Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: October 25th
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
Diplomacy, Aliens & Manga: Benjamin Hunting’s Model UN Comic Kickstarter
Benjamin Hunting is back with a bold new comic project: Model UN Pt 1 — Aliens + High School + 90s + Manga. The premise is delightfully absurd: a group of aliens mistakes a high school Model UN class for the actual United Nations, setting off a chain of comedic and dramatic misunderstandings. Within just 24 hours, the Kickstarter reached 95% of its funding goal, evidence that audiences are hungry for stories that mash up teen life and extraterrestrial intrigue.
On this episode, Benjamin describes how he built this concept, the stylistic nods to ’90s manga, and how nostalgia fueled parts of the world design. We also talk about what it means to launch such a comic independently— from pacing, art decisions, to the risk and reward of crowdfunding.
Whether you're a fan of manga aesthetics, sci-fi with humor, or creative crossovers, this project promises a wild ride. Head over to the Kickstarter here to support Model UN, or explore Benjamin’s diverse writing at benjaminhunting.com.
Project Update: Slow and Steady (Emphasis on Slow)
Not a whole lot of change to report this week—things are moving, but at a slow and steady pace. Between work and everything else going on, there hasn’t been much time to dive deep into creative projects. Still, even if progress is minimal, it’s nice knowing the ideas are percolating in the background, waiting for their next burst of momentum.
Sometimes the quiet stretches are part of the process—letting things settle before the next round of inspiration hits.
Book Review: Marvels – Finding Wonder in the Ordinary
At last weekend’s Rail City Fan Fest, I picked up a copy of Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross—a book I’ve known about for years but never actually owned. And wow, was it worth the wait. Reading it felt like rediscovering the entire Marvel Universe through fresh eyes.
Marvels isn’t your typical superhero story. Instead of focusing on Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, or the Avengers directly, the book tells their story through the lens of Phil Sheldon, a photojournalist who witnesses the rise of superheroes and villains from the streets below. It’s this perspective—the ordinary man watching extraordinary events—that gives the story so much power and humanity.
Kurt Busiek’s writing is beautifully grounded, mixing awe with skepticism, and capturing how a world suddenly filled with “marvels” might actually feel to live in. And Alex Ross’s fully painted artwork? It’s absolutely stunning. Every panel looks like a living, breathing moment—epic, cinematic, and emotional all at once. The way Ross makes these larger-than-life heroes look so real brings an almost mythic quality to the story.
What I love most is how Marvels reminds you that wonder, fear, and inspiration all go hand in hand. It’s about the people behind the headlines, and what it means to live in a world full of gods, monsters, and miracles.
Picking it up at the Fan Fest made the experience even better—it felt like finding a treasure among friends. Marvels is a masterpiece that celebrates both the extraordinary and the everyday, and I’m so glad I finally added it to my collection.
Personal Update: Finding My Rhythm and Feeling Grateful
This week felt steady and full in all the right ways. I went to Jordan’s open house at her school, which was great—it’s always nice to see her in her element, excited to show off her classroom and what she’s been learning. Those moments always make the week feel a little brighter.
Work-wise, it was a pretty normal stretch, but a good one. I had another Outdoor Edge show, and I’m happy to say I’ve really found my rhythm with it now. It feels natural, comfortable, and fun—like I’ve hit that sweet spot where everything just flows.
Both the paper and the radio station are doing really well. Hard to believe it’s been two years since taking ownership of the station—time has absolutely flown by. I’m proud of how far things have come and so grateful for all the people who’ve helped along the way.
Sometimes I pause and think about it—I get to do what I love every day: share stories, connect with the community, and keep things moving forward. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also something I’m truly thankful for.
Iggy insisted on using the rake himself
Jordan showing off her classroom at her school open house this week.
🎙️ Been Here. Still Awesome. Still Limited. 🎨📚🎲
For a while now, we’ve been offering a tried-and-true promotional opportunity through the Storycomic Patreon—and if you’re an independent creative, it’s still one of the best ways to sustainably share your work and grow your audience.
Here’s what our Patreon members have been benefiting from:
✅ Permanent Promotion
Your website or project link is featured in the show notes of all podcast episodes for as long as you're a patron. That’s long-term visibility across every platform where our show is streamed.
🏆 Founders Club Access
The Founders Club remains limited to just 15 spots. No expansions, no waiting list—once it’s full, that’s it. These early supporters have their names (and links) locked into the Storycomic platform.
📢 Monthly Promotion at the Super Club Level
At the Super Club tier, members receive a minimum of one promotional post per month—whether it's a new release, project update, or spotlight on their creative work.
Founders Club patrons include amazing creators like:
Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese.
Explore their work:
🎯 If you're a creator—author, game designer, comic artist—this is your signal. This system is working. Don't wait until the last spot is gone.
Let’s keep building the kind of community that lifts each other up.
—Barney Smith