2021 Webcomic Roundup: September is for the Whimsical and the Bittersweet
September’s theme includes fantasy stories that feel bittersweet and or whimsical. Here, you’ll find stories about enchanted forests, discovering yourself in magical schools, the feeling of giving love to others and not receiving it yourself, and more. The 14 webcomics featured in this post are from WebToon and Tapas.*
I love Fall. For me, the season represents the bittersweet transition from those Summer days to the magical changes. Leaves turning crispy and creating a colorful carpet below. The cool days leading to pumpkins, hayrides, and settling near a campfire. Autumn brings to mind stories about discovering the magic within yourself. Below are 14 webcomics that relate to these feelings and more. Here we go!
After arriving home from a convention, Eddie can’t find her luggage in the airport’s baggage reclaim area. She finds it at the lost and found, but then she’s transported (from literally inside her luggage) to another world. Three others, also having lost something important to them, join her and navigate a world where people live and sleep inside their backpacks, suitcases, etc.
I love the premise of Luggage. It’s a narrative about the physical and emotional baggage we carry. Season 1 is complete, but I’m desperate for future episodes.
Find more webcomics by Black creators here.
House of Stars by saltacuentos & Lion Illustration (Completed)
Lily braves through the forest to search for the missing girls from her town. She finds herself in a fantastical world where the Queen challenges her to a quest.
If you like Pan’s Labyrinth or anything by Neil Gaiman, you’ll likely enjoy this.
An adaptation of the Hades and Persephone myth. Unlike the world above, the gods of Olympus live among modern technology and luxury. Persephone moves there to attend University, but an incident at a party leads her to Hades.
For me, this is definitely one of the well constructed and nuanced webcomics I’ve ever come across. Rachel wonderfully handles sexual trauma and toxic relationships with sensitivity and grace. And that says a lot as I’m not that big on retellings of Greek myths.
Check out Jamie Sugah’s review of this astonishing webcomic!
CW: rape and sexual assault
Small Blessings by Whitherling (Completed)
In an old apartment building, a tiny house-spirit befriends the human woman who lives with them. Reading this feels like settling down for the night with a cup of tea.
Also, check out the creator’s other webcomic, Crumbs.
Für Elise by Korichire (Creator’s site is unavailable)
Lee Yunsol aims to participate in the doll festival. But then she gets into an accident and ends up in a coma. Her childhood friend Yoon Taewoo eventually encounters a walking talking doll. It turns out that this doll contains Yunsol’s soul. The two work together to figure out how to return her soul to her body. A bittersweet webcomic about missed opportunities and reconciliation.
The first five episodes are available to read for free on Manta.
Roam: Daybreak by joicroud (Completed) (Creator’s site is unavailable)
Dawn, the only survivor of the attack that had demolished her home, appears after being reported missing. She wants to know what had happened and why she’s alive, so she searches for Platform, the one who had destroyed her home. This webcomic is a well-executed gem with unexpected narrative turning points.
Also, there’s a companion sequel (ongoing), Roam: Stray.
Embers by Hoodie Song & Jiwo
A short story webcomic about an aspiring wizard attempting to construct her first golem. A gorgeous story with an even lovelier ending.
If I were to describe this webcomic to someone, I’d say whimsical and wholesome. A fairy tale within a fairy tale.
In a Victorian-inspired world, a young man named Frederick is accused of murder and imprisoned. There, he meets the criminal in the cell next to him, a criminal who helps him to escape. However, this criminal might as well have his ulterior motives behind helping Frederick.
CW: murder (onscreen)
Getting kidnapped is the last thing on Vector’s mind when thinking about leaving his sheltered life to see the world. The bounty hunter who had abducted him suspects he’s a criminal. But Vector hasn’t even done anything wrong. Along with a cartographer and other travel companions, he sets off to return home and reunite with his adopted mother. I admire the intriguing worldbuilding and fun characterization in this one.
A gorgeous webcomic with imaginative worldbuilding. The prologue and chapter introductions are poetic. In a glass castle lives a King and Queen and their daughter. Then the daughter betrays her kingdom. What will happen to the realm’s future?
Alec’s ability to see marks that match soulmates leads him to a request from a friend. Alec is able to help out in finding other people’s soulmates, but he can’t help but feel left out. When will he be able to find love and happiness for himself? I’m digging the character dynamics in this story.
Seastar Crossed Lovers by Beeaskew
Aquacetrian Prince Adam (a merman) doesn’t want to go ahead with an arranged marriage, so he goes to the surface with his friends to seek a bride. He has one human on his mind, a young woman named Ruth who is visiting the seaside town for a funeral. After saving her from a near drowning incident, he feels a connection between them, and he wants to find her and take her into the sea as his bride.
I admire the racial representation (main characters are Black, even the Aquacetrians and androids) in this webcomic. The non-humans aren’t there for shock value (i.e., torture). Plus, the humor, storytelling, and character dynamics are impressive.
Find more webcomics by Black creators here.
Welcome to Cosmos School of Spells, where there are even bigger problems than magical mishaps and hexes. Than gets caught drawing images of his crush in his notebook, amplifying his fears of being outed. Other characters cope with their mental health or figuring out their gender or sexual orientation.
Webcomics I’ve Reviewed This Month:
Beware of Toddler by George Gant
Room of Swords by Toonimated (Tara & Julian)
Webcomics by Black Creators to Check Out
Have you read any good webcomics lately (they don’t have to fit this month’s theme)? Feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
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For more great webcomic recommendations, check out our Wednesday Webcomics archives! Plus, check out my previous webcomic roundups here.
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*My mentioning of any platforms on this post is unsponsored.
Author: Bradda M.
Bradda M. currently lives in Virginia. He teaches ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) at a public school and spends his free time reading and watching movies each night with his partner. For The Geekiary, he writes about webcomics and SFF media.
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