Webcomics: A Required Reading list

Posted by Quirk Books Staff

Yesterday we launched our Webcomics Week by telling you what we love about online comics. Today we’re taking deeper dive as the Quirk Comics Club shares our picks for an assortment of must-click, must-read, must-follow webcomics.

Webcomic Name

by Alex Norris

These brightly colored, simply-drawn three panel comic strips always end with the same phrase, and it’s always hilarious.

"First of all, who doesn't say OH NO multiple times per day? It's very relatable. Second of all, I like how it manages to get something new out of the same setup every time. Third of all, I like the blob people. Who doesn't feel like a blob person? It's very relatable." –Blair Thornburgh, a Quirk Books editor

 

The Nib

by various

A roster of top-notch, left-of-center cartoonists tackle politics, current events, and modern life. Subscribe to their newsletter and get new comics every weekday.

Recommended by Mandy Sampson, cartoonist and Quirk Books production and sales manager.

 

Sarah and the Seed

by Ryan Andrews

Delicate art and a fairy-tale tone make this short story prove that a webcomic can be as well-crafted as anything in print.

“This was the story that finally got me to pay attention to webcomics.” –Mandy

 

The Bloody Cardinal

by Richard Sala

Sala draws colorful and creepy stories that are like schlocky horror movies combined with 1960s-era Archie Comics. Lately he’s been sharing his newest stories online, one page at a time, before they’re published in print.

“His stories always have a high body count, but the cartoonishness keeps things from getting too disturbing. Usually.” –Rick Chillot, another Quirk editor

 

@StevenKraan (Instagram)

by Steven Kraan

In Kraan’s squiggly universe, anything can come to life: rocks get on each others’ nerves; an onion steals somebody’s beard; the numbers 2,0, and 1 murder the number 7 at the end of the year.

“These cartoons always make me laugh, and I’m not just saying that because he drew me in one of them.” –Rick

 

Girls With Slingshots

by Danielle Corsetto

This webcomic wrapped in 2015 and has been collected in several print volumes. But you can read the archive, with commentary by Corsetto, starting here.

“One of the first long-running, melodrama-style webcomics I ever got into… definitely one of the important early serial webcomics.” –Ivy Weir, publicity and marketing assistant at Quirk Books and author of the hot new graphic novel Archival Quality.

 

Cucumber Quest 

by Gigi D.G

An epic all-ages story about feisty vegetable-themed rabbit kids having magical adventures. The webcomic is ongoing, with the first chapter available in print.  

“So sweet!” –Ivy

 

Hark A Vagrant

by Kate Beaton

We mentioned this webcomic in yesterday’s post, but we’ll take any excuse to revisit Kate Beaton’s well-known and well-loved comics. She’s probably the biggest webcomics success story ever.

–recommended by Kate Brown, associate sales manager at Quirk Books

 

Dinosaur Comics

by Ryan North

“A comic about talking dinosaurs” is how North describes his webcomic, which has been going strong since 2003 and shows no signs of extinction.

“Hark a Vagrant and Dinosaur Comics are probably my favorite ride-or-die web comics. They're so good.” –Kate

 

And of course we have a special place in our hearts for Manfried the Man, the reverse-Garfield webcomic that’s coming your way as a graphic novel this Spring!

 

Have you registered for our Webomics Prize Pack sweepstakes? Do it now!

*The Quirk Comics Club meets monthly to discuss all things comics-related. Membership requirements: Love comics. Work at Quirk Books.