Little Red Fish

James Moffitt is a writer and teacherliving in Richmond, Virginia. He holds an MA in Writing &Rhetoric from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has published twocollections of short stories, Swamp Gospels and Whatto Do When You Give Up. Moffitt has also been published inseveral academic and fiction journals and as a freelance journalist.James sees writing and teaching as ameans to facilitating social change at the structural level. Hispublishing company Sink/Swim Press embraces a DIY ethic and strivesto remind people of the value of tangible art.Bizhan Khodabandeh (The Day the Klan Came to Town) is a visualcommunicator who moves freely across the professional boundaries asdesigner, illustrator, artist, and activist. His works vary fromsmall graphic art projects to major public campaigns. Khodabandeh isparticularly fascinated by how art and design can catalyze socialchange. He has received numerous international and national awardsfor his work, including: a silver medal from the Society ofIllustrators, a silver medal from the International Design Awards, afinalist in the Cross-Cultural Design Competition, and best in showthrough the American Institute of Graphic Arts. He has receivednumerous international and national awards for his work as both anillustration and designer through various institutions such as: TheAmerican Institute of Graphic Arts, Creativity International,Adbusters, and Creative Quarterly. Khodabandeh has had work featuredin publications such as Print, CreativityInternational, Adbusters, and Comic Bastards amongothers. Currently Khodabandeh teaches full-time at VCU’s RobertsonSchool of Media & Culture and freelances under the name, MendedArrow.

"A powerful tale of resistance,told in the most unexpected way. The fish, no matter how small,demonstrate our own fight for freedom. A fight that never ends. Thisstory will break your heart, and immediately mend it through thespirit of revolution."—Aiméede Jongh, author of Daysof Sand"The Little Red Fish is anelegantly crafted and profound comic book experience.”—Farel Dalrymple, creator of PopGunWar, Wrenchies, and Omega the Unknown"TheLittle Red Fish storyis anything but little. This stunning visual narrative shows thereader everything comics can do and then some. Khodabandeh andMoffitt take the classic fish out of water trope (literally) todepths we never knew possible with pictures and words."—HenryBarajas, author of GilThorp, Batman:Urban Legends,and Creepshow"The Little Red Fishreminds us all of the power of storytelling and its ability toshowcase the human condition and the inhumane conditions that weas a society and a species perpetuate upon one another. The amalgamation of words and art asks us to never forget what a realstory can tell or inform us about the world."—Alverne Ball, author of AcrossThe Tracks: Remembering Black Wall Street, Greenwood, and the TulsaRace Massacre"A visual feast with an enduringstory—a real coup for the team behind The Little Red Fish.”—NavidKhonsari, creator of 1979 Revolution: Black Friday "Abeautiful, ornately detailed story where every panel is a workof art."—TheodoreTaylor III, creator of Off The Wall and illustrator ofGarvey's Choice“With an allegorical nod to modern Iran's turbulent politicalhistory, Moffitt and Khodabandeh's The Little Red Fishcaptures the sacrifice, betrayal, and heroism at the heart of everystruggle for freedom.  Khodabandeh's  graphic designsensibilities and obsessively detailed illustrations transform everypage and panel into a stained glass window of dazzling colors anddeft composition. Like the resistance tracts concealed in the fish merchant's algae kabobs, the story is delightfully layered withhidden meanings and symbolism that rewards the curious reader.”—Dara Naraghi, author of Persia Blues, Vol.1: Leaving Home"James Moffitt and BizhanKhodabandeh have crafted a subtle yet multilayered story that keepsyou gripped to the page. And just when you think you know wherethings are going—Wham!—an unexpected turn emerges. You’re sureto return to these pages to peel the layers and gaze at the beautifulillustrations.”—Matt Dembicki, creator of Trickster, WildOcean, and Xoc: The Journey of a Great White“Reminiscent of WatershipDown, The Little Red Fish is a multilayered look atthe complexities of humanity and survival, offering a glimpse intowhat the will to live means for a society and the heavy price to pay.Its allegorical storytelling, along with the engaging art, assuresthat this is a comic that will endure.”—Marguerite Dabaie, author of TheHookah Girl“Withan evident deep appreciation for comics as an art form, Khodabandehand Moffitt have crafted a story which feels both grounded in historyand currently relevant, giving TheLittle Red Fisha supernatural quality of ever-presence.”—JamesCallahan, illustrator ofThe Auteurand creator of Rottingin Dirtville“JamesMoffitt and Bizhan Khodabandeh do more than tell an effective storythrough an Orwellian lens. They launch the entertaining, gripping,and effective plight of a school of fish struggling to livepeaceably. Don’t let the cute underwater protagonists fool you: TheLittle Red Fishis allegory at its best.”—ChristopherIrving, author of LeapingTall Buildingsand Cliffhanger!Cinematic Superheroes of the Serials"Allegoryreminiscent of AnimalFarm,action reminiscent of WatershipDown,and a comics’ craftsmanship on-par with MouseGuard,Moffitt and Khodabandeh deliver an exciting and beautiful story aboutoppression and the dream of peace, even when the dream leads to thetaking up of arms.”—JasonRodriguez, co-editor of APB:ArtistsAgainst Police Brutalityand creator of ColonialComics“TheLittle Red Fishis a masterpiece of allegorical storytelling. Khodabandeh and Moffitthave created a gorgeously stylized world that packs a powerfulpunch.”—NoahScalin, creator of TheSkull A Day Projectand Leagueof Space Pirates performanceart project