So Mike Braff and I have been doing a little column on webcomics every Sunday, and we've reviewed and discussed a lot of them over the past few months. But now we're asking you:
- Which ones would you like to see discussed?
- Which ones would you recommend Mike and I (and others) check out?
- Where are we completely wrong (you'll need to check out our old posts to figure that out!)?
I'm new around here, so maybe you've already discussed it, but I'd recommend Sarah Zero. Amazing art and very reflective yet ass kicking story
How about MS Paint Adventures (www.mspaintadventures.com)? Despite the name it's done in photoshop and flash, but the original style was made to look as if it had been done in paint. It features multiple innovative storytelling methods (user interaction, animation, music, branching paths, etc) and is written as if it were a text based adventure game. There are several independent stories which could be reviewed, the current one (Homestuck) has the music/flash but the previous one (Problem Sleuth) is a completed story that is pretty incredible by itself.
I took your advice (although I mistakenly credited someone else for the recommendation, which I rectified in the comments). Check out the latest FUNN-e-PAGES review for MS Paint Adventures:
http://www.suvudu.com/2010/04/the-funn-e-pages-ms-paint-adventures.html
Thanks for the review, its a great comic and I'm always looking for opportunities to spread the awesome :)
Here are some of the webcomics I read (and I think you should too):
The Meek - Probably the best-looking webcomic (ahem, "online graphic novel") I have ever seen. It's a well-written and well-thought-out lush fantasy/adventure. It would seem that the fate of the world rests on the bare shoulders of a wild jungle lass with algae-infused hair.
Hanna Is Not A Boy's Name - Hanna's the (boy's) name, paranormal investigation's the game! Hanna and his untrained team of grim misfits (read: a cool-headed zombie, an irritable rookie vampire, a shark-boy, and a maybe-werewolf) attempt to solve horrors and mysteries the only way they know how - with scrappy resolve and maybe a little magic. Amazing layouts and super-fun typography abound.
Fey Winds - This is very much a fantasy adventure comic. Like, the main character has fox ears and a tail. And there are elves and dragons. But that's permissible because I love the way it's drawn and it's quite funny.
The Zombie Hunters - A webcomic that follows the survivors of a zombiepocalypse (I am a word genius). It is humorous and at times emotional (and gory). The story has been dragging a bit of late, but they should be getting into some zombie action soon.
Phoenix Requiem - One of the top fantasy/drama comics online with a very sizable archive. Like the site says, "The Phoenix Requiem is a Victorian-inspired supernatural fantasy story about faith, love, death, and the things we believe in." A little town finds itself beset with unhappy supernatural ash-ghosts with the arrival of a strange gentleman...
The Dreamer - I'm sorry, but sometimes being a girl... well, I read girlie things. This, for example, is about a high school girl who randomly starts having vivid dreams set in 1776 and has the hots for this Revolutionary War dude and her dreams become a sort of second life. Yadda yadda yadda danger and romance and I'm a girl.
Evil Diva - This bad girl just wants to be good. And that's bad. Actually, it's adorable. Diva is a devil who just can't seem to suppress her compassionate impulses and is having trouble fitting in with her kind at the high school for angels and devils.
Octopus Pie - Not sci-fi/fantasy at all, but the characters are engaging and their fun adventures are based in Brooklyn. What's not to love? Plus, I heard Random House will be publishing this soon!
Dresden Codak - people seem to really like this, but my brain has a hard time trying to comprehend all the science-talk. The art evolves into something amazing, though.
Hark! A Vagrant - Again, while not sci-fi/fantasy, Kate Beaton's comical history references and rewrites are a few of my favorite things.
Imaginary Monsters - A silly fantasy starring a talking skull and a necromancer and other, well, imaginary monsters. It makes for a very light, if not thoroughly enjoyable read.
Lackadaisy - Cats + Prohibition-era crime = win. Wonderful art and amusing characters really make this webcomic shine.
String Theory - "The disastrous rise of a supervillain superstar" That sums it up nicely. To be more specific, it's about a semi-mad scientist (okay, maybe he's just a jerk) whose career has fallen by the wayside, and his new assistant who tries to maintain her dignity/sanity throughout.
I've read both Phoenix Requiem and The Dreamer--good calls on both.
We actually do the books for Octopus Pie now, so that's definitely on our list.
Need to check out some of the other ones though.
Thanks, and keep 'em coming!
Oh my goodness, I love these suggestions! I'd like to suggest that if anyone out there hasn't looked at The Meek, Phoenix Requiem, or The Zombie Hunters, then you owe it to your webcomics-loving self to find your way over to them.
(and look, I conveniently linked to them above)
In fact, I've recommended The Zombie Hunters here before—and I'm not someone who goes willingly into zombie-themed stuff. It's good times.
Thanks for the brilliant recommendations, Tillie! Why is it that I'm not surprised you have a cache of awesome webcomics recs, though?
Ah true dat, Kyle! You're the one who started me on ZH in the first place, it seems! If I come across any more I'll post 'em here, for sure.
Well, we took one of your suggestions: check out the lastest column on "Hark! A Vagrant"
http://bit.ly/axfokK
More!
Johnny Wander - Funny everyday ponderings and situational humor, with a little fantasy arc thrown in now and then.
Shrub Monkeys - Silly bits from the life of an an animation artist and her friends/family. I love the sometimes over-the-top cartoony facial expressions. Did I mention how hilarious and silly it was?
Nedroid - HOW did I not mention Nedroid the first time around? It is the best. For me, it just doesn't get any funnier than this. This and Kate Beaton and I would be set for life. I would to get "Reginald and Beartato 4 Life" tattooed to my face except that I'm afraid it would hurt and also because needles are the worst.
Boxer Hockey - I just stumbled upon this a few months ago and I've been enjoying it immensely. These guys play some sort of weird rugby/hockey-like field sport involving clubs and frogs. But don't ask me, I'm too busy being entertained to worry about technicalities.
Speaking as a gamer, I am partial to Order of the Stick.
Order of the Stick is exactly what I was about to recommend. You don't even have to be a serious d+d player to find it funny if you read high fantasy. A loose grip of rpg structure and an interest in questing parties, warring gods and mythical beasts is plenty.
Yeah, definitely could recommend MS Paint Adventures. Problem Sleuth is a really great read as a completed story on its own - plus much of the world of Homestuck, from minutiae of characters' names, to completely silly actions and overarching themes and symbolism are shaped by the extensive community on the forums. It even has its own subforum of Fan/Forum Adventures, which is full of adventures run by forum users that follow the "ask the audience for the next action" formula that Hussie used in PS/HS.
Plus the community are a really cool, if crazy bunch, from the musicians who contribute soundtracks to the main webcomic, to suggestors, fanartists, writers, groups who theorize on aspects of the plot, and everything in between.
More!
Johnny Wander - Funny everyday ponderings and situational humor, with a little fantasy arc thrown in now and then.
Shrub Monkeys - Silly bits from the life of an an animation artist and her friends/family. I love the sometimes over-the-top cartoony facial expressions. Did I mention how hilarious and silly it was?
Nedroid - HOW did I not mention Nedroid the first time around? It is the best. For me, it just doesn't get any funnier than this. This and Kate Beaton and I would be set for life. I would to get "Reginald and Beartato 4 Life" tattooed to my face except that I'm afraid it would hurt and also because needles are the worst.
Boxer Hockey - I just stumbled upon this a few months ago and I've been enjoying it immensely. These guys play some sort of weird rugby/hockey-like field sport involving clubs and frogs. But don't ask me, I'm too busy being entertained to worry about technicalities.
Expect to see Nedroid and Johnny Wander posts soon!
Gunnerkrigg Court is the only webcomic I still read after years of reading a lot others. It may look a lot like Harry Potter but it isn't, it's a mix of science fiction, fantasy, school life, mystery, and a lot of different mythologies from Egypt to Native American.
It's also Neil Gaiman's favorite webcomic.
I just picked up the comic "Digger" and while I'm not done catching up yet it has really drawn me in. Anyone in need of a new comic might want to check it out. Not your typical webcomic.
http://www.diggercomic.com/