Readers, we are approaching the end of summer and, sadly, the summer reading season! We know – time has flown by and somehow we are already approaching the first days of school! Don’t worry though – there is still time to read a book or two and we thought we’d let Ms. Yarborough tell you about one of her favorite ways to read something new:
“When I find myself in a reading rut and want to find an original sci-fi or fantasy adventure (you will notice that my genre bias is real in the recommendations below), I often turn to webcomics. For the uninitiated, webcomics are comic strips or graphic novel pages that are published online and updated by their creators on a semi-regular schedule, often weekly or monthly. Webcomics can be serialized and form a longer narrative. They can also be episodic or one-offs, and, even though the characters generally remain consistent, the comic doesn’t follow a set storyline. Some authors/illustrators use webcomics as a springboard for commercial publishing, developing a fanbase of followers/subscribers who will eventually buy (or help fund via Kickstarter-esque sites) their printed works. Others prefer self-publishing online for its ease in the development of side/personal projects or to escape the publishing industry. No matter the webcomic’s format or the reason their creator sought to publish them online, I find this category of reading material to be aesthetically appealing, easily read in spurts, and enjoyable–often escapist–literature.
If you’re stalled out on books and can’t escape your summer reading slump, pull out your device and check out some of these webcomic recommendations from two incoming third formers and me.
A few notes:
- All webcomic descriptions (in italics in the table above) were directly quoted from the linked websites.
- Content creators may provide ratings and trigger warnings for their comics. To view them before you begin reading, follow the instructions below.
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- On Webtoons→Open the linked comic, then click on its title at the top of your screen to go to the comic’s homepage. Comic info is on the right side of the page.
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- On a comic’s Hiveworks website→Open the linked comic, then click on “About” at the top of the page.
Brielle Davis (‘28) recommends:
The Boxer: You’ve got the raw talent. Or you’re the underdog. But do you have the heart? Do you have what it takes? Let’s see what you’re made of. The real fight starts now! (Series Complete.)
Eleceed: Jiwoo is a kind-hearted young man who harnesses the lightning quick reflexes of a cat to secretly make the world a better place – one saved little child or foster pet at a time. Kayden is a secret agent on the run, who finds himself stuck in the body of a…um…decidedly fat old fluffy cat. Together, armed with Jiwoo’s [superpowers] and Kayden’s uber-smarts, they’re out to fight those forces who would let evil rule this world. That is, if they can stand each other long enough to get the job done. (Tuesday, weekly updates)
Lookism: Read the original webcomic behind Netflix’s new animated series! Daniel is an unattractive loner who wakes up in a different body. Now tall, handsome, and cooler than ever in his new form, Daniel aims to achieve everything he couldn’t before. How far will he go to keep his body… and his secrets? (Sunday, weekly updates)
The Remarried Empress: Navier Ellie Trovi was an empress[,] perfect in every way — intelligent, courageous, and socially adept. She was kind to her subjects and devoted to her husband. Navier was perfectly content to live the rest of her days as the wise empress of the Eastern Empire. That is, until her husband brought home a mistress and demanded a divorce. “I accept this divorce… And I request an approval of my remarriage.” In a shocking twist, Navier remarries another emperor and retains her title and childhood dream as empress. But just how did everything unfold? (Sunday, weekly updates)
Xalix Jaquez (‘28) recommends:
Down to Earth: Kade lives his average life alone and undisturbed… until a cute alien girl crashes into his backyard! By opening up his home, will this other worldly girl inadvertently open up his heart? (Tuesday, weekly updates)
High Class Homos: Princess Sapphia of Mytilene is not into princes. So, when her parents start putting the heat on her to get hitched, she enlists the help of her equally gay best friend, Prince August of Phthia. But will these two royals be able to pull off a convincing sham marriage? More importantly, will Sapphia ever land a date with the castle maids? Follow these high class homos as they navigate life, love, and (occasionally) their actual jobs. (Thursday & Sunday, weekly updates)
Jackson’s Diary: The year is 1989, and Jackson is starting his senior year at a brand new school. Even though he’s back in his hometown with his new family, he can’t seem to shake this ominous and uneasy feeling invading his mind. It’s not until he meets the popular kid, Exer, that reality starts to feel more like the work of his imagination. (Sunday, weekly updates)
Lady Liar: Adara, a lower class girl whose only love is money, comes up with the perfect plan to get her dream job: she’ll pretend to be a refined lady to be hired as a companion for a wealthy family. The job seems easy and everybody believes she’s the lady she claims to be… except for one person. Always at risk of being exposed, Adara discovers that surrounding herself with lies and pursuing her dreams with her heart untouched will be harder than she thought. (Thursday, weekly updates)
A Spell for a Smith: A shy witch in her quiet forest cottage. A surly dwarf in his blacksmith’s forge. Both seeking solace in their respective refuge, but both aching for more. Though drawn to each other’s kindness, they can’t deny the gentle chemistry simmering beneath their every interaction… just as their secrets do. (Saturday, weekly updates)
Ms. Yarborough recommends:
Castle Swimmer: What happens when your entire life is ruled by a prophecy – your future foretold by people you’ve never met, who died long before you were born. Such is the story of two young sea creatures. One believed to be a guiding light for his people, a Beacon who will lead them to a bright, prosperous future. The other is a teenage prince for who’s destiny is to KILL the Beacon so that HIS own people might thrive. (Sunday, weekly updates)
How to Be a Werewolf: Since being bitten by a strange wolf as a child, Malaya Walters has attempted to live a quiet life…hopefully a life free of attempting to eat her family or the customers at her family’s coffee shop. Being the only werewolf she’s ever known, Malaya has managed her condition by keeping tight control on herself and the world around her, with lackluster results. That is, until a strange guy wanders into her shop one day and introduces her to a whole world she never knew existed…(Tuesday & Wednesday, weekly updates)
Ingress Adventuring Co.: Saving the world is a pretty big deal, but what do you do once you’re done saving the world and no one needs you anymore? Do you become a magic professor? Do you study a convoluted thesis that no one understands? Maybe you relive the glory days by starting up a one-man adventuring party to gather mystical artifacts for people who may or may not pay you.Or, if you’re Toivo Kissa, you do all of those things. (Thursday, weekly updates)
Novae: Novae is a historical romance with a touch [of] magic and a dash of astronomy. It chronicles the adventures of Sulvain, a sweet tempered necromancer and Raziol, a passionate 17th century astronomer. A connection forms between them and their relationship blooms, however when the body of a fellow astronomer is found on the steps of the Academy of Sciences, their lives are entangled in ways they could never foresee. (Monday & Thursday, weekly updates)
The Witch Door: Katariina Lehto and Jousia Muotka are neighbors. They haven’t talked to each other, until one day a mischievous cat leads Katariina into Jousia’s apartment. Katariina tells Jousia that she’s a nurse, but not that she’s on a sick leave because of burnout. Jousia tells her that he’s a clairvoyant, but not that he’s actually a witch. However, they find out about each other’s secrets, and Jousia decides to help Katariina by introducing her to the many wondrous places behind a mysterious witch door. (Wednesday, weekly updates)
SPS community members who enjoy a good webcomic should also peruse Ohrstrom Library’s collection! This week’s readers advisory list offers a selection of graphic novels, many of which began their life online, from some of our favorite webcomic authors/illustrators.”
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