8 Comics And Webtoons That Are Perfect For Dungeon Crawler Carl Fans

Dungeon Crawler Carl has become one of the biggest book series over the last few years. Thanks to its unconventional take on the LitRPG genre, it has broken away from the standard literary norm and cultivated a devoted fanbase, which eagerly awaits the next chapter in the adventures of Carl and Princess Donut. However, while fans await the ninth book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and the upcoming TV show currently in production, the world of comics also offers similarly intense stories to enjoy in the meantime.

Whether it’s through post-apocalyptic worlds where humanity is pushed to the brink of extinction, heroes with highly unique attitudes, video game-like mechanics that force protagonists to grow stronger, or unhinged comedy, these comics and webtoons are likely to appeal to those looking for a story with a vibe similar to Dungeon Crawler Carl.

I’m the Max-Level Newbie

Based on the Novel by Maslow, Adapted by WAN.Z and Swing Bat

While I’m the Max-Level Newbie leans toward the power fantasy tropes common in the webtoon landscape, rather than featuring aliens bringing an absurd game-show to Earth as in Dungeon Crawler Carl, both series share significant similarities, particularly in their post-apocalyptic settings where humanity faces a time limit before total annihilation. In this series, Kang Jinhyeok is a content creator who spent 11 years playing the notoriously difficult game “Tower of Trials,” eventually managing to complete it entirely. Following this achievement, the game updates and merges with reality, forcing players to clear the tower’s floors for real within 90 days.

In I’m the Max-Level Newbie, Jinhyeok possesses prior knowledge of the game, which allows him to navigate challenges much more easily than Carl and Princess Donut, but both stories share the fact that they don’t feature a traditional, noble hero. In Jinhyeok’s case, he is cocky and enjoys tricking others for his own benefit. Furthermore, beyond its RPG mechanics and incredible artwork (courtesy of the same studio behind Solo Leveling), I’m the Max-Level Newbie also integrates live-streaming as a way to sway public opinion and gain advantages, a concept that fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl will find familiar.

An Outcast in Another World

Based on the Novel by Kamikaze Potato, Adapted by Aethon Books, YOMA Manga, Maura Milan, and JIPO

An Outcast in Another World is a LitRPG story that embraces tropes from the isekai genre, but it’s a great choice for those looking for a protagonist who has to grind his way through a hostile environment like Carl. In the series, Rob is transported through a portal while trying to save a friend, ending up in a fantasy world where humans are despised due to their inherent danger. That way, Rob must rely on his sheer willpower to survive as he learns to navigate the game mechanics of the world.

Leveling up also brings new problems for Rob, which makes An Outcast in Another World feel different than a typical power fantasy webtoon and more of a ruthless underdog journey. Much like Dungeon Crawler Carl, the series also shines thanks to its excellent cast of supporting characters, and its webtoon adaptation is published by Aethon Books.

Fear Agent

Comic Series Created by Rick Remender and Illustrated by Tony Moore and Jerome Opeña

If what fans love about Dungeon Crawler Carl is that element of survival against cosmic threats, combined with a tough protagonist, then Fear Agent is a perfect fit. Similar to Matt Dinniman’s story, Fear Agent also takes place following an invasion of Earth, an event that leads Heath Huston to become an exterminator of alien pests throughout space.

Although Fear Agent is more like an epic space adventure and can be somewhat confusing as it deals with robot armies, intergalactic wars, and AI companions, its high-paced action manages to capture that chaotic energy found in Dungeon Crawler Carl. It’s a violent series that features brutal battles against monsters. However, Fear Agent is also wacky, incorporating touches of dark humor and tragic moments that deeply affect the protagonist and shape his evolution, much in the same way that Carl’s frustrations with the Borant Corporation drive his own development.

D’Orc

Comic Series Created and Illustrated by Brett Bean

At first glance, D’Orc appears to be a typical epic fantasy with little in common with the sci-fi setting of Dungeon Crawler Carl, yet it shares an equally absurd and violent tone. The story unfolds in an apocalyptic world and follows an orphan, half-light dwarf, half-dark orc, known by the nickname D’Orc, who is the subject of a prophecy foretelling that he will destroy the world.

This duality makes him a target for relentless pursuit, yet he still tries to help others while struggling against being labeled an omen of doom. The series is over-the-top, bloody, and silly, and, like Carl, D’Orc has an animal companion (though not a living one), along with a sentient weapon that has a strong urge to kill. D’Orc has been acknowledged by Matt Dinniman himself, with Brett Bean serving as the illustrator for the spin-off Dungeon Crawler Carl: Crocodile.

Defiance of the Fall

Based on the Novel by Thefirstdefier (Jf Brink), Adapted by Aethon, Laurel Pursuit, Sauerkrauss, Ayumeeeee, and Actus

Much like Dungeon Crawler Carl, Defiance of the Fall is a LitRPG webtoon adaptation set in a post-apocalyptic world. In the story, Earth is pulled into a multiverse, restructured through its integration with other worlds, and subjected to a game-like AI known as “the System.” Both series feature humanity’s desperate struggle for survival, forcing ordinary people to level up and adopt various character classes. While both stories push their protagonists to the absolute limit, Defiance of the Fall offers its own twist, being deeply influenced by cultivation stories, where the pursuit of power is intrinsically linked to a spiritual journey.

Defiance of the Fall is more serious in tone than Dungeon Crawler Carl. While it may not stand out for being humorous, it excels in how it handles tension, successfully expanding its scope from an isolated survival scenario to a massive scale as the story progresses. Furthermore, Defiance of the Fall‘s adaptation shares the same publisher and art studio team as Dungeon Crawler Carl‘s webtoon.

I Hate Fairyland

Comic Series Created and Illustrated by Skottie Young

I Hate Fairyland blends bloody action with snarky comedy much like Dungeon Crawler Carl, serving as a deconstruction of fairy tales. The story begins when Gertrude is whisked away to what appears to be a colorful, magical realm overflowing with sweetness but turns out to be far more brutal. Although her outward appearance remains unchanged, she spends almost three decades in this realm, leaving her an adult mind in the body of a little girl.

Gertrude is foul-mouthed and unhinged, transforming into a ferocious warrior, wielding an axe and unafraid to hack anyone to pieces in her quest to return home. The series plays with the contrast between a fantasy-magic world and a cartoonish art style, featuring content that is quite graphic. This unpredictability makes I Hate Fairyland highly entertaining, capturing the same irreverent spirit as Dungeon Crawler Carl despite not belonging to the same genre.

Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint

Based on the Novel by Sing-Shong, Written by UMI, and Illustrated by Sleepy-C

Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint presents a similar setting to that of Dungeon Crawler Carl and is one of the world’s biggest web novels. The series revolves around Kim Dokja, a devoted reader of the web novel “Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World.” He finishes the final chapter just as the real world transforms into the apocalyptic setting of the story, making him the only person who knows its ending. Similar to Dungeon Crawler Carl, humanity is forced to participate in survival challenges, broadcast as entertainment through special channels, only that here humans are watched by god-like beings.

Through game-like quests, Dokja and other characters must satisfy these cosmic beings to earn rewards and powers. What makes the story truly compelling is Kim Dokja himself and how he uses his intellect to leverage his knowledge of the story’s events, gaining allies and unraveling the mystery behind what happened to the world. Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint also features magnificent art, having garnered greater acclaim as one of the best webtoons of all time.

Dungeon Crawler Carl

Based on the Novel by Matt Dinniman, Adapted by Tevagah, Aethon Books, Laurel Pursuit Studios and Actus

Although not all fans of the book series may be aware of it, Dungeon Crawler Carl has its own webcomic, which began publication on the WEBTOON platform in 2025. While the books present a deeper look into Carl’s point of view, the webtoon is an excellent adaptation, overseen by Matt Dinniman himself, that successfully captures the series’ humor without skimping on its extreme violence and bleak moments.

The webtoon offers a distinct experience from the novels by incorporating foreshadowing regarding characters who appear in later books and providing a visual representation for readers, making it a good entry point into the franchise. Furthermore, with two seasons spanning 61 chapters so far, Dungeon Crawler Carl‘s webtoon has already covered the first book of the series and is also being released as a physical graphic novel, serving as a good addition for those looking to expand their collection.

Publisher(s)

Penguin Random House

Publication Date

September 21, 2020

Number of Pages

444

ISBN#

979-8688591507

Author(s)

Matt Dinniman