In today’s episode of this series, we’re going to take a look at how the meteoric rise of Dungeons and Dragons in popular culture from the 80’s to today is reflected in the comics and cartoons that sprung up around it – firstly, in the works commissioned by the game’s creators and producers, and then by the fans creating zines, fanfiction and yes, webcomics. So. Many. Webcomics. Continue reading
After pondering the consistency and look of robot … oil, the guys set to talking about many, many webcomics! Full Plate (Google Play) is another motion comic to check out, Hejibits, Mrs. Frollein, and Robospunk represent various aspects of the single-shot comic format, and A Fire Story tells a poignant, educational story about living through the true life horror of an out-of-control wildfire.
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Anyone who’s spent any time reading comics in print or online, is probably familiar with Seduction of the Innocent. This infamous tract by pseudo-psychiatrist Fredric Wertham in 1954 claimed that comic books, with their overt themes of homosexuality, eroticism, violence and murder, were having a deleterious effect on the children of America. Wertham’s book stirred up a frenzy of controversy centred around comics which played out in the media, in the courtroom, and through the establishment of parent’s groups across the American continent. Ultimately, the furore led to the creation of the Comics Code Authority, a regulatory body which oversaw the content of comic books up until as recently as 2011.
If you’re familiar with this story, you’ll see the parallels in the “satanic panic” which erupted around the game of Dungeons and Dragons in the 1980’s. Continue reading
After the guys determine who REALLY loves their grandmother, it’s off to webcomics! Nothing Special goes against it’s title, I’m The Bird Guy reminds us that Instagram isn’t a great comics platform, Protanopia shows promise, and the terrific tag-team of Ehud and Yael are back with some more short story comic goodness.
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Dungeons and Dragons – the archetypal fantasy roleplaying game which created and defined a genre – is a big part of the internet’s collective conscious so it’s no surprise how often it’s referenced in webcomics, whether directly or indirectly. Digital Strips episode 489 delved a little into the between the game, webcomics and their creators (and podcasters) so this seems a perfect time for a companion article series on just what DnD is, how it came to be, and the influence it has had on the webcomics scene. Continue reading
After a bit of nonsense about bad impersonations versus good impersonations, the guys take a look at two fun fantasy webcomics. First up is Dungeon Construction Co., brought to us by some familiar faces, and featuring a dissection of those fantasy gaming tropes we all know and love. Secondly, Steve brings an incredibly horny monster comic to the show with Frankenstein Superstar. If you’ve ever asked yourself just how much sex the iconic horror staple has, you’ll love this comic!
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Jason brings the filthy post-apocalyptic comic strip homage, Weapon Brown, along with a mention of Terence’s latest article about Andrew Gregoire and his battle with anxiety. Steve keeps it light and funny, with the frivolity of Good Bear Comics and the childish period drama, Bloodlust and Bonnets.
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Magic, by its very nature, is a force which can be infinitely variable when used in fiction. So it’s remarkable how often we come across the same recycled tropes over and over again: wizards with wands or staves, sorcerers weaving magic out of thin air, latin incantations or innate magical abilities like flight, strength, etc. So when something comes along that is a little out of the ordinary – like bargaining with a spirit to imbue magical properties on an object – it’s worth a closer look. Welcome to the world of Kate Ashwin’s Widdershins. Continue reading
Give me a hell yeah if you think adulting is hard! HELL YEAH! What’s not hard is looking at some great comics this episode, like Test and Stuck at 32. Steve even managed to find a podcast (called World Walkers) featuring the talents of many webcomics creators that you should give a listen to.
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We’ve got the news you can use, and the comics you should view! Superfogeys will be returning soon and David McGuire wants to help creators avoid getting ripped off. Also, Enforcemen is a great start to a story and Lil’ Donnie is a comedic take on a presidency that is getting harder and harder to top in terms of punchlines. Plus, if you use Feedly to sort and view your feeds online, there are some great new tools to help you stay organized (not a sponsored ad).
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