When the Syles & Candor Pacific Rail Line built a depot on the north edge of town, Redemption experienced an immediate boom. Almost overnight, the sleepy little town of less than 500 suddenly more than quadrupled in size. Now there were travellers, settlers, merchants, prospectors and a whole host of people from all walks of life, bustling about the great wide streets.

It had been an incredible effort on the part of the mayor to convince the Railroad company to divert the line and allow a depot in his town. He had had to engage in cajoling, flattery, begging and not a little bribery, but in the end all his efforts had paid off. If a few ranchers had had to be displaced, it was worth it for the good of the town as far as he was concerned.

By daylight, it appeared that the mayor was right. The wide clean streets and bright, modern architecture of Redemption gave the appearance of a thriving, safe city and had drawn in an amazing amount of wealth, with new businesses popping up seemingly every day.

But, this new prosperity came with a price. With the sudden population growth and so much money changing hands here, the crime rate suddenly exploded. Too much for the local sherriff (used to dealing only with a few hundred citizens) to handle, the city has become a nefarious den for the underworld with roving gangs, illicit houses of pleasure, bandits and other, even worse dangers cropping up every day.

In an effort to fight the rising tide of violence, the city council authorized deputization of two dozen new officers. But, with the recent rumors that the Demon Rider gang has set up headquarters just outside the city, few have stepped forward to take up the offer of pay in exchange for the dangerous job of keeping the peace.

Seeing an opportunity, young Ryan Liberty formed a private security agency called The Sons of Liberty. At first primarily dedicated to providing security for private firms such as banks and merchants, the agency was contacted by the Redemption City Council to assist the sherriff in transporting the infamous outlaw James Babbage (aka DeathFox) to the prison at Holden City.

Ryan saw to the assignment personally, and shortly after leaving, the armored stage coach was attacked just outside Redemption by Babbage's gang of twelve wolves. With only a single six-shot revolver, Ryan fought off the attackers and raced for Holden City with his prisoner and the remainder of the gang in pursuit. No one knows the details of what happened over the course of the next two days, but when Ryan returned DeathFox was in prison and his gang was never to be seen again.

The fame (or infamy, depending on what side of the badge you are on) of the Sons of Liberty spread like wildfire. Now, the agency is expanding and is often called upon by local Law Enforcement whenever situations get out of their control. It is rumored that a price has been placed on Liberty's head of over $10,000. So far there have been three attempts on his life, but the young canine has shrugged them off, refusing to give up his life's work or his sense of justice and duty.

The device he wears is a Personally Engineered Shading Apparatus (shades, for short) which allows him to all but ignore the glare from the sun during a gun fight. Though they are often mistaken for reading spectacles, Ryan encourages the error. This combined with his youthful, unassuming demeanor has caused many a fugitive to make the fatal mistake of underestimating him.

Detractors of the Sons of Liberty call them vigilantes and thugs, but these are few and far between. Far more common, the group (and Ryan, particularly) is viewed with admiration and respect (even among criminals, though it is a respect tinged with hatred). It is often said that where outlaws spit in the face of the law, they run in terror from the Sons of Liberty.

---

This was the first panel in my first ever attempt at a series... These are all very early drawings and the series was done over the course of many months. I am reposting because... I feel like I can. I feel like.... well....

Anyway, I thought people might be interested to see how things changed for me in style and ability as the time progressed. I'll probably repost most all of these... maybe. At least in as much as I can remember who to credit.

This first one was of a very dear friend of mine. This is for you, Ryan...

This original character is based on the fursona of and copyright to  son-of-liberty
Line art copyright to me