As detailed in this part of the original poll thread <https://sociale.network/@oblomov/110255548547599538>, for the “interesting stories, poorly drawn” I've decided (this year) to go with 3D rendered comics. You will notice that all three of the comics I will talk about have been running for several years, decades even, over the course of which both the artists and the software have improved, with the clumsier art of the beginnings often evolving into much more sophisticated, higher quality pages.

#webcomicDay
2/n

I intend to present the “interesting stories” in “reverse” art order, starting from the one that in my opinion is the most “poorly drawn”, to finish with the one for which you can barely tell it should fit in the category at all.

But enough with the introduction, let's get started with my #webcomicDay2023 list.

#webcomicDay
3/n

Too Much Information «tells the story of Ace, a young geek that’s too nice for his own good, and a housefull of “interesting” roommates», as introduced by the author AndyOH! (Andrew F. Odendhal) in the content notice you should read before delving into the comic: https://www.tmi-comic.com/comic/content-notice/

The comic obviously panders to the “good guy gets the harem” crowd, with enough self-awareness to criticize the “nice guy with ulterior motives” mindset.

#webcomicDay
4/n TMI/1

With adventures that extend from the spirit world to outer space, the comic remains true to its title, with frequent walls of text that make you wonder if you should be reading a webnovel instead. (And yes, the author actually wrote a webnovel too, available on the same website.)
My overall assessment is positive, with a major flaw being an excessive propensity to conflict avoidance: almost no truly negative characters, many of which end up seeing the light.

#webcomicDay
5/n TMI/2

The comic makes an effort to be open and inclusive, with somewhat hit-and-miss results, both in lexical choices and subplot resolution. The general impression I get is that it at least partially derives inspiration from the “compassionate conservative” philosophy: somewhat naive and well-intentioned, but ultimately overly optimistic on the actual reality of power relations across wealth, gender and racial boundaries.

#webcomicDay
6/n TMI/3 (end)

The Challenges of Zona <https://barbarianprincess.com/> is a “sexy, romantic, violent fantasy soap opera” by J.E. Draft.
A young man gets “isekai'd” to a parallel dimension where he falls in a love with an amazon princess and discover his talent for music literally works like magic.
It's a story full of politics, intrigue, love, magic, music, and moral questions.

#webcomicDay 7/n Zona/1

The medieval fantasy world created by JED in this comic is rich in depth, with a history of violence and unbalance, and now dominated by cultural clashes between the descendants of past rulers —now set on a path of redemption and rebalancing— and their former subjects —that have turned their hate for the oppressor into contempt of their new “barbaric” ways— ready to be exploited by ancient evils seeking to recover their ancient power over the land.

#webcomicDay 8/n Zona/2

Some may find fault in the comic's low racial diversity among the characters of the fantasy world, but I feel that it is consistent with the “medieval Europe” inspiration of the parallel reality, as opposed to the narrative equivalent of our reality of California during the adventure back on Earth.

Curiosity: The Challenges of Zona also features a cameo by #JennyEverywhere, the now nearly-forgotten freely-licensed dimension-jumping character
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Everywhere

#webcomicDay 9/n Zona/end

#SunsetGrill

Sunset Grill http://sunsetgrillcomic.com/ is a #sciFi, #cyberpunk-ish story by @katfeete that orbits around the patrons of the titular eatery in the sums of a NA city some 400 years from now. And it's a masterpiece.

TBH, I was skittish at filing this under “interesting stories, poorly drawn” —not because the author has a Fediverse account, but because you have to squint really hard, even in the early pages, to find those typical signs of 3D render problems.

#webcomicDay (+1) 10/n SG/1

Yes, the emaciated kid may have some uncanny elbow or shoulder bend, and the skin of the neck on a character may pull weirdly in some poses, but that ends up becoming more a testament to the artist pushing the software to the limit to achieve a natural look for the characters and their interaction with each other and the environment, than a fault in the aesthetics of the comic.

And one of the things I love about Sunset Grill is how natural it looks and feels.

#webcomicDay (+1) 11/n SG/2

@katfeete is a masterful storyteller. Through the daily experiences of the characters, from lowtown commoners to the wealthiest lords, we're introduced to all aspects of life in the world she created, the power struggles, the politicking, the over- and under-the-counter economy, the aspirations, the opportunities (or lack thereof), the sentiments, the cultures and subcultures and their clashes and integration.

Bonus: the pages come with transcripts!

#webcomicDay (+1) 12/n SG/end

That's it for the first part of my reviews for #webcomicDay2023.

And yes, in order of preference my recommendation would be Sunset Grill (absolutely), The Challenges of Zona (quite worth it), and finally Too Much Information (if it piques your interest). Do keep in mind that Zona is the only one currently updating regularly, but maybe a renewed interest in her comic (and growing patronage) will help @katfeete find her mojo again (hint hint).

Onwards to the lewds now

#webcomicDay 13/n

… is «an erotic fantasy tale» by HollisChester centered around —as you could guess— an ugly, almost disfigured young woman that, upon her mother death, learns she's a succubus. The comic, very hetero-normative porn-wise, is brilliant, humorous, intriguing, fun and romantic.

https://ugly-succubus.the-comic.org/comics/1

#webcomicDay 14/n

… is «a wamly pornographic fantasy saga» by @alexisflower and you should go read it now <https://www.irovedout.com/> because it's one of the most beautiful pieces of art ever created. Expect lots of beautifully drawn and fantastically colored natural sex in all shapes and forms, embedded in a deep, convoluted story of supernatural magic and mystery.

What are you still doing here? Go read it already, nothing I can say will do it justice.

#webcomicDay 15/n

That's it for the lewd comics. Finally, I get to talk about the frustrating category! A frustrating webcomic is one with a highly irregular update schedule, with whole months often going by between a one-page update and the next. It never goes on hiatus, it doesn't build a buffer, it just drips the sporadic update now and then, and you're left hanging there month after month after AAAAAARGH.

You get the idea.

#webcomicDay 16/n

Outsider <https://well-of-souls.com/outsider/> is a hard sci-fi (spaceships!) by Jim Francis aka Arioch.
Humanity discovers it is just a minor, technologically backward species in a galaxy at war between two superpowers apparently dead set on exterminating each other. The main character, ensign on a scout ship and last survivor of his mission, gets saved by a Loroi crew, telepathic aliens with an uncanny resemblance to humans, just as the opposing faction is making a major breakthrough …

#webcomicDay 17/n

And that's it. I'm done with my reviews for #webcomicDay2023, just one day late. I hope you enjoyed them and found something to your tastes in the whole mess

I must say that I felt a bit like I was alone in carrying the burden for the tag this year. I have seen a couple of posts from others yesterday and today, but I distinctly remember last year's #webcomicDay had been more active.

Now more than ever we need art to support, warn, guide, and enlighten us. Support your favorite artists.

18/18