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Tom Gauld is a cartoonist who has mastered the art of saying a lot with very little. His clean lines, quiet humor, and sharp observations have earned him a place in publications like The Guardian, The New Yorker, and New Scientist, where readers have come to look forward to his gentle yet pointed commentary on books, science, daily life, and the small absurdities that tie them all together.

Gauld’s work often takes familiar ideas and nudges them just enough to reveal the strange logic hiding underneath, reminding us that both creativity and comedy can thrive in the simplest shapes and the most precise words.

More info: Instagram | tomgauld.com | x.com | myjetpack.tumblr.com

#1

Library scene comic by Tom Gauld featuring books, art, and science with a humorous libertarian character speaking.

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    #3

    Comic strip by Tom Gauld illustrating science and art through tiny comics featuring lifeforms observing each other in various scenes.

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    #5

    Three people in a comic by Tom Gauld discussing a program detecting signals needing an upgrade to reply.

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    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is the problem these days. Real journalism is locked behind paywalls while absolute c**p is free by the shovelful.

    Talis
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Afterwards, it turns out that the signal is from a prince from Alpha Centauri, who wants to share his vast riches with the universe - and the big lottery chose US to win the big prize! We just have to pay for the transport of the goods to the solar system. Upfront.

    #6

    Minimalist bookshop staff hanging a decoration, illustrating art and science in Tom Gauld’s tiny comics style.

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    Arthur Waite
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I could live with that, and I'd come to enjoy the one decoration, and respect the intent.

    moggiemoo
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My cat would have broken it.

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Too much in love with my Victorian clutter

    #8

    Comic illustration by Tom Gauld showing stick figures on a basketball court symbolizing books, art, and science concepts.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This I could watch!

    Giles McArdell
    Community Member
    2 months ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Reminds me of Monty Python's Philosophers Football - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfduUFF_i1A

    sbj
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds a lot more entertaining than basketball

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    #9

    Scientists in hazmat suits conducting virus research outdoors in a comic style by Tom Gauld focusing on books, art, and science.

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    Talis
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A very good working environment!

    Doug Moyer
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wuhan Institute of Virology?

    #10

    Comic by Tom Gauld illustrating art and science by turning big ideas about dark matter into tiny comics.

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    Bruce Mardle
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Physics For Cats" sounds like a sequel to "How To Teach Quantum Physics To Your Dog" (which I already own).

    Talis
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The most important question: "Does dark matter really exist?" After all, it's some kind of duct tape to bring models and observations together. When either (or both) turns out flawed and the correction aligned them, the dark matter just vanishes.

    #11

    Pile of discarded wrapping paper drawn in comic style illustrating books, art, and science by Tom Gauld with a humorous caption.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
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    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the life!

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
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    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My favourite meme is "When someone assumes that when you are reading a book that you are 'doing nothing' and can be interrupted. Repeatedly"

    Arthur Waite
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is this 'surplus' you speak of?

    Annik Perrot
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup. January is the shîttiest month of the year. I usually try to read through it, but other people won't let me. And my DH certainly won't leave a pile of paper lying around, so there's little hope for me to hide.

    #12

    Woman sitting with cat on lap, working on comic draft, illustrating how Tom Gauld turns big ideas into tiny comics.

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    #13

    Comic illustration by Tom Gauld showing a conspiracy theory board connecting various big ideas with tiny comics style.

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    Toothless Feline
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those “reptilian overlords” and “aliens” look an awful lot alike…coincidence? I think not…

    Sven Horlemann
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope. I am missing the connection of weather control to 5G.

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And then you come up with the Grand Unified Conspiracy theory - "its all being done to steer you away from what is 'really' happening"

    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Geez, he missed all the *good* ones!

    #14

    Cartoon-style comic by Tom Gauld illustrating science and books with whimsical art and a humorous story.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But was it broccoli cheddar? I'd have to think that one over.

    S Bow
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It looks like it was just a bowl of his soup, not the recipe. I'd make that trade.

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    Talis
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He also got a big duck in exchange.

    #15

    Comic by Tom Gauld showing a person sitting next to a talking fallen tree, illustrating books, art, and science.

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    #16

    Colorful comic characters illustrating different levels of anger in a tiny comic by Tom Gauld showcasing books, art, and science.

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    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm the purple one out of frame that left the area when it started to get too peopley

    sbj
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I definitely belong to last group

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    #17

    Cartoon by Tom Gauld showing astronauts choosing between white and orange space suits in a comic about books, art, and science.

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    #18

    Two animated books sitting and talking on stage in a comic style illustrating books art and science concepts.

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    #19

    Cartoon by Tom Gauld showing a man buying fresh ideas from a street vendor, highlighting books, art, and science themes.

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    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a collection of short stories by Science Fiction author Barry Longyear, titled "It Came From Schenectady!", where he explains in the foreword that he got so tired of getting asked "Where do you get your ideas?" that he started answering "Schenectady", just to watch the confusion on their faces.

    Bruce Mardle
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are you sure it's not a sequel to 'It Came from Outer Space'? 🙂

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    Doug Moyer
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There was a character something like this (with a trench coat?) is some old TV show, but I can't quite dredge it out of the depths of my memory....

    #20

    Comic panel by Tom Gauld showing space junk with a character humorously redefining it as vintage technology in orbit.

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    #21

    Comic by Tom Gauld illustrating big ideas about black holes with simple art and text on a chalkboard in tiny comics style.

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    #22

    Comic strip by Tom Gauld showing three armored guards by doors, illustrating art and science concepts in tiny comics.

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    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you think about it, both doors lead to freedom. 🤷🏻‍♀️

    #24

    Cartoon by Tom Gauld showing a hiker walking past mountains with smiling faces, illustrating books, art, and science.

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    #25

    Comic strip by Tom Gauld showing characters discussing a drone mission over a volcano in a tiny comic style.

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    #26

    Comic illustration by Tom Gauld featuring a charged particle performing stand-up for a neutron audience, blending art and science.

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    #28

    Comic panel by Tom Gauld illustrating fungi as a distinct kingdom, combining books, art, and science in tiny comics style.

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    #30

    Comic illustration by Tom Gauld showing stages in the life of a scientist exploring big ideas through tiny comics.

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    #31

    Comic strip by Tom Gauld showing two people discussing the most intelligent machine and its purpose in a science setting.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why Elon keeps wanting more money.

    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Can you help me earn another ten billion dollars, in hopes that doubling your capacity will be enough for you to do it?"

    #32

    Comic by Tom Gauld illustrating science and behavior with a quantum supercomputer chart for gifts and naughty lists.

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    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which went reasonably well until an unfortunate decision to use AI was made by management.

    #33

    Comic strip illustrating New Year's resolution ideas using numbers, reflecting Tom Gauld's art, books, and science style.

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    Wyrdwoman
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Instructions unclear - I shall boycott an illegal taxidermist :D

    Crazy Cookie
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know it’s the joke but I’m very disappointed I couldn’t get a funny combo

    #34

    Comic by Tom Gauld showing two stick figures discussing an espresso machine powered by a laboratory apparatus.

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    #35

    Comic by Tom Gauld showing a man discussing a manuscript in a lost property office with minimalist art style.

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    #36

    Comic by Tom Gauld showing a figure presenting complex formulas and diagrams linking books, art, and science.

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    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Encountered something like this years ago. Excel pie charts were a new thing. We had monthly meetings to distribute and assess resources. Fell to me to collect and compile this from all involved. Lots of discussion when presented as a spread sheet. Just accepted as fact when I showed up with a chart and sheet.

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    #37

    Comic by Tom Gauld showing two children discussing books and art with a focus on science and social critique.

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    Giles McArdell
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But surely we should support Mr McGregor's right to sovereignty within his own domain? Peter Rabbit and his like representing, as it were, the external forces bent on pillaging the, quite literal, fruits of Mr McGregor's labour.

    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But is not McGregor the aggressor here?. The land was originally that of the rabbits and McGregor seized it without care or compensation. Also, benefiting from a created system wherein he is protected by 'laws' from which they are offered no protection, the rabbits have little recourse but to raid the garden to feed themselves.

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    #38

    Comic illustration by Tom Gauld showing a Venn diagram comparing English warrior and literary agent traits for representing books.

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    Chich the witch
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lunch you say? Pays for it you say????

    #39

    Cartoon by Tom Gauld showing a prehistoric man with a spear and suitcase, blending books, art, and science in tiny comics.

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    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's in the briefcase?!?! Where's he going? Best wishes though Cavey Mann

    #40

    Comic illustration showing three badge colors with descriptions, related to books, art, and science in Tom Gauld's tiny comics style.

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    Lily bloom
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have no idea what this means