What features does the Rarebit webcomic template offer?

Rarebit is a free, open-source HTML/JavaScript template for publishing a webcomic on your own domain. Its core features are: a single HTML page that serves every comic (with JavaScript generating a unique URL per page), toggleable navigation options (buttons, click-to-advance, arrow keys, WSAD), per-page title/alt text/author's note, automatic archiving, support for splitting one vertical comic into multiple image files, and easy subpages for character or about sections. It suits artists who want full control over their domain and presentation without Tumblr or WordPress with ComicPress, and it requires little coding experience—though it is built in HTML and vanilla JavaScript, so you should be comfortable editing a file.

How the single-page structure works

Rarebit uses only one HTML page for the entire comic. JavaScript appends a value to the URL so each comic page has its own address. The practical benefit: when you change the layout, you edit one file, not every comic page. The template's code is described as simple and extensively commented, so a beginner can follow it, while remaining modular enough for an experienced HTML/JS user to customize.

Navigation options

Readers can move through the comic in several ways, and each option can be toggled on or off:

• Classic First, Previous, Next, and Latest buttons
• Clicking on a page to advance to the next one
• Arrow keys or WSAD keys

Because each can be disabled, you can match navigation to how you want readers to experience the comic.

Per-page data control

Each comic page can have its own unique title, alt text, and author's note section—all still within the single HTML page. Alt text matters for accessibility and for readers who block images; the author's note lets you comment on individual pages without a separate blog.

Automatic archiving

Rarebit includes an archive page that lists every comic and updates automatically when you upload a new one. You control how the archive displays, including:

• The order comics are listed in
• Whether page numbers are shown
• Whether each listed comic gets its own thumbnail

Migrating from Webtoons-style vertical comics

If your comic is vertical and each page is split into multiple separate image files, Rarebit supports displaying those files as one continuous comic page. This is aimed at artists moving from platforms where that format is standard.

Subpages and header behavior

The template includes an easy way to create pages such as Characters or About, with a (described as somewhat rudimentary) navbar that persists across them. It also addresses the common annoyance of making readers scroll past the header on every page.

Configuration and requirements at a glance

Is it the right choice for you?

Choose Rarebit if you want your comic on your own domain, prefer editing plain HTML/JS over managing a CMS, and want one layout file to maintain. It is less suitable if you want a hosted platform with built-in community features or if you have no willingness to touch code at all—though the commented source is designed to lower that barrier. To evaluate it before committing, download the template and open the live demo to see the navigation and archive behavior in action.