Coming Soon from NoBrow: “Vern: Custodian of the Universe”, by Tyrell Waiters

By John Freeman on May 21, 2023

Published under its Flying Eye imprint, London based publisher NoBow release Vern: Custodian of the Universe, by Seattle-based creator Tyrell Waiters on 1st June, his debut graphic novel.

NoBrow describe the new book as a thought-provoking and hilarious romp through time and space that explores what it means to be human in a world that is becoming more confusing and frightening by the day.

On the edge of burnout, Vern decides to return to his family in the Sunshine State to start over. Starting a new dead-end job as a custodian at Quasar-a local science facility with a shady motive-he shrugs on his uniform, grabs a mop and bucket, and trudges off to clean up.

Black holes? Space-time anomalies? Galactic ooze? Things aren’t entirely what they seem at Quasar, and when Vern accidentally plugs in a mysterious machine and finds himself standing on the brink of the destruction of every planet in the Multiverse, he finds himself presented with the greatest question of all: what is the point?

Tyrell Waiters is a freelance illustrator who grew up in Florida and started following his dreams of being an artist from a young age. He studied at Ringling College of Art and Design, receiving his BFA in Illustration. He has gone on to create Vinyl record covers, provided illustrations for The Bleacher Report, commissioned to do Illustrations for the Seattle SEAHAWKS and has had his work chosen by Collective Arts Brewing for two of their beer can competitions.

He’s excited to have his first book published by NoBrow, and hopes this potentially leads to even more opportunities like it down the road.

If you like the look of the book, be ready to head to his official website to check out some of the items, such as t-shirts, he created for the release of the book. (stickers are on the way as well)

Tyrell announced plans to launch his own Graphic Apparel business, initially creating items for kids, earlier this year.

“I’ve worked in the apparel industry for nearly a decade and have learned a ton of things along the way,” he enthused. “I’m excited to create things that I have always wanted to do but was always told no to. Let’s make this happen!”

• Vern: Custodian of the Universe by Tyrell Waiters is on sale in all good bookshops from 1st June 2023 | ISBN: 9781913123093 | Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link)| Buy it from your favourite bookshop via Bookshop.org (Affiliate Link)

• Tyrell Waiters is online at tartwurk.com | Instagram

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.