Existential Comics: philosophy comics, explained

What it is

Existential Comics is a well-known English-language webcomic about philosophy, in which real thinkers argue, get things wrong and land in absurd situations. This Telegram channel is run by a fan, who states plainly in the description that they're not the author and simply forward strips from existentialcomics.com. It has about 1.9K subscribers, with new strips arriving roughly once a week.

Why we picked it

The comic works because each joke is a doorway into a real philosophical problem, and the channel keeps the crucial part: alongside the strip you get the author's note on the idea it's playing with. "Batman vs The Trolley Problem" digs into Batman's no-killing rule and why doing harm feels different from letting it happen. Utilitarians meet a very angry bull. The Fermi paradox gets a cheeky explanation. Other strips bring in Socrates, Spinoza and Simone Weil, whose idea of force as the engine of history anchors an episode where aliens explain how things really work.

Fair warning: the humour can be crude at times. And it's a mirror — no discussion, just strips and notes.

Where to start

• Start with "Batman vs The Trolley Problem" — it's funny and the question lands instantly.
• Always read the note after the image; that's where half the value is.
• If a character is new to you, look them up — the comic is a great nudge to do that.
• Send one to a friend who insists they don't like philosophy.

Who it's for

Humanities students and anyone who once took a philosophy class and wants a refresher with laughs. Fans of comics that carry an idea. Readers who like their jokes with footnotes.

Quick answers

Is it the comic's official channel? No, it's fan-run, as the description says.

How often do strips appear? About once a week, following the site.

Do I need to know philosophy? No. The notes with each strip give you the context.