The Internet, in this day and age, is more akin to a vast country than a digital space.  An online world full of possibilities.  Where else in the physical world could you possibly find a Rule 32?  Sharing ideas, stories, experiences, views, griefs, you name it you can find it online...and faster than ever before.

One thing that took the internet by storm is the webcomic, and flash animation.  Talented (and not so talented) artists the world over have taken to hosting their work online, thanks to the fact that Internet Hosting is a lot cheaper, and a lot more likely to catch on than newspapers or even within the ranks of major publishers.

There are many who have taken advantage of the accessibility of the internet to bring their art to life, and have succeeded greatly from it.  Take Penny Arcade, which started off as a simple comic that updated once a week at the best.  It's now the biggest name in video game parody, has it's own expo (that may or may not give you swine flu upon attendance), and is a wide distributor of merchandise.

But everyone knows about Penny Arcade and it's success.  And for every gem out there, there's a few flops, and many imitators.

So I know what you're thinking, "Well, Geno_Flash, I would really like to start reading/watching/making my own web based material.  Just how do I go about doing that?"

Well, good sirs and madams, I am here to guide you to a land of excellence.  Join me on this trip to discover the secret gems of the internet that you may or may not have heard of before.

Title-Erfworld.

Website- www.erfworld.com

Genre-Table Top RPG Parody Webcomic.

Creator- Rob Baldur

Erfworld got it's start as small project that aired at www.giantitp.com alongside the Order of the Stick, another good comic.  It's the story of a world very similar to our own, that follows the conventions of a table top role playing game, such as Dungeons and Dragons.  The world was practically meant to be at war with itself at all times, thanks to the, "Laws," set forth by the Titans of Ark (a group of God-like Elvis Impersonators).  At the start of the series, the cheif Croakamancer (Necromancer) Wanda Firebaugh is tasked by her overlord, Lord Stanley the Plaid, to summon a perfect Warlord to lead his army to victory in a what is most certainly a no win scenario.  The spell is performed...but considering the way Erfworld works on a fundamental level, instead of a grizzled war veteran...they get a chubby Dungeon Master from our world named Parson Gotti.  Parson suddenly finds himself in a world where everything seems like a joke or pun from his own world, and also probably the only person who can lead his side of the conflict to victory.  His old job at Kinko's begins to pale slightly in comparison.

Erfworld is a delightfully tongue in cheek comic.  Everything, and I mean everything in the world of Erfworld is a pun on something in our world.  For example, a dirtamancer (Use your head) can create units called golems.  Soft Rock Golems, Rock Golems, Hard Rock Golems, and finally Metal Golems.  The harder the rock, the more...rocking the golem looks.  For example, a soft rock golem looks like one of the Beatles...but a metal golem could be confused with Eddie Riggs from the new game from Double-Fine, Brutal Legend. There's a lot more to it as well, such as the entire Thriller dance making a cameo, as well as a good number of internet memes finding a home, (Such as flying units that resemble Owls, called Orlys, that only speak in L33T speak).

But possibly the best part of the comic is the care that Baldur has taken to ensure that the game mechanic set forth in Erfword is not only functional...but complex as hell.  There are many games that don't equal the complexity of Erfworld's, "In-Game," functions.  Such as the magic, or the leadership stats and bonuses that apply.  Diplomacy issues, as well as unit types.  This is a comic that could easily be turned into a movie, and it would be quite the epic one.

Title- Experience Points

Website- http://www.crispygamer.com/comics/experiencepoints/ExperiencePoints-2008-10-20.aspx

Genre- MMO Parody Comic.

Creator- Scott Johnson.

Scott Johnson is a madman of the pen.  Most credited for his comic, "Extra Life," at www.myextralife.com, he began creating Experience points around a year ago for Crispygamer.com  Experience Points, unlike Extra Life, however, focuses on a single character and his ineptitude in regards to a life outside World of Warcraft.  Vincent, the hapless nerd, is a true geek hero.  Almost never without his solid white, button up shirt and tie, he can usually be found on his computer dealing with the trivialities of MMO life.  Such as his class getting nerfed, ninja looting, and healers who go AFK at the most inopportune times.

There's not much of a discernible plot, but there are certain story arcs...such as when Vincent treks to Blizzard headquarters to save Sam Raimi, or when he goes to Blizzcon...and unfortunately forgets his roommate, the hilariously mute duck named Steve.

The humor in this comic is mostly derived of slapstick, and other jokes like it.  But Scott Johnson is not a man of subtlety and is not afraid to show who he really is.  This is brought in the form of jokes that have to do with puns on everyday phrases, such as throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  Many of the jokes have to do with the same sort of awkward silence that makes The Office so enjoyable.  This is a comic for thinkers, and it pays off.

Title- Super Mario Bros. Z.

Website- www.newgrounds.com

Genre- Sprite Flash Animation

Creator- Alvin-Earthworm

Super Mario Bros. Z is, in one word, magnificent.  A sprite based flash animation has no right to be this outstanding, but here it is none-the-less.  If you already know about this series, then you don't need to read this description.  But for everyone else, I'll need to go into a lot more detail.  First, if you read the name of series and thought, "Oh great, another allusion to Mario and Dragonball," then you'd be right.  But don't let that put you off.  This is a very professionally made marvel.

The story is quite standard for a Dragonball...I don't know whether to call it a clone or a parody.  It starts off, ironically, with Sonic the Hedgehog (Who plays a major role in the series).  A series of events that is best left unspoiled leads Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehog from their dimension to the mushroom kingdom, as well as the seven chaos emeralds and a horrifying super villain named Mecha Sonic.  Teaming up with the Mario Bros, the four begin a journey to recover the seven emeralds before either Bowser, Mecha Sonic, or (unknown to the heroes) the Wario Bros. can.

What makes this series best, however, is the fact that it's very accurate Fanon.  If he could convince both Sega and Nintendo to agree to it, he could easily turn this series into a spin series of games for both companies.  The plotline, and characters, are exactly as you expect them to be in their respective games.  Mario and Luigi are mute, except for the incoherent babble that you hear in the Mario and Luigi RPG games for the DS.  Luigi is a coward, the Toad Guards are worthless...Alvin-Earthworm seriously gets the respective universes of Sonic and Mario, which adds up to an experience very close to a first party game from either company.

Things such as Mario and Luigi's power ups.  I was slightly giddy when I saw the Mario Bros. fighting waves upon waves of villains with the use of fire flowers, cape feathers, Tanooki leaves and suits, or a hammer bros suit.  The action is over the top, in typical Dragonball Z fashion.  This is not a bad thing.  As the series progresses, your jaw will drop lower and lower with each battle that you witness.  The time and care that went into animating this series explains why it normally takes Alvin-Earthworm roughly a year to shell out the next episode.  But considering the episodes can last up to 20 minutes long...it's a trade off that works.

There are currently eight episodes to this long spanning series, the most recent was only released a month ago.  Check them out, you will not be disappointed.

And so finishes our journey.  There are many other worthy candidates for this article, but I fear that I am becoming, in a phrase, long-winded.  If you're a fan of these or any others, be sure to leave me a message, or chat it up with me on the forums.  I'm always looking for new series to read, play, or watch.

Until then,

Geno_Flash

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