Update 03: 9/03/26
Hello! It’s been a while; my bad, but I hope everyone’s been well. The reason for my absence is a good one, I hope, as it’s time to officially announce the Kickstarter for Issue 1 is now Live and will be launching September 11! It’s been so much work to get here which I will explain more in an upcoming newsletter (so if you’re not subscribed, make sure you do so (shameless plug, I know)) but it all leads to this: the culmination of literal YEARS of work, and learning to wear a many a hat. I will save all the sentimental stuff for post-campaign, but I do want to thank each and every person who’s helped me along the way. While I have done most of the tangible work, this book wouldn’t have been made without everyone who contributed with feedback, advice, motivation, and support throughout this entire process. Please make sure to sign up to get notified on the Kickstarter page, because that does help push it out to more people, and potentially become one of the coveted “Projects We Love” pages on the site. Thank you all once again, and hopefully you can support on September 11. See you then. Bye, y’all!
Update 02: 7/28/26
We have physicals! After a litany of hurdles such as a printer temporarily closing up shop, emails sent to Spam folders, and a two and a half hour drive (because of bathroom breaks) to and from the new printers, we have the first physical copies of Keith and Demi in hand! Although it is only the ashcan, it was a good trial run to see how all of mine, Kevin, and Swen’s work translated onto the physical page. And it looks beautiful! To not be a total geek on the internet, I never knew how much you could dislike paper! It’s one of those things when you think “I want to make comic books as my career” that doesn’t cross your mind, but the quality and feel of that book in your hand really does make a difference. So it’s good that these feel great and the pages that have sat on my computer or in a PDF for so long are realized in the meat space. There are only 20 copies of the ashcan, however, and they’re (mostly) limited to the greater Florida area. If you’re lucky, and the universe does it’s magic, you-yes you-could potentially be the first person to own a copy of K&D! I feel like Willy Wonka right now. Anyways, next on the docket is still getting ready for that Kickstarter. If you have any ideas for rewards, addons, or stretch goals, make sure you send me an email or a message on the socials. I’ll be taking the rest of this week to work on some art and then get cracking on the next issue. I’ll post updates whenever I have stuff to share, but maybe I’ll do some regular progress reports, who knows? Bye, y’all!
Update 01: 7/26/26
We did it! As of today, Keith and Demi Issue 01 is fully drawn! It’s been a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, and uses of a white gel pen, but 20 pages of this story are done. Only 100 more to go! The best, and worst, part about this first issue is how much I’ve grown as an artist over these two months of completing pages. On the one hand, seeing the difference in quality of Page 1 (the last page I did) and Page 5 (the first) is stupefying, however, that jump in quality might turn some people away from the book, which would suck. I have to hope the “Come for the art, stay for the story” adage that permeates throughout the comic community is true. Regardless, shitty artist Mike and present, slightly better Mike are equally excited for you all to have this story! But, there’s a lot more to do. We still have coloring from the amazing Kevin Betou to finish up, lettering (which I’ve been told is my weak spot), continuing promotion-which, if anyone has ideas for that isn’t make 4 billion TikToks, I’d greatly appreciate it-and, hopefully soon, the dreaded Kickstarter. Not dreaded in that I don’t want to do it, but dreaded in my anxiety is already spiking just thinking about asking people for money. I sit in my room all day and draw comics, I’m not a business person. Alas, we’ll make it work…hopefully. So lots of work to do, but work that I love so why complain? I’ll leave you with a bit of that aforementioned Page 1 as a reward for enduring my rambling. Oh, I almost forgot! I guess I have to add “Start writing Issue 2” to that list, huh? Well, let me get to it then. Bye, y’all!