I’m going to share a not-so-secret secret with you: I love Webtoon! With so much to do in a day, it’s nice to take a quick break and read a chapter of my favorite online comic before jumping back into the fray.
There are so many great stories on Webtoon, but if you’re unfamiliar, then I’ve got several recommendations for you.
Boyfriend of the Dead
Picture this: It’s the zombie apocalypse. People are getting bitten and turned left and right. You come across a zombie and think that it’s all over…until he turns his nose up at you because you aren’t delicious enough. How insulting!
Boyfriend of the Dead is about a picky-eater zombie, N, who finally finds a human girl to satiate his hunger. While he’s figuring out how to catch the bad-ass zombie slayer (who also smells delicious) before she axes him, he begins to feel something a little more than hunger toward her.
This comic by creator, Ushio, is a light-hearted take on zombies and the dating scene and features several funny characters, polite zombies, and a whole new take on the genre. Dating is impossible enough without being in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and being a zombie yourself. Will N and Alex make it work?
Miss Abbott and the Doctor
If you enjoy romantic stories with a hint of quirkiness, you’ll love Miss Abbott and the Doctor. Miss Abbott is a free spirit, and Dr. Marino is a straight-laced gentleman. By all accounts, they shouldn’t get along. But there’s something special about Miss Abbott and Dr. Marino’s relationship with each other, and it’s such a cute story to follow.
I’ve never been shy about revealing my indifference about the romance genre, but this comic is stylish, funny, and just make you feel good inside. The warm fuzzies are everywhere in this Webtoon by creator Marzipaz Villar, as is the will-they-won’t-they tension between two very different people who are quite obviously in love.
Toaster Dude
There’s nothing that Dude wants more than to own his own toaster. But when criminals threaten his home and his beloved toast, there’s only one thing to do: don a cape, wear the toaster on his head, and become a superhero!
This comic is short but funny and self-aware. I loved following Toaster Dude‘s adventures, as well as those of his sidekicks, a henchman who wants to invent and a pop star who tires of doing what everyone else expects. Dude isn’t your typical superhero; he would much rather stay at home and make toast than save the city (honestly…relatable). If you’re looking for a fun new superhero comic that’s fresh and silly, give Toaster Dude by littlebobler and soaporsalad a try!
Bastard
And now for the darker side of Webtoon. Jin Seon is a social outcast at his high school. He is still suffering from injuries during a childhood accident, but those aren’t the worst of his problems. Jin is living with his father, a successful and kind CEO…or so it seems. Jin’s father is a serial killer, and Jin is forced to be his accomplice.
When Kyun, a kind and spunky new girl, moves to town and attracts his father’s attention, Jin becomes determined to protect her. But defying his father may prove to be a fatal mistake. Especially when the truth about Jin’s accident — and the true reasons behind his involvement with his father’s killings — is uncertain.
I became obsessed with this Webtoon for its engrossing story, lovable characters, and dark twists and turns. Jin faces danger at every turn as the underdog, and his struggle to become independent from his father becomes more suspenseful when he gets more and more invested in Kyun and Manny, his new friends. Creators Carnby Kim and Youngchan Hwang form to make a thriller you won’t want to stop reading.
Days of Hana
In a world where werewolves and humans coexist, Haru and Hana have been best friends since they were little and Hana’s family rescued Haru when he was a pup. As new laws pass allowing werewolves to attend school like humans, Haru begins to realize just how differently werewolves are forced to live: wearing shock collars in case of rebellion, being treated as pets, and being shipped off to illegal fighting rings.
Despite gradually learning how dark and dangerous the world can be, Haru maintains his wide-eyed excitement — and his love for Hana. But falling in love with a human is forbidden for werewolves, and even Hana herself, a very accepting human, hasn’t let the thought cross her mind. Can Haru and Hana’s love for each other survive a world that keeps them apart? Can they even survive?
I fell in love with creator Seakwoo’s art style, and the drama is sharp and painful, as well as beautiful and cute. Days of Hana is a fantastic comic portraying what might actually happen in the real world if werewolves did exist.
Rot & Ruin
A much different zombie story than Boyfriend of the Dead, Rot & Ruin is a comic adapted by Taylor Grant and Alempe from the novel of the same name by author Jonathan Mayberry. Benny Imura and his friends live in the zombie apocalypse. When it comes time for Ben to choose a job in order to stay in the safe shelter, he shadows his older brother and zombie hunter, Tom — a difficult decision, considering Ben still blames Tom for failing to save their parents from zombies.
But when tragedy strikes their safe point, Benny and Tom must join forces to save the ones they love. But even in the apocalypse, zombies aren’t the most dangerous enemy. And Benny soon learns that there is always more than one side to every story.
I’m not usually interested in zombie fiction, but this story really drew me in (I do plan to read the novel it was adapted from, when I have the time). The relationship and interactions between Benny and Tom had me invested from the very beginning, and learning more about the sadder side of the zombie virus adds a bit of humanity to a genre that I’ve never really been a fan of. This story, however, makes me want to read more zombie fiction!
Purple Hyacinth
Officer Lauren Sinclair has an edge over other police officers: she can detect lies. Haunted by her inability to use this power to save the ones she loved, Lauren dedicates herself to catching the one responsible for two recent murders. But she can’t do it alone. Against her better judgment, Lauren agrees to team up with infamous assassin known only as the Purple Hyacinth.
Peppered with mystery and intrigue, Purple Hyancinth is a surprising and delightful, if dark, mystery that engrosses at every turn. Paired with the amazing music by Sophism and Isabella LeVan, and a sleek and beautiful art style, this comic gripped me and refused to let go. Tense, suspenseful, and dangerously romantic, it’s even made other top Webtoon lists. This one is an absolute must-read!
Shiloh
A young woman has been murdered, and it looks like the dreaded Marked Man is behind the deed. Rookie officer Callahan is on the case, but her inexperience — and her partner, Barrett, who nurses a tarnished reputation — stand in the way of sorting through the thieves, murderers, and monsters to find the killer and bring him to justice. And while working for the shining utopia, Shiloh, is what Callahan has been striving toward, the dream is much different than the reality.
Dangerous, supernatural, and hiding a pinch of humor, Shiloh is an experience like no other. The art is fantastic, the story is compelling, and each episode comes with a hand-crafted Author’s Note that never fails to disappoint. This is definitely a comic that I would love to see in print, but for now, I’ll have to settle for rereading this masterpiece — again and again.
I Love Yoo
Shin-Ae Yoo is determined to have nothing to do with people, due to her many negative experiences with disappointment and misfortune. But one day, she accidentally ruins a stranger’s clothes, and her life changes forever. Now doomed to be the friend of two rich boys — one of them fun-loving and ignorant about boundaries, the other a straight-laced, no-nonsense businessman, and both at each other’s throats — Shin-Ae navigates her new life, begrudgingly collecting new friends along the way.
Hilarious, inspiring, and dramatic, I Love Yoo knows exactly what to say and when to say it and paces the story nicely. Each character is delightfully unique, and Shin-Ae, Yeung-Gi, and Kosuke are extremely likable (and Dieter is absolutely adorable). Every moment is either a riot of laughter or emotional and touching, sometimes both, and the comic highlights many sorts of relationships, focusing not just on romance but on the relationships between family members and friends too.
Once again, I absolutely need this story in print. Check it out! You won’t be disappointed.
Not Even Bones
Nita dissects the bodies of supernatural beings at the behest of her mother, who sells them on the black market. Nita, enjoying her dissections and what she learns about unnaturals by taking them apart, also wants to lead a normal life by going to college and becoming a scientist. But when her mother brings home a live unnatural, Nita’s conscience gets the best of her and she makes a decision that launches her down a dark road. Trapped in the dangerous Death Market, Nita is forced to take a good, long look at herself and make another decision: maintain her humanity and die here, or escape — by becoming a monster.
Based on the novel by Rebecca Schaeffer, Not Even Bones asks how far one girl is willing to go to survive. After reading just a few episodes of this comic, I had to go out and buy the book. And let me tell you, I read it so fast! Though this one is definitely not for the faint of heart, it is absolutely worth working through the gory parts to enjoy the gripping and unpredictable story.
Adventures of God
And now, for something completely different.
This quirky comedy depicts God, Jesus, and Lucifer (a.k.a. “Lucy”) as imperfect deities who mean well…but don’t always get everything right. Who knew that God loves to drink and veg out on the couch? Jesus seems to be the one keeping heaven’s morality in check, though he is sometimes a bit hypersensitive, and Lucy spends a large chunk of his time being a supportive father figure to a group of determined young girls.
With a supporting cast of the angel Gabe and the demon Ebag, and the episodic revolving door of newcomers to heaven and hell, Adventures of God balances morality and humor, answering philosophical questions as well as getting up to random heavenly hijinks.
Castle Swimmer
If your destiny isn’t what you want, is it possible to change the course of your future? Kappa, the Beacon chosen to fulfill any and all prophecies he comes across, is a sea creature who struggles with the pressure of making everyone else happy. From birth, all he’s ever known is the lonely existence of being the Beacon. So, when he meets Prince Siren, who is prophesied to kill Kappa, both of them are surprised to find someone who understands. Siren doesn’t want to kill, and Kappa doesn’t want to die; both of them reject their destinies, but what does that mean for the rest of the world? Can they even escape a fate that’s been sealed before they were born?
Every character in Castle Swimmer is adorable (especially Kappa), and though they face many challenging obstacles and some dark moments, episode brings on the warm fuzzies and absolutely captivates the heart. If you’re looking for your next favorite fantasy/drama/romance, this one is a gem!
Of course, these are only some of my favorite Webtoons. There are plenty more on the app, and I encourage you to go check them all out if you haven’t already!
Photo by Kit Trace, Kat Flynn, and Webtoon
Rachel Sandell 