It’s difficult to find time to read for fun between balancing classes, homework, and extracurriculars (and TV shows). I didn’t really get into webcomics until college once I felt too preoccupied to read full-length novels; I wanted a free way to read without overcommitting myself. I soon realized how webcomics are bingeable, enriching, and create a greater sense of community than printed comics. The growth of YouTube, the current Golden Age of television, and the development of social media have largely driven the rise in the popularity of webcomics, as the experience of weekly updates and scrolling through subscriptions has a similar feel to each.
Many webcomic artists and writers (the visible majority of those I follow) are women around college age who are creating comics on the side of work and school. The diversity of content is vast, both as far as the inclusiveness of characters portrayed in webcomics and the subjects of the comics themselves. I have included some of my top picks so you can test them out to see if you’re more interested in a particular genre, or if you’d rather read webcomics that aren’t plot-driven. Comic descriptions from the linked sites are italicized and in quotes.
Stand Still. Stay Silent.
Fantasy/Adventure – began November 1, 2013 – updates 5 times weekly – Safe for work
“Stand Still. Stay Silent is a post apocalyptic webcomic with elements from Nordic mythology, set 90 years in the future. It’s mostly a story about friendship and exploring a forgotten world, with some horror, monsters and magic on the side.”
Ten minutes after a new page of SSSS has been posted, there will often already be 100 or more comments analyzing the characters, predicting what will happen next, and praising the comic’s artwork, which is the best on this list. In order to get the best grasp on the SSSS universe, a few reads are necessary; you’ll discover something new every time, even on each page.
Read here
Rock and Riot
Romance/Comedy – began March 30, 2015 – updates 2 times weekly – Safe for work
“Rock and Riot follows the tales of two opposing teenage gangs in the 1950s with an LGBTQ theme! Will the two teams set aside their differences to fight for what they have in common?”
There is a lot to love about Rock and Riot, but its light-hearted nature and minimalist design are my favorite aspects of the comic. Rock and Riot stays true to its tone while still covering serious topics and balancing dramatic weight.
Questionable Content
Episodic/Comic Strip – began August 1, 2003 – updates 5 times weekly – Safe for work
“Questionable Content is an internet comic strip about romance and robots.”
Written by Hampshire graduate Jeph Jacques, Questionable Content takes place in Northampton, Massachusetts, including “Smif College”, a fictional spin on Smith College (see above for a nod to Williston Library). The comic is one of the most popular examples of character-driven, less plot-oriented series. I have yet to read it (over 3000 pages is a significant undertaking) but it makes basically any list of “Top Webcomics” you can find.
Read here
Humor Me
Slice of Life – began July 4, 2015 – updates weekly – Safe for work
“Life isn’t always sunshine and daisies, scholarship student Charlie Summers knows that very well … Charlie is determined to do everything to protect her brother, be it lying to the authorities and neighbours, imitating her father’s signature, or letting everyone think she’s a boy.”
Of the comics on the list, Humor Me is most like the realistic fiction books you read in your preteen years—in a good way. The dialogue is witty, and though the comic is fairly new, the characters are already lovable.
Read on Tapastic
No End
Science Fiction – began December 15, 2013 – updates weekly – 18+/Occasionally NSFW
“No End is a weekly updating webcomic about a group of people trying to survive and make lives for themselves in a cold, post-apocalyptic world ravaged by hordes of undead.”
No End is a testament to the capacity of webcomics to be as complex and well-paced as full-fledged print comics. In its own way, No End takes tropes about the zombie apocalypse and changes or takes them to the next level.
Read on Tapastic or Smackjeeves
Stereophonic
Romance/Drama – began January 4, 2013 – updates weekly – 18+/Occasionally NSFW
“Stereophonic is a queer slice-of-life comic that follows the lives of two young men living in 1960s London … Drawn together by a mutual need for housing, the two become unlikely cohabitants and must learn to navigate the trials of life, love, and self-expression amidst an era of tumultuous social change.”
I chose Stereophonic out of other comics in the same vein, specifically for its attention to history, the quality of its artwork, and the standard it sets for quality of romance genre webcomics. The love story is slow burning and filled with angst, so it’s great for binging.
Read on Tapastic or Smackjeeves
Les Normaux
Slice of Life – began November 15, 2014 – updates at least bi-monthly – 18+/Occasionally NSFW
“Les Normaux follows the life of a bunch of supernatural beings living in Paris after a human wizard named Sebastien moved to the city. They each tell their own side of the story in their respective diaries.”
Les Normaux is inclusive of sexuality, race, gender, and ability, and manages to be so within an imaginative world. The comic is perfect for anyone who likes their romance with a fantasy twist.
Read on Tapastic
SIGNS
Science Fiction – began July 29, 2015 – updates weekly – 18+/Occasionally NSFW
“SIGNS is a webcomic about a bunch of kids in a secret computerized utopian metropolis.”
SIGNS is an example of how quickly an artist’s skill can develop while creating a webcomic, as well as the flexibility of the electronic medium. The flow of the comic’s panels and suspense is created through the scrolling format and incorporation of moving images, which could not be achieved in print.
Read on Tapastic
If you find a comic you really like, I recommend looking at which comics the creator follows for similar content. You can organize the comics you read by making an account on a comic-hosting site such as Tapastic and Smackjeeves or by adding the Feedly extension to your web browser. Once you have a few favorites and if you can find room in your budget, you can support the creators through Patreon and Kickstarter to unlock perks such as printed copies of the webcomics, early pages, and the ability to communicate more directly with the author. The world gets even bigger from there; many artists have a Facebook, Tumblr, DeviantArt, and Twitter… it can get overwhelming, but how much you get into the realm of each story is customizable. Webcomics go beyond having a library at the tips of your fingers, they are an ever-evolving collective of creativity, and joining takes only a click.
If you would like to write for Her Campus Mount Holyoke, please email mt-holyoke@hercampus.com.