Action Philosophers

    (Evil Twin, 2005–2007)
™ and © 2002-2005 Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey

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

		Notes	Writer	Artist
	#1 Date:  4/1/2005 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $5.25 No copies available		Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#1 (2nd printing) Date:  4/1/2005 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $2.25 No copies available
	#1 (3rd printing) Date:  10/1/2014 Cover Price:  $1.00 NM Guide:  $8.50 2 copies available from $0.99	1 for $1 reprint; Published by Dark Horse	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#2 Date:  6/1/2005 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $2.75 No copies available		Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#3 Date:  9/1/2005 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $3.50 2 copies available from $1.50	B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#4 Date:  12/1/2005 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $2.25 1 copy available for $1.50	World Domination Handbook; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#5 Date:  4/1/2006 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $41.00 3 copies available from $1.50	Hate the French!; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#6 Date:  6/1/2006 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $6.00 2 copies available from $2.95	The People’s Choice; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#7 Date:  10/1/2006 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $6.50 3 copies available from $2.95	B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#8 Date:  2/1/2007 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $3.50 No copies available	Senseless Violence Spectacular; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	#9 Date:  7/1/2007 Cover Price:  $2.95 NM Guide:  $3.50 No copies available	Final Issue; Indicia reads title as Action Philosophers: The Lightning Round; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	Book #1 Date:  6/1/2006 Cover Price:  $6.95 NM Guide:  $7.00 1 copy available for $7.00	Collects Action Philosophers #1–3; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	Book #2 Date:  12/1/2006 Cover Price:  $8.95 NM Guide:  $7.00 1 copy available for $7.00	Collects Action Philosophers #4–6; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	Book #3 Date:  11/1/2007 Cover Price:  $8.95 NM Guide:  $7.00 1 copy available for $7.00	Collects Action Philosophers #7–9; B&W	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	Deluxe Set #1 Date:  Cover Price:  $24.99 NM Guide:  $24.99 No copies available	More Than Complete Action Philosophers; Collects Action Philosophers #1-9 and 4 new stories	Fred Van Lente	Ryan Dunlavey
	Deluxe Set #1 Hardcover Date:  Cover Price:  $29.99 NM Guide:  $29.99 No copies available	Hardcover; Collects Action Philosophers #1-9 and 4 new stories; More Than Complete Action Philosophers; Published by Dark Horse	Lente Fred Van	Ryan Dunlavey