Top 10s: Webcomics
If you're anything like me, you'll have developed a healthy outer skin of cynicism during your time on this planet. By learning how to laugh at the utter ridiculousness of the universe at times, you will insulate yourself from the true horror of the fact that we're all stuck on board a chunk of watery dirt as it pirouettes around a honking great fireball flying through space and NOBODY - not the scientists, nor the philosophers, nor the Pope - can say for certain where we're all headed, and why (if there even is a why).
So then, laughter! You can either choose the knuckle-chewing, wild-eyed laughter of the certifiably insane; or, like me, the quiet, knowing chuckle of the man who appreciates the occasional futility of the times we live in.
So don't let the creeping suspicion that we are governed by an amoral, self-serving, shit-for-brains shower of bastards get you down! Laugh long, and laugh loud at this specially-prepared Top 10 of the finest web-based comics of all time. Each of them selected for their subtle blend of observational wit, irony and occasional graphic violence.
10. Achewood
The absurdist, noirish Achewood centres around a cast of anthropomorphic toys and pets. Frequently strange, always hilarious.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
9. Gone With The Blastwave
Gone but not forgotten, Kimmo Lemetti's apocalyptic Gone With The Blastwave is a sprawling testament to the ridiculousness of war, framed in Lemetti's own full-colour paintwork.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
8. Penny Arcade
One of the oldest and most popular webcomics still running, the videogame-oriented Penny Arcade manages to stay relevant by bringing its susbscribers a humorous mix of current affairs, gaming and industry information three times a week.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
7. Red Meat
From the twisted files of Max Cannon comes Red Meat, a warped journey into the world of the most bizarre cast of misfits and freaks ever to grace a three-paneller.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
6. Pictures For Sad Children
Love, afterlife and the rat-race are all common themes in Pictures For Sad Children, a twice-weekly look at the darker side of humour.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
5. Hockey Zombie
Unabashedly crude humour based on the adventures of a hockey-loving zombie and his rag-tag band of associates, Hockey Zombie is not for the easily offended. Home of the popular 'Shark Week' strips (above).
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
4. Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
Surreal, shocking and riotously politically-incorrect, Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal is a cynical jab at relationships, science and working life. Worth reading for the 'best case, worst case' strips alone.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
3. Nedroid Picture Gallery
Reginald and his diminutive chum Beartato form the central cast of Nedroid Picture Gallery, as they set out on a trippy yet charming series of adventures.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
2. Hark! A Vagrant
I bet you never thought something like history could be funny, right? Well guess what? You're DEAD WRONG, and Kate Beaton's Hark! A Vagrant is the proof!
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
1. Subnormality
As you can probably tell from the image above, Subnormality is not about light reading. It's easily the densest, most verbose piece of webcomic I've ever read, and the fact that Winston Rowntree (usually) puts it out once a week is testament to the effort that goes into crafting each one.
The tone of each comic is typically a sideswipe at socio-political attitudes in the modern world, including the absurdity of present-day priorities and the self-centredness of society in general. If you like your comics thought-provoking and aren't afraid of a stiff read, Subnormality is without a doubt the comic for you.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
Honourable mentions: The Perry Bible Fellowship, Sinfest, A Lesson Is Learned But The Damage Is Irreversible, XKCD. It was tough leaving these out, but each is still well worth reading.
So then, laughter! You can either choose the knuckle-chewing, wild-eyed laughter of the certifiably insane; or, like me, the quiet, knowing chuckle of the man who appreciates the occasional futility of the times we live in.
So don't let the creeping suspicion that we are governed by an amoral, self-serving, shit-for-brains shower of bastards get you down! Laugh long, and laugh loud at this specially-prepared Top 10 of the finest web-based comics of all time. Each of them selected for their subtle blend of observational wit, irony and occasional graphic violence.
10. Achewood
The absurdist, noirish Achewood centres around a cast of anthropomorphic toys and pets. Frequently strange, always hilarious.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
9. Gone With The Blastwave
Gone but not forgotten, Kimmo Lemetti's apocalyptic Gone With The Blastwave is a sprawling testament to the ridiculousness of war, framed in Lemetti's own full-colour paintwork.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
8. Penny Arcade
One of the oldest and most popular webcomics still running, the videogame-oriented Penny Arcade manages to stay relevant by bringing its susbscribers a humorous mix of current affairs, gaming and industry information three times a week.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
7. Red Meat
From the twisted files of Max Cannon comes Red Meat, a warped journey into the world of the most bizarre cast of misfits and freaks ever to grace a three-paneller.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
6. Pictures For Sad Children
Love, afterlife and the rat-race are all common themes in Pictures For Sad Children, a twice-weekly look at the darker side of humour.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
5. Hockey Zombie
Unabashedly crude humour based on the adventures of a hockey-loving zombie and his rag-tag band of associates, Hockey Zombie is not for the easily offended. Home of the popular 'Shark Week' strips (above).
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
4. Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
Surreal, shocking and riotously politically-incorrect, Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal is a cynical jab at relationships, science and working life. Worth reading for the 'best case, worst case' strips alone.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
3. Nedroid Picture Gallery
Reginald and his diminutive chum Beartato form the central cast of Nedroid Picture Gallery, as they set out on a trippy yet charming series of adventures.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
2. Hark! A Vagrant
I bet you never thought something like history could be funny, right? Well guess what? You're DEAD WRONG, and Kate Beaton's Hark! A Vagrant is the proof!
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
1. Subnormality
As you can probably tell from the image above, Subnormality is not about light reading. It's easily the densest, most verbose piece of webcomic I've ever read, and the fact that Winston Rowntree (usually) puts it out once a week is testament to the effort that goes into crafting each one.
The tone of each comic is typically a sideswipe at socio-political attitudes in the modern world, including the absurdity of present-day priorities and the self-centredness of society in general. If you like your comics thought-provoking and aren't afraid of a stiff read, Subnormality is without a doubt the comic for you.
[ Website ] [ Twitter ] [ RSS ]
Honourable mentions: The Perry Bible Fellowship, Sinfest, A Lesson Is Learned But The Damage Is Irreversible, XKCD. It was tough leaving these out, but each is still well worth reading.