I am a big fan of webcomics for three reasons. First, they’re free, second, I can read them anywhere and third, I always find some really great storylines, artists and writers when I read them. Below are 16 that I am currently checking out.
Agents of the Realm – by Mildred Lewis
Shortly after starting their first year at Silvermount University, five young women discover they’ve each been chosen to protect our world and its newly discovered sister dimension. Lewis’ beautiful artwork coupled with her riveting storyline and multi-ethnic female characters makes this webcomic a must read.
Check Please! – By Ngozi Ukazu
Eric Bittle—former Georgia junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and amateur pâtissier—is starting his freshman year playing hockey at the prestigious Samwell University in Samwell, Massachusetts. And it’s basically nothing like co-ed club hockey back in the South. For one? There’s checking. This is a fantastic story about hockey and friendship and bros and college with a diverse cast of amazing characters. I even learned something about hockey! I’m not the only one who loves this comic, judging by the success of her $300K+ Kickstarter, Ngozi knows EXACTLY what she’s doing. You can also purchase Check Please Year One Here
The Immortal Nadia Greene – by Jamal Campell
Nadia Greene, armed with her baseball bat and dominant will, beats up death and becomes a little bit immortal. Sort of. Nadia has snark that a blerdgurl like me can relate to and although she has friends of the immortal variety, she’s not without her enemies.
Princess Love Pon – by Shauna J. Grant
Princess Love ♥ Pon is a story about love! Love for your friends, love for your partners, and love for yourself. But what happens when someone loses track of what’s important? What happens when it’s too hard to communicate what you really need? This webcomic is Sailor Moon meets follows magical girl Lia, in the same
Jasper’s Starlight Tavern – by Bob Salley
About a watering hole on the edge of the galaxy, where every intergalactic being knows your name and the motley crew of alien employees make this satirical webcomic worth everything. If you are a scifi, Doctor Who, Star Trek or even a Buck Rogers fan, you will enjoy this one. You can also purchase Jasper’s Starlight Tavern Vol. 1 here.
by Alan Tupper (@thattupperkid) , Carrie Tupper (@mermaidshells), Havana Nguyen (@havanatweets)
In a post-apocalyptic future, feudal corporate houses hoard food and basic resources. A young freerunning courier intent on escaping her city is unwittingly thrown into a life or death game of corporate sabotage from which she might never escape. Troubled nineteen-year-old Markesha Nin is a courier who uses her incredible freerunning skills to put food on the table for herself and her blind father, Toshi. When Markesha unwittingly delivers a bomb to the bloodthirsty head of a vicious local gang, she becomes a target marked for reprisal. Coerced into accepting protection and employment from the head of a rogue espionage and sabotage unit, Markesha is thrown into the cutthroat arena of corporate spying and begins to find her place in the world.
In a world of sleeping gods, a broken government, and a fragile peace held in the hands of the corrupt, one youth must find the strength to stand up against evil and save humanity. This story is not about that youth. It’s about Abbie, who just wants to get to the mountain range called the Potter’s Spine, scatter her mother’s ashes, and then live out her life in sweet, blissful solitude. Unfortunately, everyone she meets wants to either whine at her about their woes, tag along on her quest, arrest her for no reason, or blow her to bits. Journeys are hard on the social recluses of the world. This is the webcomic that won Macgruder the first ever Dwayne MacDuffie Award 2015.
Welcome the the world of The Bouncer and his childhood friend Yemaya, two sci-fi and movie geek bouncers that deal with New York’s craziest bar patrons. This webcomic tackles everything from politics to relationships all through a satirical, blerd, New York lens. Winner of three 2016 GLYPH Awards including Best Webcomic, Fan Award for Best Work and the Rising Star Award. You can purchase Vol. 1 of BOUNCE! here.
This autobiographical blog in comic format follows the daily trials and tribulations of artist Keith Knight and his satirical take on the world at large. You can buy all kinds of stuff from Keith Knight’s store. You can also buy a print of the above art here.
Revolutionary Times – by Brandon Howard and Sean Anthony Mack
The Revolutionary Times chronicles two young revolutionaries on their journey to shake up the establishment along with their mature baby cousin. This hilarious satirical look at everyday life returned on Jan. 20, 2017.
“Alone” is a series of vignettes depicting the budding relationship between Jack, a widower and quiet owner of a diner, and Sarah, the lively new owner of the coffee shop next door. The comic explores both of their lives before and after finding each other, as well as the ways in which their pasts interfere with their present relationship. Alone explores themes of death, mourning, substance abuse and navigating queer/minority identities. It’s beautifully done.
The Substitutes – by Myisha Haynes
What happens when three roommates accidentally acquire powerful magic weapons destined for someone else? What happens when the aforementioned “someone else’s” fall from grace and public favor in the aftermath? What happens when you’ve suddenly found yourself as the hero to someone else’s story…? Follow roommates Freddie, Emilio and Bianca on their adventures as they hilariously figure everything out in this 14+ webcomic.
Join Molly and her dogs Mingo and Colfax, as she recounts the legend of “The Warrior and the Battlepug”; a tale of a fearless barbarian, his trusty and freakishly large pug, and evil baby harp seals. Battlepug’s webcomic run has ended (after winning both Eisner and Harvey Awards) but it’s still a fun ride. You can also pick up Battlepug the comic from Darkhorse. Because.Battle.Pug.
Clarity Girl – Chris A. Thomasma and Bill McCormick
Clarity Girl is about Clara, a young spunky Blewish (half Jew/half black) woman who is coming to terms with her new found abilities and the pressure of deciding how to use them. You can buy Clarity Girl here.
Demon Hunter Kain – Burrell Gill Jr.
K.E.I.S.H.A. – by Guy Sims and Angael Davis
Scientists create a robot. Robot increases intelligence. Robot goes berserk. You may be familiar with a story such as this but have you heard of the robot who falls in love thanks to listening to hours of old school R & B love ballads? This twist is the latest addition to the science fiction genre or better known as sci-fi. Learn more about K.E.I.S.H.A. here.
5 Comments
Great list! Always glad to see Nadia Greene recced — that’s one of my favorites,
If you’re looking for more diverse webcomics, may I plug my own? Nine Twilights is about a girl who discovers she is the reincarnated Odin, and she needs to stop a second Ragnarok. It’s a little bit of Sailor Moon, a little bit of Thor. We just finished chapter one, with chapter two coming in April. If you’d like to check us out, we’re at ninetwilights.com
Well, since you asked… 🙂
“Upland” is webcomic starring bisexual writer/hostel concierge Tiggy Upland and her adventures with her friends, many of whom are bisexual. You’ll love it!
I love The Immortal Nadia Green, definitely one of the very best.
Sadly, I hate and despise web comics with a passion as I prefer paper and find web reading extremely difficult for me.
I understand that web comics are an affordable venue through which creators may showcase their works, and thay must be noted.
Here’s to hoping that these gifted creators are able to someday release print versions of these as they’re not just fun but informative.
Hi.
I would love for you to read “Corsairs.” Just google indyplanet.com. Or google Jid Monster Creations. A black woman space captain leading a very diverse crew. Can’t get better than that….
Hey if you love diversity,action with a bit of romance and mystery please check out ordeal on WEBTOON…it is so so SO underrated and I just want to spread as much traction to it as possible. I really feel it’s deserving of an animation. I also have a romance,mystery called The end of you…it’s not quite finished due to the creator being busy with college but it’s absolutely lovely and what is there has absolutely sucked me in and I can’t wait to read more anywho I hope you enjoy