Comics for All Ages: xkcd

Munroe, Randall. “xkcd.” xkcd: A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math and language. Randall Munroe, 2005. Web. < http://xkcd.com >

xkcd covers a wide variety of topics. Sometimes it can cover topics as run of the mill as everyday life situations and then it switches to complicated math or science problems. Parodying of other comics also happens. The randomness and the sheer unexpected nature of what could pop up next in the comics is what draws readers in. Come comics are even multimedia: hover the mouse over the comic for more information or even click and drag and readers will find themselves in another world. No matter what the topic, Munroe attempts to make them all accessible: readers do not have to have a working knowledge of any of the topics in order to understand the punchline.

Visual and textual style: stick figures, large text, movement

Potential readers/appeal factors: math, language, humor, geek topics, science, somewhat complicated in-jokes, pop-culture references, random comics

Awards

• Readers voted xkcd the Best Comic Strip at the 2007 Weblog Awards and at the 2008 Weblog Awards.
• At the 2008 Web Cartoonists’ Choice Awards, xkcd was nominated for “Outstanding Comedic Comic,” “Outstanding Use of Medium,” and “Outstanding Short Form Comic”. It also won “Outstanding Single Panel Comic.”
• Nominated for a 2009 NewNowNext Award in the “OMFG Internet Award” Category
• Munroe was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist in 2011 and 2012 and also for Best Graphic Story in 2014 for “Time”.

Other pertinent information

• Munroe works on this comic full-time, as shown in the new comics added very frequently on his site.
• Munroe has released one bookcalled xkcd: volume 0. Another book What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions is clated for release in late 2014.