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Crossroads Comics #100-Pokémon Rising Shadows


It’s the big one hundred! So it’s time for Crossroads Comics!

This week we’ll be highlighting another comic I covered previously, during Crossroads Comics #50, Pokémon Rising Shadows. This comic, a long time resident here on Pokémon Crossroads, will soon be celebrity its seventh anniversary, so I felt there was no better time to highlight the comic again and give it a more proper review than the one I gave it last year.

So what is Pokémon Rising Shadows? PRS is a story centered around three main characters, Naya the Flareon, Talon the Zangoose, and Mist the Mismagius. The story starts with Naya awakening on a deserted island after a strange volcanic eruption. She is found by Talon and Mist, who quickly discover that Naya has amnesia. She joins their quest as they travel and uncover a plot much deeper than they originally thought, including legendaries, ancient wars, and a guild that few have heard about outside their own circle.

The story has gotten very interesting within the last chapter, with some origin stories and extra layers of plot being introduced in the most recent chapter. So with the next chapter on the horizon, now is a great time to catch up. Plus you’ll get to read some really cute asks and see some of the anniversary contest entries in the mean time. This comic’s strong suit is the very interesting story and the character designs. As you read, you come to realize that the story is continually deeper than you originally thought, with new layers of it being peeled back and discovered each chapter. In addition, few of the character designs stick to the original Sugimori style, meaning that it is easy to distinguish and identify various characters. Plus the author has to devote a large amount of creativity that goes into each design to make them unique. There’s also a great deal of artistic improvement that goes on throughout the chapters, which makes Pokémon Rising Shadows a great example of a story that displays improvement as the author practiced and honed her skills as time went on. It is a great piece that can serve as an inspiration to new comic artists looking to break into the scene.

You can find more from this artist on Twitter, Deviantart, and Patreon so be sure to support her where you can.

In addition, because it’s out 100th edition, I’ve included 15 comics for each category where applicable! So be sure to check them all out!

Crossroads Comics
Eldritchfell They blocked it! Nice!
Gible Bites It’s back! And with more answers for your pressing questions!
PMD: Crossroads This lovely update was by Shruikan!
PMD: Explorers of Life Seems like we might get some Ral backstory!
Pokémon Rising Shadows Get your asks answered here!
Pokémon: Team Buckshot That definitely left a mark.
Shinka: The Last Eevee For a place called the Happy Apple, Grace doesn’t seem too happy.
Team Goaltredders Is he down and out?

ComicFury Comics
Between Truth and Ideals Let’s line up and get ready to march!
Clash of Poke-Characters He’s here to help!
Fire and Darkness Sounds about right.
Gamer Cafe Well that sounds like a less than pleasant playthrough experience.
Gloomverse Geez Indigo.
Hypoxia || A Pokemon SS Nuzlocke Looks like they’re in luck?
Kilroy I wonder who that is.
On Borrowed Time She speaks!
PMD: Fragmented Souls Wonder why they’re out on the beach.
PMD: The Adventures of Team Starlight At least they were able to rescue the Stufful.
Pokémon: Shadow of the Sun Well that’s not very nice.
The Caretaker They really think Simon did this?
The Essence of Being He’s learning to speak!
The Power of Pouvoir Oh no…
The Stars Shine Bright Might’ve been good information to have.

Deviantart Comics
Aezae’s Tales He didn’t miss… did he?
Fallen Flowers You know he makes a solid argument.
Fault Line New teammate! New teammate!
Finding Your Roots Well ain’t that a friendly graveler!
Golden Shrike Well that’s… interesting.
Hope in Friends Does this mark the beginning of the end?
Jutopa’s Blue Nuzlocke Well that’s not good.
Kurukkoo! Aww look at the cute Squirtle!
PMD: Keepers of Light I wonder who the big boss is.
PMD: Mysteries of the Soul Ooh it’s Necrozma.
PMD: Team Aquablaze Oh no! They got Lugia!
PMD: Team Rowanberry Best to not rush in.
Pokémon Ray’s Adventure Got up bright and early!
TC-96 There’s… another Mewtwo? And they both know Ash?
Ties that Bind The only thing you can do is keep moving forward.

Off-site Comics
@CRC_Luna’s Conspiracy Research Club Mr. Stark I don’t feel so good…
A Tale of Two Rulers Well you can’t argue with that logic.
Genesis: A Gijinka Story Oh man he’s a ghost type!
I’m the Grim Reaper Starting Season 2 off with a bang!
Lil Char and the Gang Come on Greninja! You can do it!
Not Always Right Comics Be sure to check out part 2 of this super cute story!
Pet Foolery He’s got a point.
PMD: Exploration Team Ultra Yay! That’s the spirit!
PMD: Gleaming Hearts Looks like they were successful after all!
PMD: Tales of Elysium Oh man that sounds really traumatic.
Steven Universe: Gone Wrong Poor kid just wanted a cookie cat.
Steven Universe: Switcheroo AU Poor Spinel must’ve been really traumatized by the garden.
Swimming Lessons for a Mermaid Uh oh, busted?
The Doctors are Out Man what are the odds?
The Glass Scientists Oh man Lanyon looks utterly out of place with that opera cape.


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