Where Can I View Shadbase Comics Archive Legally?

Looking for the official Shadbase comics archive? Me too. Here’s what I use, and why I prefer to use official sources.

The easiest place to read the comics is probably at the artist’s own website (shadbase.com). There is a large public archive of the artist’s comics, sketches, and galleries. In addition to the archive at the artist’s website, he may post high resolution images, extra behind-the-scenes information, and even exclusive comics on his membership sites. You can support the artist by becoming a member or subscribing to his service for a monthly fee. On membership sites like Patreon, for example, the artist posts early versions of his comics, fully uncensored versions of comics, and even makes downloadable versions of his comics available to members.

Also, if you are interested in getting physical copies of a comic or buying higher quality prints, check out the artist’s official shop. Many artists sell prints, zines, or even complete collections of their comics in book form through their own stores. Some artists even post old comics up on their official shop for one time purchase, which is great for people who want a physical copy of something that is no longer available on the site. The Internet Archive (such as the Wayback Machine) is also a good place to look for preserved versions of old pages on Shadbase, but be aware that such archives are only as reliable and up to date as the content was when it was publicly available on the site.

So, to sum up, stick with the official channels for the artist’s work – view his site first and then possibly support him via patron or his shop. He intends for you to see his artwork in context, and that is usually very, very, very different from how work is intended to be viewed, even when said work is ‘graphically provocative’. Viewing the work where it was intended to be seen is greatly enhanced by said artist’s notes for said work.

Official site of the artist is usually the best place to look. Shadbase.com hosts an archive of all the comics he has created, and other material (such as extras or exclusive) can be found on the creator’s subscription-based service, which is offered via his patronage. Fans can also buy official prints and collected volumes created by the artist himself and sell them via his online shop, which is usually cheaper than buying elsewhere and of high quality.

The main reason for me to not visit third-party mirrors or unofficial archives is that they are most likely not authorized to display the comic and could get removed at any time. I prefer visiting the artist’s own distribution channels (e.g. a patronage, the official website’s archive, etc.). The Wayback Machine is another option to view older versions of a website (if it was publicly available at the time), but it’s secondary to the artist’s own distribution channels. Some regions might restrict access to NSFW material, so be sure to follow the official website’s policies and your local laws when viewing such content. Supporting the artist on their official distribution channels usually results in better quality in the end and it feels way better than digging around on sketchy websites for it.

To read Shad's comics legally, I approach them as I would any creator's work (i.e., collect them directly from the creator and support him/her wherever possible). First and foremost, the official website (shadbase.com) is the legal source for reading the comics archive. As the creator-controlled website for the comic, this is where new content and an archive of comics are curated and posted with proper credit for any art that is not his.

By subscribing to a creator’s paid platform (historically Patreon), you can enjoy exclusive comics, high-resolution scans and even early releases. By buying prints, zines or even collected books by a creator at their official store, you are not only accessing their comics legally, but also financially supporting them. A lot of creators now bundle their older comics into print collections and even release limited runs of them, which I, as a collector, find really great.

Sites like these, and even the Internet Archive’s version of pages (such as on the Archive’s Wayback Machine), are best viewed as collections to research the work and see versions that may have gone by since then. That is to say, it is not a substitute for the artist distributing their work to read, and if the creator is still distributing it, it is best to get it from them directly. It is also worth noting that many countries restrict and even ban certain materials, and sites will enforce local laws, including age-verification for sites that have kids on them. For me, though, I support the artist who makes this sort of work directly on their website, or by patronizing them. It is simply the more respectful and sustainable way to go in the long run.