A Thief In Thunderclan (New Favorite Graphic Novel) - Sunny's Spiel | Warriors Analysis

[@Autumn-Leafeon]

The visual of a heavily pregnant Brightheart jumping up and OBLITERATING an owl is absolutely metal

[@petrbacik7104]

Owl😅

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

She also wouldn't be "heavily" pregnant...she was pregnant with one kitten, she'd barely be showing at all.

[@Autumn-Leafeon]

@@blobbertmcblob4888 Technically she’s still far into her pregnancy, even if it was only one kitten it’s still a pregnancy and works the same, and in the art she has a very obvious big belly

[@windjager2177]

​@@Autumn-Leafeon true. But kind of unrealistically big XD

[@-Arthur_Morgan_]

@@windjager2177 YES. I WAS SO UNCOMFORABLE READING THAT PART I LISTERALLY PUT MY HEAD UNDER MY PILLOW STILL THINKING OF...THAT.--

[@vanillaandbazel6810]

One thing I have to say is I’m so glad they included Brightheart remembering that Frostfur was her mom and Cinderpelt was her sister!!

[@darkninjafirefox]

The bit where Firestar was giving apprentices hurt me to read since Brightheart never got an apprentice after Jaypaw. I loved the scene between her and Rainpaw talking about the clan being a hive

[@higgy0789]

It’s an owl, not a hawk Also, I love how this graphic novel doesn’t go by the idea that bigger is better. With the stakes in novellas and super editions getting so big, it’s good to see an effective story being told through an event in a time period we know, and not ret conning that actually Brightheart had to save all the Clans while Firestar was away and we only heard about it now

[@Sunnyfall]

I will say, a big point that I mentioned in the video but would like to stress more here is that this is not the entirety of Brightheart's story. She's a pretty new warrior at this point and she still has seasons of life left to live, along with several other important life events to go through. Learning to both trust her clanmates and find value in herself is an extremely long journey, and even if those were started here, they would have to continue for a long time before they settle in. A lot of that latter journey would also have to be imagined by you because, as we know, she fades into the background and, outside of this book, has always been a severely underused character, but I'm not going to count it as a strike against *this* book that other books have treated her badly. This is a great depiction of her first step.

[@aplattner317]

Brightheart NEEDS more content. Or, needed, considering that she's an elder now and elders are just background. Mostly.

[@thatmomentwhen345]

I enjoyed this comic so much :,) so many little things like Cinderpelt being the one to tell Brightheart she was pregnant, Brightheart being there for Longtail after his injury, cute Cloudtail and Brightheart moments… this one’s a new favorite for sure :)

[@elleeeason-1023]

Singing Brightheart is golden.

[@WEYffles]

I wish “hustle culture” wasn’t a thing in warrior cats. Most pregnant queens, specially the ones considered “good” warriors by the narrative, despise how their pregnancy makes them unable to fight or hunt well even though they are being directly responsible for increasing the number of warriors the clan has. Elders are also seen complaining about not helping enough, and mousefur was even starving herself that one time they had prey shortage. If they are not “useful” to the clan, they belittle themselves and that doesn’t stop until the queens can leave the nursery or the elders die. There is never a lesson about how the whole point of the clan is to support their physically weaker members, with queens and elders even being fed first.

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

I mean, it's a religious cult where cats worship widely unhelpful and purposefully deceitful "gods" whose only goal seems to be their continued existence through the worship by the living cats. They're literally taught from the minute they can understand things that their job is to work until they die.

[@lalas181]

For real! I'd love so much for there to be a "You don't have to be "useful" to be worthwhile" message at some point. I don't think we'll ever get one, but like. I'd like one.

[@dust.runner]

Agreed. I feel like they have gotten kinda close to the 'productivity doesn't equal worth' message but not yet

[@madithornbury3363]

The comment from Cinderpelt about not all kits getting a chance to fly, then Brightheart’s daughter’s warrior name being Whitewing! To me, it makes Whitewing’s name even more special.

[@TheAshfurApologist]

So I noticed how Longtail is depicted as a brown tabby. I find this interesting because he's been mentioned to be yellow, silver, and now brown. It would appear we finally know his true fur color. Anywho, the graphic novels have been A+ material in my opinion, and I look forward to them in the future, and with the absence of novellas, these help fill the void, giving us many new stories to hear about.

[@Kibui]

Longtail has never been described as yellow, that's something that only got popular because of fanworks. He has been described once as brown and once as silver in the books and other than that the only regularily mentioned description we have of him is that he's a pale tabby with black stripes. Also, as a little note of caution, remember that the official art should always be taken with a huge grain of salt. They are often times inaccurate to what the books say (with, again, Longtail having brown stripes here instead of black like in the text, or even Brightheart who is mentioned with a visible empty eye socket ("crater" as the books call it) instead of a bulging scar closing it shut) and should be seen as complementary at most when the other books don't mention anything about it

[@TheAshfurApologist]

​@@Kibui that's a good point, but as a kid I was clueless, as there was a massive amount of yellow Longtail content, I thought it was actual cannon. Not to mention Kate views her tabbies as brown, and Cherith considers tabbies to be silver, so it's hard when two different Erin's have contradicting opinions on what the characters look like.

[@clawcakes2]

@@Kibui never trust official art. official art gave us chubby yellow-eyed crowfeather climbing a tree.

[@petrbacik7104]

​@@clawcakes2 and ravenpaw have yellow eyes in comic

[@Snowstar837]

Originally he was only ever described as a "pale tabby" so it left a lot of room for interpretation

[@pixels3539]

Brightheart’s conversation with longtail was something that I related to a lot. A lot of people are saying it was problematic, and I do agree that some of the wording could have been better, but in general the struggle is something that I found pretty believable. When you are faced with new barriers that could prevent you from doing things that you’re passionate about, it’s a huge blow to your confidence and self worth. And finding new things to do or finding new ways to do old things is something that helped me find the confidence that I’d lost. And I think that’s what brightheart was trying to do? Not necessarily trying to say that longtail needs to contribute to be important, but that there are new ways he can be if it’s something that matters to him (which I think it was since he talks about how much he loved being a warrior)

[@chaseashley6775]

I really like the fact that Bramblepaw and Tawnypw would meet up as apprentices. It also adds more to Longtail’s relationship with Brambleclaw, one that has a lot of missed potential in the main series. In the latter half of TPB, Bramblepaw and Longtail are both trying to break free from their association with Tigerstar. Longtail was also close with Goldenflower during the Great Journey; I imagine that when she passed away (completely offscreen and I’m still mad about it) they grieved together.

[@BumbleTus]

I think the overall plot was just ok but I also really appreciated how just. slice of life it was. All the characters were so cute (Cinderpelt and her snail!!!!) and love seeing Rainpaw get more attention. Wasn't personally my favorite, but I still definitely liked it

[@illiteraterighty244]

I love how much you and akiras reveiw contrast with eachother 💀

[@mawdoesnotlikechips]

FR

[@pawmeat]

I really like Dan Jolley. His work with A shadow in RiverClan is amazing, I loved it! However I think they could’ve done more with her disability, especially in her book. Its not the worst, infact, i really like it, but we just need a bit of puzzle pieces more.

[@fernfeather7665]

This was a great review! I'm thankful you pointed out the remaining journey she still has - but are mindful that it *is* a journey and this is only one piece. I think we as readers often forget that there's power in showing slow progress - and leaving Brightheart more room to grow after this is a good thing narratively! There's no way they could have addressed every single possible anxiety and insecurity that Brightheart could have received from her trauma. It's nice that they chose to focus on one specific portion and build a wonderful story around it. I'm glad to see more positivity for this book. Akira's stance that they didn't give enough reasoning for her distrust of Tigerstar's old allies felt... strange? We don't need to waste time with a whole page explicitly making connections we already know are there! Not to mention that Cinderpelt makes it a point that pregnancy can cause anxiety and distrust in cats, moreso than usual - something that actually happens with people, too! I was worried we wouldn't get any positivity for this book based on how negative that comments section was! Personally, I this book. I hope it does well, because whatever team has been helping to write the graphic novels is REALLY doing a great job and I want them to continue with them for a long time!

[@Amanecer458]

11:07 thats an owl

[@petrbacik7104]

YESSSSSSS SIR😊

[@hnitsua]

There's a post on r/warriorcats where it showed parts where the snail near cinderpelt was her pet.

[@quicksilveryt4000]

The moment I saw those gashes, with like no context, I just instantly went 'It's an owl flying in, those look like owl talons and they fly silently so no-one noticed.'

[@aliviahouk7018]

I'm getting this book. I saw akira's opinion on this book and didn't want anything to do with it. Two perspectives is better than one

[@BananaPeel5059]

Bright heart definitely deserves an apprentice

[@AlphaBookZ]

I think my biggest problem with the story is the idea that Longtail becoming disabled is treated. Instead of saying how his value is not based on his abilities, Brightheart instead says how he can have worth. While not terrible, I don't like the idea of it. I personally am disabled, and the idea I'm not worth anything is something I struggle with. People have told me I can be helpful, but never said how I was already valued, which hurts. Brightheart is able to do things Longtail can't, and her finding solutions instead of reassurance does not sit well with me

[@ismellupdog]

I love brightheart so much. She and post arc 1 Sandstorm are 2 of my favorite cats in the series, partially because they manage to break into a role that's often reserved for male leadership figures in these books: "kindhearted, but outspoken." I think often warriors writes female characters as either gentle and timid, or at least passive, or it writes them as bold beacons of justice who often act rashly, even if they're smart. Those are both great types of people/characters, but it sucks to see the continuation of the idea that your Only 2 options as a female character in media are often Motherly Figure or Spitfire With A Heart of Gold. I love that brightheart is willing to speak her mind in a rational way, how she treasures and is proud of her independence, but still can lean on those close to her and be vulnerable with them, while also offering that support to others (like jayfeather, when he first began training). She makes an excellent advocate--passionate, but level-headed. It's so great to get to see more of her. I love getting to see her think through her own mental conflicts and insecurities when it comes to trust in her clanmates and her love for cloudtail existing alongside the pain of not being made a mentor. She's so incredibly Balanced, even when flawed, and never boring. Its awesome. She woudlve made such a great thunderclan leader

[@slushpuppies420]

Cinderpelt having a pet snail is my favourite part of this comic

[@MoonDoodles7]

Owl, not a hawk...Not to be a know-it-all or anything, I know it's not a crazy major detail. Just worth pointing out, since it's likely an owl was chosen for their quiet wingbeats in order to explain why it was never caught in the act before.

[@fireheart9715]

I was reading this graphic novel in the train and the panel of brightheart singing made me go "aww" out loud and everyone in my train stared at me, this book is so wholesome and good i love it

[@tigerspruce8580]

not sure if you mentioned this, but I read the comic myself last night and I was looking at the panels. Before the owl is announced as the thief, you can see it in the background of some scenes in the night. Like when Brightheart is accusing Longtail of stealing the prey, and then again when she's comforting Longtail about his eyes during the gathering. Both times, Brightheart notices the prey is missing, but if you look at the moon, you can see the outline of the thief in general.

[@xdevildeadlyx7650]

Finally, a good book

[@blobbertmcblob4888]

Pretty sure that's an owl, not a hawk. Also, if this is when Brightheart is pregnant with Whitewing, why is she so fat? A cat pregnant with a single kitten would barely be showing at all. Unless kittens are born the size of 4 week old kittens in this universe. They do walk and talk days after being born, so, maybe.

[@inkylynx2777]

Man, with all these releases going all over the timeline, you gotta wonder if a first-time reader should read this before Firestar's Quest for some added mystery as to what he's doing, or afterward. Honestly, you're pretty screwed if you read strictly chronologically or strictly by release order for your first time reading everything. Wonder what an optimal order is.. Knowing Warriors, it's likely to get screwed by a new release pretty quickly, but eh. It is what it is.

[@doublehelix3558]

I think Brightheart's story is very much one of overcoming trauma. Brightheart believes her self worth is tied to the work she can offer for her Clan because she feels she must prove herself more as a result of becoming Lostface and treated as a hopeless cause. She thinks if she can prove herself "useful" she can escape the association of her trauma and becoming Lostface. Lostface was "weak", "useless", she could contribute nothing. Brightheart is strong, capable, she can do anything. So I really enjoyed these two aspects of Brightheart coming together as one. She's not one or the other - Brightheart and Lostface are integral parts of her and she cannot exist as she is without the other. So while I can see criticisms of how she spoke to Longtail about being "useful", I see it as her talking to *herself*, the part of her who she tried to avoid past trauma with. She's telling Longtail, and herself, there are ways to help the Clan when disabled. They're not "useless". And what one cat can't do alone, the entire Clans makes up for.

[@KiwiDrawz]

I kind of don't like how the Authors have her butt heads with Longtail. It just doesn't fit her character to me although I'm kinda glad it happened since this is when he goes blind but overall I'm glad we got some interactions between her and Cinderpelt sometimes it feels like the authors forgot they were sisters alongside Brackenfur and Thornclaw

[@Kinze2823]

I hate how the scar only covers Brightheart’s eyes. They say in the books that it’s half of her face but all of a sudden it isn’t in the graphic novel. And before you say these books are for kids, These Books aren’t for young kids. These books contain many mature themes suck as bad P word (Spottedpaw and Thistleclaw ), manipulation(Sol and Shadowclan), trauma(Brightheart and the dogs), and way more. If these books are for young kids, having half of the face be the scar as described in the books would be the least of the problems.

[@TwilightStudios6127]

I remember reading the scene with Brightheart singing and laughing to myself 😂 I also enjoyed this book a lot!

[@Third7Plays]

Writing team: *brightheart manga* Sunnyfall: *implodes*

[@mawdoesnotlikechips]

I hate that Brightheart’s scar is drawn so small while Longtail’s scars were drawn very big.

[@PixylMawthz]

Its not out yet in my country but this was such a fun watch! I love the writing of the comics, and your observations about brightheart really are selling me on this book.

[@mooncxke_edits]

Omg i get this book in 1 week omg

[@famof4392]

"I WAS ECSTATIC!" best sentence ever

[@aplattner317]

As soon as i got my claws on this i knew it would be good.

[@MiloticFan13]

I screamed I joy when I read that brightheart was getting a graphic novel. she is my favorite character. "FINALLY BRIGHTHEART GETS A BOOK" tho now she's not gonna get a super edition 😔

[@slushpuppies420]

If leafstar can get both she deserves it too

[@MarcPlayYatagarasu]

Brightheart deserve an aprentice

[@Mossyspring]

Let's retcon everything, Brightheart is everyone's mentor now. If she wants to.

[@alvinmitchell7468]

So I’m new to the warrior fantasy and exile from shadow clan was fr the first book I have read i love to know that someone is talking about the graphic novels (idk if anyone talking about it right now)

[@petrbacik7104]

A hawk!? WTF😂😊😅❤ ITS OWL😂❤ 11:02

[@gilliannikolic3315]

Brightheart is prenint her son was call whitekit !

[@jamiekramer7693]

i am soo a graphic novle girl ond i love them!

[@Misha_Katsuki]

Are we glossing over the fact that Brackenfur was mistaken for Brambleclaw and the misspelling in like so many pages and the moonpool being mistaken by the moonstone? 😂

[@AriesTheZodiacSign]

Me: almost spoiled everything in all books i havent read for me for no reason, yup im to lazy to read on english/ yup agian, im not english/

[@orcadragon673]

I really loved the book, but you forgot to point out the art for whitekit becase she did NOT look like a cat at all😂

[@DragonArbock]

Omg, that's an Owl. Not a hawk.

[@petrbacik7104]

Yes❤

[@petrbacik7104]

I love Owl haus (its cartoon)

[@FedGrod]

glad we decided to call them graphic novels cause they are nothing close to manga like they want us to think

[@sweetwolfsteve5583]

They messed this graphic novel up so bad what makes me mad the most is how firestar brushes off brighthearts concern about the stolen prey and how it dragged

[@Kibui]

Interesting, I personally thought this was the weakest of the graphic novels (not counting any of the mangas). Perhaps it's because I slightly dislike Brightheart, but overall I found this to be the only genuinly boring GN of the four we currently have. It had maybe a handful of enjoyable scenes but other than that it didn't really do it for me. Part of that has to do with how we know all of the big plot points already of course but unlike the other GNs that also overlap with other books' events who had at least fun character arcs, I found Brightheart's character arc in this to be very weak overall. Looking at this review, I suspect part of the reason for my feelings about this are because we know for sure that the cats Brightheart suspects are most definitely loyal to ThunderClan at that point in time and though Brightheart doesn't know about that and the book does a great job of explaining where her feelings are coming from, to me I just can't find myself symphathizing with her. And though overall this book was still way, waaaay better than any of the recents Super Editions we got and my complaining is sort of on a higher level, something about this GN isn't doing it for me. I just can't quite put my finger on why.