These are three words often associated with J. M. DeSantis and his work. Since an early age he has shown promise and dedication to both writing and illustration, entering into Pratt Institute before the advent of his professional career. Traditionally, J. M. works in both the genres of fantasy and horror. His written work consists of short stories, comic scripts, and poetry, while his illustrations are created to compliment these.
Among his accomplisments, J. M. DeSantis appeared as the Featured Artist of Heavy Metal Magazine's January 2009 issue. He also wrote and illustrated two stories for Planet Lovecraft Magazine. The Comicbook Artists Guild, with whom J. M. received his professional start, used him for various projects, including publishing his two-page Devil Tree as a web-comic and his first published prose short story, The People from Beyond the Stars in their science fiction anthology, Worlds Beyond. J. M. DeSantis is also the creator of the Figmunds, which are featured on their own website www.figmunds.com.
Other than writing and illustrating, J. M. enjoys reading, looking at art, studying martial arts, and spending time with his family and friends. As for his inspirations, as a writer he is inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, Yasumi Matsuno (especially with translations by Alexander O. Smith), H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Hideyuki Kikuchi, and William Shakespeare. His favourite artists are Ayami Kojima, Alan Lee, Akihiko Yoshida, John Howe, Hiroaki Samura, Drew Struzan, Mike Mignola, Gary Gianni, Adam Hughes, Frank Frazetta, and Norman Rockwell.
Prose Publications:
"The People from Beyond the Stars." TBA. Comicbook Artists Guild, TBA.
Writer and illustrator
Comic Publications:
"The Thing in the Box." Planet Lovecraft Magazine #4. Ed. K.L. Young. CT: Lightning Strikes Twice Entertainment and Saturna Ink, June 2009. 2-7.
Writer and illustrator.
"Repercussions." Iconic. Exec. Ed. Liam Webb. New York: Comicbook Artists Guild, June 2009. 37-44.
Illustrator.
"The Thing in the Water." Planet Lovecraft Magazine #3. Ed. K.L. Young. CT: Lightning Strikes Twice Entertainment and Saturna Ink, February 2009. 48-52.
Writer and illustrator.
"The Vigil." Drunk Duck. Ed. Chris Buchner. December 2008 <http://www.drunkduck.com/THE_VIGIL/index.php?p=499657>.
Illustrator (web-comic).
"Devil Tree." Drunk Duck. Ed. Chris Buchner. October 2008 <http://www.drunkduck.com/DEVIL_TREE/index.php?p=479776>.
Writer and Illustrator (web-comic).
"Recollections of a Commander." CAG Anthology 7. Ed. Mark Mazz. Moodus, CT: Comicbook Artists Guild, March 2008.
Penciler and character designer for two characters.
Film Work:
Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated. Dir. George A. Romero (Mike Schneider--Reanimated). Walter Reade Oganization (NeoFlux Productions--Re), 1968 (2009--Re).
Illustrator and post-production work.
Internet Work:
Jmdesantis.com
Owner, creator, design, content, programming, maintenance, etc.
Figmunds.com
Owner, creator, design, content, programming, maintenance, etc.
123Greetings.com
E-Card contributor.
Experience:
Writer & Illustrator. Ridgefield Park, NJ. May 2005-current.
Self Employed / Freelance.
Art Teacher. Englewood, NJ. November 2009.
Englewood School District: one-time, three session class on creating comics.
Art Teacher. Englewood, NJ. February - March 2009.
Englewood School District: Six week program assisting students to create comics based on subjects such as bullying.
Shows:
Big Apple Con
New York, October 2009: Artist Alley.
Otaku University Conference & Art Show
Mesa, AZ, September 2007: painting on display.
Public Speaking and Interviews:
The Sounds and Sights of Science Fiction
Panelist. SFSNNJ meeting, December 2009.
CAG and the Benefits to Web-Comics
Panelist. New York Comic Con, February 2009.
DeSantis, J. M. Interview. WhoHub.com. 11 February 2009 <http://www.whohub.com/jmdesantis>.
Honours and Awards:
Best New Talent (nomiated). 2008 CAG Awards.
Comicbook Artists Guild, February 2009.
First Place - Traditional Art. Otaku University Conference.
Otaku University, September 2007 - For Spirit of Manji.
Professional Organizations:
Comicbook Artists Guild
New York Chapter, 2007 - current.
MoCCA
2009 - current.
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
2009 - current.
Education:
Pratt Institute. Brooklyn, NY. Sept 2001 - May 2005
Bachelor of Fine Arts.
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