Don’t Tell My Wife I’m a Cult Leader

Don't Tell My Wife I'm a Cult Leader is a graphic novel by Todd Steinberg that blends dark comedy, romance, and dystopian satire. Set in 1994, the story follows Floyd Simmons, a couch-surfing slacker whose life takes a wild turn when he falls in love with Mandy, an artist with big ambitions. Their relationship becomes the spark for something much bigger: Floyd's reluctant, chaotic rise to become the leader of a motley crew of outcasts and misfits amid the dawning of the digital age. As the timeline alternates between the early days of Floyd's "movement" and the present--where he finds himself in a tense showdown with authorities--readers see how idealism, obsession, heartbreak, and absurd situations collide. The work is suffused with satirical humor: it pokes fun at cult-leader tropes, teenage rebellion, tech paranoia, and the gap between intention and impact. Despite its irreverent tone, the novel also delivers emotional weight: love under pressure, belief in one's vision, and the flawed but compelling personalities that hitch themselves to Floyd's banner. It's an offbeat, character-driven adventure that asks: what makes someone a cult leader--is it power, conviction, or just being in the right place with the right following?