How to Best Enjoy Reading Comics Online and for Free – A single issue of a comic book may cost about $3.99 (variants and event issues may be even higher). You would think that spending that much for the thing you love the most wouldn’t be that big of a deal. However, frequent visit to a comic book store will eventually be expensive. And that’s why you need some alternatives that don’t really drain you of your money.
1. ComiXology
ComiXology is first and foremost an online comic shop so of course it costs money. But if you look deeper into it, you’ll know that it also provides a collection of free issues that’s constantly updated as well. Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, manga, indie releases, and issues from small publishers can be found on this online shop.
2. DriveThru Comics
DriveThru clearly lacks the big-names of the industry: Marvel and DC. But you can find an expansive collection of comic books that span styles and genres.
3. Amazon Best Sellers
If you know where to look, you can find tons of free content here. The list of Comics and Graphic Novels Best Sellers is a good place to start.
4. Digital Comic Museum
This place is a great source if you wish to take a look back at the origin of comic book as a medium of entertainment. It features free comics from the Golden Age.
5. Comic Book Plus
Similar to the previous entry, this one has a host of free comic books from both Golden and Silver Eras.
6. GoComics
GoComics is your go-to place if you wish to read some syndicated strips. Subscriptions are divided into free and paid-for. It boasts an amazing amount of comic strips including Calvin and Hobbes, Dilbert, and Peanuts. Three categories are available under the Garfield title: Garfield, Classics, and Garfield without Garfield.
7. ElfQuest
Running since late 70s, ElfQuest has won tons of awards. Issues released prior to 2014 are available on the website for free. Dark Horse is now selling the title’s concluding arc, Final Quest.
8. The Internet Archive
Admittedly, there aren’t enough mainstream issues here but it does indeed feature a whole host of comics and graphic novels all for free. It is also a good place to start if you’re just getting hooked with comic books and wish to find out what’s possibly there beyond the mainstream. Get on The Internet Archive and start clicking on some random titles to broaden your insights.
