Welcome to webcomic reviews with Decoy Elite, today’s webcomic: Bob and George.

                Okay, this is definitely one that needs to be explained before I review it. When Bob and George started out it was actually meant to be a drawn comic, but the author didn’t have constant access to a scanner, thus he created a large amount of Megaman sprite filler before the drawn comic started. After the drawn comic first began, it became a bust; too many people liked the filler more than the actual comic (mostly due to the author’s bad drawing abilities). So the author began doing Megaman filler again, after a while he tried to do the drawn comic once more, it was once again a horrible flop. He started up with Megaman once again, except this time it wasn’t filler, no it was the actual comic! Thus Bob and George is not only considered the first sprite comic, but it is also one of the few (if any) times that the filler of a comic became the actual comic.

                Now then, Bob and George started off as a joke a day webcomic so it starts out rather boring, sure the jokes are a bit funny but they’re not really the best. Once the story actually gets going the comic gets a lot better, sure it’s really random and a bit complicated but like any good webcomic the author turns this into a running gag. The art is what you’d expect from a sprite comic, but the backgrounds could use a lot of work. There are few backgrounds at all and it can become quite annoying. The characters are rather funny, although the reader should be prepared to see quite a bit of stupidity going on with them. Really Bob and George is average, the only thing that makes it really stand out is that it’s the first, and when I say the first I mean it invented most of the insane webcomic clichés that webcomic fans have grown to love.

Hi I’m Decoy Elite, most people who have seen me post can probably tell I’m a big fan of webcomic, which is true. I really enjoy webcomics and I do sometimes wish that they were a little more popular. I mean, most webcoimcs actually feature most of the positives you find in normal comics and there are plenty of them so you’re sure to find something you like. Anyway, I decided to list off my top reasons I like webcomics. I’m hoping this’ll spark a little interest in webcoimcs. Right so let’s start this countdown off!

Variety: The colossal number of different types of webcomics is astounding. It’s just awe inspiring how creative these webcomics get. You have your classic style comics like Dr.McNinja, fan comics like The Last Days of Foxhound and even comics that are so different from the main stream that you can barely call them comics anymore. And really, there’s a lot of stuff that webcomics get away with that normal comics just can’t. For instance, a comic couldn’t possibly be made in the same style as MS Paint Adventures, which makes a great use of gifs and even music in its comics. The sheer variety of webcomics even beats out that of normal comics. There’s literally something for everyone and I really like that.

 Availability: Okay, I don’t have a lot of comic shops nearby where I live, so sometimes getting comics can be a hassle. With webcoimcs it’s a lot easier, I can just find a site; go into the archive and start reading. That’s it, no driving all the way to comic shop, searching for a comic, and then buying it. Webcomics basically skip the middle man in a sense and I find it very appealing. Oh and I know you can read normal comics online, but honestly I don’t enjoy doing that. Why do I like webcoimcs and yet I don’t like reading normal comics online? The world may never know.

Consistency: Another good thing about webcomics is that in most cases there’s only one author, this leads to most webcomics having great consistency. There are a few webcomics that aren’t consistent at all (glares at Order of The Stick) but in most cases they’re bad webcomics anyway so yeah. Anyway, webcomics don’t usually have a large a history as most mainstream comics and there aren’t multiple authors so there are not many contradictions and those few contradictions (in a good webcomic) are usually well explained.

They’re free: Now I know this seems like a cheap shot, but hear me out. Firstly, the free thing not only influences how easily available webcomics are but it also keeps one of the most annoying things ever from happening. It stops editorial meddling. Since most webcomics aren’t trying to make money, they don’t make plot decisions based on what will make the most money. So you don’t end up with something like *shiver* Countdown.

So there you have 4 good reasons (at least I think they’re good) why I enjoy webcomics. Hopefully someone will read this and give a good webcomic a try.

Welcome to webcomic reviews with Decoy Elite, today’s webcomic: Dr.McNinja.

                Okay, Dr.McNinja is one of the more…strange webcomics. Basically it works off of two things, the rule of cool and the rule of funny. The webcomic is about, a ninja who’s a doctor who faces off against various foes ranging from Ronald McDonald to sky pirates. Anyway, the comic’s plot is…well it’s what you’d expect from a webcomic about a ninja who’s a doctor. In other words, it’s really, really, weird. I mean, this is Sam and Fuzzy weird we’re talking about here. The comic likes to pretend it’s serious at times, but honestly it comes off as a sarcastic kind of serious, so and the “seriousness” is just played for laughs. Dr.McNinja is also one of those few webcomics that starts out rather well. The first story is quite funny and it sets up the comic well. The stories are usually good plot wise, with plenty of over the top jokes thrown in. The art for Dr.McNinja is really good for a webcomic and it should be very nice contrast from other rather badly draw webcomics. The characters in Dr.McNinja are a bit random, ranging from completely awesome (Dan McNinja) to a little annoying(Darksmokepuncher). Overall this comic earns a solid 4 out of 5 and should please any readers who are looking for a good comic with some great jokes.

Hello this is The Rant with Decoy Elite, and I’ll be reviewing the webcomic Order of The Stick. Now, why is this called the rant if it’s just another webcomic review? Because I hate this webcomic, this webcomic is the worst piece of garbage that has ever been recommended to me. So, instead of giving a review in my usual style, I’m going all out on this one.

Warning: Offensive language lies ahead, I’m cursing up a storm.

Welcome to webcomic reviews with Decoy Elite, today’s webcoimc: Errant Story.

                Alright, Errant story is one of my favorite webcomics, so forgive me if I sound a bit fanboyish during this review. First off, the art for Errant story is good, it’s really good when you compare it to your average webcomic and comic fans should be pleased with art. The story’s opening is very dramatic, but leaves the reader asking for answers (which are later answered but the comic takes it’s time to give them). The comic’s real story begins as it introduces the main character, who is a bit likable, although your mileage may vary with her. The story is set up and one by one the main cast is introduced as the plot moves forward at a moderate speed. After a while the comic does get a tad complicated and it seems to bring up more questions than answers, this can do one of two things, 1. Keep the reader interested (which is what it did to me) or 2. Anger the reader with its confusion.  

                Character wise, the comic is hit or miss in most cases. You could find yourself liking a character or hating them. The characters are vastly different, although most share a sarcastic attitude, so be ready for that. For me, the best thing about Errant Story is its balance. In my Dominic Deegan review I complained about how the comic fluctuated from funny to depressing, I find this to be a real problem that Errant Story creates a cure for. The story is quite funny, with some great jokes, but it still has a serious feel. You know that if a character dies, they’re dead, but you also know that there will be plenty of jokes along the way. Plot wise, Errant story is a little cluttered, there’s a lot of stuff going on and it may become a problem for readers to sort it all out. That said, people who are used to keeping the cannon of people like Marvel and DC strait, shouldn’t have too much of a problem figuring this one out.

Overall, I really liked Errant Story, for me it’s a 5 out of 5, but I’m not so arrogant to assume everyone will follow my tastes, and I have a feeling most would give it a 4 out of 5. Still Errant Story is a great webcomic and I highly recommend it.

Note: Errant Story features some foul language and sexual humor.

Welcome to webcomic reviews with Decoy Elite today’s comic… oh jeez I really don’t want to do this review at all. But sadly, I promised and I feel that I’m a man of my word. So here’s my review of one of the oldest webcomics on the internet: Sluggy Freelance.

                Okay, Sluggy Freelance started out as a funny Joke a day webcomic and that was okay. It slowly (and I mean slowly) developed more and more plot over the years, to the point where there’s plenty of comics that feature no jokes and are quite dramatic. Sluggy Freelance’s art is okay, it’s not overly good and but it’s not horrible. The plot ranges from funny and strange to serious and a bit disturbing. This comic been around for quite a while and in that time there’s been a bit of character development, but not nearly as much as you’d think. Honestly, any positives that Sluggy Freelance has have been tainted by how long it’s been around. Seriously, Sluggy Freelance’s huge archive should drive away most webcomics fans due to its sheer size. It’s a good comic, but honestly it’s been around way too long. It doesn’t really have any stable jumping on points besides the start, so you either suffer while reading the huge archive or you start at a random point and become insanely confused. Sluggy Freelance earns a solid 3 out of 5, but if you’re not reading it now then you probably shouldn’t start. I only recommend this to people who are looking for a semi serious comic and have quite a bit of free time on their hands. But honestly, there’s better webcomics to read that don’t have anywhere as huge an archive.

Welcome to Decoy Elite’s webcoimc reviews, today’s webcomic: Problem Sleuth ( MS Paint Adventures)

                Okay, firstly let me explain what I’m reviewing here, MS Paint Adventures is a webcomic site which uses a very unique format. Basically the comic plays out like a game, and you simply click on the action the character should perform. For the most part there’s only one action per page, but a few pages have two actions, but the extra is usually a joke that results in the player’s death. An example of an MS Paint Adventures screen:

Now then, Problem Sleuth is one of four MS Paint Adventures stories, and the only one that is currently complete, thus I feel that I can review it confidently.

Okay, Problem Sleuth’s story is by far one of the strangest stories I’ve ever read. Its plot goes from mundane to completely insane at an alarming rate. The plot is also actually very interesting and should entertain most readers with its absurdity at every turn. The characters are rather actually very funny and you grow to enjoy most of their antics as the story goes on. The art for Problem Sleuth, like all art in MS Paint Adventures, is done completely in MS Paint. The art starts out pretty bad, but it actually gets a bit better as the comic goes on. Unlike most joke webcomics Problem Sleuth has some great action scenes thanks to the author’s use of gifs. The jokes and Problem Sleuth vary from ok too hilarious. Overall, I give Problem Sleuth 4 out of 5. Although once again I only recommend it to those few readers who enjoy insane laughs, although thanks to the action scenes this webcomic may appeal to more comic fans than the average webcomic.

Oh, quick warning, all comics at MS Paint Adventures contain rude language.

Welcome to webcomic reviews with Decoy Elite, today’s webcomic: Sam and Fuzzy. Okay, okay before anyone says anything, no this is not a furry comic. Although it is an insanely convoluted comic which rivals such greats as 8-bit Theater and Dr.McNinja.

                Alright, I’m going to just jump into the review on this one, firstly the art. The art for Sam is Fuzzy is okay, although the early strips are…well it’s the worst but it’s still pretty bad. And as with most webcomics it kind of suffers from boring early strips but like Dominic Deegan it started out a strip a day comic, so it’s not too bad. And unlike Dominic Deegan, the plot (when it finally shows up) doesn’t suck the life out of the comic. It’s actually quite the contrary, the plot in Sam and Fuzzy is its saving grace. It’s full of great humor and lots of convoluted funny situations. The comic’s archive is also split up into story arcs so you can skip the early strips (they don’t really contribute to the plot), which is nice. Sam and Fuzzy doesn’t have too many problems, the characters are fun, there is a bit of character development and seriousness for fans of such things, and it’s overall a very balanced comic. I give it a 4 out of 5 overall and I think most webcomic fans will really enjoy it.

Welcome to webcomic reviews with Decoy Elite. Today’s webcomic, Dominic Deegan: Oracle for hire.

                Okay, I don’t really know Dominic Deegan’s history, but based on the archive it seemed to start out as a joke a day comic similar to Sluggy Freelance or User Friendly, but like Sluggy Freelance it developed it’s own plot.

This leads to the plot being rather un-enjoyable, as just when you’re enjoying some of the funny moments the plot jumps to something absurdly depressing point.

Where Dominic Deegan shines is character development, the characters really do change over the course of the comic and it’s really quite noticeable.   Most of the characters are good, some seem a bit annoying at times, but you should be able to find at least one character you like.

Overall I give Dominic Deegan a   2 out of 5, mostly due to the plot problems. Some people might enjoy this comic, but it’s unique style can be quite annoying.

Welcome to Decoy Elite’s Webcomic reviews, where I review webcomics because I’m bored. Today’s webcomic is…..8-Bit Theater.

Okay, first a little history on this sucker. 8-Bit Theater is a sprite comic created by Brian Clevinger, like most early sprite comics it showed up after Bob and George(one of the first popular sprite comics) but unlike many of the other sprite comics it became insanely popular, maybe even more so than Bob and George.   This comic finally ended recently and is regarded as the one of the best webcomics and the best Sprite comic. Now then onto the actual review.

                Okay, going into 8-Bit Theater you soon notice one thing, Brian Clevinger is a big fan of wordy jokes. Seriously, this is one of the wordiest webcomics I’ve ever seen and I’ve read the entire Sluggy Freelance archive. To add onto the wordiness is 8-Bit Theater’s format. The strips usually have a least 10 panels, now while a few of these are just random instances of violence and such, there’s still quite a bit of reading. Another issue 8-Bit Theater suffers from is one common to most webcomics, the first strips are horribly boring, sure it gets better, but unless you want to be lost on who everyone is and what they’re doing, you have to trudge through some really awful jokes.

                Now onto the positive side of things. Firstly, 8-Bit Theater’s format and wordiness can actually be considered a positive in the later strips, Brain Clevinger seems to enjoy stuffing the huge strips with as many jokes a possible, so most stripes end up with a least a good joke or two. Another plus is that you don’t have to know too much about Final Fantasy (which 8-Bit Theater is loosely based on) to enjoy the comic.

                The Cast is either hit or miss really. The character of 8-Bit Theater aren’t really that deep and they’re clearly only there to be funny, so fans of character development and drama probably won’t enjoy them. The main cast seems to be all about overdoing every aspect of their personality, which leads to some funny situations. Anyway, you should be able to tell just how the cast members are going to act based on their first appearances. Is this a bad thing? Honestly it depends on if you want to read a serious web comic or not.

                Okay, so here’s what we’ve got.

Positives: Lots of Joke, no prior knowledge needed, and great brick jokes.

Negatives: Wordy, bland first strips, and wandering plot.

Overall, this webcomic isn’t for everyone. If you enjoy joke comics and you can stand to read a lot, then I’d recommend it. But if you’re a fan of action rather than words, then I’d strongly recommend you avoid this webcomic. Personally I enjoyed 8-Bit Theater and I give it a solid 4 out of 5.