about Behemoth
Founded in 2024 in California’s Central Valley by writers and artists Jared Joseph, Valentino Di Pietro Hernandez, and Scott Knoll; Behemoth Magazine started as a passion project by a couple of college students, and has since grown into a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing art, education, and equity.
In its debut issue alone, Behemoth Magazine published over 80 creative works from contributors across more than 12 countries, reflecting its commitment to diversity in art and expression. Since then, the organization has produced original zines showcased at the ZIne Pavilion during the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, and contributed to Fanzineist Vienna in Austria. Behemoth has also supported community initiatives, helping Secret Identity Comics Fresno raise over $2,000 during Heroes Fest, for the benefit Project Wish Upon a Star.
Led by a masthead of substitute teachers, community leaders, mental health activists, published writers, and visual artists; Behemoth Magazine continues to create opportunities for both artists and non-artists alike to learn, publish, and connect.
Behemoth Magazine provides a canvas for our global network of poets, artists, writers, designers, and photographers to let loose on as we use these canvases to spread Art in all of its forms; breaking down barriers of expression and education.
Our Core Values
Art
We believe art is a powerful tool for storytelling, community-building, and cultural transformation. At Behemoth, we support artists whose work challenges convention, uplifts underrepresented voices, and sparks dialogue across borders. Art is not just expression—it’s action. Through every project we publish and promote, we affirm our commitment to art as a force for equity, creativity, and social impact.
Wellness
We believe creative work should not come at the cost of personal health. At Behemoth, we value rest, reflection, and emotional sustainability as essential parts of the artistic process. We foster a culture of care—supporting our contributors, collaborators, and community with practices that center mental health, boundaries, and well-being.
Equity
We are committed to dismantling barriers in publishing and the arts. Equity at Behemoth means actively uplifting underrepresented voices, redistributing access to platforms and resources, and challenging systems that silence or marginalize. We believe every creator deserves to be seen, heard, and valued—no exceptions.
Why an Art Collective and Literary Magazine?
Behemoth Magazine is both an art collective and a literary magazine because we believe creativity in all its forms—writing, comics, photography, and visual art—has the power to shape culture, spark dialogue, and build stronger communities. We proudly recognize comics as a legitimate literary art form, capable of telling nuanced, impactful stories that resonate across generations.
We are honored to be included in Chillsubs list of 200+ Magazines Who Publish Comics, Art, or Other Visual Works, a testament to our ongoing commitment to showcasing diverse visual storytelling.
At Behemoth, we defend the right to read, create, and share stories freely. In a time of growing censorship and book bans—especially those silencing marginalized voices—we stand for artistic freedom and the preservation of diverse perspectives.
In our inaugural digital issue, we featured over 80 artists and writers from across the globe, including 14 from California’s Central Valley. Through mentorship, editorial experience, and community engagement, Behemoth empowers emerging creatives to develop their skills, contribute to academic and professional fields, and promote wellness through artistic expression.
Beyond publishing, we support academic growth by helping students strengthen their writing and communication skills for college and beyond. Through workshops, mentorship, and personalized editorial feedback, we prepare new voices for success in both academic and professional spaces.
Through creative expression, collaboration, and advocacy, Behemoth Magazine builds a future where every story matters—and every voice has a place to be heard.
Cultivating Creative Expression and Community Wellness
While enrolled in a California State University, most of our board members participated in the Young Writers Conference hosted by Fresno State. The platform allowed young writers to be engaged in art and writing, even in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the organization’s founding, we’ve been honored to share our creative work in our zine series Aftershock, where the Behemoth board and contributors from our communities collaborate. Afershock has been showcased at Fanzineist Vienna, the American Library Association Conference in Philadelphia, Cat Zine Fest, Heroes Fest, and Fresno Zine Fest. Through these events, During Heroes Fest, sponsored by Secret Identity Comics Fresno, Behemoth alongside several local artists and vendors helped raise over $2,000 at Heroes Fest for the benefit of Project Stars of Hope.
In addition to literary works, we also host the podcast “Jaws of the Behemoth” found on major streaming platforms, where we interview creatives, discuss media censorship and pop culture, and talk about our craft.
As aspiring artists, writers, community workers, volunteers, and creatives from a small rural community, Behemoth wishes to share our platform to showcase underrepresented voices internationally and celebrate the power of storytelling through writing, art, comics, and photography, and raise awareness for book banning and censorship.
At Behemoth Magazine, we harness this renewed interest in literature sparked from social media to foster authentic, non-AI-generated creative works. As both an art collective and literary magazine, we provide a platform for readers and aspiring artists to engage deeply with visual storytelling, writing, and cultural expression. Our mission is to amplify underrepresented voices, support living artists and writers, and serve communities that have historically lacked access to such opportunities.
By supporting and publishing human-made art and literature, we strive to encourage aspiring writers, enhance mental well-being, and promote literacy through art and writing.
