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Dewclaw
From Comixpedia
| Dewclaw | |
| Creator(s) | Matt Johnson |
| Website(s) | http://pvcomics.com/dewclaw/ |
| Update Schedule | Finished |
| Launch Date | August, 2003 |
| End date | 2005 |
| Genre | Category:Science fiction Category:Action/adventure |
Dewclaw by Matt Johnson is a webcomic about a pack of sentient humanoid dogs. It became part of the Komikwerks line-up between November 2001 and January 2002 and remained part of the line-up until after August 2003. While part of the Komikwerks line-up, the episodes up to 8.3 were released, along with 5 sketch books and a pin-up. After leaving Komikwerks, Dewclaw joined PV Comics in December, 2003.
Contents |
[edit] Technology Used to Make Dewclaw
Dewclaw was designed to be as a comic that could only be viewed on a computer.[1] It achieved this by employing Flash technology.
Dewclaw stories have also been released in print.
Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow
[edit] Setting
Set in the future, it is about a world where the current master race are the canines. They are sentient humanoid dogs, and are in the process of gaining control over the planet from the fallen humans.
[edit] Characters
Many of the canine characters in Dewclaw are based on dogs that Matt Johnson has had.
[edit] Aiko
Aiko is an extremely talented Nodachi pilot who likes to be left alone.
[edit] Akuto
Akuto is the protagonist of Dewclaw and the second in command for Defense Pack Five. Completely loyal to the Order Council, Akuto is skilled as both a Nodachi pilot and a Katana operator.
He was based on a character by Matt Johnson called Akita and has the same physical characterstics and demeanor as Akita.
[edit] Kiku
Extremely loyal, Kiku is an underdog that has had to prove her worth during her military career.
[edit] Kuma
Calm and reserved, Kuma has had a distinguished career in the military and is Defense Pack Five's canine commander.
[edit] Odate
Commander Odate is the best canine commander that the Order Council has and is in charge of Pack Five. However because he knows many secrets, his loyalty is torn between the Order Council and the Pack he is in control of. Odate represents the burden of owning a dog, while having pride in them.
[edit] Okami
As an Ashigaru small-arms expert, Okami is resourceful and quick-witted. However he was killed in the line of duty.
[edit] Groups
[edit] Order Council
Sometimes reffered to as The Council, the Order Council is the remains of a once powerful political force that governed the human population. It's current purpose is to pass control over to the canines in a peaceful manner.
The Order Council has a military force which consist of canine Packs which have a human commander in charge of them.
[edit] Defense Pack Five
A military troop for the Order Council with Odate in command of it. This is the pack that the protagonist Akuto is assigned to.
[edit] Paw of Opposition
Sometimes referred to as simply the Paw, this is a mysterious and militant force that has the intent to cease human control over the humanoid canines by hunting the humans until they're extinct. The Paw is the first military force to be able to threaten the Order in centuries.
[edit] Technology in Dewclaw
[edit] Katana
Katanas have been designed for riot scenarios as well as urban combat zones. They are are close-fitting exo-skeletons for canine members of the Order Council's military force.
[edit] Nodachi
Nodachi are large robotic combat suits which are equipped with limited flight capability.
[edit] Paw Armor
Paw Armor can vary in style, but is normally light and disposable. It is most likely disposable due to the illicit nature of its manufacture.
[edit] Story
Unlike many webcomics, Dewclaw had a definite ending. Two sequel series were planned to follow the original one, with the second series having an ending while the third was more open-ended.
[edit] Webcomic
11 chapters were made for the webcomic version of Dewclaw. The first 8 were originally released at Komikwerks before they were regularly re-released at PV Comics before an additional 3 chapters were made and published.
The chapters are:
- Chapter 1 "Pack Tactics"
- Chapter 2 "Pack Tactics, Part 2"
- Chapter 3 "Hierarchy, Part 1"
- Chapter 4 "Debriefing"
- Chapter 5 "Hierarchy, Part 2"
- Chapter 6 "A Friend In Need, Part 1"
- Chapter 7 "A Friend In Need, Part 2"
- Chapter 8 "Reformation": This chapter was released in 3 parts.
- Chapter 9 "Pack Dynamics": This chapter was released in 3 parts.
- Chapter 10 "Knowledge": This chapter was released in 2 parts.
- Chapter 11 "Recovery": This chapter was released in 3 parts.
[edit] Non-Webcomics
There have been a number of stories set in the Dewclaw universe released in book form.
The stories are:
- To You My Brothers: This story explores the camaraderie that was lost between the members of Defense Pack Five.
- Running with the Devil: This story explores Kiku's combat experience before she joined Defense Pack Five.
- Hollow Honor
[edit] Books in Print
The following books have been published that contain stories set in the Dewclaw universe:
- dewclaw Vol.1: This black and white comic book contains the stories To You My Brothers and Running with the Devil along with hree pages of sketchbook material.
- VOID 1: Included in this book along with other stories by members of PV Comics is the Dewclaw story Hollow Honor.
