Steven Swanson

2006-06-07T23:48:53Z

129.174.54.34:

'''Steven Swanson''' (also known as '''Jodimest''') is an amateur [[furry artist]] and the co-creator and co-author of the [[webcomic]] ''[[Jewel Vixens]]''. He works closely with [[Aelius]], the creator of the comic, and [[Kelketek]], the web administrator for the web site.

Steven is a fan of [[Shawntae Howard]]'s comic ''[[Extinctioners]]'', and worked closely with [[Aelius]] and [[Slipster]] on two fan projects before moving on to ''Jewel Vixens''. He is currently attending [[Wikipedia:George Mason University|George Mason University]] and working at a military surplus store.

While he doesn't believe in [[fursona]]s, he maintains one named "Jodimest" for professional reasons. Typical conversations with him generally include politics, bizarre tales of customers, [[vixen]]s, trivia, history, and world culture.

== External links ==

* [http://www.jewelvixens.com/ ''Jewel Vixens'' - a furry retro web comic]
* [http://jodimest.deviantart.com/ Steven's account] at [[deviantART]]
* [http://us.vclart.net/vcl/Artists/Steven-Swanson/ Steven's account] at [[VCL]]
* [mailto:jodimest2003@yahoo.com Steven's e-mail]

[[Category:People]][[Category:Writers]][[Category:Comic artists]]
[[Category:Wolf characters]]

Jewel Vixens

2006-06-07T23:46:42Z

129.174.54.34:

[[image:censor_14.png|right]]
'''''Jewel Vixens''''' is a online furry [[webcomic]] co-written by [[Aelius]] and [[Steven Swanson]] (who is the comic's main artist). It follows the adventures of eight [[anthropomorphic]] [[vixen]]s living in the 1970s as models while working as undercover agents for a mysterious benevolent organization called F.U.T.U.R.E.

Jewel Vixens parodies 1960s and '70s spy media like Danger:Diabolik, James Bond, Charlie's Angels, and Mission:Impossible. It also references local pop culture of the era and employs many popular stereotypes of the era in a comedic fashion while at the same time lampooning the popularity of [[vixen]]s within the furry fandom.

The Jewel Vixens fight villains such as the Evil Blue Dude, who lives with his mom and runs the malevolent organization "S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.", and his lieutenants, of which Evil Pink, Purple Lotus, Citronella Vindaloo, Mean Green, and Furious Fuchsia are known. Each lieutenant represents a colorized division of S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M. with particular practices and evil machinations.

Jewel Vixens is primarily a comedic comic, but at times has serious content. It maxes out at a PG-14 rating for its use of firearms, innuendo, and comic mischief.

[[Image:(Jodi)_Icon.jpg|right|thumb|The Jewel Vixens logo]]

==Meet the Team==
The Jewel Vixens are:

[[Image:Sapphireclip1.jpg|right|thumb|Sapphire, by Jodimest and Fox Champion]]
* '''''Sapphire''''': Given her amazing performance in helping the group escape from the faceless kidnapper that brought them together in the first place, Sapphire exhibited her prowess as a natural leader. Despite her adaptivity and skill, she's still inexperienced at the whole "lead the team to save the world" routine and secretly wonders if she's really cut for the part. Regardless, she tries her best while on the mission not only to save the world, but find out who kidnapped her father prior to her own kidnapping and whether or not he's still alive. Sapphire's name is quite well-known in the pop culture of the times, being one of the most successful of the group as a model, and on missions her combat skills are surprisingly efficient. Her preferred weapon is a silver Guther-M revolver that was given to her by a friend of her father shortly after he disappeared. Her skills as a spy are top-notch (some even question whether she's working for a higher force), but she is constantly plagued by a habit of "looking before she leaps" and inexperience when leading a team of peers. Still, she keeps a level head and a focused determination that's yet to let the team down, even in the heat of an intense firefight.

[[Image:Topazclip1.jpg|right|thumb|Topaz, by Jodimest]]
* '''''Topaz''''': Topaz is the "ditsy blonde" of the group, but her purpetually-happy attitude and amazing skills as a gymnast and 'finder' have given her quite a valuable role in the team in keeping morale high and infiltration a breeze. Her favorite activity is surfing, and she won't hesitate to make use of a bright, sunny day at the beach when the opportunity arises. Jade managed to teach her how to pick-pocket, though Topaz doesn't really understand the purpose of it. Not that she understands the purpose of most anything else, that is... She is also the only Vixen who's still attending high school. Not only is she a member of the school's surfing team and gymnastics squad, she's also an accomplished cheerleader. No one's quite sure how a "ditz" is making good grades (trust us, it's NOT by THAT method...), but she apparently is in a good position to graduate next year.

[[Image:Jadeclip4.jpg|right|thumb|Jade, by Jodimest]]
* '''''Jade''''': Trained as a ninja in Japan since she could stand, Jade's skills as both a fighter and a scout are unmatched. Too bad her overconfidence is what usually gets the best of her, but she doesn't seem to mind. She can handle virtually any close-combat weapon she lays her paws on, and despite her size she is quite strong. She's also the sultry, seductive type that's a tease to the guys and a bane to feminists everywhere. Of course, that also makes one wonder just WHAT type of modeling she does in the first place... Another weak point aside from her ego is her accuracy with pistols. Being that she never even touched a gun before meeting the crew, she still prefers to use projectile weapons that she's more adapted to, such as throwing stars and boomerangs. She has developed a habit of teasing Aquamarine, making fun of her teammate's shy and easily-embarrassed nature, though she tries to keep from emotionally scarring the poor girl. In spite of this, Aquamarine accepts the fact that Jade won't ever let her down with a situation gets serious (that doesn't keep her from making it LOOK otherwise, though).

[[Image:Onyxclip3.jpg|right|thumb|Onyx, by Jodimest]]
* '''''Onyx''''': Onyx is by far the oldest and, once one can get past her stern attitude, she's also the wisest. Onyx takes the role of a sniper in the group, but in down time she also tends to be the mother-figure, comforting the hurt and stopping quarrels within the team. Don't let the "mother-figure" description fool you, though... being raised in an Irish town where beer and brawling were commonplace, she can definitely hold her own if threatened. She and Sapphire had been close friends even before they each were kidnapped, and the two frequently help support each other when times get rough. Before the team was formed, though, she was married and had raised two kits with her husband. She doesn't mention why she is no longer with them, though... Some of the Vixens wonder if it's any reason behind her preference to spend her nights in a nearby guest house instead of the main house with the rest of the girls. Sapphire remarks that she's just a bit older and prefers a bit more solitude than hanging around the crazy antics of the rest of the team during off-mission nights.

[[Image:Aquaclip1.jpg|right|thumb|Aquamarine, by Jodimest]]
* '''''Aquamarine''''': Every team needs a tech specialist, and Aquamarine is perfect for the role. A mind that thirsts for knowledge along with a body that won't quit (even if she feels overwise) describes her quite well. From picking locks to programming VCRs to hotwiring death-ray machines, she can handle most anything technology-oriented (a fact that landed her on the cover of a tech magazine, and being that it was the first time a "bikini babe" modeled for a technology magazine the issue sold out in record time). Her main weakness is the fact that she's VERY shy and not very confrontational at all, which leads her to an occasional emotional breakdown if she ends up in prolonged firefights. Onyx is usually there to watch over her though, and while not on a mission Aquamarine can usually be seen hanging out with Amethyst in the garage. Aquamarine is also an experienced S.C.U.B.A. diver and artist, though she's quick to hide her artwork for fear that they would get laughed at (despite the fact that most of the Vixens think they look quite neat). Her combat skills are virtually non-existant, but taking on the role of international spy has given her the chance to be trained in defending herself. She has admirable skill using a crossbow, but she admits she's never used one on a living target before.

[[Image:Amyclip1.jpg|right|thumb|Amethyst, by Nick Hardin]]
* '''''Amethyst''''': The team's wheelwoman, Amethyst is probably the very definition of "relaxed". There isn't much that can get her angry (except someone abusing their car, perhaps), which makes her perfect in the various high-speed car chases that the girls end up in. Her driving skills are top notch as well as her mechanical skill, and nothing soothes her like the roar of an engine. Having a family history not only of Native American warriorhood but also of U.S. military duty, her skills as a fighter are also quite notable. Her laid-back attitude combined with her intense knowledge of mechanical technology has lead Aquamarine to develop a friendship with her, which Amethyst herself doesn't mind at all (saying that Aqua's fun to chat with). While not on missions, Amethyst models for various artistic magazines and exhibitions, including nude modeling. In light of this, Amethyst has also developed a friendly rivalry with Jade, where the two trade playful insults and jabs at each other from time to time, mainly focusing on each others' odd personality/lifestyle traits (Jade claims that it had started when they began taking midnight strolls along the beach sans-clothing. Being that they're both straight, neither of them consider their relationship anything more than just simple friendship).

[[Image:Emeraldclip2.jpg|right|thumb|Emerald, by Lysozyme]]
* '''''Emerald''''': Hot-headed street fighter from Chicago, Emerald was released from prison only to be kidnapped mere minutes after leaving the jail, which didn't settle well with her. Still, it gave her the chance to meet the other Vixens and get into a line of work where she can kick all the tail she wants without worrying about being sent back, so she decided to stay along. Although Emerald and Sapphire get into frequent arguements about how the team is run, she remains loyal to the cause and wouldn't dare let anything happen to her teammates (no matter how annoying Topaz's bubbly attitude gets). Her temper has lead to a number of penalties even in the team, however, most notably in the form of being given less-than-adequete weaponry. Despite this, she remains an admirable fighter and once one can figure out how to control her outbursts, she proves to be valuable to protection. Interestingly enough, some of her modeling jobs were done while in prison itself, which she thought was rather odd, but a neat experience nonetheless.

[[Image:Rubyclip1.jpg|right|thumb|Ruby, by Max Blackrabbit and Jodimest]]
* '''''Ruby''''': Explosive specialist, and good ol' Country Girl. Ruby was raised in the heart of rural Texas with a family well-known for their stock-piles of explosive weaponry, be it from old mining expeditions to war spoils. Her simple attitude on life might give one the impression that she isn't very smart, but in reality she just hasn't gotten out of town much. At the same time, it's kept her from developing an understanding of innuendo, which can be either a good thing or a bad thing depending on how one looks at it. Still, she loves what she does, and any chance she gets to make use of something loud and explosive, she'll jump at the opportunity. Ruby is also the only one on the team who is currently dating, much to the dismay of Sapphire as she worries that it will risk collateral damage. Then again, Ruby causes plenty of damage on her own (which is usually either a good thing, or just a hilarious thing). Her boyfriend is a truck driver named Stanley who happens to be completely unaware of his girlfriend's spy status.

==Additional Characters==
Other characters include:

* '''''Mendoza''''': Mendoza is the primary male character of the comic. He takes on the role as their main agent (modeling agent, travel agent, etc.) and undercover photographer, as well as a mediator between the Vixens and F.U.T.U.R.E., the benevolent organization that formed the team and supplies them. In the comic he says that he's the "horribly inept English buffoon" for comic relief, though it's likely he's just trying to make light of his nervousness around the ladies (a matter that was shown early on in the form of fainting spells every time he got near them). Despite his clumsiness, the Vixens like having him as a friend (or a 'pet' as Jade says).

* '''''Slappy Cromwell''''': Chief source of information when it comes to the gadgets that the Vixens will use in their mission, Slappy was employed by F.U.T.U.R.E. as the lead designer for field technology (and as such, instantly became friends with Aquamarine). Although his name caused a bit of a rough first impression with Sapphire, Slappy is a kind individual and quite helpful in figuring out the right tools to use in a pinch.

* '''''Diamond''''': The mysterious founder of F.U.T.U.R.E. is none other than a woman claiming to have a Jewel Name as well. She aided in rescuing the girls and bringing them to the knowledge of the rival force bent on their destruction. Diamond provides the team with all the information and gear they need to help save the world from evil megalomaniancs desiring world domination. Very little is known about her personally, though...

==Ask-A-Vixen==
Recently, Aelius came up with a new feature to be added to the website called Ask-A-Vixen. Readers can email an address listed (such as the one in the External Links section of this WikiFur page) with a question to the Vixens, and the answers from the Vixens themselves will be posted on a special section of the website. Aelius warns that this feature is mainly for fun and giggles, so the girls won't be answering anything that spoils potential plots or that just reeks of extreme-fanboyishness. Of course, that very fact DOES give them the chance to mock the people who asked the offensive questions, though.

== External links ==

* [http://www.jewelvixens.com Jewel Vixens Webcomic]
* [mailto:askavixen@jewelvixens.com Ask-A-Vixen feature]

[[Category:Fox characters]][[Category:Comics]][[Category:2004 births]][[Category:Comic characters]]

WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Steven Swanson

Jewel Vixens