One Punch Reviews #85: Internet Webcomic

There are generic sounding webcomic titles, and there are generic sounding webcomic titles. There’s one variety that follows the Perry Bible Fellowship nomenclature and just tosses some random sounding words together. And then there are the ones that look like they’ll never show up on any online search engine whatsoever. Such is the chase of Internet Webcomic by Mary Tanner, which, against all odds, is somehow the first result to pop up on Google when “internet webcomic” is typed in the search field. Seriously, I expected this to be buried on page 3 or so.

Not much can be gleaned about the webcomic from it’s ultra redundant title. (What webcomic isn’t on the internet?) Internet Webcomic is a somewhat autobiographical webcomic about Ms. Tanner, who is a caricaturist by trade. She also has a boyfriend, who features prominently in the webcomic. Now, one of the reasons I don’t review autobiographical comics much is that any criticism can be taken as a judgment on someone’s life. For example, if I notice that the comics look utterly mundane and banal, is that rude or is that the ultimate point of the comic? I also can’t help wondering things. Like, when the writer puts herself in the shoes of her boyfriend, does it reflect his real thoughts or her own wishful thinking? Is this the opposite sex equivalent of those male stand-up comedy jokes where the guys lament about how women can’t tolerate the stupid guy stuff?

Still, this does lead to some astute observations about relationships, and at least one sequence showcases legitimately creative use of caricature skills. It struck me while I was reading Internet Webcomic that Ms. Tanner is sort of the modern day version of Cathy Guisewite. Cathy had here weakness of chocolates; Mary has a thing for burritos. While life is sometimes unglamorous, it doesn’t mean that you can’t stop and laugh at its little foibles.

There difference here is the time period. Nowadays, there are internet memes, video games, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Basically, all the stuff Tumblr is interested in. Honestly, it’s actually kinda reassuring that all this is being reflected in comic form.

And yet, more than anything, this webomic is about cats Lots of cats. Like, oh my God are there a butt ton of cat comics. Like, I’m not saying that this comic should be renamed Cat Fancier Webcomics… but it totally should. I suppose you can get a lot of mileage if you’re a cat owner… but speaking as someone who doesn’t own pets, I can’t help but roll my eyes at yet another tired example of the internet’s obsession with cats.

And then there’s the puns. Oh, Lordy, the puns. They are often more groanworthy than funny. Sometimes they’re verbal. Sometimes they’re visual. And other times, the puns are augmented by wacky faces, as if to say, “Hey, we know that these puns are lame, too.” Look: I’m on to your little game. Nice try, but pulling a silly face is just making things worse.

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5).