View source for Erma (webtoon)

{{Short description|Webcomic by Brandon J. Santiago}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox comic strip
| title       = Erma
| image       = Erma by Brandon J. Santiago- Chapter 1 intro.jpg
| caption     = Opening panel of Chapter 1 (WEBTOON Originals version)
| author      = {{ubl|Brandon J. Santiago|Donovan Tracy Gaiter}}
| illustrator = Brandon J. Santiago
| url         = [https://tapas.io/series/Erma Tapas], [https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/erma/list?title_no=170650 WEBTOON]
| rss         =
| atom        =
| status      = Ongoing, published online daily/weekly
| first       = {{Plainlist|
* May 28, 2014 ([[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]])
* January 3, 2016 ([[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]])
* April 14, 2018 ([[WEBTOON]])
}}
| syndicate   = {{ubl|[[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]]|[[WEBTOON]]}}
| publisher   = Outcast Studios
| genre       = {{ubl|[[Slice of life]]|[[Comedy horror]]}}
| rating      = 9.80 Stars on WEBTOON
| preceded by =
| followed by =
}}
'''''Erma''''' is a [[comedy horror]] [[webtoon]] created by [[Mexicans|Mexican]] artist Brandon J. Santiago. It follows the adventures and misadventures of the titular eight-year-old{{Citation needed|date=December 2024|reason=Where is Erma's age stated ?}} Erma Williams' experiences as a [[Hybrid (biology)|half]]-[[human]], half-[[yōkai]]/[[ghost]], tending to use her haunting abilities for everyday antics, whether for better or for worse, focusing on themes such as [[friendship]] and [[acceptance]].  Santiago initially published the webcomic on [[DeviantArt]] and [[Tumblr]] in May 2014, but has since released it on various services from January 2016, such as [[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]] and [[WEBTOON]]. It is available in two languages, [[English language|English]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Subcultura: ''Erma'' en español|url=http://erma.subcultura.es/|publisher=Subcultura|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-date=31 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031180329/http://erma.subcultura.es/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2020, ''[[Comics Beat]]'' reported that with 64.5 million views and 74.9 thousand subscribers, ''Erma'' was the most-viewed webcomic on the [[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas syndicate]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sales Charts: The Top 10 most viewed comics on Tapas for 2019|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/sales-charts-the-top-10-most-viewed-comics-on-tapas-for-2019/|first=Heidi|last=MacDonald|date=15 January 2020|publisher=[[Comics Beat]]|access-date=15 January 2020}}</ref>

In October 2017, Santiago published a [[prequel]] [[graphic novel]] to the series titled ''Spirit's Bloom'', as well as two [[anthology]] collections of ''Erma'' comics, in addition releasing a [[short film]] [[Television pilot|pilot]] of ''Erma'' produced by Outcast Studios. A print collection, ''Tales of Outcast'', was released in March 2019. Other works include the stand-alone ''Night Detective'', ''Siris'', and ''Warrior Unicorn Princess'', and ''Yokai'', an in-universe novel. A [[picture book]], ''Meet Erma'', was released in April 2020.<ref name="9gagErma">{{cite news|title=9gag: 'Erma', an Animated Short Film MTC|url=https://9gag.com/gag/a5nAA2L/erma-animated-short-film/|newspaper=[[9GAG]]|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref>

==Overview==
''Erma'' follows the adventures and misadventures of Erma Williams, a child who lives in the [[suburb]]s of the fictional town Blairwood and has supernatural abilities. Santiago also focuses on Erma's supernatural life and friendships with her best friends, Amy, Terry and Connor, as well as her babysitter Felicia and fellow ''Warrior Unicorn Princess'' fan Sidney. She also deals with her maternal family issues and other people that threaten her and her loved ones.

''Spirit's Bloom'' is a prequel graphic novel that focuses on Erma's parents Sam and Emiko in their younger years and how they met and fall in love as well as Erma's birth.

''Tales of the Outcast'' is an anthology series that focuses on other notable characters from Erma's world in small side stores.

==Characters==
* Erma Williams: The titular [[protagonist]] of the series, she is a half-human/half-[[Yōkai|yokai]] hybrid.
* Emiko Williams: Erma's mother. Fourth child and third daughter of the Yureimoto clan. She is an [[Onryō]]
* Samuel Williams: Erma's father and novelist.
* Amy: One of Erma's friends.
* Felicia: Erma's current babysitter.
* Terry: One of Erma's friends.
* Silvia: One of Erma's friends.
* Connor: One of Erma's friends, he has a crush on her and the feeling is mutual.
* Siris: Erma's undead pet dog who is the reincarnation of [[Osiris]].
* Wallace: A demonic dummy who is the first major villain in the series.
* The Invisible Man: The main [[antagonist]] of ''Spirit Bloom'' and a recurring character in the main series.
* Sidney: A human-rat hybrid girl who becomes Erma's friend.
* Miko: One of Erma's friends.
* Nancy: Connor's Sister and Erma's former babysitter who was haunted by Erma.
* Osamu Yureimoto: The patriarch of the Yureimoto clan and the father of Emiko, Fumiko, Yori, Rin, Kentaro, Ena, and Mayumi.
* Amayu Yureimoto: Osamu's wife and the mother of Emiko, Fumiko, Yori, Rin, Kentaro, Ena, and Mayumi.
* Yokai Trio: A pair of villainous yokais.
* Yokai Kids: Bullied kids who want revenge against the Yureimoto clan.
* Fumiko: The second child and the eldest daughter of the Yureimoto clan. She is a [[harionago]].
* Yori: The third child and the second daughter of the Yureimoto clan. She is a [[rokurokubi]].
* Rin: The fifth child and fourth daughter of the Yureimoto clan. She is a [[Nure-onna|nurei-onna]].
* Kentaro: The first child and the only boy of the Yureimoto clan. He is an [[oni]].
* Ena: The sixth child and the fifth daughter of the Yureimoto clan. She is a [[nukekubi]].
* Mayumi: The seventh and the youngest daughter of the Yureimoto clan. She is a [[Noppera-bō|noppera-bo]].
* Mitsu & Momo: The daughters of Yori, granddaughters of Osamu and Amayu, and Erma's mischievous cousins. They are [[zashiki-warashi]]s.

==Development==
Santiago started creating and uploading ''Erma'' on [[DeviantArt]] and [[Tumblr]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deviantart.com/outcastcomix/art/ERMA-Issue-1-457040417|title=ERMA Issue 1|last=Santiago|first=Brandon J.|date=2014-05-28|website=[[DeviantArt]]|publisher=self-published|access-date=2024-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323170512/https://www.deviantart.com/outcastcomix/art/ERMA-Issue-1-457040417|archive-date=2023-03-23|url-status=live}}</ref> He was studying at the [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign]] at the time, from which he graduated in 2018 to work on the webcomic full-time. The concept of the series originated from a short [[parody]] [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] of [[Ju-On (franchise)|''Ju-On'']] and [[The Ring (franchise)|''The Ring'']] published on May 28, 2014. Following the one-shot's positive reception on [[DeviantArt]] and it subsequently [[Viral phenomenon|going viral]] across various social media platforms, Santiago decided to develop a series based on the original ''Erma'' one-shot, debuting on [[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]] on January 3, 2016, and on [[WEBTOON]] on April 14, 2018.<ref>[https://tapas.io/OutcastComics Outcast Comics - Tapas.io]</ref> The series has received universal acclaim for its originality, creativity, and humor. The name of the series was taken from the minor [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987 TV series)|'' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'']] character [[Irma Langinstein]], and that the surname of ''Erma'' [[title character]] Erma Williams was taken from the minor ''[[The Grudge]]'' character [[List of The Grudge characters#Emma Williams|Emma Williams]].

In October 2017, Santiago developed and released an animated short film based on the comic in conjunction with the company Outcast Studios, run by Donovan Tracy Gaiter and Julia Santiago. Santiago has stated regarding the initial decision to exclusively release the strip on [[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]] that "''Erma'' should at least be on one main website where it would be easy for anyone, fan or newcomer, to come together, and be able to read all of the comics in chronological order, with a more organized list"; despite this, the comic was later released on [[WEBTOON]].<ref name="9gagErma" />

==Bibliography==
===Collections===
Several print collections and a graphic novel have been published. ''Erma'' #1 covered various strips from 2014-2015 alongside original strips, while ''Erma'' #2 featured solely original strips. ''Spirit's Bloom'', a graphic novel set before the events of ''Erma'', detailing how Erma's parents met as well as expanding the series' mythology, was released in 2017. A third collection, ''Tales of Outcast'', featuring the writing of Donovan Tracy and art of Erik Lervold and Kirsten Celander, was released in 2019.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%; font-size:85%;"
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Title
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Publication date
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | ISBN ''/'' ASIN
! Synopsis
! Publisher
|-
| ''Erma'' '''#'''1
| rowspan="2" | October 23, 2017
| B076QCQPFT
| style="text-align:left; | Erma is enjoying life in the suburbs, going to school, hanging out with friends, and spending time with the family, but she is a ghost.
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Outcast Comics, BJS Incorporated
|-
| ''Erma'' '''#'''2
| B076QDT2K3
| style="text-align:left; |
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''1
| March 13, 2019
| B07PQVWDFP
| style="text-align:left; | A new threat has come to the town of Blairwood.
| rowspan="11" style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Outcast Studios
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''2
| April 29, 2019
| B07R7XVLB6
| style="text-align:left; | Discovering that their souls are trapped in a video game, Erma brings herself into the world of the Labyrinth to rescue her friends.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''3
| May 17, 2019
| B07RZBJMV2
| style="text-align:left; | Erma and her friends try to find their way out of the Labyrinth with the mysterious creature hot on their trail.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''4
| July 8, 2019
| B07V488HPS
| style="text-align:left; | With nowhere left to run, Erma, Terry, and Connor face off against the creature that has taken their friends and family in an attempt to escape the Labyrinth once and for all.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''5
| July 17, 2019
| B07VFQJC1D
| style="text-align:left; | As Erma and her parents are on their trip in Japan, Felicia loses her dog, Siris, while on a walk in the park.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''6
| rowspan="3" | March 13, 2020
| B085X3W9NS
| style="text-align:left; | The Warrior Unicorn Princess is the heir to a fallen kingdom, and takes to the battlefield in the name of love and friendship.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''7
| B085X4DFP3
| style="text-align:left; | Warrior Unicorn Princess returns to her home, a kingdom corrupted by dark forces.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''8
| B085X3NVDD
| style="text-align:left; | The Night Detective investigates the disappearance of two teenagers.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''9
| rowspan="2" | October 1, 2020
| B08KHXK6WN
| style="text-align:left; | The Night Detective is called in when a little girl's mother is trapped within their home. No one can get in except for him, but as he makes his way through the halls of the house, he uncovers something much more sinister.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''10
| B08KJCZY6M
| During a daily walk, Siris learns of a missing dog and goes on a trek through the neighborhood to find the poor little canine.
|-
| ''Tales of Outcast'' '''#'''11
| November 17, 2020
| B08NTWX7LB
| style="text-align:left; | Now that she has taken back her kingdom, Warrior Unicorn Princess heads to search for resources to rebuild it. This leads her to chase down a group of raiders deep within the darkened lands.
|}

===Graphic novel===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%; font-size:85%;"
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Title
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Publication date
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | ISBN ''/'' ASIN
! Synopsis
! Publisher
|-
| ''Spirit's Bloom''
| October 6, 2017
| B0768FJ131
| style="text-align:left; | A prequel to the web comic series, introducing Erma's parents in their younger years and showing how they came to know one another.<ref name="Top13Products">{{citation|url=https://top13products.com/best-90-minute-comic-graphic-novel-short-reads/|title=''Spirit's Bloom'' – Best 90-Minute Comic & Graphic Novel Short Reads – Ranked #2|year=2017|publisher=Top13Products.com|access-date=November 29, 2017|archive-date=December 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225144950/https://top13products.com/best-90-minute-comic-graphic-novel-short-reads/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Outcast Comics, BJS Incorporated
|}

===Novel===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%; font-size:85%;"
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Title
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Publication date
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | ISBN ''/'' ASIN
! Synopsis
! Publisher
|-
| ''Yokai''
| March 13, 2020
| {{TBA}}
| style="text-align:left; | What started as a simple family vacation turns into a journey of discovery and mystery.
| style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Outcast Studios
|}

===Picture book===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:100%; font-size:85%;"
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Title
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Publication date
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | ISBN ''/'' ASIN
! Synopsis
! style="text-align:center; width:8%; | Publisher
|-
| ''Meet Erma''
| March 13, 2020
| B085X3R21W
| style="text-align:left; | A day in the life of Erma.
| Outcast Studios
|}

==Other media==
===Pilot (2017)===
{{Episode table
| total_width = 
| background = #3CB371
| overall = 
| title = 
| director = 
| writer = 
| airdate = 
| aux2=
| aux2T=Storyboarded by
| aux3=
| aux3T=Music and sound effects by
| prodcode = 
| prodcodeR = 
| country = U.S.
| episodes =

{{Episode list
| EpisodeNumber   = 1
| Title           = Erma
| RTitle          = 
| DirectedBy      = Brandon Santiago
| WrittenBy       = Tracy Gaiter & Julia Santiago
| Aux2            = Kirsten Celander
| Aux3            = Derek Kolecki
| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|30}}
| ProdCode        = 
| ShortSummary    = On a windy night of "Meet Your Teacher Before School Starts" at Blairwood Elementary School, teacher Ms. Bierly notes that she has yet to meet one student, Erma Williams. A girl arrives, accompanied by supernatural phenomena, which Ms. Bierly attempts to flee from, only to find the exits locked. The girl offers her a red apple. As Bierly ponders the meaning of this, Sam Williams opens the classroom door looking for his daughter Erma, and identifies her as the girl in front of Bierly. Beckoning her to him to go home, Erma turns her head, revealing her normal pale face and inverted-coloured eyes.
----Cast: Cecelia Negron as "The Teacher" ''(Ms. Bierly)'', with Derek Kolecki as "Erma's Dad" ''(Samuel "Sam" Williams)''
| LineColor       = 3CB371
}}
}}

An animation based on ''Erma'' was in development since 2015 after the release of ''Erma'' #2 via Brandon's [[Tumblr]] page.<ref>{{cite news|last1=The Outcast|first1=Brandon|title=OUTCAST: #preview #erma|url=http://brandontheoutcast.tumblr.com/post/134072171858/preview-erma|work=[[Tumblr]]|date=November 27, 2015}}</ref> Santiago revealed that he had a "secret" project in development in addition to ''Erma'' #3 in October 2017, which he cited as the reason "there [wouldn't] be as many Halloween strips this month as last year".<ref name="secret">{{cite news|last1=The Outcast|first1=Brandon|title=SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TIME! Hey everyone! Sorry.|url=http://brandontheoutcast.tumblr.com/post/151288750783/special-announcement-time-hey-everyone-sorry|work=[[Tumblr]]|date=October 2, 2017}}</ref> ''Erma – Animated Short Film'' was uploaded to [[YouTube]] that month by Santiago, with a notification on [[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]] describing the film as "a surprise for all of you", referring to fans of the ''Erma'' series.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Comics|first1=OUTCAST|title=A SPECIAL HALLOWEEN SURPRISE|url=https://tapas.io/episode/875001|work=[[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]]|date=October 30, 2017}}</ref> The film was produced by Outcast Studios, and has received a positive reception.<ref name="9gagErma" /> The film is set prior to the first ''Erma'' strip, detailing how Erma's teacher Ms. Bierly met Erma. The short partially adapts "Coming Soon", a stand-alone comic released to Santiago's [[DeviantArt]] and [[Tumblr]] pages to announce the development of an ongoing ''Erma'' series prior to the series' original launch.<ref name="ErmaAnimatedFilm">{{cite news|last1=Studios|first1=Outcast|title=Outcast Studios: ''Erma – Animated Short Film''|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6QpFgxwzQE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/u6QpFgxwzQE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=October 30, 2017|work=[[YouTube]]|date=October 30, 2017|quote=This is the story of a little girl named Erma, who is enjoying life in the suburbs going to school, hanging out with friends, and even spending time with the family. What is the catch? She is a ghost.}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Video game (2021)===
In August 2016, Santiago designed and released a videogame based on the ''Erma'' as a series of levels through ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'', a [[game creation system]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Wii U]] and [[Nintendo 3DS]]. The game, titled ''Erma's Well of Horror'', contains several images of Erma composed of darkness and clouds, and has a completion rate of 4.94%.<ref name="MarioMakerErma1">{{cite web|title=''Super Mario Maker'' BOOKMARK – Expert: ''Erma's Well of Horror''|url=https://supermariomakerbookmark.nintendo.net/courses/7011-0000-0280-E827|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=11 August 2016|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053358/https://supermariomakerbookmark.nintendo.net/courses/7011-0000-0280-E827|url-status=dead}}</ref> Promotional art for the game features [[Mario]] encountering Erma as he's about to enter a [[Warp Pipe]], shocked by her appearance. Santiago has stated that the game was specifically designed for readers of the ''Erma'' webcomic, as compensation for a temporary delay in the release of the following strip that existed at the time.<ref name="MarioMakerErma2">{{cite web|title=BJS Incorporated – Expert: ''Erma's Well of Horror''|date=11 August 2016 |url=https://bjsinc.deviantart.com/art/MY-MARIO-MAKER-LEVEL-Erma-s-Well-of-Horror-627565654|publisher=[[DeviantArt]]|access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref> An updated version of ''Erma's Well of Horror'' was later released to ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]'' upon its release in 2019. A [[point-and-click adventure game]], ''Erma: The Game'', was released for [[iOS]] and [[MacBook|Mac]] in December 2021. The game follows Erma as she searches her neighborhood of Blairwood and her science project goes awry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.backerkit.com/projects/erma-the-game|title=ERMA THE GAME – Help us create Erma the videogame!|work=Outcast Studios|author=Brandon Santiago|access-date=August 13, 2016|via=[[Indiegogo]]}}</ref>

==Reception==
[[Brad Miska]] of ''[[Bloody Disgusting]]'' has described the quality of the series as being on par with, if not superior to, ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]''. Miska also cited Santiago as having been "working diligently" with ''Erma''; Miska additionally mistook the character of Emiko Williams (née Yūreimoto) for [[Samara Morgan]] in his review, the character from whom the design for Erma was gotten (alongside [[Kayako Saeki]]).<ref name="Erma Review 1">{{cite web|title=Meet Erma, the Daughter of '''The Ring'''s' Samara, In This Ongoing Comic!|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3330531/meet-erma-daughter-rings-samara-ongoing-comic/|first=Miska|last=Brad|date=2 February 2015|author-link=Brad Miska|publisher=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=2 February 2015}}</ref> In a follow-up review to that of Miska's for ''Bloody Disgusting'', Jonathan Barkan described ''Erma'' as "adorable" and "innocent", expressing fondness the series' "squeal-inducing" moments and citing "Movie Night"<ref>{{cite web|title=''Erma'' #1 – "Movie Night"|url=https://tapas.io/episode/255222|publisher=[[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]]|access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref> as his favourite strip.<ref name="Erma Review 2">{{cite web|title=The Story of Erma, the Daughter of '''The Ring'''s' Samara, Continues|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/the-further/3341010/story-erma-daughter-rings-samara-continues/|first=Jonathan|last=Barkan|publisher=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=21 April 2015|access-date=21 April 2015}}</ref>

Giallo Julian of ''[[Dread Central]]'' praised ''Erma'' as "just wholesome, feel-good content dipped in a nice coating of horror imagery… and you can bet your bloody guts that [one would] love every single bit of it. It's a celebration of the horror culture in the style of an old ''[[Peanuts]]'' comic strip", in particular praising its evolution from "one-shot stories establishing Erma [to] longer narratives, and [how] it begins to flesh out a creative world that [is] just a joy to see".<ref>{{cite web|title=Cursed Pages: Top 6 Horror Comics for Newbies|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/top-10-lists/336732/cursed-pages-top-6-horror-comics-for-newbies/|first=Giallo|last=Julian|publisher=[[Dread Central]]|date=21 October 2020|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref>

Harry Situation of ''The Prose'' described ''Erma'' as an "[a]bsolutely fun read", calling the series "by far one of the best comic strips I've ever read", citing his love for Santiago's method of characterization of the main characters, finding "the rest of the characters [to be] just as likable too", describing the characters of Sam and Emiko Williams as "the most lovable couple ever". Regarding the series' artwork, Situation described it as "incredible", saying "[t]here's so much attention to detail that it's mind-blowing. I love the expressions people give in the comic whenever Erma does something freaky. Their drawn faces and reactions are just priceless. Even Erma's expressions are entertaining. While she doesn't talk throughout the series, Brandon found a way to let her mood and thoughts let the readers know what she's saying, and this method is brilliant. Also, it's nice to spot some cameos and easter eggs of classic horror movies in each comic strip".<ref name="Erma Review 3">{{cite web|title=Prose. Harry Situation Reviews... ''Erma''.|url=https://theprose.com/post/99585/harry-situation-reviews-erma|first=Harry|last=Situation|publisher=The Prose|access-date=20 December 2016}}</ref>

Chase Magnett of ''[[BuzzFeed]]'' described the series overall as "[to] be read by people of all ages", describing its humour and artwork as "adorable". Regarding the series' content, Magnett referred to ''Erma'' as "contain[ing] practical information for everyday life", "teach[ing] kids that actions have consequences", and "laugh[ing] at the day-to-day concerns of parenthood", overall stating the series to have "something that everyone can relate to".<ref name="Erma Review 4">{{cite web|title=15 Reasons Why "''Erma''" Web Comic Is Awesome|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/chasemagnett/15-reasons-why-erma-web-comic-is-awesome-3abr8|first=Chase|last=Magnett|publisher=[[BuzzFeed]]|access-date=10 January 2018}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Deanna Destito of ''[[Comics Beat]]'' praised Santiago's depiction of the titular Erma Williams as a "ghoulish creeper [who] just wants to be like any other kid", complementing the series' contrast with such horror franchises as ''[[The Grudge]]'', and describing the series overall as "quirky, cute, and even a little heartwarming".<ref name="Erma Review 5">{{cite web|title=A Year of Free Comics: ''ERMA'' is creepy, cute, and just wants to be your friend|url=https://www.comicsbeat.com/a-year-of-free-comics-erma-webtoons/|first=Deanna|last=Destito|date=8 June 2020|publisher=[[Comics Beat]]|access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Comics}}
* [[Portrayal of women in comics]]
* [[Ju-On (franchise)|''Ju-On'' franchise]]
* [[Ring (franchise)|''The Ring'' franchise]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|qid=Q123537707}}
* {{official website|https://www.outcaststudios.net/}}
* [https://tapas.io/series/Erma ''Erma''] on [[Tapas (syndicate)|Tapas]]
* [https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/erma/list?title_no=170650 ''Erma''] on [[WEBTOON]]
* [http://brandontheoutcast.tumblr.com ''Erma''] on [[Tumblr]]
* [http://www.reddit.com/r/Erma ''Erma''] on [[Reddit]]
* [http://www.deviantart.com/OUTCASTComix ''Erma''] on [[DeviantArt]]

{{Tapas (platform)|state=collapsed}}
{{Webtoon (platform)|state=collapsed}}
{{The Ring|state=collapsed}}
{{Ju-On|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:2010s webcomics]]
[[Category:2010s webtoons]]
[[Category:American webcomics]]
[[Category:American comic strips]]
[[Category:Webcomics in print]]
[[Category:Webtoons]]
[[Category:2014 webcomic debuts]]
[[Category:Tapastic webcomics]]
[[Category:Comics about women]]
[[Category:Creative Commons-licensed comics]]
[[Category:Yōkai in popular culture]]
[[Category:Gag-a-day comics]]
[[Category:2016 webcomic debuts]]
[[Category:Interracial romance novels]]