Darryl Cunningham

This article is about the British writer. For the former VFL footballer, see Daryl Cunningham.

Darryl Cunningham (born 1960) is a British author and cartoonist who has written the books Science Tales (also known, in the US, as How to Fake a Moon Landing), Psychiatric Tales and "The Age of Selfishness".

Biography

Cunningham graduated from Leeds College of Art in Keighley, West Yorkshire. He has stated that his influences include Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and George Grosz. The book Psychiatric Tales was partly inspired by his years spent working as a health care assistant on an acute psychiatric ward in his native England, as well as his own experience with acute depression.

Books

Cunningham's books include Psychiatric Tales (2011, Bloomsbury Publishing) and Science Tales (2013, Myriad Editions). The foreword for the American edition of Science Tales, entitled How to Fake a Moon Landing: Exploring the Myths of Science Denial, was written by Andrew Revkin. Psychiatric Tales received a positive review from Rachel Cooke of The Observer, who wrote that it was "an unsettling but rewarding experience." Science Tales also received critical acclaim, for instance from New Scientist, who wrote that Cunningham's "charming artwork complements his concise arguments..." The book was also called "fantastic" by Cory Doctorow, who wrote that Cunningham "has a real gift for making complex subjects simple." Cian O'Luanaigh also reviewed the book favorably, writing that it provides "an enlightening look at mental illness."

Cartoons and comics

In addition to his books, Cunningham is well known for his cartoons, which have appeared on the website of Forbidden Planet, and have also been featured in the Act-i-vate collective. Additionally, his biography of Ayn Rand has been featured on Io9, and his strip about global warming, posted on his blog in December 2010, has been featured on Phil Plait's blog Bad Astronomy, with Plait saying that Cunningham is "careful to present the facts, and to be balanced where called for." He has also created several webcomic strips, including Super-Sam and John-of-the-Night and The Streets of San Diablo.