Jerry Holkins

Jerry Holkins

Keith Gerald "Jerry" Holkins né Parkinson (born February 6, 1976) is the primary writer of the webcomic Penny Arcade along with its artist Mike Krahulik. He is also a co-founder of Child's Play, a multimillion dollar charity which organizes toy drives for children's hospitals. Holkins sometimes uses the pseudonym "Tycho Brahe," the name of a Penny Arcade character based on Holkins. They are similar in their interests and personalities. However, the character Tycho does not resemble Holkins in appearance (for example, Tycho has mussed hair and sideburns, while Holkins is mostly bald). Holkins, along with Krahulik, posts written updates accompanying each comic. These posts are often computer and video game commentary, but also include personal reflections or rants. It has been mutually agreed between Krahulik and Holkins that Penny Arcade would not be the same with just one of them. The two have been said to give an indication of the diversity of styles among gamers, with Krahulik representing action-oriented gamers and Holkins representing the more cerebral players.

Outside of Penny Arcade and Child's Play, Holkins also sings and plays guitar in the band The Fine Print, whose music can be downloaded for free. In the past, the Fine Print has opened for the band Anal Cunt.

Holkins and Krahulik had the opportunity to play the new release of Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition in Seattle for a day with Chris Perkins from Wizards of the Coast, Scott Kurtz of PvP, and Wil Wheaton. Jerry is also featured in the Dungeons and Dragons 4E podcast, playing a character named Omin Dran, a Cleric of the Goddess Avandra, and CEO of an adventuring party named Acquisitions Incorporated.

Along with Krahulik, Holkins was included on the 2010 Time 100 for their work on Penny Arcade.