Webcomics in Print: Bloom County, Boo, and More

by Andrea Purcell

Are you glued to your computer screen reading webcomics? Looking for an excuse to get out of the house? Have no fear, your favorite webcomics may already be at your local comic shop! Webcomics are more popular than ever, and comic publishers are taking notice. As an introduction to new creators and fun characters, they are bringing fans to the medium and invading comic book stores. From fantasy to comedy with detours through the strange and surreal, these digital stories are unique looks at what small press creators are making. 

There’s a bit of everything online and we’ve endeavored to bring you the best of what’s available. From Kickstarter projects, web series, and more, webcomics are a unique medium where the only uniting factor is being on the Internet. We’ve listed a few below, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. There really is something for everyone in the wide world of webcomics.

The Internet is full of great comics, and we’ve pulled the best from the July PREVIEWS catalog for you. July's "Webcomics in Print" column has web series and Kickstarters for fans of all comics, including the return of Bloom County, the CBLDF's latest Kickstarter, and the cutest dog in the world!

Bloom County Episode XI A New Hope

For the first time in more than 25 years Berkely Breathed brought back everyone’s favorite penguin to his Facebook page and now fans can get their own print copy of the new strips from IDW Publishing. Bloom County Episode XI A New Hope (JUL160568) reunites Opus, Milo, Bill the Cat, Steve Dallas, Cutter John, and more fan favorite characters for all new adventures that are sure to delight new and longtime fans. Full of all the witty satire readers love, these strips pick up right where Breathed left off and are a welcome addition to the world of Bloom County. Read more of the new Bloom County on the official Facebook page. 

Boo The World's Cutest Dog #1

Move over Grumpy Cat, it’s time for another internet famous animal to make their way to comics! The world’s cutest dog is getting his own miniseries from Dynamite Entertainment and fans of fun and fluff won’t want to miss out. Boo The World’s Cutest Dog #1 (JUL161469) follows the everyday adventures of Boo and his canine companions Buddy and Blueberry Pie as they create cuteness wherever they go. From raiding the treat drawer to accidently becoming a movie star and even crashing an eight year old's birthday party, you never know what wild escapades Boo will get into next! See more Boo and his animal friends on his official Facebook page. 

She Changed Comics

The highly successful CBLDF Kickstarter project She Changed Comics (JUL160793) is coming to comic shops thanks to Image Comics. Delving into the history of women in comics, this book travels from the golden age all the way to the present highlighting the importance women have made on the genre of comics. With glimpses into early groundbreaking artists like Jackie Ormes and Nell Brinkley to the rise of Wimmen’s Comics and artists like Trina Robbins, to modern era writers like Gail Simone who deconstructed the tropes used on female characters. Featuring a look at over 60 women who worked to change the landscape of comics, this retrospective is a must have for any fan of the medium. 

Crazy is the New Normal

2016 is a year that will go down in the history books, and Tom Tomorrow’s satirical webcomics are here to help us through the encroaching apocalypse. IDW Publishing is bringing This Modern World back to comic shops with the new collection, Crazy is the New Normal (JUL160582). This softcover contains strips from 2013 to 2016 and nothing is safe from Tomorrow’s biting pen. If you’re looking for a politically correct and balanced look at the presidential race, look elsewhere! This Modern World takes no prisoners and gives no excuses when it comes to a hard look at American lunacy. Read more of This Modern World at: http://thismodernworld.com/

Combat Jacks #1 Directors Cut

Space marines meet classic horror in the latest Kickstarter turned print comic from Banana Tale Press. Combat Jacks #1 Directors Cut (JUL161305) takes readers to the 23^rd century as a space marine squad is sent to explore the colony of Maia due to the disappearance of prison terraformers. What they find is shocking, the terraformers have over oxygenated the planet and now the vegetation is attacking the colony! The marines must band together to stop the pumpkin-like vegetation from destroying Maia before the entire planet becomes one giant flytrap.