Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamal Makin Shabazz.
Hi Jamal, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Sure thing! Thanks again for reaching out; it’s truly an honor! My name is Jamal Makin Shabazz, and I’m a self-published author and illustrator originally from Mayesville, SC. However, I was raised back and forth between there and Atlanta, GA, since first grade. I’ve been drawing since I was very small, inspired by a wide range of cartoons, anime, comics, manga, and video games. Influences like Charles Schulz’s *Peanuts*, SEGA’s *Sonic The Hedgehog*, Disney’s *Robin Hood* & *A Goofy Movie*, Aaron McGruder’s *The Boondocks*, and Akira Toriyama’s *Dragon Ball*, as well as Nintendo, have had a huge impact on me. Hip-hop and music as a whole have always been major sources of inspiration, with artists like Tupac Shakur, OutKast, Kanye West, and many more shaping my creative vision.
At around 8 or 9 years old, I decided I wanted to create my own animation studio and produce my own stories. Throughout elementary to high school, I was always coming up with characters and studying as many stories as possible. I attended the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), where I majored in Sequential Arts and minored in Storyboarding. Initially, I majored in Animation, but it became clear to me that I was more interested in creating the stories than learning how to animate. One of my mentors, Lance Darden, encouraged me to focus on the writing, assuring me the animation would come later.
After graduating from SCAD in 2015, I began working as a freelance illustrator while developing my stories on the side. Through the internet, I gained some insight from a veteran independent artist known as Mshindo Kuumba, who informed me of all the amazing resources available to me to work independently. I specialize in character design, t-shirt design, and writing. I have done work for children ages 7-12 as well as young adults 18-35. In 2017, I self-published my own storybook called *Ame: Orange Harvest Island Vol. 1*. In 2020, I released an art book collection series called *Talon: The Art of JM Shabazz*, and in 2021, I officially launched Studio Merkurii, LLC. The slogan is “A universe built one book at a time.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Creating a world as vast as Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece or the Marvel Universe envisioned by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby has been my lifelong dream. Since 1997, I’ve aspired to become a one-man Cartoon Network. My current project consumes me entirely; I’m obsessed because I wholeheartedly believe in its potential. However, balancing my ambitions with the practicalities of paying bills poses a significant challenge. World-building is intricate, especially mapping out numerous locations for the multitude of characters in my universe. The scale of the story gets bigger daily, and structuring various story arcs, sagas, and character arcs can be exhausting on the mind. It feels like assembling a constantly shifting jigsaw puzzle. Constant rewriting and further fleshing out of ideas are essential for clarity in my writing process.
I’m grateful for the unwavering support of my family and friends, who patiently listen to my ideas and provide encouragement, both emotionally and financially. Sometimes, I feel like a burden to them, but their support is truly a blessing. I’m fortunate to love what I do for a living, and my dedication to this vision knows no bounds. From 2020 until now, there have been moments of pain and grief. My family took a lot of blows. Those lows brought me closer to God, and I realized I wasn’t doing this alone because He’s with me at all times, guiding me. I feel the pressure, but I’m learning to embrace it and working on being better at asking for help from others. I often find myself ruminating over past mistakes, and sometimes, I don’t feel like I deserve to ask for help. However, a friend once told me, “Who am I to choose if someone helps me, and in what manner?” In hindsight, I see more of God in that statement.
Over time, I’ve learned to navigate challenges by being more mindful about how I speak to myself. I firmly believe in the power of thoughts, and I find solace in the presence of a guiding force. Miracles have unfolded as I’ve focused on nurturing my mind and staying true to my passion. No matter how hard things get, I can’t stop. This thing has such a hold on me. It’s mind-blowing to see how far I’ve come. I didn’t know I could make something this cool!! This is the story I’ve been dreaming of ever since I first saw Dragon Ball with my Uncle Tracee. It took a long time to get to this point. Ain’t no quit in my body. I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to get to this point, but the payoff is going to be worth it. I look forward to people saying, “Oh, that’s what took him so long.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
So, I’m currently writing and illustrating “A Planet Called Merkurii,” a collection of stories inspired by free verse poetry primarily set on the planet Merkurii, inhabited by anthropomorphic animals known as minomals. The narratives will follow various characters in the world of Merkurii, each with their own story arc that intertwines into a larger narrative. As the stories progress, characters will gradually encounter one another, forming alliances to face various opposing forces. In later arcs, the characters confront much more formidable and supernatural threats that endanger not only the planet Merkurii but the entire universe. The series plays with various genres, including action-adventure, comedy, fantasy, science fiction, martial arts, coming of age, social commentary, & spirituality. The series is divided into seven parts or movements.
Currently, I am seeking funding to bring ‘A Planet Called Merkurii’ to life, aiming to create a rich and immersive storytelling experience across literature, animation, video games, and other forms of media. The plan is to create a new website to host my stories, akin to platforms like Webtoons, complete with a store to offer merchandise. I will release the stories there and compile them into books reminiscent of album booklets & Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit. Additionally, I intend to utilize social media extensively to spread the word, including live sessions on Instagram, reels featuring voiceovers of each chapter, and drawing my readers as characters in the story. I’ll also be attending art shows and events to further promote the brand. This is a story I’ve been crafting since I was nine, and I’m fully dedicated, working around the clock on it. I’m actively seeking grants and considering launching a Kickstarter campaign soon to help with the up the website, production of the physical books, and cost for entering art shows and cons.
What I love the most about creating a free verse novel series is that it’s a niche genre, and many people aren’t familiar with verse novels, which allows me to carve my own lane. For those unfamiliar, a free verse novel is a form of literature that doesn’t adhere to traditional poetic structure or rhyme scheme. Instead, it offers more freedom and flexibility in expression, using rhythm and imagery to convey the narrative in a way that makes me feel like I’m a rapper. Some of my favorite free verse novels are “Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson, “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse, and “Inside Out & Back Again” by Thanhha Lai. I study these works religiously, along with many other free-verse novels. If I can merge this with the grand scale of manga (minus the intense schedule) and my childlike illustration style, I believe I can create something that speaks to the child in every adult. I have the utmost faith in this body of work, and I’m incredibly excited about it!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Well, I have a passion for travel, leading a somewhat nomadic lifestyle with frequent visits between Atlanta, NYC & LA. Alongside my explorations, I delve into various interests: DJing, photography, creating a clothing line, lifestyle modeling, gardening, and voice acting. I firmly believe that art and culture shape our future, and I’m committed to contributing as much as possible. My ultimate aspiration? To become a traveling storyteller, traversing the globe and country. You might catch me at random cafes or thrift stores, vibing to my playlist, writing and drawing. My dream is to find a like-minded woman, embarking on spontaneous adventures and raising a family immersed in creativity. I’m also drawn to the idea of owning land and cultivating our own food.
I’m driven to establish a creative culture hub akin to Soho House. This multifaceted space will house a coffee shop, vinyl store, clothing boutique, and host open mic events. Seeing my stories animated is a major goal, alongside creating toys and amusement parks. Collaborating with visionaries like Donald Glover and Hiro Murai is a dream; I believe they’d resonate with ‘A Planet Called Merkurii.’ The animated adaptation would echo the format of ’90s Tiny Toon Adventures, with segments introduced by the narrator, crowjones. Experimenting with varying episode lengths in animation is a concept I’m keen to explore, although it will require substantial resources and a dedicated team. I also envision launching my own streaming site akin to Netflix.
Furthermore, I’m eager to collaborate with pgLang and have my work animated by esteemed studios like Studio 4°C, Studio La Cachette, or a black-owned animation studio. The cinematic style of Mamoru Hosoda’s Digimon Adventure films serves as inspiration. As for the soundtrack of my dreams, artists like Toro y Moi, Beach House, Madlib, Alchemist, MIKE, Eyedress, Jon Brion, James Blake, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Frank Ocean, SZA, and Kevin Parker are at the top of list. Ultimately, my goal is to leave behind a legacy for my family and live on through my works, even after I’ve passed. I aspire to be remembered as one of the greatest storytellers of all time, mentioned alongside legendary franchises like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Cowboy Bebop, Harry Potter, Atlanta, Fullmetal Alchemist & Gurren Lagann.
Pricing:
- Head Illustration – $100
- Half Body Illustration – $200
- Full Body Illustration $300
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamalmakinshabazz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmshabazz/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/crowjones
Image Credits
Isaiah Rashad
Donald Glover
Hiro Murai
Zazie Beetz
Danielle Ochoa
