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Known for his minimalist style and razor-sharp wit, the Scottish cartoonist Tom Gauld has built a reputation for transforming complex ideas into simple, funny, and surprisingly deep comics.

Whether it’s a joke about librarians, a visual take on scientific theories, or a subtle jab at literary culture, Gauld somehow always manages to say a lot with very little. His comics often feel like inside jokes for readers, writers, and curious minds, while still being accessible to anyone who enjoys a smart punchline.

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

#1

52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

tomgauld Report

David Paterson
Community Member
1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every day! Today's was: "You can't even attempt to set up a PIN for your card without an account identification number that was supposed to have been emailed to you a year and a half ago, but was never sent. And oh yes, can't be done at all from the desktop because the app you need to use to access your funds won't run on Windows or Linux".

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If you’ve never read Gauld’s comic books, they’re quite different from what you might expect. Instead of fast-paced plots or detailed drawings, there are small, quiet moments, often told in just a few panels with very simple visuals. That simplicity here is intentional, leaving space for the reader to fill in the gaps and connect the dots. His comics often play with literary or scientific ideas, mixing them with dry, deadpan humor and slightly surreal situations, where the joke can come from what’s left unsaid as much as what’s shown. Even when they’re funny, there’s usually something thoughtful underneath. In a way, his books feel less like traditional comics and more like quiet observations captured in visual form.

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    #3

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Wyrdwoman
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Welllll, if the T-Rex died while eating him, maybe the effect was just a touch delayed.

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    #4

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

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

    I wish right now I had his share of luck, the way our world is right now I'm open to any escape route

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    #5

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A different type of 7% Solution.

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    #6

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

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

    I myself am an aspiring solitary anything

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    #7

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Come and see the violence inherent in the system!

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    #10

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    16 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Found him! ( Or possibly her, or even it. The translations are somewhat vague. )

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    #11

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

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

    Seeing a spooky tree is definitely worth a trip to the Moors

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    #12

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    David Paterson
    Community Member
    20 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There is a library I know that has taken this so much to heart that they won't lend to anyone without a massive up-front fee that is far more than the value of any books borrowed.

    #13

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    23 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He was inspired by Homer Simpson and a hedge.

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    #15

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

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

    It's all that I have time to read after an evening of doom scrolling...

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Michael P (Perthaussieguy)
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ... and cut staff levels too, thus boosting profit margins. Brilliant, have a bonus as a reward!

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    #17

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Demdumpin
    Community Member
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

    #20

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's this or another McKee workshop. I'll take the pokey.

    #21

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really wish I hadn't reflexively thought that Trump's name would inevitably appear on the building in the sign. His whole scene is just way too pervasive.

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    #22

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    David Paterson
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel seen. I completed writing my Magnum opus at least 15 years ago. I've restarted writing it - four times since then, and am about to restart for a fifth time.

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    #24

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Take the win, birdie.

    #25

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true." - Mr. Spock, "Amok Time".

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    #26

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    22 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lt. Columbo - Annoy the hell out of everyone with with anecdotes and afterthought questions until they finally reveal where the eggs are.

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    #28

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. --Groucho Marx, debatably

    #30

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily." - Senator John Blutarsky

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    #31

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Since the carpenter is holding a mallet and wooden stake, this might have an unexpected outcome for the Count.

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    #32

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Upgrades just separate your feet from the ground.

    #35

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why I have a very hard time throwing things away.

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    #36

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is modernity in three panels.

    #38

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hawthorne effect FTW - the camera doesn't really need to be on (until they find out it isn't)

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    #40

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And in the case of "Infinite Jest" that will definitely be an incident of excessive force. Excessive size. Excessive complexity. If that doesn't make sense just search for the Onion headlne "Girlfriend stops reading David Foster Wallace breakup letter at page 20".

    #41

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mom! I'm tyrannizing here! Leave me alone!

    #42

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No discussion was ever calmed by any utterance starting with "actually..."

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    #43

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heisenberg's Wenceslas - you can know either what's in the gift or who is receiving it but never both at the same time. Or, Wenceslas leads a double life while becoming the m**h king of the Czech Republic. Schrodinger's Wenceslas - the gift is a cat and opening the box kills it.

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    #46

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    CatD
    Community Member
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heard his voice in my head while reading this 😂

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    #47

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Fun fact: somehow people managed to be toxic before and without YouTube. It's almost as if rationalization of deficit is a fundamental aspect of the human psyche and tools change while the urge remains.

    #48

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not shown - the school he attended and the road to it going uphill both ways.

    #49

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you want to do this in 30 days, sign up for NaNoWriMo.

    #52

    52 Brilliant Comics By Tom Gauld That Turn Books, Art, And Science Into Pure Genius

    tomgauld Report

    MondoLogo
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good comic, downvote is only for being a repeat of #22.