From tracing cartoons on the TV screen to founding his own storytelling studio, Jamal Shabazz’s journey into the world of comics and animation was never just a dream—it was a blueprint. Influenced by everything from Calvin & Hobbes and Cowboy Bebop to Outkast and Janelle Monáe, Shabazz’s creative vision is a vibrant fusion of childhood wonder, anime energy, hip-hop soul, and deep spiritual reflection. With Studio Merkurii and his debut project A Planet Called Merkurii, he’s crafting not just stories, but a universe that’s as rich, layered, and personal as the music and media that shaped him. In this conversation, we explore how that world came to life—and what’s still to come.
Interviewee: Jamal Makin Shabazz
Interviewer: Anthony Andujar Jr
Q1: What and who were your influences when starting your journey into the arts and comics?
JS: I’d say my earliest influences were Peanuts, Dragon Ball, Calvin & Hobbes, Cowboy Bebop, Rugrats, Digimon, Trigun, Yu Yu Hakusho, Disney’s Robin Hood, Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, Pokémon, Tiny Toon Adventures, and The Boondocks. I distinctly remember watching Cartoon Network as a kid and thinking, “I want to have that many cartoons—but all made by me.” That moment really stuck with me. It planted the seed for everything that came after—this idea that it was possible to build my own creative universe from scratch.
Q2: You’ve made your publishing studio, Studio Merkurii. What inspired the name, and what was the process like when forming a publisher of your own?
JS: Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to tell stories for a living. It really hit me in the 5th grade—that it was someone’s actual job to make cartoons. I told my mom and grandma right then that I’d be as big as Walt Disney one day and build my own studio.
Over the years, I experimented with names like “Toonation” and “Acquired Taste.” But the name Merkurii came during a time I was listening to a lot of Outkast, Kid Cudi, Janelle Monáe, MF Doom, Gorillaz, and B.o.B (back when he went by Bobby Ray). I was inspired by Studio Ghibli too, and wanted something that felt both cosmic and personal.
Eventually, I looked into my zodiac sign—Virgo—and learned that Mercury is the ruling planet. That clicked something in me. My late brother Asher (may Allah be pleased with him) encouraged me to make the name feel even more distinct. That’s how Studio Merkurii was born.
Originally, I thought animation would be the first step. But I realized books were the foundation. A lot of people in the animation space told me, “If you want to truly own your story, start by telling it yourself.” That stuck with me. The books are the groundwork—the first bricks of the empire.
Q3: You have a book, titled A Planet Called Merkurii. What was the inspiration for this project, and what was the development process like?
JS: A Planet Called Merkurii is the world I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. Remember how I said I wanted a lineup of shows like Cartoon Network, but all made by me? That’s what this series is—it’s that dream, fully realized. The world of Merkurii pulls from everything I love: anime, video games, American cartoons, music, Islamic spirituality, and everyday life. It’s deeply personal. I once heard Big K.R.I.T. say his album Cadillactica was like his mind—and that stuck with me. Merkurii is my Cadillactica. It’s my thoughts, memories, and experiences woven into story form.
Some of these characters have been with me since I was nine years old. I always knew they had a purpose, but figuring out how their worlds connected took time. I wanted the story to carry a message, but I didn’t want it to feel preachy. Just honest. Studying One Piece, the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), and Stephen King helped me understand how to stitch big worlds together over time. Then my mom introduced me to verse novels by Jacqueline Woodson, Karen Hesse, and Thanhha Lai. That opened up a new path—one I hadn’t seen much in comics or graphic novels. It felt like a perfect lane for me to carve out. Plus, it makes me feel like I’m a rapper but not really.
Q4 The characters you’ve illustrated tend to be anthropomorphic beings. What is the significance of drawing them that way, and how does it correlate to folklore and fables?
JS: This style was in me from the start, long before I understood why. I was drawn to Sonic the Hedgehog, Looney Tunes, Tiny Toons, and especially Disney’s Robin Hood. There was something magical about animals with human emotions and depth. It just made sense to me.
Over time, I started to realize there was something deeper going on.
I’ve come to see my work through the lens of Afro-surrealism, where fantasy, symbolism, and spirituality blend. Using animals lets me say things that might feel too heavy or limited in a more realistic style. There’s freedom in it. I can talk about struggle, identity, love, or legacy in a way that feels both playful and profound.
It also ties into the tradition of fables and folklore, stories where animals hold moral weight, spiritual meaning, or serve as stand-ins for human traits. I’m not trying to preach, but I do think these characters can carry messages in a way that’s accessible and resonant. That’s the beauty of it. The more I grow, the more I see just how much can be said through simplicity.
Q5: What were the challenges when developing A Planet Called Merkurii? What did you discover throughout the development of this project?
JS: This story is an ongoing discovery, because it’s really about exploring my mind, and the mind is infinite. I’m always learning something new about myself as I work on it.
One of my biggest challenges has been trusting myself. I deal with perfectionism, and that can slow me down. But I’ve learned that growth isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about showing up with honesty, even if things aren’t perfect. The more depth I find in myself, the more I find in the story.
At times, I’ve felt like I needed to say everything, to be fully understood right now. But I’ve come to realize that most people aren’t understood until much later. That truth helps me take my time.
Merkurii has become a form of therapy for me—it’s but cliché, but it’s the truth. It’s been shaped by countless prayers, conversations with God, and moments of stillness. I’m learning to let go of control and let the story unfold naturally. Because as much as I’m building this world, this world is building me too.
Q6: As an illustrator and writer, what are the challenges of wearing different creative hats? How do you fluctuate between those creative roles?
JS: The biggest challenge is learning how not to overthink it. Whether I’m writing or drawing, I’ve found that approaching both with a lighter touch helps me stay in flow. It’s less about being perfect and more about staying present, treating each piece like a gesture instead of a finished product.
I’ve always loved how verse novels can be brief yet powerful. They don’t drag, even if the book is 300 pages long. That speaks to me. I try to bring that same energy into both my art and writing, keeping it sharp, soulful, and not too heavy-handed. When I work that way, I move faster and more freely between the two roles.
The business side is a different mindset. It doesn’t come as naturally to me, but I’m learning to give myself grace through that process. Mistakes happen, but it’s all part of figuring it out. The more I trust the process, the more everything starts to align.
Q7: What music were you listening to when crafting this book, and how did it impact your creative process?
JS: Music is everything to my process—it sets the tone, unlocks ideas, and helps me see scenes in motion.
In the early stages, I was heavy on Outkast, Kid Cudi, Janelle Monáe, MF Doom, Gorillaz, and B.o.B aka Bobby Ray. Songs like “Mr. Rager” and “Man on the Moon” were like the unofficial anthems for Merkurii back then. They captured that dreamy, wandering, searching energy I was feeling at the time. These days, it’s a pretty long list—and it keeps on growing.
Here are some albums that helped shape how I work:
- Because the Internet – Childish Gambino
- Channel Orange – Frank Ocean
- The ArchAndroid – Janelle Monáe
- Plastic Beach – Gorillaz
- Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme – Simon & Garfunkel
- Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder
- Me Against the World – 2Pac
- Man on the Moon 1 & 2 – Kid Cudi
- Melody’s Echo Chamber by Melody’s Echo Chamber
- Donuts – J Dilla
- Madvillainy – Madvillain
- Rubber Soul – The Beatles
- Bloom – Beach House
- Die Lit – Playboi Carti
- Some Rap Songs – Earl Sweatshirt
- The Bird and the Bee – The Bird and the Bee
- Kendrick Lamar’s entire discography
- Tame Impala’s entire discography
- OutKast’s entire discography
- Toro’s y Moi’s entire discography
- Late Registration – Kanye West
- Ecstatic – Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)
- Actor – St. Vincent
- “Summertime ’06 by Vince Staples”
Q8: Given that Studio Merkurii isn’t just solely a comics publisher, but dabbles in web-comics, literature, and other forms of storytelling, what else is in the pipeline that readers should keep an eye out for?
JS: Right now, I’m focused on building Studio Merkurii as more than just a publisher—it’s a full storytelling space. The books are just the foundation. I’ve been working on ideas for audiobooks, visual journals, and behind-the-scenes travel logs—something that feels like tour life meets storytelling. Think Frank Ocean’s “Pyramids” video or Kenny Mason’s “Hoodrat”—but applied to books. I want to give people a real feel for the world I’m building, not just through pages, but through sound, motion, and mood.
I’m also planning more community-driven moments—book launches, reading-listening parties, and pop-ups in bookstores, coffee shops, and local libraries. I want to get these stories in schools, too, because kids deserve stories that reflect wonder, emotion, and imagination. Down the line, I’d love to expand into animation, merch, and interactive digital projects. But everything starts with the books—and from there, we grow.
Q9: Where can readers follow your work?
JS: You can always find me on Instagram—probably more than I should be—@jamalmakinshabazz. That’s where I share updates, visuals, and behind-the-scenes stuff from Studio Merkurii.
The books and stories live on my website: www.studiomerkurii.com. That’s also where you can grab physical copies and support the series directly.
Right now, I’m working to grow my inventory so I can keep the momentum going—more books, more drops, more experiences. Every bit of support helps bring this world to life.
Dan Kleiner