Welcome
To The UK Web & Mini Comix Thing 2007 Overview
The UK Web & Mini Comix Thing 2007 will be held at the
Queen Mary University, Mile End, London, 17 March 2007.
The God Interviews What is it? The God Interviews are the brainchild of Natalie d'Arbeloff. They are playfully drawn-and-written discussions between Augustine (representing the author) and God — airy, evasive and meandering philosophy in closely knit pictures and words.
Why should I read it? For the charming unpretentiousness and unusual style. The God Interviews first appeared on Augustine’s blog, though where other examples of Natalie’s work can be found.
What is it? Hotel Fred is the online home of Roger Langridge, a mad scientist and cartoonist who I'd never heard of, but he's worked with Dark Horse and Marvel and all sorts, and he's been nominated for just about every award out there (except the Golden Globes, bastards) and he's really good (well he would be).
Why should I read it? The comics on Hotel Fred are pretty varied, so it's hard to say what they're about. There's the philosophical wonderings of Frankenstein and Shirley Temple, the Devil's joust with a cosmological trickster (and former pervert), the tragic adventures of Fred the Clown, and much more. It's all great, if kinda silly, so don't say I didn't warn you.
What is it? Vampire Free Style is a manga styled series of comics written, drawn and published by Jenika Ioffreda, a lovely lady who likes vampires and all things dark and ookie.
Why should I read it? Because of the atmospheric, gothy artwork, the engaging storyline, and the very very very cute cat. Vampire Free Style deserves to be a big favourite with the goth and manga crowds.
What is it? Bunny is a mostly one panel computerdrawn comic about the nature of comedy. Well, that's what I think it's about, anyway. It features bunnies in cute colours, ninjas, watermelons and philosophical concepts.
Why should I read it? Because it's funny in an inexplicable, intellectual and hyper-geeky way! As well as being very pretty to look at, at times. Bunny's been going for ages, and it rocks. So read it.
What is it? Michael's Exciting Life is a webcomic and a photo comic at the same time. It stars the author, Michael, and his strange set of friends and housemates, including a violent cop and a birdman.
Why should I read it? Because it's funny! Photocomics are still pretty rare on the web, but Michael knows how it's done. Crazy storylines, cartoonish expressions and bizarre characters to counterbalance the more normal ones. It also seems to have a thing about wybrids. Yep.
What is it? After Strife is a new webcomic by Ali Graham, formerly of HOUSD. Because it's very new, it's hard to say anything about it, but we are promised more story than gag, combined of course with Graham's unique slightly angular, cartoony style.
Update: Now it's a few weeks later and the first chapter has played out, I'm happy to tell you After Strife seems to be about two unfortunate young souls who are a) dead and b) stuck together with ectoplasmic magnetic waves. They hate each other, but their banter makes for funny readings. And, ooh, it has a demon in the new chapter!
Gunnerkrigg Court
A cool-headed heroine at a strange and wonderful boarding school. And she builds robots! How can you beat that...?
What is it? Gunnerkrigg Court is a cartoony-looking full colour webcomic updating twice a week. The main character is an unflappable, studious girl who reacts to the strange events of her life with rationality and determination.
Why should I read it? Because of the humour, the weird and wonderful storylines and the clean, professional looking artwork. And because the main character builds a robot, did I mention that? The episodic nature of the chapters make it a perfect lunchtime read, but there is also a book! Which you can buy, no doubt, from Mr. Sidell's table. I may well do so myself.
Scary-go-Round
Long running, popular, and still fresh after all this time. What is John's secret? Uh, I dunno, go ask him!
What is it? Scary-go-Round is a vector art web comic about the strange adventures of a loose assembly of young people. It features bears, fairies, elections, and death, among other things. It has clever dialogue, a large cast of characters allowing for varied stories, and a truly inimitable style.
Why should I read it? Because it's intelligent, funny, smooth-looking and just generally all round really good. John Allison, the artist, will be selling books, badges and who knows what else, and if experience is anything to go by, he probably won't have much left towards the end of the day. So hit his stand early.
Beaver and Steve
Beaver and Steve are like the Bert and Ernie of the web comic world. One is serious and long suffering, the other a lovable disaster-magnet. And they can break into song without warning!
What is it? The Unfeasible Adventures of Beaver and Steve is a web comic about two friends who have light-hearted and funny adventures in a cheerfully coloured world. Each story line runs from one to a couple of pages, and sometimes features wonderful recurring characters such as the sinister panda, the shoe goblin and EMOTIBOT.
Why should I read it? Because it is cute, unique, unpretentious, and really funny! Most of Beaver and Steve's humour stems from the a-causal twists and turns of the short story lines and the strange but characterful supporting cast. If you like random, this is the web comic for you!
Blue Cat Club
Fascinating comics in watercolours and who knows what else.
What is it? Blue Cat Club is a webcomic updating occasionally, which shares its site with a collection of shorter comics and experiments. Creator Caroline Parkinson has a penchant for ghost stories, and I've spotted at least one witch and one vampire as well.
Why should I read it? For the fresh-yet-old fashioned take on supernatural and spooky things, and the moving stories. Also for the very detailed and professional looking artwork which helps establish the moody and haunting atmosphere.
What is it? Studio Blink Twice are responsible for a number of comic books, most notably Malcolm Magic and the new series Moon. Malcolm Magic (and the universe-sharing 'Tusk') features crazy talking animal characters, booze, hijinks and funny writing. Moon is very new, but it promises to feature movie making in space. How can you go wrong?
Why should I read it? Because of the busy but readable and humorous artwork, and the already mentioned funny writing. They've been at it for a while, and they're going strong, so check them out.
Flying Monkey Comics
Any webcomic that has a character dress up like the Joker with an actual Jokerfish is a winner to me.
What is it? Flying Monkey Comics has some webcomics up which are funny, and some of which are called 'Hope for the Future', about some students doing typical studenty stuff (like dressing up as the Joker). The same crew also star in their very own comic book series (like, on paper and stuff) where they are up against the supernatural. Flying Monkey was also a B&W comic anthology, but it seems it's died an ignominious death.
Why should I read it? I can't say anything about the book, but the webcomics are clever, funny, with sharp dialogue and really pretty colours (I thought it might be watercolour at first but on closer examination I think they're digital). On basis of this I think the books would be worth checking out.
Sick Puppy Studios
Well, at least they picked the right name for the Studio... O.o
What is it? Sick Puppy Studios produce Hieronymus Anonymus, the twisted tale of an unrecognised superhero whose sidekick is his own right hand. Uh, yeah. If you fear that this might lead to jokes about masturbation, you are not alone. I'm just going on what the website says though, so I might be wrong...
Why should I read it? Because it's full of weird twisted humour, bizarre characters, has at least one pug-ugly country girl and is pretty well drawn. The creator is Ed Norden, who unfortunately does not look much like Ed Norton, but will nonetheless be happy to sign his name where-ever you like. Oh, and you can also buy the book, I guess.
Brave Comics
Cute drawings + serious story = a haunting comic
What is it? Brave Comics is a relatively new undertaking by artist Ben Palmer. Palmer's illustrations are kind of cartoony, kind of chibi, but overall pretty unique. The halloween short "A Final Farewell" is a bittersweet story about two boys who want to defend their recently deceased grandfather from an evil soul-stealer.
Why should I read it? Because of the heartwarming story and art, and the cool spirit-monster-thing. "A Final Farewell" is Brave Comics' first publication, it was created in record time for Halloween 2006, and by the time the 'Thing rolls around we can hopefully buy more little gems like these.
What is it? Earthbound is a smoothly drawn full digital colour webcomic about demons. It has an epic kind of feel but is also full of cuteness and idle banter. It's set in hell and pits evil demons against, well, other evil demons, but all evil is not equal, it seems.
Why should I read it? Probably mostly because of the very polished artwork and the pretty colouring. Earthbound looks excellent, is very readable, and it has demons. Sarcastic demons. Nuff said, I'd think.
Steve and Bob
Sure, you can steal the biggest diamond in the world, but then what do you do? Play pool.
What is it? Steve and Bob is a web-funny about extremist criminal mice and a dumb guard dog who was accidentally kidnapped by them when they stole a giant diamond. Their main hangout is a pub, and there are many pub-based jokes, as well as a slowly developing larger plotline.
Why should I read it? Cause it's simple, accessible, harmless fun. The coloured drawings are a little basic sometimes, but they do the trick, and the somewhat meandering storyline is punctuated with funny gags at the corners. So check it out.
Bedsit journal
Updated review: this time, I actually read it! (Thank you Mr. Bedsit.)
What is it? Bedsit journal is a printed anthology of mostly short comics about, mostly, the pain of living. Issue 1 opens with a story that theorises about how a young hopeful ends up living his entire dismal life in a bedsit, and this sets the tone for the collection. Social inadequacies, some drugs and sex (also the lack of) and loneliness are some of the main themes. It nonetheless manages to be quite funny, in a "ha ha, at least my life isn't that bad" sort of way.
Why should I read it? Because it's high quality misery comics, and who doesn't need more of that. If dark humour is your favourite kind, you should enjoy this. The stories are by various different artists who all have different but complimentary flavours which mix together to make a bitter but fulfilling meal, er, comic. By the time the Thing rolls around issue 2 will be available.
The Noob
Better than playing MMORPGs: mocking MMROPGs!
What is it? The Noob is a full colour webcomic about multiplayer online games like World of Warcraft and Everquest. The main character is a noob (a new player) who wonders around wide-eyed, trying to survive the rat-tail hunt, playerkillers and nymphomaniac elven ladies.
Why should I read it? Because it's well drawn, pretty damned funny and doesn't recycle jokes. It helps if you actually play these games yourself, but the protrayal of net-based stupidity and fantasy chiches certainly has a wider appeal. Hey, I think it's funny and I don't play. Creator Gianna Masetti blogs that book 3 and possibly 4 will be available to buy at the Thing, as well as stickers, badges and that kind of stuff. Ascessories for your inner Noob!
Reckless Youth
For the record, "chibi" does not mean smaller and bearded. Really.
What is it? Reckless Youth is a cleanly drawn colour webcomic about the disillusioned youth of Camden, their delusions, world domination plots and hitman missions. The main plot elements include messianic activity, booze, unfeasible twists and mad science. The characters are based on the creator and his friends, though I think some of the storylines are a little bit exaggerated.
Why should I read it? Because of the silly, random humour, the clever running gags, and the hat. The hat is a subtle device, and you might miss its mysterious power on a casual read through. So if you read it, watch the hat. Seriously though, it’s good fun, the fact that the characters are based on real people helps keeps things down to earth, even as they go off the deep end.
Little Terrors
A church, monsters, abandoned streets... It's like Silent Hill without a radio
What is it? Little Terrors is a webcomic about a zombie child and his monstrous friends. It is after the zombie outbreak, and few sane people survive (in fact, I don’t think we’ve seen any). Unsure of who he is or what the hell is going on, the living dead boy shambles around looking for shelter, friendship, and the answer.
Why should I read it? Because of the strange, eerie story and the cute monster characters. Little Terrors has a lot of mystery and some genuinely touching moments. The art is a little clumsy sometimes, but the story and general readability make up for it. Creator Jon is bringing badges, posters, shirts, doing free sketches and selling the first volume of Little Terrors.
Lee Thacker
One for Sorrow is a sad tale, but hey, if Dave Sim likes it it can't be bad.
What is it? Lee Thacker creates and publishes small press comics with a biographical feel. His 800 page series "One for Sorrow" details the life of a girl from pre-adolescence through a litany of misfortune and heartbreak. The story relies heavily on the first person narrator, who talks about her life in a resigned almost funny if it wasn't so sad kind of way.
Why should I read it? Because it's a detailed character tale about human failings and life on the edge of despair. One for Sorrow starts off strong and gets stronger as it moves along. Lee also has some shorter, mostly autobiographical work, and possibly even music.
High Maintenance
Mean, rude, bloody and kicking butt. High Maintenance is one of those comics that makes mainstream publishers run a mile, but that more than deserves its place on the web.
What is it? High Maintenance is a heavily inked, detailed web comic about a violent take-no-crap-from-nobody vigilante prowling the streets and looking for trouble. She's a woman who used to be a man, and tries to protect the gender-deviants, queers and freaks of her city. She's helped by her technologically apt partner Bobby and hunted by just about everyone, including the mob.
Why should I read it? Because it's a gritty, tough as nails story of vengeance, anger and power. It's also not the kind of story you normally get about transsexuals. Jessica, the main character, is post-op, post-angst, and post-taking-crap. The characters are unhinged but well-rounded, and the story crawls into dark corners most of us would prefer not to look. Not for kids or the faint at heart.
Massacre for Boys
They haven't been around long, and their website doesn't show us many pages yet, but I smell promise.
What is it? Massacre for Boys is a number of loosely connected stories about history and war. It's by two brothers (one writing, the other drawing) who grew up on comics and old Battle and Victor annuals. At the Thing, they will be selling 'The Walking Wounded', about men who have been hurt in battle, but who still happen to be the best soldiers around.
Why should I read it? Because on top of the very detailed, realistic artwork I think these gentlemen have a good story to tell. If you won't take my word for it, maybe you'll listen to the editors of Judge Dredd Magazine. They accepted a 6 page story by Massacre for Boys to publish in their small press section. Not bad!
Tiny mini reviews cause Willie is running out of time.
I said I'd review everyone, so I better hurry.
Vented Spleen
Vented Spleen wrote to let me know the second part of his sweaty-palmed, stuttering, self-referential love manual “How to Date a Girl in Ten Days”. Can the bitter and cynical artist of “Art School Scum” find … love? A funny and heart-warming two part series.
The Ghost Girl's Guide to Living
Queen of the Ghosts tells me there will be 4 issues of the Ghost Girl’s Guide to Living, a mini-comic publication that describes itself as a “Extraordinary Subterranean Junction of Fashion, Art and Music.” So, kinda arty, but pretty dang cool.
Fetish Man
The adventures of a superhero gimp and his sidekick. Not suitable for young or very sensitive people. Pretty funny for the rest of us.
Superhero Love Island
Superhero Love Island is a toy-based photocomic emailed out in episodes to people who sign up. It's about superheroes doing one of those "reality" shows on an island. Cute.
But, Our Empire
But, Our Empire is a charming little 3 person collective that do comics, buttons, writing, photography, music and microbes, or whatever else they feel like.
PhatComics
PhatCatz is Sean Azzopardi, comic artist, illustrator and publisher. He has a webcomic called 12 hour shift, about the pain of working so you have money for creative projects which you don't have time for 'cause you're working. It also has birds, and a cat. I like it.
DingBobik
They are a duo of writer/artists that do a variety of comics on paper and on the web, mostly with very basic drawings, humour and adventure.
COZY
The COZY link leads us to Silent K Comics, a collection of short funny bits in a slightly messy underground Comix style. Go here for sophisticated fart jokes, and other humour.
Deamon
What if Daemon was a new 6 issue mini-series, but no one could really tell what it was about? Perhaps it's really exciting...
Comics are for Girls
Apparently some people still have this weird notion that comics are mostly a guy thing. They are of course mistaken! These are but some of the excellent comics made and read by girl-persons that will have a presence at the Thing.
Stuff Sucks
Stuff Sucks, but Ms Greenfield is here to make things better.
What is it? Stuff Sucks is a webcomic about a fairly normal 20 something in Amsterdam, who has the misfortune of being surrounded by strange people and events. A maniacal music lover, a gregarious young lady-thief, a sad fish and a very rich fiance conspire to make his life misery. Lucky for us, misery is funny.
Why should I read it? Most of Stuff Sucks' humour emerges from the large cast of a-typical characters, some of which are developing into real and lovable persons. Liz Greenfield will be bringing a lot of interesting merchandise to the Thing, including her excellent i-pod skins, which make me want to buy an i-pod just so I can get one. Also: books, badges, stickers and happy emo shirts! Where else can you get one of those? Nowhere, so come to the Thing!
Tangentine
One of the main characters is called "Sodomy". Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
What is it? The Tangentine website is home to the webcomic "Handrawn Zoo" about... er... manic, addle-brained adventurers in a strange land of game-logic. Sort of a high energy spoof of rpg games with bonus catchy dialogue and occasional dragons. There is also quite a lot of gallery space filled with non comic related illustrations.
Why should I read it? For the insanity. The plot progresses without rhyme or reason, but there's plenty of time for gags, sudden disgust and WTF-moments. The drawings are of a pretty competent, manga-inspired sort, a little sparse on the background front but always readable. And despite one of the characters being called "Sodomy", the humour is clean enough for younger fans to enjoy.
Dark
If time is a place, can you travel by standing still?
What is it? Dark is a philosophical kind of story that originally appeared in 4 parts, and has been collected into a book (if I remember correctly). It's set in a strange world where the times of the day (night, morning, afternoon) are geographical locations. A student working on an eternal thesis is dragged out of his room in night to see the rest of the day. On the way, they meet people, dream, are disillusioned and end up where they were, but everything's different.
Why should I read it? Because it's one of the most interesting things you will find at the Thing. Dark is based on a single metaphore — that the times of day are places — but around it the Rubins sisters build a rich story of the "young urbanites looking for the meaning of life" kind that feels fresh and slightly magical.
Darken
Evil adventurers are kind of like good adventurers, except they have demons on their side and back stabbing is mandatory.
What is it? Darken is a fantasy adventure web comic that appears three times a week. It follows a party of evil heroes assembled around a short human who has been chosen as the disciple of Mephistopheles, a big demon guy. Their mission: to collect the Regalia of Evil (super snacky set of magic items). Their method: to wonder around being snarky at each other, following up shady clues and laying the smack down on monsters.
Why should I read it? Because it's one of the best fantasy comics around. Simple, really. Darken has a solid, simple art style, a strong cast of characters and a good story line. There are too many reasons to read it. The unadulterated evil of the characters, the subplots of impending betrayal, the sharp dialogue, the cool fights, the fun, the humanity!
Need for Ninja
No webcomic is complete without ninja; it's a fact widely acknowledged. Here are some of the most ninja comics represented at the Thing.
Dr McNinja
He's a ninja. And a doctor. Or maybe a dentist.
What is it? Dr McNinja is a black and white webcomic drawn in a realistic style and written in a way that's anything but. The main character is a ninja, who also has a surgery of some kind, with a gorilla as the receptionist. This is not the strangest thing in the comic. Dr McNinja solves his unusual problems with his Ninja and Doctoring skills.
Why should I read it? Dr McNinja seems pretty popular, and I would guess this is because of the clever juxtaposition of absurdist plots and life-like rendering of the images, along with the very readable visual storytelling and subtle satire on the nature of modern society, of course. Or maybe you should read it because it's funny. And has a ninja.
Weebl & Bob
Home of, as far as I know, the original ninja pirate.
What is it? The Everyday Adventures of Weebl and Bob isn't a webcomic strictly speaking. They are flash animations featuring two wobbling eggs, a mushroom ninja pirate, a monkey and other... things. Being an animation, it also features music, and voices. It's hard to describe Weebl & Bob. It's kind of like a phenomenon.
Why should I read it? Weebl & Bob have fascinated the internet for generations*, and although it's hard to explain why, their wide appeal is undeniable. Perhaps it's the hypnotic wobble. Or the toilet humour. Maybe the animations are laced with some kind of subliminal digital crack. I don't know, you will have to find out for yourself. The Weebl & Bob table is likely to feature plushies, DVDs and T-shirts, and possibly pizza.
*That's in internet time.
Ninja Bunny
It is a bunny, that is also a ninja. But not a doctor.
What is it? Ninja Bunny appears online as single panel cartoons featuring a simply drawn rabbit in a ninja costume. It also features shuriken, pirates, chainsaws, and other ninja-related tropes. There's not much in the way of a story, they're more like snapshots from the life of a ninja bunnyrabbit. It's a very simple setup, but the charming pen-drawn pictures and the extreme violence combine into something... well... a bit weird, really.
Why should I read it? Because it has a ninja. In fact, it also has a pirate. Ninja Bunny's humour is subtle, but builds as you read through the archives as a kind of secret ninja undercurrent until the genius suddenly strikes you. Well, maybe. I found it strangely compelling, anyway.
Sticks and Sprites
You don't have to be able to draw to have a webcomic! Stickfigures, sprites and other easy-to-draw methods allow anyone to be funny in webcomic form. And this leaves more time for important stuff like having a social life.
Bollox Comics
Simple drawings, simple jokes. Bollox proves funny doesn't have to be difficult.
What is it? Bollox Comics is a collection of web comics by Eddy Bowley, including the politically uncorrect Edd Egg, a stick figure Lord of the Ring piss take, a sprite comic with the artist's own sprites, and the visually extravagant Hellhole. All by the same guy! You've got to admire that kind of productivity. I especially recommend Max and Marsha.
Why should I read it? Because it's harmless, good clean fun! The Bollox Comics are very simply drawn, with little in the way of detail, which means nothing stands in the way of the joke. They're full of random and strange events, circular humour and other postmodern jollery. And if Eddy brings those exclusive Edd Egg mint cremes again, you have no excuse not to stop by!
EEZY
Kinda like Little Gamers, but with giant hats.
What is it? EEZY is a webcomic with characters made up of geometrical shapes, featuring jokes about gaming and magicians. It's not very old yet; there's 20 strips online at the time I'm writing this, but it already features a Magical Trevor parody.
Why should I read it? Because it's sweet, simple and kinda funny. EEZY is a newcomer at the Thing this year, and he wrote to me to let me know he's selling EEZY – The Beginning for dead cheap. So have a look!
Boot_Error
What's up with the duct-tape, though, seriously?
What is it? Boot_Error is a colour webcomic with characters that look a little like the michelin man, but different. It's about the lives of the employees of a large corporate organisation that presumably preduces something, but as a casual reader I don't know what. It reads kind of like one of those workplace based sitcoms, but with slightly zanier storylines and minimal artwork.
Why should I read it? Because, despite the deceptively simple appearance, Boot_Error is actually a good read. It appears in a gag-strip kind of format, but it's not very punchline driven and the humour comes more from the developing storylines. The first Boot_Error book is out now, and you should be able to get from their table at the Thing, unless they duct-tape all the copies to the table or something.
Blackheart
It’s a sprite comic. No, wait, wait, where are you going!?
What is it? It’s a home grown sprite comic in blue and white, which ocasionally uses photos. Sprite comics have kind of a bad name, but Blackheart has one advantage over most: the sprites were drawn by the comic’s creator. Like, whoa. They’re very tiny and have a limited range of expressions, but they bleed and explode quite well, and are hence perfectly suited for the task.
Why should I read it? Blackheart’s humour is, as the name suggests, of the black variety. Most comics end with some horrible tragedy in the last panel, with the necessary variations and surprises, of course. It’s good clean wholesome fun. OK, well actually it’s not very wholesome and definately unclean, but it’s funny!
You can also contact me if I misspelled your name or got something wrong. I know I can get things mixed up sometimes, and I'm more than happy to correct.
