Shifters: Difference between revisions

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.
Content added Content deleted
No edit summary
(copyedits, tropelist, added category)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{work}}
{{work}}
== Shifters ==
=== AKA - Shifters Redux ===
[[File:ShiftersRedux_Ferrah_4991.jpg|frame|Shifters Redux]]
[[File:ShiftersRedux_Ferrah_4991.jpg|frame|Shifters Redux]]
''[[Shifters]]'' (AKA ''Shifters - Redux'') is a [[Web Comic]] created by Marie Tary in 1998.


''Shifters'' is a [[Web Comic]] created by Marie Tary in 1998.


The comic has been in various stages of publication and updates from that time until the present, including a long [[hiatus]] from November 2007 to July 2009. There was another long [[hiatus]] from late August 2007 to June of 2011 when circumstances were such that the author could resume updating on a weekly basis. Since this time updates have been regular with one a week.
The comic has been in various stages of publication and updates from that time until the present, including a long [[hiatus]] from November 2007 to July 2009. There was another long [[hiatus]] from late August 2007 to June of 2011 when circumstances were such that the author could resume updating on a weekly basis. Since this time updates have been regular with one a week.


The "Original Run" (beginning [http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20010810.html here]) of ''Shifters'', while conceived by Marie Tary, was initially a creative collaboration between herself and a writer named James Strocel. Tary herself wrote and illustrated the first two issues of the comic, bringing Strocel in at the third issue ([http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20011010.html "Tears of Blood"] in 2001). Strocel continued writing for the series until the issue [http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20020911.html “Wolf’s Clothing”] (in 2002) when creative differences between Tary and Strocel on the direction and content of the story forced a parting of ways. Ater this point Tary was responsible for both writing and illustration.
----
=== Shifters vs. Shifters - Redux ===


After this point in the "Original Run" several plot points and characters were scaled back or trimmed from the story altogether to bring it back into line with the artist/creator's original vision through plot but the problem of creative differences in the past writing remained such that it would have led to eventual [[Canon Discontinuity]] and many [[Continuity Snarl|Continuity Snarls]] if the story was allowed to continue on it's course.
The "Original Run" (beginning [http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20010810.html here]) of Shifters, while conceived by Marie Tary, was initially a creative colaboration between herself and a writer named James Strocel. Tary herself wrote and illustrated the first two issues of the comic, bringing Strocel in at the third issue ([http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20011010.html "Tears of Blood"] in 2001). Strocel continued writing for the series until the issue [http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20020911.html “Wolf’s Clothing”] (in 2002) when creative differences between Tary and Strocel on the direction and content of the story forced a parting of ways. Ater this point Tary was responsible for both writing and illustration.


Rather than institute several improvised adaptations to this that would result in numerous [[Adaptation-Induced Plothole|Adaptation Induced Plot Holes]], and instead of writing in a [[Reset Button]] by way of a [[Deus Ex Machina]] or similar device, Tary decided to institute a full [[Continuity Reboot]] with [http://shiftersonline.com/chapter1-cover/ "Shifters - Redux"].
After this point in the "Original Run" several plot points and characters were scaled back or trimmed from the story alltogether to bring it back into line with the artist/creator's original vision through plot but the problem of creative differences in the past writing remained such that it would have led to eventual [[Canon Discontinuity]] and many [[Continuity Snarl|Continuity Snarls]] if the story was allowed to continue on it's course.


While the overall plot arc remains the same between [http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20010810.html Shifters] and [http://shiftersonline.com/chapter1-cover/ Shifters - Redux] the story and art are now under the sole control of Tary. Several characters and side-arcs have been eliminated or scaled back and as a result many background points relevant to later plot development have been expanded greatly to bring them into line with her vision. The overall tone is now much darker and grittier with less comedy and more drama.
Rather than institute several improvised adaptations to this that would result in numerous [[Adaptation-Induced Plothole|Adaptation Induced Plot Holes]], and instead of writing in a [[Reset Button]] by way of a [[Deus Ex Machina]] or similar device, Tary decided to institute a full [[Continuity Reboot]] with [http://shiftersonline.com/chapter1-cover/ "Shifters - Redux"].


While the overall plot arc remains the same between [http://shifters.comicgenesis.com/d/20010810.html Shifters] and [http://shiftersonline.com/chapter1-cover/ Shifters - Redux] the story and art are now under the sole control of Tary. Several characters and side-arcs have been eliminated or scaled back and as a result many background points relevant to later plot devlopment have been expanded greatly to bring them into line with her vision. The overall tone is now much darker and grittier with less comedy and more drama.
----
=== Plot Summary ===
=== Plot Summary ===
(Taken from the official [http://shiftersonline.com/about/about-the-comic/ website])
(Taken from the official [http://shiftersonline.com/about/about-the-comic/ website])
Line 26: Line 19:


Set in the [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future|not-so-far future]] of an [[Alternate Universe|alternate earth]], there are two worlds. The Waking World that people know, and the world of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]], which lies [[Invisible to Normals|hidden in the shadows]]. The secret world of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]], harbors the [[Species Lost and Found|monsters thought lost to time]], secretly alive and well in the dark places of the isolated [[Mega City|Shade City]]. [[Ancient Conspiracy|The conspiracy]] to keep the knowledge of their existence [[Masquerade|secret]], [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]] itself, has been kept, [[Killed to Uphold the Masquerade|by force]] , for centuries under the careful watch of the races that form it. Silent wars of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]] races have raged [[Invisible to Normals|right under humanity's noses]], and continue to simmer on and under the streets of [[Mega City|Shade City]]. Currently the [[Our Vampires Are Different|New Gen Vampires]] and [[Our Werebeasts Are Different|Shifters]] have been silently escalating their [[Fur Against Fang|long standing war]], and the [[Our Vampires Are Different|vampires]] have come up with a plan to win. [[It Got Worse|But what they didn’t count on]] was the re-appearance of an [[Eldritch Abomination|ancient horror]] so powerful and terrible that it is only spoken of with whispered hatred, [[The Scottish Trope|its name cursed]].
Set in the [[Twenty Minutes Into the Future|not-so-far future]] of an [[Alternate Universe|alternate earth]], there are two worlds. The Waking World that people know, and the world of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]], which lies [[Invisible to Normals|hidden in the shadows]]. The secret world of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]], harbors the [[Species Lost and Found|monsters thought lost to time]], secretly alive and well in the dark places of the isolated [[Mega City|Shade City]]. [[Ancient Conspiracy|The conspiracy]] to keep the knowledge of their existence [[Masquerade|secret]], [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]] itself, has been kept, [[Killed to Uphold the Masquerade|by force]] , for centuries under the careful watch of the races that form it. Silent wars of [[Ancient Conspiracy|The Veil]] races have raged [[Invisible to Normals|right under humanity's noses]], and continue to simmer on and under the streets of [[Mega City|Shade City]]. Currently the [[Our Vampires Are Different|New Gen Vampires]] and [[Our Werebeasts Are Different|Shifters]] have been silently escalating their [[Fur Against Fang|long standing war]], and the [[Our Vampires Are Different|vampires]] have come up with a plan to win. [[It Got Worse|But what they didn’t count on]] was the re-appearance of an [[Eldritch Abomination|ancient horror]] so powerful and terrible that it is only spoken of with whispered hatred, [[The Scottish Trope|its name cursed]].
----
=== Tropes included: ===


{{tropelist}}
* [[Abandoned Area]]: Many sections of The Undercity, which also qualify as the subtrope [[Ghost City|Ghost Cities]], as well as anywhere effected by the "Nuclear Incident".
* [[Abandoned Area]]: Many sections of The Undercity, which also qualify as the subtrope [[Ghost City|Ghost Cities]], as well as anywhere effected by the "Nuclear Incident".
* [[Above Good and Evil]]
* [[Above Good and Evil]]
Line 175: Line 167:
[[Category:Shifters]]
[[Category:Shifters]]
[[Category:Web Comics]]
[[Category:Web Comics]]
[[Category:Supernatural Fiction]]

Latest revision as of 14:56, 3 August 2018

Shifters Redux

Shifters (AKA Shifters - Redux) is a Web Comic created by Marie Tary in 1998.

The comic has been in various stages of publication and updates from that time until the present, including a long hiatus from November 2007 to July 2009. There was another long hiatus from late August 2007 to June of 2011 when circumstances were such that the author could resume updating on a weekly basis. Since this time updates have been regular with one a week.

The "Original Run" (beginning here) of Shifters, while conceived by Marie Tary, was initially a creative collaboration between herself and a writer named James Strocel. Tary herself wrote and illustrated the first two issues of the comic, bringing Strocel in at the third issue ("Tears of Blood" in 2001). Strocel continued writing for the series until the issue “Wolf’s Clothing” (in 2002) when creative differences between Tary and Strocel on the direction and content of the story forced a parting of ways. Ater this point Tary was responsible for both writing and illustration.

After this point in the "Original Run" several plot points and characters were scaled back or trimmed from the story altogether to bring it back into line with the artist/creator's original vision through plot but the problem of creative differences in the past writing remained such that it would have led to eventual Canon Discontinuity and many Continuity Snarls if the story was allowed to continue on it's course.

Rather than institute several improvised adaptations to this that would result in numerous Adaptation Induced Plot Holes, and instead of writing in a Reset Button by way of a Deus Ex Machina or similar device, Tary decided to institute a full Continuity Reboot with "Shifters - Redux".

While the overall plot arc remains the same between Shifters and Shifters - Redux the story and art are now under the sole control of Tary. Several characters and side-arcs have been eliminated or scaled back and as a result many background points relevant to later plot development have been expanded greatly to bring them into line with her vision. The overall tone is now much darker and grittier with less comedy and more drama.

Plot Summary

(Taken from the official website)

Shifters is the story of a young woman and her friends who discover they share a unique fate.

Set in the not-so-far future of an alternate earth, there are two worlds. The Waking World that people know, and the world of The Veil, which lies hidden in the shadows. The secret world of The Veil, harbors the monsters thought lost to time, secretly alive and well in the dark places of the isolated Shade City. The conspiracy to keep the knowledge of their existence secret, The Veil itself, has been kept, by force , for centuries under the careful watch of the races that form it. Silent wars of The Veil races have raged right under humanity's noses, and continue to simmer on and under the streets of Shade City. Currently the New Gen Vampires and Shifters have been silently escalating their long standing war, and the vampires have come up with a plan to win. But what they didn’t count on was the re-appearance of an ancient horror so powerful and terrible that it is only spoken of with whispered hatred, its name cursed.

Tropes used in Shifters include: