Piccadilly Press lands 'side-splittingly funny' graphic novel series from Jack Noel

Piccadilly Press has acquired Jack Noel’s “side-splittingly funny” graphic novel series, Dadbot. 

Ruth Bennett, editorial director, acquired world all language rights in a three-book deal from Claire Wilson at RCW. The first book in the deal, Dadbot, will be published in March 2025. 

“Jack Noel is a huge talent and Dadbot is a joy – I am so glad he has found such a perfect creative partnership in Ruth, and am excited for readers to discover his inimitable humour and unforgettable style,” said Wilson. 

The full-colour graphic novel series is “full of robots, puns and dastardly dad-napping”. In the first book, Josh and Daisy are excited for the summer holidays and their new Dadbot. The synopsis continues: “With super-strength, hot chocolate on tap and a printer for a butt, Dadbot might be the most exciting thing Josh and Daisy have ever discovered – and he only cost three pounds! But the evil Doctor Egg is lurking to steal Dadbot for his own plans of world domination... Can Josh and Daisy protect their new robo-parent before it’s too late?”

Noel said: “I’m thrilled that Dadbot has found a home with Ruth and the rest of my new friends at Bonnier. I love robots and I quite like being a dad. It feels great to bring these things together in the best type of book there is: a comic book! Dadbot is about family, technology and the power of love and lightning. It’s timely as heck – it was even created by an A.I. (ageing illustrator).”

Bennett added: “Dadbot is a funny and chaotic concoction of robots, dad jokes and sibling antics, combining heartfelt family drama with a healthy dose of epic battles that will have readers clamouring for more. Fortunately, it’s a series, so their wishes will be granted! Dadbot has all the elements that we know our youngest graphic novel enthusiasts are hungry for more of.”