Two of the greatest obstacles that comics have in reaching readers are exposure and cost. Fortunately, the internet has provided remedies for both. Many comic book creators and publishers have put their comics online, available as full issues and at absolutely no cost to the reader. And unlike torrents or scanned files, these comics are completely legal. Here I have endeavored to collect as many of these as possible, now totalling over 300 full issues and stories, in one place.

Whether you have been meaning to try a new title, or if you've never read a comic in your life, there's still something here for everyone. Follow a link or two or three. Some comics that I especially recommend carry an asterisk, but I haven't come close to reading everything here. Maybe you'll find something you enjoy.

If you know of more online comics I could add to the list, or discover that any of these links have gone bad, please e-mail me.

And if you find yourself wanting more, click on the button adjacent to an issue to view or purchase a collected edition of that comic.

Last Updated July 17, 2010 - Update in progress. Dead links being culled, and new links being added. Please check back soon.

Non-Fiction

The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation

Action Philosophers - By Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey.

Comic Book Comics - By Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey.

The Mathematical Cartoons of Larry Gonick - Technically strips, but from the creator of the Cartoon History books.

Social Security Comics - Six public service comics issued by the Social Security Administration in the 1950s and 1960s.

Tales From the Public Domain: Bound By Law?* - An educational comic on copyright, fair use, and the public domain.

Independents

Captain Confederacy #1-10 - The complete adventures of the alternative universe hero.

Feather #1-5 - A fantasy comic by the creator of Marvel's "Eden's Trail."

Girl Genius #1 - Feminism meets steampunk, courtesy of Phil Foglio. Read the entire first *volume* online for free.

Gon - The silent adventures of a cute little T-Rex.

"Heroes" Graphic Novels - From the hit NBC TV series.

Kitjutsu

Licensable Bear TM - From the marketing genius of Nat Gertler.

The Matrix - Numerous visions of the Wachowski brothers' universe, from such esteemed folks as Neil Gaiman and Bill Sienkiewicz.

Max Hamm, Fairy Tale Detective in "Just Right"*

Owly - The adventures of Andy Runton's adorable little Georgia owl.

Aw Nuts!

Back in the Swing

Bee Nice

Breakin' the Ice

Gone Swimmin'

Hangin' Up to Dry

Hatchin' Friends

Helping Hands

In a Fix

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Missin' You

Splashin' Around

Proximity Effect #1-2 - Top Cow.

Slave Labor Graphics - Pay the shipping, and the company will send you free copies of real, physical comic books.

Supernatural Law - Beware the creatures of the night - They have lawyers!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Vol. I) #1-7 - Also includes the one-shots Donatello #1, Mike #1, Raphael #1, and Fugitoid #1.

Western Tales of Terror #3: Fool's Ransom - A short story by Jay Faerber.

Zot: Hearts & Minds - Scott McCloud's science hero returns in this online-only adventure.

Zuda Comics - DC's free online alternative webcomics site.

If you're interested in reading more current comics, you can check out the first 4 pages of numerous brand-new issues at Mile High Comics' FirstLook, which maintains an archive of previews from the last six weeks.