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Action Philosophers

    (Evil Twin, 2005-2007, 2014)
™ and © 2002-2005 Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey
B&W

As the inside cover says, Action Philosophers is neither parody nor satire. However, it is funny. This first issue gives brief overviews of the lives and times of three highly influential philosophers: Plato, a contemporary of Socrates and a founding father of modern-day academia; Bodhidharma, a Buddhist reformer who emphasized meditation and physical training; and Friedrich Nietzsche, whose concept of the über mensch was perverted by such notorious nincompoops as Leopold & Loeb and Adolf Hitler.

What makes Action Philosophers such a gas is the purposeful anachronisms placed throughout the issue at just the right moments. Movie theaters, videogames, and other modern trappings help illustrate the historical figures’ philosophies in an amusing and even educational manner. And, to give the subject matter a comic book bent, the philosophers are portrayed dramatically on the cover: Plato as a wrestler (which he really was); Bodhidharma as a master of kung-fu (he invented the art form); and Nietzsche as a super-man (complete with cape and tights).

— Brett Weiss
Jump to issue:
  • 1
    #1
    Apr 2005
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    No copies available
  • 1-2
    #1 - 2nd printing
    2nd Printing Cover by Ryan Dunlavey
    Apr 2005
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    No copies available
  • 1-3
    #1 - 3rd printing
    3rd Printing Cover by Ryan Dunlavey
    Oct 2014
    Cover: $1.00
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    1 for $1 reprint; Published by Dark Horse
    2 copies from $1.75
  • 2
    #2
    Jun 2005
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    No copies available
  • 3
    #3
    Sep 2005
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    1 copy for $3.00
  • 4
    #4
    Dec 2005
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    World Domination Handbook
    1 copy for $1.50
  • 5
    #5
    Apr 2006
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Hate the French!
    4 copies from $1.95
  • 6
    #6
    Jun 2006
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    The People’s Choice
    No copies available
  • 7
    #7
    Oct 2006
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    3 copies from $1.10
  • 8
    #8
    Feb 2007
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Senseless Violence Spectacular
    No copies available
  • 9
    #9
    Jul 2007
    Cover: $2.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Final Issue; Indicia reads title as Action Philosophers: The Lightning Round
    No copies available
  • Bk 1
    Book #1
    Jun 2006
    Cover: $6.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Collects Action Philosophers #1–3
    No copies available
  • Bk 2
    Book #2
    Dec 2006
    Cover: $8.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Collects Action Philosophers #4–6
    No copies available
  • Bk 3
    Book #3
    Nov 2007
    Cover: $8.95
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Collects Action Philosophers #7–9
    No copies available
  • Dlx 1
    Deluxe Set #1
    Cover: $24.99
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Collects Action Philosophers #1-9 and 4 new stories; More Than Complete Action Philosophers
    No copies available
  • Dlx 1/HC
    Deluxe Set #1 Hardcover
    Hardcover Edition
    Cover: $29.99
    W: Fred Van Lente  ·  A: Ryan Dunlavey
    Collects Action Philosophers #1-9 and 4 new stories; More Than Complete Action Philosophers; Published by Dark Horse
    No copies available