J.M. DeSantis

J.M. DeSantis crafts South Asian dark fantasy and Lovecraftian horror that conjures entire worlds with brush strokes and ink. As a self-dubbed Write-ist™ (writer-artist, because sometimes the old terms don’t quite fit), DeSantis brings a rare combination of storytelling prowess and traditional artistic mastery to the dark fantasy and horror genres. Their work spans original graphic novels, horror novellas, webcomics, and contributions to prestigious anthologies—all marked by a distinctive mixed-media style that blends watercolors, inks, acrylics, and colored pencils into textured, otherworldly imagery.

The Girl With the Fire-Ringed Eyes: Chadhiyana

At the heart of DeSantis’s creator-owned work lies Chadhiyana—a South Asian dark fantasy heroine who defies easy categorization. Described as “The Girl With the Fire-Ringed Eyes,” Chadhiyana is a formidable warrior navigating richly developed worlds inspired by the cultures of South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The series has appeared with publishers like Rosarium Publishing and is now published through DeSantis’s own Dark Fire Press, with six issues plus the new Rekindled series bringing fresh stories to this acclaimed character. Discover Chadhiyana’s dark fantasy world.

As reviewer Sheena McNeil noted in Sequential Tart, “DeSantis’ art style… is a unique style that draws the eye to the way the lines shape things and people.” The Chadhiyana stories tackle weighty themes—survival, abuse, and self-discovery—while delivering visceral action and atmospheric dark fantasy.

Lovecraftian Humor: Gentleman Cthulhu

For readers who prefer their horror with a wink, DeSantis’s webcomic series Gentleman Cthulhu: Emeritus Moribus Monstrum reimagines the infamous eldritch god H.P. Lovecraft as a refined, polite horror navigating everyday situations with utmost decorum. The series has spawned three published collections through Dark Fire Press: Twice the Fears and Cheers, And They Call It Mummy Love, and Monster Etiquette. It’s pure comedic horror that showcases DeSantis’s versatility—from genuinely unsettling Lovecraftian imagery to slapstick humor, all rendered in their unmistakable artistic style. Follow the adventures of Gentleman Cthulhu.

A Traditional Artist in a Digital Age

What truly sets DeSantis apart is their commitment to traditional artistry. In an industry increasingly dominated by digital tools, DeSantis works primarily with physical media—pencil, paper, watercolors, and colored pencils—creating what they describe as “art that looks like art rather than a photograph.” This approach gives their work a tactile, textured quality that stands out in digital feeds and print alike.

Their traditional art has earned recognition in prestigious venues. Most notably, DeSantis’s painting “Murderous Goblin” was featured as the Featured Artist spot in Heavy Metal Magazine’s January 2009 issue—the same publication that first published artists like H.R. Giger and Moebius. DeSantis also contributed artwork to Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated, the acclaimed reimagining of George A. Romero’s horror classic.

Beyond Comics: Novels, Anthologies, and Teaching

DeSantis’s creative output extends far beyond sequential art. They’ve authored horror novellas including Robert Phillips and the novel The Kirklyn Horror, with readers noting its “somewhat of a Lovecraftian feel.” Their anthology contributions include work in Arcana Comics’ Steampunk Originals (story: “Diwali”), the Comicbook Artists Guild’s Iconic (Sherlock Holmes story: “Repurcussions”), and Worlds Beyond science-fiction anthology. Their dark fantasy anthology series The Tainted Ones brings together interconnected tales of supernatural horror and redemption.

A former high school art teacher, DeSantis brings educational experience to their creator work, having taught comic book creation workshops and run a comic book club. This teaching background shows in the intricacy and psychological depth of their worldbuilding.

Influences and Literary Roots

DeSantis draws from a rich tradition of fantasy and horror: J.R.R. Tolkien’s world-building, H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic dread, Robert E. Howard’s action, Hideyuki Miyazaki’s atmospheric fantasy, and Yasumi Matsuno’s intricate designs. These influences blend into something uniquely their own—a dark fantasy that feels both ancient and fresh.

Support the Work

• Website: jmdesantis.com — official hub for comics, books, and art
• Chadhiyana: chadhiyana.com — dedicated site for the dark fantasy series
• Gentleman Cthulhu: gentlemancthulhu.com — the comedic horror webcomic
• Patreon: patreon.com/jmdwriteist — support ongoing creation
• Prints & Merch: Etsy shop and Redbubble