My creative passion these days is self-publishing books, which is an opportunity to combine my interests in writing, illustration and design.
I began doing this in college as a means of archiving all of the comic strips I'd written for the school's newspaper. At the time, I was determined to catalog all of my creative output. This was likely an attempt to cling onto something uniquely mine at a time of big life transitions. I'm grateful to have that time capsule.
Hard Cheese Comics: Volume 2
"Hard Cheese Comics and the Quest for Charles' Personality" picks up where Volume 1 left off, further showcasing Pixton’s comic-making features, this time through a serialized story. This installment follows the journey of an underdeveloped character as he evolves within a dynamic and open-ended narrative.
Nothingtown
"Nothingtown" follows young Schultzy's poignant journey through family complexities and self-discovery, enriched with themes of isolation and redemption. The narrative includes unique comic strips inspired by Charles Schulz's Peanuts, highlighting his quest for belonging.
A Survivor's Guide to the Terrortory
"A Survivor's Guide to the Terrortory" is a screenplay inspired by Joseph's passion for low-budget horror films. It serves as a fan-made sequel to Kevin Kangas's "Terrortory" series and was crafted and sent to Kangas as a tribute to his work.
When I'm Alone: A meditation for young, heavy-hearted wanderers.
"When I’m Alone" blends charming kawaii aesthetics with reflective prose, targeting bright young adults wrestling with individuality and existential thoughts. This concise narrative serves both as self-help and an escape, designed to be a comforting bedside companion for difficult moments.
Hard Cheese Comics: Volume 1
"Hard Cheese Comics: Volume 1" compiles one-off comic strips that both experimented with and promoted Pixton 3.0 in its early days. This collection features lighthearted and absurd comics that highlighted the platform's extensive comic-making tools and capabilities.
The Maintainer
"The Maintainer" offers an intimate glimpse into the early career of James Mazzaro, who worked as a Power Maintainer for the New York City Transit Authority in the early 1980s. This poignant narrative, compiled and illustrated by his son, Joseph, captures the essence of urban maintenance life and its challenges.
The Collected Pixton Comics of JPMellow
"The Collected Pixton Comics of JPMellow" presents an anthology of comics ranging from whimsical absurdities to introspective dramas, designed using Pixton. These strips showcase Joseph’s evolution in digital storytelling and the expressive potential of early web-based comic creation tools.
In a Darkened Room
"In a Darkened Room" is a comic book inspired by Cliff Bleszinski's early '90s game, Dare to Dream, and the Joseph’s short student film "Fulfillment." It tells the story of Tyler, a young boy whose dreams blur with the perplexities of his waking life.
Demons: The Distant Worlds
"Demons: The Distant Worlds" is a noir-style science fiction screenplay that follows retired diplomat David Walker as he is drawn back into the limelight following the mysterious disappearance of an entire planet's population. The narrative weaves a dark tale of suspense and interstellar intrigue.
Nerve-Endings
"Nerve-Endings" is a play that follows Harvey Stillwell, a settled young man who returns to his college upon learning of his favorite professor's death. This journey unravels hidden truths, offering Harvey a meditative exploration of his past and his transition into post-college life.
Diary of a Spaceman
"Diary of a Spaceman" compiles a series of whimsical, LiveJournal-style blog posts narrated by Spaceman Carl, a self-assured and intrepid cosmonaut whose adventures across the galaxy unfold simply because it's in his nature to explore.
That Is Not Natural
"That is Not Natural" emerges from Joseph’s Graphic Design BFA Thesis I class, focusing on sustainability as it gained traction in national discourse. The book comprises individually researched and designed articles, each exploring a unique aspect of sustainability.
The Completed Nonsense
"The Completed Nonsense" is a collection of whimsical weekly comic strips created during Joseph's tenure as the cartoonist for the New Paltz Oracle in college. This compilation captures the essence of his original and humorous work from that period.