Independent publishing is where original characters are being created, owned, and brought directly to audiences without traditional gatekeepers. Michael Stradford (Gizmoe Press),writer David F. Walker, designer Jason Medley, and Milestone Media's co-founder Denys Cowan offer a working look at how independent comics are actually being developed, financed, and released today. Moderated by Michael Polis, the panel spotlights Gizmoe Press projects including Grindhouse Comics Presents, an anthology built around original characters rooted in 1970s genre cinema; Fargo: Panama Gold, the next installment in the long-running western series; and an in-progress book on the career of artist Butch Guice. The discussion also covers integrating legacy characters like Fargo and Damballa into new stories, building an audience before launch, and using crowdfunding as a primary publishing model.
