Capital of Comics

Joel Rodriguez

Featured in Enterprise World's "Most Visionary Leaders Shaping the Future of Comics in 2026," the Capital of Comics podcast is hosted by Joel Rodriguez, CEO of Metal Ninja Studios and 2025 Marquis Who’s Who Top Professional. Capital of Comics explores the business of creativity through honest, in-depth conversations. Each week, guests from both within and beyond the comic industry share their experiences, failures, and frameworks for creative success. This masterclass is designed to give creators real clarity about the business side of storytelling and the tools they need to grow their craft, career, and IP.

  1. MAY 3

    Narrative Equity Feat. Joshua Rubin

    Join host Joel Rodriguez in an insightful conversation with game and comic writer Joshua Rubin. Discover his journey from Hollywood screenwriting to creating iconic characters like Ezio Auditore, and explore his innovative work in VR, AI, and comics. Learn valuable lessons on career pivots, collaboration, and the future of storytelling in the digital age. ----more---- Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Housekeeping 02:11 - Meet Joshua Rubin: The Creator Behind Ezio Auditore 04:10 - Joshua's Journey: From Novelist to Game Writer 08:02 - The Transition to Video Games and Learning the Craft 10:52 - Exploring New Frontiers: VR and Narrative Innovation 12:48 - Advice for Aspiring Creatives: Embrace Learning 13:39 - Lessons Learned: Navigating Different Mediums 16:30 - Balancing Ego and Teamwork in Creative Work 20:54 - Leading a Creative Team: Insights from Joshua 23:32 - The Joy of Connecting with Audiences in Comics Connect with our Guest: Social Media: @Joshua Rubin or Strangeland Comics Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    32 min

  2. APR 26

    Panels & Pixels Feat. Jesse Sosa

    In this episode, host Joel Rodriguez interviews Jesse Sosa, a versatile creator involved in both games and comics. Jesse shares his journey from working in the gaming industry at Gearbox, where he manages art outsourcing and direction, to transitioning into comics. He discusses his passion for storytelling across various mediums, inspired by his childhood love for comics and the desire to honor a late friend. Jesse also emphasizes the importance of balancing passion with production, managing time effectively, and the challenges of monetizing creative work in today's market. ----more---- Chapters 1:01 Guest Introduction: Jesse Sosa 1:29 Jesse's Role in Games 2:55 Transition from Games to Comics 3:15 Inspiration and Early Influences 5:33 Honoring a Friend through Creativity 6:29 Comics vs. Games: Speed and Cost 9:35 Current Projects and Roles 11:48 Balancing Multiple Roles 12:20 Lessons from Gearbox 18:25 Managing Artists and Deadlines 25:28 Challenges in Comics Industry 29:20 Excitement about Comics Connect with our Guest: Website: thechancla.com Store: dinoshop.store Instagram: @skankerzero Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    34 min

  3. APR 20

    Mission: Comics Feat. Shawn Hudachko

    In this episode, Shawn Hudachko shares his journey from Marine to successful comic book publisher, emphasizing discipline, risk-taking, and authentic branding. Discover practical advice on starting, growing, and innovating in the comic industry, including how to handle controversy and build a resilient business mindset. ----more----Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Shawn Hudachko and Comics Elite 02:50 - Lessons from the Marine Corps: Discipline and Leadership 05:55 - Embracing Failure: The Path to Growth 08:59 - The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Seizing Opportunities 12:14 - The Importance of Asking for Guidance 14:59 - Navigating Controversy in the Comic Industry 17:50 - Vertical Integration: Expanding the Business Model 21:09 - The Art of Hiring: Finding the Right Talent 28:50 - Hiring and Training: The Foundation of Success Connect with our Guest: https://comicselitecomics.com/ Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    36 min

  4. APR 12

    Narrative Empire Feat. Erika Lance

    Erika Lance shares her journey from novelist to publisher, offering invaluable insights into the publishing industry, marketing strategies, and how creators can succeed by understanding the business side of art. ----more---- Chapters 00:00 - The Journey from Novelist to Publisher 06:20 - Navigating the Creative Landscape 11:10 - Marketing Yourself as a Creator 14:40 - Redefining Success in Creativity 20:01 - Expanding Beyond Your Medium 28:35 - Overcoming Challenges as a Creative Entrepreneur Connect with our Guest: Four Horsemen Publications website: 4horsemenpublications.com Podcast site: eerietravels.com Email: erika@4horsemenpublications.com Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    31 min

  5. APR 5

    Build Your Pack Feat. Rob Multari

    In this episode, Rob Multari shares his extensive experience with Kickstarter campaigns, community building, and marketing strategies for creators. Discover actionable insights on campaign planning, audience engagement, variant covers, stretch goals, and overcoming creator fatigue. ----more---- Chapters 00:00 - Kickstarter Origins and Early Struggles 05:47 - Learning from Failure and Building an Audience 10:01 - Success on Kickstarter: Key Lessons Learned 14:43 - The Importance of Audience Over Financial Goals 16:28 - Building a Community: The Wolf Pack Concept 20:43 - Managing Expectations in Crowdfunding 24:26 - The Thrill of the Kickstarter Challenge 25:54 - Connecting with the Audience 26:42 - Upcoming Projects and Campaigns 27:30 - Kickstarter Strategies and Feasibility Connect with our Guest: https://www.instagram/com/lonewolfcomics  Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    29 min

  6. MAR 23

    Global Community Feat. Eric Tapper

    In this episode, Joel interviews Eric Tapper, co-founder of GlobalComix. They discuss the evolution of GlobalComix, and share insights on innovation in the industry, emphasizing the importance of making digital publishing accessible and engaging. They also explore the impact of AI and machine learning in enhancing the reading experience. ----more---- Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and episode overview 02:24 - Meet Eric Tapper, co-founder of GlobalComix 03:05 - The evolution from Comixology to independent digital platforms 04:24 - How COVID accelerated platform development and community focus 05:44 - Philosophy: simplifying digital publishing and accessibility 06:32 - Innovating within traditional comic industry constraints 07:02 - Digital transformation and reader engagement strategies 09:24 - Building social and community features into the platform 11:22 - Trends that make indie comics successful on GlobalComix 12:49 - The importance of consistent publishing and metadata 15:13 - Personalized story recommendations and audience targeting 16:44 - Using data analytics to optimize creative and marketing efforts 18:20 - AI and machine learning tools in comic production 22:31 - Future of localization and language translation tools 24:27 - Exciting upcoming partnerships and publisher integrations 26:43 - Insights into deep analytics for publishers and creators 28:19 - Advice for new creators: carve out your niche and persist 29:58 - Lessons learned from building GlobalComix and industry insights 32:02 - The emotional side of entrepreneurship & industry moments 33:54 - Strategies for creators to grow their audience and monetize 36:40 - Promoting indie work through platform features and community support 44:09 - Collaborating with publishers for early digital releases 47:53 - Using comics as a marketing ecosystem for IP development 54:17 - Leveraging data to negotiate and understand audience demand   Connect with our Guest: https://www.instagram.com/globalcomix/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalcomix Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    32 min

  7. MAR 15

    Mosaic of Experience Feat. Kyle Willis

    In this episode, Kyle Willis shares his inspiring journey from artist to successful comic book retailer, emphasizing the importance of persistence, adaptability, and business mindset in the creative industry. Discover practical tips on managing multiple facets of a creative business, turning no into yes, and building a thriving community around your art. Kyle Willis shares his journey through various art mediums, the creative process behind his mosaic work, and insights into the comic industry, including trends, marketing, and political satire. This episode offers valuable lessons for creators and entrepreneurs alike.----more---- CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Welcome and intro to Kyle Willis and his diverse creative journey 02:35 - Kyle’s background in mosaic art and how he started in comics 05:00 - Building confidence by taking risks: from craft shows to mega cons 09:00 - Collage art from found materials: How a dollar store book became a series of impactful paintings 12:55 - Combining comic art with collage: The making of "Cthulhu Invades Oz" cover 15:30 - Navigating industry barriers: Bullying in and through persistence 18:50 - Starting a comic shop during COVID and the importance of community support 22:00 - Scaling retail: Moving from a home-based shop to multiple locations 26:00 - Managing a chaotic but rewarding entrepreneurial life 30:00 - The value of 1% daily improvement and the importance of patience 34:00 - Mentorship, collaboration, and lifting others as a key to longevity 38:15 - The art of turning 'maybes' into 'yeses' in business and art 44:54 - Lessons learned from steady progress: pivoting and adaptation during hard times 50:00 - Balancing family, work, and creative ambitions—reality of entrepreneurship 54:00 - Building a network: Working with others, seeking advice, and breaking industry myths Connect with our Guest: Instagram - @artofkylewillis Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    55 min

  8. MAR 8

    Beyond the Campaign Feat. Laurie Foster

    In this episode, Joel Rodriguez interviews Laurie Foster, owner of Laguna Studios, about her journey from comic artist to business owner, the importance of vision, balancing creativity with business, and overcoming imposter syndrome. They discuss growth, diversification, and the mindset needed for success in the creative industry. Join us for an in-depth discussion as we explore innovative approaches to comics creation, community building, and industry trends. Discover how Laguna Studios is shaping the future of comics through community engagement, makerspaces, and strategic pivots. ----more---- Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to the Creative Journey 05:49 - Navigating the Challenges of Growth 11:41 - Embracing Opportunities and Overcoming Fear 17:45 - Confidence vs. Arrogance in the Creative Industry 23:53 - The Intersection of Creativity and Business 29:33 - The Stigma of Money in Creativity 39:51 - The Negativity Bias in the Industry 48:59 - Encouragement for New Creatives 56:15 - Setting Boundaries for Mental Health Connect with our Guest: Website https://www.lagunastudios.net Social Media Handles @lagunastudioscomics Ready to level up your comic career? Join the Concept to Comic Academy for exclusive Q&As, mentorship, and full masterclass archives. [Join the Academy here] Subscribe and follow for weekly insights into the business behind the panels.

    1h 3m
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About

Featured in Enterprise World's "Most Visionary Leaders Shaping the Future of Comics in 2026," the Capital of Comics podcast is hosted by Joel Rodriguez, CEO of Metal Ninja Studios and 2025 Marquis Who’s Who Top Professional. Capital of Comics explores the business of creativity through honest, in-depth conversations. Each week, guests from both within and beyond the comic industry share their experiences, failures, and frameworks for creative success. This masterclass is designed to give creators real clarity about the business side of storytelling and the tools they need to grow their craft, career, and IP.

Information

  • Creator
    Joel Rodriguez
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Metal Ninja Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Capital of Comics