Action Philosophers by Fred Van Lente

This is not your typical dusty philosophy class that your grandfather might have taken. No, this is an exciting and engaging seminar that your college ethics professor would have loved to teach. Get ready for the tenth-anniversary edition of Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey’s highly acclaimed and best-selling book, Action Philosophers! It’s a one-of-a-kind exploration of philosophy like you’ve never seen before.

Buckle up as we dive into the fascinating world of ancient Greece and meet Plato, not just a philosopher, but a wrestling superstar. Discover the teachings of Nietzsche, the original ubermensch, and delve into the wisdom of Bodhidharma, a kung fu master. This book will take you on a journey through time, allowing you to laugh, learn, and contemplate the profound insights of history’s greatest thinkers.

Prepare to be amazed as Van Lente and Dunlavey present a comprehensive cartoon history, covering everything from the pre-Socratics to the influential philosopher Jacques Derrida. Through their vivid and compelling illustrations, they breathe life into these philosophical giants, making their ideas accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds.

Whether you’re a philosophy enthusiast or just curious about exploring the depths of human thought, this tenth-anniversary edition of Action Philosophers is a must-read. Get ready to embark on an intellectual adventure that will challenge and inspire you. Let the pages of this book be your guide to understanding the rich tapestry of philosophical ideas that have shaped our world.

Action Philosophers: The Hilarious Comic that Redefines Philosophy

Welcome back to New York Comic Con 2014! My name is Carlos Abdul, and I’m here with one of the most beloved duos in the comic world: Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunleavy. They have created a hilarious comic book called Action Philosophers which takes some of the greatest philosophical ideas and turns them into a fun-filled comic.

Action Philosophers started as an eight-page story that Fred and Ryan created for an anthology of biography comics. Although it didn’t make it into the anthology, they continued to develop the concept. They received a Xeric grant to self-publish the book, and now, 10 years later, they are celebrating the 10th anniversary edition.

The book features goofy versions of philosophers, with each character embodying their unique ideas. The illustrations are humorous and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts more accessible to readers. Action Philosophers has been used in schools and libraries as it bridges the gap between popular entertainment and education.

The goal behind creating Action Philosophers was to entertain and educate readers. Fred and Ryan wanted to show people that learning can be fun, especially when it comes to philosophy. Many people find philosophy intimidating, whether it’s the complex language or abstract concepts. Comics, however, have a way of humanizing these ideas and making them more approachable.

Fred and Ryan met in college through a comic book club and became friends. It wasn’t until 10 years later that they collaborated on Action Philosophers. Fred had been writing and drawing his own comics, while Ryan was focused on his own projects. However, they eventually joined forces and the rest is history.

Action Philosophers is just the beginning for Fred and Ryan. They have plans for more comics, including an ongoing series called Action Presidents. This series will explore the lives of various U.S. presidents, adding a fun twist to history. In addition, Fred is working on other projects such as writing Conan for Dark Horse, and Ryan is working on a webcomic called Little Classics, which adapts classic literature into newspaper-style comic strips.

Thank you to Fred and Ryan for joining us and sharing their incredible journey with us. If you’re looking for a good laugh and a fresh take on philosophy, be sure to pick up a copy of Action Philosophers. And don’t forget to check out their other exciting projects!