Keith Gerald "Jerry" Holkins (born February 6, 1976) is the writer of the webcomic Penny Arcade. Holkins goes by the pseudonym "Tycho Brahe." This is also the name of one of the two main characters of Penny Arcade, who is a cartoonized self-insertion of Holkins. However, as the character of Tycho was not originally meant to represent Holkins, the two have few physical similarities; for example Holkins is bald, unlike Tycho. They are primarily similar in their various interests and attitudes.
Holkins writes news posts or rants which accompany each comic. These newsposts/rants generally take the form of computer and video game commentary. Jerry is also featured in the Dungeons and Dragons 4E podcast, playing the CEO of Acquisitions Incorporated, "Omin Dran", a Cleric of the Goddess Avandra.
His style contrasts with that of Penny Arcade artist Mike Krahulik, with Holkins assuming the role of the lead and Krahulik the sidekick. However, it has been mutually agreed between the two that Penny Arcade wouldn't 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.
Holkins' other exploits include being a lead singer/guitarist in a band called The Fine Print, whose works are freely available over the internet and who have opened for Anal Cunt in the past.
He and Mike 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.
Along with Krahulik, Holkins was included on the 2010 Time 100 for their work on Penny Arcade.
Epic Legends of the Hierarchs: The Elemenstor Sagamoreless
"Epic Legends of the Hierarchs: The Elemenstor Saga" (abbreviated as ELotH:TES) is a fan-driven parody of the generic fantasy fiction that serves as the backstory of many fantasy game franchises. It was created by Holkins as a single PBWiki page and rapidly grew in size as Penny Arcade fans joined in expanding the parody.
The tales of the Saga itself rotate around several (non-existent) bases: The original 13 'canon' books, the Japanese anime series, the American re-make of the anime, the collectible card game, and even the odd life of the author himself, and such events as his several-year long "pills and booze binge." These are only the major pieces of the story, and other fragments abound.A version of the wiki is available for purchase in the form of a reference guide to the 13 novel cycle.