When you look at the sheer range and number of original stories being told in comics form today, it’s hard to imagine a better time to be a comics reader. Online and in print, from all around the world, artists and writers are telling stories with their own voices and styles, and there’s so much to choose from that it’s sometimes difficult to know what to read next. With Should I Be Reading… ?, ComicsAlliance hopes to offer you a guide to some of the best original ongoing comics being published today.

Questionable Content is a slice-of-life webcomic by Jeph Jacques, set a few minutes into the future. Debuting August 2003, the series follows the lives of a group of twenty-somethings finding love, starting bands, and doing everything you do when you're discovering life in your twenties. Also, there are robots.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

Questionable Content follows the adventures of Marten, his anthropomorphic sentient robot (AnthroPC) Pintsize, and all of their friends. With over 3,000 strips thus far, the cast has spiraled to include dozens and dozens of characters who come in out of the story with the regularity of real life.

 

qc3
loading...

 

Plots include bonding over World of Warcraft; a visit to a space station run by an AI in love with a human; the collateral damage that occurs after a long time relationship ends; the harm of untreated alcoholism; the trials of a band that has no talent (and no trials); the mystery of a roaming pizza-themed vigilante; what to do when your dominatrix mom starts dating again; and everything in between.

WHO'S IT BY?

Jeph Jacques, a professional web comic artist. Best known for Questionable Content, he has written many other web comics, including spec fic series Alice Grove, and he's the creative force behind Deathmøle, a virtual band starring characters from Questionable Content.

Occasional guests strips feature comics by creators such as Christopher Hastings of Dr McNinja, Ryan North of Dinosaur Comics, and Sam Logan of Sam & Fuzzy, among others.

 

qc1
loading...

 

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?

Jacques infuses his characters with irresistible charm and undeniable flaws. No one is quote-unquote "perfect." The characters deal with depression, anxiety, alcoholism, OCD, an inability to express their emotions, jealousy, cheating, and everything else that comes along with being human --- even when the characters aren’t actually human.

One of the most beautiful parts is that a large part of the cast are not cishet, and they’re never treated as “others” for it. Being queer in the comic is just as accepted as having a robotic arm or liking pizza.

In addition, with thousands of strips and no signs of stopping, it's a wonderful and comforting time sink.

 

qc2
loading...

 

WHO SHOULD READ IT?

Hipsters. People too cool to call themselves hipsters. Cafe workers. People who belong to a terrible band that they know isn't good, but love all the same. Sentient robots. Anyone who loved Friends but thought it was a little too cishet.

WHERE CAN I READ IT?

Available at QuestionableContent.net. Volumes #1-5 are available at Topotaco, Amazon.com, and better comic book stores.

 

More From ComicsAlliance