First some housekeeping news. The plugin I use to send notifications of new posts by email stopped working. This happened at the end of May, but I only realized last week. So I reset the plugin, and it should send out an email whenever a new post goes live on this site. If you’d like to be informed of new posts when they go live, feel free to sign up via the form on the sidebar. I only send out post notifications. At most, you’ll get an email once, maybe twice a week. RSS, Tumblr, or Mastodon are other great ways to follow this blog.
In comic-related news, I caught up to the newest pages Rigsby, WI and I do regret not sitting down to catch up with my reading sooner. I missed the crowdfunding drive from May, and can only hope that I’ll be able to get my hands on a physical copy of the comic. If you haven’t heard of Rigsby, WI by S E Case, it’s a reboot of her older comic, Cheap Thrills. Cheap Thrills was a comic about young anthros in high school. It covered drug use, loss, and the awkwardness of growing up in the 1990s. It went on a long hiatus before being rebooted as Rigsby, WI. The twist is that Cheap Thrill is being finished as Patreon-only exclusive while the reboot has a public release.
There is another twist. Rigsby, WI replaces all the anthro characters with humans, but they are essentially the same people they were in CT. The setting has also been changed from the 1990s to the early 2000s, post 9/11. Here is where you can really see how S E Case has grown as an artist. Not only is the art way more bold and expressive, but the story and characters are much better fleshed out. (No pun intended. Heh.) Rigsby, WI gives the characters more depth and takes more time in regard to building up relationships. Characters also explore their sexuality further, and race also plays a larger role here– what was alluded to in CT can be fully explored in Rigsby.
If you’re not already reading this comic, I encourage you to check it out. Cheap Thrills is also worth a read. However, if you plan to read both, I suggest starting with CT then reading RW. That will allow you to fully appreciate how S E Case has evolved as a storyteller.
Now, on to the roundup.
Africa | Page(s): 375 | Patreon
As Mondo leans into Africa, he asks if they’re really going to meet Mosi again. The pair begin to walk away, and the leopard assures her small son that he doesn’t have to come to the meeting if he doesn’t want to. She knows it looks bad, but she insists there’s a lot of good in Mosi. Either way, her goal is to raise both of her sons to adulthood. Before she can do that, she has to make changes in her life. Africa’s tired of half-truths and unfinished matters. As the leopard and serval walk by Safari’s body and leave it in the distance, she notes her small family fell apart because of lies and unfinished business. As mother and son leave the swamp, three sets of eyes appear in the shadows.
It’s nice to know that even with all of his doubts and apprehension, Mondo plans to stick by Africa. I’m also glad that she’s giving him the choice to come to the meeting or stay behind. The last time she left her cubs behind to take care of business, betrayal and tragedy struck. I’m hoping that Mondo goes with her, even if he just stays out of view from Mosi. That said, I wonder what unfinished business Africa could be referring to. Does she have more words for Faida? OR does she plan to return to her old territory and confront Chui again? I feel like it’s a 50–50 shot of her returning to the hyena matriarch to demand more answers. As for Chui, their fight didn’t go well. Africa was outsmarted and soundly beaten. How would she approach such a confrontation again?
To Catch a Star | Page(s): 511, 512, 513, 514 | Patreon
The moon wolf says that a new world will not change the conflict between the Dusky and Nova. They tell Lupi that once they take the star, there will be one more left. At that point both the sun and the moon wolves can make their wish together. They can wish for the world to end, and doing so would be a mercy. To that Lupi screams “NO!” The sun does not want the world to end, they want to make a new world. Unfazed, the moon asks “Why?” and Lupi has a difficult time answering them. The moon continues and notes that the sun has suffered, is unhappy, alone, and in pain. Why prolong that pain?
The sun can only reply that they were happy with their friends. The moon quickly rebuts that the world ripped that happiness away and such a thing will continue to happen. They then observe that Lupi hasn’t lived as long in the world as they have. Lupi cuts them off by screaming “NO!” over and over again. They finally have their answer. Backlash and Shaow wanted to see a new world and Lupi will wish for a new world because that’s what their friends wanted. The moon coldly states their friends are dead, and wouldn’t see such a world. Lupi doesn’t care, they’ll do it for their friends and for the sake of love.
I can’t help but feel for the moon here. I wonder how long they spent wandering the world, abused by Nova (and maybe the Supernova) before they were captured and locked away. The contrast between the moon and the sun couldn’t be clearer. Lupi is full of hope and love, having experienced both the best and the worst in wolves. Physically, they’re healthy and relatively uninjured. The moon on the other hand, is quiet and resigned to the fact that the world is beyond saving. They’re covered in scars and they’re malnourished. If they had the chance to explore the world with friends like Lupi did, those friends are long dead and their life has been mostly one of misery after falling into the clutches of the Supernova.
Even so, I can understand why Lupi would still want to create a new world. It’s what they and their friends have been striving for. They certainly have rejected whatever plan the Supernova have for the world. The sad part is that the moon is right. Unless they’re resurrected, Backlash and Shadow won’t see that new world. Nevertheless, it’s admirable that Lupi still wants to go forward. Now, I can only wonder if their conviction will convince the moon or if the moon will try to stop them. I also hope the Supernova aren’t too close and that Lupi is able to get away before they arrive.
The Order of the Black Dog | Issue 28, Page 5 | Patreon
As various scientist and researchers stand around in their underwear, an off-screen voice apologizes for the cold and says that room will be heated momentarily. The voice continues and tells the group that they’ll be guiding them through the proper use and care of the newest generation of the Nagaskin Atmospheric Suit. The suit has been adjusted thanks to various field studies and testimonies. Armor plating and expandable pockets (for extra storage) have been added. As Julia and Melissa put their suits on, Julia smirks and quips “Wonder who suggested that?” as an allusion to her time spent off-world.
It’s nice to see lessons were learned after Julia’s sudden adventures on a strange planet. I wonder if this new suit will be of any use against the Black Idol? Are the scientist planning to use the travel gate to the moon again? Also, the tanuki scientist from the moon expedition in Issue 26 is there. Will we finally learn this issue what was up with the smoke obscuring his and his partner’s heads?
Golden Shrike | Page(s): 268 | Patreon
Runi looks at Nero in the distance as she remarks how surprised she is that her brother is doing well under Karuna’s order. Nero was wild in their herd, but there was something always keeping him reigned. Since they left, he’s been free of that pressing responsibility most of the time. Kasko wonders if that’s good thing and Boneslav takes on a mildly concerned expression. Runi hopes that Nero feeling free is a good thing.
Nero’s vanity has been something to see since he discovered his new tine. Perhaps he feels like a new tine is Karuna granting him those new, huge antlers. Or if he’s just happy with a growth spurt. Still, given how pleased he is, I can’t help but feel this a bit of pride before something awful befalls him. For example, he might be way too cocky for his own good once he meets War. Or he may try to pick a fight with someone he has no business fighting. Or maybe I’m just too cynical for my own good.
I can’t help but love Boneslav’s poker face. It’s hard to know if the large buck is feeling apathetic or slightly concerned.
In The Lion’s Den: The Scarlet Uproar | Page(s): 22, 23 | Patreon
The two Critters hop back in the van and drive off, quickly leaving the mountains behind. They reach low, grassy lands and keep on driving. Finally, they reach a pier at the foot of the mountainous terrain. Despite the setting sun, the water is oddly pink-colored. A thick pink mist floats on the surface of the water and a small row boat is waiting, tied to the pier. The masked Critters unload the unconscious Kay, and place her in the boat.
I figured the Critters might be taking Kay back to The Lion’s Den. And they still might be doing so. However, that pink mist is not unlike the blue mist from The Wolf’s Veil. So I’m guessing that a Therian must have taken over The Lion’s Den. Either these guys are working for someone else to take Kay into the city, or they’re under the Therian’s thrall. I’m guessing it is the former as the pair have yet to take off their gas masks. They’re probably doing so to avoid breathing in the mist, and plan to make a quick exit as soon as they hand Kay off.
Fraujar muses about the journey that Kargo and Rogio have been on. Ronja notes she didn’t tell the Whispervale Tribe Jarl sooner because the fewer who know about Kargo being alive the better. Also, she didn’t want him to have to lie to the Capital about it. Fraujar notes that he heard about Kargo’s story from Ferah, and how he rebelled against The Meteor Tribe’s Jarl while freeing several dogs. Thanks to his actions, those dogs joined Whispervale. He agrees to keep Kargo’s identity secret. Meanwhile, Rogio tours the territory as blood from the recent battle flows down the cliffside and into the water.
On the other end of Aedra, the Asmundr pack is carving a large wooden log. Lifa complains that she doesn’t understand why they have to make the carving for Marduk. Kainan tells her they’re just playing along for now, and that they’ll take care of the Sky God once an opportunity presents itself. Lifa snorts at the idea of Marduk wanting his own carving and wonders how self-absorbed someone could be. Lounging with Piccolo while Kainan and Lifa work, Raimo remarks he wouldn’t mind a sculpture of himself. Piccolo breaks off a small tree branch, pokes the Rifle in the chest with it, and tells him to get carving.
I don’t really have much to say regarding Fraujar and Ronja’s conversation. It’s understandable that he’d look the other way regarding Kargo, given his heroic actions in the past. Unlike Fjordor, this Jarl isn’t an asshole despite coming off as more stern. I do think it was a massive, missed opportunity by having Isbel dead in the present day. Just think how impactful it would have been for one of the OG members of the Meteor Tribe that joined Whispervale mentioning Kargo’s actions and Fraujar forever being grateful that she joined. Then Fraujar being able to tell Kargo himself that the dog he helped free is alive and well. Instead, it was just noted that Isbel died giving birth to Majviva and Fjallviva when Kique was figuring out the Whispervale family tree. (And yes, we only know that Majviva and Fjallviva are Isbel’s daughters because of the Wiki.)
The sweeping shot of Rogio looking over the cliff is cool, and the page probably should have ended there. Instead, we have a confusing transition scene from Nordgarde to Asmundr with the waterfall. If others hadn’t pointed out this was a transition, I would have figured the bloody water from the top of the cliff was headed into the river below. In reality, that’s supposed to be a waterfall in the Asmundr territory.
I’m kind of laughing at the dogs being able to carve figures just using knives. If these dogs could hold tools in their paws like they do in To Catch a Star, No North, or Oren’s Forge, I wouldn’t take issue. Here’s it’s just dumb, since they’ve only been shown to hold knives in their mouths. Why does Marduk need a statue of himself? I guess to show how evil he is. On a side note, I hate how Lifa doesn’t look like herself on this page. Her face just looks…off. As does Piccolo’s. Like the poor rabbit’s face is just lopsided or something. I’m also banging my head against the wall at Raimo sitting. It looks like his spine was snapped in half to achieve that human-like pose. Why can’t he just lounge without resting in an anatomy-breaking position?
Edit: A few friends pointed out that I should mention that readers were also confused in the comments section of this page regarding the waterfall transition and Lifa looking very different from the last time we saw her. One reader had to check out the comments to realize that was in fact Lifa. Make sure to check out the comments section for yourself.
On hiatus:
Lost Scent | Page(s): | Patreon
lifa and piccalo look weird because kique can only draw stop sign dogs now. same problem i have with panic looking more like just a dog with wings then a bat. the old cast USED to look like their actual animals with features. lifas just a repaint of roamer and piccalo i think has a more dog face. with binocular eyes and not proper side eyes a rabbit has. only one eye should be seen, not two. while his face has lost its hill like slope(you see it clearly in the panel before it), to look more like an indented scoop between the eyes that then goes down the muzzle, like a dogs. giving a slight uncanny valley to them in rabbit looks.
and we get a look at comments telling critquers to be quiet(WiAt And SeE!! bE pAtIeNt!!) about marduke not coming off as threatening enough and pointing out “why don’t they just leave? seeing him be more threatening would give more urgency and concern.”
which is absolutely a good point. like it all feels like the asmunder gang could just leave while mardukes sleeping. or even just kill him as hes not really a god, hes just as mortal and a knife to the throat would end it all.
Ah, that helps explains why the characters look so off. It’s just amazing how the art gets a little worse the longer this comic goes on. Even the characters who weren’t dogs look like dogs. And the dogs themselves just look awful with that stop sign face design.
Yeah, it would be one thing if Marduk actually threatened them with that obelisk, but he’s not threatened anyone. Nor has he actually said they couldn’t leave. He’s supposed to be this huge threat, but Kique is just doing a bad job with tell and not show– as usual.
Yeah, if it aint a big cattle animal of some kind its just -dog with x animal features- the kangaroo species he flashed and how panics looks currently changed are big examples.
And carving a statue is a huge waste of energy when running would be best. Theres no reason to cover there -what? Fake submission?
It would be funny if they planned to push the big statue on Marduk then run for it. Alas, I fear we’ll get nothing quite that interesting.
Kique could take some pointers from Lost Scent for example on how to draw quad dogs with close to realistic anatomy that can shift to make more human like gestures when needed without looking uncanny.
And for Pete sake, there are pictures of dogs lounging upright on couches in funny human ways on google that can be used for reference. Freaking use it Kique.
Right, I should have included Lost Scent in my list of examples. That comic does it so well.
Yeah, it’s funny how there’s no shortage of those types of pictures on Google, yet Kique refuses to reference them for some reason. Sometimes I wonder if he’s just using pictures of people as references for some of these poses…