Arik Peterson (Dadsare): The Dad Behind the Comics That Nail Fatherhood in One Panel

If you’ve ever watched a dad leave the house and thought, Why is he carrying a stroller, three snack bags, a jacket, and the emotional weight of the entire car ride? congratulationsyou already understand the universe of Arik Peterson and his “Dads Are” comics (often recognized by the handle dads_are).

Arik’s work is built on a simple, oddly comforting premise: dads aren’t “just dads.” In the eyes of their kids, dads are everythingporter, protector, fixer, snack negotiator, and yes, occasionally the family’s unofficial garbage disposal. His comics turn those unglamorous roles into something worth laughing about, sharing, and (for many parents) feeling a little less alone about.

Who Is Arik Peterson (Dadsare)?

Arik Peterson is a Colorado-based creator who’s become widely known for illustrating the everyday experience of being a dad through his “Dads Are” comic series. He’s also associated with Dads Are LLC, a small merchandise business tied to the brand. The throughline is clear: fatherhoodmessy, meaningful, hilarious and surprisingly poetic when you zoom in on the little moments.

The comics land because they don’t try to make dads superhuman. They make dads recognizable. The heroism is in the mundane: showing up, carrying the stuff, cleaning the stuff, and staying calm while everyone else is deciding whether the red cup is “the wrong red.”

The Origin Story: The Airport “Sherpa” Moment

Like many great parent inventions (bottle warmers, car-seat mirrors, bribing toddlers with “one more minute”), “Dads Are” started from a real-life scenario: traveling as a family and realizing that dad often becomes the default carrier of… everything. That “dad as sherpa” realization clicked, and suddenly fatherhood looked like a list of roles you never applied for but somehow got hired to performwithout trainingat 6:12 a.m.

From there, the concept almost writes itself. Once you notice the patterndads are the carriers, the fixers, the calm voice, the awkward comedianyou start seeing material everywhere: at the grocery store, in the school pickup line, and especially in the living room where someone has lost something that is already in their hand.

What Makes “Dads Are” Different (and So Shareable)

1) The “Job Description” Format Is Instantly Relatable

A lot of parenting humor is story-based. Arik’s “Dads Are” approach is punchier: it’s a label, a truth, and a laugh in one. That structure is perfect for modern scrolling behaviorone quick panel, one quick “Yep,” and suddenly you’re sending it to your spouse with the caption: “THIS IS LITERALLY YOU.”

2) It’s Funny Without Being Mean

The best parenting comics don’t dunk on kids or make one parent the villain. “Dads Are” tends to aim the joke at the situation: the chaos, the logistics, the invisible responsibilities, and the weird ways dads try to be helpful (sometimes successfully, sometimes… enthusiastically).

3) The Material Feels Lived-In

The series leans on everyday fatherhoodmoments drawn from family life, observations, and the little scenes you only notice once you’re the adult in charge. That “this actually happened” vibe is why people trust the humor. It’s not a generic “dad joke.” It’s a snapshot of the dad experience.

The Greatest Hits: Common “Dads Are…” Roles

Part of the charm is how many roles can be true at once. A dad can be a coach, a handyman, and a human jungle gym within a single 10-minute window. Here are a few themes that show up often in the “Dads Are” universe:

Dads Are the Sherpas

The original spark: carrying the bags, the stroller, the diaper bag, the extra shoes “just in case,” and possibly a child who has suddenly become allergic to walking. The dad sherpa doesn’t complainhe just quietly recalculates the route, adjusts the load, and keeps moving like a determined pack mule with a Costco membership.

Dads Are the Fixers

Broken toy? Wobbly chair? Strange noise in the car? Dad is immediately promoted to “Chief Repair Officer,” even if dad’s actual plan is to stare at the object until it feels intimidated into working again.

Dads Are the Middle Men

Many dads become the negotiation channel between kids, schedules, and household expectations. “Ask your dad” can mean anything from “he knows” to “I need five minutes of quiet.” Either way, dad is now the liaison.

Dads Are the Garbage Disposals

The plate comes back with two chicken nuggets, half a sandwich, and a suspiciously sticky apple slice. The kid says, “I’m full.” The dad hears, “You’re up, buddy.” It’s not glamorous, but it’s real.

Where to Find Arik Peterson’s “Dads Are” Content

“Dads Are” is best known through social platforms where short, shareable comics thrive. Look for Arik’s work under the “Dads Are” name and the handle dads_are. The brand has also been associated with a dedicated website, though availability can vary over time.

• Instagram: the home base for many of the comics and reels
• Facebook: additional posts and shares
• Other social channels: where fans repost and discuss favorite panels

From Comics to Merch: “Dads Are” as a Small Brand

One of the most interesting parts of the Dadsare story is that it’s not just a comic seriesit’s also a brand with real-world legs. Dads Are LLC has been described publicly as a T-shirt/merchandise business, which makes perfect sense: the format (“Dads are ____”) is practically designed to end up on a hat, hoodie, mug, or shirt.

And that’s the dream, right? You start with a funny observation, people connect with it, and suddenly a phrase that began as a tired dad’s airport thought becomes something another tired dad wears to a school event like a badge of honor.

The Bigger Picture: Why “Dads Are” Lands in 2026

Modern fatherhood is more visible than ever. More dads are hands-on, emotionally present, and deeply involved in the day-to-day work of raising kids. But there’s still a weird gap between “what dads do” and “what people notice dads doing.”

That’s where “Dads Are” hits: it points a highlighter at the invisible roles. It says, “This counts.” Not with a lecturewith a laugh. It’s wholesome, but not corny. It’s sentimental, but it doesn’t get syrupy. It’s basically the dad version of a fist bump: quick, slightly awkward, and genuinely supportive.

What You Can Learn From Arik Peterson (If You’re a Creator, a Parent, or Both)

Start With Something Specific

The magic isn’t in saying “parenting is hard.” Everyone knows that. The magic is in saying “parenting is hard because I am currently carrying a scooter, a backpack, and a child who has decided gravity is a personal attack.” Specificity is what makes it universal.

Build a Series Around a Repeatable Hook

“Dads Are” works because the hook is consistent and expandable. You could write 10,000 versions and still not run out of material because dads keep doing new dad things dailysometimes accidentally, sometimes heroically, always with pockets full of mysterious rocks.

Let the Audience Participate

Parenting content succeeds when people see themselves in it. Fans don’t just “like” these comicsthey recognize them, tag friends, and add their own stories. That interaction turns a creator into a community hub.

Conclusion: A Small Comic Series With a Big “Yep” Factor

Arik Peterson’s “Dads Are” isn’t trying to win awards for complicated plots. It’s trying to do something harder: tell the truth about fatherhood in a way that feels light, kind, and instantly familiar. In a world where parenting advice can feel overwhelming, “Dads Are” offers a refreshing message: you’re doing more than you thinkand it’s okay to laugh about it.

If you’re a dad, it’s a mirror. If you love a dad, it’s a nudge to notice the effort. And if you’re just someone who enjoys good, clean humor with a side of heart, it’s a fun reminder that sometimes the most heroic thing a person can do is carry the bags and keep the vibe calm.

Experiences Related to Arik Peterson (Dadsare): The Moments Fans Recognize Instantly

One reason “Dads Are” keeps getting shared is that it doesn’t feel like content made in a vacuumit feels like content made in the same living rooms the audience is standing in right now. The “dad as sherpa” idea, for example, hits so hard because it’s a real memory for so many families: the airport scene where one adult somehow becomes the logistics department, the baggage handler, and the calming presence while everyone else is finding passports or negotiating snacks. Even if your family hasn’t flown in years, you’ve lived the same scene in different clothesat the park, the zoo, the birthday party, the school event where your child suddenly needs three things you didn’t know existed ten minutes ago.

Another experience people connect to is the emotional “whiplash” of dad life: one second you’re the fun parent building a pillow fort, and the next second you’re the rule enforcer saying, “No, we do not launch ourselves off furniture,” while privately admiring the creativity. That’s the sweet spot of these comics: they let dads laugh at the absurdity without making the kids the punchline. The joke is the situationthe constant shift between playtime and responsibility, and the way dads learn to switch modes in a heartbeat.

Fans also talk about the surprising tenderness hidden inside the humor. Plenty of people don’t share parenting content because they want advice; they share it because it communicates something they don’t know how to say out loud. A “Dads Are” panel can be a shortcut to a compliment: “Hey, I see what you do,” without turning the conversation into a dramatic speech at the kitchen counter. It’s especially meaningful for kids and teens who aren’t always comfortable expressing appreciation directly. A comic gets sent, a laugh happens, and somehow everyone feels a little more connected.

Then there’s the merch-and-book conversation, which is its own kind of experience: when an audience starts asking for a book, it usually means the work has become more than a quick scroll. People want it on a coffee table, in a gift bag, or wrapped up for Father’s Day like a “thank you” that won’t embarrass anyone. That’s how you know a creator has tapped into something durable. It’s not just “funny for today.” It’s “funny because it’s true,” and truth has a long shelf life.

Finally, there’s the creator experience Arik’s story represents for a lot of parents: finding a personal project that brings joy in the middle of busy life. Whether it’s drawing, building, writing, or making something for other people to enjoy, there’s a powerful message hereyour identity doesn’t end when you become a parent. In fact, it can expand. “Dads Are” is a reminder that creativity can live alongside responsibility, and that the everyday routines of family life can become material for art, laughter, and maybe even a small business that makes strangers feel understood.