Andy Riley

Andy Riley is a British author, cartoonist, and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter who has made significant contributions across multiple creative fields since the 1990s. Born in 1970 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, he studied at Pembroke College, Oxford before embarking on his diverse career in entertainment. Riley is particularly well-known for his cartoon books, most notably "The Book of Bunny Suicides" series and "Great Lies To Tell Small Kids," which have achieved bestseller status. His weekly comic strip "Roasted" ran in The Observer Magazine for eight years, and he has since expanded into children's literature with the King Flashypants series. In television, Riley has collaborated extensively with Kevin Cecil, co-creating several successful series including "Year of the Rabbit," "Hyperdrive," and "The Great Outdoors." Their writing credits span major comedy shows such as "Black Books," "Little Britain," and "Veep," with the latter earning them an Emmy Award in 2015. Beyond television, Riley and Cecil have ventured into animation, writing for features including "Gnomeo and Juliet" and its sequel "Sherlock Gnomes." Their work in radio includes "The 99p Challenge" for BBC Radio Four, which ran for five successful series.

Readers consistently comment on Riley's dark humor and distinct illustration style, particularly in "The Book of Bunny Suicides." On Amazon and Goodreads, fans praise the simple yet effective black-and-white drawings and clever scenarios. What readers liked: - Quick, accessible humor - Clean, minimalist art style - Creative scenarios that build on each other - Works well as coffee table books or gifts What readers disliked: - Some find the content too dark or disturbing - Later books in series seen as repetitive - Limited appeal beyond initial novelty - Children's books viewed as less engaging than cartoon works Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.7/5 average across all works Goodreads: 4.2/5 for Bunny Suicides series 3.8/5 for King Flashypants series One reader noted: "Perfect balance of dark comedy and innocent artwork." Another criticized: "Funny at first but concept wears thin quickly." The King Flashypants children's books receive fewer reviews but maintain steady 4-star ratings, with parents appreciating the humor that appeals to both adults and children.

The Book of Bunny Suicides (2003) A collection of black humor cartoons depicting rabbits finding inventive ways to end their lives.

Return of the Bunny Suicides (2004) A second volume of darkly comic illustrations showing rabbits in various elaborate self-destructive scenarios.

Great Lies to Tell Small Kids (2005) A compilation of humorous fictional "facts" adults could tell children, presented in cartoon format.

Dawn of the Bunny Suicides (2010) The third installment in the bunny suicides series, featuring more intricate death-seeking rabbit scenarios.

King Flashypants and the Evil Emperor (2016) A children's novel about a nine-year-old king who battles an evil emperor with chocolate-based currency.

King Flashypants and the Creature from Crong (2016) The second book in the King Flashypants series, following the young king's encounter with a mysterious creature.

King Flashypants and the Toys of Terror (2017) The third King Flashypants adventure, involving dangerous magical toys threatening the kingdom.

Gary Larson created The Far Side cartoons with dark humor and absurdist animal situations that parallel Riley's bunny illustrations. His single-panel format and unconventional perspective on everyday scenarios share DNA with Riley's approach to humor.

Edward Gorey produced macabre illustrated works that mix darkness with whimsy in books like The Gashlycrumb Tinies. His pen-and-ink style and blend of morbid themes with humor connects directly to Riley's aesthetic.

Terry Pratchett wrote satirical fantasy with a British sensibility and wit that matches Riley's tone in both adult and children's work. His Discworld series contains the same mix of clever wordplay and subversive humor found in Riley's books.

Shel Silverstein created illustrated works that combine simple drawings with sophisticated humor and unexpected twists. His ability to speak to both children and adults while maintaining an edge mirrors Riley's dual-audience appeal.

David Walliams writes children's books that incorporate humor and irreverence similar to Riley's King Flashypants series. His background in comedy television and transition to children's literature follows a similar creative path to Riley's career.