The Internet has changed the way we enjoy our morning periodicals.
Over in France, for example, my father reads The Telegraph online (for free) instead of have to pay five euros for a two day old copy TGV'd down from Paris.
Likewise, I'll get my 'morning funnies' via the web, rather than reading them in The New York Post.
But in addition to easing access to the news and comics we crave, the Internet offers an increased choice, too. So instead of having to enjoy a nationally syndicated Garfield or Doonsebury strip (two of the most popular comic strips reprinted in papers across the world) we can access much less popular choices with just as much ease.
Imagine... No censored strips when Doonsebury creator Gary Trudeau gets a bit too politically racy for the national broadsheets (like in 2005, when pressure from right wing groups got his strip moved from the 'funnies' section to 'editorial.')
Comics on the web are raw, uncensored and just as funny as the officially sanctioned, syndicated, 'sold out' ones (like Jim Davis' Garfield - who once, for example, used the same punchline for an entire week's worth of strips.)
As far as I'm concerned, there are four comic strips that I read every morning (taking me a combined total of about four minutes.)
Sluggy Freelance, Something Positive, Least I Could Do and Sore Thumbs.
There are many, many other 'web comics' out there, but I think keeping up with four of them taxes the maximum amount of brain cells. These are the best, as far as I'm concerned.
Top of the list is Sluggy Freelance.
Is it not Nifty?
This is a sci-fi webcomic written and drawn by Pete Abrams. First hitting the 'net in 1997, it's the episodic adventures of mild-mannered web designer Torg and his best friend, shadowy inventor Riff.
Over the course of the decade Pete has dedicated to the comic, both his storytelling and artistic skills have developed noticeably - transforming the strip from a cheeky series of broad parodies to an incredibly deep, complex sci-fi epic featuring a broad range of colourful characters.
Pete is good, end of story. Although it's difficult to just 'dip into' his massive archive of comics, once you've got into the complex and twisting adventures his characters go through, it's difficult to disentangle yourself.
Pete's comic is remarkable for several reasons. Firstly, just how entertaining it is. Every day, he produces a new strip that is complete and amusing in and of itself. Insert that strip into the complex and evolving stories he creates, the humour (which is always present) takes a back seat and the thrilling adventures of Torg, Riff and friends become the major focus. It's very easy to get invested in the lives of these lovable characters.
Pete keeps things constantly fresh. Unlike most comics, he's never afraid to change things around completely - permanently killing off characters, or changing the established status quo. The fact that nothing is sacred - and every one of his characters is vulnerable - makes their adventures a lot more thrilling.
He's also willing to take the comic in a completely random direction from time to time - like ignoring Torg and Riff for six months while he presented an exceptional sci-fi adventure following supporting character Bun Bun on a cross-dimensional adventure in the 'seas of time.'
But the number one reason why Pete Abrams is so remarkable is that his comic pays. Through his regular updates, superior storytelling and sheer enthusiasm, he has created such an loyal audience for Sluggy Freelance that he can run the comic (and associated merchandising enterprises) as his full time job.
Now that's talent.
Something Positive
Although Sluggy Freelance is the webcomic I enjoy the most, my favourite one has to be Something Positive. It's an unashamedly autobiographical webcomic by Boston based actor, writer and artist R. K. Milholland.
Started at the end of 2001, Something Positive follows the day-to-day life of Daven MacIntire and his friends. Daven is clearly based on Milholland himself - and the author has explained how most of the cast of Something Positive are based on people he knows and experiences they've had.
It's a complete departure from Sluggy Freelance, being largely character-driven and featuring very understated and convoluted plots. All of the main characters in Something Positive are flawed, but lovable. Daven himself is a cynical, bitter young man - but intensely loyal to his friends and in possession of a very clear sense of right and wrong. His best friends Aubrey and PJ are likewise slightly twisted - one being a vengeful psychopath and the other endlessly lusting after the wrong (often homosexual) men.
But with R.K. Milholland's cast, flaws are strengths and the fact that his characters are clearly far from perfect makes them even easier to engage with.
Just because it's a character-driven comic, that doesn't mean it's not absurd. Crazy plot twists and a thin line between reality and farce make the situations Daven and his friends encounter wonderfully absurd. One minute, Daven can be worrying about his hairless, boneless cat getting flushed down the plughole (and winding up in a 'crossover' with other famous webcomic Queen of Wands) and the next, the laughs get shelved when his lead character is faced by the poignant and unsettling news that his father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
It never pulls any punches and it's always full of surprises, which is why I think Something Positive is a truly exceptional webcomic.
Least I Could Do
On the other end of the 'largely autobiographical' scale is the webcomic of Ryan Sohmer.
Least I Could Do follows the adventures of gregarious Rayne Summers, who is clearly modelled after the author. Unlike R.K. Milholland's main character, however (who is just as flawed as the author - if not more so) Rayne seems to be a gloriously idealised paragon of masculinity, which makes the whole autobiographical aspect seem slightly narcissistic.
But considering I write the adventures of a modern-day Saint who shares an uncomfortable number of characteristics with myself, I should be the last person to criticise Mr Sohmers!
Rayne Summers is a lovable, geeky young man who just happens to have rippling abs and is totally irresistible to women. He has a fluffy upper management job in an enormous multinational company, which means he enjoys an enormous paycheque and office without having to do any work.
Throw in his ability to escape unscathed despite all sorts of negligent and criminal behavior and you've basically got a comic dedicated to Ryan Sohmer's wish fulfillment.
In theory - although it's actually a lot, lot better than that.
Least I Could Do is a hugely entertaining romp which is presented in an incredibly slick, professional style. Out of all the webcomics I've mentioned, Least I Could Do looks the best - by an astonishing margin. The drawing is simply unparalleled. The sort of thing you'd happily pay money for in a bande dessinee shop.
This is because, right from the very beginning, Ryan Sohmer approached running a webcomic like a business. While Sluggy Freelance and Something Positive have seen their artistic merits grow and develop over the years, Ryan Sohmer started off by using a professional artist to 'draw' his webcomic while he concentrated on the writing.
Which is why it's consistently hilarious, looks fantastic and is updated without fail six days a week. No other webcomic can match the slickness of the Least I Could Do operation.
Sohmer's style means that the appearance of Least I Could Do has changed dramatically since it was launched in 2003. Originally, Trevor Adams drew the comic, in a brisk, cartoony way that presented Sohmer's writing in a serviceable manner. Adams was replaced by Chad Porter, who developed the style into something slightly more complex and presentable. In August 2005, Lar deSouza took over drawing duties and he's responsible for the high quality art we enjoy today.
During that time, the characters grew and developed as well - and in his defence, I think Ryan Sohmer's portrayal of Rayne moved away from a wish-fulfillment 'Mary Sue' to an independent character who existed on his own merits (much like I hope Adventure Eddy has done.) Ryan does make still appearances in the comic - as Rayne's slick, handsome older brother Eric. however it's much more character driven than it was before and Rayne Summers often takes extended absences from the driving seat to give the other cast members an opportunity to shine.
Right now, I believe Ryan Sohmers and Lar deSouza are attempting to get a Least I Could Do cartoon show off the ground. I wish them the best of luck with that - I think it would translate to television brilliantly.
Sore Thumbs
Last, but not least, comes Sore Thumbs.
Sore Thumbs is completely different from all of the other comics I've mentioned. Written by Chris Crosby and illustrated by Owen Gieni, 'Thumbs is a totally absurd Manga style comic with broad political overtones.
It follows the adventures of ultra-liberal Cecenia (a busty babe with ambitions in television hosting) and her super-conservative brother Fairbanks (who fantasizes about playing video games with George Bush Jnr... in the nude!)
Together, they run video game store 'Sore Thumbs' - which inexplicably takes them across the world, interacting with world leaders, despicable terrorists, Hollywood actors and miniature polar bears.
It's all deliciously silly - and takes regular swipes at politics and popular culture. It also looks amazing - Owen Gieni's drawing talents perfectly mimic the Japanese 'manga' style.
Because it's so silly and 'out there' - plus the fact that it's only updated three times a week (on account of the high art quality and full-page content every update) - it's not as easy to 'get into' Sore Thumbs as the other comics I've mentioned. However it's the first port of call if you want a quick, irreverent comedy hit or an instant spoof on a topical hot potato.
Web Comics
What impresses me about all the guys behind these webcomics is their dedication. Just the simple process of updating a blog every day is beyond most of us. The thought of producing a high-quality comic that's part of a complex story arc seven days a week astonishes me.
Sure, successful web comic gurus like Peter Abrams and R.K. Milholland can make a living off their work - but for what they earn, you can tell that it's really a labour of love that keeps them scribbling.
It's an enormous amount of talent, hard work and discipline that goes into producing these amazing webcomics - so even though I dedicate mere seconds to enjoying them each morning, I hope the authors know how much their hard work is appreciated.
Please visit the following:
Sluggy Freelance
Something Positive
Least I Could Do
Sore Thumbs
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