Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Fotos.
Hi Jay, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Jay Fotos, born and raised in the New Jersey/New York area and moved to Phoenix in 1993. Attended School of Visual Arts and Parson’s School of Design (both located in NYC) and was hired by Todd McFarlane (Spawn creator) in 1999 where I learned my “comic book chops” I consider my tenure with McFarlane my “real world art school” working on all types for projects from comics, animation, toy design, album art etc. From that point I worked with other publishers and big name licenses like (to name a few) Spawn, GODZILLA, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 30 Days of Night, V-Wars (Netflix TV series now streaming) Wynonna Earp (Netflix series now streaming) #1 New York Times Best Seller series Locke & Key (Netflix series now streaming) Co-creating the ongoing Image Comics zombie Vietnam series ’68, Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer (#1 Image Comics selling series) and also spearheading the Frazetta Comics line through Image Comics. Dungeons & Dragons, Batman: The Animated Series, TMNT Adventures and TMNT Munchkin with IDW Publishing and IDW Games.
Currently, along with working with publishers, I independently produce my own creator owned properties such as Gorgon, Rising Rebels and Creature Features.
I also teach at Phoenix College under their Comics Arts Degree program.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth road? Yes and no. Early in my career, I never said “no” and worked non-stop, sometimes averaging 2-3 books monthly along with any illustrative gigs I can get. I was also very lucky, working on big properties and collaborating with incredible talent…in turn made me a much better artist and more importantly sticking to deadlines (a big deal in the publishing world) Now-a-days, later in my career, I am much pickyer on what I do and focus more on my creator owned projects.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I started as a traditional comic book “inker” Old school dip pen and ink. In the late 90s I saw how computers were starting to get more important in the publishing world and I learned more of computer arts. A smart move I think, for this taught me all aspects of graphic arts/illustration along with the traditional side of it…and also writing.
What do I specialize in and separates myself from the others? That’s a tough one to nail down, for in this business (comics/graphic novels) it’s good to know and be able to do everything, from art, print production and all points in between. I think I have a leg up form the traditional publishing side of things, for I’m a one-man show.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love the desert and Tempe, Arizona, in my opinion, is the “melting pot” of creatives. Most of my friends are either artists or musicians. What do I like least? Summer heat!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jayfotos.com
- Instagram: @jayfotosstudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JAYFOTOSstudios
