J O E L Z A I N R I V E R S
I l l u s t r a t o r

Who I Am

Born in San Francisco, I was weaned on Carl Barks, M.C Escher, R. Crumb and Gilbert Shelton. I was very early on interested in all kinds of storytelling, not just "kiddie" stuff. Movies, animation and my own family's rich oral traditions all poured into me and fashioned me into a visual storyteller. I continue to find inspiration in nature and my own imagination and endeavor to perfect my craft daily.

What I Do

I have perfected several different styles of illustration over the years, ranging from more "graphic" cartoons to fully-rendered digital paintings. In 2003 I received a grant from the Xeric Foundation and published a 6-issue comic book miniseries set in pre-statehood Oklahoma called "Along the Canadian". I have illustrated children's books, created logos and storyboarded for animation. I continue to look for projects that are artistically challenging and push me in new directions. I regularly freelance doing illustration, storyboarding, concept art, graphic design, and even, occasionally, web design.

Comic Timeline/Archive

I have created comics pretty much my whole life. Below is my "mature" body of work in decending order.

  • 2011
    "The Hunter"
    (art only)
    Written by Frank Reynoso

  • 2009-2010

    "Geeples"
    (webcomic)

  • 2008

    "The Collective"
    (webcomic, collaboration)

  • 2008-2009
    "Lester Severe"
    (webcomic)

  • 2005-2008

    "Brokenhearted in Bakersfield"
    (art only)
    Written by Nelson Hall
    and Michael Eastmen

  • 2006
    "Invoke"
    (24-hour comic)

  • 2003-2005

    "Along The Canadian"
    (Self-Published with add of Xeric Foundation)

  • 1999-2002
    "Zow",
    Unpublished

  • 1997
    "Idberg"
    (art only)
    Unpublished

    • Contact



    Feel free to drop me a line, connect with me on Facebook, or check out my other company, Out For Justice, a "compete concept company".
    Phone: 207-776-1967

    Out For Justice


    News & Reviews

    Skeleton Crew Trailer debuts at 2012 New York Comic Con

    Interview with Daniel Elkin at Comics Bulletin

    Review of "Along The Canadian" by Daniel Elkin at Comics Bulletin














            Along The Canadian

            2003-2005

            In 2003 I was awarded a Xeric Foundation grant to publish my first comic series, Along The Canadian. Over the next year and a half I cut my teeth on this tale of outlaw justice, vengeful ghosts and a land haunted by genocide. The characters, names and places are all pulled from family stories, vague-half remembered facts and a love of spaghetti westerns.