James Kochalka is, without question, one of the most unique and prolific alternative cartoonists working in America today. His comics have been published internationally by almost every alternative comics publisher; he's recorded several music albums under the name James Kochalka Superstar (making him a favorite at college radio stations across the country); and he's developed animated cartoons for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Hangover.

He is the first official Cartoonist Laureate of the state of Vermont, appointed in 2011.

Among his best-known works are the Monkey vs Robot series, the Eisner-Award-winning Johnny Boo and Dragon Puncher series for children, the Glorkian Warrior series, and his magnum opus, the decade-plus span of daily diary comics known as American Elf.