Jolly R. Blackburn

Jolly R. Blackburn is an American cartoonist and publisher, best known as the creator of the long-running comic strip *Knights of the Dinner Table* and its companion magazine. Born Jolly Randall Blackburn, he turned a deep love for tabletop role-playing games into a comic that humorously skewers the hobby’s tropes and player archetypes. His path into comics grew out of his own gaming experiences, and he self-published the strip before it gained a devoted following. Blackburn’s signature work is defined by a clean, expressive cartooning style and sharp, character-driven humor, often drawn from real gaming sessions. He collaborated closely with artists and writers in the small-press scene, and his co-creations include the recurring cast of gamers like B.A. Felton, Dave, and Bob, who became beloved figures in the role-playing community. Later in his career, Blackburn continued to oversee the *Knights of the Dinner Table* franchise, expanding it into illustrated collections and special issues. He has received multiple awards, including the Origins Award for Best Game-Related Comic, and his work is credited with helping to define the culture of tabletop gaming. His legacy endures as a chronicler of the hobby’s humor and camaraderie.