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Cruelty is a comic released by Rukis via Furplanet in June of 2010.  Centered around two life-long friends Reis and Marcus, it details their lives when it all becomes complicated, both for them as friends and in their own lives.  It should be noted that this comic has similarities to Dog Days of Summer by Blotch; it started out as an online comic updated helter-skelter on FurAffinity that eventually ended things on a cliffhanger to be determined by your own choice via links before being put up to buy on FurPlanet.  Akin to those old chose-your-own-adventure books, you had the decision of committing Reis and Marcus to a chance of a more intimate relationship or having them stay as friends.

The first facet I want to discuss is that plot point; Rukis has pre-stated that the overall outcome of this (major) plot point will not affect the already planned sequel Unconditional since, to quote the author, “… because ultimately, how something sexual affects the way you all see the characters. . . is derived by YOU. . . not me.”  Which is something I have disagree with, in fact, I have a big beef when it comes to how the choice system was handled here.  It’s convenient to have both choices within the same book but the lack of consequence from making a choice and sticking with it deadens the impact of a plot point that is the objective of the comic’s entirety.  A crucial moment in each character’s life and it can switch back and forth to suit your choosing.  My decision of the choices had no bias in terms of sex or anything base but instead was centered on the hints and clues I had picked up on from, up till this point, an albeit simplistic but well-done story of two people showing signs of a possible next step in a relationship.  Cheapening such a big decision cheapens the whole experience; you feel short-changed on a story that steeped itself in some pretty serious life issues for the first book and further so it can only cause more conflict later down the road in the sequel.

How she handled this means she already has the plot for the second book fixed down before these choices were presented, it means the sheer choice of Reis and Marcus to take their friendships to a personal and intimate level is wholly existential and secondary in terms of the plot.  This makes this whole point somewhat redundant if the choice itself, the plot decision the book builds up to is redundant.  And this sort of story, dealing with high school pressures and real life issues is very relatable and negating something as relatable as realizing your gay or the choice to be in a gay relationship such that both of them are going through is such wasted potential.

The quirks of the art direction are thankfully much more minimal, simple beginner mistakes are all to be found; the paneling layout needs refinement in its placement.  I found myself several times mislead by the panel’s angels and placement and the words hinting at a wrong panel.  However, this is her first attempt at comics, so beginner mistakes are to be expected to a reasonable degree and she already has incorporated a few fixes into other projects that are still ongoing.  Furthermore, the issues never deliver any sort of whiplash in terms of severity, it breaks the immersion at times, but it leaves itself as a minor frustration at worst.  The part I find more off-putting is the use of monochromatic penciling for the interior of the comic.  While I admit it’s based more so from preference, I just find the shades too light and flat to effectively work, it only seems to come together when she brings in darker tonal ranges for a few rare pages.  Her current project Red Lantern has each page colored along with the pencil foundation and this is much more pleasing and effective colored than left this in a pencil form, but again, preference.  It’s done well enough for the first foray into graphic form and such a effect is ultimately left to the whims of the reader.

The story breaks down into a familiar retread of high school pressures but takes a nicely set-up adult route, involving drugs and abuse not used cheaply and with respect to the material. While these are nothing new and original, she sticks by the plot points, offering no quick short-cuts for a happy ending nor down-playing elements of danger for the sake of plot or convenience.  A lot of the elements play into ‘wait till the next book’ shortcoming but not without enough resolution that you’re not obliged to wait impatiently for the sequel to discover vital plot points just left up in the air.  There is intrigue for the next book.  It peaks  at 43 pages, so about average and has a small book feel to it so you don’t finish expecting more, surprised by its shortness.

Is it worth a buy?  Its a $14.00 price tag that depends on your fancies.  It reads like a decently constructed romance novel without most of the clichés and there is promise for the second book, so you could do a whole lot worse.  You could also do better though becasue the flaws will irk you at times; the style narrows its respective audeince and it is an imperfect work, something you’ll just need to weigh as a consideration, so if this is an iffy buy for you than I would read the pages on FA first and make a decision based off those.  Its flaws keep it from being great and the mistakes one makes entering comics for the first time are apparent in some facets of the book, but it still reads well, the characters have certain amount of life to them and fans of romance will enjoy overall.

Cruelty can be purchased on Furplanet.com here; http://furplanet.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=465 and the pages can be previewed on Rukis’ FA page here; http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3704554/.  Unconditional, the sequel, has a tentative date of sometime 2012.

The writer finds time to enjoy the flowers between writing, taking photographs and waking up early to haul party favors to Pennsylvania.  He can be reached at stud...@gmail.com or by phone at (516) 603-6842.  His webpage is here; http://www.furaffinity.net/user/zeratul-luke/

Author: E-Mail Hidden
This week on Knotcast, we read emails, deal with OS updates ruining our recording program, and learn that Savrin is secretly a Sith.

This weeks music is ‘Brohoof’ by Bucktown Tiger

Use our coupon code ‘knot’ at AdamEve.com for a great deal.

Episode 148 – Aftermath (AAC; 33.1 MB)
Episode 148 – Aftermath (MP3; 63.5 MB)

Find the full article here: KnotCast News

The contents of this Podcast may have adult language and adult themes. The content is not produced by Furry News Network, but is posted for your convenience.

"Hey, it's a contest! just like it says in the title!

The idea is simple: I've already gone and posted the 22 art pages of the bonus book over on tumblr And I want you (yes YOU) to take those panels and create your own fan comics!"

"Grand Prize is a B&W Badge Commission! One goes to my top pick, and the other goes to a random submission -- so even if you don't think your entry's very good, it can still win something! (and yes, you're allowed to submit multiple entries!)

You have until July 31, 2011, so get cracking!"

"Much like many of you, I use a pen name or fursona name on Facebook. I had Furry News Network set up as a community page – we were beginning to build a decent following. The profile and associated Community pages vanished Friday morning with no warning from Facebook. I logged in to find myself redirected to a page on “Harassment”.

After contacting them with all requested information, including my REAL NAME which was the only thing missing from the account, the above letter is what we got back.

To my knowledge we never posted anything harassing ever. We complied with the information they requested. Some times, you can’t win with these people."

Translation thanks to Google: Cat and the gang face a new police chief, who is not at all happy with their poor performance Matute and trying to avoid scams Don Gato.
Buenrostro Lucas, the new police chief, has loads of resources and technology their real intention is to take the city, imposing ridiculous laws. Will test the Don Gato and all members of the gang, as well as the proper officer Matute in a film full of adventure, action and fun.

To many, human-animal chimeras--animals that contain human cells--sound like the stuff of nightmares. If you can picture a frog with a human head, a monkey with human vocal chords or a dog with opposable thumbs, you can see why some people want to put the brakes on any sort of scientific experiment that mixes cells from different species.

The reality of chimeras is much less dramatic: Picture instead a pig that produces human insulin or a mouse getting chemotherapy for its human cancer cells. But inter-species blends still raise concerns, even among scientists. The British Academy of Medical Sciences just released a report calling for new rules to avoid ethical missteps. The report expressed particular concern over several types of research, including anything that would implant human brain cells into animals. During a comment period, some members of the public worried that such experiments could give animals human memories.

submitted by JustThatDud3
[link] [1 comment]

submitted by bearetic
[link] [4 comments]

Note:  This Contest is not sponsored or endorsed by FNN

Author:  LastRes0rt
“Hey, it’s a contest! just like it says in the title!

The idea is simple: I’ve already gone and posted the 22 art pages of the bonus book over on tumblr And I want you (yes YOU) to take those panels and create your own fan comics!”

“Grand Prize is a B&W Badge Commission! One goes to my top pick, and the other goes to a random submission — so even if you don’t think your entry’s very good, it can still win something! (and yes, you’re allowed to submit multiple entries!)

You have until July 31, 2011, so get cracking!”

Find the full article here: furryne.ws | Published News

submitted by DaSkunk
[link] [10 comments]

Author: RingtailedFox

What do you get when you mix a kangaroo, an elderly woman, and a pair of police officers in a sleepy Outback town? One very interesting story!

Last Sunday, a rogue kangaroo attacked Phyllis Johnson, 94, while she hung laundry in her backyard. Phyllis, who suffered mostly cuts and bruises, told the Courier-Mail from hospital in Charleville, Queensland that she tried to fight the marauding marsupial off with a broom:

I thought it was going to kill me. It was taller than me and it just plowed through the clothes on the washing line straight for me.

After being knocked down she crawled back to her house and her son called the police. Charleville police chief Senior-Sargent Stephen Perkins said his officers were forced to pepper-spray the kangaroo to avoid being injured as well.

The animal jumped away, then saw another officer at the back of the police car and went for that officer, and he also had to deploy his capsicum spray [...]. After that, it hopped away from the scene, but police could still monitor its location – it didn’t go too far.

Senior-Sgt. Perkins said he had never before heard of police using pepper-spray against a kangaroo.

It did subdue the animal and drew its attention away for the officers, so it worked.

Nearby wildlife rangers were able to trap the creature, which was described as a male red kangaroo, the world’s largest marsupial. Named after their ginger-coloured fur, red kangaroos stand up to two meters tall (six feet), and weigh up to 135 kilograms (300 pounds), although most are smaller and lighter.

Kangaroos rarely attack humans, and government official Mike Devery told the press that the animal will be examined by a veterinarian before a decision is made on its future. Initial observations found some muscle deterioration in one of its hind legs.

Epic Mickey is a a popular video adventure game, developed by Junction Point Studios in Texas last year. It’s popular with furry fans too, having won the 2010 Ursa Major Award for Best Anthropomorphic Game. Now the developers are putting out a new book dedicated to the art and artists that went into creating this well-known game. Here’s the blurb from Amazon.com: “The Art of Epic Mickey will be a 160-page hardcover landscape coffee table book. It will be written by Epic Mickey co-writer Austin Grossman and will feature a forward by Game Director and New York Times contributor, Warren Spector. The book will journey through the beautifully dark and twisted world known as Cartoon Wasteland touching on the creative process behind developing this once-in-a-lifetime vision. It will include, sketches, concept art, final frames, and stills from the actual game, plus, never-before-used art with quotes from the team that envisioned this epic tale. The physical world of the game is born directly from Disneyland, and accordingly, the book will spotlight the artistic influence that Disneyland, with its iconic qualities and rides, had on the creators of Epic Mickey.” The book is scheduled for release by Disney Editions on September 6th.

 

image c. 2011 Disney Editions

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We enforce our policies when we encounter violations on the site or receive reports of violations. If other inauthentic accounts currently exist on the site, it is only because they have not yet been reported and removed.

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Much like many of you, I use a pen name or fursona name on Facebook. I had Furry News Network set up as a community page – we were beginning to build a decent following. The profile and associated Community pages vanished Friday morning with no warning from Facebook. I logged in to find myself redirected to a page on “Harassment”.

After contacting them with all requested information, including my REAL NAME which was the only thing missing from the account, the above letter is what we got back.

To my knowledge we never posted anything harassing ever. We complied with the information they requested. Some times, you can’t win with these people.

FNN has signed up with Google for the business beta – it is more than a month away. We look forward to setting up a profile there for FNN.

As for anything else on Google – you are free to “Circle” my personal account – I have a vanity URL (provided by a 3rd party service, not Google) http://gplus.to/TheBadWolf

There are several thousand active furs on Google Plus so far. If you need an invite, please email me directly at publisher @ furrynewsnetwork.com – I’ll give out as many invites as I can!

Author: mwalimu

Earth Eternal, which was billed by some as a furry MMORPG, and which went offline in September 2010, is about to be relaunched in North America under its new ownership. Formerly run by SparkPlay, the new version, described as revived and revamped, will be operated by Outblaze and TurnOut Ventures. Although rumors have abounded for months that a relaunch might be forthcoming, it was only recently that there has been a more definitive announcement that a beta would be launching shortly.

The new game will have some differences from the old. Only twelve of the twenty-two character races from the original will still be available. There will no longer be a browser version of the game available, and a Facebook account will be required. The changes to the game made it impossible to preserve characters from the original, so all players will need to start over.

Some have already been playing the Japanese version, and report that the character models have been somewhat altered to a more Japanese styling. Despite some differences, the overall look and feel and the gameplay are much like the earlier incarnation of the game.

(Vikie Foxfang assisted in writing this article.)

This week on Knotcast, we read emails, deal with OS updates ruining our recording program, and learn that Savrin is secretly a Sith. This weeks music is 'Brohoof' by Bucktown Tiger Use our coupon code 'knot' at AdamEve.com for a great deal. Episode 148 - Aftermath

Author: crossaffliction

I may be the only one in the world to say this, but I hope the next Star Fox – assuming there is one – has less flying.

Let me explain.

Reason 1: Star Fox evolved

The flying shooter is a dead genre, especially on consoles. During the GameCube/PS2/Xbox generation, theGameCube was the only console with such games; two StarFox games, and two Star Wars: Rogue Squadron games.

Of these four games, calling StarFox Adventures a flying shooter is really stretching it; an action-adventure game with a tacked on mini-game inspired by flying shooters would be more accurate. Two of the others (StarFox: Assault and the third Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike game) featured on-foot levels.

The Star Fox series has notoriously bounced from one video game studio to another; Rogue Squadron studio Factor 5was bounced from Nintendo to Microsoft to Sony in rapid succession.

None of those games were sold as part of the flying shooter genre to begin with; Star Fox games are mostly bought by Nintendo fans – and, to a lesser extent, furries – while the Rogue Squadron games were sold to Star Wars fans. There wasn’t really a flying shooter consumer base then, and there certainly isn’t one now.

What did in the genre was the release of mega-hit Halo: Combat Evolved. The series featured first person shooting, but also allowed players to control all manner of tanks, jeeps and other vehicles. Plus, as the series progressed, flying machines. The Halo series has influenced console shooters more than any other series from the last decade, and successfully subsumed the flying shooter into the shooter as a whole.

Nintendo has no first-party or even second-party exclusive Halo-esque shooter series, period. This is like going into battle without a weapon. Nintendo needs a weapon. The Metroid series has been touted as Nintendo’s Halo, but don’t let the body-armored, helmeted main character, use of first person perspective, or even the shooting fool you. Metroid is about exploration first, combat second.

The closest Nintendo has to a series that could easily shift to Halo mode is Star Fox. Admittedly, Star Fox: Assault – an early, aborted attempt atStar Fox-does-Halo – wasn’t inspiring. Still, the problem was not so much that its foot levels were on foot, but that they weren’t very good.

Reason 2: Foxes are meant to be seen, not just heard

My second reason is definitely the furrier one: The Star Fox characters are visually distinctive. It is counter-intuitive to stick them in a cockpit where you cannot see them.

Of course, it would also be counter-intuitive to use the first-person perspective, for the same reason. Obviously, on-foot levels should remain in the third-person. Halo is the inspiration – not the end all, be all.

This is where the Star Fox series would be able to differentiate itself from other shooter series. The Star Foxvideo game genre might be shooter, but its story genre is a funny animal parody of space opera.

This parodic bent, plus the series’ trademark campiness, is where it can stand out. Shooters are often – somewhat by necessity – dark and somber. A lighter, funnier shooter might be the next big thing. At the least, a group of furries would be a breath of fresh air after all those beefy, hyper-masculine space marines.

Conclusion

Reinvention of Star Fox as a Nintendo version of Halo would be the best thing for the series — granted that the gameplay is adequate, Nintendo doesn’t balk at the concept and allows it to have modern online multiplayer, and the writers don’t create the next Shadow the Hedgehog.

This may seem like a call for Star Fox to become just another follower rather than a leader of innovation, or even a bit “anti-Nintendo”, but I don’t see that the series can do anything else. It’s what Nintendo needs to do if they intend to go after the “hardcore” gamer again.

Author: GreenReaper

Ohio furs Brown Leopard (Ronald R. Packer II, 33), his wife, Wolfie Stonespirit (Jennifer Packer, 30) and Keba (Joseph O. Luna, 21) were arrested July 14 after exiting a barn around 3AM. The trio were charged with breaking and entering and receiving stolen property.

Marion County police recovered a large amount of stolen property from their home and estimate they have committed over sixty thefts in the area. Brown Leopard is also wanted in West Virginia for failure to appear on a weapons offense.

"Sibe" aka Ross Herbert Reddick

A day later, Sibe (Ross Herbert Reddick, 31) was booked into Clackamas County Jail, charged with third degree sexual abuse, recklessly endangering another person, contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor, endangering the welfare of a minor and sexual misconduct.

Brown Leopard is listed as head of Security and Webmaster for Morphicon, and Keba assisted with their performance events. Con chairman Jewelsays they no longer serve the organization [tip: Tom Howling]. Sibe, previously jailed for coercion, remains active on the yiff sub-Reddit (NSFW).

In Ohio, breaking and entering is a fifth degree felony, punishable by community service, probation or 6-12 months prison and a fine of up to $2500. Receiving stolen property ranges from fifth to third degree; a fourth degree felony is up to 18 months and $5000.

The first three of Sibe’s charges are Class A misdemeanors in Oregon, each eligible for up to one year in prison and a $6250 fine.

Ever wanted to send an anonymous email but don't know how?
Well, here's a tutorial...
[link]
If you don't need to send anonymous email then there is still a link
to download PGP freeware software.This PGP software can encrypt files
on your computer using keys or passphrases. Always a handy program no

submitted by Fenno
[link] [8 comments]

Fursuiters. Shake Weight. That is all.