The audience for webtoon format comics has grown exponentially since the format debuted on the Internet in the early 2000s. Through online platforms such as Tapas and WEBTOON, millions of readers across the globe have explored unique comics created by various writers and artists — easily read through vertical comics on their smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
The world of webtoon comics is filled with fantasy, humor, horror, and just about every genre you can imagine. As a result, there are abundant offerings available on the different platforms, meaning there truly is something for everyone. And in some cases, these stories have made the jump from digital to physical (print book) form. If you’re wondering what some of the best stories are available physically right now and where can you find them, keep reading.
Office Gods
What if the gods of myth were not only real but began living alongside humans and became a permanent part of the world? Office Gods imagines an elitist corporate headquarters called Olympus where gods make major decisions about humanity. Enter Iris, a normal woman who gets hired to work in the department of Hermes and quickly finds herself swept up in godly bureaucracy and rivalries. Along the way, she gets stuck in a love triangle between gods — as she learns that normal office dynamics impact even the highest of beings.
Written by Catharina Octorina and drawn by Hiikariin, Office Gods is a romantic comedy on Tapas that shows even those of a divine nature have the same struggles and battles in day-to-day life in the office. The first volume is available at your LCS, bookstore, or on Amazon!
#Blessed
Written and drawn by M. Victoria Robado, #Blessed tells the story of Joanna Bellman, a Gen Z writer and internet-obsessed individual who struggles to find love. So, she does what any overworked and underloved person would do: signs up for a dating profile. Among the matches on the app include a Pantheon of Gods and Goddess,’ who reveal that one of them will impregnate her and birth a new demigod prophesied to rule the Earth for all time!
Joanna wants nothing to do with the prophecy, but the gods will do everything in their power to ensure it’s fulfilled! A deeply funny WEBTOON, #Blessed captures the feeling of being Gen Z, albeit under very bizarre and godly circumstances. The first volume is available at your LCS, bookstore, or on Amazon!
Everything Is Fine
Sam and Maggie live what’s thought to be normal lives, having a seemingly common existence in a neighborhood filled with people mysteriously wearing cat-like masks that they are unable to remove. But the more Sam and Maggie rebel against larger forces at play, A more the unsettling story unfolds, leading the couple to distrust everyone around them.
The Mike Birchall-written WEBTOON series is not for the squeamish, as its suspenseful, violent storytelling is captivating with each issue revealing what’s actually happening around them — throwing Sam and Maggie’s relationship in the balance as things unravel around them. Volume 1 and 2 are now in print and can be found at your LCS, bookstore, and on Amazon!
Magical Boy
In an epic fantasy story about identity, a high schooler named Max navigates being the descendant of a god of light with an important role to play in taking out an ancient evil, while struggling to tell the truth to his parents that he’s actually a trans man. This all-ages story reveals the highs and lows of Max’s quest to show the world who he truly is, while his mother tries to navigate his destiny — much to the chagrin of the titular Magical Boy.
Magical Boy is a heartwarming tale about learning about and living as who you really are. The Tapas story by the creator known as The Kao has 40+ episodes available on the website and app now. The popularity of the now-concluded series has led to two volumes getting a physical print release!
Batman: Wayne Family Adventures
Tired of the dark adventures of a brooding Batman and his extended family? Batman: Wayne Family Adventures by StarBite and CRC Payne takes everything readers love about the Bat-Family, showcasing The Dark Knight as a father figure who is forced to deal with the hijinks of his biological and adopted children.
Featuring a cast including Jason Todd, Duke Thomas, Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson, Stephanie Brown, and Cassandra Cain, Barbara Gordon, Batman: Wayne Family Adventures gives every hero a chance to shine, while Batman and Alfred are left picking up the hilarious pieces. The slice of life WEBTOON series is a truly amusing and joyful book that captures the essence of what makes the Bat-Family so much fun. Volume 1-5 are now in print and can be found at your LCS, bookstore, and on Amazon!
Red Hood: Outlaws
For those looking for a more action-packed affair starring some fan-favorite DC Comics characters, Red Hood: Outlaws by Nico Bascunan and Patrick R. Young sees Jason Todd lead a team of unlikely heroes alongside Bizarro and Artemis. The trio answers the call of the Justice League to do good across the DC Universe — as they try to step out of the shadows of their former mentors/rivals in Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
Red Hood: Outlaws isn’t afraid to be a little more serious than Batman: Wayne Family Adventures, as its complex heroes are trying to shed their darker pasts in order to do good in the present day. The WEBTOON series has run more than 50 issues and is available for readers to pick up in numerous formats, including in a physical collection from the publisher. Volume 1 and 2 are available now at your LCS, Bookstore, and on Amazon, with Volume 3 coming later this year.
Lore Olympus
Lore Olympus comes from writer and artist Rachel Smythe, reimagining the classic Underworld relationship from The Abduction of Persephone. Starring Persephone, Hades, Hera, Eros, Hecate, Zeus and other gods, the WEBTOON series showcases the mythological story in the romance genre through a contemporary lens. But, the tale isn’t afraid to tackle darker and more mature themes with colorful and spellbinding art.
Lore Olympus is one of WEBTOON’s most-read series ever with significant acclaim — earning Best Webcomic in 2022 and 2023 at the Eisner Awards. After running for more than 280 chapters, the story came to an end earlier this summer. Despite ending, the story has received physical reprints, with the seventh volume coming from Inklore in October.
