Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
If you would like to be a guest on the Indie Comic Exchange, please follow this link and fill out the form kurtbrugel.com/indie-comic-book-creator-exchange
Tommy's Kickstarter kickstarter.com/projects/saboteurcomics/tommys
Charlie Saboteur Comics website saboteurcomics.com
In this episode of the Indie Creator Exchange, Charlie of Saboteur Comics discusses the creation of his gritty, 1970s-inspired horror comic, Tommy’s Meat Market. Charlie shares his "origin story," from discovering Marvel’s black-costume Spider-Man in Okinawa to being inspired by indie legends like Tim Vigil. He provides a deep dive into his technical process, revealing that 95% of his work is traditional, utilizing blue-line pencils, physical screen tones (zips), and custom handwriting fonts to achieve an authentic underground aesthetic. The conversation also covers the logistical hurdles of self-publishing, comparing the "all-or-nothing" nature of Kickstarter with the flexible "keep what you raise" model of Fund My Comic. Charlie emphasizes the importance of the "long game"—prioritizing finishing the work over commercial perfection—and encourages creators to find their specific niche, such as the horror convention circuit, to build a dedicated audience.
3 Educational Points
1. The "Done is Better than Perfect" Philosophy: Charlie and the hosts emphasize that the biggest hurdle for many creators is simply finishing the project. They argue against launching a Kickstarter with only a concept; instead, having the book ready to print increases trust and success rates.
2. Hybrid Traditional-Digital Workflow: Charlie explains a meticulous traditional process: drawing in blue line, inking, applying physical "zip" screen tones, and then scanning the work to add digital fonts and color corrections.
3. Financial Transparency in Crowdfunding: The interview highlights the hidden costs of indie publishing, noting that roughly half of a project's funding can be consumed by shipping and platform fees, meaning creators must budget carefully to avoid losing money
If you would like to be a guest on the Indie Comic Exchange, please follow this link and fill out the form kurtbrugel.com/indie-comic-book-creator-exchange
Tommy's Kickstarter kickstarter.com/projects/saboteurcomics/tommys
Charlie Saboteur Comics website saboteurcomics.com
In this episode of the Indie Creator Exchange, Charlie of Saboteur Comics discusses the creation of his gritty, 1970s-inspired horror comic, Tommy’s Meat Market. Charlie shares his "origin story," from discovering Marvel’s black-costume Spider-Man in Okinawa to being inspired by indie legends like Tim Vigil. He provides a deep dive into his technical process, revealing that 95% of his work is traditional, utilizing blue-line pencils, physical screen tones (zips), and custom handwriting fonts to achieve an authentic underground aesthetic. The conversation also covers the logistical hurdles of self-publishing, comparing the "all-or-nothing" nature of Kickstarter with the flexible "keep what you raise" model of Fund My Comic. Charlie emphasizes the importance of the "long game"—prioritizing finishing the work over commercial perfection—and encourages creators to find their specific niche, such as the horror convention circuit, to build a dedicated audience.
3 Educational Points
1. The "Done is Better than Perfect" Philosophy: Charlie and the hosts emphasize that the biggest hurdle for many creators is simply finishing the project. They argue against launching a Kickstarter with only a concept; instead, having the book ready to print increases trust and success rates.
2. Hybrid Traditional-Digital Workflow: Charlie explains a meticulous traditional process: drawing in blue line, inking, applying physical "zip" screen tones, and then scanning the work to add digital fonts and color corrections.
3. Financial Transparency in Crowdfunding: The interview highlights the hidden costs of indie publishing, noting that roughly half of a project's funding can be consumed by shipping and platform fees, meaning creators must budget carefully to avoid losing money
