I’m slowly getting BACK into the swing of things, and as part of that process I’ve signed up for THREE appearances at three very different events across Florida!

That might be a bit overkill as I’m still not 100% - however I guess I’ll find out as I hit the road ...

It Means “Delightful”

The first event on deck is THIS WEEKEND - Tanoshii Con - August 22 & 23!

I actually had to look up what “Tanoshii” meant. Apparently, it’s a Japanese word meaning “fun,” “enjoyable,” “pleasant,” or “delightful.”

I like that.

The show is billed as an “all fandom festival,” so I guess we can expect a little bit of EVERYTHING, including ME. Taking place at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida, Tanoshii Con looks like it should be a pretty fun.

Joining me will be one of my oldest friends, comic creator and actor Austin Janowsky, good buddy and author Steve Altier, the man with the hat Matt Knowles, actor Scott Butler, actress Susanna Malak, Gremlins star Zach Galligan, and many more!

I’ll also be joining the Writers & Comic Creators Panel at 2:00 PM on Saturday - so don’t miss that.

Come to Tanoshii Con, join me and all the other awesome folks in Daytona for what promises to be a fun, enjoyable, pleasant and yes, delightful weekend.

Going Back to Ocala

Next up is one of the conventions I look forward to every year: Ocala Comic Con.

It’s always a fun, high-energy show that brings together a great group of attendees, creators, vendors, and celebrities. Naturally, I’ll be there with a cavalcade of Cosmic Comics, along with some of my favorite convention friends.

You’ll find the always amazing Peter Raymundo (Disney animator), Roland Mann (SilverLine Comics), Matt Knowles (Insymmetry Creations), Alex Saviuk (Spider-Man), Sam De La Rosa (Venom), and many more creators on the floor.

The super cool guys behind this show also bring in a bevy of celebrities, including Roy McCann (Game of Thrones), Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian), Amy Jo Johnson (Power Rangers), Billy West (Futurama), and plenty more.

The Ocala Comic Con returns to the World Equestrian Center (or as Matt calls it the WEC) September 19 & 20.

Tickets are on sale NOW, so grab yours early and come spend the weekend with us in Ocala!

Third Show at the First City

After a few years away, I’m heading back to St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States, (if you didn’t know) for Ancient City Con, September 25–27.

I’ll be a special guest of the fine folks at Pop Culture Playground, where you’ll find me at their booth Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately, I won’t be there Sunday.

I’ll be joined Friday and Saturday by fellow creator Terance Baker, while the Pop Culture Playground booth will also feature Roland Mann and Thomas Florimonte on Sunday. The creator lineup doesn’t stop there! Alex Saviuk, Jeff Whiting, Jackie Sonnenberg, and plenty of other talented folks will also be in attendance.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Star Trek, Ancient City Con is beaming in an impressive lineup of Trek guests, including Robert Duncan McNeill, Garrett Wang, Robin Curtis, Dina Meyer, and Vanessa Branch. There will also be plenty of other celebrity guests, including Barry Bostwick, Michael Ironside, Jake Busey, and more.

Ancient City Con will take over the World Golf Village Resort in St. Augustine for a full weekend of comics, fandom, and general nerdiness.

Three conventions.

Three very different shows.

One very tired comic book publisher.

Come out and join me at one or ALL THREE shows and …

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

First, let me apologize AGAIN for another long gap between Cosmic Updates.

Lately, life has had a funny way of reminding me that I’m not twenty-five anymore. I’ve always been a “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” kind of guy. With enough hard work and enough determination, I believe that NOTHING is Impossible.

Unfortunately, my back has a different opinion.

Years of abuse have finally caught up with me, and one tiny spot in my spine has managed to bring everything else to a screeching halt. I had a “procedure” done a little over a week ago and honestly expected to bounce right back. Instead, recovery has taken … let’s just say … a little longer than I’d hoped.

But enough about me - let’s talk comics …

A Tale of Two Conventions

Since the last Cosmic Update, I attended two very different events, and both reminded me why I love this industry.

The first was Infinity Con in Tallahassee.

If you’ve followed Cosmic Times for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me mention my good friend David Heringer. David and I have been helping each other with conventions for years - he lends a hand with PalmCon, and I do everything I can to help with Infinity Con.

Our friendship actually goes all the way back to the very first Infinity Con I attended in Lake City back in 2016. Let’s just say ... if you were there, you know i was a trial by fire that somehow became the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

This year’s Infinity Con was, without question, the BEST one yet.

The floor at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center stayed busy all weekend. There was an energy in the room that was so positively charged, it was palpable. Fans were engaged, creators were busy, vendors were smiling, and behind the scenes everyone worked together like one big family.

Watching David’s vision continue to grow has been incredibly rewarding. Nobody works harder to improve their show year after year, and seeing all of that effort pay off made me happier than I can put into words.

A couple of weeks later - literally the day after my back procedure, David and I teamed up again, this time to attend GCX (Gaming Community Expo) at Universal Orlando.

Part gaming expo, part community celebration, and part experiential entertainment, GCX has a little something for every gaming fan. A very unique aspect of GCX is that the show floor is actually the sound stages on Universal’s back lot. They use the old Nickelodeon theater, and three stages where movies like The Waterboy and Sharknado were filmed.

What struck me most about both Infinity Con and GCX was that neither relies on huge celebrity guests to draw a crowd. Instead, they focus on building memorable experiences and giving attendees reasons to stay, explore, and have fun.

It reminds me that putting the fan experience first is still the right path, something I will continue to foster with PalmCon.

A Fully Turbocharged Review

One of the biggest questions surrounding our last release Turbocharged Teenager was simple:

Would readers actually “get it?”

My co-writer and I intentionally made the book weird. We folded in elements of our humor and sarcasm that we normally leave out of our writing. We knew this strange hodgepodge of humor and horror wasn’t going to be for everyone.

We actively asked for feedback because neither of us knew how it would be received. At Infinity Con, I had several readers stop by to tell me how much they enjoyed the book, one saying that he laughed at nearly every page turn. This super positive face-to-face feedback was very nice to receive.

Then came an unexpected bonus.

Our friends over at Comic Geek Speak featured Turbocharged Teenager on Episode 2086 and gave it an incredibly thoughtful review. If you haven’t listened to CGS before, I highly recommend the podcast, I’ve been listening to it even before I launched Cosmic Times. The discussion about Turbocharged Teenager begins around the 44-minute mark, but the entire episode is worth your time.

Click HERE to Listen

When you write something that’s so heavily influenced by your own sense of humor, there’s always that nagging fear that the jokes will only be funny to you. Hearing the Comic Geek Speak crew (especially Pants) completely understand what Kevin and I were trying to do was both validating and incredibly motivating.

If you picked up Turbocharged Teenager, thank you. Every review, every recommendation, and every person who tells a friend about the book gives projects like this a better chance of becoming something bigger. Hopefully, this won’t be the last time Matt Mish fires up his engine.

One Last Ride

The end of an era is almost here.

The Good, The Bad, and The Prehistoric rides into the sunset with its third and final issue, and the Kickstarter pre-launch page is officially LIVE.

Click HERE for the Prelaunch Page

While Zach puts the finishing touches on the book, you can head over to the pre-launch page today and click “Notify Me on Launch.” That simple click helps more than you might realize and ensures you’ll be among the first to know when the campaign goes live.

I’ll be sharing much more about the project over the coming weeks, both here on Substack and across all the Cosmic Times social channels.

Thank you, as always, for sticking with me through another Cosmic Update. Your support of Cosmic Times, PalmCon, and these crazy comic book adventures means more than you probably realize.

Until next time...

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

Sorry for the massive delay in getting this Cosmic Update out. I just haven’t been myself lately. Getting old is something I recommend avoiding - it’s been a bit of a letdown. But no one cares about that ... let’s talk about Heroes Con (and a few other things) …

Heroes Con - STILL America’s Favorite COMIC Convention

Every June I make the trip to Charlotte for Heroes Con, and every year I ask myself the same question: “Can this show really be as good as I remember?” The answer, somehow, is always YES.

I’ve been attending Heroes Con since 2010, and after all these years it still feels like coming home. Sure, it’s one of the greatest COMIC BOOK conventions in the country, but that’s almost become secondary for me. What keeps pulling me back isn’t just the guest list or Artist Alley.

It’s the people. The conversations. The feeling that, for one weekend, everyone in the building speaks the same language.

This year, I was set up at Table AA-1487 between the incredibly talented Marlin Shoop and, quite possibly, the best pitchman in comics, Trevor A. Mueller. Behind me were last year’s neighbors, Tohm Zahler and Steve Conley, so I couldn’t have asked for better company.

Friday night’s Drink & Draw was another reminder of why Heroes Con is so special. Watching artists donate their time and talent to raise money for Parkinson’s research through Team Cul de Sac always restores a little bit of my faith in this industry. It’s one of those traditions that perfectly captures the spirit of Heroes Con.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

It also gave me a chance to spend time with some of my oldest and dearest friends Deleon Walters, his wife Niki, and my old chum Jordan Steel Thompson. I also finally crossed paths with Enrique Lopez. We’ve somehow managed to miss each other for years, so it was great to finally fix that.

Beyond being the best comic convention in America, Heroes Con is like a giant family reunion. It’s where you reconnect with friends you may only see once a year.

I spent much of the weekend hanging out with Roland Mann (former Malibu and Marvel writer/editor, now steering the ship at SilverLine). I had the opportunity to spend time with Howard Mackie (whose personality is every bit as big as his career) and Tom DeFalco. Outside the Westin on Saturday, I caught up with Pat Broderick (Micronauts) and met Bob Camp (the creator of Ren & Stimpy). I also got to see old friends Ryan Miller, Billy Tucci, Steve Bryant, Kirk and Mindy Spencer, Jeff Dekal, Jamie Jones, Graven Ravenwolf, Travis Gibb, Jeff Carroll, and Paul Pelletier (who hopefully we’ll get a COSMIC cover from soon).

Saturday night was the annual Art Auction. The artwork was spectacular as always, although I’ll admit the atmosphere felt different this year. The room was louder and more crowded than I remember, and Roland and I ended up slipping out a little earlier than usual.

Even so ...
When people ask me what my favorite comic book focused convention is, I never hesitate - Heroes Con. Every single time. Not because it’s the biggest. Not because it’s the flashiest. Because it never forgets what it’s celebrating - COMIC BOOKS and those that create them.

If you’ve never been or even if you have, put June 11–13, 2027 on your calendar, I’d love to see you there.

Explore the Worlds of Infinity Con

With Heroes Con now in the rearview mirror, I look forward to a different type of show - Infinity Con - July 11 & 12!

Watching my friend David Heringer build this convention over the years has been inspiring. What started as a relatively small show in Lake City has grown into one of Florida’s most unique convention experiences. Every year David adds another layer to his vision, and every year Infinity Con feels a little more immersive than the year before. David isn’t trying to copy all the other conventions, he’s building his own vision.

This year’s show features an incredible lineup of makeup and effects artists, including Leslie Rosado, Autumn Turgeon, Kayla King, and more. Our friends from Noise Complaint will once again be performing throughout the weekend, while the Fallout Experience returns alongside the 501st Legion, the Mandalorian Mercs, and the crew of the USS Kahi Tam.

Of course, I’ll be there representing Cosmic Times, joined by creators including Michael Shelfer, Christopher Burdett, Mark Maddox, Daniel Hooker, and an incredibly talented lineup of artists and writers.

Tickets are now available for Infinity Con! So grab your weekend pass and come explore the worlds of Infinity Con with me July 11 & 12 at the Donald L Tucker Center in Tallahassee, FL.

CLICK FOR TICKETS

Streaming with SilverLine

I’ll also be back with the SilverLine crew on Wednesday, July 1st at 9:00 PM Eastern for another live stream.

I’ll be chatting with Barb, Rob, John, and Kasisi about comic books, conventions, and whatever else comes up along the way. Jump into the comments and join the conversation—we always have a great time.

CLICK TO TUNE IN

A Tease of What’s to Come

Just putting this here without comment …

… more on this in the next Cosmic Update.

Thanks for reading to the end of this Update, I hope you enjoyed my short Heroes Con wrap-up and that you will join me at Infinity Con and will tune into the SilverLine live-Stream on Wednesday.

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

Convention season is upon us, and we have a lot going on. I don’t really have a snappy intro for this Cosmic Update, so before we look ahead, let’s take a quick look back...

The Marvelous Mandel Fan Fest

This one-day celebration of fandom was hosted by longtime friend (and mega-talented artist) Erick Marquez at his home base, the beautiful Mandel Public Library in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. Erick pulled together an amazing gathering of vendors, guests, presenters, and fan groups that touched on nearly every corner of nerd culture.

After a fun day of fandom, a small group of us gathered at a local restaurant called Grease. There, we broke bread and had a few laughs as we attempted to solve all the problems facing the comic book industry.

Did we succeed?

Time will tell.

The Heroic Heroes Convention

Up next for me is America’s favorite COMIC convention: Heroes Con!

This is a pure comic book show where the focus is on creators and artists - not celebrities trying to cash in on their fifteen minutes of fame. It’s always refreshing to attend an event that puts comics first.

We first attended Heroes Con back in 2010 and immediately fell in love with both the show and the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. I still remember someone stopping by the Cosmic Times table and telling me that now that I’d made it to Heroes Con, I needed to come back every year. Truer words were never spoken.

If you’re serious about comics, this is the place to be.

If you’re a comic fan or collector, Heroes Con boasts the absolute best guest lists in the industry. Just a few of this year’s guests include John Romita Jr., Scott Snyder, Chris Claremont, Ann Nocenti, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, David Finch, Tim Bradstreet, Jeph Loeb, Mark Bagley, Arthur Adams, Jae Lee, and literally hundreds more creators from every corner of the comic book world.

Beyond all of the awesomeness of the convention itself, one of the after-hours highlights for Heroes Con is the Friday Night Drink and Draw. Taking place at the Westin (right across the street) after the show at 7:30, this is a chill way to spend the night and the proceeds go directly to Parkinson’s research. Hang out, draw on a coaster or buy one, it’s a great way to wrap up day one.

On Saturday night at 7:30 (also over at the Westin) is the Heroes Con Art Auction, one of my favorite things to go to all year. The artwork on display is insanely good, but be warned some pieces can fetch some pretty high numbers. I remember my first Heroes Con Art Auction I was outbid for an awesome Thing piece that ended up going to my friends & Amanda Rachels. I’m eagerly looking forward to this year’s auction and hope to bring my buddy Roland with me.

Of course, I’ll be there on the floor of the Charlotte Convention Center slinging Cosmic Times comics from table AA-1487 all weekend, and I hope you’ll stop by and talk comics with me.

I also want to highlight a few friends and fellow creators who will be on the floor at Heroes Con. If you have the chance, please stop by and say hello to Steve Bryant, Steve Conley, Jeff Dekal, Chris Ehnot, Jamie Jones, Roland Mann, Ryan Miller, Alex Saviuk, Mark Stegbauer, Jose Varese, JK Woodward, and Tohm Zahler.

Heroes Con takes place June 12-14, 2026 at the Charlotte Convention Center (501 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202). Please stop by and say “hello”.

Staying Infinite with Infinity Con

Following Heroes Con, I’ll be returning to Tallahassee for the incredible Infinity Con July 11 & 12, 2026!

Show runner David Heringer continues to push the boundaries of what a convention can be, constantly introducing new elements, experiences, and interactive attractions that set Infinity Con apart from other events.

If you’re looking for a truly unique convention experience, don’t sleep on Infinity Con. The show’s slogan has always been:

“The Possibilities Are Infinite!”

For 2026, that statement feels more true than ever.

That wraps up this Cosmic Update. If I don’t see you at Heroes Con, I hope I’ll see you at Infinity Con.

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

I’ve been pretty reflective as of late, thinking about where I’ve been and where I’m going … in turn I’ve also been pondering those same directions for Cosmic Times & PalmCon. The impetus for all this soul searching comes from a recent loss. My long time friend and competitor John Ulloa recently passed away - last weekend we said our final goodbyes. John was, at the same time a simple and complex man, I know that’s a strange and contrary description … but apt.

I first met John in 2010 at MegaCon in Orlando, it was my second appearance at that show (not counting the one-off Mini-MegaCon) and the first one where I finally felt things were starting to open up for Cosmic Times. On one side of me was comic creator and friend Austin Janowsky and on the other was Creature Entertainment - John’s new comic company. I say new because John had been in the game before, back in the 1990s with High Impact Studios, there is a lot that can be said about High Impact … but I’ll save that for another day.

What struck me about John and his partner Juan Navarro at that MegaCon was their ability to sell comics. John had a way with customers, if they approached his booth at least 70% of them would walk away with a purchase, where I was averaging maybe 25% at best (more like 10% these days). I had to know more, I had to figure out how these guys were doing it, so I struck up a conversation and instantly we became friends.

Over the years we grew closer, traveling to conventions all over the country, always pushing each other to do better. John would often push me out of my comfort zone, if not for him - I never would have discovered my love for New York City Pizza or my distain for Chicago style, I never would have walked down to Pike Place and left my gum on that nasty wall, nor would I have had so many laughs as we traveled to Heroes Con or all those crazy nights at SuperCon back in the day.

John had no fear … that was sometimes a double edged sword, he would often rush into things without thinking, dragging others along with him. For all the laughs, there was also some huge fights. But the thing about my friendship with John - I would be yelling at him about this or that, then 10 minutes later we were hugging and laughing again. He was unique in that way, nothing ever stuck, except our love for each other.

Over the last few years we had gone our separate ways, he wasn’t really making comics and I was, he had stopped going to conventions … but as many readers of these Cosmic Updates know I never stopped (I just love conventions so much). John reached out around the first of the year saying he wanted to make comics again, and he wanted to make them with me. This wasn’t the first time we talked about teaming up, in the past there were projects like ARTIE and Black, Beans, & Crackers (a script we wrote together at a friends wedding), but nothing ever materialized. This call seemed desperate, he really wanted to get back into comics and with his partner Juan now living in Texas, he wanted someone to take that journey with him.

We met a while later at a place he called “white people food” - Cracker Barrel, we sat for hours reminiscing about the old days and talking about what we could do together in the future. We also talked about his family and how much they meant to him … through all of his crazy antics … John was a family man at heart. We also talked about his relationship with Juan and how it was strained … but that he still considered him a brother and was looking forward to one day working with him again.

We made plans to start to develop a few projects together and to start attending shows again - he was interested in coming with me to Heroes Con to get back into the game. We hugged and said that we loved each other and … … … that was the last time I ever saw my friend.

Two weeks ago the phone rang - it was our mutual friend Anthony, I could tell something was wrong right away. At first I thought he was in trouble and needed help … but then through a cracked voice … he told me that John was gone. It hit me like a ton of bricks … took me days to process the news, I just couldn’t fathom a world where John wasn’t in it. I later learned that it was his heart and it was quick, he felt no pain, that really helped - because the thought of him suffering would have been too much to bear.

Last Friday was the service, seeing him laying there lifeless … that wasn’t the John I knew. Anthony put it best while speaking at the service when he said “John’s not in that box he’s inside all of us”. Looking around the room, I saw John’s family and friends all tied together in sadness and love for this larger than life creator of comic books. So many faces from the comic book community gathered together - who only knew each other because of John. He was a linchpin in the south Florida comic book community … I didn’t realize how important he was to so many - until he was gone.

My friend John … he was a mentor, a competitor, and a person I loved very much and I do like to believe that there IS part of him inside me. In these reflective moments after his passing … I am left inspired by him. Moving forward I’ll do my best to tap into that fearless nature John had and to continue to embrace comics with both arms as he did … more importantly I hope I can be as good of friend to others as he was to me.

Goodbye John,

Martin

Wrapping up one show getting ready for the next … the life of a comic book creator is one that seems to always be on the move. From day one, I knew comic cons would be part of this life that I chose for myself. My very first convention was MegaCon (Orlando) 2009 and I haven’t stopped since. The convention scene has changed so much over the last 17+ years, comic creators went from being rockstars to playing second fiddle to the cast of Gilmore Girls. Saying that, I’m not bitter, I came to terms with this change years ago and still continue down this lonely road. I know I’ll never see sales like we had back in 2012 or 2013, at least not in this current environment, I go now more for the fellowship. I will sometimes agree to do a show, because of WHO is going to be there and less about what the expected attendance is. That’s not to say I don’t try to cover my costs with comic book sales, it’s just not the only factor at play.

Let’s talk about the last event we attended …

Tampa Bay Toy & Comic Expo

The Tampa Bay Toy & Comic Expo was a one day shindig (obviously) in Tampa, Florida. It was a tight room packed with vendors, cosplayers, and guests … along with a pretty cool Transformers display. When I was younger a drive to Tampa would have been an easy-peasy drive across the state … now it’s a little more of a chore. Keeping this in mind my wife Bethany came along to help with the show, that also constituted booking a hotel room … not something I would normally do for a one-day in state show. Staying the night however, allowed me to be rested and ready for a full day of comic con goodness.

The show had a decent turnout (especially early in the day), I checked with Barry Mazzoni (the man behind this event) and he felt good about the numbers. Next to me was a fellow who I often find myself partnered with at these shows - (representing SilverLine). We had several good chats at the show and my wife even picked up his latest novel The Interns. Also around us were fellow creators Marcus Roberts & good buddy Javier Lugo. Other notable names were Jeff Whiting, Pat Broderick, Joe Doyle, and Maria DeVivo. Barry setup a pretty cool looking display of Transformers (directly across from us) and no convention would be complete without seeing the Confather (Tom Raupp) who finally tracked down an elusive comic for me … the Marvel comics adaption of the musical Xanadu.

The show wrapped early allowing us to go out to Five Guys burgers for a post-convention meal with Roland, his wife BJ, and Javier. Many laughs were had (at the constant chirping) and many deep conversations were delved into. It was the perfect way to wrap up the day before heading our separate ways.

Now let’s talk about THIS weekend …

Mandel Fan Fest

No moss on this rolling stone … this Saturday May 23rd, I’ll be at it again (this time closer to home) at the Mandel Fan Fest - another fully packed one-day event. This is a FREE to attend event hosted by the Mandel Public Library in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. The driving force behind the Fan Fest is long time friend (and talented artist) Erick Adrian Marquez and he has put together a packed day!

From panels to events to giveaways, this show has everything you could want. Also he has invited some pretty cool special guests … Andrea Molinari - creator of The Shepard, Paul Eza - a pretty cool indie creator, - an author with three books under her belt and more on the way, Matt Knowles - one half of , and may, many more!

If you are in the area, stop by … like I said admission is 100% FREE.

If I don’t see you at the Fan Fest this weekend, hopefully I’ll see you at a future event!

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

Just wanted to keep everyone in the loop regarding the Turbocharged Teenager Kickstarter fulfillment. As of this writing the campaign is 85% fulfilled … the remaining unfulfilled rewards have been slightly delayed because of two reasons - either we are waiting for a package to arrive containing the Vicious Circus add-ons (scheduled to arrive Wednesday) or the backer hasn’t completed their survey. If you backed Turbocharged Teenager and added-on a Vicious Circus trade paperback … you should have your package by this weekend. If you were a backer and haven’t filled out your survey, please do so.

There was one copy of the book that fulfilled in person today! I met with fellow comic creator Paul Rashid to swap rewards. He got his copy of Turbocharged Teenager #0 and I got my copy of his book Little Pub of Horrors #1. We chatted about life, comics, and what to do next on Kickstarter.

In other news - I just shutoff the late pledges option for the campaign, so as of right now if you weren’t a backer, the only way to obtain a copy of Turbocharged Teenager #0 will be at the conventions I will be attending in May - the Tampa Bay Toy & Comic Expo (May 16) or the Mandel Fan Fest (May 23). After that, I am toying with giving the TikTok shop another chance … but I’m still on the fence when it comes to that platform.

Looking forward to those upcoming shows, hopefully I’ll see some of you there.

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

Been a long time since the last Cosmic Update … I had been working on one to wrap up PalmCon: South … and I still might post it … but for right now I have some Cosmic News to share. I mean - isn’t that the point of these updates to update folks on what’s going on in the world of Cosmic Times? So without further ado, here we go …

Next Cosmic Event in Tampa!

Coming up on May 16th I will be returning to Tampa for the Tampa Bay Toy & Comic Expo! This event is organized by the super awesome Barry Mazzoni, who really loves toys, comics, and the Transformers - making him a cool guy in my book. This will be a one-day event packed with comics, toys, art, collectibles and of course some fun comic book guests, myself included. Other comic guests include many friends and a few familiar faces - Javier Lugo (Arthur: The Legend Continues cover artist), Pat Broderick (Marvel & DC artist), Roland Mann (SilverLine publisher/writer), Joe Doyle (Image & IDW artist), Jose Fuentes (SilverLine artist), and many more! Also in attendance will be Pikabelchu, Bert the Stormtrooper, and wrestlers with Atomic Legacy Wrestling.

It’s going to be a fun day and the best part is admission is only FIVE BUCKS! So come out and join us at the Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge (3315 W. Lemon Street, Tampa, Florida 33609), for the Tampa Bay Toy and Comic Expo!

One Week Later

The weekend right after the Tampa Bay Toy & Comic Expo I will be back home in Palm Beach County for one of my favorite events the Mandel Fan Fest on Saturday May 23rd! The show is a celebration of all things fandom in an environment that is welcoming to everyone. This fan focused convention is hosted by the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach and features community-run panels and a local artist alley.

I’ll be there representing Cosmic Times along with some other awesome guests Andrea Molinari (writer/editor), Heidi Hess (author), Matt Knowles (writer/musician), Jeff Carroll (author), Paul Eza (writer), and more! Our friends from the Delta Fleet and the 501st will also be there, this is a FREE family friendly event that locals won’t want to miss.

More Shows

Following the Mandel Fan Fest I have these events already locked in …

Heroes Con, 6/12-6/14 in Charlotte, NC

Infinity Con, 7/11-7/12 in Tallahassee, FL

Tanoshii Con, 8/22-8/23 in Daytona, FL

… and of course our own show …

PalmCon: Treasure Coast, 11/14-11/15 in Port St Lucie, FL

So lots going on and even more fun coming up!

That’s it for this Cosmic Update, just some info on upcoming shows. Is there comic book news? YES! But you’ll have to wait for that … until next time …

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

This past weekend I had the honor of being a guest at Shadow Con in Orlando. The event was hosted by Tom “The ConFather” Raupp, who understands comics and what makes a great show. He put together a true comic convention, one focused squarely on comic books.

The room was packed with incredible vendors offering comics from every era, and the guest list was stacked with some of the best indie creators working today. The atmosphere had a great buzz all day long, with plenty of fun conversations about comics and the industry.

What made Shadow Con especially enjoyable was how relaxed everything felt. It wasn’t a high-stress convention—things ran smoothly and the overall vibe was low-key, almost like a mini vacation for me.

The guest list was deep, including John Beatty, Pat Broderick, Kyle Willis, Marcus Roberts, and many more. I was fortunate enough to be seated next to the always awesome Steve Conley, who patiently endured my constant chatter about Star Trek. Sometimes I just can’t help myself.

After the convention wrapped up, Steve, Roland Mann, Thomas Florimonte, Javier Lugo, and I headed over to Del Taco for a post-con meal. Naturally, the conversation turned to the challenges and pitfalls of the comic book industry. Did we solve them all? Hard to say. I suppose the rest of the year will be the real test.

All in all, Shadow Con was a fantastic experience, and I was truly honored to be invited.

In other Cosmic News…

We Can’t Do It Without You!

Our Kickstarter for Turbocharged Teenager is entering the final stretch, and we’re still fighting to cross that finish line.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, let me encourage you to take a moment and visit the campaign page. This project blends the wild energy of 1980s Saturday morning cartoons with a dose of body horror to create something fast, strange, and a little bit insane - in the best possible way.

We’re incredibly proud of the book and I have created, and we’d love your help bringing it to life.

So if you’re curious, head over to the Kickstarter page, take a look at the artwork, and see what we’ve been building. If it looks like your kind of weird … consider backing the campaign and helping us GO TURBO.

Click HERE to GO TURBO!

Next COSMIC Event!

Next up on the Cosmic calendar, we’re heading back to Jacksonville for one of our favorite conventions - Collective Con.

The show takes place March 27–29 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center and brings together a huge mix of pop culture guests and comic creators. This year’s lineup includes Peter Raymundo, Alan Tudyk, Clay Mann, Dave Johnson, Manny Jacinto, Ivanna Sakhno, Matthew Wood, Matt Knowles, and many more.

Beyond the guest list, Collective Con is simply a fantastic convention—well run, well organized, and always a lot of fun. If you’re planning to attend, be sure to stop by the Cosmic Times booth and say hello.

Well, that about wraps up this Cosmic Update. The next one will likely be a bit of a post-mortem on the Turbocharged Teenager campaign as we look at what worked, what didn’t, and what comes next.

Thanks for reading to the end, and as always …

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

On March 3rd, of FlatLine Comics and I launched the Kickstarter for our new comic Turbocharged Teenager. It’s a project we’ve poured a tremendous amount of time and energy into, and one I genuinely believe is something special.

The concept is intentionally wild. We took the strangest elements of 1980s Saturday morning cartoons and smashed them together with a dose of body horror to create something weird, fast, and a little offbeat. Kevin and I spent a long time dialing in the script to find the right balance of action, horror, and comedy, and by the end we felt like we had something truly unique.

We also worked hard to build a strong Kickstarter campaign … great artwork from Ian Woryanto and Oscar Pinto, a solid campaign page, and a lot of effort leading up to launch.

Click HERE to Go Turbo!

And yet… the campaign hasn’t quite caught fire the way we hoped.

That’s the reality of launching something new. Sometimes it takes time for the right audience to discover it.

But here’s the important part: this project deserves to be seen.

Turbocharged Teenager plays with nostalgia for those wonderfully strange 80s cartoons while twisting the concept in unexpected directions. One creative choice I made was to hold back some of Oscar Pinto’s more intense body-horror artwork from the campaign itself. I wanted readers to experience that surprise when they opened the book.

What we’ve launched on Kickstarter is Issue Zero — essentially a “pilot episode” for the series. If readers respond, Kevin and I are ready to keep going. We’re already outlining what comes next, including even stranger 80s cartoon ideas like a killer monster truck and a mysterious “magic cube” that opens a portal straight into hell.

But first, this issue needs to find its audience.

Even if you’re just curious, take a moment to check out the campaign page and see what we’ve been building. If it speaks to you… consider backing this project.

Click HERE for the Campaign

Thank you for taking the time to read this update and for continuing to support the strange little universe we’ve been building at Cosmic Times.

Stay Cosmic,
Martin

I know it hasn’t been that long since the last Cosmic Update, I am just so excited to show off the THIRD cover for our upcoming launch - Turbocharged Teenager!

I mentioned earlier that through the “magic” of Substack I recently reconnected with fellow creator . We used to buddy around back in the early days of SuperCon, but lost touch over the years. Well not only have we reconnected - Rob just created the artwork for Cover C of Turbocharged Teenager, check it out …

As if you needed yet another reason to follow this project, let Rob’s cover entice you. Head over to the Kickstarter prelaunch page and click the “notify me on launch” button so you can be part of the “in-crowd” that will have the opportunity to be a day one backer and help us launch this project properly.

Click HERE for the Prelaunch Page

Thanks for the support and as always …

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

I’ve been struggling to find a way to start this Cosmic Update … but I just can’t seem to find the right tone … or a topic to open with. I’ve been starting, stopping, and deleting for the last 30 minutes and have nothing to show for it. So I have decided to just skip the intro and JUMP right in …

Turbocharged Teenager Cover Drop!

As you may or may not know, (of FlatLine Comics) and I have been working on a new project that will soon be launching on Kickstarter - Turbocharged Teenager - issue zero! We’re calling it a “1980s animated fever dream soaked in gasoline. It’s body horror with a synthwave heartbeat.”

Our cover A was created by Larry Watts …

We’ve been pushing that cover out on the prelaunch page and across social media, so you might have seen it. Well you haven’t seen THIS yet! I present to you for the first time - Cover B by Oscar Pinto …

Based on a design by Kevin, Oscar knocked this one out of the park!

Hopefully this killer artwork will motivate you to GO TURBO and head over to the Turbocharged Teenager prelaunch page, when there click the “Notify me on launch” button. Clicking that button not only guarantees that you will be notified when the project goes live (allowing you to be a “day one backer”), but also helps the project build momentum, and lets the algorithm know that folks are interested. So please take a few seconds and follow Turbocharged Teenager.

Turbo Prelaunch!

Shadow Con and Collective Con

I’ll be attending TWO conventions in March!

First up is Shadow Con - March 14th at the Avanti Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida. This is going to be a true COMIC BOOK convention … original art, comics new & old + your favorite indie creators. Guests include Javier Lugo, Steve Conley, Roland Mann, Marcus Roberts, Kyle Willis, John Beatty, Pat Broderick, and more.

Two weeks later I’ll be rocking Collective Con in Jacksonville from March 27-29! Taking place at the Prime F Osborne III Convention Center. Collective Con is North East Florida’s premier pop-culture event! The guest list this year includes Peter Raymundo, Ivanna Sakhno, Alan Tudyk, Matthew Wood, Clay Mann, and more.

Information about both shows (and all the others) can be found on the Cosmic Times website under the Cosmic Events tab.

Cosmic Events!

Supporting the Community

I always try to support my friends projects and campaigns - I do what I can to help spread the word … so check these out …

With only a few hours left, check out ’s latest project - Deep Space Lovecraft - 2 Cthulhu Mythos Horror Adaptations! If you get there after it closes - he will have the late pledges options open.

Click for More Info!

(with whom I recently reconnected with through Substack) is currently funding Kate Carter Adventures Volume 1 - collecting the first three issues plus tons of extras!

Click for More Info!

As mentioned in the last Update my buddy Steve Conley has just a few days left on his campaign on BackerKit for a D&D 5E supplement - Wildest Shape - A Multiversal Druid Subclass.

Click for More Info!

Though they just wrapped a project - moss won’t grow on Matt & Steph, the prelaunch page for their NEXT project TATSUMI: The Serpent Mistress #1-3 is already live.

Click for More Info!

Naturally I want you to support my friends, but make sure you follow Turbocharged Teenager first!

Click to Go Turbo!!!

Thanks for reading this Cosmic Update, I actually have TWO more conventions to add to our appearance calendar, I’ll drop those in the next Update and maybe have some art to show off from Turbocharged Teenager to boot.

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

If you’ve been paying attention to the Cosmic Times social feeds lately, you’ve probably noticed a couple of strange, cryptic images floating around teasing our first Kickstarter of 2026.

Well the mystery is over.

It’s time to officially introduce Turbocharged Teenager.

Let’s rewind to 1984. MTV mattered. Transformers ruled toy aisles. Knight Rider owned television. Matt Mish was popular, confident, dating the hottest girl in school, cruising around town in a cherry-red sports car with the world at his fingertips.

Then everything goes sideways.

In a freak accident Matt and his car are merged into one, he has become both man & machine. Now, he has to drive as hard as he can to save his father from two evil Russian spies! It’s a 1980s animated fever dream soaked in gasoline. It’s body horror with a synthwave heartbeat. It’s ridiculous, emotional, fast, strange … and somehow sincere.

What makes this project even wilder is how it started. One late night over Facebook messenger I was getting punchy while chatting with Kevin LaPorte (of FlatLine Comics). I asked the question - “what if the old cartoon Turbo-Teen were made today?” - after a bunch of crazy ideas went back and forth we suddenly had a fully fleshed out concept. I brought my goofy humor and sense for fast-paced action to the table and Kevin brought his horror experience and sarcasm to create something that has become larger than the concept and truly bigger than the sum of it’s parts.

Artists Ian Woryanto and Oscar Pinto are nailing the tone we were looking for, juxtaposing their styles against each other to give the book the look we wanted. Saturday morning cartoon energy slamming into hyper-realistic body horror - creating a book that feels like nothing else on the shelves right now.

We’re launching Turbocharged Teenager: Issue Zero on Kickstarter in early March. Think of it as a pilot episode - your entry point into this crazy world. If the book is well received, we will order a complete mini-series into production immediately. The easiest way to show early support is to head to the Kickstarter prelaunch page and click “Notify Me on Launch.” That way when the project launches you will have the chance to be a day one backer. If you like weird, heartfelt, high-concept comics that swing big - please follow Turbocharged Teenager on Kickstarter.

Click for the Prelaunch Page!

In other Cosmic News …

Fun with Livestreams

On January 27th, Kevin LaPorte and I sat down for a livestream her on Substack to talk about the state of the comic book market at the start of 2026, a follow up to the one we did in January of 2025. It’s a fun, honest conversation, and if you stick around to the end, we do talk about Turbocharged Teenager.

If you like that conversation we are planning on doing it again, right here on Substack (through Keven’s Comics Crowd feed) - Tuesday, February 11th at 9:00 PM (eastern), so tune in and join the conversation.

The Shadow Con Knows

I’ve been invited to Shadow Con, and I couldn’t be more excited to add it to the Cosmic Calendar.

You can find me at the Avanti Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida on March 14th from 10 AM to 5 PM. It’s a comic book convention in the purest sense of the word … creators, fans, original art, real conversations with guests like Steve Conley, John Beatty, Kyle Willis, Pat Broderick, Roland Mann, and more. The folks behind Shadow Con are aiming to deliver BIG convention energy without the “mega price tag”. Please come out and support this amazing show.

Click for the Cosmic Events Page

Speaking of support …

Supporting the Community

I have several friends running crowd funding campaigns right now that you might wish to check out …

Steve Conley (who will be at Shadow Con) is running a campaign on BackerKit for a D&D 5E supplement - Wildest Shape - A Multiversal Druid Subclass.

Click for More Info

Our friends at Attic Door Media are running a BackerKit campaign for Phoenix Planetarium a series of enamel pins inspired by the planets.

Click for More Info

As mentioned in the last Cosmic Update, old friends Matt & Steph are funding TATSUMI: The Serpent Mistress 1 & 2 over on our platform of choice, Kickstarter!

Click for More Info

They’re all fantastic projects and after you hit the Turbocharged Teenager prelaunch page, I highly recommend checking them out.

Click to be TIURBO!!!

Thanks for sticking with me to the end of this Cosmic Update … I honestly can’t wait for you to check out Turbocharged Teenager!

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

The Live-Stream Is BACK ON!

The live-stream with old friend Kevin LaPorte of Flatline Comics that we had to cancel is officially back on and I’m really excited about this one.

Kevin and I will be diving deep into the future of indie comics in 2026 and beyond: crowdfunding, publishing strategies, shifting reader habits, and what creators should be preparing for as the landscape continues to evolve. Expect a candid, forward-looking conversation - not theory, not fluff, but real talk from two folks actively in the trenches.

The stream takes place THIS Tuesday, January 27th at 9:00PM Eastern over on Kevin’s Substack and the NEW SubstackTV app!

Set a reminder, bring your questions, and come talk comics with us.

The stream will be hosted by Kevin — so make sure you’re following his Substack!

Click to Subscribe!

In Other Cosmic News…

CFCC Was Absolutely Awesome!

This past weekend I attended the colossal Central Florida Comic Con, kicking off the 2026 convention season. This show delivered on every level, energy, attendance, organization, and community, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the year.

Huge credit to show promoter Ben Penrod, the always-on-top-of-it Katie Keely, and comic book coordinator Lan Pitts. Every year I’m impressed by how smoothly this show runs. The CFCC staff is truly remarkable.

But beyond the logistics, CFCC always gives me something even more important: time with the comic community.

As always, I got to hang with Steve Conley, trying to figure out how to make comics better … and … make better comics. Sadly, our friend Mark Romero was under the weather, so his Attic Door Media partner Cici Affini had to fly solo as we went out to enjoy the deliciousness of LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken and later reconvened at the hotel bar with John Crowther to solve (or at least aggressively debate) the problems of the universe.

On Sunday, I was joined at the booth by the insanely talented Javier Lugo, and I was reminded just how cool it is to have an artist drawing live at the booth, watching people stop mid-aisle to see art come to life never gets old.

I also got to catch up with a ton of incredible creators including Jackie Sonnenberg, Marcus Roberts, Steve Altier, Nick Casbarro, Travis Gibb, pro-wrestler Ray Lloyd (Glacier), and so many more that I know I’m forgetting.

All in all?

An incredible weekend — and I’m already looking forward to returning January 15–17, 2027.

You can check out all the photos and videos from the show over on the Cosmic Events page at the Cosmic Times website.

CFCC | Cosmic Events!

Upcoming Events

With our first show of the year in the books, our convention calendar is officially filling up:

• Collective Con - March 27–29, 2026 - Jacksonville, FL

• Mandel Fan Fest - May 23, 2026 - West Palm Beach, FL

• InfinityCon - July 12–13, 2026 - Tallahassee, FL

• Tanoshii Con - August 22–23, 2026 - Daytona Beach, FL

We’re looking to add more - especially shows outside Florida - so keep an eye out for announcements and check out the Cosmic Events page on the Cosmic Times Website.

Click for ALL Cosmic Events

Speaking of Conventions…

PalmCon Updates

Our own one-day celebration of fandom and fun, PalmCon: South, is coming up fast on April 11th at the Dr. André Fladell Civic Center (formerly the South County Civic Center).

We still have a few tables available inside and will be opening outdoor vendor spaces soon. Keep an eye on the PalmCon: South website and our socials (Instagram | Facebook | X) — announcements are dropping next week.

Also … PalmCon: Treasure Coast is officially returning to the MidFlorida Event Center in Port St. Lucie on November 14th & 15th, 2026. Tables and booths are now available via the PalmCon: Treasure Coast website.

Tickets for both PalmCon events will be available soon.

One Last Thing

My friends Matt Knowles and Steph Cannon are launching a new Kickstarter VERY soon and I invite you to check it out. This Kickstarter is for their swashbuckling adventure series TATSUMI: The Serpent Mistress. The campaign is for the second issue, but you can score both.

The prelaunch page is now live - check it out!

Click for the Prelaunch!

Thanks for reading this latest batch of Cosmic News. I wish I could reveal more… but the wheels of destiny turn slowly.

Tune into the live-stream … I have a feeling a few extra nuggets may slip out.

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

Here we sit, just a few hours away from the turning of the clock as we move into 2026. I see many of my contemporaries posting about their accomplishments and successes of 2025, almost bragging about their good fortune. I don’t say that in a disparaging tone … in fact this Substack started out with that same goal in mind, but for anyone who really knows me … they know I just can never do that. For one, I am always looking forward, never back and secondly I just don’t like patting myself on the back … it goes against my nature. Maybe it’s a character flaw or something … I just don’t celebrate myself, so I won’t be doing that with this post.

In this space between Christmas and New Year’s Day, every year for literal decades the same song rattles around in my head, almost on repeat. Anyone who has followed me on social media no doubt has seen me post about it over the years. The song is actually a Christmas tune from the long forgotten 1992 Barry Levinson film … Toys. While this kooky Robin Williams project was a box office failure, I did see it in theaters way back in 92. As a student of film at the time - I was struck by the artistry on display along with it’s strange soundtrack, which I bought on CD as Specs music (ask your parents) the next day. It’s a unique mix of songs from the movie, not really giving a 90s vibe but something more universal. The first track is the one I am focusing on here … The Closing of the Year by Wendy & Lisa.

Written by Trevor Horn and Hans Zimmer the song opens with these hauntingly sung lyrics …

If I cannot bring you comfort, then at least I bring you hope, for nothing is more precious, than the time we have …

… and so …

We all must learn from small misfortune, count the blessings that are real.

No matter what I’m going through … I find comfort and hope in this song.

This year I’m closing out 2025 with no clear plan for how the next year will roll out. Just 30 days ago I knew exactly what the future looked like and in an instant all that changed. At first that sudden and sharp turn, sent me reeling, I honestly felt lost and confused for the first time in a while. There is another line from the song that I also find meaning in …

We’ll fly in the arms of time, walk in the waves, never fall … don’t fall.

I do feel like I am walking against the waves here, that forces are working to push me back … but that’s giving me strength to push forward with even more resolve. So while I still don’t have everything worked out … I’m doing my best to learn from small misfortunes and count the blessings that are real - here at the closing of the year.

I encourage everyone of you to do the same … leave the failures of 2025 behind you and embrace 2026 with love and hope for a better tomorrow … after all tomorrow is the start of a whole new year.

Thank you for indulging me in this end of year rambling … but I wanted to end things with a message of hope that has been in my head since 1992.

Let me wish each and every one of you a happy, healthy, and successful -

COSMIC NEW YEAR!

Martin

Greetings,

In the last Cosmic Update (just before Christmas) I spoke about embracing the future and stepping boldly into new territory at the start of the year. Since then, I’ll be honest: my plans for 2026 came crashing down - just in time for the holiday.

I made the mistake of tying too much to a single linchpin, and when that pin was pulled, everything unraveled. Sooooo … back to square one.

Yet … hope springs eternal. While it’s true that I don’t currently have a fully formed roadmap for 2026, I still believe deeply in what I’m doing (and have been doing for 17 years). Sometimes, belief is enough to keep moving forward. One door has clearly closed (or rather slammed shut) - but I’m confident another will open. Not by luck or coincidence, but through persistence, hard work, and determination.

Yes, I’m being intentionally vague . VERY vague. That’s because I don’t want to put a name to failure, and I don’t want to hint at announcements until the die is truly cast. What I can say is this: we continue marching forward with our eyes firmly set on 2026 - a year that I am determined, by hook or by crook - will be COSMIC.

In other Cosmic news …

King Arthur Has Arrived!

As I write this, all but FOUR rewards from the Arthur: The Legend Continues – The Final Issue Kickstarter have been fulfilled. The remaining four packages are simply waiting on completed surveys from those backers - I can’t ship books if I don’t know where they’re going.

Looking back at fulfillment, a few things stood out …

We had 73 total backers. Of those, 38 were digital-only, leaving 31 physical books shipped (35 minus the four pending surveys). Those physical books went to just 12 states. Florida, unsurprisingly, led the pack - but interestingly, none went to Georgia or the Carolinas, despite my convention appearances there.

This data tells me something important … I need to expand my reach and introduce Cosmic Times to readers in those other 38 states.

That said, I am incredibly grateful to every single backer - whether you supported physically or digitally. Without you, I would never have been able to complete the saga of King Arthur in a post-apocalyptic future.

New Project from FlatLine Comics

Our good buddy and longtime friend is launching a NEW comic on Kickstarter - Darkwoven, a dark cyberpunk fantasy. It’s the twisted tale of a desperate father who abandons his corporeal body & sacrifices his consciousness to the dark web on a quest to rescue his wife & daughter. Sounds AWESOME!

The prelaunch page is now live - check it out!

Click for the Pre-Launch!

I’m keeping this Cosmic Update a little lighter as we come off the holidays and gear up for the new year. Please don’t think this short Update is because we are not busy - things are moving quickly behind the scenes, including work on new projects and, of course, PalmCon.

Look for one more Cosmic Update before the dawn of 2026.

Stay Cosmic,

Martin

Holiday Greetings,

Growing up in the late ’70s and early ’80s, everyone seemed to be a futurist in one way or another. The 21st century was just around the corner. Technology was accelerating. Astronauts were routinely heading into space and returning home. The future felt limitless - and it was going to be amazing.

Now … as a much MUCH older man moving swiftly through the first quarter of the 21st century, I find myself reflecting on the promises that were made, the promises that were kept, and the many that were broken. Technology has never been more efficient or more accessible. No one in the ’80s could have predicted the power a smartphone would place in our hands. While I see many people failing to fully leverage those tools, I’m still in awe of what’s available at our fingertips.

What does this have to do with making comics Martin?

It’s less about technology itself and more about the willingness to embrace change. The comic industry has undergone massive, seismic shifts since 2020, with arguably the most significant changes happening this year alone. When I founded Cosmic Times, I was determined to do things differently - and at the time, I absolutely did. But now, seventeen years later, I find myself stuck in a rut. I’m still operating much the same way I have for over a decade.

That needs to change!

As we head into 2026, I’m committed to shaking things up - trying approaches I’ve never tried before, partnering with new creators and companies, and pushing Cosmic Times toward a more future-focused vision. I expect it won’t be easy for this old dog to learn new tricks … but if I don’t try, what’s the point of continuing?

So keep an eye out. A new chapter is beginning to unfold in the weeks and months ahead.

After all … … … the future belongs to the dreamers!

In Other COSMIC News …

King Arthur Has Arrived!

I know this project took far longer than any of us anticipated, and I want to sincerely apologize to all of the backers for the delays along the way. A handful of unexpected hurdles popped up—but they have all been cleared.

I am thrilled to finally say the words we’ve all been waiting to hear: the books are officially in my hands. After months of production, shipping, and logistical challenges, Arthur: The Legend Continues – The Final Issue and The Complete Saga have arrived.

I filmed (well my daughter filmed) an unboxing video so you can see exactly what showed up - check it out …

With books now in hand, fulfillment is officially underway. We are in the home stretch, and it feels incredible to finally say that.

Any remaining copies will be traveling with me to my first convention appearance of the year…

Convention Season Starts HERE!

We’re proud to be returning to Central Florida Comic Con to kick off our 2026 convention season.

Join me January 17th & 18th, 2026, at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, Florida. Stop by the Cosmic Times booth, talk comics with me, and explore our books as we launch another exciting year on the convention circuit.

At the 2025 Central Florida Comic Con - I sat on an Indie Publishing Panel with Lan Pitts, Heidi Hess, and Bohdan Neswiacheny. It currently lives on YouTube.

Click to Watch on YouTube!

Martin Goes LIVE with SilverLine!

Curious what 2026 might look like for indie comics?

Tune in to the SilverLine Sunday Live-Stream on December 28th at 8:00 PM (Eastern). I’ll be sitting down with old friend Roland Mann and the SilverLine crew to discuss the state of indie comics as we roll into the new year. It should be a fun—and hopefully insightful—conversation.

Click for The SilverLine Channel

What About That Project?

Trust me… I want to shout it from the rooftops.

But I can’t.

We are currently working on three different new projects - and unfortunately, I can’t talk about any of them just yet. Next time … maybe. In the meantime, enjoy this very vague image and know that some exciting things are coming.

Thanks once again for reading and indulging my ramblings. I keep saying I’ll be more focused in future updates - but let’s be honest … you and I both know that’s probably not happening.

Until next time…

Stay Cosmic,
Martin

As I mentioned in the last Cosmic Update, after hosting my own event - PalmCon: Treasure Coast on November 8th & 9th - I headed straight up to Gainesville to help my good buddy David Heringer run his show, InfinityCon. It made for two grueling back-to-back convention weekends … but absolutely worth it.

David and I run similar types of events—shows that put the attendee experience ahead of celebrity guests with massive price tags. That approach keeps costs manageable and allows us to invest more into the show aspect: programming, activities, interactive elements, and all the things that create a memorable, family-friendly convention.

By design PalmCon tends to be more “comic-centric”, while InfinityCon spreads its wings a bit wider - but our philosophies overlap. The difference is that David has a very unique long-term vision. His goal is to transform InfinityCon into a fully immersive experience, complete with themed zones, unique environments, and cool props. It’s a huge dream, but with every show he gets a little closer to making that world a reality.

We all worked our butts off this year - David, his crew, and myself - to deliver the best InfinityCon yet. Sure, there will always be a vendor or artist here and there with opinions on how they think a show should be run, but those philosophies don’t always align with David’s direction. What does matter is the attendee experience, and I can say unequivocally that every single person who walked into the Alachua County Sports & Event Center that weekend had an amazing time.

More than ever before, David’s vision for InfinityCon is beginning to take shape. I, for one, cannot wait to see the full realization of that dream. As David likes to say:

“With InfinityCon… the possibilities are infinite.”

In Other Cosmic News …

Arthur: The Legend Continues “Almost” Printed

I finally received the message I’ve been waiting for - all six issues of Arthur: The Legend Continues - Volumes I & II will be done Thursday or Friday. If ready on Thursday - I WILL get them on Friday … if ready Friday - we’ll see if I drive over or if they will be shipping them.

Either way - once they’re in hand, I’ll begin shipping them out to all the incredible backers who made this project possible—and the rest will be reserved for the 2026 convention season.

By the time the next Cosmic Update drops… I “should” have them.

Another Project…

In the last Update, I mentioned a secret project that Kevin LaPorte of Flatline Comics and I have been developing. We’re just about ready to reveal all the details on that one.

But before we do…

Here’s a sneak peek at another new book in the works. I won’t say what it is … but if you know, you know …

One More Thing …

Kevin LaPorte & Amanda Rachels just launched their latest Kickstarter - A Very Vicious Circus Christmas - 112-Page Deluxe Hardcover. The elevator pitch is this - “a mall Santa destined to replace the real thing goes rogue & joins the haunted clowns of the Vicious Circus to save children from harm.” If you’ve never checked out Kevin and Amanda’s Vicious Circus (Clown Town) series before, this holiday hardcover would be a great place to start.

CLICK HERE TO BACK!

Thanks once again for reading my ramblings. I promise the next Cosmic Update will be a bit more focused (probably).

Stay Cosmic,
Martin