Helping Molly Magnell with her project. She also took this photo
Publishing/Speaking inquiries: Ed Maxwell ed@transatlanticagency.com / 212.206.5600
US/UK Illustration inquiries: Morgan Gaynin info@morgangaynin.com / 212.475-0440
All else, Questions, Features, etc: hello@debleeart.com
Instagram / “Twitter” / Bluesky
Hey, I’m Deb (they/them). I am a Korean-American Brooklyn-based illustrator. You may know me for my award-winning graphic memoir IN LIMBO, or from this unfortunately viral image. I was also in an internet cult from 2009-2011.
Books:
“In Limbo” - (2023) First Second Books - a graphic novel memoir about the intersection of Korean-American diaspora and mental health.
“The Other Side of Tomorrow” - (2024) Harper Alley - illustrating Tina Cho’s graphic novel about children escaping North Korea.
“The Invisible Boy” - (2020) Roaring Brook Press - illustrated Alyssa Hollingsworth’s novel about the next-door neighbor and his secret.
Commercial clients:
Apple, BMW, Faber-Castell, Google, Johnnie Walker, LEGO, LinkedIn, Lyft, Martell, McDonalds, Meta, Nissin Cup Noodle, Wells Fargo
Publishing clients:
Chronicle Books, Disney Hyperion, Harper Collins, Macmillan Publishers, Random House, Simon and Schuster, Tor
Written Features + Press:
Korean American artist explores identity, belonging in award-winning graphic memoir ‘In Limbo’ / The Korea Times
Deb JJ Lee at Almost Perfect / Almost Perfect
Understanding The Mental Health Journey In The Korean American Community With Author Deb JJ Lee / Forbes
The Candid Visual Storytelling of Deb JJ Lee / Hyperallergic
In graphic memoir 'In Limbo,' a Korean American finds healing and humanity / NPR
MACKIDS SPOTLIGHT: DEB JJ LEE / Macmillan Publishers
Interview with Artist Deb JJ Lee / Geeks Out
Artist Turns Down $3,000 Fortnite Job Offer, Calls It 'Hilarious' / Kotaku
A New Refrain From Artists: We ‘Almost Gave Up on Instagram’ / New York Times
A Conversation About Book Covers with Illustrator Deborah Lee, A Rising New Voice in Children’s Books / James Preller
Design Alumna on the New Yorker and Being “IN LIMBO” / CMU Design
An artist's perspective on depression and how life informs our craft w/ Deborah Lee / Haifidelity Podcast
Artist Spotlight: Deborah Lee / Inprnt Blog
Meet the Artist: Deborah Lee / Procreate App
Q&A: How Illustrator Deborah Lee Turns Her Sadness Into Artistry And Joy / Character Media
@jdebbiel, Featured Illustrator / Ballpit Mag
Deb J. Lee, Recent Work / Supersonic Art
Awards:
Young Guns Finalist 2025, Ignatz Awards (Winner for Promising New Talent, Nominated for Outstanding Artist), Eisner Awards (Nominated for Best Graphic Memoir), Harvey Awards (Nominated for Best Children/Young Adult Graphic Novel), Society of Illustrators (Gold Medal 2023, Silver Medal (2024))
Speaker/Panel Events:
Juror/Guest Speaker - Ringling College of Art and Design, 2024
Panelist - San Diego Comic Con, 2023
Panelist - TCAF, 2023
Guest Speaker - Washington University in St Louis, 2023
Guest Speaker - Carnegie Mellon University, 2023
Guest Speaker - School of Visual Arts, 2023
Guest Speaker - University of Southern California, 2022
Guest Speaker - Maryland Institute College of Art, 2022
Guest Speaker - Fashion Institute of Technology, 2022
Design Lecture Series Speaker - Carnegie Mellon University, 2021
GROW Keynote Speaker - AIGA Austin, 2020
Jumpstart your Illustration Career (while staying true to yourself, your art, and your identity) — Lightbox Expo, 2019
Galleries + Shows:
“And We Dance” solo show, Almost Perfect Tokyo, 2024
“Return to the Unknown: The Over the Garden Wall 10 year Anniversary Show”, group exhibition, Gallery Nucleus 2024
“Let’s do this again: Official Spider-verse Show”, group exhibition, Gallery Nucleus, 2023
“Art of IN LIMBO and Deb JJ Lee”, solo show, Gallery Nucleus, 2023
“Neko Show”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2021
“Totoro Show 6”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2020
“The Plant Show 3”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2020
“Deep Forest”, group exhibition, Giant Robot, 2020
“Salut!5”, group exhibition, Nucleus Portland, 2020
"GOODNIGHT", solo exhibition, The Frame Gallery, 2018
"Assemblage", group exhibition, The Miller Gallery, 2017