Ep: 145 What Does It Take to Make an Indie Comic? Jesse & Joe Explain

What does it really take to create, publish, and sell an indie comic book?On this episode of Talkin' Comics, AJ Reimann sits down with Jesse of Dinosaur Comics and Joe Soliz of Child's Play Comics for a wide-ranging conversation about the realities of making independent comics.Joe talks about creating How to Hunt a Hero, Malia Mayhem, and Fanny, while Jesse shares the story behind Jankla, Teen Strike, Dinosaur Planet, and his journey from more than 25 years in the video game industry into comics.The conversation covers:How indie comic creators get startedTurning ideas into actual comic booksKickstarter comics and crowdfundingSelling comics at comic conventionsHow to price independent comicsWhy $5 comics can be a powerful entry pointCreating issue zero booksMaking comics for kids and teensManga-sized comics and compact editionsThe growing indie comics sceneComic conventions, schools, and librariesWriting, art, character design, and storytellingHow a video-game career can lead into comicsFavorite comics and charactersThe challenges of marketing independent comicsJoe explains how their short issue-zero format grew into an affordable way for readers to discover their books, while Jesse discusses how his comics have performed at conventions and how he's thinking about future editions.We also get into the importance of making comics accessible to younger readers, including all-ages books, activity books, manga formats, and school/library events.If you're a comic book fan, aspiring comic creator, indie publisher, Kickstarter creator, artist, writer, or convention-goer, there's a lot here for you.Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_PodcastGuest: Jesse Sosa @skankerzero https://dinosaurentertainment.com/Guest : Joe Soliz https://www.facebook.com/childsplaygamesandgeekery https://childsplaycomics.square.site/🗯️Find our comic books, merch, trading card art, and more!: https://www.talkincomics.com/📰Sign up for our newsletter 🗨 Get your FREE preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://talkincomicspodcast.substack.com/🎥 🎞️ We Didn't Just Make a Comic... We MADE the Comic. Hit the Notify me on lunch to support this documentary made by Talkin’ Comics Podcast! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/641500179/we-didnt-just-make-a-comic-we-made-the-comic🫵 Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingComicsPodcast📚 Follow Our Journey Into Comics👫 Family Friendly🎙 Creator Conversations🦸🏼 Learning to Write & Draw👉 Order The Chronicles of Panel Pete and more at https://www.talkincomics.com/category/comicsSponsors:• Allegra Printing – Printing The Chronicles of Panel Pete 👉🖨 For your comic book printing needs please visit Allegra Traverse City (Tell them AJ Sent You) https://www.allegramarketingprint.com...Printing-Comic Books-Fliers-Prints-Business Cards-Rack Cards-Promotional Items-Etc⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Talkin' Comics03:35 – Jesse's Journey From Video Games to Comics10:52 – How to Hunt a Hero & Building Indie Comics12:34 – Malia Mayhem & Fanny18:00 – Jankla and Selling Comics at Conventions20:48 – Comic Conventions, Schools & Libraries24:01 – All-Ages Comics & Dinosaur Planet26:45 – Why Manga-Sized Comics Are Growing32:17 – Discovering the Love of Writing35:11 – From Video Game Art to Comic Book Art39:03 – The Hardest Part of Making Comics: Marketing41:31 – The $5 Comic Book Strategy45:07 – First Comics & Favorite Characters49:36 – Indie Comics vs. Marvel & DC1:04:43 – The Ultimate Comic Book Universe Question1:18:40 – Comic Conventions, Free Tables & What's Next1:20:35 – Upcoming Kickstarters & Future Comics#TalkinComics #IndieComics #ComicBooks #ComicBookCreators #ComicConMusic licensed through Soundstripe.Code: HB2GVPD6H2WABWKK