Webcomics
When I sent out the note that named Nimona as our next book club pick I mentioned that Nimona was a webcomic. Webcomics are, very simply, a comic that is posted on the internet. Sometimes these comics are picked up by mainstream publishers who collect the comic and print physical copies. Sometimes the comics are contained in one volume like Nimona. Other times it takes multiple volumes like the Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe or Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. Both started out as webcomics and are now enjoying popular print runs, and in the case of Heartstopper, a Netflix adaptation.
You can find webcomics like Stay Still, Stay Silent or Inhibit on their own webpages. The creator(s) could use a webcomic platform like Webtoons or Tapas. Some are long form stories like the ones I mentioned. Other artists post panels on social media such as another one of my favorites, Sarah Anderson.
My point is there are lots of ways to read comics without having to crack open a book. I think webcomics are a great entry point into the format. The art and dialogue move differently when you are scrolling on your phone instead of flipping a page. I appreciate the way creators continuously push boundaries of the traditional comic structure. Online publishing also lets small creators publish their work outside of the traditional framework. One of my favorite online events is the Shortbox Comic Fair, which is a digital comic fair during the entire month of October. So many things to read, so little time!
Bonus Nimona Related Content
ND has a substack newsletter that I read and am always excited to receive in my inbox. In honor of the Netflix adaptation of Nimona, he recently did a deep dive into Nimona. You can read it here. Since selecting it for our next book club meeting, the movie has also been nominated for an Oscar for Feature Animation. So cool!
ND is also married to the insanely talented Molly Knox Ostertag, who is also a cartoonist and writer. She also has a substack where she publishes her work and thoughts. Her current sketchbook series about Sherlock and Watson is just *chef’s kiss* wonderfully fun (yay public domain!). Find her substack here.
Until next time! And I am already looking forward to seeing you all in a month to talk Nimona!
Alyssa