KikaMika Comics

06/24/2025

Collaboration – The Writer and The Artist

06/16/2025

I have heard time and time again that the thing writers fear most isn’t “writers block” or deadlines, it is writing what they know, deeply personal stories. Every successful story project, be it in prose, comic book, music, movies or television show, is based on universal themes that are personal to the creator of the project. Why? Because no matter how much you think your personal story couldn’t possibly be relevant to an audience, you are wrong. Your story is everyone’s story.

Maybe your story isn’t identical to anyone else’s life, but the emotional relevance of your story is going to be found in just about everyone. That is why these kinds of stories find an audience.

With that in mind, I think I am finally, after 56 years of life, ready to tell a story that I didn’t think was remotely relevant to anyone else. And BINGO, it scares me to death. I guess that means it is the right thing to do.

In the late 70’s my family moved to a new house across town. But it was done in the middle of a school year. Changing schools mid-year was rough. I was 9 years old. It was hard on me to fit in. My anxieties grew until they burst. My teachers sent notes home noting that I spent more time gabbing with others in class or daydreaming. This was true, as I wanted more than anything to not be me. To not be picked on mercilessly, I wanted to be seen, respected, and accepted as one of the “in” kids. So, I would daydream about being someone that had to be admired by everyone. James Bond, Superman, The Last Starfighter, and a multitude of comic book heroes filled my imagination. These feelings have never gone away.

Feeling accepted, finding a place, loving ourselves, these are universal themes and a part of the human condition. I see stories in the news, or social media about kids and adults of every age, gender, orientation, etc, struggling to be seen, heard, accepted as humans of worth. Even a privileged, white cis male has these deep needs. This is something I can write about. So, my next comic book project will be called Daydreamer. I don’t know when it will be finished, or how I will pay for it, yet. But I think we can all relate to feeling lost and in search of who we are.

Yes, Saltwater #6 is still coming out this year. And it is a good one. But then I will be taking a break from Saltwater for a bit and focusing on Daydreamer as well as a Collected Anniversary Edition of Concrete Martians.

Stay Tuned.

Mitch

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06/13/2025

Here I go. Deep Breath...

Daydreamer

06/10/2025

Scripting a Comic Book, how to ‘instruct’ the artist.

05/29/2025

Scripting a Comic Book

05/22/2025

Remember this cover for Saltwater Issue #1? We have not told the story of this unfortunate astronaut. UNTIL NOW. Read about the exciting events that lead to this sad moment in Saltwater: Issue #6 - Endeavor 2. In production now.

05/04/2025

Announcement: We will be at Rose City Comic Con this year.

04/16/2025

World Building - "Saltwater"

04/03/2025

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03/27/2025

World Building - Concrete Martians

03/11/2025

https://open.substack.com/pub/mitchcook/p/how-to-write-comic-books?r=4mctlr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Getting Started