Indie publisher Interrobang Studios has a decent sized roster of writers and artists working on multiple webcomics, though it’s fair to say that co-founders Sarah Martinez and Kevin Bolk are the lead creative visionaries on board. Most of the content is pretty satirical and comedic in nature with cultural commentary here and there, though there’s also a good deal of randomness to be found.
It Sucks To Be Weegie is definitely on the satirical side of the fence, Bolk’s love letter to the awkward brother of that other, less speedy video game icon. As the title says, it’s Luigi as the eternal sad sack, struggling to get some sort of validation and respect in a video game universe determined to play hot potato with both of them. Though considering the devoted cult following Luigi’s always had among Nintendo fans, can you really say the official version of the character is that bad off? Still, even if not it’s a pretty funny gag strip, and it at least has the sense to give him a break on occasion.
The Ensign Sue Must Die saga is one of the longer running strips on the site, which revolves around the 2009 JJ Abrams-ified Star Trek cast dealing with, as the original crew of the 70’s did in numerous fan works, a cloying author avatar so forced and contrived she makes even Wesley Crusher look balanced and well developed. Eventually the story takes a weird turn towards Sues in multiple universes, turning it into a rather big crossover fest.
I personally think the term “Mary Sue” is thrown around far too liberally among fans of…well, everything, and the comic seems to feel the same way, considering how much of a ridiculous and over the top stereotype the Sue representative is.
Bolk’s cartoon style is very super deformed and chubby with a lot of bold lines, and it’s probably the most obvious in I’m My Own Mascot, his autobiographical work where he puts his various musings. It’s probably my favorite comic of his as of now- he’s pretty opinionated, but never in an arrogant or malicious manner. His interactions with cartoon Sarah carry a lot of the humor, with the former playing straight woman but not to where she doesn’t feel fun and Kevin as a good hearted dweeb.
While a couple of the comics on the site do have adult themes, it never gets that inappropriate again. (C’mon Kev, there’s kids reading this.)
Overall, Interrobang is a small, but clearly ambitious company doing a lot of good work that I think’s well worth checking out. With some funny concepts, smart writing that doesn’t get too indulgent, a unique art direction and a commitment to reach out to their fanbase, it’s an easy recommendation from me.