Sunday Morning Funnies: Gnomish Investigation Agency

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Every week, SMF has been featuring a regularly updating web comic about, or inspired by, World of Warcraft. This week, meet The Gnomish Investigation Agency:

The Gnomish Investigation Agency is written and created by Scott, who is, among other things, an anthropology student. Scott started the comic as a fun project for himself and his guild, and it evolved from there. He uses iPhoto, Comic Life 2 and Image Tricks to create the comic, but may branch out to other programs in the future. Everything is shot in-game.

The comic itself is about a gnomish private detective by the name of Mr. Wizworth Coggling, who, after witnessing various tragedies befall his people, decides to form an agency to help gnomes who have fallen on tough times. The motto: "We make your big problems seem small!"

Other characters include Dr. Fizton Lightspanner and a mysterious, top-hatted gnome.

The Gnomish Investigation Agency updates once or twice weekly.

And now for this week's comics:

In comic news this week, Contested Territory has uploaded the end to Chapter 2! Check it out above. The comic will be on hiatus until the end of July, when Chapter 3 will begin unfolding! In the meantime, there will be plenty of fun filler content, so we'll have something to tide us over.

Away From Reality is still unveiling a special series of comics, so don't miss out! And I totally am apparently going to get my gnome-rogue-in-Animal-Crossing wish! I can't wait. Yay Mary!

If you were interested in Guilded Age and its Kickstarter fund for some animated shorts and Volume 2 in print, it's coming along nicely but still has room to grow. There are also a couple of updates to check out.

And, last but not least, we have a new, WoW-inspired comic to add to the list! Check out Experience Boost, or XP Boost, above! Tags: featured, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: From Draenor With Love

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Each week, we've been featuring a regularly updating WoW-related web comic from our list. Today, we're shining the spotlight on From Draenor With Love:

From Draenor With Love is created by Stacey, a freelance artist and illustrator, and Mike, a journalist and graphic designer. Stacey also runs a blog called Manalicious, and does character commissions.

This comic is fairly accessible to new readers. The jokes are often about experiences that casual and "hardcore" players share alike. There is also usually a good discussion below the comic, which is enjoyable if you "got it" and informative if you didn't!

Two of the main characters are Vidyala (a multi-lingual draenei who digs explosions and the Light) and Rades, an orc. The two bonded over their mutual love for goggles and "interest in how things tick and general mayhem." There are other characters, too, but you'll have to read the comic to meet them!

You can read more about Stacey and Mike on the comic's About page, or more about Vidyala and Rades on the Characters page.

From Draenor With Love updates Wednesdays.

And now, for this week's comics:

In comic news this week, Away From Reality has started up a special series of comics leading up to #250. It will be a 12-episode storyline, updated twice weekly (Wednesdays and Saturdays), for the next six weeks. Check out the first installment above!

Also for fans of Away From Reality (or fans of awesome fan art?), blogger and artist Kamalia et alia did up an artist's rendition of the AFR gang (well, sans Targe, but um, foreshadowing?).

And, if you've been wanting to ogle some more character art, Stacey has posted some more examples of her BlizzCon Badge character paintings! So pretty. Plus, Gratz has posted an Extras page, where some fun stuff will be hosted. The first offering is a Gratz-themed Star Wars piece (or would it be the other way around?).

Also, am I the only person who read NPC this week and secretly hoped that this will start up a storyline with Lisa's rogue hanging out in the Animal Crossing world, possibly with the cats as townspeople? Just thinking of the shenanigans those cats could get up to....

Yes? Okay. Back to the news. Guilded Age has started up a Kickstarter fund to help produce Volume 2 in print, as well as some animated shorts. There are all sorts of cool prizes to be had for donating, so check it out! They're already over 50% of the way to their goal.

Fans of Donald (like Rode_and_Babe) should totally not miss this week's DLC.

Finally, The Daily Blink is officially on hiatus. Tags: featured, from-draenor-with-love, smf-spotlight, sunday-morning-funnies, sunday-morning-funnies-spotlight, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: The Daily Blink

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Each week, in addition to bringing you the latest in comic-goodness, SMF is featuring a regularly updating WoW-related web comic. Check out The Daily Blink:

The Daily Blink is a WoW-related web comic by Chris Hanel. It consists of funny, one-off jokes about Blizzard, the in-game experience, the developers, classes, characters, and the like. It experiments with a variety of styles; for example, there are mock magazine covers, meme parodies, and staged in-game situations. The subject matter is often topical, riffing off of the latest news or the popular complaints du jour.

Hanel uses WoW Model Viewer, Machinima Studio and Photoshop to create the comic.

The Daily Blink updates on Wednesdays.

This week's comics are:

And in comic news this week, the new chapter of Sara & Kleeyo is starting! You don't want to miss the back-story, do you?

There's also a surprise in Gratz, cats over at NPC and LFG has a yurt!

We're also missing a few of our regulars this week, who are either sick or working on secret projects or out enjoying the nice weather (or something equally unforgivable). Wishing all of our absentees well!

Finally, don't forget that we're always accepting tips. Drop a link into the comment section to a new WoW (or WoW-inspired) comic or to a comic that is often about other things but has a strip or seven about the game.

Oh. And Happy Father's Day! Tags: featured, smf-spotlight, sunday-morning-funnies, the-daily-blink, the-daily-blink-comic, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: Dark Legacy Comics

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Each week, we're shining the spotlight on a WoW-related web comic from our weekly list. This week, we're looking at Dark Legacy Comics:

Dark Legacy Comics (DLC) is a funny comic featuring a group of 8 Alliance-based regular characters: Keydar, Donald, Miji, Gigz, Narya, Krom and Nyte, as well as the two little clones, pictured above. Many of its comics are one-offs, which makes it very accessible for new or casual readers, but it also features running story lines from time to time.

The subjects vary. Sometimes there are long story lines where something unique happens in the world (like an NPC strike). Other times, the comics focus on a character's hobby (like Gigz's cooking) or even comment back on the experience of playing WoW, such as with a sequence where the characters are raiding.

DLC is one of the longest running and most popular WoW-related comics, and is a great pick if you're new to either WoW or web comics.

DLC updates on Sundays.

And now for this week's comics:

In comic news this week, Sara & Kleeyo is back! Thanks for the tip, Lackinganame (of Gratz)! The new chapter, Greenbird, will feature a teenage Tallia as the main character. It will probably update every other Monday. Check out the chapter cover above!

If you hadn't noticed, NPC has started selling prints again. There are two available so far, but if you beg loud/long enough, more might be made available in the future.

And that's it for news. Don't forget that we're always taking tips (leave a comment with a link), and welcome Clef of Sara & Kleeyo back into the world of comic crafting! Tags: dark-legacy-comics, featured, smf-spotlight, sunday-morning-funnies, sunday-morning-funnies-spotlight, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: Looking for Group

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Every week, we're profiling a different WoW-related web comic. This week, we're taking a look at Looking for Group (LFG):

Looking for Group is, unlike many of the other comics, not just a (time-consuming and awesome) hobby. In fact, it has a whole team behind it. A team including personnel with titles like "logistics manager" and "communications director." They are part of the Blind Ferret network. LFG was launched in November of 2006 and has grown to be very popular.

It is a fantasy-themed comic that is loosely based on WoW; however, it's very accessible to non-WoW players. It "follows the adventures of Cale'Anon and Richard, as well as their companions." It's story-based but also humorous. The warlock Richard is the primary source of comedy as well as the entry point for readers who don't usually enjoy comics heavy on story.

Looking for Group is Canadian. It's written by Ryan Sohmer and drawn by Lar DeSouza. You can read a bit more about them and the rest of the team on their About page.

Looking for Group updates Mondays and Thursdays.

And now, for this week's comics:

If you liked last week's NPC, you should check out the continuation this week! Also, From Draenor With Love did an extra-big comic this week with an entertaining explanation/rant at the bottom.

And, as always, feel free to leave any suggestions or tips in the comments section! Tags: featured, lfg-comic, looking-for-group, smf-spotlight, sunday-morning-funnies, sunday-morning-funnies-spotlight, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: Away From Reality

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Each week, we're featuring a regularly updating WoW-related web comic from our list. This week, we're shining the spotlight on Away From Reality:

Away From Reality (AFR) is a comic by Erik Jensen. Professor of ancient Mediterranean history by day, WoW-player by night, he has been creating AFR comics since 2007 but adventuring in Azeroth since 2004. It is made using software programs such as Poser, Bryce, GIMP and Paint, and most comics take 2-3 hours to do up (not counting the days or weeks spent with the jokes percolating in the back of Jensen's mind, of course).

Jensen aims for humor and accessibility, so new readers can jump straight in and won't feel lost. The tone is light and on the occasions when the comic is critical, he tries to keep it fair and maintain the silliness. Most of his inspiration comes from his own play-time, but he also gets ideas from engaging with WoW-related media.

The comic is grounded firmly in World of Warcraft. The characters are living in a game and they know it; Jensen often draws on this contradiction for comedic effect. The characters themselves are ordinary; they don't have the latest gear, they struggle to level up, they suffer defeats and setbacks.

Alaxia and Gord are the main and original characters. Gord is the group's go-to tank, a prot warrior, and the comic's everyman. He means well, he tries his best, but life just keeps kicking him in the face – but he doesn't let it get him down. Alaxia (a druid), on the other hand, is sweet, optimistic, and therefore easily disappointed.

Morgatha was the third major character to be added, and over time, has developed quite a strong friendship with Alaxia. A typical warlock, she is snarky, impatient, even violent – except with Alaxia. According to Jensen, she's also the most openly sexual, and can be counted on to deliver the dirty jokes.

Hurgon, a healer, takes everything personally. Perpetually depressed, he's the "Eeyore" of the group. He's also a bit oblivious, which certainly doesn't help. He shares a "friendly antagonism" with Gord, although they are united in their annoyance and frustration with DPS.

Targe is less sophisticated but makes up for it with his "unfailing enthusiasm." He also possesses some interesting characteristics, which Jensen describes as "child-like." For example, his boundless imagination allows him to achieve things that others cannot, simply because he doesn't realize it's impossible.

Finally, there's Thizzible, the role-playing Jewish gnome who started out as a one-off character but won Jensen over and became a regular, rounding out the main cast of 6.

AFR has been going strong for half a decade and shows no signs of stopping. It updates once a week.

And now, for this week's comic list:

In comic news this week, Gratz is celebrating posting comic #300! Congratulations! The 300th comic took three days to complete, and features lots of fire.

What's Shakin' is back this week, as Coffin is feeling much better, thanks to some good sinus meds (but will be out next week, thanks to going out of town, which I suppose is a good excuse). And The Gnomish Investigation Agency is also back, which hopefully means that the computer demons were slain (or whatever was going on there).

If you don't usually check out The Trolling of Azeroth (it's newish!) I recommend its Maps comic. It's funny and pretty accessible to casual players and casual readers of hilarious things alike. (You can click on the images to make them more readable.) NPC is also on the list this week with something a bit different. There are no cats (I know!) but it somehow manages to be cute anyway!

Finally, do you like the art style over at From Draenor With Love? Are you going to BlizzCon? Do you want a BlizzCon badge that consists of a watercolor painting of your character (and digital file) and also a separate nametag (possibly despite not going to BlizzCon)? You're in luck! Tags: afr-comic, away-from-reality, featured, smf-spotlight, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: Ohmigosh

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

It is Sunday! And morningish! It must be time for comics!

This week's list is actually pretty sizeable and features a new comic (thanks for the tip, xabidar!) that occasionally posts WoW-related content, PVP. A few that had been absent for a bit have started updating again (hooray!) and Trigonometry Comics, you'll note, has moved AND gotten it's own fancy shmancy site design.

And, finally, yes, I'm still accepting submissions to the SMF Gallery Guide reboot. If you were featured in it before and want to update your artwork or information, and you still update regularly, contact me! If you run a WoW-related (or inspired) comic (that updates regularly) and you would like to submit artwork, contact me! Make sure to include "SMF" in the subject line. Tags: featured, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: Last call

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Happy New Year! I hope you've been enjoying your first week of 2013. This week's list features a nice mix of humor, drama, and New Year-themed comics.

As always, if you know of a WoW-related comic, drop a tip into the comments section!

Finally, if you're a comic artist for a WoW-related web comic that updates regularly and would like to be featured in the next SMF gallery guide (even if you were featured in the last one!), contact me (indicating that it is for SMF in the subject line) to let me know you're interested and I'll get in touch with you with more details. If you don't, you may still be included, but will miss out on the opportunity to submit artwork. Tags: featured, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: Not a monster

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

Happy holidays! This week's list features several holiday specials, including a Frosty the Snowman-inspired strip and a water color painting.

We also have a new comic to add to the list this week. Check out Contested Territory (thanks for the tip, MoeruComic!). If you want to read through from the beginning, head over to Where We Started.

Finally, if you're a comic artist for a WoW-related web comic that updates regularly and would like to be featured in the next SMF gallery guide, contact me (indicating that it is for SMF in the subject line) to let me know you're interested and I'll get in touch with you with more details. Tags: featured, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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Sunday Morning Funnies: Time to update the guide

Sunday Morning Funnies is your weekly list of WoW-related web comics.

It is time to update the SMF guide! Rather than destroy the old one (it has historical value), I will create a new one in 2013 (the deadlines will be after the holidays, don't worry). If you are a comic artist for a WoW-related web comic that updates regularly and would like to submit artwork and some information for the blurb, please contact me (indicating that it is for me or SMF in the subject line) and I will be in touch and we'll discuss details.

And now, for the comics: Tags: featured, world-of-warcraft-comic, world-of-warcraft-comics, world-of-warcraft-funnies, wow-comic, wow-comics, wow-funnies

Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Humor, Comics, Sunday Morning Funnies

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