
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Penguin
Levi Hoffmeier was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. Amidst an upbringing in film, comics, and action figures, his elementary school art teacher handed him a treasure trove of comics and VHS tapes imported from Japan (before it was cool). Subsequently in awe of both the splendor of American comics and the powerful inks of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball, Levi started drawing stories.
Under the moniker Leviathan, his early webcomic, Halo: Fistful of Arrows, made such an impact on the Halo fan community that even Microsoft continues to hint at its canonicity. Years later, videos detailing its story still garner upward of a million views on YouTube. Its success led to working with Microsoft on official Halo works including Halo Evolutions from Tor, and the new Halo Encyclopedia out now from Dark Horse.

Levi went on to create an ongoing science-fiction graphic novel entitled Mayflower, which he promoted at conventions and shows across the U.S in the late 2010’s. He’s currently hard at work on his manga-inspired comic, ReMaster Monk.

In 2020 and 2021, Levi handled the art for Kansas City Public Library‘s Summer Reading campaigns, helping to pioneer outreach for youth literacy amidst the pandemic. In 2023, Levi worked with KC Mayor Sly James’ literacy non-for-profit, Turn the Page KC, to design a children’s book for the new KCI Airport Terminal. He’s currently designing and illustrating work for the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.
When not drawing, Levi is likely sunbathing with The Clash blaring in his ears, still trying to figure out what happened in that last episode of Twin Peaks.