Now Available: A STICK-FIGURE HAMLET!

I am thrilled to report that my epic guide to Hamlet is finally finished and available for purchase!

A Stick-Figure Hamlet comic book
$20.00

This is the definitive (and possibly only) stick-figure guide to Shakespeare’s greatest longest play, Hamlet!

More than double the length of my previous publications, this mammoth tome is 110 pages of solid Hamlet content, featuring my complete scene-by-scene adaptation of Hamlet plus 45 pages of additional content, including extensive commentary, numerous random fun facts, previously Patreon-exclusive outtakes, and so much more.

I am not exaggerating when I say that this is the greatest thing I have created so far. I am immensely proud of this book (which is perfect bound, not stapled, because it was so freaking long) and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it.

“To be or not to be,” plus an entire page of incredibly illuminating and hilarious analysis and commentary!

On a personal note, I started working on my version of Hamlet back in the fall of 2019, when my father was undergoing treatment for cancer. I finished compiling this book in the fall of 2023, just as we learned his cancer had recurred. He died a month later. He was my best friend in the whole world, unfailingly supportive of me and my work, and I will miss him forever.

My dad was very proud of me for finishing Hamlet after an extremely difficult year of moderate injury, ongoing chronic pain issues, frustrating mental and creative struggles, and increased parental care responsibilities. Despite me now having an immensely complicated and slightly toxic relationship with this relentlessly morbid play about dead dads, I am very proud of this book. I hope that it makes Hamlet — and the world — just a little bit more fun.

Good Tickle Brain's 10th Anniversary!

Today is the 10th anniversary of Good Tickle Brain! I can't believe it's been 10 whole years since I decided to start sharing nerdy Shakespeare comics online in the hope that other people might find them mildly amusing.

Ironically, my 10th year running Good Tickle Brain has also been far and away my roughest. I've posted barely anything this year, due to a particularly challenging combination of injury, chronic pain, increased family care responsibilities, and mental road blocks. But I'm still here, and I'm still committed to making Shakespeare fun and making fun of Shakespeare through the power of stick figures. (Also the chronic pain has mostly cleared up, so that's helped a lot.)

Assuming I can get my brain to cooperate and life doesn't throw me any more curve balls this year, I'm hoping to have my long-awaited comic book compilation of Hamlet out in time for the holiday season. I'm so proud of the work that has gone into it and I can't wait to get it into your hands.

As Good Tickle Brain moves into its 11th year (it goes to 11!) I hope to figure out a sustainable schedule that allows me to post new comics regularly again without short-circuiting my very tenuous work-life balance. Thank you all so much for continuing to read and share my work. I hope to continue to create more of it for you to enjoy over the next 10 years!

Look at where we are...

Look at where we started...

The fact that we're online is a miracle.

Shakespeare Characters on the Internet, pt. 1

I’ve been spending a lot of time recently angsting about how my tech usage is eroding my attention, creativity, and general quality of life. Fortunately, that led me into imagining how various Shakespeare characters would use the internet and all the wonders and terrors it provides.

There will be more of these. The wilderness of the internet is infinite.

Shakespearean Valentines (part 3)

Them: Shakespeare is soooo romantic!

Me: 🤨

Consulting pocket dramaturg: Kate Pitt

Huge shout-out to my consulting pocket dramaturg Kate Pitt for coming up with the ideas for all of these.

Be sure to check out Shakespearean Valentines (part 1) and Shakespearean Valentines (part 2), as well as all my other Valentine’s Day themed comics.

Popular Shakespeare Quotes You Might Want To Think Twice About Using This Thanksgiving

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a Shakespeare-related organization in possession of a social media account must be in want of a Shakespeare quote to suit the current occasion.

It is ALSO a truth universally acknowledged that most quotes selected by said organizations are A TINY BIT PROBLEMATIC if you examine the original contexts of them. Don’t fall into these common traps this Thanksgiving!

Consulting pocket dramaturg: Kate Pitt

You can check out my exposé of the “and ever thanks” quote debacle, or a look at some practical Thanksgiving feast-related quotes. Either way, have a great Thanksgiving, regardless of your geographical location!