Softpaw Magazine

2010-04-14T09:40:30Z

86.195.2.214:

[[Image:SoftpawMagazine.png|right|Softpaw Magazine]]
'''''Softpaw Magazine''''' is the first [[cub]]-related magazine in the fandom, mainly featuring [[erotic]] art and stories. It is published by [[Dream Field Comics]], and distributed online and through [[Rabbit Valley]].

The first issue of ''Softpaw'' was published in October 2006. A story-based spinoff, '''''Finding Avalon''''', was first published in July 2008.

''Softpaw'' has been popular, but also highly controversial due to its subject matter, with bans at [[Eurofurence]] and [[Further Confusion]].
{{WikiFurNews|AAE bans Softpaw from Further Confusion 2008 over legal fears}}
{{WikiFurNews|Eurofurence 13 bans Softpaw}}
{{WikiFurNews|Mature cub fanzine readies second issue}}
== History ==

''Softpaw'' was partially inspired by Arcc's "Ivan & Tas" series on the [[Secretmoon]] [[oekaki]], a haven for fans of cub artwork.<ref>''[http://www.secretmoon.org/oekaki/index.php?a_match=Arcc#699 Ivan & Tas 8]'' (NSFW) - comment by [[Jery Softpaw]] (22 September 2008)</ref> The publishers drew from a mix of established artists and authors on Secretmoon and [[Cub Central]], as well as new artists on websites like [[Fur Affinity]]. As the production of ''Softpaw'' cost a large amount of money, pre-orders and donations were encouraged, with donators' nicknames printed on the last page of each issue.

Some contributors [[News:Mature cub fanzine readies second issue|held events to promote the comic]], such as the popular pizza parties at Further Confusion and [[Califur]]. However, attempts by artists to distribute the comic at [[Eurofurence]] were thwarted when [[News:Eurofurence 13 bans Softpaw|the convention banned the work]], followed shortly after by a [[News:AAE bans Softpaw from Further Confusion 2008 over legal fears|ban at Further Confusion]], where publishers had planned to release ''Softpaw'' #3.

''Softpaw'' #2 was listed in the [[Ursa Major Awards]]'s 2007 Recommended Anthropmorphics List in the ''Best Fanzine'' category. The next year, both ''Softpaw'' #3 and #4 and ''Finding Avalon'' #1 [[News:2008 Ursa Major Award voting open|made it onto the awards ballot]], for ''Best Magazine'' and ''Best Comic Book'' respectively. In the end, neither work won, but the fact that they had got that far [[News:2008 Ursa Major Award winners announced#Controversy|concerned]] those who felt such works should not be considered for the award.

== Issues ==
{{Rating-nc17-button}}
''Softpaw'' issues have been released on a six- to nine-month basis. However, there have been no new releases since 2008.

=== Issue #1 ===
[[Image:SoftpawMagazine_issue1cover.jpg|right|frame|''Softpaw #1'' cover ([[Coonkun]])]]
The first issue was printed in October 2006 and was initially shipped on November 15th, 2006. The recommended retail price is stated as US$19.95 - significantly more than most other periodical furry comics and fanzines.

==== Content ====
This issue is comprised of 64 color pages and contains the following stories:

* "The Day Before The Exam" a gay-content comic by Óscar Eduardo Alejandro Jiménez ([[The End Of The World]]) and [[BA]]
* "Teacher's Love" a straight-content comic by [[Jkal]] and [[Beastmaker]]
* "PJ Pup" a gay-content comic by [[Looqdrake]]
* "Little Entrepreneur" a gay-content comic by [[Edis Krad]]
* "The Milkshake Club" a story/comic mix by [[Athalon Ferret]] and [[Artdecade]]

Some artists also contributed standalone artwork:

[[Arcc]], [[Asthexiancal]], [[Coonkun]], [[Fennec]], [[Gilbhart]], [[Inuki]], [[Kichigai Kitsune]], [[Krezz Karavan]], [[Lune Cheetah]], [[McDutt]], [[Sylus Foxdragon]], [[Wolfblade]], [[Zen]] and [[Zippo]].

=== Issue #2 ===
[[Image:SoftpawMagazine_issue2cover.jpg|right|frame|''Softpaw #2'' cover ([[Lando]])]]
Issue two was printed in June 2007 and made its debut at [[Anthrocon 2007]] The recommended retail price is US$19.95. A pack of issues #1 and #2 was subsequently made available for US$29.95.

==== Content ====

This issue contains the following stories in 80 full-color pages:

* "Sleep Over", a gay-content comic by [[Shiuk]]
* "Zeak's Wonderful Life of Doom", a straight-content comic by [[Jkal]], [[Azures]] and [[HySeed]]
* "Those Good Old Games", a straight-content comic by [[Bbmbbf]]
* "Brave?", a straight-content comic by [[Momiji Yuuga]]
* "Bath Time", a gay-content comic by [[Inuki]]
* "The Perfect Size", a straight-content comic by [[Krezz Karavan]] and [[Bbmbbf]]
* "Flower Kitties", a straight-content comic by [[Papaya Kitty]]
* "Tyler's Trouble", a gay-content comic written by [[Crassus]] and drawn by [[Shiuk]]

Some artists also contributed standalone artwork:

[[Ben Raccoon]], [[BA]] (credited as A Bee), [[Fennec]], [[Coonkun]], [[Skifi]], [[Edis Krad]], [[Asthexiancal]], [[ZEN]] and [[Lando]]

The original image of the back cover by Inuki reveals more of the characters genital area. This was covered with some white steam in the published version. A limited print of the original artwork was shipped together with a pack consisting of Softpaw #1 and #2 if directly ordered from Inuki shortly after release.

=== Issue #3 ===
[[Image:SoftpawMagazine_issue3cover.jpg|right|frame|''Softpaw #3'' cover ([[Shiuk]])]]
The third issue was first printed on January 2008. This issue was expected to be released at [[Further Confusion 2008]], until convention staff informed Softpaw that their magazine “would be against their new rule banning representations of minors engaged in sexual acts.”<ref>http://www.crushyiffdestroy.com/frontpage/index.php?blog=1&p=140&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more140</ref> The recommended retail price was US$24.95. Despite the lack of a convention release and the higher price tag, the third issue still sold out at [[Rabbit Valley]].

==== Content ====

This issue contains the following stories in 96 full-color pages:

* "Finding Avalon", written by [[Jery Softpaw]] and [[Kiffin Softpaw]], drawn by [[BA]] (credited as A Bee)
* "The Milkshake Club: Part 2", a gay content comic written by [[Athalon Ferret]], drawn by [[Fel]]
* "Zeak's Wonderful Life of Doom", a gay content comic by [[HySeed]]
* "Happy Trip", a straight content comic by [[Zorro Re]]
* "Here Comes Annie", a straight content comic by [[Bbmbbf]]
* "Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf", a gay content comic by [[Shiuk]]
* "A Knight's Tail", gay content comic by [[Mek]]

Some artists also contributed standalone artwork:

[[Coonkun]], [[Arcc]], [[Asthexiancal]], [[Celestial]], [[Lando]], [[Leon Flare]], [[Meesh]], [[Meow Rouge]], [[Momiji Yu-ga]], [[Zen]] and [[Zippo]]

=== Issue #4 ===
[[Image:SoftpawMagazine_issue4cover.jpg|right|frame|''Softpaw #4'' cover ([[Papaya Kitty]])]]
The fourth issue was first printed on November 2008 and sold for a retail price of US$19.95. Buyers who pre-ordered ''Softpaw'' #4 got a free issue of another Softpaw Magazine or of Finding Avalon with their order.

==== Content ====

This issue contains the following stories in 64 full-color pages:

* "Winter Fun", a gay content comic written and inked by [[Amiramasi]], colors by [[K]]
* "Oh, Brother!", a gay content comic by [[Wolfblade]]
* "Oasis Tome 1&2", a straight content comic written and pencilled by [[Jkal]], inks by [[Hyseed]], color by [[Miao]]
* "The Insatiable Prince", a gay content comic by [[A Bee]]

Some artists also contributed standalone artwork:

[[Arcc]], [[Asthexiancal]], [[Ben Raccoon]], [[Inuki]], [[Mek]], [[Papaya Kitty]] and [[Wishing Star]] as well as some illustrations by the story's artists.

== Finding Avalon ==
[[Image:Softpaw_FindingAvalonLogo.jpg|right|Softpaw Magazine's Finding Avalon Logo]]
''Finding Avalon'' is a comic based on two series started in ''Softpaw'', and is meant to take a more serious approach to cub artwork. Its format is 40 pages, full color, glossy, in the big magazine size.
[[Image:SoftpawMagazine_FAvalon_Cover1.jpg|right|frame|Finding Avalon #1 cover ([[Shiuk]])]]
===Issue #1===

The first issue was printed in June 2008 and initially released at [[Anthrocon 2008]]. Mail-order issues started shipping in July 2008. The recommended retail price was US$14.95 and it includes two stories in comic form:

* "Beyond Words" written by [[Jery Softpaw]] and [[Kiffin Softpaw]], drawn by [[Zorro Re]]
* "Even Now" by [[Shiuk]]

[[A Bee]] and "kitty" Maverick also contributed standalone artwork for the inside covers.

===Accomplishments===
MY EYES!THE GOGGLES DO NOTHING! Award 2006

Golden Facepalm 2007

AAAAAH !KILL IT WITH FIRE Special Prize of the jury

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
* [http://dreamfieldcomics.com/ Dream Field Comics] - publisher's website
* [http://www.rabbitvalley.com/item_6942___Softpaw-Magazine-Issue-Number-1.html Softpaw #1] [http://www.rabbitvalley.com/item_7200_4659___Softpaw-Magazine-Issue-Number-2.html #2] [http://www.rabbitvalley.com/item_7452_4659___Softpaw-Magazine-Issue-Number-3.html #3] and [http://www.rabbitvalley.com/item_7826_4659___Softpaw-Magaine-Issue-Number-4.html #4] at [[Rabbit Valley]]
* [http://www.furstars.eu/the-auctionhouse/softpaw-magazine-and-finding-avalon-discounted-for-furstars-members Softpaw 1, 2, 3 and Finding Avalon] at FurStars.eu (Approved European Stockist)

[[Category:Fanzines]]
[[Category:2006 births]]

[[es:Softpaw Magazine]]
[[no:Softpaw Magazine]]
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Softpaw Magazine