#1. 8-Bit Theater
By: Brian (Kurosen) Clevinger
Chosen for obvious reasons, 8-Bit Theater gets the top spot by being the inspiration behind my work. I have every respect for this guy's work, and will do everyhing I can to avoid ripping him off. If you've never read it before, I have no idea how. 8-Bit Theater updates twice weekly and, by my record, may be the funniest webcomic out there.
#2. Real Life
By: Greg (Sagus) Dean
Real Life has to be one of the most off the wall webcomics out there. It's funny, and if it was done any other way, probably wouldn't make sense. I'd have to say that the creative genius behind Real Life has very interesting stories to tell. This webcomic usually updates every weekday, with a four-panel color strip. If you're a fan of sprite comics, I still suggest you go read this.
#3. Penny Arcade
By: Mike (Gabriel) Krahulik and Jerry (Tycho) Holkins
Ah, Penny Arcade, perhaps the most linked-to webcomic ever. It serves as a common voice for the downtrodden gamer, and is, like most of my favorite webcomics, funny as hell. This one's a little less "polite" than the top two webcomics, but that's part of the charm. Penny Arcade updates three times a week, usually in three-panel color format. Even people who don't like webcomics like Penny Arcade. Go and see why.
#4. RPG World
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By: Ian Jones-Quartey
In the hotly-contested foruth place race on my links page, RPG World beat out the others because of it's excellent timing. Every time I needed a funny comic, it was funny. Those few times I needed a serious comic, it was serious. Plus the bonus points for being an RPG comic, and we have a winner. RPG World updates three times weekly, in very well defined black-and white. If it weren't for the fact that it's in comic format, I could have easily mistaken it for the script of an actual RPG. And it takes a lot to fool me.
#5. River City High
By: Patrick (Tokumei) Schulteis
River City High, in the creator's own words is, "The other sprite comic that doesn't suck." Given, he was referring to a much more popular sprite comic at the time, but hey, mine's not too bad. I gave this one the number five spot because it introduced me to one of my newest favorite games, River City Ransom. Given, it's like ten years old, It's still a solid game. This sprite comic is updated about 3 times a week and is in color. (I've yet to see a black-and-white sprite comic) Should be visited for incredible action, better than any I've seen in any webcomic, sprite or otherwise.
#6. Acid Reflux
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By: Emily and Dan
This is a comic I stumbled into a short while ago, and I was insanely impressed with the sheer volume of comics in the archive. It nearly killed me to read them all in one day. It' well drawn, has significant plot, and is funny. As far as I can tell, it was a daily, but recently (as of May 26) they've stopped updating. On average, a comic's four panels long, and black and white. I gave this one its spot for excellent continuity, story and characters. It's got pretty much everything. Expect this to go higher when the site's back up to speed.
#7. Bob & George
By: David Anez
If you ever wondered where those million megaman sprite comics, this is their inspiration. However, unlike most, this one is very well done, and often funny. It's often considered to be one of the oldest sprite comics out there. But, I wouldn't chose a comic to be on my top ten because of history alone. Gaming humor always scores big with me, and I used to be a fan of the older megaman games, which the mention quite often. It's a daily sprite comic, and I do mean EVERY day. It's in color (duh) and usually four panels long. Plus, often contains obscure logic about the game. Still, the best reason to visit Bob & George is the characters. Each is their own distinct (and goofy) person.
#8. Oldskooled
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By: Scott Schrader
Oldskooled is one of those rare comics that defy description. I really can't think of a way to explain the unusual nature of his sprite comic. It uses sprites from pretty much every nintendo game you can imagine, and uses them in the most unusual fashion. It doesn't adhere to any usual updating pattern, so it's a turkey shoot there. The comic's usually four panels long, in (gasp) color, and mixes the multiple sprite styles in a near artistic way. Be warned anyone who clicks this link. the comic could contain material on pretty much any offensive subject you could consider. So far I've counted six. If the guy running the site updated more often, I'd be tempted to put it higher. I really can't get across the idea of the site. The only way to be sure is to see for yourself.
#9. Sinfest
By: Tatsuya Ishida
Sinfest is a pretty little webcomic with some accurate social obsevations, and enough blasphemy to send the pope into convulsions. It's a drawn comic, and drawn in a unique way. But, it's not the drawings that make this webcomic, it's the writing. Sinfest is written in a very bold way, but done sensitively enough to avoid offending readers too much. It's a daily comic, in black and white, and there's a new one up every day. Including sundays. Don't be fooled by the Calvin and Hobbes-looking main character. He's all man, and intends on proving it as soon as Monique stops laughing at him.
#10. Farmboy
By: Conrad Furza and Jennifer Bruck
Who would have thought that a farming game could have bred such a crude romp through the life of a rural entrapreneur? Well, whoever it was deserves one heck of a prize! This is another comic that uses offensive material to achieve humor in a sprite based environment. It doesn't seem like the other sprite comics, though. In fact, I don't think the game's plot has been approched at all. They're just using the sprites to communicate a twisted view of the world. Farmboy is updated three times a week, though (as of May 26) the site's been catching up to almost a whole month of comics missed. Usually in six-panel format, and in color. Keep a close eye on this one. The authors are very involved with their comic, and run the keensprite drop-down. Also, I really can't get enough of the women of the comic. It's almost too much.
The contents of this website are property of John Redman. The individual images are original property of Square. Their use is intended as a tribute.