Movin’ Right Along
A Kickstarter, A Comic Con, and MORE!
Greetings,
Welcome to the SECOND Cosmic Update of 2025! I hope the new year is off to an amazing start for everyone, and that you’re all geared up for a stellar year ahead!
There’s so much happening right now, my desk has become a bit of a war zone—but no, I’m not sharing a photo of that chaos!
Onward to the updates …
Substack Team Up!
In an unexpected but exciting twist, I recently teamed up with Kevin LaPorte from Flatline Comics for an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of comic publishing. We delved into the intricacies of the direct market versus crowdfunding, highlighting the hurdles and hidden gems of each. If you’re navigating your own comic creation journey or have an interest in the business side of comics, this conversation is a must-read.
The post is live on Kevin’s Substack, “Self-Portrait of a Comics Self-Publisher.” Be sure to check it out and subscribe while you’re there.
Larry Watts Cover Reveal
As most of you know, we’re about to launch the Kickstarter for From Blood: The Collected Edition, which compiles the original mini-series along with some awesome bonus material into a perfect bound graphic novel. This edition will feature two covers: the standard retail cover by Zach Bassett & James Whynot, and a limited variant cover by the incredible Larry Watts, limited to just 100 copies!
Earlier this month, we gave our Patreon members a sneak peek of Larry Watts’ cover art. Now, with the Kickstarter launching on January 14th, it’s time to unveil this stunning cover to our Substack followers. Drumroll, please … here it is …
Don’t forget to visit the From Blood prelaunch page and click the “Notify me on launch” button. This not only helps us gauge interest but also ensures you’ll be the first to know when the project goes live—don’t miss out on those early backer perks!
Central Florida Comic Con Panel
I’ve been spreading the word on social media (and YouTube) about my upcoming appearance at the sensational Central Florida Comic Con, happening January 17-19 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL. You can find me at A-1 all weekend, so if you’re attending this fantastic event, swing by and say hi!
Additionally, I’ll be participating in an indie publishing panel alongside Heidi Hess, Bohdan Neswiacheny, and special guest Lan Pitts. Join us on Friday (1/17) at 3:00PM in Panel 2 / Lake Parker D for what promises to be a fun and informative discussion.
I recently put together a quick video about the event—check it out …
Art Drops on Patreon
While juggling all these exciting projects, work on the third and final issue of Arthur: The Legend Continues is in full swing. Carlos Tron has been hard at work, producing stunning pages. I couldn’t resist sharing one of these pages with our Cosmic Times Patreon members as soon as I saw it, and now I’m thrilled to showcase it here as well …
Just look at that impeccable line work! If you want to see more exclusive art like this, consider subscribing to our Patreon—membership starts at just $3.
That’s all for now! I need to get back to work, but don’t forget to mark your calendars for the From Blood Kickstarter launch on January 14th and if you’re in Lakeland, Florida, January 17-19, come find me at the Central Florida Comic Con and let me know you read this update!
Stay Cosmic,
Martin T. Pierro
Publisher/Writer - Cosmic Times
Owner/Promoter - PalmCon