Earthsong

Infobox webcomic|
title = Earthsong


caption =
author = Lady Yates
url = http://www.earthsongsaga.com
status = Monday, Thursday
began = June 8 2004
ended =
genre = Fantasy/Adventure
ratings = Teen

Earthsong is a popular webcomic with a manga influence. The author, Lady Yates, started the comic on June 8, 2004. "Earthsong" frequently holds the high spots on [http://topwebcomics.com/ Topwebcomics] and [http://www.buzzcomix.net/ buzzComix] . Earthsong volume 1 was published in mid-2006 by Seven Seas Entertainment, an imprint of the Macmillan Publishing Company. [ [http://us.macmillan.com/earthsongvol1 Earthsong (Volume 1 of 1): Story and art by Lady Yates; Seven Seas; Published: June 2006; ISBN 978-1-933164-15-1; ISBN-10: 1-933164-15-8] ] The author is currently re-working pages for an anticipated second volume, and simultaneously continuing the online version.

Plot

A young woman wakes up to find herself in a strange place, with no memories of who she is or how she got there. After a short run in with the Mandragoras, the resident bad guys, she is taken in by the Haven's Guard and is named Willow. She is introduced to Earthsong. Earthsong is a manifestation of the planet on which the plot takes place, using a manifest stone made out of her core element to take humanoid form. Each planet in the universe is alive in this way, and many of the planets create "children" - a sentient species that lives on the planet's surface. These are usually humanoid.

Earthsong tells Willow that she is one such "child" of a planet. However, she has been removed from her home planet's surface temporarily. Sometimes pieces of a planet's core element leak to the surface, and form soulstones inside the bodies of children. These soulstones are dangerous to their hosts: they grant the bearer access to the powers of his or her planet, but that same power is too much for the bearer's body to handle. Earthsong brings soulstone bearers to her surface to keep them from blowing up under the stress. Later, the soulstones can be gently removed, so that the child returns to his or her home planet.

Earthsong is currently engaged in a longstanding conflict with another planet, Beluosus, who is attempting to overthrow her and absorb her core element into his own. He is aided by the Mandragoras, soulstone-bearers whom he has coerced into fighting for him. His ultimate goals remain unclear at this time.

Willow learns she has a soulstone forming inside of her, and although this explains why she is "there", it doesn't explain Willow herself....

Characters

Haven's Guard

*Willow- The lavender-skinned, white-haired, purple-eyed central character. She recalls nothing of her past, making her a bit of a mystery to those she comes into contact with since most of Earthsong's visitors have at least fragmentary memories of their homeworlds. Although seemingly naive, she has a fiery streak and doesn't take "no" for an answer.:Her theme song is "Until" by Sting.

*Earthsong- She is the youngest planet. Although she has no "children" of her own, she protects the soulstone-bearing children of other planets. Earthsong appears as a flowing white being with a purple manifest stone. She was named "by someone on Earth" [http://earthsongsaga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2131&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15] .

*Nanashi- The last of the children from before Beluosus' arrival. She stopped Beluosus from destroying Earthsong, using two pure-element swords to drive him away. Nanashi is an actual human from Earth, a warrior daughter of a samurai. Her name is Japanese for "Nameless," and she is known for giving the others "their" names, as they usually cannot remember their own when they arrive in Earthsong. Nanashi can become invisible, create a shield, or energize her swords with the power of her soulstone. Nanashi can remember all of her life before arriving in Earthsong, because she was in transit between worlds when she pulled herself back to save Earthsong from Beluosus. Though she is Japanese, her clothes are a mixture between a Chinese Cheongsam and an Indian Salwar, reflecting her "globe-trotting" upbringing on Earth.

*K'Thonya- A green, artistic woman with the ability to shape metal. Since her hair happens to be metallic, she can influence it into many shapes, including snakes. It is no surprise then that her race inspired the Earth myth of the Gorgons. K'Thonya's name comes from "chthonic", roughly meaning "pertaining to the underworld." Her Remnant, which is the last thing she can remember before waking up on Earthsong, is of her first kiss.:Her hair is based on Alicia Keys's hair. K'Thonya's theme song might be by Alicia Keys, but a song from Dido is also being considered.

*Tengu- A sarcastic, yellow and black fairy-like being with the ability to control electricity. She was a military officer on her home planet. Her name comes directly from the tengu, a race of spirits from Japanese mythology, as chosen by Nanashi. Initially Nanashi called Tengu this name as an insult, but as they became friends Tengu kept the name for humor. Her Remnant is being promoted to general. :Her theme song is "Street Spirit" by Radiohead.

*Felucca- A purple, humanoid dragon, is able to transfrom herself into a real dragon. She is extremely energetic and clumsy, and often annoys Haven's other occupants, although it bothers her little. Her name comes from the name of a moon in the game Ultima, but is also a type of boat. Her remnant is fighting with her uncle. Felucca's design is based on "Gargoyles", the cartoon.:Her theme song is "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.

*Zaebos- The library's keeper. He is in his thirties. He is very knowledgable, and being a pyromancer, can wield fire. Although he is usually very serious, he has a crush on K'Thonya. Zaebos resembles a bright red goatlike demon. His name is Sumerian, and it means "Grand Count of hell said to have gentle disposition":His theme song is "The Other Man" by Sloan (band).

*Gwendolyn- A reclusive elf archer with auburn hair and green eyes. Gwendolyn hates being called Gwen, and is easily annoyed. Gwen's eyesight is intensified by her soulstone's powers. Her Remnant is of holding her firstborn child for the very first time.:Her theme song is "My Immortal" by Evanescence.

Mandragoras

*Beluosus- An older planet bent on infecting Earthsong. He is the main antagonist, and controls the Mandragoras. His name means "full of monsters".

*Skogul- A bird-like woman with tawny brown skin with white speckles and wild, windswept hair. (Her appearance was changed from the original white skin and brown speckles of the original comic for the published version.) She is a berserker, and Nanashi's most dangerous enemy, second to Beluosus. Skogul's name derives from Skögul, one of the valkyries. She can manipulate air currents. She is left-handed.:Skogul's first theme song was "Everlasting Gaze" by Smashing Pumpkins, but it was changed to "The Ghost of You" by My Chemical Romance.

*Ulkurz- Strongly resembles a goblin. He is Skogul's right-hand man, though he is jealous of her favor with Beluosus. He can pass through solid objects, or "phase" like Shadowcat.:He has two theme songs, "I Smell a Rat" by The White Stripes and "We Only Come Out at Night" by Smashing Pumpkins.

*Richard- A blue-skinned servant of Beluosus. He was sent back to his home planet when Nanashi destroyed his soulstone in the first episode. His personality is based on one of Yates' co-workers, but his powers were based on the Hindu god Vishnu.

*Tristram- A vampire who usually wears somber, elegant clothes. His name means sad in Celtic. He is 25-27 years old. Unlike most vampires, Tristram refuses to feed off the Minuons, a blue-skinned people his race believes were created for their benefit. Before being sent to Earthsong, Tristram -- in an attempt to force him to conform to his people -- was starved and locked in a room with a bound, unconscious Minuon. Although he tried to escape, he eventually lost control and drank the blood of the Minuon; and it is this shame which makes him so reluctant to return to his home planet, and which allows Beluosus to blackmail him -- threatening to send him home if he does not obey. Many attributes of vampires (allergic to garlic, aversion to sunlight, etc.) do not apply to Tristram and his people. :Tristram (and his angst) is often the butt of jokes among Earthsong fans, such as "Earthsong's secret weapon: Tristram's angst! It could level entire cities!" and the nickname "Vampy McEmopants." His greatest weakness is chocolate cheesecake, according to official information.:His theme song is "Music of the Night," specifically from the Canadian recording of Phantom of the Opera.

*Neuria- A wolf-like seventeen to eighteen-year-old girl with a tribal tattoo on her left shoulder. She intended to look goth and punk. Her species supposedly inspired the werewolf myth, and her name is derived from "Neurians," referring to a legend of a tribe whose people could change into wolves once a year. She has black and white hair, gold eyes and wolfish ears. Her power of super speed is increased by her soulstone. She seems to like pushing people's buttons, such as Tristram, whom she calls "Trissy" and constantly blackmails into doing favors for Beluosus. She seems to be feisty and clever, but still has a lot to reveal.:Neuria is not a werewolf, nor can she shape shift. Her fur is like a dalmatian.:Her theme song is "Faint" by Linkin Park.

*Tehmel- A character many Earthsong forum-goers were familiar with before Tehmel was properly introduced. Lady Yates revised Tehmel's colors until settling on red. Tehmel is a play on "The Mel," one of Yates's friends. Tehmel is only ten, but she has a "mean streak." [http://earthsongsaga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=107510#107510] It has been hinted that she is from the same planet as Richard. She has a doll of him too. Her power is super-strength.:Her theme song has not been specified, but it will be by Green Day.

Alpha Planets

The three planets who lead the planetary council.
*Sage- The oldest planet. He is mostly red and black and is adept at teleportation.
*Gaia- A feminine planet who is green and blue. She is the planet Earth.
*Olibish- A blue planet whose head resembles that of a jackal.

Other characters

*Poodle the Beating Stick- A conveniently placed branch used by Nanashi in an attempt to defeat Beluosus. Though it only appeared for a short four pages, it achieved its own place in the hearts of Earthsong fans, who often mourn its untimely death. It was named by Yates' friend and fellow webcomic artist Blix.
*Chihuahua the BEATEN twig- Named by Lady Yates' friend Tinalles, Chihuahua only appears in one "redux" page, when the poor twig is accidentally snapped by Nanashi.
*The Sidera- The name of the stars. The Sidera, composed of "pure" element, constitute a single conscious mind and are the creators of all the planets. The Sidera gave Earthsong a throne and two swords, all made out of Siderean element, which Earthsong uses to perform her duties as Stonekeeper.

Author

Lady Yates is the pen-name of the artist and author of "Earthsong". She is currently 26 years old, married, recently became a mom, and is living in Canada.

Yates has completed her Honours B.A. at the University of Toronto where she majored in Fine Art History and minored in egyptology and archaeology. At Durham College she completed the Foundation in Art and Design Program. She took a summer course on animation at Sheridan College. She understands and writes Latin and Middle Egyptian.

Notes

References

* [http://www.gomanga.com/news/features_earthsong_001.php "Exploring Earthsong"] - Interview with Lady Yates that provides information on the history and conception of Earthsong.

External links

* [http://www.earthsongsaga.com/ Earthsong Saga]
* [http://topwebcomics.com/ Topwebcomics]
* [http://www.buzzcomix.net/ buzzComix]
* [http://www.gomanga.com/ Seven Seas Entertainment] - Earthsong's publisher.
** [http://www.gomanga.com/manga/earthsong.php Seven Seas Entertainment page for "Earthsong"]
* [http://comics.ign.com/articles/721/721397p1.html "Earthsong" review on IGN]
* [http://bookloons.com/cgi-bin/Review.asp?bookid=6620 "Earthsong" review on BookLoons]