View source for The Meek

{{short description|Webcomic}}
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| title       = The Meek
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| author      = Der-shing Helmer
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| url         = {{URL|www.meekcomic.com}}
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| first       = {{Start date|2008|12|27}}<ref name="first">{{cite web|url=http://www.meekcomic.com/2008/12/27/chapter-1-cover/|website=The Meek|title=Chapter 1: Lost and Found|last=Helmer|first=Der-shing|date=2008-12-27}}</ref>
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'''''The Meek''''' is a fantasy [[webcomic]] written and illustrated by Der-shing Helmer since 2008. Taking place in a fantasy world, ''The Meek'' focuses on protagonist Angora, a young girl with a magical ability to control plants, as she is trying to reach a place she refers to as "the center".<ref name="webcomicoverlook99">{{cite web|url=http://comixtalk.com/node/28535|publisher=Comix Talk|title=''The Webcomic Overlook'' #99: ''The Meek''|author=El Santo|date=2009-05-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204013312/http://comixtalk.com/node/28535|archive-date=2010-02-04}}</ref> However, ''The Meek'' follows multiple narratives with several different characters from across the world. Each chapter separately follows one of these narratives.
==Development==
Der-shing Helmer is a trained [[biologist]] and educator,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shingworks.com/about.html|website=Shingworks.com|title=About|last=Helmer|first=Der-shing}}</ref> writing ''The Meek'' in her spare time.<ref name = faq/> In a 2009 interview, Helmer stated she draws inspiration from biology when designing the world of ''The Meek''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inmagazine.ca/web-comics-questionnaire-%E2%80%93-der-shing-helmer/|work=IN Magazine|title=Web Comics Questionnaire}} {{dead link|date=April 2016}}</ref> Helmer created the first draft of her webcomic entirely with a [[mechanical pencil]] and marker, but quickly switched to [[Photoshop CS2]] for the final version. She uses a [[Wacom Intuos tablet]] to create the comic, and her creation process has become more streamlined since she built a template for her pages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reflektor.si/2009/11/17/interview-der-shing-helmer-the-meek/|website=Reflektor.si|title=Interview: Der-shing Helmer, The Meek|last=Ahačič|first=Matic|date=2009-11-17}}</ref>
==Plot==
''The Meek'' follows multiple narratives with several different characters from across the world. Each chapter separately follows one of these narratives. The main characters are:
*'''Angora''' &ndash; The protagonist, an enthusiastic 15-year-old girl living alone in a jungle, aided by her plant manipulation powers, until she embarks on her quest to save the world. She has little use for clothes, and will at most wear a pair of [[cut-off shorts]].
*'''Luca''' &ndash; An [[emperor]] and leader of a group of people called the Pasori. Murder drives him to switch from peaceful negotiation to war against another country.
*'''Soli''' – A bandit who is searching for her ex-boyfriend, so she can kill him.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Davis|first1=Lauren|title=In The Meek, only a naked green-haired girl can save the world|url=http://io9.gizmodo.com/5858771/in-the-meek-only-a-naked-green-haired-girl-can-save-the-world|website=[[io9]]|date=2011-11-12}}</ref>
*'''Pinter''' &ndash; Angora's companion, a wandering, [[alcoholic]] [[cartographer]] who meets Angora and, out of concern for her safety, travels with her.
*'''Rana, Suda and Hyla''' &ndash; Luca's children.
*'''Alamand''' &ndash; Soli's companion, a skilled young boy.
The plot of ''The Meek'' concerns a war that is brewing between several of the world's nations, notably the Carissi and the Pasori people.<ref name = faq>{{cite web|url=http://www.meekcomic.com/faq/|website=The meek|title=FAQ|last=Helmer|first=Der-shing}}</ref>
==Reception==
Caitlin Rosberg of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' recommended ''The Meek'' as one of the best comics of 2016.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Shea Hennum|author2=Oliver Sava|author3=Caitlin Rosberg|author4=Tegan O'Neil|title=The best comics of 2016|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-best-comics-of-2016-1798256064|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=2016-12-14}}</ref>
In 2017, ''The Meek'' won an [[Ignatz Award]] in the "Outstanding Online Comic" category.<ref>{{cite web|last1=MacDonald|first1=Heidi|title=The 2017 Ignatz Awards: MONSTERS and Ferris win two|url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/the-2017-ignatz-awards-monsters-and-ferris-win-two/|website=[[ComicsBeat]]|date=2017-09-16}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.meekcomic.com/}}
* [http://www.shingworks.com/ Website of Der-shing Helmer]
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[[Category:2008 webcomic debuts]]
[[Category:American webcomics]]
[[Category:Fantasy webcomics]]
[[Category:Anime and manga inspired webcomics]]
[[Category:2000s webcomics]]
[[Category:Ignatz Award winners for Outstanding Online Comic]]