*As an alumnus, I recently had the pleasure of meeting Anthony Marques, owner and President of The Joe Kubert School and a fellow graduate. We discussed how the school has significantly evolved, especially through the integration of new technologies into its curriculum.
As a token of appreciation, Mr. Marques gave me two items from the school’s Art Store, which supplies materials to both students and the public. Notably, I was the first student to attend from Nigeria and from Africa—a journey that changed and advanced my career. The school has had many international students since.
The Joe Kubert School, founded by renowned comic book artist and my mentor Joe Kubert, enjoys a prestigious reputation in comics and graphic novel education. Now based in Madison, New Jersey, I travelled from New York City to visit the campus, which has nurtured many acclaimed artists and illustrators such as Adam and Andy Kubert, Lee Weeks, Anthony Marques, Kim DeMulder, Tom Mandrake, Jan Dursema, Eric Shanawer, Bjorn Ousland, David Cuccia, Graham Nolan, and me. Originally located in Dover, New Jersey, the school moved to Madison in 2025.
During my visit, Anthony Marques and Fernando Ruiz—a fellow alumnus and current faculty member—guided me on a thorough tour of their modern facilities designed for both online and in-person learning. The school’s commitment to inclusivity is clear in its support for remote and traditional classroom opportunities. It was here that I developed OUR ROOTS, a chronicle of Black History, and later donated copies of my books to the school library.
Scroll to continue reading
The Joe Kubert School is known for its comprehensive approach to sequential art, offering training in traditional drawing and inking, digital illustration, and narrative skills. Its staff comprises industry professionals, and it boasts a longstanding record of producing leading talent, cementing its role as a premier center for comics education. According to Mr. Marques, the school’s success is fuelled by the dedication and hard work of its students, past and present.
Moreover, the school’s programs provide creative opportunities for artists at any stage—from those just starting to experienced creators looking for advanced courses. Developed by professionals, the classes offer specialized instruction in storytelling, character design, and illustration, with flexible scheduling options for those who cannot commit to full-time study.
At The Joe Kubert School, the educational philosophy goes beyond technical mastery, fostering a vibrant community of artists driven by a shared passion for their craft and excellence.
The school’s non-accredited offerings—including intensive children’s classes, online courses, and summer camps—further establish it as a hub for artistic growth.
These initiatives remind me of my own experience helping Joe Kubert run Saturday sketch classes, which inspired and motivated aspiring artists each weekend. A fulfilling visit it was before flying back to the UK.
Get in touch – [email protected] +1 973-361-1327
TAYO Fatunla is a British Nigerian comic artist, editorial cartoonist, writer, and illustrator whose work has featured on MSN.com via EURweb.com. He created the “OUR ROOTS” series, highlighting Black history figures, earning the 2018 ECBACC Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award. A former cartoonist for Nigerian newspapers, he was named Professional Creative Cartoonist of the Year at the 2024 Annual Achievement Recognition Awards (The Building Blocks Initiative, UK). He also illustrated Camberwell’s public Black history walk map. https://www.instagram.com/tfatunla123
(If You Like/Appreciate This EURweb Story, Please SHARE it!)
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Celebrate King Day! LISTEN to Lee Bailey’s ‘King: From Atlanta to the Mountaintop’ Segment | LISTEN NOW
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
