Seven Great Webcomics
Webcomics are a medium that are easy to overlook, but there is a ton of good stuff out there. Consider these a starter pack of some of the best webcomics on the internet. All of these are great and I can’t recommend them enough, so why not bookmark some of these for posterity?Cucumber Quest by Gigi D.G.Cucumber Quest (picture featured above) is about "bunny kids going on adventures and having fun." That's clear to see, as the story follows a typical "hero's journey" in which Cucumber and his sister Almond must gather rare artifacts from big bosses around the world. Cucumber Quest uses that familiar story to constantly play with the reader's expectations, both narratively and stylistically. The story thus far (the comic is still ongoing) has hinted at more going on beneath the surface, giving the characters more depth than they initially let on. Cucumber Quest is simply gorgeous. The art is consistently jaw-dropping, even before it shifts into styles filled with neon colors and noir aesthetics. Highly recommended.
Awkward Zombie by Katie TiedrichThis comic requires a bit of “video game literacy” to get most of the jokes because this comic is all one-off jokes about video games. With that in mind, Awkward Zombie is the best comic on the internet about video games. This because, while a lot of these kind of webcomics take the approach of “Hey, this video game mechanic is kind of silly if logically considered,” Awkward Zombie proves this can be a solid format if combined with strong, punchy writing. The art adds to the cause, as it keeps things simple in favor of strong facial expressions and poses that make every strip pure frickin’ gold.
He Is A Good Boy by KC GreenCrange is a drunk acorn wandering the world and living through the odd little stories that come from it, such as robbing a liquor store or going to Subway. He Is A Good Boy is bizarre and grotesque, and it uses that to touch on ideas and make observations that are pretty down to Earth. The comic begins with Crange losing his home and it is centered around living life day to day without purpose or reason. I am talking about stuff like getting sucked into a slug monster that’s made up of his graduating class, or discussing the purpose of art with a spider trying to steal his organs. You know, normal stuff.
Paranatural by Zack MorrisonMax is a middle schooler moving to a new town who joins a club that investigates and fights the supernatural and paranormal. With all the hallmarks of a kids adventure, Paranatural really shines with a cast of incredibly fun characters, an amazing sense of humor that knows how to balance more serious moments, and an art style that's full of perfectly designed monsters and spirits. But the one thing I appreciate the most about this comic is how it is 100% sincere in all of its goofiness, no cynicism or snark.
Hark! A Vagrant by Kate BeatonKnow a lot about history and classic literature? Well, neither do I, but there’s still a lot to love here. This comic covers everything from retellings of Wuthering Heights to Canadian history to parodies of the Hardy Boys, and you (usually) don’t need to know a lot about them to still laugh. Heck, they even work as a learning experience. A hysterical learning experience.
Nedroid Picture Diary by Anthony ClarkBeartato (a bear/potato) and Reginald (a bird) are friends and they make jokes. There’s no story or continuity, just really good jokes. I love the simple style of this comic and how it complements the unpretentious goofiness, making each strip a little delight. Truthfully, this one is kind of hard to describe, so just flip through a couple strips and I guarantee you’ll enjoy them.
Lady of the Shard by Gigi D.G.A short story about an acolyte in love with the goddess she serves, I cannot recommend this webcomic enough. The art is striking and gorgeous, cute and romantic, and it really shows what the medium of webcomics are capable of. That it’s a brief, self-contained story you can finish in an hour is a bonus. Please do yourself a favor and read this comic.I love comics. I also love the internet. And even as the latter declines along with the rest of society, it still has comics on it.