Best of the Bronx: Disabled comic book artist draws with mouth

<p>Bronx-born comic book artist Louis Cruz suffers from a disability that doesn't allow him to use his arms or hands, however, it hasn't stopped him from doing what he loves; the 45-year-old uses his mouth to write and illustrate comic books.</p>

News 12 Staff

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Jun 19, 2017, 11:53 AM

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Updated 2,690 days ago

Bronx-born comic book artist Louis Cruz suffers from a disability that doesn't allow him to use his arms or hands, however, it hasn't stopped him from doing what he loves; the 45-year-old uses his mouth to write and illustrate comic books.

"I actually wanted to be a police officer when I was young. But my doctor told me I couldn't do it because of my disability," he says.

Born and raised in Morris Heights Cruz has a love for all things sci-fi.

"My parents encouraged me to do writing and drawing."

Encouraging him because Arthrogryposis is a condition when joints don't move as normal.

"I used to write with my hands. And this teacher in high school was writing so fast I couldn’t keep up so I said you know what, let me put a pen in my mouth and I kept going from there."

And at the age of 14, he figured if he could write with his mouth - he could draw too.

"I picked up writing better because it easier to describe a character than to draw it and I've been doing it ever since."

Cruz works with other artists to draw what he imagines. And he has a pretty packed resume.

He has been published twice and has produced titles like 'Cursed and the Damned,' a werewolves vs. zombies comic, and a five-page anthology for art comic.

"Don’t let anyone tell you that you can't do anything. Your imagination is what gives you the energy to do what you want," he says.