Action Philosophers

by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey

Action Philosophers details the lives and thoughts of history's greatest thinkers in a hip and humorous way that proves that philosophy can be for everyone!

Co-created by writer Fred Van Lente and artist Ryan Dunlavey Action Philosophers has become the creative team's signature graphic novel project, blending low-brow humor with the comic medium's power to educate and entertain. Action Philosophers has enjoyed an evergreen popularity - it has remained in print since its 2005 debut, has been translated into 10 languages (and counting), was adapted for the stage by Crystal Skillman and is used as an educational text in universities and secondary schools around the world.

  • WINNER: 2004 Xeric Grant

  • WINNER: 2007 American Library Association “Great Graphic Novels For Teens”

  • FINALIST: 2024 'Ringo Awards “Best Humor Comic”

Free to read at actionphilosophers.com

​English edition by Rocketship Entertainment.

The cover of Action Philosophers: Hooked On Classics
The cover of Action Philosophers: Hooked On Classics

praise for Action Philosophers

“Employing a hyperbolic comedic voice and over-the-top gag-style cartooning, Van Lente and Dunlavey examine the history of philosophy one wild-and-crazy thinker at a time.”

-Publisher's Weekly Pick of the Week

A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Hypatia.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Diogenes' philosophy. Diogenes is depicted as a cartoon dog.
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Confucius' as King Kong
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Lao Tzu's teachings.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating ancient Iraqui mystic Mani's Mythology
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating St Thomas Aquinas.
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Mary Wolstonecraft's life
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Plato's early career as a professional wrestler.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Epictetus the Stoic's philosophy free from the limits of the comic itself
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Confucius' as King Kong
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Lao Tzu's teachings.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating ancient Iraqui mystic Mani's Mythology
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating St Thomas Aquinas' philosophy of motion.
A comic page from Action Philosophers of Kant defending the existence of God.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating an excerpt of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Diogenes' philosophy. Diogenes is depicted as a cartoon dog.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Bodhidharma
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Confucius' as King Kong
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Lao Tzu's teachings.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating ancient Iraqui mystic Mani's Mythology
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating St Thomas Aquinas' degrees of perfection.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Georg Hegel's philosophy
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Mary Shelley's inspiration for Frankenstein
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Hypatia.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Plato's early career as a professional wrestler.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Diogenes' philosophy. Diogenes is depicted as a cartoon dog.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Diogenes' philosophy. Diogenes is depicted as a cartoon dog.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Epictetus the Stoic's philosophy free from the limits of the comic itself
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Bodhidharma
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Confucius' as King Kong
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Confucius' as King Kong
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Confucius' as King Kong
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Lao Tzu's teachings.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Lao Tzu's teachings.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Lao Tzu's teachings.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating ancient Iraqui mystic Mani's Mythology
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating ancient Iraqui mystic Mani's Mythology
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating ancient Iraqui mystic Mani's Mythology
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating St Thomas Aquinas.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating St Thomas Aquinas' philosophy of motion.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating St Thomas Aquinas' degrees of perfection.
A comic page from Action Philosophers of Kant defending the existence of God.
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Georg Hegel's philosophy
A comic page from Action Philosophers depicting Mary Wolstonecraft's life
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating an excerpt of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
A comic page from Action Philosophers illustrating Mary Shelley's inspiration for Frankenstein

Ryan Dunlavey is an illustrator and author based in New York City. © Ryan Dunlavey, all rights reserved. Email: ryan@ryand.art