Webcomics that aren't Zuda

Not too long ago I was given an opportunity to think about why I only seem to post about Zuda when it comes to comics on the web. The point was made very nicely, and gently, but it did make me think about it. There is something to the structure, and the one stop shopping model of Zuda that makes it easier for me to dive into than trying to find webcomics out there in the wine dark sea of the Internet, and then remembering to go back.

This doesn't mean that I have never read other comics online. There are a handful that I have enjoyed reading on a continued basis in the past. Before I start trying to detail my more recent reads, I figured I could do this post to cover my old favorites.

Noses Optional - This started as a senior project, and continued for a good while after that. It was initially co-written and co-drawn by Kristy Bourgeois & Sara-Fred Rickert. Eventually it became a solo endeavor for Kristy. It was a drawn from life sort of fun strip with fun commentary, by nice people. It had forums associated with it that were a nice place to chat. Kristy and her friends were super nice and fun and accommodating when my daughter and I visited their booth in Pittsburgh. Almost everything in it was a recap of something that happened in real life. I know that this sort of strip gets panned sometimes, but it was good and funny. It was drawn well, very cute, and was done by a genuinely nice and talented person.

It is now updated very infrequently, which is a shame. I sure hope Kristy does more of something, as I really like her work. Here are a few examples:

http://nosesoptional.comicgenesis.com/d/20040327.html
http://nosesoptional.comicgenesis.com/d/20040407.html
http://nosesoptional.comicgenesis.com/d/20080710.html

Girls With Slingshots - Danielle Corsetto - Speaking of really talented and nice women who make webcomics... GWS was suggested to me as a good example of a strip that was funny but had running storylines and good characters, etc. It's definitely a strip for adults, but that isn't a negative thing. It is funny and smart and sometimes funny and not smart... It's like... People you may know in your own life. It is not a real life strip, there is a talking cactus named McPedro, for example. The characters are all distinct in design and in personalities. I have seen comics about groups of friends done poorly, and this one is an example of how to do it right. It focuses on drinking a bit much, but other than making you periodically worry for their fictional health and well being. Since there is a great illustrated cast list, I will just link to it. I met Danielle at Heroes in NC last year and thought she was just awesome. I stopped by her booth at SPX and she was very busy and called me sir, which depressed me for a few minutes, until I decided that there was nothing wrong with being polite, and that I actually AM old. Here are some example strips

http://www.daniellecorsetto.com/gwscast.html
http://www.daniellecorsetto.com/archive.php?today=682&comic=83
http://www.daniellecorsetto.com/archive.php?today=682&comic=669
http://www.daniellecorsetto.com/archive.php?today=682&comic=662



I first read Pictures For Sad Children because people smarter and cooler than I am were talking about it. I met John Campbell at SPX last year and happily bought some minis from him. He seemed like a real nice guy, and was fun to chat briefly with. I am not sure if he called me 'sir' or not. I don't love every single strip he does, but I bet you there is someone out there for every strip he does. There is a great deal of humor here, most of it bleak, and it is a perfect example of how well fairly minimalist art can come off when done right. He has a blog that is worth keeping up with, and I will post it's link here too.


http://stereotypist.livejournal.com/
http://www.picturesforsadchildren.com/
http://www.picturesforsadchildren.com/index.php?comicID=253
http://www.picturesforsadchildren.com/index.php?comicID=150
http://www.picturesforsadchildren.com/index.php?comicID=86