Favorite Webcomics

Allo, everyone! So, I don't mention this much, but I really love webcomics and graphic novels. There's a lot of variety- it seems at times that people will try in webcomics and graphic novels what they wouldn't dare in a normal novel- and, obviously, they have a very different feel than a standard book. And, yeah, there's some that fall flat for various reasons, but the ones that are done well put me in awe of the artists/writers' skills at conveying so much with just pictures and dialogue bubbles. And webcomics in particular are made sweeter by the anticipation of the next installment, yet they're also super easy to binge-read (which is how I do a lot of webcomic reading, honestly). Anyway, since I enjoy them so much, I thought that I'd share some of my favorites.

Favorite Webcomics

1. The Silver Eye (Laura Hollingsworth). I'm pretty sure this is one of the best webcomics on the entire internet. The Silver Eye features the quality storytelling you'd expect from any great fantasy novel, with lovable characters, mysterious backstories, startling plot twists, masked figures (ok, one masked figure), humor, and a healthy dose of magic. On top of that, it has absolutely gorgeous artwork, especially in recent chapters. (And Laura is currently redrawing the first several chapters, so it'll soon be the same quality all the way through.) Seriously, though- the colors! The expressiveness! Everything! I would hang it on my wall if I could. (Actually, I can; I just don't like spending money. That's also the #1 reason I don't have more problems with a lack of bookshelf space, for the record.) As I said, Laura is currently redrawing and reposting some of the first few chapters, but she's almost back to normal chapters- which means this is the perfect time to start reading, so you have some time to get caught up!

2. West of Bathurst by Kari Maaren. Why, yes, this does happen to be created by the author of one of my favorite books of 2017! And, honestly, West of Bathurst may be my favorite of her stories so far. It contains an astounding amount of weirdness, yes, but it also has folklore references, colorful characters (including one infuriating, wonderful, and mysterious Casey Mulligan), a magnificently mind-bending plot, a healthy dose of humor, an emotional rollercoaster of feels (particularly if you binge read it, which I tend to do), and an astonishing amount of weirdness. The comic ended in 2013- I actually started reading it the day it ended, if I recall correctly- which means that it's the only webcomic on this list that won't make you wait for updates.

3. Runewriters by Shazzbaa. Hello, least-angsty of my favorite webcomics! The panel right there sums up the interactions of the main characters (and the comic in general) pretty well, honestly. It's got its share of danger and creepiness and mystery, but Runewriters is also a generally fun story with equally fun characters (including a deaf girl and a grumpy necromancer/healer) and some pretty cool magic. So, yeah. I like it. Shazz went on hiatus for a few months last year, but she's back now with weekly updates.

4. It Never Rains by Kari Maaren. I just really like this author's work, ok? It Never Rains is slightly less convoluted and slightly more frustrating than West of Bathurst or Weave a Circle Round, in my opinion anyway, but I still enjoy it. It's got unlikely friendships and time travel and sisters and characters who are kind of geeks and humor and basically all the things a webcomic needs. (As a side note, it also has a main character with two mums, so . . . yeah. It's not exactly a major part of the story; I just don't want someone yelling at me because I didn't warn them.) Anyway. This one updates Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, usually, though Maaren occasionally does a week or two of daily updates. Those are delightful.

5. True Magic by Aja. This is arguably the most plot-focused, least character-focused of my favorite webcomics. It's not even that convoluted a plot, compared to some? It started out pretty simple, just some inventive village teens off to try to stop nobles from terrorizing their village. But then people started disappearing, and our heroes got a little sidetracked, and . . . yeah. (My favorite character also got separated from the rest, and now I'm impatiently waiting for the focus to shift back to her.) Anyway. This comic usually updates on Tuesdays, but occasionally the author skips a week for reads of his (or her? not really sure?) own.

6. NaNoToons by Errol Elumir. I think this is probably the most widely-read of the webcomics on this list? It's also the most comic-y of the webcomics, if you get what I mean. But that's part of what makes it so much fun to read, plus it's a nice little destresser during NaNoWriMo. Again, I'm a little disappointed that the storyline is focusing less on my favorite characters, but it's still fun. (Plus, NaNoToons indirectly led to my discovery of Kari Maaren's comics, so I guess you could say I owe it a debt of gratitude? 'Cause if you haven't gotten this already, Maaren's works are awesome.)

7. Darths and Droids by the Comic Irregulars. I . . . don't even know how I started reading this? Like, all the others, I can point to something and say "Oh yeah, I found out about it through this" but not this one. I'm pretty sure it was the first webcomic I ever read, which doesn't help matters. Anyway. It's funny, it's Star Wars, and it started my interest in tabletop RPGs, which . . . still hasn't gotten anywhere, but I'm working on it. Sort of. The current arc isn't my favorite, but that's mostly because I'm less familiar with the base story.

Do you enjoy webcomics? What are your favorites? Please tell me in the comments; I'm always looking for more recommendations!
Thanks for reading!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)