History Webcomic / MuktukWolfsbreathHardBoiledShaman

[[redirect: ComicBook/MuktukWolfsbreathHardBoiledShaman]]

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[[redirect:ComicBook/MuktukWolfsbreathHardBoiledShaman]]

[[redirect: ComicBook/MuktukWolfsbreathHardBoiledShaman]]

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[[redirect: ComicBook/MuktukWolfsbreathHardBoiledShaman]]

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[[quoteright:346:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Muktuk_8027.jpg]]

''[[http://hardboiledshaman.com/ Muktuk Wolfsbreath, Hard-Boiled Shaman]]'' is a WebComic by Terry [=LaBan=] (artist of the newspaper comic, ''EdgeCity'') that recycles FilmNoir tropes in the context of Siberian tribal life. As [=LaBan=] puts it, "the realization that shamans were kind of like detectives, in that they brought about change by discovering the source of problems, clicked with that classic [[HardboiledDetective hard-boiled]] voice, and, suddenly, there was an idea for a character."

The title character and provider of the [[PrivateEyeMonologue monologue]] is a jaded shaman who takes on the case of a young boy dying of a mysterious supernatural illness, and realizes that the perpetrator is the same evil colleague who once killed his wife and son.

Previously, some years ago, there was a paper comic book miniseries with the same lead character.

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!!Contains examples of:

* AntiHero: Muktuk is a cynical, pragmatic character who often works for payment, but he does what’s needed to keep the world turning.
%%* ArchEnemy: Birdbutt.
* AstralProjection: As a skilled shaman, Muktuk can enter the astral realm more or less at will — and does.
* BadDreams: Muktuk has recurring nightmares about his wife and son having their souls eaten by a demon.
%%* BittersweetEnding
* FemmeFatale: Niyah plays the role in a context of duelling spirit-magics. She’s sexy and very dangerous (and also dangerously overconfident).
* FunctionalMagic: For those who know how to use it, magic is quite functional indeed. Muktuk even has an enchanted cat skull that works like a GPS in the spirit world.
* GrimUpNorth: The story uses the Siberian taiga as a setting much in the way that FilmNoir uses rain-soaked, gritty cities.
* HigherUnderstandingThroughDrugs: Muktuk knocks back the occasional hallucinogenic mushroom in the course of his work — though for essential practical reasons, rather than for abstract insight.
* HardboiledDetective: Reimagined as a Hardboiled Shaman.
%%* HurtingHero
* JerkassGod: Bai Ulgan, and also Sedna in the print comic — although as Muktuk explains, she has reasons for her hatred of humanity.
* KnightInSourArmor: The taiga is a tough place, and a lot of people behave badly, as Muktuk is fully aware — but he still does the right thing.
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: The demons from the spirit world are intentionally drawn as vague, hastily scribbled shapes.
* PrivateDetective: Shamans are the setting equivalent — just with a focus on spirit problems rather than crime.
* PrivateEyeMonologue: Muktuk narrates his own stories in best noir style.
* RecycledInSpace: FilmNoir recycled in tribal Siberia.
* SpeaksFluentAnimal: As a shaman, Muktuk is able to communicate verbally with animals.
* SpiritAdvisor: In rather grittier form than usual — Muktuk treats spirits the way a PI treats street contacts.
* VisionQuest: As a shaman, Muktuk enters the dream realm to move the plot along. The trope is played with in that he knows that realm well, and treats it as a place of work rather than a place of mystery.
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There was a paper comic book miniseries, too!

* JerkassGod: Bai Ulgan, and also Sedna — although as Muktuk explains, she has reasons for her hatred of humanity.

%%* AntiHero: Muktuk.

%%* AstralProjection

%%* FemmeFatale: Niyah.

%%* HardboiledDetective: Hardboiled Shaman.

%%* JerkassGod: Bai Ulgan.
%%* KnightInSourArmor

%%* PrivateDetective
%%* PrivateEyeMonologue

* AntiHero: Muktuk.
* ArchEnemy: Birdbutt.
* AstralProjection

* BittersweetEnding
* FemmeFatale: Niyah.

* HardboiledDetective: Hardboiled Shaman.
* HurtingHero
* JerkassGod: Bai Ulgan.
* KnightInSourArmor

* [[PrivateDetective Private Shaman]]
* PrivateEyeMonologue

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Muktuk_8027.jpg

''[[http://hardboiledshaman.com/ Muktuk Wolfsbreath, Hard-Boiled Shaman]]'' is a WebComic by Terry [=LaBan=] that recycles FilmNoir tropes in the context of Siberian tribal life. As [=LaBan=] puts it, "the realization that shamans were kind of like detectives, in that they brought about change by discovering the source of problems, clicked with that classic [[HardboiledDetective hard-boiled]] voice, and, suddenly, there was an idea for a character."