Today we’d like to introduce you to J. Michael Miller.

Hi J. Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Stories showed me the possibility we all have to be greater and gave me an escape from a world that seemed big, scary, and painful as a child. Instead of escaping to a different world, I get to create them. There’s no bigger honor than that. On days that I’m struggling or feeling down, I try to remind myself of that and reflect on the positive moments — like kids coming back to your table to ask for an autograph they were too shy to ask for the first time and fans asking when the next release is.

It’s been my duty to help others heal and briefly escape their pain. I knew from a young age, I wanted to reflect those lessons and love back into those souls seeking a brief respite from the darkness – those that seek the light. That’s why I’ve devoted myself to storytelling & communication across many mediums. I completed a Creative Writing degree, which included a comic writing/editing class with formal Marvel editor Roland Mann. I’m a kid at heart and that’s why I was able to express creative content such as Kid Cretaceous, The Healer’s Blade, mother m://AI, a short in Cthulhu Invades Fairytales, working with Nikki SooHoo (Star Wars Resistance, Shimmer & Shine) to voice a character for my own animated short and more. I have written 7 comic books and have run 4 successful Kickstarter campaigns for 3 different comic series. 2025 will be the biggest year for Comics & Cosmos Ent. yet!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s nearly impossible for most people, but especially for a creative person, to have a smooth road. It’s essential to realize that we are always walking the road that we need to though. Moments that cause grief, hardship, etc. come with important lessons that make us who we are. I have experienced many of my own moments that tested me.

When I had my first comic book idea, I got scammed by an artist from DeviantArt that I paid up front. I lost a large investment in what would have been my first comic book, Sunshade, in 2018. I still had a different artist create some cover art and a pin-up at the end of 2017 though. I took a break from trying to create a comic book then, but I returned in 2022.

In my last interview with CanvasRebel, I already discussed losing my grandmother in 2017 and my grandfather in 2018. I failed my first attempt running a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in December 2020. There were several moments that seemed like it was going to be my “big break” but the opportunities ended up not panning out in the end — such as interviewing to be an Assistant Editor at Marvel Comics, an Experimental Writer at EA Sports, and a Localization Writer for Xbox Studios.

I experienced a misprint error on my first comic release and several unexpected costs across my 4 successful comic book Kickstarter campaigns. With my most recent campaign, I had to self-fund the book more than expected because a few of the larger supporters’ pledges failed. The road will always have bumps, but bumps are part of the journey. They help you learn and grow. Without them, we wouldn’t gain wisdom and we wouldn’t be able to appreciate how much we’ve grown. There will always be moments of struggle, but I’m so grateful to get to experience this journey.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer/editor, most known for writing comics such as Kid Cretaceous, The Healer’s Blade, mother m://AI, Artificial Intolerance, Cthulion & The Mouse, PPP: Budding Narrative Edition, and more.

What sets me apart? I have more story ideas than I’ll ever have stories. I always come up with an idea, a logline, and one-sentence pitch for every concept I come up with. I hone in on the heart of the story and identify how our characters will need to heal throughout their story. After that, I make sure to include authentic dialogue and to collaborate with incredible talent from across the world!

I’m proud that I have accomplished everything in my comic creating career within the last two years. I was able to release 7 comics, grow my mailing list to 200+ subscribers, successfully complete 4 crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter, amass nearly 2,000 unique readers + 14,000 page reads on GlobalComix, and work with both indie and industry talent alike – including Skylar Patridge, Butch Mapa, Elisa Romboli, and more.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was always an inquisitive, slightly reserved kid that wanted to understand and experience everything in front of him. I was a sponge and absorbed any knowledge I could. I had such a smorgasbord of subjects I was interested in. Superheroes, sciences, storytelling, etc. I loved being outside and active just as much. Basketball has always been my favorite sport, but I played football, basketball, track, and baseball in high school. I wasn’t able to hang out with friends, unless they were within walking distance, so I drifted between different friend groups from class to class. It usually felt like a positive thing though. I got to interact with people with a multitude of backgrounds, interests, and personalities. I felt like it helped me to appreciate different lifestyles and has helped me greatly with writing characters with different voices.

Pricing:

• Kid Cretaceous #2 EARLY BIRD Offer – $8
• SALE The Healer’s Blade #1: PROLOGUE Sale – $4, Kid Cretaceous #1 – $5
• PPP: Budding Narrative Edition – $10
• Holo-Chrome Copies – $15
• Editing, Writing, & Crowdfunding Services Available ([email protected])

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jmichaelmiller.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comicsandcosmos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMichaelMillerWriter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmichaelmiller91/
• Twitter: https://x.com/comicsandcosmos
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@comicsandcosmos
• Yelp: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kidcretaceous/the-healers-blade-1
• SoundCloud: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kidcretaceous/kid-cretaceous-1-2
• Other: (Newsletter) https://jmichaelmiller.substack.com/

Image Credits
– Kid Cretaceous #2 Main Cover by Marcus Jimenez
– Kid Cretaceous #2 Page One + Two (Story: J. Michael Miller, Art: Gaspar Sabater, Letters: LetterSquids)
– The Healer’s Blade #1 Main Cover Art by Elisa Romboli,
– Cthulion & The Mouse Page Three (Story: J. Michael Miller, Art: Max Pinelli, Publisher: Orange Cone Productions)
– mother m:AI (Concept Art by Kara Huset, Logo by LetterSquids)
– Ode Town Road Page One (Story: J. Michael Miller, Art: Lane Lloyd, Letters: Reed Hinckley-Barnes)
– Comics & Cosmos Ent. Logo by Chris Benamati