What is Meatshield?
Meatshield is a sword and sorcery, Dungeons & Dragons-style fantasy comic strip that updates Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MeatShield centers on the adventures (or lack thereof) of Dhur, a mighty half-orc barbarian warrior, Ch’p, halfling monk and pastry chef extraordinaire and Jaine, half-elven mistress of magic, music and sarcasm as they wander the world of Ardris.
No, I mean, what is a “meatshield”?
According to UrbanDictionary, a meatshield is “An individual possessing high stamina and strength, often sought by weaker individuals to “Tank” or absorb large amounts of incoming damage and aggression.” Kinda describes Dhur, doesn’t it?
Who are you?
My name is Rob Chambers and I’ve been drawing cartoons since the age of five. I initially started off as an editorial cartoonist in high school and later at California State University, Northridge’s Daily Sundial, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Art. My influences include Berke Breathed, the late Randy Wicks, Phil Foglio and many more that I can’t think of at the moment. I’m happily married and the stay-at-home dad of twin girls, so I ain’t skeered of nothin’ no more.;)
So, are Dhur and Jaine going to “hook up” or what?
No. I don’t feel like drawing “D&D meets Moonlighting”. Besides, think of what their kid would look like: part half-orc, part half-elf…. my friends, that sounds like a one way ticket to UglyTown.
How the heck do you pronounce their names?
- DHUR: pronounced as “durrr,” as in “I don’t get it, durrrr….”
- JAINE: pronounced as “jane”, such as “The girl worked at the store, sweet Jane St. Claire.” Brownie points for you if you tell me what that quote is from.:)
- MONA DHOHSWIF (Dhur’s mom): Mo-nah Doe-swiff
- CH’P IR’KELL: Ch-ip Ur-uh-kell
Half-elves? Half-orcs? Halflings? What the heck is this stuff?
In the fantasy world of Ardris, where the events of MeatShield take place, humans aren’t the only sentient species. Elves, Dwarves, and others abound. Half-elves and half-orcs are one part human and the other part… well, the other part. Halflings are, essentially, like the hobbits in the Lord of the Rings. Only mine can kick butt. This is a fantasy based strip and uses a lot of conventions found in games like Dungeons & Dragons or World of Warcraft. I’ve tried to keep the geekbabble to a minimum, though.
So, is Dhur from Bhutan?
You’re probably referring to this, which I only recently found. No, he’s not – I thought I was being clever when I named him.
Any questions I didn’t get to?
Email them to me at rob(at)meatshield(dot)net.