Bio
James Lloyd (the very fellow typing this) is a Vancouver cartoonist who has worked both in television and print, but is best known as the regular artist on the Futurama Comics title, which he (me) worked on from the beginning of its run in 2000 until the final issue.
Before then, he— oh, heck— I originally cut my teeth in Vancouver DIY small press scene at the outset of the nineties. I’ve since worked on comic projects for First Second books and Boom! Entertainment.
I began working in Vancouver’s animation industry in 1995 in a number of capacities, primarily as a storyboard & layout artist.
I began teaching comic lessons as part of Langara College’s Continuing Studies program and in 2017 I returned to animation as a layout artist on the revamped Rocky & Bullwinkle series, which was followed by stints on Carmen San Diego and Cleopatra In Space.
I have held presentations and workshops throughout my twenty years plus of drawing professionally in hopes of inspiring those who love art & storytelling to pick up pencils and add their voice to the grand chorus.
Experience
Comic Books
1998: Start of work as regular artist on feature length issues for the Simpsons Comics from the Bongo Comics Entertainment imprint, run by creator Matt Groening.
2000: Debuts as feature artist on the Futurama Comics title, a continuation of the critically acclaimed animated show.
2011: Contributes to the debut of the Adventure Time comic book for Boom! Entertainment, based on the popular TV show, as cover and interior artist.
2014: Adapts a war poem for the prestigious First Second publication: Above The Dreamless Dead, a collection of graphic interpretations of World War One poetry by top talents in the field.
2016: Begins writing professionally in comics for both Simpsons and Adventure Time titles.
2019- current: Returns to personal comics with releases Black Sunday and Demons, drawn for French anthology Egoscopic.
Animation Work
1995-2000: Works in Vancouver animation industry in a multitude of capacities— including layout, assisting animation, storyboards, and background design
2006: Returns to animation industry as the storyboard artist for Studio B and Bardel Animation studios as a storyboard artist on Ricky Sprocket and Edgar & Ellen respectively
2017: Returns to animation in Character Layout position for Vancouver studio DHX on “The Adventures Of Rocky & Bullwinkle”, for Dreamworks Productions
2018: Works in background layout for the Carmen San Diego series relaunch, again for DHX Studios
2018-2019: Works on background layout on the debut series Cleopatra In Space for Titmouse Inc.
2021-2022: Supervises backgrounds on premiere season of Summer Memories which debuts on The Family Channel in the Fall of 2022.
2021-2022: Supervises backgrounds on premiere season of Summer Memories which debuts on The Family Channel in the Fall of 2022.
Teaching & Presentations
2016: Begins teaching Continuing Studies comics fundamentals course for adults at Langara College as part of their graphic novel certificate course.
2019: Instructor at Langara College for third semester of the “Drawing For Graphic Novels & Comix 2” course included in the college’s Graphic Novel Continuing Studies curriculum.
2020: Instructs “Advanced Drawing For Comics: World Building & Backgrounds” course for the debut of the full time Advanced Drawing For Comics certificate program at Langara College.
2020: Co-Instructs "History of Comics", which explores the birth & growth of comics in the 20th century, at Langara as part of their debut full time Comics program,.
Workshops, 1998- Present
I’ve held various youth workshops, including high school classroom talks and lessons in comic creation at day-camps for children of fixed income families & children at risk.
Recognized in 2000 by the Vancouver School Board for mentorship.
Moments of note:
2019: Participates in Vancouver’s 2019 Muralfest program, creating five “sequential” pieces that are recreated on a building exterior in the Strathcona district of the city. It is the first time a “sequential art” piece has been included in the festival.
2015: Writes and directs a one man play set to music about the life of Dylan Thomas. Debuts at the 2015 Celtic Fest.
2008: Featured in comprehensive retrospective and permanent exhibit of Vancouver cartoonists at UBC’s Rare Books and Special Collections library.
Gallery shows (selective):
Humorist Ink, group show, Tart Gallery- 1999
Inkstuds Gallery Show, group show, Jem Gallery- 2008
Lowbrow on the High Seas 1-7, annually curated themed group show 2004- 2011
Robots and Monsters, annual group show at The Ayden Gallery- 2011-2016
Drippytown: Vancouver Life Through the Eyes of Independent Cartoonists, group show at the UBC Rare Books and Special Collections Learning Centre- 2009
Quotes:
A selection of reviews as is yet to come, but I can supply a quote from one of the graduating students who worked on the UBC exhibit and exploration of my work: “Lloyd's often-aggressive style reveals the deep implications of politics, religion and conventions, and challenges any attempt at sugarcoating life”. I lie the quote, but I can bring the sugar, too.