Luke, I am your father...

(From Wandering Ones. Click on image to see full-sized image.)

Wandering Ones is another of my favorites, because it is strongly rooted in the storytelling field. It's a strange combination of post-apocalyptic science fiction, spiritualism (primarily Native American spiritualism), and environmentalism, mixed together and sprinkled over an ongoing war story. But it's not your typical war... the story starts around 40 years after 80% of humanity was wiped out by a virus bomb, and concerns a partnership between the Clans (Native American tribes that have embraced the old ways) and the Western Alliance (a technological enclave) as they face off against the Starbuckian Capitalists from Washington State. Well, okay, they call themselves the Empire, but I know the truth... that it's just Starbucks trying to expand once again. ;)

The comic does a good job showing the Clans working to teach members of the Western Alliance's military how to be effective scouts without technology. They do have an ulterior motive here: the spirit guides of the Clans hope that if these Western scouts can be infused with a respect of nature and belief in spiritualism, and if the Western Alliance can prevail in its war against the Empire, that they will embrace a more environmentally-friendly and spiritual approach to life, rather than just follow in the footsteps of pre-viral civilization. Especially as some spirits don't really like humanity anymore and would be just as glad to wipe them all out.

The current storyline is following a black ops mission deep into Empire territory. Unfortunately, there are elements within the Western Alliance that are as twisted and power-hungry as in the Empire, and they have forced recruits (including two of Ravenwing's students) to perform a suicide mission to cripple the Empire's war machine by destroying the last major fuel depot of the Empire. Fortunately for our side, Ravenwing has caught up with the infiltration team and is helping them reach their target.

But along the way... well, let's just say that Ravenwing wasn't expecting to meet this particular person. It should be interesting to see what happens next... and what these unexpected allies will be able to do to help.

I recommend starting at the very beginning, however. Have fun!

Robert A. Howard

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And this is what I think CotC is about...

(From Clan of the Cats. Click on image to see full-sized image.)

It can be difficult jumping into a comic when it's in the middle of an epic storyline. Especially one that has been running as many years as Clan of the Cats has been. I mean, you ask yourself where you should jump in: at the beginning of the epic story? At the start of the comic itself? Either can be a daunting task especially if you're unsure if you'll be interested in the comic or not.

But this is, to me, what CotC is about. Chelsea's love for Jubal is something that has built from near the beginning of the series. Theirs was a history that started before the comic... with a relationship that floundered when Chelsea fled north to New York City... and yet was strong enough that it could survive that time of absence... and become something greater.

However, even with Chelsea holding Jubal's soul within her, while she searches for his body, her own fears are a part of her. The Chattan Curse has also been one of the founding parts of the comic, something that the reader's understanding of has grown even as Chelsea's has. We too wonder if her recent actions, her recent desire to strike forth on her own, is due to the curse... or the growth of Chelsea as a person.

Well, if you want a one-page glance at what makes CotC so good... then read tonight's comic. And if you want a fairly short story that sums up CotC fairly quickly and enjoyably... then check out Snow, a fun little tale of what happens when a witch wants it to snow... and the consequences behind every spell. (Or... was it just coincidence? You decide. *grin*)

Take care. :)

Addendum: Jamie Robertson agrees that Snow is an excellent comic storyline to start with, but also suggested Magic as another excellent start-point, especially as the Dracula story will soon be touching upon a couple of elements of this story. Toodles!

Robert A. Howard

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Somehow, that just looks so right...

(From Narbonic. Click on image to see full-sized image on Saturday... subscription needed to view Modern Tales archives otherwise.)

I've gone on about Narbonic before. Still, this has to be a milestone for the comic. We (the fans) know that Dave loves Helen. It's rather obvious, in fact *laughter*. We also had signs and hints of how Helen felt for Dave... and it got all confused with Caliban's appearance on Earth and Dave's realization that some of Helen's feelings for him were caused by Caliban influencing Helen (so to encourage Helen to clone Dave a new body). Still... recently Helen admitted to Artie that she was still in love with Dave.

But she's never admitted it to Dave. Hell, Dave's admitted it (in passing) to Helen, though she was in one of her manic moments and I'm not entirely sure she knew. (She thought she knew, back before Caliban popped up human and all that, but Dave backed down out of a sense of honor, feeling his "deal" with Caliban forced Helen's feelings. Silly Dave... Hell cannot make someone love... that emotion is beyond them. Lust, sure. But not love. *smile*)

So here we are. Two friends, alone in a dark and quiet lab... both immensely attracted to each other... and they finally kiss.

Heh. I'm halfway tempted to read through the archives to see if there were any other kisses in the comic... I think there were, but those were on the cheek or the like. Not two grown consenting adults showing their feelings for each other with a proper kiss.

And I can't peer into Shaenon's mind and see where this is going, next. I mean, if this was CRfH then we'd have Dave and Helen ending up succumbing to their passion and probably be caught at an awkward moment when Artie gets back home (and then his commenting on having to wash his eyeballs out after seeing them together). If this were Dominic Deegan then we'd have them continue a long-lasting chaste relationship where both cares deeply for the other but is afraid of acting on it.

This is Narbonic... and the insanity changes from day to day. Though considering Sundays are not story-comic days... then I figure it'll be Monday before we switch back to Helen's mom and find out how human-form Artie is holding up under the pressure of being Helen Sr.'s boytoy... *evil grin*

Okay, so Shaenon can be predictable sometimes. But that's predictably evil. *grin*

Robert A. Howard

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April Site Review Index

Every month I plan on having a "monthly index" of reviews so people can easily find the reviews that most interest them. The comic titles are links to the comics themselves, and the dates lead to the specific comics themselves. Enjoy!