It’s Okay to Love Comics Again

Aiming for Growth

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: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1 (of 5) IN STORES NOW! FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #2 (of 5) IN STORES NOW! FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #3 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday June 8th In Stores - Wednesday July 8th FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #4 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday July 6th In Stores - Wednesday August 5th Kickstarter Comics: ------------------------------- NAKED KAIJU WOMAN #3 On Kickstarter - June https://bit.ly/nkw3 [https://bit.ly/nkw3] SNIP #3, 4 & 5 On Kickstarter - July https://bit.ly/snip3 [https://bit.ly/snip3] CRIMSON FRONTIER #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - August https://bit.ly/cf1comic [https://bit.ly/cf1comic] PRIME CUT #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - TBD https://bit.ly/prime1comic [https://bit.ly/prime1comic] Books: ----------- BACKLOT BABYLON (LEO LUCAS #1) On Kickstarter - October https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon [https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon] == This video is available as an audio podcast on all your favourite platforms as 'Pesto Comics Audio Edition' and on Substack at https://pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com] --- See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com [https://pestocomics.com] Find Adriano on social media: https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/] https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social] https://x.com/pestocomics [https://x.com/pestocomics] https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics [https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics] See more from Adriano on the Instant Ink Comic Book Podcast every week: https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/ [https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Showing Up

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. == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1 (of 5) In Stores NOW! FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #2 (of 5) Coming to Stores on Wednesday June 3rd FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #3 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday June 8th In Stores - Wednesday July 8th FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #4 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday July 6th In Stores - Wednesday August 5th Kickstarter Comics: ------------------------------- NAKED KAIJU WOMAN #3 On Kickstarter - May https://bit.ly/nkw3 [https://bit.ly/nkw3] SNIP #3, 4 & 5 On Kickstarter - July https://bit.ly/snip3 [https://bit.ly/snip3] CRIMSON FRONTIER #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - August https://bit.ly/cf1comic [https://bit.ly/cf1comic] PRIME CUT #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - TBD https://bit.ly/prime1comic [https://bit.ly/prime1comic] Books: ----------- BACKLOT BABYLON (LEO LUCAS #1) On Kickstarter - This Summer https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon [https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon] == This video is available as an audio podcast on all your favourite platforms as 'Pesto Comics Audio Edition' and on Substack at https://pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com] --- See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com [https://pestocomics.com] Find Adriano on social media: https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/] https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social] https://x.com/pestocomics [https://x.com/pestocomics] https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics [https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics] See more from Adriano on the Instant Ink Comic Book Podcast every week: https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/ [https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

It’s My 40th Birthday

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 Turning 40 Means for a Creative Career 03:09 The Value of Life Experience 05:17 Looking Back at Pesto Comics 06:16 What's Coming Next 07:40 Knowing Who You Are == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1 (of 5) In Stores NOW! FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #2 (of 5) Coming to Stores on Wednesday June 3rd FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #3 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday June 8th In Stores - Wednesday July 8th FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #4 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday July 6th In Stores - Wednesday August 5th Kickstarter Comics: ------------------------------- NAKED KAIJU WOMAN #3 On Kickstarter - May https://bit.ly/nkw3 [https://bit.ly/nkw3] SNIP #3, 4 & 5 On Kickstarter - July https://bit.ly/snip3 [https://bit.ly/snip3] CRIMSON FRONTIER #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - August https://bit.ly/cf1comic [https://bit.ly/cf1comic] PRIME CUT #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - TBD https://bit.ly/prime1comic [https://bit.ly/prime1comic] Books: ----------- BACKLOT BABYLON (LEO LUCAS #1) On Kickstarter - This Summer https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon [https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon] == This video is available as an audio podcast on all your favourite platforms as 'Pesto Comics Audio Edition' and on Substack at https://pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com] --- See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com [https://pestocomics.com] Find Adriano on social media: https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/] https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social] https://x.com/pestocomics [https://x.com/pestocomics] https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics [https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics] See more from Adriano on the Instant Ink Comic Book Podcast every week: https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/ [https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

It’s Okay to Love Comics Again

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: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1 In Stores NOW! FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #2 Available for Pre-Order (FOC) - Monday May 4th In Stores - Wednesday June 3rd FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #3 Available for Pre-Order (FOC) - Monday June 8th In Stores - Wednesday July 8th Kickstarter Comics: ------------------------------- NAKED KAIJU WOMAN #3 On Kickstarter - May https://bit.ly/nkw3 [https://bit.ly/nkw3] SNIP #3, 4 & 5 On Kickstarter - July https://bit.ly/snip3 [https://bit.ly/snip3] CRIMSON FRONTIER #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - August https://bit.ly/cf1comic [https://bit.ly/cf1comic] PRIME CUT #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - TBD https://bit.ly/prime1comic [https://bit.ly/prime1comic] Books: ----------- BACKLOT BABYLON (LEO LUCAS #1) On Kickstarter - This Summer https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon [https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon] == This video is available as an audio podcast on all your favourite platforms as 'Pesto Comics Audio Edition' and on Substack at https://pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com] --- See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com [https://pestocomics.com] Find Adriano on social media: https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/] https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social] https://x.com/pestocomics [https://x.com/pestocomics] https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics [https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics] See more from Adriano on the Instant Ink Comic Book Podcast every week: https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/ [https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Free Comic Book Day 2026

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 07:44 On the Backs of Retailers 09:45 Supporting Your Local Comic Shop == Check out all the comics and books coming from Adriano and Pesto Comics! Direct Market Comics: ----------------------------------- FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #1 (of 5) In Stores NOW! FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #2 (of 5) Coming to Stores on Wednesday June 3rd FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #3 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday June 8th In Stores - Wednesday July 8th FROM PARTS UNKNOWN #4 (of 5) Available for Pre-Order until Monday July 6th In Stores - Wednesday August 5th Kickstarter Comics: ------------------------------- NAKED KAIJU WOMAN #3 On Kickstarter - May https://bit.ly/nkw3 [https://bit.ly/nkw3] SNIP #3, 4 & 5 On Kickstarter - July https://bit.ly/snip3 [https://bit.ly/snip3] CRIMSON FRONTIER #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - August https://bit.ly/cf1comic [https://bit.ly/cf1comic] PRIME CUT #1 & 2 On Kickstarter - TBD https://bit.ly/prime1comic [https://bit.ly/prime1comic] Books: ----------- BACKLOT BABYLON (LEO LUCAS #1) On Kickstarter - This Summer https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon [https://bit.ly/backlotbabylon] == This video is available as an audio podcast on all your favourite platforms as 'Pesto Comics Audio Edition' and on Substack at https://pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com] --- See everything Pesto Comics has to offer at https://pestocomics.com [https://pestocomics.com] Find Adriano on social media: https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/pestocomics/] https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/pestocomics.bsky.social] https://x.com/pestocomics [https://x.com/pestocomics] https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics [https://www.tiktok.com/@pestocomics] See more from Adriano on the Instant Ink Comic Book Podcast every week: https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/ [https://www.youtube.com/@InstantInkPodcast/] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pestocomics.substack.com [https://pestocomics.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]