Jeff Zapata was born and raised around New York City. After high school he worked as a stock boy at a TV store and would draw on the TV boxes hoping someone would appreciate his art. A few years later, Jeff got a call from Batman artist Neal Adams who said he bought a TV and loved the Batman art drawn on the box. Neal then referred Jeff with a note to Valiant comics. It was there he learned the comics business by some of the greats. This led to him working at Topps where his first assignment was Star Wars Episode One magazine. Jeff Zapata still lives near the Hudson River and likes to explore its banks.
Non-Sport Update: You have worked as both an art director and editor for Topps. What were your typical duties?