Top 5 Best Free Independent Animated Web Cartoons

Animated web comics are all the rage, especially in an economy where many people can't afford to have cable television and an Internet feed at the same time. Though hundreds of web comics exist all over the Internet, good and bad, finding the best online animation series can be a bit of a chore, that is, unless you have found this article. Here are 5 of the best animated web cartoons, distilled from all of the animated crud on the Internet.

5. Muffin Films

Created by a mega-talented web animator named Amy Winfrey, Muffin Films is a seriously cute animated Internet series surrounding some talking muffins. This series is early work for Winfrey and has a fun, interactive and experimental feel that makes it a cool show for kids, adults and teens. Though the bulk of the work on the Muffin Films animated web series was done in 2000, 2010 has seen the introduction of a small tin of new muffin episodes.

4. Weebl and Bob

Those weeble-wobbling bobbing toys children enjoy have come to life as Weebl and Bob, and they desire pie. And they mumble. Silly and surreal, this cartoon is better suited for adults, not because it's adult-themed, but because the dry sort of humor is generally better received by adults or older teens.

3. Happy Tree Friends

Not for the faint of heart and definitely not for children, Happy Tree Friends is an animated web show featuring a cast of adorable cartoon animal characters that are put through a host of the most disgustingly gory situations imaginable. Imagine "Itchy and Scratchy" from "The Simpsons" with the gore cranked up to 11. The point of this animated web series is to dispatch the cutesy characters in the worst ways possible. This show is definitely not suitable for kids, if anyone at all.

2. Making Fiends

Another feature series by the makers of Muffin Films, Making Fiends is a dark animated web comic set in a school that is run by a mean girl named Vendetta who has special powers that enable her to make monsters. That's where adorable Charlotte comes in, who thinks Vendetta's fiends are cute pets and is oblivious to Vendetta's meanness or desire to get rid of Charlotte. This show is cute, but might be a little frightening for young kids who are afraid of monsters. It should be perfectly fine for most children over 7 to 8 years old, unless they have special issues with scary stuff. This show has been featured on the children's network Nickelodeon.

1. Homestar Runner

One of the most amazing and unforgettable web series of all time, Homestar Runner is somewhat difficult to explain. The show has a large cast of characters, the most prevalent including Homestar, Strong Bad, the Cheat and Marzipan. Homestar Runner has a series of sub-cartoons contained within the series that make appearances every now and then, including Strong Bad Email and Teen Girl Squad. Homestar Runner is appropriate for all ages and offers a vast catalogue of cartoon animation that will keep you busy without cable TV for years to come.