The panels are from the comic adaptation of the novel Cry Wolf, of the Alpha and Omega series, by Patricia Briggs. Art by Todd Herman

Charles, the first man in the red coat, is described in the books as;

“He was tall, taller even than Leo, and he wore his black, black hair in a thick braid that swung below his bead-and-leather belt. His jeans were dark and new-looking, a contrast to his battered cowboy boots. He turned his head a little and the lights caught a gleam from the gold studs he wore in his ears. Somehow he didn’t look like the kind of man who would pierce his ears.

The features under the youth-taut, teak-colored skin were broad and flat and carried an expression that was oppressive in its very blankness. His black eyes traveled slowly over the bustling crowd, looking for something.”

Frequently described as “Obviously Native American, with his dark skin and black eyes.”

Asil, the second man on the last panel, is described as;

“His face was refined and elegant, his skin, like Charles’s, was teak and sunlight. His nose and black eyes said Middle East”

And for contrast on the both of them;

“Standing next to Charles, she could see that their coloring was similar, dark skin and darker eyes and hair-black in artificial light. But the skin tone was different and Asil’s features were sharper, Middle Eastern rather than Native American.”

However, in the comic, I doubt one would be able to tell either of them wasn’t white.

[As an aside, Anna, the woman in the comic is described in the books as;

“Her hair was whisky brown and hung in gentle curls to her shoulders. Freckles dusted her cheekbones, and her eyes were a clear golden brown.”

While the changes to Anna’s appearance are not whitewashing, making her auburn hair blonde and removing the freckles from her skin is still problematic. These changes make her fit a narrow definition of beauty. The removal of her freckles especially brings to mind the various “home remedies” that make it seem like freckles are undesirable.]

CC: Excellent analysis