Do you love reading comics but dread their cost at your local comic shop? Comics can sometimes be expensive but don’t always need to be. A comic fan can read thousands of free comics online and fall in love with exciting stories. Here are ten websites where you can find your next free comic obsession.
If you are looking to get your fix of Batman or Spider-Man, stick to the shops. These free comics are by independent creators unaffiliated with giant publishers. With that said, there are some exceptions we’ll get into as we move down the list.
10. WebComics App
WebComics App is a website and mobile app containing hundreds of Japanese and Korean comics of various genres. It’s a good foray into free online comics and is a great way to discover stuff to read.
The website and integrated app feature an account system to manage subscriptions and tip creators. You will also need an account to read past specific points in some comic archives. The website is similar to other platforms further down the list, like Tapas and Webtoon. The comics are presented in the Korean manhwa or “scroll style,” making most of the comics excellent reads on your phone.
Most of the comics on the website skew heavily toward manga and manhwa fandom, and the most popular comics tend to be a variation of LGBTQ-friendly romance. Some comics stand out, as the website has a creative incentive program.
Some comics to get you started include Million Dollar Sugar Baby, Rosebuds, and Blaze. You can discover even more comics at webcomicsapp.com.
9. Reddit
Believe it or not, Reddit is an excellent source for comics to read, thanks to various subreddits. Hundreds of creators post their work to significant subreddits like r/comics to get some eyes on their work. That means free reading for Redditors.
Reddit’s largest comic subreddit, r/Comics, focuses more on comic strips and gag-a-day material. Competition is fierce, and some users have built quite a reputation for delivering funny comics beloved by the community. Users like Pizzacakecomic and Jason Poland consistently garner vast upvotes from their beloved comics.
However, other comic subreddits exist. A search for comics opens up multiple communities across Reddit. You’ll never know what you might find, such as r/GraphicNovels and r/WholesomeComics. However, r/Comics is still your best bet for original new works to read for free.
8. Digital Comics Museum
If you feel more old-school in your reading preferences, look at the Digital Comics Museum, an archival project of free and public-domain Golden Age comics. This community-based collection features scans of classic comics from the earliest days of the art form, all 100% free.
While the website may not be the most elaborately designed among the list of free comics websites, it is more about the volume of material. The Digital Comics Museum is a record of the history of comics. It features everything from iconic public domain characters to hilarious examples of some of the insanity of the early days of comic publishing.
Collections on the site are organized broadly by the publisher and feature different titles and issues therein. A handy search feature can also help you find particular characters and stories. You’ll need an account to download the comics, but accounts are free.
Looking for an insane story to read? Try Stardust, The Super Wizard, by Fletcher Hanks. More of his particular brand of weirdness is available at digitalcomicsmuseum.com.
7. Hoopla
Hoopla is an exception to the earlier idea that these accessible online sources for comics don’t include DC or Marvel fare. Hoopla is a digital library utilized by public libraries all over the US. It is quite like going to a library and checking out a comic from the shelves.
Hoopla allows users to borrow media of all kinds, but for our purposes, it also has a solid comic library. Hoopla has archives of comics and manga, from giant names to more obscure titles, all 100% free. You just need an account with your local library. Comics are added daily, ranging from Archie to Batman to Spider-Man.
The website also features many categories for comic fans and curated collections of authors, characters, and themes. For example, for Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead fans, Hoopla has all 30+ volumes of the series and spinoffs.
Starting your journey with Hoopla? Consider checking out the 2023 Eisner Award-winning comics in the collection, including Nightwing, Do A Powerbomb, and Something is Kill the Children. These Eisner award-worthy comics and more are at hoopladigital.com.
6. Webtoon
Much like the earlier WebComics App, Webtoon is another account-based website allowing users to create their comics and read and support community comics. The site is virtually identical but gets an edge over the former regarding design.
Webtoon’s creator program, Webtoon Canvas, allows creators to share their work with an eager audience and fosters competition. The website interface also has daily spotlights based on comic ratings and trends, allowing for constantly discovering new comics to read.
However, one thing to consider is that Webtoon pushes their app pretty hard, as most comics on the website feature a scrolling format. So, some comics may be initially limited to the app, at least temporarily. Also, Tapas tends to push comics produced by the website, meaning some community comics can take longer to find. However, Webtoon has an official Batman comic with an interesting twist.
As for where to start on Webtoon, consider the following comics: The Lone Necromancer, Renata Tate: Goddess for Hire, and Solid State. If you are not feeling those, just browse any genre at webtoons.com/en/, and you’re sure to find something.
5. Tapas
Tapas is a website similar to our first entry on the list, WebComics App. And no, we’re not talking about a delightful snack in Spanish cuisine either. Tapas is a webcomic site that heavily features Japanese and Korean-style scrolling comics but also features a strong creator incentive program, resulting in a more extensive variety of comics overall.
Tapas comics include translated Korean imports, user-contributed comics, and Tapas Originals. Tapas Originals are comics created for Tapas by users who have proven consistently popular on the site and represent some of the best comics. In addition, like similar sites, you can register an account to bookmark comics and tip creators for their hard work.
In addition to comics, Tapas also presents online novels that are just as diverse as their comic offerings. As far as genres are concerned, romance comics are top-rated, ranging from general romance to fantasy romance. If LGBTQ+ themes are more interesting to you, there are also gay and lesbian-focused stories.
Looking for some comics to get you started on Tapas? Try Melancholy, Daughter of a Thousand Faces, or Crime Puzzle. Or, start browsing the thousands of comics available directly on tapas.io.
4. Comic Fury
Comic Fury is one of the older websites on the list featuring a community of comic creators sharing their passion. You can find comics of all kinds on Comic Fury and even register an account to build a list of easy bookmarks.
Comic Fury is an exciting choice as a host for free comics to read online because it makes no editorial claims on comics, unlike sites like Tapas and Webtoon. Those websites have stricter content guidelines that influence what comics find success on those platforms, while community interests more or less regulate Comic Fury - resulting in some more daring comics in many cases.
Interestingly enough, many of the most popular comics are fan comics, with many being Pokemon-themed. However, if you are not into Pokemon, there are countless other comics in other genres to enjoy. There are also plenty of other fandom-driven comics as well, depending on where your interests lie.
Want to get started with Comic Fury? Some suggested reads include Rabbit on the Moon, Tales from Alderwood, and Mega Maiden. From there, consider registering for an account and building your list of comic subscriptions at comicfury.com.
3. The Duck Webcomics
Like the preceding entry, Comic Fury, The Duck Webcomics is a community-driven comic site with many hidden gems and one of the list's oldest and longest-running webcomic sites. This old-school webcomic community has persisted for nearly twenty years and has countless free comics.
The Duck Webcomics is funded and run by the community and primarily takes a hands-off approach to content, meaning there is a broader array of comic types compared to portals like Tapas and Webtoon. The community also includes weekly spotlights to showcase new and rising comics, a consistent top ten feature, and a display of the latest comic updates on the hour.
Comics on the site can range from gag-based comics to longer-form narratives, and genre filters can help you narrow down many options. The website even features a podcast of creators sharing thoughts and recommendations for reading comics.
Are you looking to get started on The Duck Webcomics? Try these comics: Charby the Vampirate, Familiar, and Lauren Ipsum. Beyond those three, even more comics are available at theduckwebcomics.com.
2. Global Comix
Global Comix is a new site on the scene but has already cemented itself as an excellent source for diverse comics by indie creators and small press publishers. The platform is also quite creator-friendly as well, so if you want to move beyond reading comics and move into making your own, Global Comix is a great option.
While many comics on the site are free, many are not. However, the amount of free comics makes this an excellent platform for discovering new stories to read. Creators set the access to the comics, and if a comic looks intriguing enough, it won’t hurt to buy a story or two.
The website features a filter feature in search, allowing you to specify genres, ratings, and publishers. Amazingly enough, you can filter by the time of a setting, which is especially helpful for fans of medieval stories. There is also an app for reading on the go, too.
As for some suggested reading, consider comics like Tom n Artie, Spook, and The Dissonant. Readers can find even more free online comics at globalomix.com.
1. Individual Websites and Collectives
The world of webcomics is far more extensive than a single website or index. Our previous nine entries have featured different collections of free comics. Still, there are more individual webcomic sites for specific stories than comics on websites like Webtoons or Global Comix alone.
Finding such a wealth of online comics may seem overwhelming, but there are a few different sources for discovering comics. Websites like Top Webcomics, The Belfry Webcomics Index, and Comic Rocket feature links to individual comic websites. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the Random Webcomic website. Collectives like Hiveworks feature tons of comics from respective creators.
Some of the biggest success stories in free online comics include projects like Penny Arcade, Starslip, and PVP Online. You can also try comics like Steeple, Cosmic Dash, and Terra.
