Introducing Claw from APTN's Kagagi: The Animated Series

The eleventh episode of the Kagagi animated series, based on the Arcana Comics character of the same name, will air tomorrow morning on APTN.

In episode nine, two weeks, ago, the main character was getting kicked around by the series antagonist, The Windigo. But at the last minute, Kagagi was rescued by the lady in red at left. She removed him from the scene but did not respond when Kagagi asked for her name. She was less directly involved in last week's episode, but again got the show's hero out of major trouble, anonymously.

There is very little information provided about her to this point, but the show's characters are displayed during the end credits. An image similar to the one at left (if not exactly that one) appears and the name displayed under it is "Claw". In her first appearance, she jumped out of an aircraft to assist Kagagi, in the second she made a jet-like sound as she flew away.

She remains a mystery but has a cool, modern look and appears to be a great addition to the Kagagi cast. I look forward to finding out more about her in the coming weeks and can't help but think that she would make a great action figure.  I hope the Kagagi show's popularity makes that possible at some point down the road.

The animated series airs on APTN at 10AM Eastern every Sunday, but you can watch it on the network's website as well.  As for the original material, you can purchase the digital version of Kagagi: The Raven from Comixology or the print version from amazon.ca or directly from the Arcana Comics website.

Kagagi is Intrinsic!

Even though it did not include a Canadian character, I've mentioned Arcana's The Intrinsic title a couple of times because it features a number of the Vancouver-based publisher's key characters.  I'm now pleased to find out that one of Arcana's all too few Canadian characters is apparently considered an unofficial member of the team!

I did not recognize Kagagi on the Alex Ross cover I posted last month (April 13th, specifically, if you want to go back and have a look).  The character has been redesigned for the animated series which will air in the fall.

The Intrinsic returned on May 3rd as part of Free Comic Book Day.  The digital version was made available yesterday (still free) on Comixology.

The book, clocking in at 15 pages, serves as a lead-in to the team's second mini series.  Sub-titled "Singularity Zero", its first issue will be released next month.

Unfortunately, Kagagi does not appear in this "zero issue" of sorts, but since he is included in a two-page describing the group, it's safe to assume that he should make a strong contribution later.  In the meantime, you can track the character and the progress of the upcoming animated series through this Facebook group.

Kagagi: The animated series

It seems that Captain Canuck is not the only Canadian character getting the animated treatment. The following was included in an Arcana Comics newsletter recently:

We heard your title with Jay Odjick, Kagagi, is being made into an animated television series. Congratulations! Can you give us more details about the series and when can we expect to find it on television?

Kagagi is the first First Nation superhero and is being produced by Sean Patrick O’Reilly and Jay Odjick for thirteen episodes of an animated television series. The cultural history infused in the story is enriching, unique, and educational, providing audiences with three dimensional, relatable characters, and an overall entertaining product. APTN is the Canadian broadcaster, and the first episode will debut on TV in January 2014.

Sweet!  Here's Arcana's Kagagi page from which you're able to buy the book in print or digital form.

There was also a website built around the book.  There's been little activity on it of late, but it still displays some preview and pin-up art.  The image below, however, is one I lifted from a message board (and which makes a nice wallpaper, I might add...).

Congratulations to Kagagi creator, writer and artist Jay Odjick and to Arcana founder/CEO/editor Sean Patrick O'Reilly.

Kagagi: The Raven

This blog was started partially to demonstrate that there are far more Canadian characters than most people realize but I must admit that on that level, my own expectations have been surpassed.  It seems that while researching one, I invariably stumble into yet another.

My most recent find is Kagagi.

I found it by scanning the Arcana characters page.  Though nothing about him specifically identifies him as Canadian on sight, I gave him a longer look because he has a pretty cool design.  I found out writer/inker Jay Odjick is from the Maniwaki area and after an excellent summary of the windigo legend, the book begins the present day part of story at the harbour front in Toronto.

I bought the book for $5 from comixology, and it is also available on graphicly.com if that is your preference.  The story is about 50 pages, and there is a lot of additional bonus material along the lines of sketches, pin-ups, etc.

Solicitation time:

Matthew Carver is an average 16 year old kid dealing with normal teenage stuff: high school drama, teenage angst and a huge crush.  Or at least he was yesterday.  Today he found out that he has inherited an ancient power and responsibility - the ages old evil known as the Windingo (sic) has returned.  And Matthew Carver must defeat it. He is Kagagi: The Raven!

I'll be honest and admit that the high school part did nothing for me.  Never mind that I'm too far removed from those years to be able to relate anymore (*ahem*), it's the standard stuff; Carver moons over the dream girl who goes out with the popular jock, etc.  You've read it before.

But that aside, the basic premise is a self-feeding monster.  Windigo spreads his "disease", for lack of a better term, to his victims.  It is a cannibal that causes its victims to be reborn with the same urge, so our hero will never lack for someone to battle against as his mentor (Wisakedjak) shows him the ropes.  Without getting too deeply into an off-topic spiritual discussion, if you have even a passing interest in native culture, the inclusion of that element into the book will be a treat.

Let's close with one of those pinups by Fernando Granea.  Right click and open into a new tab for a larger version.