We recently connected with Tyrone Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Tyrone, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
To answer this question, I first have to tell you what the mission of my company is. At SoveReign Comics, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire and excite readers of all ages. Our mission is clear: to craft tales that push the boundaries of imagination and creativity. We’re dedicated to bringing you the highest quality comics, whether we’re introducing new characters or re-imagining classic heroes. With a focus on exclusivity through subscriptions and special variants, we put our readers at the heart of everything we do.
The way that we fulfill this is by bringing readers escapism, something that we feel has been missing from the comics arena. Entertainment in general and many are starting to sound out about that. We’ve dedicated ourselves to telling stories first, above anything, sticking to the old ways of telling a story that brings conflict and then resolution to the characters in the comics, allowing them to grow and overcome situations they may be faced with. All the while, pulling the reader into our universe, through our lore, world, character-building, and dynamic storytelling.
Tyrone, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Tyrone Jackson, but in the world of comics, I’m known simply as Tyr. I’ve been immersed in the comics scene for quite some time, establishing my comic book company in 2009 and officially registering it in 2011. However, the stories that laid the foundation for this universe began even earlier, back in 2007 during my second deployment in Iraq. It was there that I turned to writing as a means to escape the realities of theater. Writing and drawing have been passions of mine since elementary school, and I always knew I’d find my path in this creative field, be it through novels, comics, movies, or animation. It’s been a lifelong love affair, something ingrained in me from as far back as I can recall.
In my company, we don’t just sell comics; we craft the stories you’ve been missing. More than that, we offer escapism and unadulterated imagination spanning multiple genres, allowing you to choose your preferred portal to escape reality. This is something I take immense pride in because it’s a principle I hold dear. By staying true to this vision, I’ve been able to attract a diverse array of customers from every corner of the globe. It’s incredibly rewarding to provide readers with something they’ve felt has been missing from their favorite comics, and I’m proud to have played a part in filling that gap.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Like many, 2019-2023 was rough. I believe that during that time, I discovered more about myself. It was during this period that I filed for my Veteran Benefits, prompted by the realization that I was dealing with more mental and emotional challenges than I had initially acknowledged. Being diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety changed the landscape for me, and the subsequent rollercoaster of events only amplified what was already a difficult journey. The loss of close family members, including my uncle who introduced me to comics, and my grandmother, with whom I shared my birthday, as well as two dear friends, one of whom was the first editor of my comic book STARS, further compounded the challenges. Additionally, significant life changes led me to become a single parent.
During this tumultuous period, it would be an understatement to say that there were moments when I wanted to quit. However, I persevered because I understood that my efforts weren’t just for myself, but for my children and my fans, collectively known as The Chimera Kingdom. Amidst all the hardships, there were also moments of great joy and accomplishment in my life, one of those was meeting my fiance. I firmly believe that the support of my children, my fiance, my determination, my close friends, and the unwavering support of my fans played a crucial role in helping me navigate through those difficult times.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
When I started this company, I never wanted to acquire loans or seek investors. This venture was something I always intended to finance on my own. Taking out loans would mean having to repay them, and if the company didn’t generate sufficient revenue to cover the loan, I’d be in over my head. Similarly, involving investors would mean having to comply with their demands and desires since their money would be at stake. This decision wasn’t easy for me, and I proceeded cautiously.
Eventually, Kickstarter emerged as an option, and I began utilizing it. However, I never used it to fund the production of a product from scratch; instead, I used it to deliver rewards to those who backed my project. Even with Kickstarter, I continued to finance my comics out of pocket. Much of the funding came from my savings, as well as any extra income I could set aside from my primary job and the surplus funds I had while completing my bachelor’s and MBA.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sovereigncomics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereigncomics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sovereigncomics
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sovereigncomics
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sovereigncomics
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SoveReignComics
- Other: https://links.sovereigncomics.com
Image Credits
Created by: Tyrone Jackson Pencils & Inks (Cypher Team Alpha, Ayanmo Stigmata, TEMPLE High): Mark Marvida Colors (Cypher Team, Ayanmo Stigmata, TEMPLE High): Marvin Marvida Pencils & Inks (STARS): Karl Paulson Colors (STARS): LineArt Studios