Strays

Strays #1

by Samantha Whitten (Writer, Artist), Stacey Pefferkorn (Artist, Designer)

Meela is a young, orphaned lupian (a race of people with wolf-like features) who is struggling to survive on her own. A chance encounter on less than pleasant terms teams her up with Feral, another lupian who happens to be a mute as well as one of the best mercenaries in the land, and who is not quite so welcoming of her forced company as she would like to believe. Fun, danger and plenty of humorous situations follow the two on their wayward adventures, however the seemingly peaceful world they reside in is not quite the paradise that its reputation makes it out to be. When a taboo topic and a dark secret collide, it may unravel their already tattered lives and force each of them to face the reality of the truth, requiring each to make decisions that could alter their lives forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Webcomic, Graphic Novels, Comics, Manga, Comics Manga, Magic

134 pages, Webcomics

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[GreedyGremlins · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5. I absolutely adore this series. I was there every Friday when it was being uploaded, eagerly reading the newest updates each week and hanging out in the ACF or 'The Alliance of the Corner of the Feels'. It was one of my first experiences with the webcomic format, and will always hold a dear place in my heart. I lack the words to describe it but to keep it short...

While it is not perfect and has some of the common flaws with weekly uploaded format, the plot is clear and enjoyable. It starts a little slow, but the intrigue behind the characters carries you until it picks up. The characters were clearly loved by their creators, and the relationships (especially between Meela and Feral) are adorable. The writing is humorous, but bittersweet and serious when it calls for it, and you can really feel the raw emotion in the words at those moments. The artwork is simply beautiful, and the designs of the characters give them all their own distinct feel.

I urge everyone who stumbles upon it to let themselves be drawn into the world of Strays

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great art, good story, and I love Feral and Meela. I read it online, but fell behind. It is nice to have a print version I can sit down off screen and read in peace without the distractions.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I have found myself to be part way through volume two without realizing it, (due to the web comic format) I will write a review for the entire set of three volumes here when I am finished.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, the artwork! Just wow wow wow! Very well done. Amazing backgrounds and the facial expressions are superb, definitely perfect in every panel. The artists do pay very good attention to detail. My only beef with the artwork is just any fight scene. The choreography feels awkward and things look like they're standing still instead of moving face paced, like one would expect in an action sequence.

The writing isn't bad. The dialogue is fairly good and the humor is great. Though for a first book, not much really happens. It's hard to see where things are going, what's important, etc. Things were just a bit confusing. (Having read further into the story a while back, I do know more, but rereading it and judging it as a 'first timer', these were my thoughts.)

I really do love the relationship between Meela and Feral though. It's really adorable, almost sibling-like. At times Meela may annoy the crap out of him, but there are moments where he shows that he really cares. It's quite cute.

I'd give the writing/plot/pacing a 3/5, artwork 5/5 making the final score a 4/5. I know things get better in the story later on, it's just a rocky start.

[Shadallark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading Strays as a webcomic at their website www.straysonline.com quite a long time ago and fell in love with the characters, the artwork, and the story.

Even though the characters have had their share of hardships and suffered great losses in their pasts, when they are together they make such a wonderful team that I find myself smiling after every page. Their interactions are fun and quirky on almost every page. Even the sad or violent parts do not detract from the innocent wonderfulness of this story.

The artwork is superb! With vibrant colours, wonderful details, and a special playfulness that resonates with my inner fibres.

Get yourselves a copy of Strays Volume One and get drawn into their world...

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the 2015 Reading Challenge: A book book with nonhuman characters (this one probably doesn't technically count, as I think the challenge is supposed to cover books you haven't read before, but... I'm counting it.)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! It's my favorite webcomic ever, and I love have a physical copy of it. Since the comic is coming to a close soon, I thought I would read it all over again.

I love the story, the characters, the art, the humor, and just everything about this story. The art and characters of Meela and Feral are what initially drew me in, and I've loved every second of the ride. My favorite thing about this book in particular has to be the interactions between Meela and Feral. They just make me laugh.

Content warning of blood.

[Silvereyedlynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, addictive, funny....read it! :)

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick thoughts: Fun start. Nothing terribly deep, but a nice little adventure comic with interesting characters, some nice plot threads developing and good art. Call it 3.5 so far rounded up.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read on tapastic, really enjoyed it.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. 2nd read through. <3 <3