The place of digital comics in the comic’s world has often been disregarded due to a toxic comic culture that strives off exclusivity and a strict adherence to tradition. Defined by early ill-fated attempts, digital comics have been considered a mutation of the medium and not an enhancement or even a valid alternative. As described by Phoebe Greenwood in “Stars and Strips”, comics are often considered “CHEAP. FLIMSY. DISPOSABLE. Scattered next to dirty socks on teenage bedroom floors” (Greenwood 2004). These sort of stereotypes and prejudices have caused traditional comic readers to be sensitive about the definition of comics (Williams and Lyons 2010, xi) and in turn to digital comics being understudied and undervalued. The lack of attention to digital comics has been informed by an assumption that their digital form adds nothing of note to the narrative but rather distract from what is important. This is far from the case.

Digital comics, due to their inherent digital characteristics, enhance the reading experience. This essay will examine the various ways in which they further this experience and the artist’s approach to comics. Through several examples this essay will explore the general beneficial aspects of the medium, such as the infinite room for experimentation, opportunities for new artists and unconventional narrative techniques. The analysis will then turn to four salient aspects unique to digital comics, and the commercial examples that best exemplify them, and how these enhance the overall narrative.
The inclusion of animations; ranging from GIFs to traditional animation permits the author to create a more dynamic narrative that can also provide the reader a better understanding of movement. The use of sound; providing background to the story or driving it forward allows for ulterior detail and the creation of a more immersive experience. User Interface; the ability to grant or restrict the reader’s agency can be seen to build a sense of anticipation or further involve the reader in the narrative. The layout of digital comics; the absence of a finite physical space permits the creation of new page structures that can better shape the overall narrative. The integration of these digital techniques does not always enhance the reading experience as the author now faces the question of how and when it is best to use them and how not to over-use them.