The FUNN-e-Pages

Caught Up in a Webcomic of Red Strings

One thing that I really like about webcomics is that the creator is not constrained by formatting issues that many traditional comics have. They don’t have to fit on a printed page or, like a comic strip, adhere to some draconian limits set on them by newspapers (for an interesting take on this, read Bill Watterson’s introduction to the Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book), or the standard page-size of a comic book. Previously discussed webcomics, like Questionable Content, Dr. McNinja, and Something Positive all use this freedom for maximum effect.

Which leads me to throw another into this list: Red String, by Gina Biggs. What I think makes this unique to the Funn-e-Pages column is that it is actually a graphic novel, as opposed to a comic strip. So while Something Positive and Questionable Content have a continuous story-line, they can easily do one-offs when necessary. And Dr. McNinja, are more like comic books on the web, with each “chapter” being a complete story or episode, rather than a continuous whole. Red String, on the other hand, is one complete story—no individual page is going to be necessarily satisfying (or necessarily have a punch-line or reveal at the end). Instead, it is a webcomic based around the central premise of a young girl, Miharu, and her arranged marriage—and subsequent relationship—with Kazuo. And while there are B-Stories that include other characters, the ultimate focus is whether or not Miharu and Kazuo are ever going to be together.

Which is kind of lovely.

I understand that this may come across as sounding “girly,” and I guess I’m man enough to admit that it is (Mr. Braff, my co-contributor to this column tends to smirk every time I bring up webcomics like this). But I have to say Biggs has me hooked. I love her art, which is very much in the manga-style, but is also distinctly American (as she explains in her Frequently Asked Questions.

The most important thing for me, though, is that I am genuinely interested in how the story turns out. And, what’s kind of nice (and perhaps a little disappointing), is that Biggs has a clear end in mind (currently slated to end after 54 chapters). Which means that she’s not just rambling, and you’re not being taken for a ride that has no destination. Like with any story, I think it’s important that Red String isn’t open-ended.

Finally, Biggs meets here deadlines! She posts Monday thru Thursday, which means that you’re not holding your breath (as much) for the next page.

So start at the beginning, and get yourself into the drama. Sure, it’s a teenage soap opera, but if you watch TV at all, I find it hard to believe you can avoid that anyway. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Even if you’re a guy.

All images are from: Red String © Copyright 2002-2009 of Gina Biggs and Strawberry Comics. All rights reserved.