It’s Shortbox season!
The reality of being a fan and practitioner of independent comics is that inbetween in-person shows you are often left to surf the arid desert that is the world wide web’s digital comic economy for treasures.
Formally not so arid, and certainly not arid due to a lack of phenomenal work by artists, the world wide web is now overrun with platforms and algorithms that claim to usher in greater access while blocking users from receiving reliable updates from small creators they love.
Add in the harsh reality that many comic creators are so introverted that they unwittingly limit access to their own work, and hunting down digital comics often devolves into a full-time Labyrinth-style quest. Forcing well-meaning fans to solve puzzles and navigate David Bowie goblin king coded misdirections as they trudge through 404 errors, waving fist fulls of cash and begging shy artists to accept money in exchange for comics.
But during the month of October, the Shortbox Comics Fair represents a fleeting oasis in the digital comic space.
An annual, all-digital affair, Shortbox features 100+ new and unseen comics from talented creators across the world.
Without fail, the works are always breathtaking, unique and diverse in both perspective and breadth of creativity. All at prices that are affordable enough for readers to comfortably purchase several different works.
The awesome news is after Shortbox ends, these comics are given back to the creators to do what they please. Many are published, hooray!
The sad news is that many of these comics become >impossible to read< after the fair ends.
So, I am setting out to review as many Shortbox comics as possible before the middle of the month, so that you have time to buy before the end of the month :)
short Shortbox reviews
The cover of A Pretty Good Wizard by Claire Weber
A Pretty Good Wizard by Claire Weber
★★★★★
Read the comic: Here
Follow the author: Website, Instagram
Review: A classic case of correctly judging a book, I was completely taken by Claire’s beautiful Bibilin-esque cartoon cover.
This hilarious 32-page comic is broken up into several small cartoon ‘episodes’ of a teen wizard’s life going to school amongst regular, everyday non-wizards.
Claire’s background in the animation industry shines through in the piece. The work is incredibly punchy and several moments made me laugh out loud.
The design of the wizard character, especially the cool kicks, has inspired me to run out and buy a wizard outfit of my own.
Who is this for: All age comic lovers who want some good fun
What makes it shine: Humor, light-hearted fun and dialed design
A Starladen Stroll by Apoorva Rege
★★★★★
Read the comic: Here
Follow the author: Website, Instagram
Review: Another absolutely beautifully designed world. This 38-page comic spans one quiet and meditative conversation between two individuals as they stroll through a unique and beautiful night.
Apoorva showcases incredible visual storytelling talent by carefully enveloping the two main characters in their own private world, allowing the conversation to feel truly raw and intimate.
Behind the dialogue, Apoorva effortlessly weaves a silent, action-packed show as the characters navigate a mysterious landscape.
The comic is a beautiful melody.
Who is this for: Teen and adult character-based comic fans who love to feel
What makes it shine: Atmosphere and visual story-telling
ALAS by Sajan Rai
★★★★★
Read the comic: Here
Follow the author: Website, Instagram
Review: It has never been a secret that when it comes to independent comics, I like the weird ones. The more the work is filled with strange shaped creatures, unexplained events and non-sequitur gags, the better. And when it’s supported by dialed visuals heavily rooted in a fundamental understanding of design principles?
Game over.
Look at the grain on the blue castle walls.
Look at the gradient on the turquoise behind them.
Look at the choice to put the year in roman numerals.
Look.
Now imagine 20 pages of that.
The gags are funny, the visuals are absolutely masterful and it is genuinely a waste of the equivalent of $4.42 USD to spend it on anything but this comic.
Who is this for: Teen and adult aesthetic cultivators
What makes it shine: Raw artistic skill
Chasing Bloody Mary
★★★★★
Read the comic: Here
Follow the author: Website, Instagram
Review: No surprise, another showstopper!
Darcy Rose Morgan’s Chasing Bloody Mary is a precise and satisfying whirlwind of quirky high schoolers, witty one-liners and compelling spooky mysteries.
Of course, I am a sucker for a spooky story. But what made this comic a true standout was Darcy’s dialed and snappy storytelling. Chasing Bloody Mary is only 34-pages, yet Darcy manages to complete an entire plot, introduce multiple characters and deliver a satisfying ending without breaking a sweat. All supported by beautiful colorwork and action-packed panels.
Chasing Bloody Mary is truly a masterclass in the craft of pacing and editing comics. One of the most skillfully told stories on this list and I really hope you grab a copy!
Who is this for: All ages who love a well written school kid mystery.
What makes it shine: A jam-packed and seamless 34-page masterpiece
Aglæca by Mohnfisch
★★★★★
Read the comic: Here
Follow the author: Website, Instagram
Review: Wow.
You can tell from the cover alone that Mohnfisch has style in spades and they prove it page after page in Aglæca.
This 57-page comic is black, white(and pink!) and a rare instance where the addition of color would detract rather than add. Mohnfisch uses beautiful charcoal strokes that add texture and atmosphere where color is not, and remind me of Ludwig Bemelman’s Madeline combined with the fantastical whimsy of Eyvind Earle. The panels maintain a beautiful sketch-like quality that adds a compelling depth and rawness to the fairytale.
This comic is an absolutely beautiful tapestry and well beyond worth the purchase price, but I was a bit confused when it seemed to end so abruptly. I hope Mohnfisch chooses to continue the story soon!
Who is this for: All ages who love fairytales and beautiful drawings.
What makes it shine: Gorgeous and refined style plus a bonus of very funny horse drawings.
More to come soon!
These all look cool, but what if I don’t buy a comic I like before the end of October?
(A cautionary tale)
I first discovered Shortbox when one of my favorite artists, Liya Weng (more popularly known by the online moniker mochipanko), published their comic Sheep Parade on Shortbox in 2022.
The 32-page comic is an illustrative masterpiece of artistic story telling and haunting atmosphere, all flawlessly etched in pencil. It’s the kind of comic that makes my heart ache from sheer awe of the skill displayed on the page. And even crazier, it’s their first long form comic.
And surely you are wondering:
Wow Mili, Sheep’s Parade sounds absolutely beautiful, how can I buy it?
Well, you can’t.
And surely you’re thinking:
No way, what do you mean I can’t?
I mean, I waited months to book a tattoo appointment with Liya, flew to Coppenhagen, took a 10-hour bus to Hamburg, and walked an hour to Liya’s studio to ask for you, and they said they currently have no plans to publish it.
So please support small independent comics via the Shortbox Comics Fair this October :)
Upcoming small press events:
10/01 - 10/31 - Shortbox Comics Fair - Online only
10/3 - DIY Zine Workshop - Portland, ME
10/4 - First Friday Art Walk - Portland, ME
10/4-10/5 - The New England Art Book Fair - Space Gallery, Portland, ME
10/4-12/31 - O LAR Exhibition - Lewis Gallery, Portland, ME
10/19 - Watertown Zine Fest - Watertown, MA
10/26 - Saturday Afternoon Cartoons with Isabella Rotman - Portland Public Library, ME
11/16 - The Non-Fiction Comics Festival - Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT