Webcomics in Print: Cucumber Quest

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 August's PREVIEWS catalog for you. August's "Webcomics in Print" column has web series and Kickstarters for fans of all comics. This month fear the High Moon and Solar Flare, catch up on 10 years of Atomic Robo, go on a Cucumber Quest, and more!

High Moon volume 1

The creative team of David Gallaher and Steve Ellis are back with a collection of their latest webcomic, not meant for the faint of heart in High Moon volume 1 (AUG171902). This Harvey Award winning horror western has been re-loaded and re-mastered for its print debut as Bounty Hunter Matthew Macgregor travels to the dusty Texan town of Blest. He’ll find more than he bargained for however, as the nights are haunted by strange creatures who roam the dark looking for their next victim. As Macgregor tangles with the supernatural he’ll have to fight to make it out alive and survive to see the next sunrise. Read more of the series at: www.highmooncomic.com

Solar Flare

The world as we know has been knocked into a dark age, wiping out all electricity and modern technology in one fell swipe as James Haick III and Branko Jovanovic’s webcomic series Solar Flare (AUG171941) begins. The titular solar flare is to blame for the world’s woes, and as chaos begins to spread one father is one a mission to reunite with his daughter. Jake and a group of his friends must set off on a wild quest to find his child Mazzy even as the world goes to hell around them. Read more of this series at: www.solarflarecomic.com 

Atomic Robo Spectre of Tomorrow #1

The long running webcomic Atomic Robo is starting its next print chapter as IDW Publishing brings Atomic Robo Spectre of Tomorrow #1 (AUG170529) to comic shops. Celebrate 10 years of Atomic Robo as we explore how the modern world is treating this 1940’s machine. Setting up shop at the new Tesladyne Institute with Richard Branson on one side and Elon Musk on the other, Robo will find that the 21st Century isn’t as welcoming as he expected – and that with neighbors like these who needs a world war? Read all of Atomic Robo from the beginning here: www.atomic-robo.com

Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom 

An adorable pastiche of classic fantasy and RPG games, D.G. Gigi’s webcomic series Cucumber Quest is coming to print from First Second with its first volume - Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom (AUG171712). This delightfully all-ages graphic novel follows a young boy named Cucumber tasked with defeating the evil Nightmare Knight and saving the world from an evil queen. There’s just one small problem – he doesn’t want to do any of that. As Cucumber and his much more gung-ho sister Almond set out on this heroic quest they’ll have to work together to defeat the Evil Queen Cordelia and restore order to the world. Read Cucumber Quest from the beginning here: www.cucumber.gigidigi.com

As the Crow Files 

Melanie Gillman’s critically acclaimed webcomic series As the Crow Flies (AUG171802) is getting its first print volume with some help from the highly successful Iron Circus Kickstarter. A beautifully illustrated story about adolescence, growing up, and questioning the beliefs you were raised into Gillman is a true talent in the medium of comics. As the main character Charlie explores all of this heart wrenching issues while being stuck at an all-white Christian backpacking camp, readers are drawn into the lush scenery and breathtaking story. Explore more of As the Crow Flies at: www.melaniegillman.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.