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Emotions Explained with Buff Dudes: Owlturd Comix
You know how, since the dawn of humanity, great philosophers and poets have dedicated their entire lives to exploring concepts like love, life itself, logic, and sorrow? Well, those great philosophers and poets are dead now, so I win. — Shen
"You know how, since the dawn of humanity, great philosophers and poets have dedicated their entire lives to exploring concepts like love, life itself, logic, and sorrow? Well, those great philosophers and poets are dead now, so I win." — Shen
Emotions Explained With Buff Dudes is your fully illustrated guide to the hyper-conflicted, tragicomic feelings of our age. Featuring the resilient, shaggy-haired Shen, this debut collection of Owlturd Comix is a tale of triumph and survival — of getting your ass kicked by sleep deprivation and student loans, but never losing hope. Most of all, it's an amusing, instructive journey through a vast array of emotions, including those best explained with dudes who are buff.
"You know how, since the dawn of humanity, great philosophers and poets have dedicated their entire lives to exploring concepts like love, life itself, logic, and sorrow? Well, those great philosophers and poets are dead now, so I win." — Shen
Emotions Explained With Buff Dudes is your fully illustrated guide to the hyper-conflicted, tragicomic feelings of our age. Featuring the resilient, shaggy-haired Shen, this debut collection of Owlturd Comix is a tale of triumph and survival — of getting your ass kicked by sleep deprivation and student loans, but never losing hope. Most of all, it's an amusing, instructive journey through a vast array of emotions, including those best explained with dudes who are buff.
112 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
October 16, 2018
Emotions Explained with Buff Dudes: Owlturd Comix is not at all what I was expecting. I thought I was going to be reading a book that literally explained different emotions with hilarious-looking buff dudes. That is not what this book is.
Instead, it is a rather amusing book filled with comics about a completely non-buff dude who fights the good fight against a life that seems determined to beat him down.
I think I would have preferred to consume this in smaller doses instead of the one fell swoop that I did; a daily dose would be plenty for me. But I'm pretty sure just about everyone will find at least a few pages that hit home. There are a lot of common truths to be found in these pages.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with a DRC of this book which is available for sale now.
Instead, it is a rather amusing book filled with comics about a completely non-buff dude who fights the good fight against a life that seems determined to beat him down.
I think I would have preferred to consume this in smaller doses instead of the one fell swoop that I did; a daily dose would be plenty for me. But I'm pretty sure just about everyone will find at least a few pages that hit home. There are a lot of common truths to be found in these pages.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with a DRC of this book which is available for sale now.
August 17, 2018
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This little book is very funny and also quite relatable. Sometimes life truly is like some of the moments described in this book. Apparently the author has an Instagram where he posts updates so I'm just going to follow him there to see more of his work and to laugh some more.
This book is a really funny read and would also make a perfect gift for someone.
This little book is very funny and also quite relatable. Sometimes life truly is like some of the moments described in this book. Apparently the author has an Instagram where he posts updates so I'm just going to follow him there to see more of his work and to laugh some more.
This book is a really funny read and would also make a perfect gift for someone.
August 27, 2018
This was just so good! I had the best time reading this one, and it's too bad it's such a fast read. I could read an entire encyclopedia of these little cartoons! They're incredibly relatable and funny. My favorite ones would perhaps be the Personality A and B type cartoons which are pretty accurate xD the whole book will take you probably only a half an hour or so to read, but you will probably be coming back to read it again and again. Something that should definitely be on your shelf, if you like cartoons like Sarah's Scribbles or The Oatmeal and similar stuff.
October 6, 2018
If you're a follower of Owlturd Comix, you've probably already read some (or maybe all) of these like I have, but don't let that stop you, because Andrew's comics are totally worth rereading, and having them all in a collection like this is lovely. If you're new to his comics, they're all basically about life and how difficult it can be, especially when you have anxiety! I relate so much to practically every single comic in this book, honestly, and sometimes, you just need someone who gets it to playfully poke fun at the messy parts of your brain.
Oh, and, uh... end morning culture.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Oh, and, uh... end morning culture.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 20, 2021
Me encantó, la representación de una persona con ansiedad está muy bien plasmada.
Me reí mucho con varias de las viñetas, pero creo que es muy cortito el libro. ☹️
Me reí mucho con varias de las viñetas, pero creo que es muy cortito el libro. ☹️
May 19, 2019
A big shout out to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this advanced copy.
This tiny book is packed with giggles.
I don't think I have laughed so hard and so much at a picture book is ages!
This is certainly geared towards adults and is awesome!!!
Filled with so many weird and depressing things we deal with everyday, but delivered with such a fun tone that I can't wait to tell all my friends about it.
Wait I just did...friends.
This tiny book is packed with giggles.
I don't think I have laughed so hard and so much at a picture book is ages!
This is certainly geared towards adults and is awesome!!!
Filled with so many weird and depressing things we deal with everyday, but delivered with such a fun tone that I can't wait to tell all my friends about it.
Wait I just did...friends.
December 7, 2018
Με μια εικόνα:
Μόνο αυτό, τίποτε άλλο.
Μόνο αυτό, τίποτε άλλο.
November 6, 2019
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS!
I didn’t know this artist had a book, so I was super excited to read it! And man, it did not disappoint me at all!
I laughed out loud from the very first page and it had me nodding in agreement most of the time. Hell, I even showed some pages to my brother and he was laughing too. The gem of this book is that emotions are mostly human-shaped beings and they have personalities, so it’s rather quite amusing to see, for example, Life, Anxiety, Anger, Sadness, and Self-confidence as characters that interact with the MC.
I’m pretty sure everybody can relate to this graphic novel in a way that we all struggle with life and its unfortunate but pretty often events. On the other hand, is also a bit inspiring and it makes you feel that you’re not alone, that everybody has gone throughtough times and that eventually we overcome them.
I truly loved every second of it and I’m pretty sure I’ll be re-reading it some time. Oh! My only wish is that the author published another book with his recent work because he has done some pretty accurate pages in the last few months.
Actually, I’ve been seeing his work everywhere on the internet but, as you can imagine, he’s never properly credited for. Which is something that always gets me mad, like not only you’re stealing his work, but you’re not even giving him the credit he deserves!
Anyway, I encourage you all to read this masterpiece, I promise you, you’ll have the best of times with it!
I didn’t know this artist had a book, so I was super excited to read it! And man, it did not disappoint me at all!
I laughed out loud from the very first page and it had me nodding in agreement most of the time. Hell, I even showed some pages to my brother and he was laughing too. The gem of this book is that emotions are mostly human-shaped beings and they have personalities, so it’s rather quite amusing to see, for example, Life, Anxiety, Anger, Sadness, and Self-confidence as characters that interact with the MC.
I’m pretty sure everybody can relate to this graphic novel in a way that we all struggle with life and its unfortunate but pretty often events. On the other hand, is also a bit inspiring and it makes you feel that you’re not alone, that everybody has gone throughtough times and that eventually we overcome them.
I truly loved every second of it and I’m pretty sure I’ll be re-reading it some time. Oh! My only wish is that the author published another book with his recent work because he has done some pretty accurate pages in the last few months.
Actually, I’ve been seeing his work everywhere on the internet but, as you can imagine, he’s never properly credited for. Which is something that always gets me mad, like not only you’re stealing his work, but you’re not even giving him the credit he deserves!
Anyway, I encourage you all to read this masterpiece, I promise you, you’ll have the best of times with it!
August 22, 2018
It's no secret how much I love Shen Comix. They're my daily dose of giggles but, more than that, I love how poignant a lot of them are. If you're a human being with thoughts and emotions, perhaps with a pinch of anxiety, you'll see yourself in a lot of what Shen does. That's why I was so excited to support this collection!
It's true that there's nothing necessarily new in here, but it does collect some of my favorite Shen pieces all in one place. If you're new to these, you'll get to meet characters like Type A and Type B personality and our lovely friend LIFE. Ha! I actually envy you if you're new to these comics. I guarantee you'll quickly find yourself in love with Shen's totally honest, yet somehow adorable, takes on our day to day lives.
There's not much else to say, other than that you should buy this! It's an excellent way to support an artist who gives us so much joy and brutal self-reflection.
It's true that there's nothing necessarily new in here, but it does collect some of my favorite Shen pieces all in one place. If you're new to these, you'll get to meet characters like Type A and Type B personality and our lovely friend LIFE. Ha! I actually envy you if you're new to these comics. I guarantee you'll quickly find yourself in love with Shen's totally honest, yet somehow adorable, takes on our day to day lives.
There's not much else to say, other than that you should buy this! It's an excellent way to support an artist who gives us so much joy and brutal self-reflection.
August 22, 2018
This is another case of, if you read this comic on the Internet, you might want to have a printed collection, and if you haven't, then you might want to have a collection, to read it all in one shot. The jokes are humorous, though not fall off your chair so. Here are two examples, below.
It is a good collection. Some of the "jokes' are more sad than funny, which is sort of how humor is.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
It is a good collection. Some of the "jokes' are more sad than funny, which is sort of how humor is.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
September 2, 2018
An exeptionally fun and light way of explaining the daily struggles of most people. I'd totally let my kids read this and feel a little bit more confident about them maybe talking to me about this?
I don't have kids though, but I connect with these comics as well. It's nice to see them drawn out as logically as that and to be able to basically point towards one of the comics and say '' I feel like that today.''
I love Owlturd comix. <3
I don't have kids though, but I connect with these comics as well. It's nice to see them drawn out as logically as that and to be able to basically point towards one of the comics and say '' I feel like that today.''
I love Owlturd comix. <3
June 13, 2019
Prepare to bark laugh and then be slightly sad as you realize all these are accurate about life.
January 7, 2023
I had quite a few good chuckles from these often dark cartoons about, well, emotions and buff dudes. In the protagonist's internal life, he is constantly beset by a large, muscular figure labeled "Life" who repeatedly threatens or abuses him . . . but humorously.
My only issue with the book is everything is so internalized, we really have no information about the protagonist or the context of his struggles. For instance, Shen, the name of the author's avatar, is only given in the book's description, not in the book itself. I know so little about Shen, that even as I laugh at the universality of his thoughts and travails, I am detached from him as an individual, putting a slight damper on the fun.
Still good for some laughs though.
My only issue with the book is everything is so internalized, we really have no information about the protagonist or the context of his struggles. For instance, Shen, the name of the author's avatar, is only given in the book's description, not in the book itself. I know so little about Shen, that even as I laugh at the universality of his thoughts and travails, I am detached from him as an individual, putting a slight damper on the fun.
Still good for some laughs though.
July 24, 2021
legalzinho
July 22, 2019
**A free copy was given to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **
I‘ve been a follower of Andrew, also known as Shen, on social media (Twitter and Tumblr) for a while. So I was really thrilled when I saw that his first comic book was up on NetGalley.
The Art:
While I can’t say that it’s cute or amazing, I do think it has a certain appeal to it. I really appreciate that it was colored. I especially like the green one which I suppose is a potato. A really cute potato.
Source: shencomix.com
The Story:
The topic of this comics is mostly life and it’s very relatable and funny.
source: shencomix instagram
It was also, at times, inspirational.
source: shencomix instagram
However, there were also times when the joke fell flat or I couldn’t get the punch line.
Overall, this was very entertaining. If you’re looking for a funny and relatable read that you can finish in one sitting, read this.
Bonus:
Here’s my favorite part.
P.S. I only included those that were already posted by Shen on social media so as not to spoil the rest of the book. Review can also be found on my blog.
Find me: Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Spotify
I‘ve been a follower of Andrew, also known as Shen, on social media (Twitter and Tumblr) for a while. So I was really thrilled when I saw that his first comic book was up on NetGalley.
The Art:
While I can’t say that it’s cute or amazing, I do think it has a certain appeal to it. I really appreciate that it was colored. I especially like the green one which I suppose is a potato. A really cute potato.
Source: shencomix.com
The Story:
The topic of this comics is mostly life and it’s very relatable and funny.
source: shencomix instagram
It was also, at times, inspirational.
source: shencomix instagram
However, there were also times when the joke fell flat or I couldn’t get the punch line.
Overall, this was very entertaining. If you’re looking for a funny and relatable read that you can finish in one sitting, read this.
Bonus:
Here’s my favorite part.
P.S. I only included those that were already posted by Shen on social media so as not to spoil the rest of the book. Review can also be found on my blog.
Find me: Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Spotify
August 19, 2018
ARC kindly provided by Andrew McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Emotions Explained with Buff Dudes is a short graphic novel about the woes of millennial life. Tsyaston discusses debt, pessimism, societal expectations, etc. in a humorous way where you relate to the tragedy happening before your eyes, but you have to laugh.
Normally, I find that many comic collections fail to make me laugh or some are funny and the rest just fall flat. However, this graphic novel had me laughing on every single page. It helped that I could relate to most of the struggles of the narrator, and I'm sure anyone alive in this age can. There was one that stuck out to me, though. There's a comic where the embodiment of the Internet is shoving it in the narrator's face that there are other people who are out there doing amazing things and he won't ever be the same. I don't know why, but that just struck a chord with me.
I've seen that the author has an Instagram page so I will definitely be checking that out because I found his type of humour hilarious.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this. It's comedic while also making a statement about our current times. I'm sure you'll find something to make you laugh out loud on one of these pages.
October 3, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Eeep! I just love Owlturd/Shen/Andrew's comics. I have been reading them for quite some time, and I am delighted that he is finally getting a book filled with them.
This one didn't contain anything new, at least not that I could see, but I didn't mind. It has been some time ago since I read them, and while they are vaguely in my mind, I still laughed, still nodded along, still agreed.
This one is all about life. Life punching you in the face when you least expect it, Life with all his buffness. But also about logic and emotion (who should you fear more?), about surviving, about sleep deprived moments, about coffee.
The comics are generally one page, but there are a few that are 2 pages or longer.
I definitely agree with showing life/emotions with the use of buff guys, because seriously, life deals out some heavy punches, and those can only be done by some big buff guys.
Shen/Owlturd/Andrew's art is just fabulous, his style is fun.
All in all, I would highly recommend this one to everyone, perfect for people who never heard of this artist and his fans.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Eeep! I just love Owlturd/Shen/Andrew's comics. I have been reading them for quite some time, and I am delighted that he is finally getting a book filled with them.
This one didn't contain anything new, at least not that I could see, but I didn't mind. It has been some time ago since I read them, and while they are vaguely in my mind, I still laughed, still nodded along, still agreed.
This one is all about life. Life punching you in the face when you least expect it, Life with all his buffness. But also about logic and emotion (who should you fear more?), about surviving, about sleep deprived moments, about coffee.
The comics are generally one page, but there are a few that are 2 pages or longer.
I definitely agree with showing life/emotions with the use of buff guys, because seriously, life deals out some heavy punches, and those can only be done by some big buff guys.
Shen/Owlturd/Andrew's art is just fabulous, his style is fun.
All in all, I would highly recommend this one to everyone, perfect for people who never heard of this artist and his fans.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
August 26, 2018
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
Emotions Explained With Buff Dudes is...exactly what it says it's about. It's a set of comics on life itself by Andrew Tsyaston, the person behind Owlturd Comix and Shen Comix. The main character in Tsyaston's comics is Shen. I've been following Shen and his antics for a long time now. He's the kind of fictional character you can't help but relate to.
He stays up till the wee hours of dawn, has student loans, and a huge Netflix addiction. That's like 75% of the human population right there. Every comic in this book is painfully relatable and has been beautifully created.
Read this book if you like graphic novels about day to day experiences. You can finish it in under 2 hours and snap out of any reading slump you may be in. This book will make you snort with laughter and relate to every single comic in it.
Emotions Explained With Buff Dudes is...exactly what it says it's about. It's a set of comics on life itself by Andrew Tsyaston, the person behind Owlturd Comix and Shen Comix. The main character in Tsyaston's comics is Shen. I've been following Shen and his antics for a long time now. He's the kind of fictional character you can't help but relate to.
He stays up till the wee hours of dawn, has student loans, and a huge Netflix addiction. That's like 75% of the human population right there. Every comic in this book is painfully relatable and has been beautifully created.
Read this book if you like graphic novels about day to day experiences. You can finish it in under 2 hours and snap out of any reading slump you may be in. This book will make you snort with laughter and relate to every single comic in it.
October 24, 2018
This book contains a collection of little comics that you're most likely familiar with if you frequent sites like Tumblr, Pinterest and co.
I had already seen some of these, but a lot were actually new for me. And practically all are very relatable. They tell the struggles of being introvert, having anxiety or just everyday adult life issues.
The art style is quirky and the idea of explaining everything with buff dudes is hilarious and you just wanna say: Yep, that's how it is to a lot of these little comics.
Also: #endmorningculture!
If you like to see your thoughts and struggles reflected in a fun way definitely check these out.
I had already seen some of these, but a lot were actually new for me. And practically all are very relatable. They tell the struggles of being introvert, having anxiety or just everyday adult life issues.
The art style is quirky and the idea of explaining everything with buff dudes is hilarious and you just wanna say: Yep, that's how it is to a lot of these little comics.
Also: #endmorningculture!
If you like to see your thoughts and struggles reflected in a fun way definitely check these out.
October 31, 2018
From the back cover: "Emotions Explained with Buff Dudes is your fully illustrated guide to the hyper-conflicted, tragicomic feelings of our age." I couldn't agree more. I've seen a handful of these sprinkled across the internet and they always get a laugh out of me, it's great to see more young illustrators publishing their collections of their work because their comics are all too relatable. The fatalism is a strong with this one.
*Thanks NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for the review copy.*
*Thanks NetGalley and Andrews McMeel for the review copy.*
August 31, 2018
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.
I've always loved webcomics and Owlturd Comix is definitely one of my favorite webcomic creators! I had so much fun laughing aloud and shouting "RELATE" while reading through this one!
I WANT MORE BOOKS PLEASE!
Definitely a book to check out :3
I've always loved webcomics and Owlturd Comix is definitely one of my favorite webcomic creators! I had so much fun laughing aloud and shouting "RELATE" while reading through this one!
I WANT MORE BOOKS PLEASE!
Definitely a book to check out :3
October 15, 2018
Yes, yes, yes, yes! This was a quick but totally on the nose read for me. So many relatable ideas in one place. Emotions are hard, but they’re fun to read about when there are buff dudes around.
January 9, 2019
I laughed out loud (literally) at every single page. I got my copy from the library, but I will DEFINITELY be buying this. Super relatable and the illustrations are hilarious.
June 30, 2021
I absolutely loved this. It was such a fantastic and quick read, and it's a shame that it was over so soon. I loved the cartoons and it was hilarious and relatable, and honestly, just wholesome overall. 10/10 times would recommend this.
December 31, 2022
Hilarious 😂😂😂
This kind of dark comedy but it is so fun 😂😂❤
This kind of dark comedy but it is so fun 😂😂❤
February 26, 2020
These comics always make me chuckle. I love the mix of dark humor and jabs at every day life. The artwork is unique and makes the jokes that much better.
December 31, 2018
Emotions Explained by Buff Dudes is a fun and light way to begin a dialogue about emotions and what it means to be human. The internal feelings and experiences we have are manifested in a physical form. They are pitted against our protagonist who is just trying to cope with life, as we all are. I love these physical manifestations of feelings, personalities, and other intangibles. It's easy to see my own experiences wrapped up on this page. And that is a talent! It's hard to take something tangible and make it real.
On a personal level, I wish Tsyaston had labeled his comics so I could understand his own connection to these comics a bit more -- does he see this comic as sadness? Depression? What of his experiences are being tied into this space? Because of this lack of Tsyaston's perspective, I only had my own experiences to apply to these comics. While some are brilliantly clear and I could deeply relate to them, others felt just like silly memes.
In the end, Emotions Explained by Buff Dudes is a great collection of comics. It will make you laugh and feel some strong feels. It will make emotions and intangible experiences feel less big and overwhelming. After all, emotions are complicated and painful to unpack and understand. Put into comic form, they are shockingly simple to understand.
On a personal level, I wish Tsyaston had labeled his comics so I could understand his own connection to these comics a bit more -- does he see this comic as sadness? Depression? What of his experiences are being tied into this space? Because of this lack of Tsyaston's perspective, I only had my own experiences to apply to these comics. While some are brilliantly clear and I could deeply relate to them, others felt just like silly memes.
In the end, Emotions Explained by Buff Dudes is a great collection of comics. It will make you laugh and feel some strong feels. It will make emotions and intangible experiences feel less big and overwhelming. After all, emotions are complicated and painful to unpack and understand. Put into comic form, they are shockingly simple to understand.
August 20, 2018
Thank you! The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I could definitely relate to these! Cheating internet with sleep? Coffee (tea in my case...) before life attacks you in the morning? NOUP. Sharing your hopes and dreams? NOUP. Crushed!
The book is about real issues, real feelings and things some people should be aware of (and being aware would lead to them treating others better... like knowing of us really really late birds), but it doesnt do it in a too serious way. It made me laugh and feel like I'm not alone with these things. It follows the path Sarah's scribbles started but does it in its own way and managed to surprise me pleasantly many times.
I had to show couple pages to my colleague and we now this one is on the list to be ordered when its officially published! Not only patrons of the library will enjoy this but I know it will be a huge hit among the staff.
I could definitely relate to these! Cheating internet with sleep? Coffee (tea in my case...) before life attacks you in the morning? NOUP. Sharing your hopes and dreams? NOUP. Crushed!
The book is about real issues, real feelings and things some people should be aware of (and being aware would lead to them treating others better... like knowing of us really really late birds), but it doesnt do it in a too serious way. It made me laugh and feel like I'm not alone with these things. It follows the path Sarah's scribbles started but does it in its own way and managed to surprise me pleasantly many times.
I had to show couple pages to my colleague and we now this one is on the list to be ordered when its officially published! Not only patrons of the library will enjoy this but I know it will be a huge hit among the staff.
September 14, 2018
Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
Shen comics are your typical Tumblr fare, making jokes about life events and mental health. They're well drawn and almost never fail to make me laugh. There's nothing that perks up your morning like reading a comic where LIFE is a massively roid raged character who wakes you up with a studded baseball bat.
But along with the humor based on life problems, Andrew comes up with actual sweet adorableness, and those are sprinkled through the book like tiny rays of hope, and I LOVE IT.
Shen comics are your typical Tumblr fare, making jokes about life events and mental health. They're well drawn and almost never fail to make me laugh. There's nothing that perks up your morning like reading a comic where LIFE is a massively roid raged character who wakes you up with a studded baseball bat.
But along with the humor based on life problems, Andrew comes up with actual sweet adorableness, and those are sprinkled through the book like tiny rays of hope, and I LOVE IT.
September 25, 2018
This is one stunning collection of loud of loud/ cry internally jokes! I found the comics to be completely relatable, and beautifully illustrated. I certainly couldn't draw that good. This will be my new go to book for gifting to anyone whos having a bad day. Pure coffee inducing, life crushing, anxiety-fighting, too real to be anything but funny gold. We need more of this! Keep it coming! Write more!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews