Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Remo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Justin, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?
Working with comics, a medium of art that has often been neglected, criticized, and disrespected in the world of fine art, I have received my fair share of doubt from those around me as I began my journey as a cartoonist and a comic writer. Honestly, I can admit that those doubts got to me at times in the earlier stages of my career. I had a story to tell and some adequate illustration practice to back it, but absolutely no knowledge or resources that would help me know where to even start. However, persistence is what created Dust Comics, and what has kept it alive for this long. I ignored those doubts, worked tirelessly to accomplish what I wanted, and stumbled my entire way to where I am now. I taught myself how to make comics, then retaught myself again when I discovered I was doing it wrong. The entire journey was filled with trial and error. Every chapter I write could only have been possible through failure. The difference is that when I failed, I accepted the mistake and just kept going. Why would I let failure hold me back from fulfilling the dream I had been consistently working towards? In my opinion, that’s the magic of series-driven comics, and exactly what drew me to the category to begin with. From the first chapter to the last, you get to see it develop. The world and characters change with their author, the art undergoes multiple shifts in weight and form, and the story becomes this inconsistent and asymmetrical masterpiece. That is what I have always appreciated about many other comic artists, I strive to be like them, and watch myself and my series evolve through the years.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Justin Remo, I am a New Jersey-based printmaker, U.S. Coast Guard public affairs specialist, and the founder of Dust Comics LLC. “Dust” is the title of an ongoing science fiction graphic novel saga that I have been writing, illustrating, and self-publishing since 2018. The story follows a group of medieval knights, adventuring across a treacherous desert planet in search of clues behind the death of one of their fellow soldiers. While this series began as a side hustle, it quickly became my primary creative project and transformed into a professional business backed by an extremely supportive community of artists and readers.
I have been experimenting with various print techniques ever since I discovered and fell in love with the medium while studying at The Maryland Institute College of Art. My most recent solo exhibition featured a series of large-scale woodcuts depicting exaggerated apocalyptic murals of “Dogwater Beach,” a fictional representation of the Jersey Shore. No matter where my art takes me, it is always rooted in comics somehow. When I discovered sequential arts in high school, I knew that I wanted to create comics, and I knew I wanted to be GOOD at it. Whenever I could, I produced continuous installments to the “Dust” series, developing characters and locations in the sides of my notebooks, and brainstorming important plotlines with my roommates. I am ALWAYS thinking about Dust. It is a story I am extremely passionate about, and with the help of the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship, I was able to transform my passion project into my own business.
Dust Comics LLC is focused on producing the best visual stories at the greatest quality possible, while simultaneously providing opportunities and resources to other comic artists.
As for recent or upcoming events, the first full volume of “Dust” is set to release in May 2025, as a 400+ page introduction to the series. The first four chapters are available for purchase right now online at justinremo.com/dust, and the fifth installment is set to release at the end of this summer. With our recent victory in the RCCE UP/Start Competition, we are looking to rebrand and reinforce Dust’s brand and business model. We’ve got big plans and can’t wait to share them when the time comes.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Self-discipline, perserverance and accountability were essential in my journey to establishing Dust Comics LLC. Setting deadlines for myself, keeping myself consistent, and learning from mistakes and improving upon them. I had to begin this venture with a foundation of understanding and commitment.
I have worked with many incredibly talented artists, both experienced masters in the field, and newcomers like myself, and the greatest successes I have seen have been from those who have stopped at nothing to accomplish their vision. Tenacity takes you far, and applying yourself consistently and vigorously can only bring positive results. Some of the greatest artists I have met had very similar stories, powered by failure and resilience, and I not only strive to reflect these traits but advise them in anyone else pursuing a career in art.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
As of now, I am looking to partner with a publisher. Since my initial comic release debut in 2021, I have self-published four installments of the “Dust” chronicles and sold more than 500 copies of my work across the East Coast. As I progress closer to finishing the first major volume of the series, I am looking to try and sell my stories worldwide. While self-publishing through online comic producers has worked, I am ready to move to the next step of my creative journey and work with a comic publisher.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justinremo.com/dust
- Instagram: @justinremo_curtistrations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005182156856
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-remo-7756672a6/
Image Credits
Justin Remo
Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship
Andrew Copeland
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