It’s the online comics event of the year: Shortbox online comics festival is upon us, for the month of October ONLY.
These are pretty specific to my own tastes, but there are a huge variety of genres, vibes and stories from some of the most exciting comics creators around, really showing off the incredible possibilities of the medium.
There are a LOT more I want to get and read, but wanted to shout out a few I’ve read and particularly enjoyed so far, while they’re still available…
1. FANTASY-ISH: Magical, vibey / dreamy (and queer)
Mythic, historical, romantic-feeling
Just beautiful colouring in a way that really serves this dreamy, emotional story, where someone lives in the wake of their divine partner leaving the earth.
Blade of the Fane / Theo Stultz
Last year this artist did ‘A Quiet End to the Mundane Age’ - both are very atmospheric, slow-paced historical-ish romance/ fantasy, which took me a bit to really get into, and then I LOVED. Once it’s in the swing, the romance is just 2 people drawn to each other that works great, and the dramatic moments hit SO hard. Also just some incredible swords and buildings and colours.
The creator also made an amazing retro looking trailer I truly can’t get over. Should I learn animation? I have plenty of time for that, right?
Compelling, emotional storytelling
Curtain falling / Marty Tina G
Someone is stuck in a fairytale dream that isn’t all it seems. This artist makes lesbian comics with just really good plots. A really good demonstration of how you don’t need every panel to be intricate to tell a compelling story, and another comic that makes me want to drop everything and change my style completely.
Home by the rotting sea / Otava Heikkilä
Two women sent to live with giants adapt to a new life. I think one of my new favourites of Otava’s comics. He has such an interesting, singular voice, unlike anything else I’ve read, and so emotional. Gorgeous and heartfelt and brutal. A beautiful, slow exploration about community, climate and conflict.
Abstract, visual-focused, futuristic
Death fiddles and we dance / Deb JJ Lee
The main character wakes up hundreds of years after their planet was destroyed, on a scavenger ship that’s preserving the life inside. The panelling gets almost totally abstract in a really interesting way that stays admirably readable. Beautiful and decorative
Clair de Lune / Xulia Vicente
The way this comic and colours are done - going in and out of B&W - makes the music feel incredibly magical!! What a powerful visual representation of music!!
I loved the accompanying playlist, too. I played clarinet in orchestras for many years before having health difficulties - so this very visual, at times quite abstract comic was very close to my heart.
2. OTHER GENRES!
HORROR. DISTURBING
Impasto / SJ Miller
You want to read a messed up comic? Have I got the one for you. Edwardian house, homoerotic vibe, really well-crafted story, incredibly disturbing horror.
FUN AND SILLY
Pretty good wizard / Claire Weber
Great. Just really good. Everyone should read this. horseshoe crab is my new favourite character ever
Hearth’s haunting / Jean Wei
Sweet! Comforting! He’s just been through a breakup! AND HIS STOVE IS HAUNTED!
Alas / Sajan Rai
Sajan makes incredibly funny comics full of the most awful little guys you’ve ever seen. Fun but not in a cosy/ comforting way, more “warning (/ advertising) for gore and shakespeare snacking on teeth”.
Last on this list, but the one I IMMEDIATELY went to buy and read first, and it did NOT disappoint. Sajan is one of my favourite artists, and I’m not sure it’s fair that he’s so good at comics, too.
