New years always bring with them new resolutions. I’m going to get into this. I’m going to try that. If we can make a new suggestion for this new year, why not webcomics? And let us go even further and suggest one in particular. Just a few days ago, on December 20, Manta, released The Hidden Muse, a romantasy webcomic from Manta Studios that we think would be the perfect way to start off the year.
Adapted from the popular novel of the same name, the webcomic does a really good job of delivering romance, fantasy, and also mystery. It follows Riv Roydes, a tutor who ends up having to turn model—did I say model, I meant nude model, that pays better and things are hard—to save her sister’s life. Of course, when you do a thing like this, you hope your identity will remain a secret. Think again, because that’s absolutely not what happens to Riv.
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But, as her identity is exposed through a panting, she ends up coming in contact with Dimus Ditron, a marquis, and embarking on a romance that will, of course, change their lives forever. We do gotta stick to the tropes here. And the trope in this one is kinda enemies to lovers in a way. There’s a lot of…eh, let’s say dislike before these get to a place where they can get along. And you gotta like your heroes a little bit on the not-so-nice side to be on board with Dimus.
If you like that, though, then you will probably enjoy The Hidden Muse, which is very visually striking and flows really well. Webcomics are a different medium than books because they have a visual element they have to also nail, and this one does a great job at making that part work. If you’re not particular about that, though, and you just like your tropes to work, then the main thing you gotta consider is if these tropes work for you.
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Heroines thrown into impossible situations that they don’t want to be in, check. High-concept fantasy, check. Hero who starts off as kind of the worst, but turns out to not really be that bad, once you get to know him? Triple-check, please. A couple that starts off fighting and fighting and fighting before they even get along and continues fighting even as they start falling in love. Yeah, check on that one too.
If you’re in for that, then you’ll probably really enjoy The Hidden Muse. And honestly, if you like that, then there are probably a lot of other good webcomics you can check out. You’re missing out if you haven’t. But as we said, 2025 can be the year for checking out new things.
Manta’s The Hidden Muse is available now.
