Jim M. Fernandez (February 21, 1936 – June 13, 2022) was aFilipinocomic book artist best known for his works onAztec andAliwan Komiks. He also popularized the fictional character,Zuma in his novels.[1][2] Apart from being an editor, illustrator, cartoonist, and writer forPhilippine comics, Fernandez was also acertified public accountant in thePhilippines.[3]
During college, Fernandez was the editor ofThe Commerce Journal,The English Journal, andTheUST Commerce Silver Jubilee Book.[3]
As an illustrator, Fernandez was influenced by theTarzan character byEdgar Rice Burroughs. In 1953, he was mentored by Tony S. Velasquez, a Filipino illustrator for the Velasquez Advertising Agency.[3]
Fernandez started his formal career as an illustrator by accepting the project to create drawings for the short storyBatas ni Sumakwel published by Marte Publications. After this first assignment, Fernandez illustrated forMabuhay Komiks andExtra Komiks. Afterwards, he illustrated for Gemiliano Pineda's novelMga Haragan;Mars Ravelo'sMariposa,Dalaginding na si Tessie ("Tessie is Now a Young Woman"),Darna at ang Impakta,Darna at ang Babaing Tuod,Captain Barbel,Haydee,Elepanta, andFlash Bomba; Rico Bello Omagap'sAng Nobya Kong Igorota ("MyIgorot Girlfriend"); Tony Tenorio'sSor Matilde; andTony Velasquez'sLupang Ginto ("Gold Land"),Ulilang Christmas Tree ("Orphaned Christmas Tree"), andAng Mahal Kong Bungal ("My Incomplete-Toothed Loved One").[3]
In 1963, Fernandez became the co-founder of CRAF Publications, the publisher ofRedondo Komix andAlcala Fight Komix. During the same year, Fernandez established the Real Publications, the publisher ofBolniks Komiks andLindelmel Komiks. In 1965, Fernandez went back to the Roces Publications, the publisher ofPilipino Komiks,Hiwaga Komiks,Espesyal Komiks, andTagalog Klasiks.[3] In 1966, he illustratedMars Ravelo'sTiny Tony.[4]
In 1967, Fernandez studied at the Famous Artist School. It was during this period when Fernandez's black-and-white rendition ofDarna at ang Impakta was given an "A-rating" by B.Th. Closset, together with the comment "very good handling of pen and ink". Also in 1967, Fernandez created the cartoonFeathers for theManila Times newspaper.[3]
During the end of the 1970s, Fernandez started writing and illustrating his own novels. His first novel wasThe Fighting Priest inHiwaga Komiks. His other novels wereFarida,The Dormitory,The Grandmaster,Nunal sa Balikat ("Mole on the Shoulders"), andStarex. In 1973, Fernandez focused more on writing instead of drawing. Fernandez's novelsHalik sa Hangin ("Kiss in the Wind") andTitang were illustrated byHal Santiago; hisThe Astronaut andMission: Jupiter were drawn by Mar. T. Santana; hisAztec was illustrated by Elmer Esquivias.[3]
After working for Atlas Publications, Fernandez started illustrating for Graphic Arts Service, Inc. (GASI) in March 1976, where his novelsAnak ni Zuma (Aliwan Komiks),The Gorgon,Astrobal,The Cannibal,Jeric-the Boy from Mars,Polaris,Virga,Borbo, andAngkan ni Zuma ("Clan of Zuma") appeared in print. Fernandez also authored the novelsKambal sa Uma (Kislap Magazine),Anak ni Kro (Affiliated Publications),Karpetina (Affiliated Publications), andMulawina (Affiliated Publications),Uso pa ba ang Birhen (Liwayway),Tiza (Liwayway),Touchdown (Liwayway), andAnak ni Touchdown ("Touchdown's Child") (Liwayway), andNazka (Rex Publications).[3]
A number of Fernandez's novels were adapted into film.[5] Among them were hisNunal sa Balikat,Farida,The Dormitory,Life Everlasting,Kingpin,Brutus,Kambal sa Uma, andAnak ni Zuma. Fernandez received the amount of 100,000pesos forAnak ni Zuma when it was adapted for the cinemas.[3]In 2009, the successful remake of Jim Fernandez' Kambal Sa Uma starring Shaina Magdayao and Melissa Ricks and the original actress who played both roles Multi-Awarded Actress Rio Locsin who played the twins in the film adaptation Locsin also gave pointers to both actresses on the role she similarly portrayed 30 years ago.
In college, Fernandez won the gold medal during a student's debate competition at theUniversity of Santo Tomas. Fernandez's illustrations for Mars Ravelo'sDarna at ang Impakta garnered him the Award for Excellence in Illustration from the Society of Philippine Illustrators and Cartoonists (SPIC).[3]
Fernandez's brother, Rolando Fernandez, is his assistant illustrator.[3]