogue is now available. I’ve read it several times over and the ending makes complete sense. Though knowing how this story ends makes everything that happened all the more tragic. We learned the cat colony’s god is real, and that there are other terrifying creatures lurking throughout the forest. The epilogue also sets up the sequel quite nicely without ending on a cliffhanger. Though I do agree with some critique that one character’s reveal could have waited for the upcoming sequel. Even the author thinks it’s a fair point. Very minor critique aside, this was one of the best webcomics I had the pleasure of reading this year. Drop what you’re doing and go read the last bit of Jumalanpelko now. Then check out the comic’s Tumblr blog for extra details (with spoilers).

With notes out of the way, have a double round up to make up for last week’s break.

 

Africa | Page(s): 450 – 451 | Patreon

After some time we finally get to see how the lions are fairing after their tug of war over the gemsbok. Surprisingly, no one’s really eating it except for Kauket and the cubs. What I wasn’t expecting was for her to attack Anput because she dared to take a bite of the carcass. Then again, I suppose this page is a nice reminder that this lion society has a strict hierarchy when it comes to dinner time. Though I’d argue that hierarchy rule is broken since Bes seems to have gorged himself earlier and isn’t even eating. The cubs had some of the meat, and surely if Kauket can eat, then so can the other lionesses. Tuta is asking all the right questions.

A shame him getting to close to his grandmother resulted in him being bitten as well. At this point, there is something wrong with Kauket. I’m going to blame a fictional disease from having the open wound in her leg submerged into that swamp water. If she was such a stickler for the rules, surely she wouldn’t be eating first, then growling about the carcass. In fact, she’s said very little since earlier and even Bes seems to be concerned. Perhaps whatever bacteria or viruses that were in the swamp water are affecting her brain somehow?

What Lurks Beneath | Pages(s): 944 – 950| Patreon

I absolutely adore how Kelp suggested that Hake can talk to other trans cats in the Family. Also, we learn for the first time that Snapper is trans while learning she’s also Krill’s aunt. She was first mentioned a few chapters back when Auklet stepped down from the role of Thresher’s lionheart and recommended Snapper replace him for the role.

The hunt in the forest has quickly gone awry as Trout ran into Petrel who’s looking for Egret. The first thing I noticed about Petrel is how tired they look. Not due to hunger or anything else, as they’re eating well. It seems like Egret is fond of running off a lot, and is a handful. Of course this episode happens at the worst time as Thresher and Snapper aren’t far from Trout. I can only guess that Petrel was going to ask to see Sturgeon had they not been rudely interrupted by the King going for their throat.

It is here that the regicide plot between them and Sturgeon saved their ass. Remember how Sturgeon has been poisoning Thresher with lavender in his food? Petrel was the one providing her with the plants. Now we see the effects its having on the king. He’s older, thinner, and weaker than ever. Unfortunately, his bigotry has blinded him to his own limitations, as Petrel is larger than the king now and thanks to a well-timed (or badly-timed) cough is able to get the upper paw in their fight. I feel their disappointment and frustration with Trout calling for Snapper. A few moments more and Thresher would be dead.

That said, I do have empathy for Trout. No kid wants to watch their parent have their throat torn out in front of them (or at all). Also, out of all the siblings, she respects and likes her father the most. He treats Trout with the most kindness, likely because she looks like his dead partner. I do find it interesting that Trout told Petrel to run from Snapper. An indication that she wanted the fight to end, but didn’t want to see the Daisy hurt either. Still, the message is clear. Trout is the most like Thresher (page 948 makes that clear), and these pages are where the rift between the future queen and her would be assassin begin. Part of me wonders if Hake had been there instead of Trout (pretend he could hunt), would he have called Snapper on Petrel? I’d like to think he wouldn’t because of his hostility (and fear) toward Thresher. But I’m not completely sure.

The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 29, Page: 35 – 36 | Patreon

I mused about what would happen next now that Melissa is dead on the moon, and Kenazil tore through the Black Idol. We sure do have an answer now! So, remember that sample of the Black Idol being observed by Dr. Xijo? Yeah, I nearly forgot about it as well, despite him wondering if the scientists of Earth have mistaken a wild dangerous animal for something it is not. I can only think of his last words from page 17 of Issue 26 when he asks “Who will you slaughter?”

Then we have the reveal for the last page of Issue 29. The Black Idol from the lab in the earlier issues of this comic has “hatched” to reveal Melissa. Completely naked, looking like herself, and as shocked and confused as the Martian scientist observing her. I wonder if he’ll think about his Martian myth of Xi’zak when looking at Melissa. In other words, this looks and sounds like the tiger, but is it really her? I’m guessing her true nature will be a major part of the conflict in the final chapter of this comic. After all, he didn’t tell the story of grieving parents that lost their child, then took in a wild animal and raised it as their child, only to be killed by it for nothing. If I had to take a guess, Julia, Jackson, and Njeri will see her return from being killed on the moon as a miracle. Xijo and a few others will suspect her of being a part of the Black Idol tricking everyone else into lowering their guard. The tension will be over who’s correct, who’s wrong, and what’s really happening.

Given that Melissa was once infected by a small piece of the Black Idol before being cured by Kenazil, I’m sure it has a lot of her memories. Or maybe since everyone is actually the mass given form, it could have everyone’s memories. Perhaps like Julia, she used her own will power to return to her own body. Or maybe the idol reformed her body, but she kept her own mind. Maybe like before, she’s something of a sleeper agent and her story will tie in with Hedgeworth’s as the leader of the kae-kirin.

Either way the final issue will be an exciting one. I just hope it’s long enough to tie up the three major plots of this story. Basically, the true nature of the Black Idol and what its alien allies want, the attempt of the people of Earth to rid themselves of the idol’s influence on them, and Hedgeworth’s plans to use the idol to cure his people’s “sickness.”

In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): 71 – 72 | Patreon

We finally get to see Maximus the Revenant in the fur, and this therian is glorious. The detail on its scarlet fur, the whiskers, the disturbingly yellow teeth, and the crazed look in its eyes are all perfect. Unsurprisingly, this lion is so much larger than the wolf therian from book 1 of this series. It also seems like therians absolutely must play with their prey before dinner time. Not that this poor feline really has anywhere to run. If he could get away from Maximus, there are armed guards and a barred gate waiting to stop him.

Though judging from the last panel, this very large lion already knows this critter. Again, alluding to the masked feline talking to Kay a few pages ago. It seems some critters are allowed to leave this arena alive while others aren’t so fortunate. I’m looking forward Maximus’ judgement here. That look in its eyes probably doesn’t bode well.

It is no surprise that the therian of The Lion’s Den is a massive lion. It fits the city’s name. Now I wonder if the city was named after a therian who was lion during its founding, or if this particular critter who transformed took inspiration from the city’s name. A chicken-and-egg question regarding Maximus’ origin.

Lost Scent | Page(s): 106 | Patreon

Piper’s advice to Tulpi is pretty solid. You can’t find happiness for yourself if you don’t value yourself, or your own strengths. It’s the inner confidence you need to push past all of that insecurity that fuels self-doubt, self-anger, blame and ultimately self-harm. Sure, it’s more complicated than that, but those are the very bare basics. It’s not a lesson that comes easily or even sticks, it’s something you have to learn with experience and age. Let’s just hope some of her advice gets through to Tulpi. Letting the Akita-mix know that she’s not alone in her feelings certainly helps.

It also makes my heart soar to see that Tulpi is actually opening up to Piper about her feelings of frustration regarding Motte. It’s not quite a full confession of her feelings, but it comes close. This is the first time in the story we’ve seen her talking to anyone else about her traveling companion besides PIG. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Piper can also give Tulpi some advice, being a bit older and all.

On a technical note, I love how the borders of the panels are jagged while Piper told Tulpi about her past and self-destructive tendencies, but as she returns to the present, the panel borders become straight again.

Golden Shrike | Page(s): 335 – 336 | Patreon

I was wondering if this chapter would serve as a break from Usma’s backstory and how Antaras managed to capture both Loss and Eve. The empathy Usma showed for Kasko was especially touching. That said, I was right to be concerned about Nero’s pacing in the background. I suppose he was giving himself an outlet for his emotions or frustrations after hearing the Northerner’s tale. As abrasive as he can be, Nero actually makes a good stand in for the part of the audience eager to hear the rest of the story. I almost felt a fourth wall break, though I’m sure that’s not what Doeprince intended with this moment. It’s just the young Marshlander’s impatience and his lack of tact.

It seems that the key to getting Loss under one’s control is to literally spar with him after summoning him. I don’t understand how Antaras was able to flip and throw down a god several times his size. Is this some kind of magic or ability due to him being a god-caller? Did eating all of those halvs give him a power boost? Or is this sheer anger and determination at work? This page raises as many questions as it does answers for him. I’m sure we’ll have answers in due time.

I will say I wish there had been at least one small panel showing Antaras and Loss’ antlers actually locking. It would have better contributed to the feeling that former god-caller threw a god down a few yards from where they actually clashed. Still, the effect of Loss being slammed down is very cool. It conveys Antaras’ control and power. Good luck going against this guy, Nero.

Home | Page(s): 945 – 946 | Patreon

Onofre ramps up his long speech about how his tribe (Dragonsfall) along with Skullcrest tried to push the Meteor Tribe off their lands, how they were hiding Kargo, and how Solar Stag refused to capture him. Given what really happened, I have so many issues, and it’s more so with this character and his nature. I can’t say, I actually have an issue with Kique’s writing here, because it seems like he’s trying to paint Onofre as someone trying to put the raid in a positive light for the sake of joining this rebellion.

First, he neglects to mention that his version of giving the Meteors a “chance” was burning their homes to the ground, then threatening violence if they didn’t leave. And yes, Roamer shouldn’t have killed his mate, and should have been punished for doing so. Yet, if his mate had not been there burning tents first, he’d probably still be alive. I’m also sure Solar Stag Tribe wouldn’t have sanctioned the raid, as they already had an agreement with MT to use their lands to burn bodies to put the ghouls to rest. That’s likely why Dragonsfall and Skullcrest removed their tribe paint before attacking. They didn’t want to be easily recognized because they knew their actions violated what few laws and agreements the dogs of Aedra had, and the dogs of the MT had every right to defend themselves. Amusingly, their raid was so shitty that they lost several dogs, including a jarl while no one in the MT/Nordgarde Tribe died.

I will say in terms of writing, I am tired of the Kargo as an outlaw-in-hiding plot. It’s funny how everyone recognizes him by the four dots under his eyes, and being tall. That’s it. It would make more sense if he built himself an infamous reputation, or if he had wanted posters (let’s say Solar Stag artisans drew them) passed around various tribes. But just a vague description based around dots near his eye feels so unbelievable. That said, I’m not surprised that Solar Stag wanted to make an ally out of Kargo. I mean there is a rebellion brewing against them, and thanks to their internal power struggles, they’re angering allies left and right.

Getting back on track, that was a long way for Onofre to build his case on why Solar Stag needs to go, and working with Ranach doesn’t make him a hypocrite. (It does.) I could have done without the story of the lone wolf being tied to the red wolf, as I feel like we should have at least gotten a flashback for that particular story now. Was the lone wolf an Akiulfr, Liulfr, or a vengeful spirit that someone summoned? We all know the story of Jahla. She poached some prey from Flamegarde Tribe and their reaction was to scream at her and Thakir for trying to steal their land and going straight for the kill. The dogs of Aedra love attacking first, then are surprised when their targets are able to defend themselves, and are again surprised when the capital deems it self-defense.

And why is Ranach ginning up the threat of a single wolf? The dogs did a genocide on entire saber-toothed cats. A single wolf shouldn’t be an issue unless they all line up fighting game style and attack one-by-one instead of together. Or he could be implying that Jahla’s building an army with the help of Solar Stag to conquer and take their own territory. We in the audience know this isn’t true, but maybe it’s the conclusion the dogs might come to.

Unsurprisingly, this conversation was enough to get some dogs to join his rebellion. Of course Onofre and crew were a given, and likely any other dogs shocked by the disappearing of Lowglade Tribe. I’m curious to see who else joined.

Off for the week:

Nothing

On hiatus:

Nothing