Rich Burlew is an American cartoonist and writer best known for creating the webcomic Order of the Stick. This comic, which features stick-figure characters, humorously explores themes from Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games. Burlew's work has gained a large following due to its clever writing and engaging storytelling. In addition to his webcomic, Burlew has published several books and merchandise related to Order of the Stick. He is also known for his successful crowdfunding campaigns, which have helped fund various projects, including new comic story arcs and art collections.