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In these uncertain times, it’s easy to feel gloomy and dejected. The world seems to be experiencing one tragedy after another, and many of us are still struggling to keep safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be hard to find a reason to be joyful in the middle of so much chaos. If you’re looking for a bit of levity, however, look no further—comedy comics can serve as the perfect escape.
While many comics focus on superhero dramatics, romance, or weighty melodrama, there are just as many that lean toward lighter storylines and happier characters. These 5 comedy comics from a variety of different mediums will serve to cheer you up and give you a laugh even in the darkest of times.
1. Yumi’s Cells
Yumi is a normal 32-year old office worker. She’s shy, has a crush on one of her colleagues, and also has a small army of blue-hooded cells inside of her rooting for her happiness. It’s kinda like Pixar’s Inside Out, only there’s a cell in Yumi’s body to help decide her every emotion, action, and desire.
Yumi’s Cells, written and drawn by Donggeon Lee, is a slice-of-life comic. The English description for the story is “A story of Yumi and her brain cells,” which is quite apt. This is also why it works as an amazing comedy comic. The story is simple, giving you room to focus on the cell’s shenanigans (of which there are many). Whether it’s Naughty Cell constantly being controlled by the other cells, or the mere existence of Fishing Cell, Yumi’s Cells will find a way to make you smile.
The series, which started in 2015, is still ongoing and updates every Wednesday on Webtoon. The English translation is currently approaching it’s 500th episode, meaning there’s a lot of Yumi and her cells to go around. Don’t be intimidated, though. The episodes are short and easy to follow, making this a good comedy comic to read whenever you have a bit of free time.
2. Doom Patrol
If there was ever a comic that was hard to describe, it would be Doom Patrol. Partly because of how many stories fall under the name and how many characters have been associated with it, but also because it’s just weird. The series is known for it’s zany characters (such as Danny, who has been a sentient street, brick, ambulance, and even world at times), and unconventional plot.
Doom Patrol is a fair bit darker than the other comedy comics on this list, dealing with themes of trauma and existentialism. Regardless, Doom Patrol manages to be a comedy comic because of its genius intermingling of humor and outlandishness with serious topics. When you read Doom Patrol you might not be sure whether to laugh or cry at times, an indicator of the unique type of comedy comic Doom Patrol manages to be.
If Doom Patrol sounds like your type of comedy comic, Gerard Way’s Doom Patrol run can be a clean starting point. Grant Morrison’s Doom Patrol is another great starting point, and his writing on the series is widely considered successful. There’s also the Doom Patrol show, which wonderfully captures the nature of the comics.
3. Freaking Romance
Humor can be found anywhere, especially when it comes to romantic (or not-so-romantic) endeavors. This is certainly the case for Zylith, who has detested romance her entire life. In Freaking Romance, Zylith finds herself at the center of romance when she moves out on her own and attempts to make it as an artist. Her plan is to win an online contest to create a romance comic, but before that she needs to figure out how the whole romance thing even works.
Despite being focused primarily on romance, Freaking Romance is also hilariously self-aware. Make no mistake—Freaking Romance is just as much a comedy comic as it is a romance. The characters are constantly making jokes to keep the story light, and sometimes Zylith even breaks the fourth wall to make funny remarks about the author or how the story is proceeding.
Freaking Romance is a bit more intense than the other comedy comics on this list, but it still deserves the title of comedy comic nonetheless. If you’re looking for a more narrative-focused story with a dash of mature themes, Freaking Romance might be a comedy comic for you. You can find it on Webtoon, where it has around 60 episodes.
4. My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!
Have you ever played an otome game before? A cheesy simulator in which your primary goal is to win the hearts of the characters? Catarina Claes has, at least in her previous life. In her current life, she lives in what was once her favorite otome game, “Fortune Lover.” Here’s the twist: she was reincarnated into the villain of the game, and now she has to find out how to avoid the various endings that feature her dead or exiled.
The summary might sound a bit dramatic, but My Next Life is anything but. Its humor comes from the fact that Catarina’s actions lead her to be loved by the game’s characters rather quickly, saving her from any sort of danger from them. Yet Catarina, in her obsession with avoiding her “bad ends,” is entirely oblivious to this.
This series can admittedly be a bit confusing to get into. Originally a light novel, the first season of an anime adaptation aired early this year in April (and another season is planned for 2021). There are also two mangas attached to the series, both featuring incredibly similar names. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is the manga based directly on the light novel, ongoing since 2018. The other manga, My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Desperate Situation! On the Verge of Doom, features a slight twist in the story by having Catarina recall her memories later in life.
Every adaptation of the series is enjoyable and has its own merits. If you’re looking for a comedy comic in particular, however, then My Next Life‘s manga adaptations are for you! The art is beautiful, the stakes are low, and Catarina is sure to steal your heart just as she steals the hearts of every other character.
5. Archie
You probably know Archie from the CW’s hit show Riverdale, but have you ever read the comics? As successful as Riverdale is, its source material has not received the same level of attention. This is unfortunate considering that recent Archie comics are imaginative, light, and the perfect comedy comic.
First, erase whatever image you have in mind of the red-headed American icon whose digests are sometimes found at the check-out counters of your local grocery store. In 2015, the franchise saw a reboot that completely changed Archie comics. Written by Mark Waid and drawn by Fiona Staples and Veronica Fish, the 2015 Archie reboot reimagines Archie, Betty, and Veronica in a more mature story targeted toward teenagers and young adults. The art is less cartoonish, the references are decidedly more modern, but the characters are as iconic as ever.
Don’t worry, Archie comics aren’t as soapy and dramatic as Riverdale can be. You won’t find an edgy Jughead or any extensive murder mysteries (although mysteries in general are certainly present!). The reboot even sees the fourth wall being broken, first by Archie and later by Jughead. Archie is a comedy comic at its core and it won’t let you forget that.
If you’re interested in comedy comics, Waid’s Archie is the perfect pick. The follow-up series is Nick Spencer’s Archie, which continues Waid’s run on the series and is just as enjoyable and comedic. If you find yourself wanting even more Riverdale, there’s also a plethora of spin-off series focused on characters whose names aren’t Archie’s. The Archie universe is one full of comedy comics to lift your spirits!
What’s Next?
There is no strict definition for what a comedy comic looks like or what kind of comedy it is meant to contain. Ultimately, it is up to you to figure out what comics make you laugh and give you joy. Hopefully this list has helped you find something new to read or has given you an idea of what kind of comedy comics you enjoy. There is definitely a comedy comic out there for everyone, whether it’s pure fluff or more of a darker adventure!