Let Me Tell You About Homestuck!

Homestuck Webcomic: http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6

Amongst a sea of simple comedies there lies one webcomic that takes an alternate route altogether. This webcomic known as Homestuck is an expansive "interactive" adventure updated on average several times a day. As one of the longest running webcomics online with a cast of over 50 characters there are plenty of values being presented.

We see a variety of different people within Homestuck as diversity is a part of the plot. All of the characters which comprise its cast are designed to fit internet stereotypes. Even with a cast so large the webcomic's writer does a good job of fleshing out his characters as the stereotypical cat obsessed anime "fangirl" and white wannabe rap artist are more than just the mold they were made from. The anime fangirl is also a fierce hunter and a strong woman who falls short only when it comes to her own love and the wannabe rap artist eventually confesses he is a poser and longs to be a hero like the rest of the characters who he idolizes. Among the other characters in Homestuck are a ghost buster’s fanatic, human goth girl, young physicist with a world destroying dog, homosexual mechanic, a British adventurer, a cupcake baking heavyset dame, a recovering alcoholic obsessed with wizards, twelve aliens all of different social statuses, their twelve ancestors, all of the human character’s parents and guardians, a band of twenties esque black mobsters based on the suits of cards, a mafia of green skinned mobsters based on billiard balls, three omnipotent creatures, a time traveling demon, lovecraftian horrors, and an alien girl who’s desire to be of another race serves as a metaphor for trans-gendered people. Needless to say it’s got the whole diversity thing down pat.

As a webcomic Homestuck does need that hook to keep the reader’s attention. Part of its hook is its award worthy brand of humor. Though many of its jokes may be insensitive to certain members of its diverse audience this is all in good fun. The writer has even gone so far as to lampshade the negativity of a few of the more belligerent characters through a social justice advocating always politically correct tool of a character. Said character does nothing but rant on for literally hours and hours (you are not expected to read his text) about the social injustices being committed by his peers and how they should “check their privileges” in case they may “trigger someone.”

The author, from the start of the comic has also implemented many fan suggestions for the plot. As with the theme for all his web comics, Homestuck is supposed to be represented as an interactive game. The author sees it fit that the viewers should have a say in what may happen next in the comic, and so implements many fan suggestions. Because of this system, and the comic's long, descriptive plot, there is a lot of culture behind the fanbase for this comic. It has grown to such a height of popularity, that when the author decided to make a kickstarter (a site that helps creators fund projects with support from anyone in exchange for the product along with merchandise when it is launched) for an actual PC game of the webcomic, he made up to 2.5 million dollars in one month, when his original goal was only $700,000. All this money is purely from the fan base.

Through its diverse cast, Homestuck has created an admiration and respect for what we may see as too alien, or weird for it's audience. He pushes the envelope of freedom of speech, equality, and creativity while still maintaining a distinct humor, among many more values. Homestuck, despite being a long read, is has many liberal, socially justified aspects that is worth reading to better our society today.