David Yurkovich began an on-again/off-again career in self-publishing after receiving a Xeric grant in 1996. His Top Shelf releases, Less Than Heroes and Death by Chocolate: Redux enabled him to live off sushi for three consecutive weeks. Having blown his fortune on blowfish, Yurkovich returned to work on various projects including The Bill Mantlo Project, a benefit book for Marvel Comics writer Bill Mantlo, published by Yurkovich’s own Sleeping Giant Creations imprint. David and his bride, Dianne Pearce, are currently developing several children's books and graphic novels.