Mark Simmons is a freelance illustrator and 2009 graduate of the Academy of Art University. He specializes in cartoons and sequential art, including comics, storyboards, and graphic recording.
email: toysdream@gmail.com
blog: www.ultimatemark.com/blog/
bluesky: @toysdream.bsky.social
instagram: @ultimatoy
Selected Publications & Illustration Clients
Hachette Book Group (2026)
Full-color comic-style illustrations for “Bug Power” by Stephanie A. Dole, PhD.
Capstone Publishers (2014-2025)
Full-color comic art for the Nickolas Flux History Chronicles, Courageous Kids, Heroic Animals, and True Survival Graphics series.
Opera Parallèle (2013-2024)
Color artwork and cover illustrations for the motion comic “Gesualdo, Prince of Madness.” Set and concept designs for various stage productions. Color artwork for “Everest – A Graphic Novel Opera.”
Rebellion (2012-2023)
Grayscale and line art for “Bladers” by James Peaty, “Other People’s Machines” by David Baillie, and assorted “Robo-Hunter” adventures by Alec Worley, published in 2000 AD comic anthology.
Tamashii Nations (2020-2021)
Line art for official “Gundam Universe” promotional comic, with script and lettering by David Clarke and colors by Arthur Hesli.
Superhuman-X (2020-2021)
Comic and storyboard art, plus storyboard training sessions.
Singularity University (2017-2019)
Science-fiction comic art and graphic recording of live events.
Apples and Honey Press (Behrman House) (2017)
Full-color comic art for “Roller-Coaster Grandma: The Amazing Story of Dr. Ruth,” by Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer and Pierre Lehu.
Madefire (2016)
Full-color motion comic art for “App Review Guidelines: The Comic Book,” released by Apple at the 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference.
R.Talsorian Games (2013-2014)
Robot character designs and illustrations for “Mekton” role-playing game.
Galaxy Pest Control (2012-2013)
Making Fun (2011)
Full-color comic art for “Santa’s Village,” “Run Monkey Run,” “Get Rocky,” and other iPad games.
Unicorn Studios (2010-2012)
Marza Animation Planet (2011-2012)
Storyboards and pre-production materials for animated feature films.
Other Work Experience
Teacher (2016 to date)
Running short drawing workshops for the San Francisco Zoo, Nature Journal Club, and other organizations, as well as teaching week-long cartooning camps for the Cartoon Art Museum and workshop sessions for the “Wild Wonder” nature journaling conference.
Instructor (2010-2020)
Academy of Art University
Teaching illustration, figure drawing, perspective, comic book, and character design classes for graduate, undergraduate, and pre-college students.
Script Consultant (12/2001 to date)
Bandai Entertainment, Bandai Channel, and Sunrise Inc.
Assisting with adaptation of Japanese cartoons for North American audience. Tasks include editing scripts, story research, writing promotional text and toy packaging, and Web site content.