Today, I sit with Kenny Meyers to talk with him about Sweet Shop the newest hub for Digital Comics Marketplace. Along with Bindings Comic Marketing made easy and Find your Comic Store its one thing to say that you love Comic Books but to say make your entire ecosystem in helping creators makes you really wanna fight for this guy. Kenny in the last year or so has taken on more than 24 publishers honed in on his launch any day now from Image, IDW, Fantagraphics, and Dark Horse to name a few. The Comic Creator feels slighted by the subscription model that many are moving to as click and buy should be what we want in getting the creators paid. Kenny feels with Sweet Shop that this is the focus that not only the consumer but the creator as well can thrive from.

Join the Waitlist at https://sweetshop.app/

Happy New Year as a new season begins for the Faqs Project in 2026. As we get a chance to talk to Randy Stone about his latest project on Kickstarter. The Supernatural Horror based in the Nanavut Region of the Northwest Territories of Canada near the Arctic Ocean in FROST BITTEN. A Stranger arrives at a remote town with a population of less than 200 people wounded as he is being hunted. A Sheriff and his Pregnant Wife who have hopes to one day leave this town with no connected roadways to the mainland with child on the way. Until creatures arrive to finish their hunt plus some more. Randy and Co-Writer Christopher Sebala even dive into the Wendigo Mythology as the creature hunting the town is an ancient beast. This 48 page One Shot Graphic Novel is a must for all looking into the fear of an isolated town with no help and nowhere to go.

Written by Christopher Sebala and Randy Stone

Artwork by Henry Ponciano

Letters by Lucas Gattoni

Cover Art by Marina Krivenko

Where do I start as to first thank everyone listening to the Faqs project in 2025. Today's Pod I talk about not only the Comics that moved me for 2025, but also some of the news stories that moved the needle on the industry. Creator owned comics may have not seen as much trickle down dollar wise as their mainstream predecessors, but there were many great stories to choose from whether you frequent Image, Boom, Mad Cave, Oni Press, Dark Horse, or even Kickstarter Indies. There are many standouts that I know I may have missed a few and they are substantial. There was so much to choose from as we look forward to 2026 as you take those meaningful trips to your local comic store and not just treat the comics as a collectable but read and enjoy these stories.

Thank you from the Faqs Project

Today’s episode journeys into the heart of 14th-century West Africa as we explore the upcoming comic Musa: Lion of Mali. Join as we talk with Adeatoyshe Heru and TJ Sterling about reimagining the rise of Mansa Musa—the richest man in history—as a sweeping heroic saga filled with intrigue, battles, loyalty, legacy, and destiny.

We discuss how the comic combines historical authenticity with high-energy action, the artistic vision shaping ancient Mali through the lens of historical fantasy, and the importance of telling epic stories rooted in Black history.

TJ and Ade also give us a first look at what’s inside the Kickstarter, speaking on the creative team ranging from industry veterans to passionate interns who wanted to be a part of the project. If you love powerful origin stories and stunning comic artistry, step into the world of Musa: Lion of Mali.

Gainsbourg is a Demon with a unique skill that he happens to be very good at, Torture. Until a newly damned soul of a seemingly innocent 12 year old girl named Katie changes his perspective on everything. Nick Edwards take us on a journey into Hell where you find someone of the utmost bounds of evil now questioning his purpose and principles.

We ask how Katie change the landscape of hell while a Demon finds compassion for her when he shouldn't. As well as seeing so many adaptations of the great underworld, can the concept of Hell be overwhelming to keep the story managed when you can make it whatever you feel it is.

Written by Nick Edwards for Unearthly Comics

Artworks by Dave Schuler

All Negro Comics is a landmark issue in U.S. Comic History curated in 1947 by Orrin C. Evans a journalist at the Philadelphia Record (now the Philadelphia Inquirer). Evans intent was to provide positive portrayals of Black Life and Heroism, the exact opposite to the negative stereotypes common in comics, TV, and Movies during that time. 8 years after Action Comics #1 and 6 years after Captain America #1, All Negro Comics was the very first comic made entirely by Black Creators marking a step forward in media for that time. Introducing us to characters such as Ace Harlem, Lion Man, Sugarfoot and Snake Oil to Lil Eggie.

Today, We speak with Chris Robinson-Writer/Editor of this historical book as he added new elements in this 75th anniversary issue to bridge the gap with not only the remastered works from the original issue, but Essays from Literary Scholars like Quiana Whitted of Rutgers University and Creators like David Brothers and Shawn Pryor making a connection from what the industry was in the 40's to where many Black Creators have found meaning in their own journey with comics today.

Tell, Teach, Tribute

The Book was first remastered in a Hardcover version 3 years ago through Kickstarter and now finds a new path as Image Comics has come to distribute the comics in a softcover format in October of 2025.

All Negro Comics by Orrin C. Evans, George J. Evans Jr., John H. Terrell, William H. Smith, Leonard Cooper, and remastered by Tony Washington.

Essays by Qiana Whitted, David Brothers, and Shawn Pryor

Works by Deron Bennett, Micah Peters, Ray-Anthony Height, Jasmine Hatcher, Sharean Morishita, Domo Stanton, Samantha Guzman, Zipporah Smith, Manny Edeko, Ryan Marlow

Edited by Chris Robinson

Today I have back on the Pod one of the most successful Indie Comic Publishers as Lonzo Starr of Konkret Comics drops the first Volume Trade Paperback of his highly regarded Akolyte series Issues 1-6. For most will say why did it take 6 years for a trade to reach fans, it took a little sacrifice as Lonzo talks about the business side of this as his company started with 3 flagship characters and has now grown to 15 and now hundreds of stories through Konkret Comics. With Akolyte, we see Lonzo take a character with a singular purpose and a power that the universe wants, but Earth may be threatened by. The cliffhanger in Issue 6 leaves fans thinking how can someone so indestructible be brought to their knees.

Written by Lonzo Starr

Art by Bruno Lima

Colors by Matheus Huve

Letters by Mason Solimine

I am one who considers Rodney Barnes a master storyteller when it comes to Horror. The man behind Killadelphia, Monarch, Batman Full Moon, and Blacula has a resume full of popular titles that makes him a must have when he releases a new comic. Today we speak about a story of the Crownsville Hospital in a suburb of Annapolis, this Psych Hospital from 1911 to 2004 was held under scrutiny for its treatment of African Americans through segregation, over crowding, mistreatment of patients, and Illegal Medical Experimentation. In fact, Mr. Barnes Grandmother he tells us worked there as a Nurse. This story is based on real life horrors the facility still stands today abandoned where security guards suspiciously hear screams from the building.

This leads to this tale where Detective Mike Simms and Journalist Paul Blair set forth to investigate this land where the paranormal spirits are not only sympathetic victims but also Forces of Vengeance. Elia Bonetti gives a feel of nostalgia in each page as the setting is the 1970's.

This is also the first book where Oni Press is debuting their new logo setting forth a new era in their company.

Written by Rodney Barnes

Artwork by Elia Bonetti

Variant cover by Jason Shawn Alexander

Crownsville debuts November 5th