My Favorite BL Comics (so far)
NOTE: All of these comics can be found at the usual pirate sites to read for free, but I'm only linking the official English pages here. You can find them posted for free without any more effort than performing a google search on their titles.
NOTE 2: When I talk about "seasons" of comics, it's used in a very similar way to how it is used in regards to a tv series. Basically a long-running arc, usually somewhere from 30-60 chapters long, with a very explicit end, and the author usually takes a hiatus for a few weeks after it is complete. This has become common terminology for webcomics these days, so just be aware that I'm not confusing anime for manga while using this term.
Men's Wear Store and "Her Royal Highness" (manhua/chinese) (non-explicit) (incomplete) - Given the title and banner pic, I was expecting to not like this one that much, as a trope-fest (hello girl stand-in!) that goes nowhere. The only reason I even started to read it was because it was ranked number 3 in the BL section of the website so I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt that maybe it wouldn't be completely terrible. But what I ended up with was an extremely great character drama about two characters who are confident in who they are and what they want, the problems they have to deal with because they don't care about what other people think, and the amazing supporting cast that helps them along the way. In fact, there are so few BL comics that have great female characters in them that I was constantly amazed by the several girls in this one who are supportive and helpful rather than being drama-generating harpies. The two leads' relationship is pretty well established early on, so there's no eternal dance of will-they or won't-they, and they both just kind of naturally fall into a state of dating where you just realize you're spending all your time with this person so you both just kind of accept each other without much fuss. In particular, I really like the main characters in this quite a bit; the point of view (main) character is a bisexual transvestite, and his boo is likely a pansexual demisexual. The main character starts the series out with a girlfriend, who eventually says she can't deal with the situation anymore, both how people treat him (being a transvestite), see her (a girl dating a male transvestite), and to some degree how to even be with each other on a normal basis out in society. What's great about the (ex-)girlfriend is she's an actual character, with legitimate concerns, who definitely cares a lot about the main character, and isn't just some floozy thrown into the story just to cause strife between the yaoi boyz. The main character's main love interest is also great because he just accepts the main character for who and what he is, without question, and once the relationship is established, you never get the feeling that anything could really shake the foundations of their relationship much. Instead the story introduces lots of interesting side characters and other conflict external to the leads' relationship. And not only does this work just fine, but the story of their relationship feels a lot more fluffy and cuddly than most BL because you don't have to constantly get indigestion about yet another misunderstanding of the week. Overall this series is great, with a lot of very fun and different sorts of characters, and you get a very happy, comfortable feeling while reading it.
Love or Hate (manhwa/korean) (explicit) (incomplete) - I loved this one so much I immediately went and bought the entire series after a read-thru on a pirate site. Of all the BL comics I've read recently (and we're talking 30+ titles), this feels like the most complete package of them all (other than the fact that the series is incomplete). The art is great. The characters are experienced in life, both drawn to look like males, and there's none of this "first-kissu" bullshit that I always roll my eyes at. Character motivation is well-established, the yaoi tropes are minimal here, and what tropes are present are really well-used for actual character-development rather than as heavy-handed plot-contrivances to generate drama. The characters are working adults, and the main (so far) "couple" has a love-hate relationship (hence the title), but it's realistic and well-supported and -established by the backstory. I love how everything in this manhwa feels very realistic, like I could see real people caught up in a vaguely toxic relationship like this. The top is a manipulative turd, but clearly far more invested into the relationship with his step-brother than he really ought to be, especially being a celebrity. The bottom (the main character) is a cynical pessimist and about fed up with his on-again off-again relationship with his step-brother, yet he just can't seem to pull himself away from the relationship completely. The bottom is stated (in a couple different places) to be attractive (to others in general) and does have people ask him time and again why he doesn't model or whatever, so there's not this weird imbalance of two horribly mismatched characters, normal vs celeb or average-looking vs super-hot lame shit that is so unrealistic and present in so many shoujo/BL properties. In general, it is shown that these two guys are about on-par with each other, it's just that they've made character choices to do very different things in life. Having a 'step-sibling' kink as a plot element in comics is usually very fetishistic and tropey, but it's used here for actual character development and plot reasons, so it ends up feeling justified (it's not really my kink, but I'm fine with it here because of what it does for the story). Unfortunately, this manhwa is not very far along so most of what we've seen so far is the establishment of the main two (step-brothers) and their relationship, and how things have gotten to where they are in present day, plus the set-up for a very obvious plot development that hasn't occurred yet (but should within the next 5 chapters I'd say) that is bound to throw a huge monkey wrench into the step-brothers' relationship (I cannot wait to see the fall-out of this!).
Window to Window (manhwa/korean) (explicit) (complete) - This was really the first BL comic that I liked so much upon first reading that I kept thinking about it after the fact, and mentally comparing it to everything I read afterwards (and a bit unfairly; few can really hold a candle to it). The art is amazing, the characters are both trashy and non-standard for BL guys. There're a few supporting characters who will pique your interest as you read (they are the stars of a spin-off series that hasn't gotten very far along yet, "Room to Room", if you're looking), and there is just LOADS of well-drawn, amazing sex scenes. The premise established in the first two chapters is just enough, without being too melodramatic, to get the sex train rolling, and then the two leads spend the rest of the comic fucking while being somewhat apprehensive about how the other feels, or being mad at each other while fucking. I love the unusual characters in this story (the banner says it all). That the top is the cutesy one, yet girls still fling themselves at him (usually the bottom is the girly-looking one), but that he's secretly insecure, conniving, and petty. Meanwhile, the bottom is very confident, cynical, and so over that shit; he's comfortable with being gay, experienced, and had decided since long ago that he's fine with the status quo and just remaining friends with the top even though he's been into him since middle school. Of course developments in the story don't let it remain that way for long. I can't overstate how much I love Ginu's (the top's) pettiness. In BL too often the top is a Marty Stu; hot, rich, powerful, alpha-male, confident and a hardass to everyone but his chosen bottom, while still being perfect at everything he does, etcetc; and Ginu is horribly normal and relatable by comparison. There's one scene where Ginu (the top) is acting all cold to one of Yubin's (the bottom) friends, and you assume it's because he's reading too much into Yubin and the friend's relationship, but then they have a great dialog exchange: so the friend actually realizes Ginu's got his panties in a knot, and is all, "I'm not into Yubin (like that)", and Ginu responds, "I know, I just hate you because you know things about Yubin I don't" and gives him a death-glare with that cutesy face of his LOL. Ginu's such an adorably salty bitch! It needs to be said of course that while all of the sex in the story seems mostly consensual, the manhwa does skirt the border some when the two are pissed at each other. Ginu is very pushy sometimes and Yubin is often somewhere between blase to upset about it when this happens. Also the author's note at the end of the manhwa was great (free here) - her goal with the series was to write something that is easy to read (not loaded with melodrama and psychotic characters) but is also loaded with sex, and she definitely accomplished that. She even says there was one point where her editor got really concerned about the sheer amount of sex she was drawing for every chapter but eventually capitulated to her (the author's) desires. Haha, fujoushis unite!
Blue Sky Complex (manga/japanese) (explicit) (incomplete) - The first "season" of this was really good (up to and including chapter 16) and I definitely recommend reading it**. It feels a lot more real than most high school romance series. The characters discuss realistic things, have realistic worries. Experience a lot of emotional things for the first time in their lives and have reactions that make sense. This is in contrast to most BL comics where much of this stuff is completely hand-waved or blown up to astronomical proportions. The main character struggles with actually having a romantic interest in someone for the first time ever and all the highs and lows that come with it (but in a low-drama way), which is a refreshing take on that sort of thing. They talk about how they can't (and shouldn't) bone with the family home downstairs, and actually seriously discuss who is going to be pitching and who is going to be catching. In fact, now that I think on it, I do think this may be the first time I've seen two characters seriously discuss this topic (who is topping/bottoming)**, because you know, in real life, you can't just hand-wave that or things're gonna get weird. And one of the great things is that it's not obvious who it is gonna be (topping) leading up to the scene**. Usually yaoi contains shorthand with character designs and character behaviors (and some base character traits) that make it pretty clear who the top's going to be, and this one takes all that away from you. This is great, because I don't like it being so obvious, since in real life it wouldn't be. Anyway. Unfortunately, the art is very much hit or miss; you can tell there are panels that the artist spent a lot of time perfecting (and they look great), and some panels where the art was very much secondary to whatever was being discussed or happening in the scene. But I don't find it to be a big deal or that much of a detriment. I do appreciate how both characters are drawn to look like boys; no big-ass anime-girl eyes here that I get so tired of. Also I like how these characters are drawn to be just skinny boys rather than totally ripped-ass body builders for no reason, like in so many BL comics (DG in BJ Alex, I'm looking at you!). I also like that one of the guys is a self-admitted gay, whose mother knows and is totally cool with, while the other character isn't stated to be anything, but the idea of a gay relationship turns out not to be a big deal for him; it's refreshing to see such an accepting take on the idea for once.
** Season 2 only has 2 translated chapters and already seems to be going into drama-of-the-week territory because the two leads won't just be open about the fact that they are a couple, which is going to get annoying quick, I can tell already.
** This does not include the instances in various comics (Yarichin Bitch Club, I'm lookin' at you) where characters loudly declare they're tops because they don't want to be seen as the girly one; that's just lame and frankly very insecure.
** The bottom in this relationship you realize later stepped into the role completely blind; he had only ever topped before. Once you realize this, you'll better understand his overreaction to his first experience bottoming. Unfortunately, this information is totally buried in subtext and you really have to pay attention to what you read to catch it. All the scenes with the guy who works at the bar is imperative to understanding this about the bottom.
BJ Alex (manhwa/korean) (explicit) (incomplete) - (By the way, "BJ" is a korean term for online camboys) This is the cotton candy of explicit BL comics. The art is absolutely amazing (could Alex be any hotter? I could stare at art of him all day). There are tons and tons of gorgeous sex scenes. The comedy is on point too, the supporting cast is great (and at times more interesting than the main couple), and the characterizations of the leads are well realized over the course of the story. (However) The arc of the lead characters in the story is so typical of BL/romance stories that it's a little trite, but ends up being very satisfying to read nonetheless. And the two leads, while riddled with enough yaoi tropes to choke a cow, are still fun to watch because they are allowed to make choices in their own story (for better or worse). And because they're given so much agency in the story, they do feel like the quintessential examples, the pinnacle of what these tropes can achieve when executed well. So anyway, this story ends up being a great introduction into explicit BL comics because it so perfectly encapsulates and makes use of the sorts of tropes that most BL stories pull from to establish their characters or stories. And I will admit that Alex is a huge shithead throughout the first three-quarters of the story, but the resolution of his arc ends up being much more (and extremely!) satisfying because of it. And at that point you're really able to get on-board with his redemption arc afterwards (the redemption arc is just starting up and is thus incomplete). Unfortunately, I don't like DG (the bottom) much because he's too much of a girl stand-in with his girly face and his "purity of heart" power being the only positive/competent attribute he has. Also, DG's very much the pauper to Alex's prince, and I just don't like stories with a huge imbalance of power/looks/finances/competence/etc because I consider them too unrealistic to ever work out. Alex is very much a conceited Marty Stu (ugh), and DG is too much of a useless shoujo heroine (ugh). HOWEVER! Because the characters have so much agency and do occasionally step outside their comfort zone to do the right (or wrong) thing, I ended up enjoying my time reading the story despite these flaws. Also, fair warning that this is another comic that often skirts the line of consensual/non-consensual sex, and in at least one instance, goes charging straight across the line (although it was both appropriate to the characters and required for the plot and Alex's character arc to progress). I ended up being fine with how it was handled in the long run, ymmv.
NOTE 2: When I talk about "seasons" of comics, it's used in a very similar way to how it is used in regards to a tv series. Basically a long-running arc, usually somewhere from 30-60 chapters long, with a very explicit end, and the author usually takes a hiatus for a few weeks after it is complete. This has become common terminology for webcomics these days, so just be aware that I'm not confusing anime for manga while using this term.
Men's Wear Store and "Her Royal Highness" (manhua/chinese) (non-explicit) (incomplete) - Given the title and banner pic, I was expecting to not like this one that much, as a trope-fest (hello girl stand-in!) that goes nowhere. The only reason I even started to read it was because it was ranked number 3 in the BL section of the website so I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt that maybe it wouldn't be completely terrible. But what I ended up with was an extremely great character drama about two characters who are confident in who they are and what they want, the problems they have to deal with because they don't care about what other people think, and the amazing supporting cast that helps them along the way. In fact, there are so few BL comics that have great female characters in them that I was constantly amazed by the several girls in this one who are supportive and helpful rather than being drama-generating harpies. The two leads' relationship is pretty well established early on, so there's no eternal dance of will-they or won't-they, and they both just kind of naturally fall into a state of dating where you just realize you're spending all your time with this person so you both just kind of accept each other without much fuss. In particular, I really like the main characters in this quite a bit; the point of view (main) character is a bisexual transvestite, and his boo is likely a pansexual demisexual. The main character starts the series out with a girlfriend, who eventually says she can't deal with the situation anymore, both how people treat him (being a transvestite), see her (a girl dating a male transvestite), and to some degree how to even be with each other on a normal basis out in society. What's great about the (ex-)girlfriend is she's an actual character, with legitimate concerns, who definitely cares a lot about the main character, and isn't just some floozy thrown into the story just to cause strife between the yaoi boyz. The main character's main love interest is also great because he just accepts the main character for who and what he is, without question, and once the relationship is established, you never get the feeling that anything could really shake the foundations of their relationship much. Instead the story introduces lots of interesting side characters and other conflict external to the leads' relationship. And not only does this work just fine, but the story of their relationship feels a lot more fluffy and cuddly than most BL because you don't have to constantly get indigestion about yet another misunderstanding of the week. Overall this series is great, with a lot of very fun and different sorts of characters, and you get a very happy, comfortable feeling while reading it.
Love or Hate (manhwa/korean) (explicit) (incomplete) - I loved this one so much I immediately went and bought the entire series after a read-thru on a pirate site. Of all the BL comics I've read recently (and we're talking 30+ titles), this feels like the most complete package of them all (other than the fact that the series is incomplete). The art is great. The characters are experienced in life, both drawn to look like males, and there's none of this "first-kissu" bullshit that I always roll my eyes at. Character motivation is well-established, the yaoi tropes are minimal here, and what tropes are present are really well-used for actual character-development rather than as heavy-handed plot-contrivances to generate drama. The characters are working adults, and the main (so far) "couple" has a love-hate relationship (hence the title), but it's realistic and well-supported and -established by the backstory. I love how everything in this manhwa feels very realistic, like I could see real people caught up in a vaguely toxic relationship like this. The top is a manipulative turd, but clearly far more invested into the relationship with his step-brother than he really ought to be, especially being a celebrity. The bottom (the main character) is a cynical pessimist and about fed up with his on-again off-again relationship with his step-brother, yet he just can't seem to pull himself away from the relationship completely. The bottom is stated (in a couple different places) to be attractive (to others in general) and does have people ask him time and again why he doesn't model or whatever, so there's not this weird imbalance of two horribly mismatched characters, normal vs celeb or average-looking vs super-hot lame shit that is so unrealistic and present in so many shoujo/BL properties. In general, it is shown that these two guys are about on-par with each other, it's just that they've made character choices to do very different things in life. Having a 'step-sibling' kink as a plot element in comics is usually very fetishistic and tropey, but it's used here for actual character development and plot reasons, so it ends up feeling justified (it's not really my kink, but I'm fine with it here because of what it does for the story). Unfortunately, this manhwa is not very far along so most of what we've seen so far is the establishment of the main two (step-brothers) and their relationship, and how things have gotten to where they are in present day, plus the set-up for a very obvious plot development that hasn't occurred yet (but should within the next 5 chapters I'd say) that is bound to throw a huge monkey wrench into the step-brothers' relationship (I cannot wait to see the fall-out of this!).
Window to Window (manhwa/korean) (explicit) (complete) - This was really the first BL comic that I liked so much upon first reading that I kept thinking about it after the fact, and mentally comparing it to everything I read afterwards (and a bit unfairly; few can really hold a candle to it). The art is amazing, the characters are both trashy and non-standard for BL guys. There're a few supporting characters who will pique your interest as you read (they are the stars of a spin-off series that hasn't gotten very far along yet, "Room to Room", if you're looking), and there is just LOADS of well-drawn, amazing sex scenes. The premise established in the first two chapters is just enough, without being too melodramatic, to get the sex train rolling, and then the two leads spend the rest of the comic fucking while being somewhat apprehensive about how the other feels, or being mad at each other while fucking. I love the unusual characters in this story (the banner says it all). That the top is the cutesy one, yet girls still fling themselves at him (usually the bottom is the girly-looking one), but that he's secretly insecure, conniving, and petty. Meanwhile, the bottom is very confident, cynical, and so over that shit; he's comfortable with being gay, experienced, and had decided since long ago that he's fine with the status quo and just remaining friends with the top even though he's been into him since middle school. Of course developments in the story don't let it remain that way for long. I can't overstate how much I love Ginu's (the top's) pettiness. In BL too often the top is a Marty Stu; hot, rich, powerful, alpha-male, confident and a hardass to everyone but his chosen bottom, while still being perfect at everything he does, etcetc; and Ginu is horribly normal and relatable by comparison. There's one scene where Ginu (the top) is acting all cold to one of Yubin's (the bottom) friends, and you assume it's because he's reading too much into Yubin and the friend's relationship, but then they have a great dialog exchange: so the friend actually realizes Ginu's got his panties in a knot, and is all, "I'm not into Yubin (like that)", and Ginu responds, "I know, I just hate you because you know things about Yubin I don't" and gives him a death-glare with that cutesy face of his LOL. Ginu's such an adorably salty bitch! It needs to be said of course that while all of the sex in the story seems mostly consensual, the manhwa does skirt the border some when the two are pissed at each other. Ginu is very pushy sometimes and Yubin is often somewhere between blase to upset about it when this happens. Also the author's note at the end of the manhwa was great (free here) - her goal with the series was to write something that is easy to read (not loaded with melodrama and psychotic characters) but is also loaded with sex, and she definitely accomplished that. She even says there was one point where her editor got really concerned about the sheer amount of sex she was drawing for every chapter but eventually capitulated to her (the author's) desires. Haha, fujoushis unite!
Blue Sky Complex (manga/japanese) (explicit) (incomplete) - The first "season" of this was really good (up to and including chapter 16) and I definitely recommend reading it**. It feels a lot more real than most high school romance series. The characters discuss realistic things, have realistic worries. Experience a lot of emotional things for the first time in their lives and have reactions that make sense. This is in contrast to most BL comics where much of this stuff is completely hand-waved or blown up to astronomical proportions. The main character struggles with actually having a romantic interest in someone for the first time ever and all the highs and lows that come with it (but in a low-drama way), which is a refreshing take on that sort of thing. They talk about how they can't (and shouldn't) bone with the family home downstairs, and actually seriously discuss who is going to be pitching and who is going to be catching. In fact, now that I think on it, I do think this may be the first time I've seen two characters seriously discuss this topic (who is topping/bottoming)**, because you know, in real life, you can't just hand-wave that or things're gonna get weird. And one of the great things is that it's not obvious who it is gonna be (topping) leading up to the scene**. Usually yaoi contains shorthand with character designs and character behaviors (and some base character traits) that make it pretty clear who the top's going to be, and this one takes all that away from you. This is great, because I don't like it being so obvious, since in real life it wouldn't be. Anyway. Unfortunately, the art is very much hit or miss; you can tell there are panels that the artist spent a lot of time perfecting (and they look great), and some panels where the art was very much secondary to whatever was being discussed or happening in the scene. But I don't find it to be a big deal or that much of a detriment. I do appreciate how both characters are drawn to look like boys; no big-ass anime-girl eyes here that I get so tired of. Also I like how these characters are drawn to be just skinny boys rather than totally ripped-ass body builders for no reason, like in so many BL comics (DG in BJ Alex, I'm looking at you!). I also like that one of the guys is a self-admitted gay, whose mother knows and is totally cool with, while the other character isn't stated to be anything, but the idea of a gay relationship turns out not to be a big deal for him; it's refreshing to see such an accepting take on the idea for once.
** Season 2 only has 2 translated chapters and already seems to be going into drama-of-the-week territory because the two leads won't just be open about the fact that they are a couple, which is going to get annoying quick, I can tell already.
** This does not include the instances in various comics (Yarichin Bitch Club, I'm lookin' at you) where characters loudly declare they're tops because they don't want to be seen as the girly one; that's just lame and frankly very insecure.
** The bottom in this relationship you realize later stepped into the role completely blind; he had only ever topped before. Once you realize this, you'll better understand his overreaction to his first experience bottoming. Unfortunately, this information is totally buried in subtext and you really have to pay attention to what you read to catch it. All the scenes with the guy who works at the bar is imperative to understanding this about the bottom.
BJ Alex (manhwa/korean) (explicit) (incomplete) - (By the way, "BJ" is a korean term for online camboys) This is the cotton candy of explicit BL comics. The art is absolutely amazing (could Alex be any hotter? I could stare at art of him all day). There are tons and tons of gorgeous sex scenes. The comedy is on point too, the supporting cast is great (and at times more interesting than the main couple), and the characterizations of the leads are well realized over the course of the story. (However) The arc of the lead characters in the story is so typical of BL/romance stories that it's a little trite, but ends up being very satisfying to read nonetheless. And the two leads, while riddled with enough yaoi tropes to choke a cow, are still fun to watch because they are allowed to make choices in their own story (for better or worse). And because they're given so much agency in the story, they do feel like the quintessential examples, the pinnacle of what these tropes can achieve when executed well. So anyway, this story ends up being a great introduction into explicit BL comics because it so perfectly encapsulates and makes use of the sorts of tropes that most BL stories pull from to establish their characters or stories. And I will admit that Alex is a huge shithead throughout the first three-quarters of the story, but the resolution of his arc ends up being much more (and extremely!) satisfying because of it. And at that point you're really able to get on-board with his redemption arc afterwards (the redemption arc is just starting up and is thus incomplete). Unfortunately, I don't like DG (the bottom) much because he's too much of a girl stand-in with his girly face and his "purity of heart" power being the only positive/competent attribute he has. Also, DG's very much the pauper to Alex's prince, and I just don't like stories with a huge imbalance of power/looks/finances/competence/etc because I consider them too unrealistic to ever work out. Alex is very much a conceited Marty Stu (ugh), and DG is too much of a useless shoujo heroine (ugh). HOWEVER! Because the characters have so much agency and do occasionally step outside their comfort zone to do the right (or wrong) thing, I ended up enjoying my time reading the story despite these flaws. Also, fair warning that this is another comic that often skirts the line of consensual/non-consensual sex, and in at least one instance, goes charging straight across the line (although it was both appropriate to the characters and required for the plot and Alex's character arc to progress). I ended up being fine with how it was handled in the long run, ymmv.