the visual narrative faculty collection: Benjamin Marra

We’re happy to continue our series of posts that highlight our faculty’s excellent work, without the color commentray that makes your eyes wander.

Can I say one thing, though? Benjamin Marra is one of those artists whose style is so distinct that you can spot him from 200 white long boxes away. Love him. And his beard.

Benjamin Marra is the notorious, controversial and influential comic creator of the comic books NIGHT BUSINESS, GANGSTA RAP POSSE, THE INCREDIBLY FANTASTIC ADVENTURES OF MAUREEN DOWD (A WORK OF SATIRE AND FICTION) and LINCOLN WASHINGTON: FREE MAN! Marra has drawn comparisons to mainstream masters like Paul Gulacy and Jim Steranko, as well as underground comix legends like R. Crumb and Spain Rodriguez, and even the Beat writers. His art beyond the cutting edge. His work is in the cut itself.

His illustration work has been recognized by The Society of Illustrators, The Society of Publication Designers, 3×3 and American Illustration. In 2006 he was named as one of the Art Directors Club Young Guns.

Some of the publications and companies he has done illustration for include Playboy, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Marvel Comics, Vice, Radar, Paper, Nylon, Widen+Kennedy and McCann-Erickson.

Marra is the founder and publisher of TRADITIONAL COMICS and co-founder of the underground illustration and design journal MAMMAL.

Marra received a B.F.A in Illustration from Syracuse University, where he also studied at their art program in Florence, Italy. He received an M.F.A. in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts.

He lives in Brooklyn.