TWWR Round up 05/18/2026– A Dialogue About and Between the Gods

Last week ended up being an unintended week off. It was a holiday and between spending Mother’s Day with Mom, and running my Sunday evening livestream later than usual, something had to give. Let’s hope with major holidays that fall on Sundays being done for now, I can get back to writing before and/or after my livestreams.

While following the I Hope So blog on Tumblr, I learned about Webcomic Studio. It’s aiming to become another hosting platform for webcomics, similar to ComicFury. There are already a good number of comics there, including IHS. If you’re a comic creator, and you’d like to have another home on the internet, this could be a good place to check out.

As a reader, I’m a little disappointed that there’s no support for RSS feeds. Also, there doesn’t seem to be an option for comments, or a way to subscribe to comics websites if you have an account. Now maybe that option only shows up if you have an account, I don’t know. I’d say discoverability is a little lacking as well. This site appears to be new, and like CF, is run by one person. Perhaps more features will be added over time.

Africa | Page(s): 468 – 469 | Patreon

It’s good to have Africa back in rotation after a month-long hiatus. First, Bibi successfully made the crossing. For a moment I feared she might not make it, but our little caracal is a tough lady. That said, Mondo seems concerned, and I wonder if that look back at Africa is him briefly sharing those fears. Meanwhile, Mosi has wisely decided to relay news of the sickness to his mother. Not only that, but he has the foresight to realize that it won’t just end with the dogs, but it could potentially be a crater-wide issue. It might be time for Africa and her growing family to pack up and leave.

As noted, Hyena hill is no longer a viable option. Even if Faida was alive and ready to take them back, the leopard still has her pride, and the knowledge of the former matriarch’s grander plans. But now? I’m extremely doubtful that Nuru would allow them into her ranks, and they have bigger worries. Like Bes-sized worries. Speaking of Bes, the lion pride pretty much rules the area and would always be a danger. So there’s the option to return to Lerai Forest. The only problem is that Chui still rules over it.

If Africa pushed her pride aside, Chui would likely allow her to stay because he’s looking to sire cubs. Which means no Mosi, no Mondo, and no Bibi. Considering how much the leopard has grown over the past five months, this is an immediate deal-breaker, especially with Chui being a manipulative asshole. I wonder if Africa will suggest clearing him out of the forest before retaking it. Though we know how that went last time. Would she be smarter about it? There’s also the possibility of Mosi helping now that he’s older. But I fear he might be more a liability than a help, given how easily Africa was able to overpower him when she was protecting Mondo.

What Mosi needs is to grow and pack on weight, especially muscle. The problem is that their current territory is dangerous right now. And this is before the war between the hyenas and the lions has even started.

The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 30 Page(s): 6 – 7 | Patreon

The standoff between Tazim-Talash and Zalef-Labev continues as the former gives the latter a piece of his mind. Apparently, Tazim and another god named Iv-Ki-Osha warned the archivist god about the danger of the Black Idol aka the black tree. It seems the black mass has the power to corrupt the gods, and Zalef is no exception as it seems like some of his powers have been degraded– to the point of needing the black dog to protect him. The banter between the two gods suggests that Zalef may have truly forgotten what he took from Tazim, even if he remembers the ambition of his fellow god.

I love the fact that we see them shift between the current forms they’re inhabiting, the reveal that Zalef has a multi-headed and multi-armed bird form, and then there’s his ash tornado form. That form is tangled up with the black mass and is glitchy for some reason. Curiously enough, Tazim only stays in his single antlered worm form, instead of turning into the massive, multi-bodied tree. I also find the heaven-like realm to be fascinating. It certainly is a serene place compared to the fleshy afterlife that we first saw issues ago with Rhoda. That said, the flesh realm seems to be their true realm, and that place is most definitely infected by the Black Idol. (Never mind that toothy winged vagina beast!)

I still believe the gods are the ones responsible for the Shankar radiation that keeps Earthlings separate from the Black Idol. I’m also wondering if they chose to make individual people out of compassion or a desire for followers? Perhaps the gods could have just destroyed the black tree. Unless they couldn’t destroy the idol because it is a physical god, where they’re gods relegated to the spiritual realm, and creating people was their next best solution. I’m looking forward to the reveal when it finally happens.

In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): 87 – 88 | Patreon

I’m really glad that Kay doesn’t buy the purity politics of the previous regime, aka the old guard. I also find it amusing that violence is her immediate go-to answer! She hasn’t changed a bit! Luckily for them, Sanne has a logical head on their shoulders. The idea of hanging out and teaming up in the orphanage is a better solution than trying to beat the other kids up. I imagine when you’re in a place without parents or family, making friends is extremely important.

On another note, it seems that both cats lost touch with each other after the uprising. Kay ultimately fled The Lion’s Den, but where could Sanne have gone? They’re also a royal, right? Or did they have a lesser status because their ears and markings weren’t deemed pure enough? I’d say the political situation in The Lion’s Den is curious. It seems as if the old guard had a eugenicist bent to it, and the current guard are fascists. The city certainly isn’t prospering under their reign as problems are literally tossed to the Therian as chow. People suffer, way too many don’t have enough to get by, and even the buildings are cracked and in a state of decay. Seems as if the city and its leadership is rotten inside and out.

Lost Scent | Page(s): 120 – 121 | Patreon

It turns out the bar incident is what directly leads to Tulpi and Motte traveling together. It is as simple as Tulpi trying to go home, and asking if Motte wanted to travel with her. Here we learn that “Motte” isn’t really the Borzoi-mix’s name, and she just thought of it on the spot as an alias. It’s German for moth. In all fairness, I would have completely missed this detail had I not read the comments on ComicFury. I thought her little pause before answering was due to hesitation, but no, she had to come up with a new name. Which lends credit to my theory that Motte is running from a former life, and she absolutely can’t be discovered.

That said, the moth is a nice transition to current events as the girls depart the Shearwater and make the trek up the mountain side. Motte is in a fantastic mood while Tulpi is quiet and forlorn. Even the Borzoi-mix has taken note. If I had to wager a guess, it would be that hanging out with Morgan was good for our larger girl, while the experience brought out all kinds of insecurities in our smaller girl. Mainly the fear that she might lose her traveling companion to a charming, adventurer without ever expressing her true feelings. Then there’s Tulpi completely unable to express her feelings with ease, unlike Morgan. I suspect the realization will continue to be an issue until these two finally talk it out. At the very least, Motte has created an opening for that talk. Will our Akita-mix take it?

Golden Shrike | Page(s): 358 – 359 | Patreon

Boneslav’s unease with Usma’s story went to a place I wasn’t expecting. That said, it does tie in nicely with the story of Mousara and the creation of the Stonekrovn. Perhaps it’s not only Boneslav’s duty to help the group locate War, but he also may have to personally take down Antaras. I’m going with the theory that Antaras is a descendant of Mousara, versus a reincarnation as someone had to teach him how to trap gods, and the Seer hinted at him having strange blood. That means the Stonekrovn did not successfully end the buck’s family line.

Of course Nero couldn’t help but argue with someone else also having a role in his task from Karuna. To be fair, I get his arrogance and annoyance. The god only spoke to him, and that has to do something to your psyche. On that note, not one to back down, Boneslav has to toss that arrogance back into Nero’s face. Words are about the best they can do regarding a sparing match, as the Marshlander isn’t a physical match for the Stonekrovn.

I’m glad to see Runi able to have a conversation with Usma. They get along well, and probably would have been friends if this urgent matter hadn’t brought them together. That said, Runi was frustrated with being surrounded by bucks all the time, and even if they’re her friends and family, it must be nice for her to have someone she can better relate to. I just love how they comfort and reassure each other as Usma finds her place in this group. Thinking about it, Runi is likely the glue of the group, as she’s a calming presence when Nero can be a bit too much at times. Here she is trying to bridge the gap between the Northerner doe and her brother.

Usma is perceptive and knows that Nero isn’t comfortable with her around, even after hearing her story. That said, she knows the mission to stop her father and fix a broken world means that the greater good must come before personal feelings. I’m sure Runi’s correct in that Nero will likely come around, even if he never fully trusts Usma.

Home | Page(s): 969 – 974 | Patreon

Home has officially reached 1000 pages on Patreon. As a celebration, Kique has dropped five pages this week. We’ll receive another extra five pages next month. This comic is also ten years old, and I have been following it since the late Asmundr days. This comic was brimming with potential a decade ago. Now much of that passion is gone, as is any real direction this story once had. Nevertheless, I promised myself I’d see it through to the ending whenever that may be.

Since I have six pages to burn through, it’ll be easier to split this write-up by scenes.

I appreciate that the Asmundr pack has to sleep during the day, then travel at night. Reminds me of my own work schedule. It also reminds me of a section of a PS1 game called Breath of Fire III. While traversing through the desert it was too hot to venture out of the shelter during the day, so all progress has to be made at night. It’s been about 21 years since I’ve played that game, but that section always stuck with me, and this scene reminded me of BoFIII minus the desert.

Unfortunately for Feaf, Axi is back at Brightvale Tribe. I was wrong. I thought she’d still be in the north, but I guess she headed straight home after hearing Ranach’s speech. Considering how the Rifle and the Taiga Lion parted ways, it’s a bit creepy to see her acting so friendly. I mean, she abandoned her friend in the middle of a mission to essentially return to the capitol and tattle. And despite her admitting Feaf was right about the dogs she worked for, Axi doesn’t apologize for her actions. How hard could it be to say “I’m sorry” if she’s seen the error of her ways? Or is Axi not really sorry, and is siding with Ranach because she was fired. At first, I thought her reasoning with Feaf might be half-and-half, but then I reread page 944. No, Axi isn’t sorry about what she did, she’s bitter about being fired.

As for why she’s being friendly to Feaf? I think a friend pointed it out best– she’s being manipulative. Trying to get back into her friend’s good graces and pretending their falling out wasn’t that big of deal. I don’t think she materially wants anything from Feaf, aside from the friendship they used to have. But mind you, when that friendship mattered most, Axi is the one who turned her back on it. I’m also certain the Rifle wouldn’t react well to the discovery that not only is Feaf pregnant, but those are Rhov’s cubs and pups. So it was smart of Feaf to just let Axi roll with the assumption that the father is another feline from Shiverfall Tribe.

To be fair, creating offspring naturally between a canine and feline is simply unbelievable (according to the rules of this world), and I’m still shaking my head at the characters who accepted this revelation without much surprise. I mean there’s open-minded, then there’s this. On a side note, I feel like a single panel between panels four and five expressing Axi’s shock would have made for a good transition from her being happy, and then more somber at the pregnancy discovery. (Not that the Taiga Lion looks pregnant. Might have been a good opportunity to remind us that these characters have noses they could potentially use. Or maybe to give female characters visible nipples when they’re expecting.)

As for the rebellion, I’m wondering when or if Feaf will tell anyone else about the information she received. Like maybe her mate at least? Not that we’ll be finding out in this scene as we switch back to Nordgarde Tribe.

That entire scene with everyone being worried about Naeva for being a kind soul and not wanting to kill? Well, I guess whatever adventure she had with Diarko after overhearing Kargo and Ronja talking about her didn’t amount to much. Instead of talking to literally anyone about her concerns, Naeva is leaving the tribe’s territory. I will also say, Ronja absolutely should have sat her daughter down for a one-on-one talk where the pup was free to express her concerns and feelings without judgement.

It’s not clear where Naeva is going or what she hopes to accomplish. Perhaps she wants to have a heart-to-heart talk with her father to show everyone else is wrong about him? That makes the most sense. Otherwise, why leave the territory? I doubt she’s going to move in with Fraujar and Keirr at Whispervale Tribe. This plan is poorly thought out, but hey, Naeva is still a child. I can’t be too upset with her.

Before she can go anywhere though, she has to get past the ghouls. Oh look, it’s Ulfr’s ghoul haunting the old Meteor Tribe territory. At least the pup has enough sense to light a torch and defend herself a bit. Passing through the old territory, she learns that Javo is with the two mystery dogs (Iberon and Siqhaala). I wonder if learning about Javo’s whereabouts will be relevant in any way, or if it’s a throwaway line? She’ll have to ponder that later as her torch runs out, a ghoul scratches her, and she spends the night huddled in a cave lit up by one of Ninmah’s paw prints for protection. The glowing print is a nice callback to beginning of the story when this world was still new and scary for our group.

It’s not until the next morning that Naeva’s sisters notice she’s gone, and they’re likely rushing to tell their mother.

Off for the week:

On hiatus:

What Lurks Beneath | Pages(s): | Patreon