Joaquim Dos Santos

Joaquim Dos Santos, born Joaquim Aranha dos Santos on July 22, 1977 in Lisbon, Portugal, is a prolific Portuguese‑born American creative whose career spans over two decades in animated storytelling. After moving to the United States at age four, he developed a passion for drawing and narrative, eventually breaking into the industry as a storyboard artist on the original Justice League series in the early 2000s. His talent quickly earned him a promotion to director during the show's third season, where he co‑directed the acclaimed Justice League Unlimited and crafted the dramatic final episode “Destroyer”. In the middle of the second season of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Dos Santos joined the staff as a storyboard artist before directing key episodes in the third season, including the two‑part series finale that showcased his skill in balancing humor, action, and emotional resonance. He continued his collaboration with the Avatar universe by co‑directing the entire first season of its sequel, The Legend of Korra, and serving as co‑executive producer for the series, cementing his reputation as a versatile leader in animated television. Beyond superhero and fantasy realms, he supervised the mini‑series G.I. Joe: Resolute and returned to Warner Bros. Animation to direct the DC Showcase shorts The Spectre and Jonah Hex, further demonstrating his range across genres. As co‑showrunner and executive producer of Voltron: Legendary Defender, he helped revitalize the classic franchise for a new generation. Most recently, he co‑directed the groundbreaking film Spider‑Man: Across the Spider‑Verse (2023), bringing his dynamic visual style to the big screen before stepping away from the upcoming sequel. Today he lives in Woodland Hills, California, where he continues to mentor emerging talent and shape the future of animation.