Webcomics in Print: The Tea Dragon Society

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 June's PREVIEWS catalog for you. June's "Webcomics in Print" column has web series and Kickstarters for fans of all comics. This month relax and take a sip with the Tea Dragon Society, break the 25 year hiatus with new Bloom County, pull a punch with Sexcastle, and more!

Bloom County: Brank Spanking New Day

Over 25 years after Berkeley Breathed’s classic comic strip left newspapers, Bloom County returned on Facebook with all new content and the same refreshing attitude that made it a hit and now IDW Publishing is collecting the new content in Bloom County: Brand Spanking New Day (JUN170540). As Opus, Bill the Cat, Steve Dallas, and the whole motley crew of Bloom County residents make up for lost time with zany adventures that haven’t skipped a beat, fans will love following up with the crazy characters they grew up with.

Sexcastle

Kyle Starks' Eisner-nominated graphic novel is back with an all-new 6 by 9 inch version of the over the top 80’s action homage, Sexcastle (JUN170703). First debuting as a successful Kickstarter project, this black-and-white digest packs a punch as Shane Sexcastle – formerly the World’s Greatest Assassin – takes on the fools who think they can run him out of retirement. The perfect mixture of Die Hard, Road House, and 80’s era wrestling, Sexcastle is an unforgettable combination of laughs and torn off limbs.

Sun Bakery Fresh Collection

The Kickstarter sensation Sun Bakery is getting its first collection from Image Comics with Sun Bakery Fresh Collection (JUN170708). Corey Lewis’ frenetic and colorful work was an instant online hit, mixing mecha-suits, social status swordplay, magic jackets, and more into an engaging miasma that mesmerized readers. Featuring the three completed stories: Dream Skills, Arem, and Layered Jacket, plus supplementary artwork from the Sun Bakery magazine this is a collection that fans of Brandon Graham, Ron Wimberly, and Paul Pope won’t want to miss. 

The Tea Dragon Society

Katie O’Neill is following up the blockbuster success of her award-winning series Princess Princess Ever After with another webcomic brought to print from Oni Press, The Tea Dragon Society (JUN171831). This delightful all-ages tale follows Greta, an apprentice in a family of blacksmiths as she stumbles upon a small dragon in the market who she saves and returns to its owner. It’s there that Greta discovers the world of tea dragons and their sweet yet eccentric owners. As she becomes closer to a young girl under the care of the tea master, Greta will learn how to help her new friend and that tea shared between friends always tastes sweeter. Read the serialized Tea Dragon Society online at: http://teadragonsociety.com/ 

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Andrea Purcell is a Web Content Writer for PREVIEWSworld.com and a part-time assistant to busy comic creators. Her favorite past times are singing karaoke at comic conventions and memorizing obscure trivia about random pop culture.