We probably all like comics such as Dilbert, XKCD, and maybe you even like Doonesbury, but these three comics don’t have a monopoly on funny, smart humor when it comes to online comics that make you think. Here are a few of my favorite online comics and drawings that make me think.

If you have a few favorites, please feel free to share those with the rest of us in the comments!!

This Is Indexed


I’ve never met Jessica Hagy, but judging from her “little project” of putting index card drawings online that she makes “as the coffee brews”, I’d have to say she’s a freakin’ genius. I enjoy seeing what pops up in my Google Reader feed each day from Indexed. Simple title… simple graphs… very smart!

This Is Indexed by Jessica Hagy
www.thisisindexed.com

PhD (Piled Higher & Deeper)

Another smart comic that is relevant for anyone that ever went to grad school. It will bring back all of those memories you had about being one of the smartest people you’ve ever know, but still somewhere on the social ladder under the Manager of the local Denny’s (who was making more money than you were… plus he didn’t have $50K in student loans that he had to pay back.)

“Piled Higher and Deeper” by Jorge Cham
www.phdcomics.com

A Softer World

Edgy… funny… and sometime a little confusing. A Softer World takes photos and adds some simple dialog for the humor. If you like your comics with a bit of existentialism, then this one’s for you.

A Softer World by Emily Horne and Joey Comeau
asofterworld.com

Gaping Void


It’s hard to believe how much thought can be drawn on the back of a business card, but Gaping Void proves once and for all that size doesn’t matter (when it comes to comics anyway.) If you follow the latest technology trends, then you’ll probably like the perspective given by Gaping Void.

Gaping Void by Hugh MacLeod
gapingvoid.com

Let me know if you have some favorites of your own that you wouldn’t mind sharing with the rest of us!!

The last one I’m going to mention will probably make you think less of me… because it is base “guy” humor. Sometimes, however, that’s exactly what I need to help me through the day.

Least I Could Do
Judging from the seven plus years of work, I’d say that the writers and illustrators of this comic have a few childhood issues that they are working out. Luckily for them, they are funny, and they’re not afraid to share a few of those issues with us. This isn’t a “check your brain at the door” strip… it definitely has some thought behind it. However, it does track the life of a narcasis single male and the friends and family that seem to love him in spite of it all. Sometimes the language may make this one not suitable for work (if you work at a stodgy place, that is…) —  so make sure language police aren’t around before loading it up in your browser!

Least I Could Do by Ryan Sohmer & Lar Desouza
leasticoulddo.com