John Zeleznik is an artist and

illustrator An illustrator is an artist who specializes in enhancing writing or elucidating concepts by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text or idea. The illustration may be intended to clarify complicat ...

Career

Zeleznik has provided covers and illustrative work for many

role-playing game A role-playing game (sometimes spelled roleplaying game, RPG) is a game in which players assume the roles of player character, characters in a fictional Setting (narrative), setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within ...

s including ''

Shadowrun ''Shadowrun'' is a science fantasy tabletop role-playing game set in an alternate future in which cybernetics, magic and fantasy creatures co-exist. It combines genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy and crime, with occasional elements of conspir ...

'', '' Rifts'' (and other

Palladium Books Palladium Books is a publisher of role-playing games (RPGs) perhaps best known for its popular, expansive '' Rifts'' series (1990–present). Palladium was founded April 1981 in Detroit, Michigan by current president and lead game designer Kevin ...

games), and ''

GURPS The ''Generic Universal RolePlaying System'', or ''GURPS'', is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting. It was created by Steve Jackson Games and first published in 1986 at a time when most such systems w ...

''. He graduated from the Otis/Parsons Institute of Art in Los Angeles with a BFA in

Illustration An illustration is a decoration, interpretation or visual explanation of a text, concept or process, designed for integration in print and digital published media, such as posters, flyers, magazines, books, teaching materials, animations, vid ...

. He works in

acrylic paint Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint made of pigment suspended in acrylic polymer emulsion and plasticizers, silicone oils, defoamers, stabilizers, or metal soaps. Most acrylic paints are water-based, but become water-resistant when dry. Depe ...

on illustration board. He illustrated the covers to several ''

'' books, including '' DNA/DOA'' (1990), ''Queen Euphoria'' (1990), and ''Bottled Demon'' (1990). Zeleznik is also the designer and artist for the science fiction/

superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...

''Skraypers'' setting for ''Rifts'' and ''

Heroes Unlimited ''Heroes Unlimited'' is a superhero role-playing game written by Kevin Siembieda and first published by Palladium Books in 1984. The game is based upon the Palladium Books Megaversal system and is compatible with other games that use the Palladi ...

''. Some of his RPG credits include ''

Beyond the Supernatural ''Beyond the Supernatural'' is a horror role-playing game published by Palladium Books. It has seen two editions released, both of which have introduced innovations to Palladium's standard mechanics. A versatile horror-themed game, it lends it ...

'', ''

Systems Failure ''Systems Failure'' is a role-playing game written by Bill Coffin and published by Palladium Books in July 1999. Contents The fictional premise for the game is that during the "Millennium bug" scare, actual "Bugs" appeared. They are energy bein ...

'', ''

Nightbane ''Nightbane'' is a dark fantasy role-playing game and setting created by C. J. Carella and published by Palladium Books. Description The game was originally published as a 240-page softcover book in 1995, designed by Carlos J. Martijena-Carel ...

'', and ''

Macross II is a six episode OVA in the ''Macross'' franchise. It was the first installment of ''Macross'' to feature a new cast of characters. ''Macross II'' was produced by Big West, with no involvement from the original series creators from Studio N ...

''. Zeleznik has illustrated cards for the ''

Magic: The Gathering ''Magic: The Gathering'' (colloquially known as ''Magic'' or ''MTG'') is a tabletop and digital collectable card game created by Richard Garfield. Released in 1993 by Wizards of the Coast (now a subsidiary of Hasbro), ''Magic'' was the first ...

'' collectible card game. ''Lightstrike: The Collected Illustrations of John Zeleznik'' was published by Cartouche Press, and he also illustrated a ''Rifts Coloring Book''. Zeleznik also designed all of the labels for the Leona Valley Winery. He contributed illustrations to the 2007

Hollywood Zombies ''Hollywood Zombies'' was a trading card series manufactured by Topps, which portrayed American celebrities at the time as flesh-eating zombies. Released in 2007, the series was available only in select comic book specialty stores and video stores ...

trading card series.

References

External links

Official website
*
Lightstrike: The Art of John Zeleznik
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zeleznik, John 20th-century American illustrators 21st-century American illustrators Fantasy artists Living people Role-playing game artists Role-playing game designers Year of birth missing (living people)