Top Shelf 2.0 Webcomics

Randall continues to push the envelope in this very special text-only episode of "Bear & Fox"!

Mungo Bean book 2, part 2

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 00:00:00 PST

Happy February! Here part two of Mungo & Hattie's latest thrilling adventure -- finding dinosaurs in the Amazon?! Now wait a minute, that doesn't sound very likely...

Red Plains #15, part 1

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

As we spin our way towards the grim conclusion, scary guy Velasquez is tired of getting shot at, so things doesn't look too good for Rose... but that varmint Angel Bautista may find himself in hot water too!

Career Move

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by Jordan Boyd and Josh Flanagan and Charles Pritchett and Alex Robinson

Zounds! Multi-award-winning indie comics champ Alex Robinson returns to Top Shelf 2.0, drawing a touching and very funny story by iFanboy's Josh Flanagan!

A Flame Expelled

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by Warren Craghead

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! The inimitable W. Craghead III brings his meditative picture poetry to 2.0!

Mungo Bean book 2, part 1

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

Mungo Bean! Queen Hattie! Welcome back, dear old friends (and you too, Jess)! That means it's time once again for adventures in Adventure Studies!

Homemade & Outbound

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by Chris Getliffe

All right, it's Chris Getliffe! Today he brings us a beautiful bit of tragedy.

Bear and Fox, part 6

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

Randall's outdone himself with this awesome panoramic (panel-ramic?) story of Bear the bird and Fox the snake!

Kingwood Himself

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by Reynold Kissling

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! We met Reynold at a convention and loved his fantastical all-ages comic book Kingwood Himself, so we're delighted to present it here!

I'd Like to Think

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by J.M. Shiveley

Welcome back the talented Mr. Shiveley with another small existential beauty!

Pornography

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

Don't worry, the title is metaphorical! It's a deliciously creepy one-pager from the team that brought you the adventures of Destructor!

Savings Account

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by Juliana Azevedo and Mauricio Pommella

Get ready for an absolutely jaw-dropping story from two newcomers to Top Shelf 2.0... I would say more but you should already be clicking on the comic! What are you waiting for?! GO!

Red Plains #14, part 2

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

Caryn's bloody Western epic returns!

Fall

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by Joseph Lambert

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Our hero has a bone to pick with the seasons -- and poor old dad gets dragged along for the ride! We originally ran this story in five parts, but now it's all gathered together! Give your eyes a treat and check out Joseph's awesome full-page compositions in this imaginative meteorological adventure.

Bear and Fox, part 5

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

What luck! Randall is back with a jolly leprechaun-themed Bear and Fox adventure!

Oloshino

Tue, 5 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

by Ryan Burton and Jorge F. MuÃ±oz and Felipe Sobreiro

Please welcome a very talented trio! Ryan, Jorge, and Felipe have a gorgeous fantasy mini-epic for your reading pleasure today. Do yourself a favor and check it out!

Festive Lion

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 00:00:00 PST

Welcome back to our little corner of the digital comics revolution! We're back from a lovely holiday and some not-so-lovely travel complications (e.g.), ready to bring you all sorts of new exciting stories! But let's not bid farewell to the holidays so hastily (after all, we're still within the 12 days of Christmas)... Lizz here has brought back an old friend for a special Christmas visit!

Red Plains #14, part 1

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Part nine in the increasingly ironically titled "Nice Place to Raise Your Kids Up" storyline. This here comic ain't for those with gentle constitutions, folks!

Tuesday

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Another vivid, lush piece of work from the inimitable Gregory Benton! Really, I don't think I can say much beyond that... I'll let this bit of magical realism speak for itself.

The Cosmic Terror

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Derek Charm

It's been a while since we had a real proper sci-fi comic on here... now Derek Charm arrives to correct that with a vengeance! His story here is clever and gorgeous, as well as genuinely frightening. Not bad for a debut, eh?

Glutenous

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Kevin Woody

Join us in welcoming Kevin Woody! This goofy bit of pantomime is oozing with personality... and come to think of it, it's making me hungry too!

Bear and Fox, part 4

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Starring Bear and Fox in: Adventures in Agriculture!

Stuffed bear

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

I am powerless against the cuteness of this comic. I have a feeling you will be, too!

Sale

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

by David Chelsea

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! The master of the 24-hour comic returns with a new experimental piece at 1/4 the scale, a "6-hour comic" celebrating the joys and absurdities of yard sale shopping -- in rhyme!

Decie Comics #10: Fun Facts

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Always a welcome sight around these parts, Joe is back with some fascinating tidbits about himself... some of them may even be true.

House Spider, part 4

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Could it have ended any other way? Sam wraps up his twisted love story.

Bear and Fox, part 3

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

Bear and Fox move into entrepreneurship... with surprising results.

Mungo Bean

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Heart-stopping excitement! Mind-blowing action! Anxiety about funding! These are the piggy adventures of Mungo Bean, Professor of Adventure Studies.

Also, note that Jess is selling holiday gift packs featuring adorable hand-made plushie dolls, one for Mungo Bean and one for Working Class Elf! How can you resist?!

Memorial

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's the return of the Philippines' most creative young comics artist! And boy, this one's amazing. Not only is it a thoughtful and beautiful demon-slaying romance story (!), it's also officially connected to the music video for a song called "Muli" by Bamboo, one of the top rock bands in the Philippines! It's cool to see how the comic and video adapt the song in different ways.

House Spider, part 3

Tue, 1 Dec 2009 00:00:00 PST

The plot thickens. Oh, how it thickens...

Bear and Fox, part 2

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Our inappropriately-named heroes are back, with a hilarious full-scale chess-off!

Red Plains #13, part 2

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Caryn's epic is back, with Larry dealing out some impressive death scenes! More than one character gets what's comin' to 'em this time, and I have a feeling there will be more before it's all over...

The Walk

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Ryan Pequin

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Happy Thanksgiving, all! I'm thankful for a lot of things... among them, getting to edit this site, and playing host to some absolutely phenomenal comics. This story of Ryan's is one of the ones I'm most thankful for, and it seems perfect for the day. Best wishes, everybody.

Psionykk

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

In the titanic tradition of Alan Moore's Miracleman (and a dash of South Park's debut episode) comes this completely insane -- and utterly perfect -- gem. Whatever they're putting in the water down there in Canberra, I hope they keep it up!

House Spider, part 2

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Sam is back with the next installment in his curiously tragic comedy -- and leaves us all on the edge of our seats for what's coming next!!

Bear and Fox, part 1

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Bear is a bird. Fox is a snake. These are their adventures!

Top Shelf is delighted to introduce you to Randall and his hilarious comic series.

Just Keep Walking

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

by J.M. Shiveley

J.M. is back with another little bitty comic that packs a real wallop. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Jed returns with another silly-serious look at the superhero genre, featuring (as the title implies) a support group. I love how much character he can get across in these silent panels.

Not Waving but Drowning

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Chris Getliffe

I'm excited to present to you London's Chris Getliffe, with a great comic -- but I don't want to say any more! This one should speak for itself. Enjoy!

House Spider, part 1

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Time for another Top Shelf 2.0 debut... this creepy and hilarious story is brought to you by Sam Slim! Enjoy this first part, and stay tuned for the three more to come!

Adrift

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

by JP Coovert

Welcome JP Coovert! JP is a fixture on the indie comics convention circuit, and we're pleased as punch to present this great wordless comic, also available as a beautiful offset-printed mini from his company One Percent Press. Dive in!

Red Plains #13, part 1

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

The action heats up once more with part seven of "Nice Place to Raise Your Kids Up"!

Laura

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dunja JankoviÄ�

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Meet Laura. She's just had the strangest dream... Dunja JankoviÄ� made her Top Shelf 2.0 debut with a gorgeous, twisted, absolutely unforgettable vision that won't be leaving your dreams anytime soon...

Lesson Master: The Lesson of Bike Paths

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Hoo-rah! It's the return of Ben, and not coincidentally also the return of his character Lesson Master! Get ready for some inscrutable (and hilarious) instruction.

Inside: A Laugh in the Depths of Hell

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Welcome back the inimitable Adrian English! With this batch of stories (again scanned from color copies sent from the prison), Adrian changes gears a bit and plays for laughs. Enjoy!

The End of an Artist's Career

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Noah Van Sciver

Welcome new artist Noah Van Sciver, lately of Mome and Mineshaft, with a fascinating new short story! Note: adult content ahead.

Iceblink, part 4

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

Oh man, we are delighted to present the amazing final chapter to Ray's frosty ghost story! Love that last panel.

Ellewin and Arlbard #2

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's another adorable episode of troll-bludgeoning love from Grug and Jess! This story is set to appear in the Australian comics anthology Tango 9: Love and War.

Deep Breath

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST

by J.M. Shiveley

Meet J.M. Shiveley, everybody! J.M.'s first piece for 2.0 is a great mini-monologue with a depth that belies its tiny presentation.

Red Plains #12, part 2

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

Woo hoo! It's all-out cowboy action in this episode! Shootin', cussin', and manglin' of body parts galore. Have a great weekend, everybody!

Silver Lady Bug

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's a beautifully crafted little "picture poem" from Stedho -- with either a tragic ending or a great punchline.

Genny Gains Superpowers

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Emi Lenox

Emi is an occasional intern at Top Shelf and one heck of a cartoonist! Her diary comic Emitown is a daily treat, but here's a longer story that she recently whipped up at 24-Hour Comic Day. Enjoy!

Sick Mountain

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by John Arthur Hallinan

Check out the amazing imagery of young master Hallinan's 2.0 debut! If you're like me, you're looking forward to seeing more from this guy...

Just Observant

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Coleman Engle

Whew! It's been a crazy month of traveling for your trusty editor, but things should be settling down for a while... And what better way to return than with this awesome debut from SCAD student Coleman Engle, a beautiful little piece about love and memory.

Ellewin and Arlbard

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

Oh happy day! It's a new comic from Grug and Jess, the team that brings you Love Puppets and assorted great solo works. This time, they pick up the high fantasy theme in an adorably awkward romance.

Defense of the West Gate

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Alex Robinson

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! In celebration of Alex Robinson's recent Harvey Award for Too Cool to be Forgotten, this week we re-present a totally awesome tale set in the fantasy dungeon world of Alex's Lower Regions!

Inside: Green Season, Part Four

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

Head back to Adrian's author page and refresh your memory of what came before, because here at last is the gripping conclusion to the real-world prison drama "Green Season"!

The Turtle Tree

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Nick Patten

Here's a cool little mythic moment from CCS student Nick Patten! Welcome aboard, Nick.

Ted and the Animals, part 3

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dan Gaynor

Make way for critters! We welcome Dan back for another visit from his beautiful, charming all-ages series.

Red Plains #12, part 1

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

Those rats on the town council wanted chaos, and they'll get it -- but at what cost?

Errand Service

Thu, 8 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Will Dinski

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Today we revisit this Charlie-Kaufman-esque gem from Will Dinski. Enjoy!

Girls Gone

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Andrew Lorenzi

Andrew returns with a very cool meditation on aging, television, softcore pornography... oh, just read it! I love what he does with color in this one.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 30

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

What is Moog Joogular's history with this lizard guy? And could it be connected to Moog's totally nuts kung fu powers? Oh yes I think it might!

Iceblink, part 3

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 PST

And we're back in action, after a short break! Ray's gorgeous thriller is really starting to thicken here: We've met Todd, we've met Craig, and now it's time for a new perspective... Folks, meet Jessica.

Red Plains #11, part 2

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

When the sheriff himself has to encourage people to break the law "for emergencies"... I think it's safe to say the trouble is only just beginning!

Love Is a Peculiar Type of Thing

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Box Brown

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! In anticipation of the Small Press Expo (SPX) coming up this weekend, here's the title story from Box Brown's Xeric-winning book! Come meet Box, Phil (creator of yesterday's story), and countless other great cartoonists this weekend (including half a dozen Top Shelf superstars) at the Marriott in North Bethesda, MD!

Book Comic

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Phil McAndrew

Phil makes his 2.0 debut with this nutty little conversation, which perfectly demonstrates his knack for blending "creepy," "adorable," and "hilarious." Welcome aboard, dude!

A Time to Thrill

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Kevin Cannon

Welcome Kevin Cannon, creator of the relentlessly awesome Far Arden, to his first appearance on Top Shelf 2.0! This "automobile adventure" was created by Kevin as an incredible 3-D comic/sculpture/art-car! Each panel of the story appears on the side of a slice of wood, which all come together to form a functioning car!! Can you believe this guy?!?

Iceblink, part 2

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

What on earth happened to Craig's brother? It's up to Craig to find out, in the second part of Ray's icy thriller!

Red Plains #11, part 1

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

A firearms ban in an Old West town? Hmm... that's gonna be mighty hard to enforce. But I'm sure the town council has everyone's best interests at heart...

Losing a Tail

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Matt Kindt's new graphic novel, 3 Story, was published this week by Dark Horse Comics! In celebration, here's a multi-layered chapter from Matt's awesome book Super Spy.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 29

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

Ever wonder how the immortal Emperor died in the first place? Moog drops some wisdom on his flunkies -- and also on those of us following along at home!

In Dark

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Aidan Koch

We welcome back Aidan for a beautiful palimpsest of questions and answers.

Ted and the Animals, part 2

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dan Gaynor

Dan's all-ages adventure stories return, with a two-page tale of PENGUINS GONE WILD!

Red Plains #10, part 2

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

The "Nice Place to Raise Your Kids Up" storyline continues, complete with simmering racial tensions and totally awesome facial hair. Don't miss it!

Will I Ever Travel as Far as a Guitar String When It's Played?

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Malcy Duff

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Today we re-present one of Malcy's mind-bending minimalist comics from last December. Enjoy!

Decie Comics #9

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

These three pages of Joe's elegant watercolor strips are some of his best work yet!

King Pete

Tue, 8 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Jordan Boyd and Josh Flanagan and Doug Hills

Welcome back! Today we're delighted to introduce a terrifically talented trio, assembled by our pal Josh from iFanboy! They've joined forces to bring you this very funny tale of magic, monarchs, and morons.

Red Plains #10, part 1

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

Even more action and intrigue awaits as the world of Red Plains continues to unfold, now captured in the mighty brushstrokes of new artist Larry Watts! Give him a warm welcome, and get on board with Caryn's new storyline, which begins... now!

Destructor Comes to Croc Town

Thu, 3 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Minimalist dialogue and maximalist pummeling -- this 14-page fight poem packs a thoughtful punch.

Iceblink, part 1

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

We'd like to welcome Ray Fawkes, writer/artist extraordinaire! Ray has a book with Vince Locke (Junction True) coming from Top Shelf down the road a ways, but in the meantime let's delve into his dark imagination with this frigid nightmare.

OK on Doomsday

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 00:00:00 PST

After the apocalypse, the only thing left will be... a comic book?! More from the great Ben Hutchings.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 28

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

Yesss! Moog Joogular is back -- and he brought company!

Red Plains #9, part 2

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's the bloody conclusion to the storyline "One of Us"! Thanks to Patrick for bringing this storyline to life, and stay tuned for more Red Plains coming soon from an all-new artist!

Chefchaouen

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's a great reflective piece about travel, trust, and strangers. Aaron recounts his experience in the Moroccan town of Chefchaouen, the locals who welcome him, and the confusion that ensues. "Chefchaouen" was first published in the 2007 anthology small town/BIG CITY.

Ted and the Animals, part 1

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dan Gaynor

Dan comes to us from Ireland, presenting selections from his strip "Ted and the Animals," which ran in the legendary British kids' comic The Dandy a few years back. Enjoy!

Little Flashes

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Aidan Koch

The incredible Aidan Koch works in half-perceived shapes, evocative colors, and moments captured on paper. She originally created this a story for Arthur Magazine's comic blog, and we're delighted to present it to you now!

Wardrobe Malfunction

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's the return of the inimitable Bart Johnson! Today he presents a timeless bit of political commentary that's probably not safe for children or workplaces.

The Moment In-Between

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by James Hindle

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's a beautiful little slice of life, presented in glorious partial color by James HIndle. See if this doesn't stir up a memory or two.

A Day Outside for Cat

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Max Karl Key

Ever wonder what pets do while we're away? Intrepid Portland cartoonist Max Key has uncovered the truth! This one is not to be missed.

Vanish

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Andrew Lorenzi

Welcome new talent Andrew Lorenzi with an excellently depicted -- if thoroughly depressing -- slice of life! Enjoy, folks.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 27

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

At last, Li Zhao's treachery is revealed! Can the Shao Lin temple survive such betrayal? Well, it's already survived his mustache, so that's a good sign...

Laila and Luther

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Aaron Conley

Summer's ending soon -- better have your wild weekends while you can! Speaking of wild, here's an adorably sexy little supernatural adventure, from newcomer Aaron Conley. Be advised that this one's not for kids... grown-ups, enjoy!

Hard to Draw

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Franklin Einspruch

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Over one year ago we ran this little gem by Franklin Einspruch: "It's a bad day to think of yourself as an expert. On anything."

Sour Rabbit and Crispy Duck

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

Hurray for LIzz! She's back with two new characters who are almost as delicious as their names.

Sinking Relationships

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Andy Kettler

Fresh blood! Enjoy this collection of awesome trippy strips by Top Shelf buddy (and SCAD student) Andy Kettler.

Journey of a Mixteco, part 5

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

The latest installment of Duncan's gorgeous saga is a spicy one!

Red Plains #9, part 1

Fri, 7 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

And it comes down to a nail-biter, folks! The last issue of "One of Us" begins now!

Balthazar

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Don's "silent" story is a great demonstration of the power of comics to embed layers of meaning in just a few simple images.

Cowed

Wed, 5 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

I find this hilarious and make no apologies!

Working Class Elf

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

Meet Pinn - the best little shape-stacker around! But when the stackery where he works falls on hard times, he may have to find a new line of work... This may be the most charming 24-hour comic yet from Jessica's outstanding oeuvre!

Bob and Ivan, part 6

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:00:00 PST

We bid farewell to Bob & Ivan -- at least for now -- as our conjoined heroes develop a little self-awareness.

...or do they?

Cakewalk

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Rachel Bormann and Nate Powell

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Originally posted here on March 2, here's a great Nate Powell comic that we're re-running this week to celebrate the recent news that Swallow Me Whole won Best Graphic Novel at the Eisner Awards!! Co-written with Rachel Bormann and based on a true story, "Cakewalk" is itself a pretty stunning piece of work.

The Love Eaters

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Andrew's "What the Cigarette Said" just got nominated for a Komikon Award for Best Philippine Webcomic! Congrats to Andrew, and here's an AMAZING new story that might be even better! Seriously, don't miss it!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 26

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Murder in the Shao Lin Temple! Our boy Lei Kung has a pretty good idea who's behind it... but can he prove his suspicions?!

Just Another Post-Apocalypse Story

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Edward J. Grug III

Okay, I'm back from San Diego Comic-Con with a totally awesome new story for you guys -- a thrilling (and surprisingly sweet) 24-hour comic from Love Puppets co-creator Grug!

Journey of a Mixteco, part 4

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Posted a little late -- sorry, Comic-Con can do that to ya! -- here's the latest astonishing piece of this "coming to America" story by Duncan.

Warum

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! I first encountered this story as a minicomic, beautifully printed on creamy paper. It's also been mounted on a wall as part of the "Opolis" exhibition, and featured on our site in 2006. Now it's back on Top Shelf 2.0, having lost none of its haunting power. Enjoy... (PS: need help with the final page?)

The Intruder, part 4

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

The thrilling conclusion!!!

Bob and Ivan, part 5

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

In this installment, Bob and Ivan tackle some of life's basics... But, say, driving a car is a rather more complicated experience when one of you is a parasitic twin.

Red Plains #8, part 2

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Digging deeper into their murder investigation, Sheriff Doles and his men at last discover a name. But the man who holds that name is even deadlier than they suspect...

Tar Pit Trouble

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Whew! After a fantastic trip to Chicago for the American Library Association's annual conference, I'm back in town and back in action with more pixelated picture poetry! Sorry for the wait, folks. Here's the return of Jed Alexander, with his most colorful story yet! Feast your eyes on this treasure!

Three more from Joe D

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

I can't get enough of this guy! Somehow Joe's observations manage to be goofy and poignant at the same time - which, combined with his lovely grayscale art, is a pretty good trick.

Snow for Eli

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Domen FinÅ¾gar

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! This inky fable was originally created for the 2007 Development Youth Prize, as an allegorical journey through Africa. Follow Eli's quest for snow, from the Algerian coast, through the Sahara desert and finally to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, and enjoy Domen's depictions of the terror and hope she encounters along the way.

Dungaree Lion

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

Dungaree Lion, what are you hiding under those dungarees? Nothing too indecent, thankfully... Welcome back, Lizz!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 25

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

While Li Zhao ingratiates himself with the other Shaolin students, Lei Kung must make a good impression of his own... to defend the Bronzemen of Master Charles!

Bob and Ivan, part 4

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

In this installment, we encounter the softer side of Ivan (though not for long) and learn that he is, in fact, the parasitic twin only a mother could love...

Baby Dragons Are No Fun, part 2

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Mark Luetke

Ever have one of those days where you wake up and you're just a baby dragon? Yeah... Here's the second half of Mark's impossibly charming "silent" kids' story. Enjoy!

The Intrepideers and the Brothers of Blood, part 2

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Tim Sievert

Our heroes have reached the lair of the Brothers of Blood -- but too late to stop them from completing their dark ritual! Can any power stop... the Black Boatman!??! And will Grimace Grimezone ever get the beating he so richly deserves? Answers are here, within the thrilling conclusion!

Inside: Green Season, Part Three

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

As tensions heat up between B-Lo and Elbow, the situation in the prison goes from bad... to worse.

Red Plains #8, part 1

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

At last, the truth comes out! Well, the beginnings of the truth... Something tells me there's a lot more yet to be unveiled in this murder case.

The Nipplegarden of the Sleeping Dragon

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Enjoy this lush visual adaptation of a Japanese fable, "Niwa nyuto ryoan." Original Dutch title: "Het tepelhof van de slapende draak." In Dutch, the word "tepelhof" is a pun -- it's the word for "areola" but literally means "nipplegarden."

The Details, part 6: The One-Night Stands

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

stef's saga takes a captivating new turn.

Lesson Master: Master of Lessons

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

Ben's back -- now in full color, and just as hilarious as ever!

Bob and Ivan, part 3

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's more wacky parasitic hijinks, courtesy of Bob and Ivan (and Phil & John)!

Inside: Green Season, Part Two

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

Darryl's arrival in the prison seems to have set off a deadly chain of events -- will his newfound allies be able to protect him, or is he truly on his own?

Apples

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Chris Sweet

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Chris Sweet made his TS2.0 debut with this quietly cosmic exploration of life's big questions. Join five-year-old Mark as he meets his end -- and finds a new beginning. Appropriate for readers of all ages!

The Intrepideers and the Brothers of Blood, part 1

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Tim Sievert

You think Alex Robinson is the only Top Shelf superstar who indulges his inner barbarian with some high-fantasy dungeon-crawling comics? Behold! Tim Sievert casts aside the heartfelt drama of his book That Salty Air for rip-roaring adventure, quite literally based on the D&D campaign he runs with his buddies. Enjoy!

Baby Dragons Are No Fun, part 1

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Mark Luetke

Welcome new contributor Mark Luetke with a flippin' adorable all-ages story in full color!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 24

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

Now that Lei Kung has earned entry into the Shao Lin temple, it's the beginning of a whole new chapter: "Charles's Bronzemen" (and you won't believe what those are)! Also, how about that Li Zhao? Huge douchebag... or hugest douchebag?!

The Essex County Boxing Club

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Jeff Lemire

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Jeff Lemire's Complete ESSEX COUNTY is in the Diamond Previews catalog now, for publication in August -- so to celebrate, here's one of the two Essex County mini-comics that will be included in the new complete edition! Feast your eyes on this rich story of friendship, community, old age, and -- of course -- good ol'-fashioned boxing!

Journey of a Mixteco, part 3

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

While we're fresh from our own trip to the Big Apple (for MoCCA Fest), our Mixtec friend shares his own New York adventures!

Bob and Ivan, part 2

Tue, 9 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's the return of everyone's favorite symbiotic comedy duo! In these episodes, Bob and Ivan attempt dating! Oh, that'll go well... Remember, you can get the full scoop by buying the printed comic book at bobandivan.com!

Inside: Green Season, Part One

Mon, 8 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

Adrian's true-life prison story continues, as Darryl finds out that his future may be bound up with his cellmate's... which is bad news for both of them.

Red Plains #7, part 2

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

Our boys embark on a manhunt through the desert! And that's not all...

Leaning Rabbit

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's a brief charmer from England's excellent Lizz Lunney.

The Details, part 5

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

I don't know how she does it, but stef's series is only getting more gorgeous and more thought-provoking. This installment comprises the second half of the "Teatime" chapter, and it's really something.

The Life of a Komiks Artist

Tue, 2 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

Andrew returns with a cute (yet cynical) little one-pager!

The Intruder, part 3

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's the triumphant return of Aron's autobiographical nailbiter! It's great fun to see his round cuddly art style encompass a whole world of cops and cars and tweekers. Will Ariel get her computer back? I can't take the suspense!

See What I Can Do

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Craig "Chip" Carmichael

See What I Can Do is a stunning minicomic written by a long-time friend of Top Shelf reflecting on his life with Friedreich's ataxia, a degenerative nerve disease. It was drawn primarily by Chad Serhal and also features a cameo appearance by indy comics legend James Kochalka! This one is really not to be missed -- and be sure to read through to the end.

Marina

Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Emily Block

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! This is one of the most charming debuts we've ever run, now re-presented to charm anew. Emily created this wordless 24-hour comic for the 2008 24-Hour Comic Drawpocalypse at Cosmic Monkey Comics! You'll fall in love with this story of a little girl, her father's old sweater, and the magic it holds.

Inside: Green Season, Prologue

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

Here's something very different. Adrian English is an inmate in a Georgia state prison who's been corresponding with Top Shelf for some time now, and was recently profiled on the National Geographic Channel's Hard Time. Inside is a semi-autobiographical account of life behind bars, told by a man who knows it all too well. We begin serializing it, in five parts, starting now.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 23

Mon, 25 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lei Kung is at the gates of the Shao-lin temple! This is his chance to sneak into the temple and retrieve the Emperor's helmet inside -- if he can keep from being driven mad by the monks' torturous audition process! And his rival Li Zhao won't make it easy for him, that's for sure...

Incredible Change-Bots gallery

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Jeffrey Brown

Jeffrey Brown's hilarious transforming-robots parody is beloved by fans the world over (need an introduction? Check out this awesome animated video trailer!) -- but only the truest of true fans take the plunge and join the official Incredible Change-Bots Fan Club! Here's a select sampling of the exclusive original art that Jeffrey created for each Fan Club member, appearing online for the first time ever!

Cookie Duster

Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's what Jed originally had to say about this story when we first ran it, over a year ago: "I grew up in the desert and spent a lot of time running among cacti imagining I was a cowboy, army soldier and other violent types. The hero of this story, Douglas, would have been an ideal companion for my imaginary shoot-â��em-ups."

Bob and Ivan, part 1

Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

Today we present a new occasional comic strip about two guys who are a little too close for comfort. â��Have a sibling? Read Bob and Ivan! They flip easily between rival and friend, saboteur and supporter, as only family members can. See what happens when two people are bound by blood... literally." --Hilary Price, creator of Rhymes With Orange. You can also buy the printed comic book at bobandivan.com!

100 Mile House, part 5.2: Catching Fire

Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

At last, the second half of Willow's terrifying ordeal is told!

Red Plains #7, part 1

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

The murder investigation continues! And just when it's starting to feel like our boys are beating their heads against a wall, they may just have uncovered a clue...

Little By Small

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dean Haspiel

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT: Let's join Dino's pop-colored lovable lugnut, Billy Dogma, on his quest to protect our lungs from foul contamination! Note that Dean has lately resurrected Billy for an Eisner-nominated series of new adventures over on Act-I-Vate: check 'em out!

The Beard of Eternity

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

What's this? A new comic from Ben Hutchings?! You all must have been very good boys and girls indeed! Enjoy this delightful one-pager about a man and his beard (or is that a beard and its man?), executed with Ben's signature panache.

Journey of a Mixteco, part 2

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

We welcome back Duncan with another step down his giant continuous mural comic!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 22

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lei Kung faces his greatest challenge yet: entry into the legendary Shaolin temple! And he's not the only one hoping for admittance...

Cat in a Bag

Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Scott Smith

Welcome new artist Scott Smith! I would say more, but I think this is the kind of comic that works best on its own. Enjoy -- and for those of you lucky enough to be in Toronto or Bristol this weekend, have fun!

Cubicles of the Living Dead

Thu, 7 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Andrew Brandou

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! That's right. "Cubicles of the Living Dead." It is what it says. Can one comic excel at both slice-of-life and zombie apocalypse? You're about to find out!

The Details, part 4

Wed, 6 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

Did you need a dose of magic in your week? Well you're in luck -- here's stef with another luscious (and slightly meta) piece of "The Details"!

Barista Wars

Tue, 5 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Angela "Jam" Melick

There can be only one! ...welcome Vancouver's Angela Melick and her charming dose of caffeine and pixels.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 21

Mon, 4 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

Holy #@*&$^&! Lei Kung's got to survive an attack by an entire city full of zombies... and then the hard part begins!

Red Plains #6, part 2

Fri, 1 May 2009 00:00:00 PST

Murder strikes Fayetteville! Now who's up for some good ol' fashioned detective work? Not everybody, as it turns out. Good thing Sheriff Doles is in town...

My Freshman Year I Had So Much to Learn

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! In tribute to all you college students out there trying to wrap up a tough school year, here's an inspirational story from Gregory featuring some... questionable advice.

Obese Obsessor

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Noel Tuazon

Here's a delicious little piece of horror from Noel's dark past! It was originally published in Steve Bissette's Taboo Especial back in 1991 (the same book also included the first ever 24-hour comic, "A Day's Work" by Scott McCloud!).

Journey of a Mixteco, part 1

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Welcome new Mexican artist Duncan Tonatiuh! This is the first part of an ongoing serial, exploring issues of race, nationality, class, and more through the eyes of our Native American narrator (and drawn with Duncan's amazing hybrid of visual styles). I'm delighted to present it to you now!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 20

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lei Kung and his men have slogged through the mountains to the city where Moog Joogular dwells -- and our boy here knows he has a secret "in" with Moog that should make this mission a cinch! But wait a minute... what's happened to the city?

What the Cigarette Said

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

This horror story from Filipino wunderkind Andrew Drilon is flat-out gorgeous. What a way to kick off your weekend! Welcome aboard, Andrew.

Accordion

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dave Kiersh

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! I love the cartooning in this one-pager from about four years ago.

Miriam's Birthday

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Ariel LÃ³pez V.

Ariel's back -- with a slightly more realistic tale, but still bursting with his vivacious artwork! And come on, who hasn't been in this situation?

Love Puppets #3, part 3

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's the action-packed conclusion to our story, as Meg's steamy passion for rock star Seth Bowen builds to a head! But it may not be the type of "action" either one was hoping for...

Infinite Kung Fu, part 19

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

The race is on! Will Lei Kung's men be able to retrieve the emperor's magical arm guards? There are plenty of obstacles in their way... not least, his fellow general Li Zhao!

Red Plains #6, part 1

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

And we're back with a new storyline! When bad news arrives from Fayetteville, Sheriff Doles and his men may have quite the job on their hands...

Powdertooth

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Who hasn't felt like this? I first read this story as a tiny little micro-comic, printed with one panel per page. It's a treat to resurrect it for you now!

The Details, part 3: The Haircut

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Toronto's picture-poetess is back with the third meditative piece in her ongoing project. Note that this story, like her others, is available to purchase -- click stef's name for details!

The Intruder, part 2

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

The plot thickens! Oh man, how did this adorable anecdote turn into To Catch a Predator? I don't know, but I gotta have more!

Love Puppets #3, part 2

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

OMG! Can you believe Meg gets to hang out with Seth Bowen? The Seth Bowen! What a studmuffin! I wonder if he's as dreamy and sensitive and poetic as his songs?

Infinite Kung Fu, part 18

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Now that Lei Kung has wormed his way into the emperor's high command, he's running with a very different crowd... including the nefarious Li Zhao, and his even-more-nefarious 70s mustache! Now that the emperor has set them on competing quests to recover his armor, will Lei Kung triumph-- or will he be left "Dead on a Rival"?!

The Prisoner

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! This week we present another tragic scene from Matt Kindt's acclaimed graphic novel Super Spy -- about freedom, and duty, and sacrifice. Also, this story includes the page featured in this cool time-lapse video, where you can see Matt's whole process unfold, from pencils to color!

Once More into the Joe

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Huzzah! Joe's found some time amidst caring for his newborn to draw us some lovely new strips. Good to have you back, Joe!

The Magical Goddamn Elf of Forgetting Where Streets Are

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Ariel LÃ³pez V.

Ariel comes to us from Argentina, and the wild energy of his colorful art puts a smile on my face every time I see it. Here's his first strip for 2.0, but hopefully there'll be many more to come!

Love Puppets #3, part 1

Mon, 6 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

At last, the triumphant return of Australia's paragons of passion, raconteurs of romance, and heroes of the heart -- Grug and Jess! They're back with an all-new Love Puppets adventure. It begins... now!

Red Plains #5, part 2

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Rand continues his letter to the folks back home, leaving us on a lovely note as we ride off into the sunset... I mean weekend... I mean Emerald City ComiCon!

Crusoe

Thu, 2 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! A lyrical look at tranquility and madness, inspired by Daniel Defoe.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 17

Wed, 1 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lei Kung has settled into his new position as the emperor's general... but now the real quest begins! It's a whole new ballgame now, kids (Note to those keeping score at home: this installment forms the beginning of issue #4 of the original Infinite Kung Fu comic books)!

Tikboom: Global Warming, part 4

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

At last! Our delicious heroes have run out of time -- the army has finally tracked them down for stealing that giant missile. Will there be an epic battle?! Or will they all get distracted by something shiny?

Stop POTUS

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Damian Couceiro and Shaun Manning

New contributors Shaun and Damian bring you a compelling story of two friends, one scheme, and the highest office in the land...

Infinite Kung Fu, part 16

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Here it is: the ultimate battle between Lei Kung and General Bao Chong Zi! Our hero is up against the Fury of a Thousand Fists... time for all that training to pay off! That's right, kids - his KUNG FU is INFINITE!!!

The Catman of Donelson

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

by J.D. Wilkes

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Originally run here April 06, 2007, this creepy radio legend is perfect for the dark wee hours of the night.

The Details, part 2: The Alteration

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's another lovely installment of stef's allegorical wonderland. Come inside!

Me Likes You

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Lauren Barnett

Here's some cute color gags from young Brooklynite Lauren Barnett!

The Intruder, part 1

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Welcome the smooth curves of Portland minicomics wunderkind Aron! I've loved his work for several years now and it's a treat to bring you an all-new story of his on 2.0. Here's the first part of a true-life suspense thriller that we'll be serializing here in the weeks to come. Enjoy!

Red Plains #5, part 1

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Welcome new artist Patrick Bezanson! With this episode and the next, we take a break from all the killing and feuds to experience a day in the life out on the Red Plains...

Spy Versus Spy

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! It's been a while since we brought out one of Matt Kindt's Super Spy stories, hasn't it? Here's a classic from early on in the book, originally run online January 22, 2006. Two spies with very different agendas meet on the streets of Paris...

Infinite Kung Fu, part 15

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

The day of Lei Kung's duel has arrived -- a one-on-one deathmatch to defeat General Bao Chong Zi and become a general in his place! But how can Lei Kung possibly triumph... when he's been poisoned!?

Visionary Clowns

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Bart pays tribute to some of the more... underappreciated pioneers of the clowning art.

Grow

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Noel Tuazon

You've seen his art recently on Elk's Run... and our own Red Plains here on 2.0. But Noel is a man of many talents, and today we present a very different sort of story! This silent story, according to Noel, was loosely inspired by a sculpture project way back in his university days.

When Depressed Deep Rest Is Best

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! This one-pager is based on the poem "Another Mid-Life Crisis" by Roger McGough.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 14

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Ready to have your minds blown... again? All the flashbacks build to a head as we find out exactly what's in that box Lei Kung has been carrying to his meeting with the emperor!

Tikboom: Global Warming, part 3

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Four months have passed -- and you'll be amazed to see how much the guys have accomplished in that time! ...Or possibly not.

Bets Are Off

Mon, 9 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Nate Powell

Yes! It's another haunting Nate Powell piece, this one showing off his minimalist side. It also demonstrates his punk connections, as it's based on a song by Pretty Girls Make Graves. Wrap yourself up in the inky blanket of Nate's night, and remember what it is is to be young...

Red Plains: Range War #4, part 2

Fri, 6 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

This chapter of Red Plains comes to a bittersweet close - thanks to Caryn and Noel for a great ride! Stay tuned for news on the future of the Red Plains saga...

Love Song

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! If music be the food of love, play, Don!

The Details, part 1: Carnival

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Introducing Toronto's awesome stef lenk! If you guys enjoy this lovely allegorical story, there's plenty more coming! Also, you can order it as a mini-comic from stef's Etsy store!

Tikboom: Global Warming, part 2

Tue, 3 Mar 2009 00:00:00 PST

Tikboom's triumphant return! In this episode, our heroes destroy the sun... or possibly don't.

Hold still, little dudes -- I want to eat you. Jacob, why must your characters look so delicious?

Mesomur

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Johandson Rezende

One more debut for the week: the silent, psychedelic freak-out of Johandson Rezende! Have a great weekend, folks!

Dream Song

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! This one-page story is lyrical, all-too-realistic, and absolutely devastating.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 13

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

How did Lei Kung escape the Brutal Beast Chamber? The answer is more awesome than you can possibly imagine!

Tikboom: Global Warming, part 1

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

We met Jacob at San Diego last year and cracked up over his deadpan pastel wonderland... Now we're delighted to finally be able to share it with you! Presenting the first installment (of hopefully many) of the inimitable Tikboom!

On Tuesday

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Sam Alden

Give a warm welcome to Top Shelf buddy and cartooning wunderkind Sam Alden, everybody! His debut story is a twisted delight -- I especially love the distinctive childlike voice of our narrator.

Red Plains: Range War #4, part 1

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

How did we leave our (cough) hero Jackson? Not doing so well, was he? Now the law's closing in on his heels -- and he ain't even got his spurs on!

The Further Adventures of Baron Hugo, Retired Criminal Mastermind

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Felix Tannenbaum

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Felix's Xeric-Award-winning book Chronicles of Some Made is now available for pre-order through Diamond's Previews catalog, so here's a little Tannenbaum piece from back in the day, showing off his swell cartooning. Guest starring Henchman the cat!

Larry

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dunja JankoviÄ�

It's another beautifully inventive urban portrait by Dunja! Man, the more I stare at her work, the more I dig it!

QuichÃ© Internet Cafe

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Aaron's global observations return, this time with a thoughtful story from his trip to Guatemala.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 12

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lei-Kung gets his audience before the emperor! But wait... what happened during his time in captivity? Man, I can't wait to show you guys Part 13!

Ants

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! This poignant story, originally run online May 1, 2006, is part of Matt's awesome graphic novel, Super Spy. If you dig what you see here, definitely consider picking up the complete book!

The Return of the Love Generation

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

It's almost Valentine's Day... Bart helps us feel the love. Sort of.

Red Plains: Range War #3, part 2

Fri, 6 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

And then things really hit the fan.

Crazy

Thu, 5 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Amongst all the madness of New York Comic-Con, I somehow find the time to bring you this bit of inspired weirdness from 2004! Enjoy! And if you're in New York, come and see us at Table #1620!

Cage Variations: 1998 High Street

Wed, 4 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Sean T. Collins and Matt Rota

Sean cracks open a particularly seamy corner of his mind, as we take another look at his "fratboys gone horribly, horribly wrong" scenario, brought once again to unsettling life by Matt Rota. Salty language and mature themes ahead, to be sure.

The Truth About Dinosaurs!

Mon, 2 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lizz is back! With a hysterically tragic tale. Good news for us, bad news for the dinosaurs!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 11

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Are you ready to have your mind blown... again?! Kagan's fists of funkadelic fury are back, this time with a scene that's a little lower on the action -- but no less shocking! Note that, throughout the book, watercolored pages indicate the present, while solid graytone pages represent flashbacks. Trust me: it'll make way more sense.

Assassinated

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Get ready, boys & girls... Don is about to drop some knowledge, about the historic assassination of Alexander, king of Yugoslavia! It's a pretty wild story. This strip originally ran back in November 2004.

Hangar 84: Max, part 3

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

What's so great about this story is that Lode doesn't just tell us about the aliens' influence on human society -- he shows us! I don't know about you guys, but it's a future I wouldn't mind living in. Have a great time at AngoulÃªme, guys -- Lode and Stedho and Brecht Evens, plus old friend Randall Casaer, and the whole Pulp DeLuxe crew!

Hangar 84: Max, part 2

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lode's AngoulÃªme-featured alternate history epic continues to unfold!

Red Plains: Range War #3, part 1

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

After throwing off his daddy's leash, Jackson has become a wild dog -- the question is, who will he bite next?

The Spy Gadget Catalog

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! In celebration of Matt Kindt's recognition by John Mitchell's webcomics exhibit, here's another chapter from the Eisner-nominated Super Spy. This chapter, originally run on 2006/03/06, is a unique catalog of actual espionage gadgets and equipment...with a heartbreaking twist!

Hangar 84: Max, part 1

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

As featured at this month's AngoulÃªme International Comics Festival, here's an all-new serial from Lode: an alternate history triggered by the arrival of visitors from outer space!

100 Mile House, part 5.1: Catching Fire

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Willow's idyllic childhood reminiscence continues to take on slightly weightier themes, as "100 Mile House" reaches its first cliffhanger ending!

Return of the Joe

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Holidays, hospitals, and hospitality machines -- it's good to have you back, Joe!

Memory is a Monster

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Another lovely one-pager from Zeno -- the title says it all.

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 11

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

El Uno is pretty steamed! NiÃ±o better have something special up his sleeve, or else he and the Grasshopper Brothers are toast!

A Real Gentle Knife

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Sean T. Collins and Josiah Leighton

Welcome old friend Sean and new friend Josiah with a new lesson in spooky subtlety, based on a song by Golden Boy with Miss Kittin.

Handball Heaven

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

One game of handball gets out of control... and then really gets out of control! This insane piece of Ben's is a sheer delight. BOING!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 10

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Lei-Kung's got a lot on his mind... but will he even have time to think it over? Bao Chong-Zi's men have a suggestion!

Dr. Dia in: Critters

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Through hypnosis, Dr. Dia investigates memories of a mysterious race of infrared "critters"... are they hallucinations, or something more? And hey, how 'bout that color scheme? Yowza!

Mirjana

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

by Dunja JankoviÄ�

Dunja returns, with a beautiful urban tragedy in the form of a photo-illustration hybrid. Awesome!

Red Plains: Range War #2, part 2

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Well, if getting shot at won't change Jackson's mind, maybe a public embarrassment from his daddy might...

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 10

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 00:00:00 PST

Welcome back! When last we left our hero, he had just gulped down one of El Uno's fearsome peppers! How do they compare to NiÃ±o's legendary red-hots? And why do I have this feeling that somebody's gonna get clobbered?!

XMAS Dang!

Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Martin Cendreda

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT: Happy Holidays, everybody! Top Shelf 2.0 is taking a short break and will return after New Year's. Thanks for watching, and we look forward to seeing you in a fantastic 2009!

The Barber

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Renzo PodestÃ¡ and Elton Pruitt

Welcome new artist Renzo Podesta! Today, he brings gorgeous life to a moving, emotionally complex story by Elton Pruitt.

A Short Untitled Strip

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! A nice bit of picture poetry from Zeno, originally published in April 2007.

100 Mile House, part 4: Butterfly House

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Willow's family retreat widens to include another family -- great for Willow, who's reunited with her best friend, but she can't help noticing something else going on...

Red Plains: Range War #2, part 1

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Well, Jackson got what he wanted -- and he may even get away with it! Or so he thinks...

Crime Fighter

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

You gotta love the creative ways that superheroes find to subdue bad guys... but did you ever wonder what happens afterwards?

Infinite Kung Fu, part 9

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Time for Lei-Kung to finally get some answers! But first-- SHOPPING MONTAGE!!!

A Cowboy's Work is Never Done

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Don King adapts a very goofy Sonny & Cher song from 1972, and -- believe it or not -- brings a certain amount of nobility to it.

This Is Where I Am

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Elton Pruitt and Noel Tuazon

Please welcome old friend Noel Tuazon and new friend Elton Pruitt! And folks, this one's a doozy.

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 9

Tue, 9 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Those guys look pretty tough... Does NiÃ±o know what he's getting himself into?! I guess it's not called The Bravest NiÃ±o for nothing!

Miss Manners

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

It's another delightful 24-hour comic by Jessica McLeod! Miss Camillo has just accidentally become a superhero... and you know, I think she rather likes it!

The Untold Legend of Double Shakes McGraw

Fri, 5 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Ben returns with the tale of a cheerful old man and his most prized anecdote!

Dr. Dia in: Hoax

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Dr. Dia and her team are back, investigating the famous crop circle phenomenon. It's a hoax, of course... right?

The Blue Kid Lost at Sea, part 3

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

All good things must come to an end... so we bid farewell (for now) to this lovely all-ages adventure. Go back and read through the whole thing, won't you?

Decie Strikes Again

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

In a better world, Joe's keen observations would greet you every morning in the newspaper with your breakfast. In this world, they greet you on a semi-regular basis here on 2.0! And we're so glad to have him.

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 8

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 00:00:00 PST

Welcome back, NiÃ±o! We're all excited to see what your next adventure will be! What's that? You're going to a wrestling match? Awesome!!!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 8

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Introducing Thursday Thoroughgood! Maybe with her help, Lei-Kung can start to put the pieces together... But if you think Bao Chong-Zi is out of the picture, think again!

100 Mile House, part 3: Old Bones

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Willow whisks us back to the joy of childhood discovery with the newest installment of her gorgeous piecemeal memoir.

The Blue Kid Lost at Sea, part 2

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Jed's imagination, and his hairless hero, sail out into staggering new vistas. He's going out with a bang, folks -- but he ain't quite done yet!

Red Plains: Range War, part 2

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Jackson Stevens ain't exactly what you'd call a forgiving manâ�¦ and when one of his daddy's cowhands gets shot down in cold blood, he ain't too particular about how he gets his revengeâ�¦

Body Parts of South American Heroes

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Originally drawn for the Vancouver Comicon, here's a gruesome and imaginative take on Brazilian history by Gabriel Frizzera!

Dr. Dia in: Geoglyph

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! "Geoglyph" is one of several stories Lode has done starring marine biologist Dr. Dia and her crack team of scientists, as they explore the weird corners of our world! In this episode, our heroes investigate the real-life Nazca geoglyphs of ancient Peru. But there may be more to discover than they can imagine...

Unspent Love #6

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Once again, Shannon takes an everyday moment and finds the phrase that transforms it utterly. Today, we're gazing into mirrors.

Drawn at the Expense of Sleep

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Can you believe Joe finds time to draw with a new baby in the house?! Neither can he.

The Blue Kid Lost at Sea, part 1

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Jed's imaginative all-ages epic returns! This update kicks off the third of three journeys which make up the Blue Kid saga.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 7

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Master Moog Joogular displays his flabbergasting brand of funk-infused kung fu! Try not to wet your pants.

Ordinary People

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Zeno Sworder presents a brief tale of xenophilia gone wrong.

Red Plains: Range War, part 1

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Presenting the first chapter in a new serial: Red Plains! Squatters! Shootin's! Sons n' shotguns! Saddle up for an action-packed drama from Caryn Tate and Noel Tuazon!

A Murder of Crows

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

by T.J. Kirsch

"or Slim Johnson's Convalescence." Enjoy the chunky ink work of newcomer T.J. Kirsch in this horrific bit of PTSD-infused terror!

Let This Be a Lesson

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's an early work by Jed, in a different vein from his historical fantasy stories -- this one's quite a bit closer to home. (originally posted 1/15/06)

Yeti Party

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

For 24-Hour Comic Day this year, Jessica drew a sequel to the adorable "Bad Yeti." And I think she may have one-upped herself!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 6

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

Celebrate the election of America's first black president in our very small way -- with Top Shelf's first black martial arts master! Get ready, kids: Infinite Kung Fu is about to jump to a whole new level.

Ahnold

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST

This never-before-seen gag was drawn way back in 1997 -- remember when this guy was a movie star, and not an elected official?

41.6 Gross

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Chris Sweet

The dream comic is a venerable old genre... but it may never before have encountered penguins in cubicles!

Almost

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Brecht Evens

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! This funny painted gag came to us from Flemish comics prodigy Brecht Evens back in 2006, when he was still in art school!

Your Sins Will Be as White as Snow

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Box Brown

Box Brown returns with a new Bellen! story! Ben encounters an old man passing out Chick tracts and suddenly he can't get enough of 'em! But surely this can't end well...

Love Puppets #2, part 4

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

WHAT is Mr. Johansen up to? WHERE did all these delicious cakes come from? HOW will this issue of Love Puppets end? Time to find out!

100 Mile House, part 2: The Gift

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Willow's family settles in to their rustic new home!

With Just One Bullet, part 2

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Oh man, this one's a killer. Go back and read part 1, then return for the gut-wrenching conclusion!

Dang! #3

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Martin Cendreda

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! It's another barrel of gags from Martin Cendreda, on the topic of... himself! [Yes, we skipped one - Dang 2 was Christmas themed, and I'm not ready to be that anachronistic...]

Unspent Love #5

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Another stunning snapshop from Shannon -- literalizing the moment when we feel two lives overlapping. Enjoy!

Love Puppets #2, part 3

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Who doesn't love a book signing? (ask the authors of Swallow Me Whole and Veeps, who are on tour now!) But sometimes they don't turn out like you expected... and desperate measures may be required!

Taxidermus

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Here's a creepy new piece from Stedho, a lushly drawn spook-out in the old EC tradition of concise-yet-memorable storytelling.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 5

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Lei Kung has another lesson to learn... and all he wanted was a plain old bowl of noodles!

The John Henry Experience

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Felix Tannenbaum

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Felix Tannenbaum presents a slightly... revised take on the John Henry story.

With Just One Bullet, part 1

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

The grisly gray-toner of "Heavy Metal Heart" returns, with a fantastic new sci-fi thriller! Is our hero man enough to carry on the family tradition? Or is his father a psychopath?!

Love Puppets #2, part 2

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Can anything withstand the mighty force of Mr. Johansen's grumpiness? If so, it certainly won't be this annoying cookbook lady!

100 Mile House, part 1: The Leaving

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

We welcome back Willow Dawson with her new, lovingly drawn, series of rural reminiscences, 100 Mile House -- named after the gorgeous part of British Columbia where these childhood memories were born.

Hairy Midget Elf

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Welcome back, Lizz! It's official: comics written in the second person become 20% more adorable.

My Wife's Ass

Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Robert Goodin

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! In celebration of the recent debut of Robert Goodin's new comic book, The Man Who Loved Breasts, here's a hilarious old gem from Rob, on another anatomical subject!

The Blue Kid's Hicky Wicky Adventure, part 2

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

How can Jed possibly top those melon-mouthed moon-monsters from last episode?! Time to find out!

Love Puppets #2, part 1

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

Can you believe it!? Grug and Jessica just got engaged! Congratulations, you nutty Australian lovebirds, and welcome back to Top Shelf 2.0! It's the triumphant return of Love Puppets, now with 10% more matrimonial expectation!

Burning Building Comix #1-#3

Fri, 3 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Jeff Zwirek

Behold! The all-new third issue of Burning Building Comix, never before seen online! As before, we're "stacking" all the stories of Jeff's, er, stories... until, like King Nimrod of old, we reach the heavens!

Heavy Metal Heart, part 3

Thu, 2 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! At last, the jaw-dropping conclusion! The ultimate warrior confronts his creator, and only one will walk away.

...Right?

Unspent Love #4

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

It begins as a dream and then becomes something else... There's more than one transformation going on here.

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 7

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

It's the mouth-watering conclusion to yet another culinary adventure with NiÃ±o and friends! How could anyone impress this restaurant critic, this snooty foodie? All will be revealed!

The Blue Kid's Hicky Wicky Adventure, part 1

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

Jed's back -- and wilder than ever!

Heavy Metal Heart, part 2

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Behold... the living weapon revealed! It's the midpoint of our new three-part presentation of Gabriel's gripping cybernetic thriller.

Box

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

What is it with boxes on this site!? David Chelsea, Aaron Navrady, and now Stedho: It's like everybody got together and drew stories about boxes without telling me. Not to mention Box Brown! I won't stand for it! ...Anyway, this is a clever little piece, beautifully textured. You may need to read it more than once.

Cage Variations: Kitchen Sink

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Sean T. Collins and Matt Rota

Sean's told some pretty twisted tales in his time... but tonight's story may take the cake. Seriously, keep the kids away -- Matt's linework isn't the only thing that's unstable in this bleak piece!

Infinite Kung Fu, part 4

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

At last! Lei Kung's training begins!

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 6

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

Cheer up, NiÃ±o! You'll find a way to convince that puffed-up nincompoop... with a little help from your friends!

Heavy Metal Heart, part 1

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! For the first time, we present an archive story that's just too huge for a single day's update: this thrilling sci-fi action piece by Brazilian artist Gabriel Frizzera. We'll continue Gabriel's story over the next couple Thursdays -- this one's just too good to stay in the archives any longer!

Watermelon Boy, part 2

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

It's the thrilling conclusion! Pomegranates: always funny.

Watermelon Boy, part 1

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

Introducing a special two-parter from the irrepressible Lizz Lunney! Will our exocarpal hero ever find love!?

Unspent Love #3

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

There's a lot of "never"s in this installment of Unspent Love... but it's always a treat to see Shannon at work.

Fear

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Box Brown

Box returns with another meditative comic-essay... but this time, he ain't hiding behind his Bellen! characters! Come, journey into... FEAR!

Percevil

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Farel Dalrymple

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! A Portlander and longtime Top Shelf chum, Farel did this less-is-more tearjerker for us way back in 2004. Check out those colors!

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 5

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

Look who's back! NiÃ±o returns (with his peppers) in an all-new adventure! Where do you go to find people to try a new food? Why, a restaurant, of course! But this restaurant has a very special guest...

Infinite Kung Fu, part 3

Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

The adventure continues! Surely the hopes of mankind don't rest with... this guy!?

Box Tape Passage

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

More adventures of Aaron in Morocco! Our hero takes a taxi ride to the Anti-Atlas mountain range, with two friends from England, plus a hotelier who brings along a suspicious package...

Four More More

Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

We'll send you out into the weekend with another set of lovely ink-wash strips from Joe. Have a good one!

The Super Spy

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's another thrilling chapter from Matt Kindt's Eisner-nominated graphic novel Super Spy, as originally serialized on the web! On the one assignment when everything goes wrong, can even a "super spy" make it out alive?

2 Specks of Light

Wed, 3 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Chris Sweet

"This comic started off as an idea for some fan art for my friend Alex. Then one day, while I was taking a shower, a little egg popped out of my brain, and this story hatched from it. It's a brief little snippet - really just the beginning and end of a story without any middle - but I hope you enjoy it."

Unspent Love #2

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

Shannon's back! This one's a heartbreaker.

Burning Building Comix #1-#2

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Jeff Zwirek

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT: It's the return of Jeff Zwirek's Ignatz-Award-nominated minicomic... as you've never seen it before! In this special digital presentation, issues 1 and 2 of the series are combined. Floor by floor, we'll stack the whole burning building together, until Jeff's architectural masterpiece is complete!

Four More

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

What keeps Joe awake at night? Hey, if you had his keen eye for absurdity and his smug pop-music omniscience, you'd be wistfully grumpy too.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 2

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

The legend returns, with an all-new, never-before-seen chapter of Infinite Kung Fu! In the grim aftermath of Part 1, the Seven Immortals discuss humanity's fate. Can any champion resist the temptation of poison kung fu? Only time will tell!

Dordles

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Nik Daum

Welcome to Nik Daum's head!

Routine

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Will Dinski

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! It's terror amid the tedium tonight, folks, in this chilling tale from 2006.

Four Strips

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

Introducing the wise and witty Joe Decie! He'll be in occasionally with these beautiful little observations, daydreams, and adventures in adulthood. We're glad to have him!

Unspent Love #1

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

Presenting, with pride, the lovely first story in an occasional series by Shannon Gerard: Unspent Love, or Things I Wish I Told You. Perfect for late-night reading with a cup of tea and Cocteau Twins on the stereo... or maybe I'm just projecting?

Ritual of the Savage, part 3

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

Jed's sensual saga spirals out of control into its conclusion, and -- spoiler alert! -- the inevitable tragedy. Tasty!

Dang! #1

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Martin Cendreda

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Martin Cendreda's fantastic cartooning goes down easy with this assortment of gags on the theme of youth. Enjoy!

Sketches

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

Welcome Willow Dawson! There'll be lots of stuff from Willow coming up, but for now enjoy these thought-provoking bits and bobs from her sketchbooks.

Ritual of the Savage, part 2

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

The plot thickens! or... Trouble in paradise! or... Enough with the cheesy one-liners and enjoy Jed's color wizardry already!

Brainfag #6.2

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Nate Beaty

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Nate brings us a lovely little silent piece in this, the second half of Brainfag #6.

Frederick Cooper (part 8): Next Time

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

That Freddie Cooper... he's never had a depressing moment in his life, has he? For the last story in this run of Freddie Cooper strips, a fitting swan song for the man who never lets it get to him.

The Blue Kid, part 4

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 PST

Our indigo adventurer has been through a lot, folks... Isn't it time for him to go home? Maybe this headless unicyclist can help.

Ritual of the Savage, part 1

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Jed says: "This story grew out of my love for the 1950s exotica music of Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman and others. I wanted to create a visual counterpart to their lush, beautiful music." Note that this strip contains some NSFW native attire, and a protagonist with some pretty questionable attitudes!

Frederick Cooper (part 7): Relaxin' at the Harbor

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

A short one for today, as Bernie illustrates exactly what Brett and I feel like doing after the 5-day chaos of Comic-Con. Enjoy!

The Blue Kid, part 3

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Our cranial hero encounters an ill-mannered lout and undergoes an amazing anatomical journey! PLUS: will he ever be reunited with, er, the rest of him? Only time will tell!

Drop Out

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! In celebration of Matt Kindt's Eisner Award candidacy this weekend (Super Spy is up for Best Graphic Album - Reprint), here's one of my favorite chapters of Super Spy, as it was originally presented over two years ago on this very site! Cheers, Matt!

Eddie Elephant-Ears

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Jeff Lemire

In celebration of the advance appearance of Essex County volume 3: The Country Nurse at San Diego Comic-Con, we proudly present another Jeff Lemire "Essexclusive" from the cutting room floor! For those of you who can't make it to the opening of Comic-Con tonight, join us in spirit, and enjoy the oddball tale of Eddie Elephant-Ears. And keep your fingers crossed for Jeff (and Matt Kindt) at the Eisner Awards this Friday night!

The Blue Kid, part 2

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Why, here's the latest installment in Jed Alexander's dreamy, gentle kids' adventure series! It's positively... diagrammagical!

Brainfag #6.1

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Nate Beaty

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Longtime Top Shelf webmaster Nate Beaty is also a brilliant visual diarist. Here's a moody sequence of Portland moments from Brainfag #6, now available in the collected BFF omnibus!

Destructor in: Prison Break

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Remember Destructor? Well... he's back! And he brought some COMPANYYYYYYY OH GOD A DRAGON

Frederick Cooper (part 6): Chicago!

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Another rollicking jam from Bernie McG! Freddie and the gang (including a few new friends) introduce us to the finer points of his -- and his creator's -- hometown.

Oysterface, part 3

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Ben Constantine

Hide the kiddies! Oysterface comes to its moist conclusion.

The Blue Kid, part 1

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Welcome to a new all-ages serial from Jed Alexander! It's a little bit Lewis Carroll, a little bit Saint-ExupÃ©ry, with a breezy storytelling quality all its own.

Depressed Cat

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Here's the latest from the ever-delightful Lizz Lunney! Management not responsible for chuckles of self-recognition.

Oysterface, part 2

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Ben Constantine

Welcome back from the holiday (and apologies to non-US readers for enduring our freedom)! Here comes another demented slice of seaside love with your hero and mine... Oysterface! Don't read this stuff right before going to bed, folks.

Abe Stories

Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Glenn Dakin

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Here's a real gem from the past: three 2-page meditations from the always-insightful Glenn Dakin!

Cave Adventure, part 4

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST

Who is this mysterious X-headed hero? Why did he rescue our boy Washington in part 3? What secret wisdom does he hold? We're about to find out... as the Cave Adventure continues!

Oysterface, part 1

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Ben Constantine

Meet Oysterface! Acquaintance of Aubrey, friend of the sea, lover of... crabs? Today we begin our journey into the inky aquatic dreamscape that is Ben Constantine's mind. Not for the faint of heart (or stomach)!

Frederick Cooper (part 5): Air-Conditioned Ancient Freddie

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

I... Oh, jeez, I don't know what to say. Bernie's really outdone himself with this one. You gotta read it to believe it.

Cave Adventure, part 3

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Enough jibber-jabber! On with the quest! Parental advisory: this comic contains magic items, inventory checks, heartbreaking pathos, and totally extreme action.

The Hole in the Wall, part 5

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

The grand adventure comes full circle -- in more ways than one!

Cave Adventure, part 2

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Time out! Who are these crazy critters that keep attacking our hero? Maybe it's time for a... CAVE MONSTER WHO'S WHO!

Frederick Cooper (part 4): Grumpus Express / Ancient Grumpus

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Freddie's not the only one with an ancient ancestor, y'know! And -- surprise surprise -- Ancient Grumpus wasn't a whole lot more sociable than his contemporary scion...

Cave Adventure, part 1

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Introducing a kickass new serial! Washington Smalls goes into a cave! He fights things in the cave! He... looks like an ice cream cone? ...It's complicated.

Schwarzkopf

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! Stedho's bold, pop cartooning takes us on an undersea adventure, with a thrilling blend of menace and whimsy. Warning: may contain brief glimpses of cartoon wang.

The Hole in the Wall, part 4

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Thrills! Spills! The excitement ramps up as our dreamlike kitty adventure heads toward its climax!

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 4

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Oh no! It's Bernardo the bully! Will NiÃ±o and his friends escape from his clutches? Will that cutie Amiana ever know how NiÃ±o feels about her? Will somebody please try one of these freakin' peppers!?! The answers lie within, as The Bravest NiÃ±o wraps up its first story-arc! Hang on to your horchata, kids -- this one's a doozy!

Frederick Cooper (part 3): Beat Boxin / Getting a Couple Beers

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Oh, that Freddie Cooper! The guy just refuses to have a bad day! Somehow that doesn't always make him too popular...

It Brought Me Some Peace of Mind

Thu, 5 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Sean T. Collins and Matt Rota

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! What lurks beneath the tranquil surface of this sleepy train station? The time-lapse horror of this haunting piece will stay with you long after the first reading...

The Hole in the Wall, part 3

Wed, 4 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

Our heroes have been separated! What strange wonders await them now? One thing's for sure -- if it involves the visionary cartooning and craftsmanship of John C. Ralston, I want to find out!

Bad Yeti

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

A yeti ventures into the outside world, and is disappointed with what he finds. Warning: this comic encourages very bad behaviour and grumpiness.

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 3

Mon, 2 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST

NiÃ±o's quest continues as he bumps into his old friends! Surely they will be willing to try NiÃ±o's peppers... or will they? Hey, what's with these kids, anyway?

Love Puppets, part 3

Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Get your heartstrings ready for tuggin': here comes the climactic final chapter of the first story arc of Love Puppets! But will Callie, Alex, and Sam's world end with a bang, or a whimper?

The Bottle

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Dash Shaw

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! In celebration of the release of Dash Shaw's massive new book Bottomless Belly Button from Fantagraphics, here's a hidden Shaw gem from the Top Shelf vault. "The Bottle" is a diagrammatic, deceptively emotional fable about a boat, its passengers, and what remains.

Frederick Cooper (part 2): Ancient Freddie and the Battle of Six Bears

Wed, 28 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Join us as Freddie regales the neighborhood kids with a mythic tale of his great ancestor!

The Hole in the Wall, part 2

Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Getting swallowed was just the beginning! Our intrepid felines continue their explorations in part 2 of this delightfully surreal journey.

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 2

Fri, 23 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

NiÃ±o's discovered some mighty powerful peppers! But is his family tough enough to handle the kick from his new favorite food? Find out in the gut-busting second chapter of this spicy saga!

Burning Building Comix #1

Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Jeff Zwirek

ARCHIVE SPOTLIGHT! What happens to the tenants of a building when it catches fire? Find out in the Ignatz-nominated, uniquely stackable Burning Building Comix! Each issue shows two floors of the building's trapped and beleaguered captives. Eventually, all the issues will build on top of each other to complete the building's whole story!

Love Puppets, part 2

Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Romance! Awkwardness! Octo-pop! It's all here in the second thrilling chapter of the irresistable LOVE PUPPETS!

Now Open the Box

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

by David Chelsea

I drew "Now Open The Box", my tenth 24-Hour Comic, at the Cosmic Monkey Drawpocalypse event on April 5-6 2008. I loosely based it on that week's "Modern Love" column, which l illustrate for the Style Section of the New York Times. That piece, by Lori Jakiela, was about a couple who buy a sex chair online but find themselves too embarrassed to test it out after their seven year old son appropriates it as a battleground for his plastic army men. That's fine for a family newspaper, but l figure such coyness would never be tolerated in comics, so my couple definitely get the chair.

Frederick Cooper, Light of the World (part 1): Magic

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

A story of the happiest man on Earth, spanning Cook County zip codes and thousands of years. Mythically absurd and told with a simple yet calculated line.

URAQT

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

"How much do I love you? Let me show you..." A romantic one-pager with a slightly adult twist.

The Real Killers Are Still Out There

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Sometimes people feel alone.

The Bravest NiÃ±o, part 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

A spicy tale about a boy and his peppers! Part One of this hilarious all-ages story about courage, friendship, and food.

The Sonic Alembic

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

by Steve Lafler

Paramilitary madness in a Northern California gone wrong... from the inimitable Steve Lafler.

Infinite Kung Fu, part 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Infinite Kung Fu echoes familiar martial arts films of the â��70s and â��80s; awkward dubbing, bad wigs, insane laughter and all. An epic tale of martial madness laced with western horror and action elements, Infinite Kung Fu clutches your inner force, yanks it into the martial world and WILL NOT LET GO!

Love Puppets, part 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Love Puppets is a funny, bittersweet romance comic that will warm your heart without making you sick. Oh, and it has puppets.

The Hole in the Wall, part 1

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST

Surreal cliff-hanging adventure! Starring two cats and some very luscious watercolors.

The Sorrows of Young Mudrump

Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:00 PST