Webcomics: My latest addiction
I have a tendency to find things that are terribly addictive. Fan fiction. Yaoi. Cappuccino Jelly Bellies. Chocolate. I’m forever adding to the list. Now I have a new addiction: webcomics. I’d thought I’d share my four favorites.
The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal
I could describe it, but I’ll just let E. K. Weaver, the talent artist that creates this comic, tell you:
In the span of a single day, Amal calls off his arranged marriage, comes out to his conservative parents, promptly gets disowned, goes on a bender… and wakes up the next morning to find TJ, a lanky, dreadlocked vagrant, frying eggs and singing Paul Simon in his kitchen.TJ claims that the two have made a drunken pact to drive all the way from Berkeley to Providence. As it happens, Amal promised his sister he’d be there for her graduation from Brown University. And TJ, well… TJ has his own reasons.
The agreement is simple: Amal does the driving; TJ pays the way - but a 3500 mile journey leaves plenty of time for things to get complicated.
I am in love with TJ and Amal. From their chemistry to their humor to their pop-culture references, they are completely entertaining. I’m looking forward to finding out more about TJ’s past, and Amal’s first meeting with his parents since coming out will be dramatic. I love E. K.’s drawing style, and her full color pages are simply beautiful.
The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal is updated on Tuesdays.
Created by Hamletmachine, Starfighter is the story of Cain and Abel (their code names), a pair of galactic soldiers fighting to protect Earth. Fighter Cain makes it clear right away that navigator Abel is his, and he immediately marks him so that all the other fighters know this on sight. Seems, too, that Cain might have motives other than lust for doing so.
Starfighter captivated me immediately. The story and the artwork are top notch, and there are a few panels (one of Abel looking in the mirror, in particular) that are breathtaking. I’m hoping that Cain isn’t the asshole he appears to be now, because I love him and Abel together.
Starfighter updates weekly.
In Emirain’s comic, Xanthe Atros owns and manages a brothel called the Teahouse. It is very upscale, and they cater to wealthy clients looking for opposite and same sex interaction. The story is heavy on the man love, and mystery and unrequited love abounds.
You can’t miss how beautifully the comic is drawn. Not only are the characters lovely, but their surroundings are intricately detailed as well. The sexy times are very sexy, and the unresolved sexual tension between Xanthe and Linneus is palpable. I just wish I knew how Xanthe and Linneus ended up pimp and whore when they so obviously care for each other.
Teahouse updates on Wednesdays.
Emy Bitner’s comic is about a race of aliens, called Greys, who repeatedly abduct humans (with the government’s knowledge) for medical procedures. Hue, the only Grey who can feel emotions, has fallen for Julie, an abducted human, and he goes to Earth to meet her when she’s not drugged. The story also flashes back to the late 40s, when Hue’s father EBE1 had a relationship with Phillis, a human on the military base where EBE1 was held.
The plot for this comic is mysterious, humorous, and romantic. Several subplots are heading toward an inevitable collision, and I can’t wait to see what happens. Hue is adorable in both his Grey and trying human forms. And, just when I least expected it, boom! Manlove
Trying Human updates every Tuesday through Friday.
Anyone have a webcomic they’d like to recommend?
Tags: Starfighter, Teahouse, The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal, Trying Human, webcomics
I absolutely love Trying Human. It’s my favorite web-comic, but if I had to suggest another, I would say Earthsong is a pretty good one. I have one comment though. I am pretty sure the main charecters name is Rose, not Julie.
Keep calm and keep reading.