Kiwi Blitz

Kiwi Blitz is an awesome animesque superhero web comic that I think deserves a thread. It stars a 14 year old girl named Steffi Frohlich who regularly competes in giant mecha combat tournaments. When her dad (a genius roboticist and CEO) makes her a custom mecha named Kiwibot for her birthday, she convinces him not to officially register it so she can use it to fight crime.

The art is adorable but the artist actually makes an effort to continuously improve her style, so its not just about cuteness. It has a rather lighthearted plot but with plenty of realistic moments. Right now the comic seems to be steadily building a sweet Rogues Gallery for Steffi to face.

So, anybody else read this?

EDIT: Oh yeah, you read it here.

edited 7th Nov '11 4:06:10 PM by Bluespade

Yes, this is a really great comic. I've been following it for about a year, I guess.

I know this is going to sound really hipster of me, but I've been a fan of Cube since long before Kiwi Blitz started, back from my old Deviantart days.

New page. Wondering how the heck Steffi's gonna get out of this one. Also laughed out loud at the author's comment below.

EDIT: Oh my goodness Cube actually drew it.

edited 8th Nov '11 12:01:33 AM by MetaFour

Oh wow, I wasn't expecting that. I've been thinking Racoon was gonna run her over all this time. Well Ben knew he was gonna show up again at some point and decided to make his return awesome I guess. Its kinda hilarious seeing his serious face. Of course, if things haven't changed since that one flashback he's a better fighter than Steffi. Hopefully he brought a weapon though.

Cube has been trying all kinds of Homestuck stuff since [S] Cascade.

Dude's still wearing his shirt and tie at least. That's pretty cool.

Discussin' my comic on the TV Tropes forums? Yes pleaaase! '3'<3

Oh hey there Cube. I was thinking of posting a link to this thread on the Kiwi Blitz comments but didn't for some reason.

EDIT: Assuming you are really the Cube and not someone's sockpuppet, I'd like you to know that Kiwi Blitz is my 2nd favorite comic on the internet (sorry, big Homestuck fan here).

edited 8th Nov '11 9:45:27 PM by Bluespade

Pff can't blame ya for that, it IS only the most disgustingly perfect piece o' illustrated fiction on the net :< (And I'm flattered you think someone might sockpuppet me, but I'm sure they'd try for someone cooler. Like Hussie. Effin' Hussie.)

Ha, as a matter of fact I have seen a Hussie sock puppet on here before.

But anyway, something I really have been wondering about: was Gear at all inspired by old Karl from Law of Talos? She's pretty original and a great character but it really feels like there might have been some influence there.

edited 8th Nov '11 10:40:41 PM by Bluespade

Nah, not at all, and honestly I wish people would stop bringing him up. UP is a cool guy that makes cool animations, but Karl is not the only happy psychopath, and I don't think he ever actually killed anybody. If I had to dig, the Joker would probably be a more likely inspiration! Oh, and my sister.

edited 8th Nov '11 10:50:35 PM by MaryCagle

You must have a scary sister. Sorry to ask then, didn't know it was a common question.

edited 8th Nov '11 11:06:07 PM by Bluespade

For what it's worth, Kiwi Blitz is my #1 favourite comic of all time. Homestuck is #2. (No, not just flattery. I love Cube's art waaaay more than anything Hussie could ever hope to achieve.)

Well I'll definitely agree that Cube's the better artist. It's been really fun watching her style improve these past few years.

New page after all.

Ben is just oozing badassery here. Steffi seems pretty unperturbed about the whole just-nearly-got-shishkabobbed thing too. Considering she needs help just getting up, I'd guess Steffi is out of the fight.

It's Ben's turn to step up. This is gonna be awesome.

EDIT: Also this is adorable.

edited 11th Nov '11 1:51:06 AM by Bluespade

I'll agree she's definitely improved! Though it was such a subtle change I never noticed! When I most-recently went back to reread the series again, I was pretty suprised to realise how much Cube has come in her art from the early Tracks.

I've read the series about five times or so, but because I have such a horrible memory, I still can't remember many of the details, or even everyone's name. Heck, it'd been a while since we saw Ben, and when he showed up again I had to struggle to remember his name. XD

Damn Ben, you're awesome. I think Ben needs to drop this whole unappreciated sidekick thing and become a superhero himself. Steffi would be so pissed off and always trying to one up him, it would be hilarious.

But yeah, here's hoping he brought some kind of weapon. Gear isn't gonna underestimate him twice....

Ben must be stronger than his size would imply. Gear's bigger than him, and has two metal limbs to boot, but he still flipped her. She wasn't moving either, so it's not like he used her momentum either.

So does everyone know about Law of Talos? It was an old OC tournament on Deviantart Cube participated in, with Steffi (and Ben, honestly) as competitors. All the comics she's made for her battles are there. Also both her opponents made comics featuring her cause that's how it works.

Highlight of the Comic: How Steffi lost her leg. This is probably not canon for Kiwi Blitz though.

edited 16th Nov '11 12:33:00 PM by Bluespade

I read the comics for Steffi's first-round fight. Wasn't aware of any other rounds.

Round 2 by Cube. I couldn't find her opponent's version of Round 1, I think she took it off her gallery. Round 2 from her opponent's (Unknown Person) perspective is here. This one is a flash cartoon.

This page is full of great faces. I really do hope Gear doesn't just let them walk away though. That throw would hurt like hell but I think a cyborg-super-villain can handle it.

Steffi's looking kind of pale.

So the gift she's talking about is probably the headphones right? Steffi wears headphones at all times so it makes sense for her to give them as a gift.

D'aw, thanks for those fighting round comic links, hadn't seen those before and, even if they aren't canon, it's cute to see all the characters chibified.

And the mystery present is!

edited 24th Nov '11 6:56:48 PM by wanderingdreamer