Joe Simko
Encyclopedia
Joe Simko is an American illustrator who has contributed to Topps’ Garbage Pail Kids
and Wacky Packages
trading cards. He is the illustrator/author of the book series, The Sweet Rot, and he designs artwork for bands, creating album covers, tour posters and concert shirts. His recent project Cereal Killers Trading Cards, 1st Series was released May 2, 2011. The Cereal Killers cards spoof breakfast cereals with popular horror films. Joe wrote and painted all 55 cards for the first set and launched the series through his new company, Wax Eye.
in New York City in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cartooning. He was the recipient of the Joe Orlando
scholarship award from his graduating department that year. Among Simko’s instructors at the School of Visual Arts were Joe Orlando
(VP of DC Comics
and associate editor of Mad
), Klaus Jansen, Sal Almendola, Carmine Infantino
and many other professionals working in the field of comics and graphic storytelling.
. In 2007, the Japanese rock festival MAGMA
commissioned him to design all the artwork for their tour and oversee all the art direction as the managing artist. Two 20 feet (6.1 m) tall inflatable monsters based on Simko's character designs were also created for the Japan Rock concerts.
Simko currently freelances full time from his studio in NYC and continues production as author and illustrator of his book series The Sweet Rot. An original story showcasing a group of wildly eccentric little kids also known as "little rotters" in the make-believe town of Pollilop Drop, The Sweet Rot is published by Schiffer Books.
Simko has created artwork for clients and organizations including Ride Snowboards, Sims Snowboards
, Outlook Skateboards, The Gotham Girls Roller Derby League
, Fangoria Magazine
, New York Hardcore Tattoos, Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend, Monster Mania
, JLO Hangtag for Andy Hilfiger
, and the NYC clothing boutinque Live Fast.
Simko was penciller
and co-creator for actor Stephen Baldwin
's graphic novel series Spirit Warriors, and designer of bottle artwork for Manglaze, a nail polishe line.
His list of musical clients includes The Misfits, GWAR
, Trivium
, Murphy's Law
, Dwarves
, Insane Clown Posse
, Sonic Youth
, Good Riddance
, The Undead, Peelander Z, and others.
In 2006, a Simko designed shirt was used in the film Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. The shirt was designed for the store Live Fast in NYC.
Garbage Pail Kids
Garbage Pail Kids , "La Pandilla Basura" or "Basuritas" in Latin America, "Gang do Lixo" in Brazil, "Sgorbions" in Italy, "Les Crados" in France and "Die total kaputten Kids" in Germany) is a series of trading cards produced by the Topps Company, originally released in 1985 and designed to parody...
and Wacky Packages
Wacky Packages
Wacky Packages are a series of trading cards and stickers featuring parodies of North American consumer products. The cards were produced by the Topps Company beginning in 1967, usually in a sticker format. The original series sold for two years, and the concept proved popular enough that it has...
trading cards. He is the illustrator/author of the book series, The Sweet Rot, and he designs artwork for bands, creating album covers, tour posters and concert shirts. His recent project Cereal Killers Trading Cards, 1st Series was released May 2, 2011. The Cereal Killers cards spoof breakfast cereals with popular horror films. Joe wrote and painted all 55 cards for the first set and launched the series through his new company, Wax Eye.
Early life
Born in Philadelphia, Simko was raised in Southampton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the School of Visual ArtsSchool of Visual Arts
The School of Visual Arts , is a proprietary art school located in Manhattan, New York City, and is widely considered to be one of the leading art schools in the United States. It was established in 1947 by co-founders Silas H. Rhodes and Burne Hogarth as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School and...
in New York City in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cartooning. He was the recipient of the Joe Orlando
Joe Orlando
Joseph Orlando was a prolific illustrator, writer, editor and cartoonist during a lengthy career spanning six decades...
scholarship award from his graduating department that year. Among Simko’s instructors at the School of Visual Arts were Joe Orlando
Joe Orlando
Joseph Orlando was a prolific illustrator, writer, editor and cartoonist during a lengthy career spanning six decades...
(VP of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
and associate editor of Mad
Mad (magazine)
Mad is an American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952. Launched as a comic book before it became a magazine, it was widely imitated and influential, impacting not only satirical media but the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century.The last...
), Klaus Jansen, Sal Almendola, Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino
Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino Carmine Infantino (born May 24, 1925, in Brooklyn, New York is an American comic book artist and editor who was a major force in the Silver Age of Comic Books...
and many other professionals working in the field of comics and graphic storytelling.
Career
After graduating from the School of Visual Arts, Simko held a full-time position as an artist for men’s neckwear, creating design pieces for ties. In 2000 Simko was hired as a full-time, in-house storyboard artist for television commercials at GEM Studios in NYC. At this time he also did freelance jobs designing show posters for local bands. This freelance work gained some notice, and he began working for higher profile groups. In 2006, he designed all of the artwork for the large traveling rock tour, The Vans Warped TourWarped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
. In 2007, the Japanese rock festival MAGMA
MAGMA
MAGMA Gießereitechnologie GmbH develops and markets software for casting process simulation. The software is used world-wide by foundries, casting buyers and designers. In addition to the simulation software MAGMASOFT®, respectively MAGMA5, the product and service portfolio includes engineering...
commissioned him to design all the artwork for their tour and oversee all the art direction as the managing artist. Two 20 feet (6.1 m) tall inflatable monsters based on Simko's character designs were also created for the Japan Rock concerts.
Simko currently freelances full time from his studio in NYC and continues production as author and illustrator of his book series The Sweet Rot. An original story showcasing a group of wildly eccentric little kids also known as "little rotters" in the make-believe town of Pollilop Drop, The Sweet Rot is published by Schiffer Books.
Simko has created artwork for clients and organizations including Ride Snowboards, Sims Snowboards
Sims Snowboards
Sims Snowboards is a manufacturer of snowboards. Founded by Tom Sims in the mid-1970s, the company specializes in a product line aimed at snowboarders with snowboards, bindings, boots, outerwear, and accessories....
, Outlook Skateboards, The Gotham Girls Roller Derby League
Gotham Girls Roller Derby
Gotham Girls Roller Derby is a flat track roller derby league based in New York City, New York. Founded in late 2003, Gotham Girls Roller Derby was the first skater-operated flat track roller derby league in the metropolitan New York area...
, Fangoria Magazine
Fangoria
Fangoria is an American magazine devoted to horror and exploitation films, which has a number of associated brands:* Fangoria Comics* Fangoria Films* Fangoria RadioFangoria may also refer to:* Fangoria , a Spanish electro pop band...
, New York Hardcore Tattoos, Spooky Empire's Ultimate Horror Weekend, Monster Mania
Monster Mania
"Monster Mania" is a short lived Fox series where a kid named Brian McKenzie lives at his missing aunt's mansion and can enter a world of monsters via his closet, making friends with a monster named Boo Marang . The series involved dream pirates, balloon creatures, a giant garden, Robin Hood...
, JLO Hangtag for Andy Hilfiger
Andy Hilfiger
Andy Hilfiger is an American business man in the fashion industry and a musician. He is the creative director and namesake of Andrew Charles , a rock 'n' roll inspired fashion line....
, and the NYC clothing boutinque Live Fast.
Simko was penciller
Penciller
A penciller is an artist who works in the creation of comic books, graphic novels, and similar visual art forms.The penciller is the first step in rendering the story in visual form and may require several steps of feedback with the writer. These artists are concerned with layout to showcase...
and co-creator for actor Stephen Baldwin
Stephen Baldwin
Stephen Andrew Baldwin is an American actor, director, producer and author. One of the Baldwin brothers, he is known for his roles as William F. Cody in the western show The Young Riders and as Stuart in the movie Threesome...
's graphic novel series Spirit Warriors, and designer of bottle artwork for Manglaze, a nail polishe line.
His list of musical clients includes The Misfits, GWAR
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
, Trivium
Trivium (band)
Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Signed to Roadrunner Records, the band has released five studio albums, eleven singles, and twelve music videos...
, Murphy's Law
Murphy's Law (band)
Murphy's Law is an American hardcore band from New York City, New York, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Gestapo remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of former members of bands such as Skinnerbox, Danzig, The Bouncing Souls, Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Hanoi...
, Dwarves
Dwarves (band)
Dwarves is an American punk band formed in Chicago, Illinois, as The Suburban Nightmare, in the mid-1980s. They are currently based in San Francisco, California. Formed as a garage punk band, their career subsequently saw them move in a hardcore direction before settling into an eclectic punk rock...
, Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, Good Riddance
Good Riddance
Good Riddance was a punk rock band from Santa Cruz, California. They released seven full-length studio albums on Fat Wreck Chords, and their final album was a live recording of their farewell concert in 2007. Led by vocalist Russ Rankin, the band's longtime lineup included guitarist Luke Pabich,...
, The Undead, Peelander Z, and others.
In 2006, a Simko designed shirt was used in the film Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. The shirt was designed for the store Live Fast in NYC.
Artwork for rock music festivals
- MAGMA – 2007, 2008
- Vans Warped Tour – 2006
- Superbowl of Hardcore – 2006, 2007, 2008
- Medusa Festival – 1 through 5 (2003 through 2006)
Published artwork
- The Sweet Rot, book 2, (Raiders of the Lost Art) - Schiffer Books - Fall 2011
- The Sweet Rot – Schiffer Books - Spring 2010 (creator, illustrator, writer)
- In Sunlight and in Shadow - 2009 (illustrator)
- Revolver Magazine – 2009
- Roller Derby Art – Schiffer Books
- Doll Magazine – June 2007
- Revolver Magazine – March 2007
- The Art of Modern Rock mini A-Z. Chronicle Books
- Skinnie Magazine – November 2006
- Stephen Baldwin’s Spirit Warriors Graphic Novel Series – B&H Books (creator, illustrator)
- Blood and Thunder Magazine – Winter 2006
- Spin Magazine – spring 2006
- Swank Magazine – April 2004
- The Art of Modern Rock - Chronicle Books
- The Art of Electric Frankenstein – Dark Horse – February 2004
2011
- MF Gallery 9th Annual Halloween Art Show - Oct. 2011
- D****Y Group Art Show - MF Gallery (Brooklyn, NY) - January 2011
2010
- Fangoria Magazine's Halloween Art show - G2 Gallery/Lounge (NYC) - October 2010
- MF Gallery's 8th Annual Halloween Art show (Genova, Italy) - October 2010
- I Need Your Skull Show - MF Gallery (Genova, Italy) - September 2010
- Skateboard Group Art Show - G2 (NYC) - July 2010
- The Civil War & Founding Fathers Custom Qee Show - Spaghetti Project (Fredericksburg, VA) - July 2010
- The Sweet Rot Book Release – TT Underground Gallery @ Toy Tokyo (NYC) – June 2010
- Zombies Attack Brooklyn - MF Gallery (Brooklyn, NY) - June 2010
- I Need Your Skull Show - MF Gallery (Brooklyn, NY) - May 2010
- G2 Opening – G2 Gallery Lounge (NYC) – April 2010
2009
- Naughty and Nice show – Parlor Gallery (NJ) – Dec. 2009
- Return of the Living Decks – Ave. A (NYC) – Oct. 2009
- MF Gallery’s 7th Annual Halloween Art Show (NYC) – Oct. 2009
- Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend – (Orlando, FL) – Oct. 2009
- Closing Art Exhibition – Live Fast Underground Gallery (NYC) – Sept. 2009
- Tatto Art Show – MF Gallery (Genova, Italy) – Sept. 2009
- Kings of Pop – Ave. A (NYC) – August 2009
- The Art of Simko -Solo Exhibition – Live Fast Underground Gallery (NYC) – Aug. 2009
- The Punk Rot Art of Joe Simko - Solo Exhibition - ITM Lounge (NYC) – June 2009
- Night of the Living Decks – Ave. A (NYC) – June 2009
- MF Gallery Show at Asbury Lanes (NJ) – May 2009
- Welcome to Our Nightmare - Don Pedro’s (Brooklyn, NY) – March 2009
- Stitch Custom Vinyl Show – Showroom Gallery NYC (Hong Kong, Hawaii) – Feb. 2009
2008
- Vicious Intent Poster Show – Showroom Gallery (NYC) – Sept. 2008
- Halloween Art Show – ITM Lounge (NYC) – Sept. 2008
- NYC Tribute Art Show – Ave. A (NYC) - Sept. 2008
- Paint It! – MF Gallery (NYC) – June 2008
- Sci-Fi Art Show – MF Gallery (NYC) – Jan. 2008
2007
- Skateboard Art show – Ave. A (NYC) - August 2007
- Creepy Carnival – MF Gallery (NYC) - August 2007
- Bart Simpson Custom Vinyl Show–ShowroomGallery (NYC,Japan, China) Summer 2007
- Zombies Attack! – MF Gallery (NYC)– April - 2007
2006
- The Skull Show – The Back Alley Gallery (Minneapolis, MN) – May 2006
- Girls, Girls, Girls – (Live Body Painting Exhibition) MF Gallery (NYC) –April 2006
- Live Body Painting Exhibition – Live Fast (NYC) – March 2006
- Zombie Art Show – MF Gallery (NYC) – January 2006
2005
- The Throne Show – Lulubell Toy Bodega (Tuscan, AZ) – November 2005
- Halloween Art Show – MF Gallery (NYC) – September 2005
- Live Fast - Store opening/Mural exhibition (NYC) – Summer 2005
- Graphic Noise Poster Show – Museum of Design (Atlanta, GA) – Summer 2005
- Funny Club Show- Rotifugi(Chicago), Munky King(CA), Pixie Gallery(Tawain)–Spring
2004
- Electric Frankenstein Poster Art – CBGB’s Gallery (NYC) – Summer 2004
- The Art of Musical Maintenance – The Goodfoot (Portland, OR) – July 2004
1999
- Solo Exhibition - Gray Parrot Café – (Brooklyn, NY) – 1999
- Society of Illustrators Group show (NYC) - 1999
Further reading
- Suarez, Alex. "Dr. Chud, Famous Monster in Stitches", Rebel Ink, January 2010, page 71
- Wernig, Crazy Glenn. "Parents Be Warned The Sweet Rot, Joe Simko talks 'bout his new book for Kids!!". New York Waste. June 2010. cover, page 8
- Wernig, Crazy Glenn. "The Art of Joe Simko at LiveFast". New York Waste. Fall 2009. page 6.
- Simko, Joe. "It's Called the Music Business", Alternative Press Magazine, May 2009. page 37.
- Rio, Dale. "Derby's Image Makers", Blood and Thunder Magazine Winter 2006, page 44
External links
- Joe Simko at MF Gallery
- Patrick, Sean. "Get Your Rot On", New York PressNew York PressNew York Press was a free alternative weekly in New York City, that was published from 1988 to 2011. During its lifetime, it was the main competitor to the Village Voice...
, June 18, 2010 - Retrieved on July 11 2010 - "Joe Simko – Sweet Rot Book Release + Art Show Event" Vinyl Pulse, June 2010
- White, Guy E. "Splatter, Oozed and Abuzed." Skinnie Magazine, April 2007 pages 70-71.