Two of the greatest obstacles that comics have in reaching readers are exposure and cost. Fortunately, the internet has provided remedies for both. There are now a plethora of comic books that can be read in full online, completely legally (at least, 99% of them) and at absolutely no cost. Here I have endeavored to collect as many of these as possible, now totalling over 300 full issues and stories, in one place.
Whether you have been meaning to try a new title, or if you've never read a comic in your life, there's still something here for everyone. Follow a link or two or three. Some comics that I especially recommend carry an asterisk, but I haven't come close to reading everything here. Maybe you'll find something you enjoy.
If you know of more online comics I could add to the list, or discover that any of these links have gone bad, please e-mail me.
And if you find yourself wanting more, click on the 
button adjacent to an issue to view or purchase a collected edition of that comic.
| Last Updated July 28, 2008 - Culled a lot of dead links. Added Vertigo, Image, Oni, and BOOM! titles. |
The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation 
Action Philosophers - By Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey.
The Mathematical Cartoons of Larry Gonick - Technically strips, but from the creator of the Cartoon History books.
My Very First Flag - Jeff Smith's contribution to DC's 9/11 tribute book.
Social Security Comics - Six public service comics issued by the Social Security Administration in the 1950s and 1960s.
Tales From the Public Domain: Bound By Law?* - An educational graphic novel on copyright, fair use, and the public domain.
Captain Confederacy #1-10 - Five pages a week of the alternative universe hero.
Feather #1-5 - A fantasy comic by the creator of Marvel's "Eden's Trail."
Fillmore! - An original story based on the late, lamented Disney series.
Girl Genius #1 - Feminism meets steampunk, courtesy of Phil Foglio. Read the entire first *volume* online for free.
Gon - The silent adventures of a cute little T-Rex.
"Heroes" Graphic Novels - From the hit NBC TV series.
Kabuki #1-4 - New pages added daily.
Licensable Bear TM - From the marketing genius of Nat Gertler.
The Matrix - Numerous
visions of the Wachowski brothers' universe, from such esteemed folks as Neil Gaiman and Bill Sienkiewicz.
Max Hamm, Fairy Tale Detective in "Just Right"*
Owly - The adventures of Andy Runton's cute little owl.
Proximity Effect #1-2 - Top Cow.
Slave Labor Graphics - Pay the shipping, and the company will send you free copies of real, physical comic books.
The Spirit* - Will Eisner's origin of his classic pulp creation.
Supernatural Law - Beware the creatures of the night - They have lawyers!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vol. I) #1-7 - Also includes the one-shots Donatello #1, Mike #1, Raphael #1, and Fugitoid #1.
Western Tales of Terror #3: Fool's Ransom - A short story by Jay Faerber.
Zot: Hearts & Minds - Scott McCloud's science hero returns in this online-only adventure.
Zuda Comics - DC's free online alternative webcomics site.
If you're interested in reading more current comics, you can check out the first 4 pages of numerous brand-new issues at Mile High Comics' FirstLook, which maintains an archive of previews from the last six weeks.
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