Nathan W. Pyle

Nathan W. Pyle is an American author and illustrator best known for creating the webcomic series "Strange Planet," which features blue alien beings observing and describing everyday human activities in peculiar, technical language. His "Strange Planet" comics gained massive popularity on social media platforms starting in 2019, leading to multiple New York Times bestselling books including "Strange Planet" (2019) and "Stranger Planet" (2020). The series has attracted millions of followers across Instagram and other platforms. Prior to his success with Strange Planet, Pyle created "NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette," a guide book featuring illustrations and advice for navigating life in New York City. The book was published in 2014 by William Morrow Paperbacks. Beyond his published works, Pyle has collaborated with various brands and expanded the Strange Planet franchise into merchandise and an animated series for Apple TV+, which premiered in 2023.

Readers connect with Pyle's observational humor and his ability to make mundane human activities feel fresh through alien perspectives. Many cite the comics' ability to point out absurd social customs we take for granted. Likes: - Clean, minimalist art style - Clever wordplay and technical descriptions - Family-friendly content - Quick, digestible format - Universal relatability of situations Dislikes: - Some readers note repetitive formulas in later works - Book collections contain previously posted online content - A few mention the humor can feel forced or predictable Ratings across platforms: - Strange Planet (book): 4.3/5 on Goodreads (50,000+ ratings) - Stranger Planet: 4.5/5 on Amazon (12,000+ ratings) - NYC Basic Tips: 4.4/5 on Amazon (300+ ratings) "Makes me laugh while questioning why we do things the way we do," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another adds, "The charm wears thin after a while, but the initial concept is brilliant."

Strange Planet (2019) A collection of four-panel comics featuring blue alien beings who describe ordinary human activities and customs using clinical, technical language.

Stranger Planet (2020) A second collection of comics continuing to follow the blue aliens as they navigate and describe human experiences, relationships, and traditions.

NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette (2014) An illustrated guide presenting practical advice for living in and visiting New York City through simple diagrams and explanations.

99 Stories I Could Tell (2020) A fill-in journal containing prompts and incomplete illustrations that readers can use to document their own stories and memories.

Strange Planet: The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature (2021) A picture book depicting the blue aliens from Strange Planet as they attempt to understand the behavior of a household cat.

Randall Munroe creates comics and books that explain science concepts through simple drawings and deadpan humor. His work "What If?" and "xkcd" web comics share Pyle's approach of breaking down complex ideas into accessible illustrations with minimalist style.

James Turner produces comics featuring alien perspectives on human behaviors, notably in "Rex Libris" and "Nil: A Land Beyond Belief." His characters observe Earth customs with detached analysis similar to Pyle's Strange Planet series.

Tom Gauld draws comics that examine human nature and social conventions through stark visuals and understated commentary. His collections "Department of Mind-Blowing Theories" and "Baking with Kafka" share Pyle's method of highlighting absurdity in everyday life.

Jorge Cham creates "PHD Comics" which examines academic life through simple illustrations and observational humor. His work presents complex situations through the lens of an outsider looking in at human institutions.

KC Green produces web comics that blend existential themes with everyday observations about human behavior. His series "Gunshow" and "He is a Good Boy" use recurring characters to examine social norms from unique perspectives.