Pesto Comics - Audio Edition

A mid-year review of Pesto Comics covering three business pillars: direct market, crowdfunding, and books, plus plans for the back half of 2026. 00:00 Introduction 01:15 Pillar 1: Direct Market 04:29 Pillar 2: Crowdfunding 08:34 Pillar 3: Books 10:02 The Lesson of the first half of 2026 12:05 Looking Ahead: Second Half of 2026 16:37 Digital Strategy 17:29 Outside Comics 18:39 Wrap-Up == See everyt...

Naked Kaiju Woman is finally live on Kickstarter as a Kickstarter-exclusive series, with issue #3 kicking off a new direction that expands the kaiju lore as Sally and Claire’s island vacation goes off the rails. 00:00 Introduction 00:27 The Story Behind Naked Kaiju Woman 01:43 Future Plans & Expanding the Universe 02:53 The Story So Far 04:26 Variant Covers 06:07 Shipping & Fulfillment 07:22 Digit...

Do you want the latest on Pesto Comics without listening to me ramble? https://pestocomics.kit.com Sign up now and get a special secret reward for NKW#3 00:00 Pesto Comics: Behind the Pages and Reach 00:51 What I'm Most Proud Of: The Website 01:31 Getting Out There: In-Person Events 02:17 The Pesto Comics Roadshow 03:11 Free Comic Book Day & The Silver Snail 03:57 Local Comic Shop Day & SNIP #1 05...

Hello and welcome to Pesto Comics . My name’s Adriano -- I’m the writer, publisher, producer, and the guy who pulls these teams together to make sure you get awesome comics on your shelves and in your mailbox as frequently as I can possibly make happen. We’re just about to launch our latest campaign with Naked Kaiju Woman #3, which will be our 13th Kickstarter campaign. Beginner vs. Intermediate:...

One of the biggest communal experiences in the world is here starting today. What can comics do to replicate the same level of hype and excitement? 00:00 What Could've Been 01:08 Ticket Prices Are Untouchable 01:53 Watching at Fan Fest 02:18 What's the World Cup of Comics? 02:42 San Diego Comic-Con as the Closest Equivalent 03:49 Fragmented Conventions 04:34 Fandom Is Fandom 05:13 Go Canada Go ==...

Trying to grow while the headwinds push you back. 00:00 Introduction 00:40 The Direct Market Pipeline 01:32 Financing & Paying Artists 02:12 Seeking a Government Loan 03:04 Naked Kaiju Woman Flagged as Explicit 04:46 Kickstarter Policy Changes 05:19 Commitment to NKW & Future Plans == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: -------------------...

I'm back from vacation and turning 40 had me thinking a lot about showing up even when you don't feel like it - at the gym, at the desk, and everywhere else. I've got a lot on the go right now: From Parts Unknown #2 hits shelves June 3rd, SNIP fulfillment is wrapping up, and I'm working through a Big Smoke Pulp misprint. Plus - Naked Kaiju Woman #3 and Crimson Frontier are closer than ever. == Che...

It's my 40th birthday, and I'm feeling reflective. I talk about what this milestone means for a creative career, why starting later in life isn't a setback, and what's coming next from Pesto Comics - including From Parts Unknown, Snip, Naked Kaiju Woman, Crimson Frontier, and a few things I can't quite announce yet. 00:00 It's My 40th Birthday 00:44 What's Happening With Pesto Comics 01:51 What Tu...

I’m feeling great about comics right now and want to focus on what’s working rather than using negativity for clicks. 00:00 Positivity and the Algorithm 01:09 Something for Everyone 02:14 Diversity of Stories 04:22 A New Renaissance Period 05:43 Loving Comics Out Loud 07:18 Join the Conversation == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: -----...

Recapping my Free Comic Book Day signing at The Silver Snail and a break down why Free Comic Book Day is a misnomer that puts costs and risk on retailers. 00:00 Free Comic Book Day at The Silver Snail 00:45 A Shop That Means a Ton 01:35 The Problem with “Free” Comic Books 02:30 The Retailer’s Burden 03:39 The 2026 Distributor Split 04:38 Freebie Seekers vs. Customers 05:44 Navigating the Ecosystem...

It's the next day - and it's still surreal! From Parts Unknown #1 is available at your favorite comic book shop as of yesterday - and I'm so grateful. 00:00 The Day After 00:40 Release Day Road Show 04:23 The Oscar Speech 05:08 The Team 07:37 The Retailers 09:31 The Foundation 12:13 The Fans 13:46 Back to Reality == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Ma...

I have three distinct tracks that I need to manage - and try not to fall off one onto the other. 00:00 Yet Another Productivity Hack from Me... 00:54 Track 1: Crowdfunding 02:33 Track 2: Direct Market 04:33 Track 3: Novellas 05:47 The 2027 Gap 11:55 Momentum is Everything 14:44 Send me a letter to publish in From Parts Unknown! == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Co...

Why Small Podcasts Matter: Build Your Creative Community One Listener at a Time 00:00 Toronto Indie Author Conference 00:30 The Value of Small Podcasts 03:11 The Process Over the Numbers 05:17 Finding the Path 07:01 Building Community == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1 In Stores...

Professionalism means getting things done - regardless of whether you're feeling up to it. 00:00 Intro: Riding the High 00:08 Where Pesto Comics Stands in 2026 01:14 Planning 2027: Crimson Frontier & Unfinished Scripts 02:28 Procrastination & Plates Spinning 02:44 Shiny Object Syndrome (and Why It's Both a Trap and a Gift) 03:26 Professional vs. Hobbyist: On Finishing What You Start 05:37 Start Sm...

From Parts Unknown #1 Hits Nearly 5,000 Orders — Thank You + What’s Next The numbers for From Parts Unknown #1 are in, and I couldn't be happier with the sales! Reporting just under 5,000 orders, this is a huge win for Pesto Comics in the comic book industry. 00:00 The Big Numbers 00:52 Thank You 01:25 Career Highlight 02:01 The Plan for 2026 02:32 The 2027 Challenge 03:01 Release Schedule 03:53 S...

FOC week is here - and it has me thinking about my mental health. 00:00 FOC Week Is Here 00:34 New Production Designer 01:22 Letters Page Announcement 02:56 Kickstarter & Direct Market Strategy 09:44 Managing the Workload 11:39 Burnout & Seeking Help 13:14 Knowing When to Step Back 15:18 Why It's Worth It 16:51 Closing & Next Week == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto...

in indie comics I’m both writer and publisher, because I have to manage production, project coordination, and especially marketing to get books made. I explain why the writer-versus-artist argument misses the point, why comics require a team and constant hustle, and why I’m also developing my novel series Backlot Babylon when I want a singular voice. I also address getting unsolicited proposals an...

After being waitlisted for TCAF, I’m reflecting on why "rejection" is actually providing the clarity I need to pivot away from the stress of convention tabling. I discuss the shift toward the direct market, the success of my latest projects, and why my "mainstream" style is finding a better home south of the border and in local comic shops. Join me as I talk about building a creator community in T...

I can and should do better, but things are rolling along! 00:00 Hello Again 01:47 Big Smoke Pulp Vol. 2 03:51 From Parts Unknown #1 05:48 Snip 1 & 2 07:54 Naked Kaiju Woman #3 08:40 Crimson Frontier 09:29 Prime Cut 10:04 Untitled Mattia Monaco Book 10:24 Untitled Sword & Sorcery Book 11:05 Avoiding Burnout 12:13 Coming Next Week == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto C...

They call it the Messy Middle for a reason. 00:00 The Mid-Campaign Dead Zone 01:32 Followers and the Direct Market 03:11 The 100-Week Timeline 05:19 The Pesto Vault 06:04 The Messy Middle == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Comics: SNIP 1 & 2 https://bit.ly/snip1comic NAKED KAIJU WOMAN 3 https://bit.ly/nkw3 CRIMSON FRONTIER 1 & 2 https://bit.ly/cf1comic PRIM...

Sometimes you just need to do what works. 00:00 Pivot Back to Audio 01:02 The Change in Strategy 02:49 The AM Radio Host 05:38 Always Comics 06:44 Doubling Down on What Works 08:40 Different Streams for Different Audiences 11:20 Experience is the Best Teacher 14:25 One More Thing == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Comics: SNIP 1 & 2 https://bit.ly/snip1comi...

We're back to audio every other week, for the off weeks when we're not doing video. This week, I reflect on the launch of SNIP and how I try to keep perspective in it all. 00:00 A Return to Audio 01:23 The Launch of Snip 02:58 The Kickstarter Advantage 03:58 Progress and Perspective 06:42 The Mental Game of Crowdfunding 09:28 What's the Point? 12:18 Thanks for Everything This is a public episode....

Join me as I embark on a 100-week journey to make Pesto Comics a full-time publishing house, starting with the dual-issue launch of 'Snip'. Featuring stunning artwork and Kickstarter-exclusive covers, your support is crucial to our success. Let's build this dream together! 00:00 The 100-Week Challenge Begins 00:09 Building the Foundation of Pesto Comics 00:31 Entering the Direct Market 00:38 Revol...

In this episode of Pesto Comics, Adriano announces a major development: Pesto Comics is going global in 2026 through a new partnership with Prana Publishers. This collaboration will enable Pesto Comics titles to be distributed worldwide via Lunar Distribution, Universal Distribution, and Diamond UK. Adriano outlines how this changes Pesto Comics Kickstarter campaigns, the introduction of biweekly...

I'm reflecting on the evolving indie comic market and the importance of staying current with indie comic trends. The role of digital comics app in reaching a wider audience. Ultimately, it's about making comics that resonate.00:00 Introduction 00:51 Trend 1: The Vertical Revolution 02:05 Trend 2: Digests and Compacts 02:50 Trend 3: Manga-fication of Storytelling 04:02 Summing It Up 05:16 Super Sec...