Hello, and welcome to Webcomics Wednesday! Who’s your favorite superhero? A common enough question. But what about your favorite sidekick? Sidekicks have been around ever since there were heroes and villains for them to assist. They provide a personal link between the reader and the major characters of a story, and often they walk away as the most memorable people in the adventure. If you don’t have a favorite sidekick, then it’s about time you got one! Check out some of the favorites featured below.
For those of you new to Webcomics Wednesday, it’s a weekly tradition where we showcase five webcomics centered around a certain theme. They are chosen and presented in no particular order based on art, story and appeal. This week, we’re celebrating the sidekick. Enjoy!
Comic: Sidekick Girl
Creators: Erika Wagner and Laura Cascos
In their own words: Who hasn’t wanted to be a superhero? Everyone’s fantasized about donning a costume and using their powers to uphold justice (or make mischief). In Metro City, superheroing isn’t a daydream, it’s a career path. The hard part isn’t acquiring powers, it’s getting through all of the red tape in the superhero industry. And it all looks so easy in the movies…
In our words: If superheroes were real and you could be one yourself, who would you be? What would be your powers and name? Not sure? Then how about being a sidekick? Valerie (Val) Upton is a professional sidekick in a town where being a superhero is a career. Sidekick girl is tough and doesn’t mind living in the background of the life of lustrous hero Illumina as long as it means fighting the bad guys and getting justice taken care of.
Comic: Companion
Creator: Jessica Hurley
In her own words: Companion is a comic following the lives of a slightly introverted boy named Tommy, and his very extroverted dog, Theodore, on their escapades and adventures. Updates on Tuesdays!
In our words: This is a comic about the ultimate sidekick—a dog. Though still a new comic without much to show, you can’t help liking the antics of a shy boy and his wild young dog. Companion is a perfect read for a snowy day, and as the story grows it’s sure to bring even more smiles in the days ahead.
Comic: Nimona
Creator: Noelle Stevenson
In her own words: Lord Ballister Blackheart has a point to make, and his point is that the good guys aren’t as good as they seem. He makes a comfortable living as a supervillain, but never really seems to accomplish much – until he takes on a new sidekick, Nimona, a shapeshifter with her own ideas of how things should be done. Unfortunately, most of those ideas involve blowing things up. Now Ballister must teach his young protégé some restraint and try to keep her from destroying everything, while simultaneously attempting to expose the dark dealings of those who claim to be the protectors of the kingdom – including his former best friend turned nemesis, Ambrosius Goldenloin.
In our words: For those of you with more devious tastes, Nimona takes us to the darker side of things. As a supervillain’s sidekick with a love for blowing things up, Nimona adds humor and personality to the world where heroes are villains and villains are… insane? The mischievous antics of the young villain are sure to give a good laugh, and the question is brought into play what villainy is really about.
Comic: Sidekick Quests
Creator: James Stowe
In his own words: Welcome to the world of Adventur! In the good Kingdom of Chivel bands of adventurers are being called upon for a great quest. Adam McGuffin, Kind of Chivel, is forming an army to attack the Bad Lands to the west. The evil Spiked Knight has kidnapped the King’s daughter, Princess True. Only the bravest and most worthy adventurers will quest with the King in an attempt to save her. But this is not our story. Our tale begins with novice adventurers… a Squire, a Scout, and Apprentice and a mere Amateur. While a war is waged in the Bad Lands these four will discover there own… Sidekick Quests!
In our words: If you want something you can really sink your teeth into and interact with, Sidekick Quests is your solution! In addition to being an awesome webcomic in its own right, it’s also a role-playing game with more content that comes out as the story progresses. Not only that, but every Friday they release a fan comic. If you’ve ever wanted to take part in the development of a webcomic yourself, here’s your chance! Play the game. Write your own. Enjoy the adventures!
Comic: Henchmen for Hire
Creator: Jeff Langcaon
In our words: After looking at the above webcomics, you might be wanting to hire yourself out to a hero or villain yourself. If so, Henchmen for Hire will let you in on all of the best tricks of the trade, from looking for work to managing a superhuman boss and more. It’s a humorous look at having a job as a super-villain’s henchman and everything involved.
Thanks for joining us on our look at the sidekick, and please come back next Wednesday for more delightful webcomics! In the meantime, tell us if we missed anything in this week’s selection. What’s your favorite idea of a sidekick? Was there anything that we missed? Let us know! We love getting feedback and suggestions for future material! Also feel free to share this page with anyone you know who’d love it. It’s always fun for people to find a new favorite!
Professional sidekick huh? At least your name isnt on all the bills I guess that way. :0
Henchmen for Hire especially looks like a fun read.
My favorite sidekick is Dick Grayson….because he isn't a sidekick anymore!