Half the fun of diving into a good mystery is putting together clues while the characters attempt to figure out what's what. On Webtoon and Tapas, the crime and mystery genres are overflowing with webcomics that will keep readers up, wanting to know what happens next and theorizing about where the twists will go.
This weekend, we have three recommendations in the mystery genre. From a girl who tried to so hard to be good she went bad, to an ordinary woman who accidentally evades death, to a lesbian witch couple who one day find a dead body, the following titles are sure to keep you guessing -- and best of all, they're free to read, so you can dive right in.
Down to Earth by Kuroi & Kaz
Anna is a good person. That, at least, is true. When her grandmother dies, however, Anna struggles with her grief and proclaims her hatred for God. Years later, she puts herself in harm's way to save a child's life -- and is approached by a demon with an offer to save her life. In Anna's desperation not to make her loved ones suffer, she becomes someone she hardly recognizes.
Down to Earth is a supernatural mystery comic written by Kaz and illustrated by Kuroi. The comic is primarily illustrated in black and white, with splashes of red marking certain tonal shifts and scenes. Kuroi's art is absolutely gorgeous: The lines are strong, the shading impeccable and the character expressions so well-rendered they feel real. Kaz's script is minimal, which speaks both to the power of the writing and the art. The story never gets lost, even when several pages go by without any dialogue. Currently in its third chapter, Down to Earth is a must-read.
Available on Tapas and Tumblr, updates Sundays
Lady Crows by DragonPinata
After a terrifying experience in the woods, Marissa falls into a deep ditch and somehow survives. She's found by a mysterious old man who drives her home and seems oddly familiar, but she can't remember how she got to the woods or what happened to land her in the ditch. To make matters worse, her dreams have become nightmares -- and although everything seems normal, it's obviously far from it.
DragonPinata's Lady Crows is a supernatural mystery wherein one woman has to solve the mystery of her own near-death experience -- and figure out why she's suddenly seeing monsters everywhere. DragonPinata, aka Greta, has a gorgeous illustration style that transitions seamlessly from full-color panels to stark monochrome with splashes of color. Greta renders the horror elements of this comic as beautifully as the everyday, which makes it all seem that much more terrifying. The script is also tight and establishes a creeping sense of dread from the jump.
Available on Tapas, updates weekly
Skull and Crossbones by Erin
Engaged lesbian witches Elsie Cross and Lilith Calavera have full plates. They run a spell shop in the magic district and they're planning their wedding; every night after closing up their shop, they go upstairs, feed their cat and go to sleep. One night, a demon named Dahlia comes in late, seeking a brooch as a gift for someone named Alva. Not long after Elsie and Lilith hear a gunshot -- and find their landlady lying dead in the middle of the shop.
Erin's Skull and Crossbones is a hilarious, supernatural mystery about two lesbians who are just trying to live their lives and make it work -- but of course, the universe has other plans. The art is cartoonish and colorful, with clever background details and gorgeous character designs. The script is sharp and structured so that each reveal happens slowly, which will keep readers on their toes.
Available on Webtoon, updates Mondays