Perhaps, like many of us, you grew up reading the newspaper—not for the news, but those itty-bitty comic strips that were found in the “funnies” section. Peanuts, Garfield, and Calvin and Hobbes are just some of the countless comic characters that have seen generations of readers through childhood and into adulthood.
With the advent of technology, comics can now be accessed online. Ranging from literal scribbles to fully-realized art, these webcomics are quickly gaining popularity against traditional, printed comics. Webcomics are easier to produce, market, and leave less of a footprint.
Plus, they can be accessed from virtually anywhere, which means you can get your funny on right now, using the list we’ve compiled in this post.
14 Best Webcomics for a Fun Read
Below is a list of popular webcomics currently circulating on the internet. Try one of these for a short, fun read.
1. Loading Artist by Gregor Czaykowski
Started in 2011, the author behind Loading Artist describes his comic as tackling many things, but it mostly revolves around an artist who’s on a journey to wealth and fame, which is kind of meta, since that’s exactly who the author is.
Though usually in the style of gag-a-day comics, there is a subtle storyline going on. Comics that don’t feature recurring characters are actually framed as comics created by the recurring protagonist. It’s a comic in a comic created by a fictional artist, drawn by a real artist.
2. Sarah’s Scribbles by Sarah Andersen
Also begun in 2011, Sarah Scribbles follows Andersen’s experiences as a millennial, often with self-deprecating humor as she captures the “fugue state” that millennials often exhibit when transitioning to adulthood.
There’s no grand plot—just a character trying to survive as best she can while dealing with social anxiety, depression, stress, body image issues, and all the other day-to-day things a millennial might experience.
3. Xkcd by Randall Munroe
One of the oldest webcomics still circulating online, xkcd is literally about doodles. Inspired by stickmen battles, xkcd’s art features stick figures and the occasional graphs and charts.
There is no specific storyline, though recurring characters do exist. The comic humorously tackles topics related to technology, science, mathematics, pop culture, and relationships.
4. Cyanide and Happiness by Rob DenBleyker et al.
Another long-running series, Cyanide and Happiness owes its longevity to its dark humor and frequent surrealism.
The comic’s strength comes from its controversial nature, frequently making light of topics that can be considered taboo, including abortion, suicide, AIDS, and necrophilia. It’s not for everybody, but people with a streak of dark humor can definitely get a kick out of it.
5. Gone With the Blastwave by Kimmo Lemetti
Gone With the Blastwave follows soldiers fighting for reasons they’re all a little hazy about, in a war-torn city likely destroyed by nuclear attack. The soldiers’ antics, combined with the setting against a harsh backdrop, make readers think: Is it just a humorous take on an otherwise heavy subject, or is the author depicting a group of people driven mad by war?
Either way, the humor is top notch, with characters acting more like teenagers rather than trained soldiers. They’re thrown into absurd situations that may often break the fourth wall.
6. Lunarbaboon by Chris Grady
Chris Grady created lunababoon to share the daily struggles and humor that come with having a family. He explores the bonds and often comical situations that arise at home.
His works combine crabby humor with earnest messages that teach readers about tolerance, empathy, honesty, and being a force of good in an often dark world. This comic is an excellent choice for those looking for a sincere read.
7. Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton
Hark! is webcomic best known for its humorous depictions of historical figures and events. Several strips also parody famous literary works like Sherlock Holmes and Robinson Crusoe. It’s also known for satirizing sexist depictions of females in comics and movies.
Drawn in a loose, almost childlike manner, the art style is easy on the eyes and Beacon’s mastery of facial expressions further emphasize the comic’s humor.
8. The Wormworld Saga by Daniel Lieske
Think 80s fantasy films drawn in Studio Ghibli–style and you’re close to what The Wormworld Saga is all about. Jonas is the ultimate dreamer, often ridiculed for dreaming instead of focusing on reality.
Driven by grief after the loss of his mother, he suddenly finds himself lost in a fantasy world. The comic details Jonas’s adventures in a world he knows little about.
9. The Little Trashmaid by Stephanie Hermes
The Little Trashmaid depicts the adventures of a young mermaid as she explores her home, an ocean full of trash. Like Ariel, she learns about the things that people often throw into the ocean, and finds love with a human.
It tackles the problem of pollution and climate change with humor, while encouraging the reader to rethink their wasteful consumer habits. If you’re into sustainable living, then this is one you’ll love.
10. Wukrii by Gatsumann
Set in an archipelago modeled after Hawaii, Wukrii is a fantasy adventure comic that follows a human author as he explores life on these islands, chronicling what he sees and experiences.
A slice of life with a bit of mystery, Wukrii is a fun comic for those who want to take it slow and relax while reading.
11. Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh
A non-fiction webcomic that details the various happenings in the author’s life, Hyperbole and a Half follows Brosh’s misadventures as a kid and the struggles she now encounters as an adult with depression.
Not sparing any details, Hyperbole and a Half could be considered a pseudo-memoir of sorts. Brosh’s self-deprecating humor makes you relate to her struggles and laugh with her, rather than at her.
12. The Perry Bible Fellowship by Nicholas Gurewitch
The Perry Bible Fellowship consists of one-off strips that narrate situations filled with dark humor, irony, and just the right amount of terror. The author often puts his characters into unsettling situations that are, at the same time, extremely funny.
Whimsical imagery is often juxtaposed with morbid and surreal humor, often surrounding religion, sex, war, violence, and death.
13. Heart and Brain by Nick Seluk
Heart and Brain follows the adventures of these respective body parts, exploring the differences of emotions and reason. It started out as a spin-off of Seluk’s Awkward Yeti comics, which is about a socially awkward yeti trying to get by in day-to-day life.
It offers simple humor on the surface, but also includes deep symbolism. The heart and brain are well known paradoxes of introversion and extroversion. Other characters, like the tongue is manipulative, while the stomach is often sensitive.
14. False Knees by Joshua Barkman
False Knees imagines the thought processes of wild animals, such as geese, chipmunks, beavers and raccoons.
It puts an intelligent spin on how these animals view the world, their interactions with people and other animals, their surroundings, and their own thoughts about their mortality. Its vibrant watercolor art style and simplistic humor make it a fun read for passing the time.
Reading Webcomics
Though comics have been largely dominated by science fiction and fantasy in recent decades, digital platforms now provide artists the opportunity to create art that deeply explore other genres. They’re published on social media, specific comic sites, and the authors’ own website.
Really, anyone with a mind can publish their own webcomic. Talent in art is already secondary. As long as your humor and narrative works, readers won’t mind if you’re art consists of stickmen and scribbles.
Do you have a favorite webcomic? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
