ABSTRACT
The linguistic analysis of comics revolves largely around the print medium. In this study, however, linguistic analysis is extended into the category of web comics. The corpus draws from two web comics, Amazing Super Powers and Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, to explore the interconnected relationship of the three major components of the main comic strip, the alt-text, and the hidden comic. Analysis reveals that web comics creators rely on character dialogue as well as narrator comments when they create alt-text and hidden comics. Further, it is revealed that comics makers at times create an authorial presence in the alt-text and hidden comic, resulting in a “metacomic” effect in certain circumstances. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future linguistic analysis of web comics as a developing area of interest within the field of pop culture studies.
