As a kid, my dream was to write comic books. In the mid-80s, I even wrote to Marvel Comics asking how to break into the industry. I actually received a kind letter back from then-Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, inviting me to come to New York after graduation to work at Marvel.
While life took me on a different path, that dream never truly faded. So, when I saw the panel “Make Your Own Damn Comic Book: Turning Your Comic Book Dreams Into Reality” at Planet Comicon Kansas City, I knew I had to check it out.
The Journey of Michael Kingston
Comic book writer Michael Kingston has been writing his own books for 15 years. During the panel, he shared the journey of creating his independent brand, Headlocked Comics. By combining his two great loves—professional wrestling and comic books—he managed to create something that truly stands out in a crowded market.
Being a fan of both mediums, Kingston noticed striking similarities in their storytelling. “Wrestling is a three-dimensional version of comics,” he noted. Growing up, he felt the wrestling comics that occasionally hit the shelves were poorly written and clearly didn’t come from a place of fandom. This inspired him to create a well-told wrestling story in a comic format.
From Rejection to Revolution
Kingston initially tried pitching his high-quality wrestling comic to established publishers, but he says they practically laughed him out of the room, claiming no one would read wrestling comics.
Instead of giving up, he leaned into his passion and founded Headlocked Comics. For Kingston, it wasn’t about a quick “cash-in”; it was about making the books he wanted to read as a fan.
Top 10 Tips for Aspiring Creators
Kingston pointed out that while it has never been easier to create a comic, that also means there is more competition than ever. To get noticed, you have to avoid doing what everyone else is doing. Here is his “Top 10” advice for those looking to start their own journey:
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Acknowledge the Artist’s Advantage: It is inherently easier for artists because they can write and draw their own work; writers must focus on finding the right creative partner.
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Budget Wisely: Account for every cent spent on printing, art, marketing, and distribution.
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Get it in Writing: Always have contracts between writers and artists that clearly spell out ownership and profit-sharing if the book takes off.
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Know Your Audience: Understand exactly who is consuming your content.
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Be Bold: Don’t “round off the edges” of your story to try to please everyone. Tell your “weird, crazy story” exactly how you envisioned it.
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Find the Gaps: Go where other creators aren’t. It’s easier to get noticed in a niche that isn’t already over-represented.
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Collaborate: As a writer, the beauty of comics is the partnership. Listen to your artists and value their input.
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There is No “Right” Path: Every creator’s journey is different; there is no single map to success.
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Conquer Fear: Fear is your biggest obstacle to starting.
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Just Do the Thing: The secret is to start—and then just keep doing it.
Final Insights
Kingston left the audience with a few more powerful thoughts:
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Everyone has at least one great story in them—and many people have many more.
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The independent comic scene is like the Wild West; it’s unpredictable, but full of opportunity.
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The comic world is a community of people struggling together to make what they love.
He also offered a reality check: “Comics have high overhead and a low price point. You’d get laughed out of Shark Tank.” It’s a labor of love, but one that is clearly worth the effort.
Thank you, Michael Kingston, for sharing your story and your expertise with us. It was incredibly KOOL and inspiring!
Stay Geeky!
