Tom Gauld’s comics are quite something. He has this minimalist style, and his humor is so dry. You know, the kind that makes you chuckle quietly to yourself. A lot of his work plays with literary ideas, and he always seems to have a smart, funny take on things.
If you find yourself drawn to his particular brand of wit and visual storytelling, you might wonder about other creators with a similar sensibility.
Readers who enjoy Tom Gauld’s witty humor and clever illustrations might appreciate Edward Gorey. Gorey was an American illustrator and writer famous for his darkly humorous and eerie illustrated books.
One of his best-known works is “The Gashlycrumb Tinies,” an alphabet book that showcases Gorey’s macabre charm.
In each illustration, Gorey presents a quirky, rhyming account of children meeting bizarre and untimely ends, paired with detailed, distinctive drawings in black and white.
The quirky situations and playful, grim humor combine for a unique reading experience that many fans of whimsical yet biting humor will find appealing.
If you enjoy Tom Gauld’s subtle humor and minimalist art style, Lorenzo Mattotti offers a fresh experience that could capture your attention. Mattotti is an Italian cartoonist and illustrator known for his expressive drawings and imaginative storytelling.
His graphic novel “Stigmata” follows a man named Claudio who discovers mysterious wounds on his hands, wounds he cannot explain or control. Mattotti uses dark, emotional charcoal illustrations to explore Claudio’s journey through suffering and revelation.
The visual style is powerful and raw, capturing the emotional depth behind every interaction Claudio faces. Fans of Gauld may appreciate Mattotti’s unique ability to blend nuanced emotion with striking visuals.
Chris Ware is a distinctive cartoonist whose work often explores loneliness and everyday life through detailed panels and thoughtful narrative. If you’re a fan of Tom Gauld’s minimal style and witty storytelling, Ware’s “Building Stories” could interest you.
The book comes in an unconventional format—a collection of separate printed items presented inside a large box. Each piece offers glimpses into the interconnected lives of apartment dwellers in Chicago, capturing quiet moments, emotions, and memories.
The intricately designed panels, full of subtle details and depth, draw readers gently into the characters’ personal experiences. “Building Stories” creates a thoughtful narrative experience that’s both visually unique and emotionally resonant.
Roz Chast is an American cartoonist known for witty comics that gently poke fun at everyday worries and life’s awkward moments. Her style is quirky, detailed, and often hilariously relatable. One of her most notable works is “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?”
This graphic memoir faces head-on the absurd challenges of caring for aging parents. With humor, sadness, and honest illustrations, Chast invites us to witness conversations many people try their hardest to avoid.
If you appreciate Tom Gauld’s clever and refined humor, Roz Chast’s sharp-eyed look at life’s weirdness and absurdity will definitely resonate.
If you enjoy the witty humor and thoughtful charm of Tom Gauld, you might appreciate the clever and playful storytelling of Canadian cartoonist Seth.
His graphic novel “Clyde Fans” explores the quiet lives of two brothers who run a failing family business selling electric fans in Canada. The story spans decades and reflects on nostalgia, regret, and the passage of time, all captured through Seth’s distinctive retro style.
His clean drawings and calm, understated dialogue create a deeply touching atmosphere. Fans of Gauld’s subtle storytelling will find much to appreciate in Seth’s careful portrayal of ordinary lives and the complexities of family relationships.
Liana Finck is a cartoonist and author known for her thoughtful, humorous comics that capture everyday human experiences. In her graphic memoir, “Passing for Human,” she creates a touching exploration of identity, creativity, and personal history.
Finck tells her story through simple yet striking illustrations. She shares her anxieties, creative struggles, and the experiences that shaped her as an artist.
Readers who enjoy Tom Gauld’s subtle humor, minimalist drawing style, and gentle reflections on life’s odd moments will likely find Finck’s work refreshingly relatable and deeply engaging.
Readers who enjoy Tom Gauld’s subtle humor and minimalist art style might appreciate Adrian Tomine. Tomine is a graphic novelist known for thoughtfully exploring everyday human emotions and relationships. His book, “Killing and Dying,” includes six distinct short stories.
Each one captures moments of quiet struggle and personal reflection, often balancing humor with sensitivity. In one memorable story, a teenager navigates the awkwardness of a stand-up comedy performance, exposing both her anxieties and dreams.
Tomine’s clean lines and understated storytelling often reveal deeper truths beneath ordinary lives.
Daniel Clowes is an American cartoonist known for his clever storytelling and unique, memorable characters. His graphic novel “Ghost World” explores teenage friendship and the awkwardness of growing up.
It focuses on Enid and Rebecca, two smart, sarcastic teenagers drifting through the strange days after high school graduation. Clowes brings humor, honesty, and a fresh take on suburban boredom.
Fans of Tom Gauld’s subtle style and quiet humor may appreciate how Clowes captures life’s small absurdities.
Alison Bechdel creates graphic novels that are thoughtful, honest, and often humorous explorations of personal and family life. Her book “Fun Home” is both memoir and graphic storytelling at its best.
It recounts Alison’s relationship with her father, a distant, complicated figure who runs the family’s funeral home. She navigates childhood memories, revelations about family secrets, and her own growing awareness of identity—all illustrated with sharp wit and warmth.
Readers who appreciate Tom Gauld’s gentle humor, subtle storytelling, and careful attention to life’s small details will find much to enjoy in Bechdel’s candid narratives.
Charles Addams was a master of dark humor and witty, offbeat cartoons. He specialized in blending playful comedy with eerie and macabre themes, famously creating the spooky yet lovable characters of the Addams Family.
If you enjoy Tom Gauld’s quirky and clever illustrations, you’ll appreciate Addams’ cartoon collection “The Addams Family: An Evilution.”
The book is packed with original cartoons showcasing the amusingly sinister antics and peculiar charm of characters like Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, and Uncle Fester.
It’s both subtly humorous and delightfully dark—a combination readers who love smart, quiet satire are sure to enjoy.
Ivan Brunetti is a cartoonist known for satirical humor and sharp wit presented through simple yet expressive illustrations. His comics often explore existential questions and the absurdities of human behavior, similar in style and humor to those of Tom Gauld.
Brunetti’s collection “Misery Loves Comedy” brings together an impressively dark yet funny array of his shorter comics. With brutal honesty, he examines everyday anxieties, isolation, and life’s mundane calamities through concise and uncluttered panels.
Anyone who appreciates the clever visual storytelling of Tom Gauld will find Brunetti’s stark but thoughtful comics both amusing and insightful.
Readers who appreciate Tom Gauld’s understated humor and sharp commentary will likely enjoy Keith Knight’s insightful graphic novels. Knight is a talented cartoonist known for combining humor with thoughtful critiques of society and culture.
His book “The K Chronicles: They Shoot Black People, Don’t They?” uses sharp satire, clever visuals, and personal storytelling to address race relations, police brutality, and social issues.
Through a series of engaging comic strips, Knight offers perspectives that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. Readers familiar with Gauld’s ability to cover serious topics with subtle humor will find similar comfort in Knight’s unique style.
Emily Carroll is a graphic novelist known for her atmospheric storytelling and eerie illustrations. Her book “Through the Woods” is a collection of dark fairy tales wrapped in mystery, suspense, and quiet dread.
Each story captures moments of isolation, monstrous encounters, and unsettling fates, all brought vividly to life by Carroll’s haunting artwork.
Fans of Tom Gauld’s thoughtful storytelling and unique visuals might appreciate Carroll’s expressive style and chilling narratives, which draw readers into strange worlds where shadows seem alive and every turn of the page brings something unexpected.
Pascal Girard is a Canadian cartoonist known for his simple yet expressive style and subtle humor that fans of Tom Gauld will appreciate. In his autobiographical graphic novel “Petty Theft,” Girard explores life’s small awkward moments with genuine honesty and humor.
The story follows Pascal, a cartoonist dealing with a creative slump and a tough breakup. While browsing a bookstore, he spots a woman shoplifting one of his own books. Curious and fascinated, he ends up tangled in her complicated story.
With everyday struggles portrayed gently through humorous and relatable scenes, Girard shows a sharp eye for life’s quiet absurdities.
Posy Simmonds is a British cartoonist and writer known for graphic novels that blend sharp satire with engaging storytelling. If you’re a fan of Tom Gauld’s subtle humor and thoughtful visuals, check out Simmonds’s graphic novel “Gemma Bovery.”
This clever modern twist on Flaubert’s classic novel imagines a British woman, Gemma, who moves to rural France and finds her life surprisingly mirroring that of Emma Bovary. Through expressive art and sharp narrative, Simmonds explores human folly, romance, and life’s ironies.
It’s a story full of wit, thoughtful insights, and beautifully observed social commentaries.