Mike Okamoto

Website: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/m_dokamoto/home.htm

Mike Okamoto has been illustrating for 26 years. He was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, then attended the Parsons School of Design , in New York City, on a full scholarship, from 1971-75. He lived and freelance illustrated in NYC from then until 1991, when he moved to West Virginia at the start of his comic book career.

In 1990, he met the love of his life, Diana Light. They wed in 1991.

His influences range from Frank Frazetta, N. C. Wyeth and Al Williamson to Wally Wood, Joe Kubert, Mort Drucker and Carl Barks.

Also in 1990 he realized another dream when he had the honor of working with Al Williamson on the graphic novel series Atomic Age for the Marvel Epic line of comics. The four issue series was created and written by good buddy, Frank Lovece, pencilled by Mike, and inked by Mr. Williamson.

In 1992, he won the prestigious Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award for his painted work and storytelling skills on the Innovation Comics adaptation of Piers Anthony's classic Science Fiction novel On a Pale Horse at that year's San Diego Comic Con.

In 1999-2003, he won the International Network of Golf Illustrator of the Year Award for his work in Golf Illustrated, five years running!