Ryan North

Ryan North is a Canadian writer and computer programmer who has made significant contributions to both webcomics and traditional comic publishing. He is best known for creating Dinosaur Comics in 2003, a pioneering webcomic that uniquely uses the same artwork for every strip while changing only the dialogue. North's work on established properties includes writing the Adventure Time comic series from 2012 to 2014 and Marvel Comics' The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. His achievements in comics have earned him multiple industry accolades, including Eisner Awards in 2013 and 2017, and his work has appeared on New York Times Bestseller lists. Beyond comics, North has demonstrated innovation in digital storytelling through projects like Whispered Apologies, a collaborative platform where users could pair submitted artwork with text. His creative approach to both format and content has established him as an influential figure in modern comics and digital media. The success of Dinosaur Comics, which has produced over 3,500 strips and earned numerous accolades including the Web Cartoonists' Choice Award for Outstanding Anthropomorphic Comic, demonstrates North's ability to create engaging content within self-imposed creative constraints.

Readers praise North's humor, describing his writing as clever without being pretentious. Many point to his ability to blend educational content with comedy, particularly in "How to Take Over the World" and "How to Invent Everything." Amazon reviews highlight his accessible explanations of complex topics. Readers specifically enjoy: - Clear scientific explanations - Consistent humor across different formats - Interactive elements in his books - Fresh takes on established characters (Squirrel Girl) Common criticisms: - Some find his humor repetitive - A few readers note his works can be too "internetty" - Some consider his style too casual for serious topics Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "How to Invent Everything" (4.2/5 from 8,000+ ratings) - Amazon: "How to Take Over the World" (4.6/5 from 500+ reviews) - Adventure Time comics average 4.5/5 on Comixology - Romeo and/or Juliet maintains 4.3/5 on Goodreads (3,000+ ratings)

Machine of Death An anthology of short stories based on the premise of a machine that can predict how people will die, edited and co-created by Ryan North, Matthew Bennardo, and David Malki.

This Is How You Die The sequel anthology to Machine of Death, featuring new stories from different authors exploring the same death-prediction machine concept.

To Be or Not To Be A choose-your-own-adventure style adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet where readers can make choices as Hamlet, Ophelia, or Hamlet's father.

How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler A practical guide written as a manual for time travelers, detailing how to rebuild civilization from scratch using scientific knowledge.

Romeo and/or Juliet A choose-your-own-path version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, allowing readers to make choices that can lead to various alternate endings.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World A young adult novel following the adventures of fourteen-year-old Doreen Green, who has the powers of both a girl and a squirrel.

The Midas Flesh A science fiction comic series that reimagines the myth of King Midas in a space setting, where his golden touch has affected an entire planet.

Randall Munroe created xkcd webcomic and writes books about explaining complex topics through simple illustrations. His work combines science, math, and programming humor with stick figure art in a format similar to North's constrained creative approach.

Kate Beaton produced the webcomic Hark! A Vagrant and brings historical figures to life through irreverent comics. Her style of remixing established content with modern sensibilities parallels North's work on properties like Adventure Time.

Andrew Hussie created MS Paint Adventures and Homestuck, pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling formats. His work incorporates programming elements and innovative narrative structures that appeal to readers interested in North's experimental approaches.

Noelle Stevenson wrote Nimona and co-created Lumberjanes, bringing fresh perspectives to established comic formats. Their work in both webcomics and traditional publishing mirrors North's career trajectory.

Gene Luen Yang writes comics that blend educational content with engaging narratives, including American Born Chinese and Secret Coders. His integration of programming concepts and storytelling aligns with North's background as both programmer and writer.