Ya Gotta Believe - The Arrogance of Creativity

{7} Samurai Penguin, Mark Buck and the Birth of SLG Publishing - My FIve Minutes Episode Seven

This episode was being edited while I was getting ready to go to Comic-Con in San Diego, my first time exhibiting at that show since 2016 and the first time I have ever gone solo. As I was prepping, I got to thinking about starting this entire comics publishing venture 40 years ago and how it sort of started with my pointing at one person and saying, "Draw this for me!" That person was Mark Buck, a man who went on to excel in the world of Visual Effects while working at Industrial Light and Magic. I got to thinking that if he had said no and decided he was not ready to draw a comic book, or unwilling to work on spec, the entire publishing venture might have collapsed right then and there, and we might not be sitting here today. So in this video, I reminisce about that humble origin story, the man who really made it all work, and what Mark became later in life. Samurai Penguin, Mark Buck, Dan Vado, SLG Publishing, Slave Labor Graphics, independent comics, indie comics, comic book history, comics publishing, independent publishing, 1980s comics, black and white comics boom, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TMNT comics boom, comic book creators, alternative comics, small press comics, visual effects artist, VFX artist, Comic-Con International, San Diego Comic-Con, SLG 40th anniversary, publishing memoir, comics podcast

{6} - My Five Minutes Episode 6 - Which Jobs DO you Say Yes To.

Artists treat gigs like dogs treat a bone; they think it's the last one they will ever have, so when another one comes around, they sometimes jump at it and say yes before they are even done with the first one. As I type this, I wish I had included this in the actual episode. In this episode of My Five Minutes, I (that is Dan Vado) talk about the uneasy math of creative work: when to say yes, when to say no, and how hard it can be to tell the difference when you are trying to build a career, pay the bills, keep the lights on, or just prove that you belong in the room. Most of the time, when people offer you low-paying gigs with the promise of exposure, it's usually bullshit. But it's not 100% true, just mostly true. Then I talk about myself, which is boring, then it all ends thank God. Support me on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/artboutiki Go to Kickstarter and get a copy of OMWO and help us bring this fantastic graphic novel to press - https://slgpubs.live/ksomwo

{5} My Five Minutes Episode Five - Yes, these are things people ask me.

In this episode, I, Dan Vado, sit with my cohorts, Kevin Ryan and Chris (Meat) Edwards, to go over viewer mail, such as it is, and discuss the burning questions of the day, including what that thing is on the tip of my nose and whether I have gained weight. Yes, these are actual questions I get. Later in the episode, I talk about why I am podcasting, how I find it a powerful medium, and how I want to work towards telling people's stories. I also talked warmly about the people who stuck with me on Patreon after my venue, Art Boutiki, closed. Ironically enough while I was editing this episode (on June 1) four people cancelled their support. Which is my way of saying, if you like what you hear, give my Patreon page a visit and drop a monthly tip our way. https://www.patreon.com/cw/artboutiki Also, tell a friend if you like this, and if you have comments, please feel free to message me. Dan Vado

{4} The Grind - Restaurant Life, Art Boutiki and a story from the early days of SLG Publishing

This episode clocks in at just shy of 14 minutes, which may make me a liar about the title of this podcast. Not really. My Five Minutes has always been about having something to say and taking the time to say it. In “The Grind,” I am joined by Chris Edwards, otherwise known as Meat, to talk about the daily labor, routine, pressure, and chaos of the restaurant industry. Meat was the chef at Art Boutiki, the music venue I operated until it closed in December 2025, and he saw firsthand the many grinds involved in keeping a venue running. Later, I share a story from the 1990s about the day Jeff Smith, creator of BONE, walked into my comic book store and pitched us on carrying his book—and what that moment says about the work behind every creative success.

[3] An Explosive Story from Comic-Con

This episode I recount a story from Comic-Con which was an impactful moment that has stayed with me to this day. Yes, this episode of My Five Minutes is ten minutes long. I imagine that had I called it My Ten Minutes the would be much shorter, or longer, or whatever. The story is the story and it takes however long it takes. I am going to admit that, from a production standpoint, this one was another step backwards for me. Much like my previous decision to record in my car, this time I decided to record in my back yard and it turned out, not well. There was all kinds of road noise and wind that I tried my best to eliminate and I had the gain on the mic turned up so loud that every breath I took sounded like I was broadcasting from a hurricane. Why didn't I just start over? Because the story itself is difficult to tell. Doing it again would have been a technical improvement, but I am not sure I would have had the energy to recount the incident as well as I did in the take that you are listening or watching. And if you are watching the video version of this, yes I do have a face made for radio and yes I did leave the autofocus turned on. Long story short, the story is worth listening to, I will get better at this and lastly thanks for your time and support.