''Albedo Anthropomorphics'', or ''Albedo'' for short, is a
furry comic book anthology series which was credited with starting the furry comic book subgenre that featured sophisticated stories with
talking animal
A talking animal or speaking animal is any non-human animal that can produce sounds or gestures resembling those of a human language. Several species or groups of animals have developed forms of communication which superficially resemble verbal ...
s primarily intended for an adult audience. The first issue of ''Albedo'' was published in 1983; the most recent issue was published in 2005.
["''Albedo''"](_blank)
, ''ShandaFantasyArts.org''. Accessed 12 April 2007
Albedo was started by Steve Gallacci (pronounced /ɡʌˈlɑt͡ʃi/
/sup>), who produced its main feature, ''Erma Felna: EDF''—a sophisticated science fiction military series set in a sector of space populated by Sapience, sapient and predominantly humanoid versions of mammal and avian
Avian may refer to:
*Birds or Aves, winged animals
*Avian (given name) (russian: Авиа́н, link=no), a male forename
Aviation
*Avro Avian, a series of light aircraft made by Avro in the 1920s and 1930s
*Avian Limited, a hang glider manufacture ...
species. The focus of the series is Erma Felna, a young feline officer who eventually plays a central role in the complex political conflicts that consume her universe.["Frequently Asked Questions about ''Albedo''"](_blank)
Sanguine Productions. Accessed 12 April 2007
Gallacci was a technical illustrator for the United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Aerial warfare, air military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part ...
, and one feature of ''Albedo'' is well thought-out and illustrated vehicles. His experience also shows in the realistic treatment of military life and operations.
The series was used as inspiration for the ''Albedo'' role-playing game, which has had three editions and multiple supplements.
Features
Erma Felna: EDF
''Erma Felna: EDF'' was set in a futuristic period in a sector of civilized outer space
Outer space, commonly shortened to space, is the expanse that exists beyond Earth and its atmosphere and between celestial bodies. Outer space is not completely empty—it is a near-perfect vacuum containing a low density of particles, pred ...
populated by Sapience, sapient and predominantly humanoid versions of over 150 various mammalian
Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a neocortex (a region of the brain), fur o ...
and avian
Avian may refer to:
*Birds or Aves, winged animals
*Avian (given name) (russian: Авиа́н, link=no), a male forename
Aviation
*Avro Avian, a series of light aircraft made by Avro in the 1920s and 1930s
*Avian Limited, a hang glider manufacture ...
species. Although the civilization has advanced technical skills and political structure, the residents of this region have realized that they have no knowledge of their origins or past, nor any culture or arts to speak of beyond the structures necessary to maintain operational systems.
The title character is Erma Felna, a young cat who is an officer of the Extraplanetary Defense Force (EDF), the main military of the Interstellar Confederacy or ConFed for short. The series follows her adventures in part as she fulfills a career that would make her a revered name as "The Protector of the Rim", in the region's history despite sexist opposition.
The ConFed is challenged by a rival and ruthless enemy called the Independent Lapine Republic (ILR) which is populated by a species of supremacist rabbits who favor taking colonies and settled areas by force. To defeat their militarily stronger enemy, the ILR is engaging in socio-political warfare intended to undermine the ConFed citizenry's confidence in their government's stability and ability to protect them.
This strategy is made evident in the opening battle of the series when the ILR invades the ConFed planet of Derzon. Once the Republic seizes the planet, they deliberately deploy their troops in such a manner that defeating them requires the EDF inflict the maximum unavoidable amount of collateral damage and civilian casualties, intending to increase ConFed civilian resentment of their own government's actions.
In addition, there are internal and growing ConFed corruption and attacks by nihilistic terrorists who commit acts of violence for their own sake to shake societal complacency. A derelict ship that contains a body of a human is eventually discovered which reveals vital clues about the civilization.
Reception
The series drew considerable attention for its unique use of talking animal
A talking animal or speaking animal is any non-human animal that can produce sounds or gestures resembling those of a human language. Several species or groups of animals have developed forms of communication which superficially resemble verbal ...
s which featured characters engaged in sophisticated stories with a highly political nature, like novels such as ''A Very British Coup
''A Very British Coup'' is a 1982 novel by British politician Chris Mullin. The novel has twice been adapted for television; as '' A Very British Coup'' in 1988 and as '' Secret State'' in 2012.
Plot
Harry Perkins is the left-wing Leader of th ...
''. For instance, after an action scene, the characters would often discuss the socio-political ramifications of the events in question and struggle to decide what to do in response.
Characters
*Erma Felna: The main character of ''Albedo''. Female officer in the EDF, born SD 171–01–22 (30 years old), Annianport, Annah (Dornthant II). Fur color is a light gold-brown, slightly paler in the front, scalp hair is dark red-brown, and eyes green gold. She shares her family's rare female genetic trait of vaguely humanlike head hair
Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals.
The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and fine ...
. Erma joined the EDF mainly because her father, Kanoc, was seriously tortured by the ILR.
*Toki: a Danetti (from the planet Danet) mouse femme is a friend and confidant to Erma Felna. She is a staff officer for the Extra-Planetary Defense forces (EDF). Toki has large soft ears, very expressive eyes, a well-rounded figure, and is very outgoing and free with her attentions.
Online version
In 2016 Gallacci began posting the original ''Erma Felna: EDF'' comic pages online as a webcomic, alongside other works.
Others
Other features in the series have included:
* ''High Orbit''
* Matt Howarth's ''Konny and Czu''
* ''Space Wolf''
* The first episodes of Stan Sakai
is a Japanese-born American cartoonist and comic book creator. He is best known as the creator of the comic series '' Usagi Yojimbo''.
Career
He began his career by lettering comic books (notably ''Groo the Wanderer'' by Sergio Aragonés and Ma ...
's ''Usagi Yojimbo
is a comic book series created by Stan Sakai. It is set primarily at the beginning of the Edo period of Japanese history and features anthropomorphic animals replacing humans. The main character is a rabbit ''rōnin'', Miyamoto Usagi, whom Saka ...
''
* ''Watchrats''
History
The title was originally self-published by Gallacci through his own company called Thoughts & Images. When the company folded, Antarctic Press
Antarctic Press is a San Antonio-based comic book publishing company which publishes " Amerimanga" style comic books. The company also produces "how-to" and "you can" comics, instructing on areas of comic book creation and craft.
Beginning in ...
resumed the title for several years, both in a black-and-white series and a short-lived color one. The series moved to Shanda Fantasy Arts in 2004, which produced two issues of the continuing series before it went on indefinite hiatus in 2005.
An RPG by the same name, based on the Erma Felna storyline, was produced by Chessex
Chessex Manufacturing is an American company that sells dice, primarily for the role-playing game (RPG) and collectible card game (CCG) market. It also offers other accessories used in RPGs and CCGs. The company also has a Chessex Europe branch of ...
in 1989 and 1993. The concept was re-engineered in 2003 by Sanguine Productions.
There was also an associated short-lived fan magazine, ''Refractions'', which carried original artwork, stories, and discussions of the cultures shown in the ''Erma Felna, EDF'' universe. Steve Gallacci contributed new material and cover art for each, but most material came from other sources. Published by R'ykandar Korra'ti/Low Orbit Publications in the 1990s, the series ran only three issues; a fourth was tentatively announced, but cancelled for lack of original material after the end of the color ''Albedo'' run.[Korra'ti, R'ykandar; conversation with the publisher, Low Orbit Publications, April 2007]
References
External links
Steve Gallacci's online collection of the series
Albedo listing at comics.org
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2013
1983 comics debuts
Adult comics
Science fiction comics
Comics adapted into video games