Have You Seen What is Going on in the Indie Comic Scene Lately?
What’s New in Indie Comics for 2025? A Reader's Guide to What’s Hot and What’s Next AND more Kaiju Nation!
Hey folks,
If you’ve been diving into indie comics lately, you already know we’re in a golden era of creativity, experimentation, and community. The stories are weirder, wilder, and more personal than anything coming out of the big publishers—and in 2025, that momentum isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s kicking into overdrive.
This year, we’re seeing major shifts in how comics are made and shared—but also in what kind of stories fans like you are hungry for. Whether you’re into deluxe hardcovers, zines from a local artist, or serialized scroll-format comics you read on your phone, the indie scene has never been more diverse or exciting.
Here’s what’s catching fire right now in the world of indie comics—and why 2025 might just be the best year yet to be a comics fan:
Print Is Alive, Flashy, and Collectible Again
Forget boring single issues sitting in plastic sleeves. In 2025, indie comics are coming at you with foil-stamped covers, glow-in-the-dark inks, laser-cut edges, neon risograph prints, and deluxe collectible bundles. Crowdfunded comics are leading the charge, treating every printed book like a mini art exhibit or designer toy.
More and more fans are proudly showing off their comic hauls like vinyl collectors or toy hunters. Variant covers, mystery boxes, and extras like enamel pins, trading cards, patches, or even themed playlists and recipe cards are becoming standard in Kickstarter reward tiers. Comics are more than just stories—they’re objects of art and passion.
Trend to Watch: Keep an eye on “retailer exclusive” covers for indie series—especially those partnered with small shops or conventions. Also hot right now: hybrid tiers that combine physical and digital access, so you can read on the go but still treasure your physical copy.
Horror and Mythology Are Getting Personal (and Weirder)
Monsters are very much still in—and this year, they’re more introspective, stylish, and emotionally relevant than ever. Instead of the usual haunted mansions and vampire hunters, we’re seeing:
Cryptids who run coffee shops
Ancient gods clocking in for retail shifts
Witches hosting wellness podcasts or running Etsy shops
In 2025, horror and myth-inspired comics are more likely to examine burnout, anxiety, generational trauma, and digital dread. Think of it as folklore reimagined for a hyper-online world—where the supernatural intersects with the painfully real.
Hot picks: If you’re a fan of The Sandman, Lore Olympus, Witch Hat Atelier, or Something is Killing the Children, there’s a treasure trove of indie horror and myth comics waiting for you. Look for upcoming anthologies too—many are packed with fresh creators exploring old myths with new eyes, modern lenses, and powerful voices.
Webcomics Go Vertical—and Go Viral
You’ve probably scrolled through Webtoon or Tapas, but in 2025, these platforms are leveling up. Vertical scroll comics are no longer just for romance and slice-of-life—now they include everything from high-concept sci-fi to emotionally rich horror, cozy fantasy, historical drama, and avant-garde comedy.
Creators are increasingly debuting their work as mobile-first vertical comics, then releasing gorgeous print editions for collectors and fans. Some even add bonus content, alternate endings, or extended scenes to reward readers who double-dip.
Tip: Keep an eye on webcomics that go viral on TikTok, Twitter, or Instagram—those are the ones most likely to transition into beautiful, crowdfunded physical editions you’ll want on your shelf. They’re also great for discovering fresh art styles and international voices.
Short Comics Are Exploding in Popularity
Not every comic has to be a six-volume epic. In fact, some of the most talked-about books this year are bite-sized gems that pack a punch in just a few pages:
8-page horror one-shots
Limited ashcans and samplers
Micro zines with a single punchline or gut-punch
Short story anthologies and digital exclusives
For readers, short comics are perfect for sampling new genres or creators without a big time or money investment. They’re also highly shareable and often deeply personal—giving creators space to experiment and tell stories that wouldn’t make sense as a longer series.
Where to find them: Look for mini comics at local shows, zine fests, and comic cons. Many creators also release their short work on Gumroad, itch.io, or as bonus content on Patreon and Substack. Anthology projects on Kickstarter are another great source of diverse, exciting stories in a compact format.
Fandoms Are Getting More Personal and Interactive
The best indie comics creators aren’t just publishing books—they’re building tight-knit communities around them. Through Discord servers, Substacks, YouTube streams, and behind-the-scenes newsletters, creators are inviting readers to be part of the process.
As a reader, that means:
Early access to new pages or issues
Exclusive behind-the-scenes process updates
The chance to vote on variant covers or help name characters
Opportunities to join livestream Q&As or virtual drawing jams
Readers aren’t just spectators anymore. You’re part of the story. This is fandom with a front-row seat and a voice. It’s a new kind of reader experience—interactive, DIY, and full of authentic connection.
Follow for fun: Sign up for your favorite creators’ newsletters, join their Discords, or subscribe to their Substacks. The backstage pass vibes are real—and sometimes you even get surprise merch drops or secret pre-order links just for being part of the inner circle.
More Genres, More Voices, More Everything
From Indigenous futurism and queer slice-of-life romance to feminist kaiju revenge and Afro-surrealist sci-fi—2025’s indie comic scene is more diverse, inclusive, and expressive than ever before.
While mainstream publishers tend to stick to familiar franchises, indie creators are taking wild swings with deeply personal and imaginative stories that speak to real-world issues and underrepresented experiences. These stories reflect the lived experiences, cultural heritage, and imaginations of creators from all walks of life.
Pro tip: Dig into Kickstarter’s comics tab, check out apps like GlobalComix, and keep tabs on indie publishers like Silver Sprocket, Scout Comics, Black Josei Press, and ShortBox. Many offer mail subscriptions or online stores with limited-edition books you won’t find in comic shops—and every purchase supports the voices shaping the future of the medium.
Final Thought: Comics Are a Conversation—Join In
In 2025, the best comics aren’t just being read—they’re being shared, discussed, memed, and remixed. Whether it’s a deluxe hardcover on your shelf or a weird little zine from an artist alley table, indie comics are personal, passionate, and punk as hell.
So don’t just consume—connect. Shout out the creators you love. Post that panel that hit you in the gut. Back that project with 73 backers that’s doing something wild. Join the Discord. Tell your friends. Be part of the conversation.
Because the future of comics? It’s not just on the page. It’s in your hands.
Read weird. Share loud. Stay indie.
Kickstarter Spotlight
Hell on Heels #1 -2: a NSFW Crime Thriller | Spy Thriller
Meet the Storm sisters. It's American Psycho meets the Kardashians. From the creators that brought you No Contest.
Hell on Heels #2 picks up where the explosive first issue left off, delving deeper into the deadly double life of the Storm sisters—Bella, Sienna, and Riley. As their latest target brings unexpected complications, tensions rise within the trio, testing their bond and their ability to keep their secrets buried. While they continue their facade as glamorous college elites, the line between their socialite personas and their lethal mission begins to blur. With new threats emerging and suspicions mounting, the sisters must navigate an increasingly dangerous game—one that could expose them or cost them everything.
REAL LIFE STORY - The writer of this story Daniel Martinez passed away last year and this was his final work in productions. This Kickstarter has been put together by his wife to give his last work to the world.
You can help support his family and bring his final comic to the world here!
ENENRA #1-7: An Apocalyptic Horror
The Last of Us meets Outbreak. Character driven, suspense, horror, and action!
Enenra is a 16 issue contained storyline. A mix of pre and post-apocalyptic horror, each issue gives a glimpse of a terrifying future. We follow Survivor and his trusted companion Sam, as they navigate a very different world. The main body of each issue follows Dr Richard Marron and his team of doctors, who struggle to understand and stop a deadly virus outbreak the likes of which has never been seen before.
You can back this one here!
KAIJU NATION Continued!
Here are some more pages from the KAIJU NATION #0 Ashcan!
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Beaver Blast to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.