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Vern: Custodian of the Universe

Paperback
6.69"W x 8.88"H x 0.54"D   | 15 oz | 20 per carton
On sale Aug 05, 2025 | 176 Pages | 9781838742744
Age 14 and up
FOC Jul 7, 2025 | Catalog June 2025

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A thought-provoking and hilarious romp through time and space from debut creator, Tyrell Waiters that explores what it means to be human in a world fraught with uncertainty.

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 grew up in Florida and started following his dreams of being an artist at a young age, He is also an illustrator. He studied at Ringling College of Art and Design, receiving his BFA in Illustration. Tyrell Waiters has gone on to create Vinyl record covers, has done illustrations for The Bleacher Report, commissioned to do Illustrations for the Seattle SEAHAWKS,Has had his work chosen by Collective Arts Brewing for two of their beer can competitions and is a freelance illustrator for a variety of well known companies. He is excited to have his first book published by the amazing Nobrow Press team.
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additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
"Waiter’s experimental art brings Vern’s adventures to life, playing with form and color to creatively represent his movements through time and space. The story balances topics like climate change, late-stage capitalism, and humanity’s self-sabotaging actions with a hopeful outlook, humorous tone, and a dash of family intrigue. An imaginative multiversal adventure." — Kirkus Reviews

About

A thought-provoking and hilarious romp through time and space from debut creator, Tyrell Waiters that explores what it means to be human in a world fraught with uncertainty.

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?

Creators

Tyrell Waiters grew up in Florida and started following his dreams of being an artist at a young age, He is also an illustrator. He studied at Ringling College of Art and Design, receiving his BFA in Illustration. Tyrell Waiters has gone on to create Vinyl record covers, has done illustrations for The Bleacher Report, commissioned to do Illustrations for the Seattle SEAHAWKS,Has had his work chosen by Collective Arts Brewing for two of their beer can competitions and is a freelance illustrator for a variety of well known companies. He is excited to have his first book published by the amazing Nobrow Press team.

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

Praise

"Waiter’s experimental art brings Vern’s adventures to life, playing with form and color to creatively represent his movements through time and space. The story balances topics like climate change, late-stage capitalism, and humanity’s self-sabotaging actions with a hopeful outlook, humorous tone, and a dash of family intrigue. An imaginative multiversal adventure." — Kirkus Reviews
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