Jonathan Brandon Sawyer

Jonathan Brandon Sawyer is the kind of artist who makes you believe a ragtag group of alien heavy metal monsters really did shape human history, and that animal rights vigilantes with sledgehammers are exactly the heroes we need. A freelance comic book artist and illustrator based in Atlanta, Georgia, Sawyer has been working professionally in the comics industry since 2014, building a portfolio that jumps effortlessly between sci-fi reincarnation epics, gritty vigilante thrillers, and gleefully unhinged heavy metal mayhem. Perfect for fans of Matt Miner’s activist-minded comics, Christopher Sebela’s high-concept genre work, and anyone who believes comics should be as fun as they are beautiful.

From Welcome Back to the Big Leagues

Sawyer burst onto the scene as co-creator and original artist of Welcome Back (BOOM! Studios, 2015–2016), a reincarnation thriller written by Eisner-nominated writer Christopher Sebela. The series follows Mali and Tessa, two women trapped in an eternal cycle as assassins across centuries, killing each other only to be reborn and repeat the violence without memory of its original cause. Paste Magazine praised Sawyer’s ability to illustrate “the visual equivalent of a particularly complex Lost episode,” highlighting a splash page where 12 past lives flash simultaneously across the page. The first issue went to a third printing and the series was extended from a four-issue limited series to an ongoing, a testament to the chemistry between Sebela’s breakneck scripting and Sawyer’s kinetic, era-spanning visuals.

Though Sawyer stepped down from the series mid-run for personal reasons, he continued as cover artist through the full run, and his original issues remain fan favorites. The collected edition, Welcome Back Vol. 1: Help, I’m Alive, showcases his range—from mundane breakup scenes that feel achingly relatable to visceral combat sequences spanning prehistoric battlefields and feudal Japan.

Critical Hit and the Art of Activist Comics

Sawyer’s longest creative partnership is with writer Matt Miner, beginning with Critical Hit (Black Mask Studios, 2014–2015). A four-issue series spinning out of Miner’s Liberator universe, it follows Sarah and Jeanette, two animal rights vigilantes who don ski masks and wield sledgehammers to rescue abused animals from dog-fighting rings and illegal testing labs. When their targets turn out to be serial killers, the rescuers become the prey. The series was praised by Bloody Disgusting for making “a superhero out of the regular every day person,” and Comix I Read called it “a very well written, character driven story” with “beautiful art.” The first issue sold out and went to a second printing—a strong debut for the Miner-Sawyer partnership.

This collaboration deepened with GWAR: Orgasmageddon (Dynamite Entertainment, 2017–2018), a four-issue series co-written by Miner and the members of shock rock band GWAR themselves. Sawyer served as both interior artist and cover artist, delivering multiple variant covers for each issue. The series—in which GWAR banished to the past “stomp and smash and shape human history”—was described by Blabbermouth as “a love letter to comics, grindhouse movies, and heavy metal.” ComicsAlliance featured an in-depth interview with Miner and Sawyer about the collaboration, and the Kickstarter campaign raised over $39,000 before Dynamite picked it up for wide release.

Versatility Across Publishers

Sawyer’s portfolio demonstrates remarkable range across publishers and genres. He contributed to Bravest Warriors (BOOM! Studios, 2014–2015), the comics adaptation of Pendleton Ward’s animated series, providing interior art and covers. He illustrated Imaginary Drugs (IDW Publishing, 2015), an anthology of sci-fi short stories. His cover work has appeared across multiple publishers, with his GWAR variant covers becoming particularly sought-after among collectors.

Most recently, he provided cover art for Katie: Black Dragon (Bad Kids Press, 2022–present), demonstrating his continued activity in the indie comics scene. His ArtStation portfolio showcases not only sequential comic pages but also character design work, pin-ups, and commissions that highlight his skills as an illustrator beyond the comics page.

Style and Approach

Sawyer’s art is defined by kinetic energy and visual versatility. His action sequences feel visceral and propulsive—whether it’s a sledgehammer connecting with a dog-fighting ring door or assassins clashing across multiple timelines simultaneously. His character work is expressive and grounded, giving even the most outlandish scenarios emotional weight. The Queer Comics Database lists him among notable LGBTQ+ comics creators, and his portfolio spans from the grounded realism of Critical Hit to the gleeful absurdity of GWAR: Orgasmageddon without ever losing his distinctive voice.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Sawyer continues to take on new projects as a freelance artist. His ArtStation portfolio showcases his sequential work, cover art, and character designs, and he can be found on Twitter and Instagram.