If you’ve visited this site (jmdesantis.com) or chadhiyana.com in the past week, you may have noticed they’ve been down twice due to server errors. The first time was late Wednesday into Thursday last week. Then just yesterday the sites went down again in the morning. It seems to be a recent issue with the software I’ve been using on jmdesantis.com this past year and on chadhiyana.com since its launch. Why this is happening after a year of things running smoothly with said software, I haven’t the faintest idea.  Read more… ›

I’ve been working overkill this week not only getting caught up on Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows, but getting ahead. I wrote about it in detail yesterday on chadhiyana.com, so I won’t go into it at length here. What I will say is that I finished the art for (the previously uncoloured) pages 29 and 30. I also put in the time to complete not only this week’s page 31 but next week’s page as well. So, I’m a little tired, but I’m happy to have finally gotten ahead of schedule (such as I had always wished to do since I first decided to take the graphic novel to the web). My hope now is this gain will be built upon, rather than it be a fluke. Read more… ›

I originally planned to post something about my comic art process today; however, things have been running behind on Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows (chadhiyana.com) the past two weeks despite my best intentions, and I didn’t have complete examples to show. I’m doing my best to catch up, and hopefully that will happen relatively soon. Though speaking of art and my process, I received in the mail yesterday a new device for my computer I’ve wanted to try for some time: a colour calibrator.  Read more… ›

In Memoriam
William “Bill” M. Baker
November 12, 1958 – February 20, 2014

I didn’t know Bill Baker a long time. We were first introduced at the 2010 New York Comic Con by a mutual friend and colleague, Mr. Mark Mazz (who holds the distinction of “discovering” me at the 2007 Big Apple Con). It was my first year exhibiting at that show, and I only spoke with Bill briefly then. Mark introduced him as a writer and journalist–but this was not just any run-of-the-mill wordsmith. Mark acted as though Bill was something of a legend and with good reason.

In that brief meeting, Bill spoke to me about his (then) upcoming book, ICONS: The DC Comics & Wildstorm Art of Jim Lee, and an acclaimed interview with Alan Moore. However, what struck me most about Bill was not his accomplishments but rather how humble and personable he was even in the presence of an unknown creator. I find very often those who have “made it” have little time for those who haven’t, but that wasn’t Bill’s way. I’m not the comic historian Bill was, so at the time I had no idea who Mark had introduced me to. However, over time, I learned just how legendary Bill was and not just as a writer, but as a person as well. Read more… ›

The death of a loved one is always a trial. Physically and emotionally the experience affects us profoundly. However, it is a very necessary step in our living relationship (or lack thereof) with the person. Through death, we come to terms with the deceased and begin to see them in a new light. We somehow understand them better. Given, the experience is not always a happy one. Many lose someone they would otherwise, given the opportunity, happily get rid of. (This is one of the many things which the Chadhiyana series will focus on.) However, in most cases, after death, we come to realise something about the person we hadn’t been cognitive of when they were still alive. And thus, we equally learn something about ourselves. Read more… ›

A big thank you to everyone who responded to last week’s post. If you didn’t, you can still leave a comment. I’m always appreciative of feedback, on any level. For those who did, I’ve reflected on your comments (both those posted and those which were said to me privately). What some felt I should blog about, whether it be restricted to writing and art or to include all aspects of my life and interests, differed from person to person; however, there were more important things I learned from this exercise than whether anyone would be interested in reading blogs about my love (since boyhood) for the Castlevania series–a major inspiration for me. Read more… ›

Over the past few weeks I’ve thought a lot about what more I could be doing with my blog. Typically, I’m either writing about whatever is current in the day-to-day of my career or promoting some publication or public event. However, I’m uncertain if I’m getting the most out of this (relatively) new section of my website, and more importantly, if those visiting my site are getting the most out of it as well. So I thought I’d pose the question to all of you: what would you like to read about on my blog?  Read more… ›

Last week was rough. I had little motivation on account of dealing with the deaths of my grandmother and grandfather within three weeks of each other, and so, for the first time in years, I got very little done. It happens to us all, but the important thing is to pick ourselves back up and keep moving. I’m doing just that. I’m back to work this week, recharged and refocused, with new plans for 2014. Unfortunately, after last week, I’m little behind. Read more… ›

As some of you may have read in my post on December 18th (Reflections on 2013), amidst the final weeks of a wonderful year, I was very recently dealing with the death of my grandmother, Patricia J. McCabe. On Sunday, January 5th, my grandfather, Carl Melillo Sr., passed away. Under the circumstances, I am taking some time to come to terms with and grieve both losses. That said, I will still do my best to get page 1 of Chapter I of Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows completed for next week (the title page posted just yesterday on chadhiyana.com). Please be patient. Your understanding is appreciated during this difficult time.

Happy New Year J. M. DeSantis fans! Stay tuned for new stories, art and projects from the writer and artist this year. Also, don’t forget to check out J. M.’s graphic novel, Chadhiyana: In the Company of Shadows on chadhiyana.com as it moves into Chapter I. Let’s all make 2014 an amazing year!