We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Dolce. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.
Michael, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is my creator-owned, flagship comic book The Sire. It’s the story of a superhero forced by his own costume to fight evil. I first created the character in sixth grade and honed the story throughout high school and college. Upon graduation, I completed the very first issue under the title Crossfire…and it was rejected by every publisher and distributor available. So, instead of giving up, I retooled, renamed it and hired an independent artist to collaborate with, and 5 years later successfully released the comic book, which continues to this day.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve been a professional writer, artist, podcaster and awesome dude in the comic book and entertainment industry for over 20 years. I co-created Descendant at Image Comics, The Mainstream at Zenescope, and continue my creator-owned flagship superhero book The Sire and the indy hit Plan 59 From Outer Space at Dren Productions. My latest projects, The Time Trader and Romans Rise are coming in 2024 from Rogue Matter. I’ve also written for various companies like Wizard Magazine and AMNY.
When I’m not creating comics, I’m hosting the hit Pop Culture podcasts The Rogue Wav, Data Decoded and Secrets of the Sire, available on all major podcasting apps and streaming networks.
In 2019, I announced the creation of Sire Studios, a multi-genre IP Production Company. In 2020, I announced a partnership with Rogue Matter as the head of their podcast network and collaborating on new IPs. In 2021, I was named Chief Creative Officer of Rogue Matter.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2009, I ascended to the number one independent comic book publisher Image Comics when i co-created Descendant. The sales were good and I had a ton of momentum. However within a year, there was an editorial shake-up, and my editor was released. The imprint within the company that published me scaled back and so I was back at square one.
Fast forward six years later and I was able to completely re-tool. I left an IT job to start my own creative studio (MBD Studios), which allowed me the opportunity to start my own radio show and podcast called Secrets of the Sire. Within a year, it became a hit, with sponsorships from History Channel. It also reacquainted me to publishers within the industry again and I saw my first published work in The Mainstream in 2018.
The podcast also led me to aligning with Rogue Matter a new creative studio in LA where i now serve as Chief Creative Officer. I currently have two pending comic books being released with them.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is to create an artistic project that reaches as large an audience as possible. I would like to be recognized for it, and help inspire the next generation of creators, as my influences inspired me to get to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sirestudiosinc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirestudios/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/SireStudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dolce/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sire_Studios
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/SireStudios
- Other: https://roguematter.com