The Wendybird
is a fantasy webcomic, created by Wm W, Thabfu, and Tomas Santiagos. Originally an entry in the Webtoon Greenlight series, the story is a Darker and Edgier retelling of Peter Pan, greenlit as a Webtoon Original shortly after.
The story follows 17-year-old Wendy Darling, who dreams of escaping her humdrum life and strict family for a life of adventure, like the heroes in her stories. But what will she do when adventure actually comes knocking? In this retelling of Peter Pan, it's Wendy who must save Neverland from Captain Hook and the strange beasts that torment its inhabitants.
It went on for one season, but due to an unsatisfactory amount of subscribers, the comic was canceled, leaving on a massive cliffhanger. Two dubs have been done for the comic, one by Janice Marie Audio and one by Anime Star Productions.
'The Wendybird'' provides examples of:
- Adaptational Badass: Many characters are given this since this is an Actionized Adaptation, but special mention goes to Tiger Lily because she and the Amazons can wield their shadows as weapons (a la Persona).
- Adaptational Diversity: Most of the main cast has been genderbent, the Darlings are an Ambiguously Brown family, and Captain Hook comes from a largely Chinese-inspired culture.
- Adaptation Expansion: Episode 18 sheds some light on George after his daughters go missing. He's realized what a jerk he's been to his oldest, gone on a fruitless search to find them, and fallen into a deep depression.
- Adaptational Nationality: The Indians have been changed to Amazons in this version, with Tiger Lily being their princess. They're also given flower-themed names such as Hyacinth.
- Believing Their Own Lies: Captain Hook claims the main reason she became a pirate was to provide for her family and newborn daughter, Xiao Yu. This excuse doesn’t fool Nox in the slightest, who reminds Hook that she couldn’t provide for her and that she wanted adventure. In other words, Hook wanted to run away, just like Wendy.
- Canon Character All Along: Nox seems to be an overarching villain created for the story. But when Captain Hook's backstory is revealed, he's revealed to be the comic's version of Tick-Tock the Crocodile.
- Feminist Fantasy: With a heavy amount of Xenafication and genderbending, the story mainly focuses on Wendy’s thirst for adventure and becoming Neverland’s savior. Captain Hook and Tiger Lily are given time to shine as seasoned warriors themselves. The only one who’s happy with a simple life is Jean, who becomes agitated with Peter’s recklessness and Wendy’s refusal to return home.
- Fisher Kingdom: It turns out staying in Neverland slowly causes its human inhabitants to forget about their lives at home. It's especially damning for Wendy after Peter sends her sisters to Marooner's Rock, she decides to go back, but can't remember how. The only one who can remember her time out of Neverland is Slightly. Just barely though, as she can't remember her or Nibs' real names anymore.
- Left Hanging: Several plot points are unfinished due to the comic's cancellation. Captain Hook's redemption arc is abruptly ended after stabbing Wendy, the Darlings still don't have a way home, Peter still has trauma to overcome before he can tame his shadow, and the cherry on top? Maddie is implied to be possessed by Nox after escaping Marooner's Rock.
- Named In The Adaptation: The Twins are given the names “Here” and “Northere.”
- Pajama-Clad Hero: Naturally for a Peter Pan story, the Darling sisters go to Neverland in their pajamas. After getting shot by the Lost Kids, Wendy changes into some "armor" made of leaves. And for Jean and Maddie, after recovering from their trip to Marooner's Rock, the Amazons give them proper clothes.
- Prefers Going Barefoot: When the Darling sisters head off to Neverland, Wendy and Maddie put on some slippers before leaving. This isn't the case for Maddie, who remains barefoot until she makes it out of Marooner’s rock.
- Rule 63: At least 75% of the cast is gender-bent from the original story. For starters, Captain Hook and her entire crew, the Lost Boys now include a few girls, the Indians are now Amazons, the mermaids are now mermen, and John and Michael are now Jean and Madeleine.
- Stay in the Kitchen: Given the time, Wendy is on the receiving end of this attitude.
- Token Good Teammate: The Lost Kids are fairly rude to Wendy when she joins them, often playing pranks on her. The only exceptions are Curly, who serves as the big sister of the group, and Toodles, who was Butt-Monkey before Wendy arrived.
- Took a Level in Kindness: The Twins join Slightly in taunting Wendy, but after they almost die in Marooner’s Rock, they become much kinder. Here even develops some Ship Tease with Jean.
- Xenafication: All the female characters, save Jean and Maddie to a degree, are given this. One of Wendy's driving motivations is to grow stronger to prove she can be more than a Damsel in Distress.
