If you loved Sarah’s Scribbles…

I hate to compare this to Sarah’s Scribbles, mostly because I compare everything to Sarah’s Scribbles. (What can I say? It’s my benchmark for socially awkward, relatable AF irreverent humor!) But Andrew Tsyaston feels like Sarah Andersen’s equally weird and self-conscious west coast guy cousin. Same unfortunate wavelength (thanks God’s broken salt shaker!), different genders. But in color!

So as you can probably gather, Tsyaston tackles a number of mental health issues through his cartoons (most prominently social anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem) as well as topics especially though not exclusively relevant to millennials (technology, student debt, the death of facts). The titular BUFF DUDES are a) totes nude but b) actually the antagonists of Tsyaston’s stories; see, e.g. Life. The result is both hilarious and crushing, and will leave you feeling marginally better about this effed up plane of existence we call the human experience. Shen might be a white dude (I mean, I think?), but you’ll see bits of yourself reflected back in the funhouse mirror that is his soul.

In summary, Owlturd Comix is great, and I look forward to devouring many more of them.

Emotions Explained with Buff Dudes 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.

It is, however, 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.

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.

I'm beyond pleased to have been able to read this review copy. For some reason, I thought that this comic would skew much older, but it's really in the awkward "new adult"genre and I know that my library's teens will love it (especially the senpai joke and the Ouran High School Host Club anime theme song mention!).

“Emotions Explained with Buff Dudes” is a hilarious comic collection. Andrew Tsyaston’s takes on early-risers, anxiety, student loans, and the ways that life sometimes seems to be actively working against you are often dark but consistently true. I can’t remember the last time that a book had me laughing out loud as hard or as long as this book did.

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 sometimes post 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.