Steve Urena Interview - Zombie Date Night 2

[00:00:00] Your ears do not deceive you. You have just entered the Cryptid Creator Corner brought to you by your friends at Comic Book Yeti. So without further ado, let's get on to the interview.

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[00:01:32] subscribe now or download the 2080 app and why wait? Start reading today. I'll put links in the show notes for you. The intersection of the genres and horror and humor is a fascinating one. It's something I brought up several times on the podcast since my first shot with comics writer Kyle Starks. They share the same cadence and rhythms and it should be no surprise that the recipe comes out as delicious most of the time as peanut butter and chocolate. So I was delighted to see Steve Urana's email hit my inbox as someone who's blending the two that I've

[00:02:01] come to admire his work. Over the last three years, he's been throwing out clever trope combos into the proverbial blender and knocking out successful crowdfunding campaigns ranging from chronicling murder sloths with slow pokes to destroying Christmas in Ex Machina. Don't Stop Believing Santa. Now he's back at that most hallowed of American institutions the mall with Zombie Date Night 2. Steve, it's been a minute since we chatted since I saw you. So how's things?

[00:02:30] Things have been good. Just exploring the comic journey as I would say. Trying to figure out where I lie in the fabric of things, but I've been doing a lot of cons lately and it's just been a lot of fun. So, you know, just seeing where things take me. You got the ground game that's strong. I respect that. That's right. I'm traveling at all different places, so hopefully you'll see me at a comic con near you. That'd be awesome.

[00:03:00] Yeah, if you get to Charlotte, hopefully I could make it there this year. Oh, like my cousins live down there, so I think that will be on the list at some point. Sweet. All right. Well, as we speak, Zombie Date Night 2 is off to a really solid launch. It's just a couple days in while we're talking here. And you're over half funded, so feedback been good. You know, you're hitting the con circuit. Everybody's loving it so far? Yeah. So far, I think so far, at least in my opinion, this Kickstarter is probably my most put together

[00:03:31] thing of all time that I've had, just in terms of what you can get with it. So, like, you could have Valentines, you could have shirts, you could have posters. If for the highest tier, I'll make you a Valentine, a homemade Valentine myself, along with all the other cool stuff. And just there's so much fun to be had with it. And, you know, it's been a little bit of a tougher Kickstarter this time around, because I feel like so many talented people are in the mix at the moment.

[00:03:56] I think I saw that there's like 300 projects within comics and things like that, and horror and art at the same time. So fighting for that space is a little bit tough. But hey, you know, it's been great to see a lot of backers from the last time I've come back. New backers have come in. And so it's just, it's a learning experience. And I'm excited to see where it goes. Yeah, I'm really surprised at just how many I saw on the Yeti Discord today.

[00:04:24] It's like everybody in all the Yetis are launching stuff. So it's a crowded marketplace at the moment. It is. But it's also very cool that there's so many cool indie projects that are out there. Like, you know, it's really there's such a range of things that are out that it's just it's so much fun to see. And and like, I know some people are like, oh, it's competition, but it's not competition. Everybody gets the fact that more people are creating is a win. And I think that's a great thing for Kickstarter. I think that's a great thing for crowdfunding.

[00:04:53] But I was saying that Kickstarter, I think they should make every project a project they love because you're raising money for the platform. You're raising money and awareness. I think you would you would build a lot more creators that way. Yeah, probably so. Well, I read the preview that you sent over, and this certainly lives up to its predecessor. And that's a that's a high bar, given that you had an abuela running around with nail spiked chanclas. Like, that was crazy.

[00:05:18] Yeah, that's one of the most memorable moments in comics humor in the last couple of years for me. I was so good. That's awesome. Well, that's based on my real, you know, my grandmother that I had. She would, you know, whoop my ass with that chancla if if I ever got out of line. And so so to have a grandma with chancla fight fighting zombies, I had to throw that in. But yeah, you're the first person to actually read Zombie Deet Night 2. So, you know, have at it. Let me know what you think.

[00:05:45] You know, I and I appreciate you having me on the show. Oh, yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I have we had an exchange student in from Mexico about five years ago, who's now part of our family. And I sent her a screenshot of that. And she's like, that that is so nailed on. Like, that is so accurate. That's that's right. When the chancla comes knocking, you know, be careful. You got to be able to watch out for your surroundings there. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:06:13] Well, your dialogue is also super one liner heavy. Like, adios pendejo from from Abuela right there. Right. Yes. And I was talking with Matthew Rosenberg the other day, and we were talking about how weirdly sacred comics have become. Like, there's just not as much space for something that is just pure entertainment, you know, and that whole idea you really blowing that idea out of the water that, you know, everything has to be serious.

[00:06:43] And we're in that phase right now, I think, where everybody's just sort of inundated and overwhelmed. And it seems like the perfect time for a book like that. Yeah. So for me, comics should be fun. Comics are. And again, this is more my style, too. I'm more of a goofier person. I would love to write something serious one day, you know, but I think I found my my calling. I found my voice, if you will, in terms of what to do in terms of these comics.

[00:07:08] Horror comedies are always good, but I just feel like there's lack of comedy in comics, which is there definitely exists. But I feel like in comedy for comics, people think like comic strips or people think like Popeye. People think like things like that. Yeah. But, you know, there's a ton of horror out there, which is great. But I think blending the two genres helps me stand out. Yeah, I think so, too. As you progressed as a writer, the formula remains the same.

[00:07:34] But there's no doubt, you know, in there that you also stay committed to the bit. What so what have you learned about mixing horror and comedy as things have progressed in your career? I think just that, you know, they they both have similar beats, as you said in your dialogue or in your in your monologue that you had. And that just in horror and comedy, you can do whatever you want. There's no there's no limit. And there's no, you know, hey, we can't do this.

[00:08:04] It's like, yes, you can, because it's a comic and we could draw it that way. And it'll be fun and over the top and crazy. So I think that's just the perfect medium. Finding your medium is the hardest part, because it's like, you know, I like, you know, I like comedy. I like horror. But I'm like, do I make a movie? Do I mean, what am I doing? And then with the comics, it's like, no, you can do both in within 24 pages, you know, 32 pages. And it's and it's a lot of fun and always less is more. So I love, you know, I love the comic genre.

[00:08:34] I love horror and comedy because I just think they go together really well. And, you know, it's just more if you're more open to you, you could have more laughs with with horror, I think, you know, it doesn't always have to be scary all the time. I mean, I remember as a kid, you know, Goosebumps was awesome. Like I would I would read all those and some of those comedy in there, too. So I feel like horror with a lighter touch is much needed in comics today. So how did you find that as your niche?

[00:09:03] Like, were you practicing all kinds of different stories and this is just the one that stuck for you? It's funny because in comics, so with how I how I broke into comics, I was in a class and I was just playing around and I was like, oh, this would be slow pokes would be such a fun thing to do. Fast killer sloths as a comic. And I didn't think it was going to get made. I didn't think anything of it. I just was like, I'm just going to entertain myself and people liked it in the class.

[00:09:30] And I think that's my that's what I learned the most is like right for yourself. And, you know, your vibe will attract your tribe. Yeah. And so far, so good, which has been very cool at the comic cons because I'm always curious who's buying what? Like, it's like, all right, are the sloths are the bigger drawers at the zombies? But every time it's pretty equal. I mean, the sloths and the zombies are they compete for each other. But sure, it's pretty equal. You know, when this when everything's said and done, it's like, oh, OK, I sold pretty

[00:09:59] equal each of the titles. But yeah, like that's I've just learned that and I just learned to just have fun. Like if you're having fun, people will have fun with you and not to worry because I know writing with anxiety and writing with like, oh, the people like it. I don't care if people like it. I like it. You know what I mean? And that's it. And listen, people will and people won't. As long as people react to it, whether it's positive or negative, I'm completely cool.

[00:10:28] Because because because you've got to read it and I appreciate that. I certainly do. I think this fantastic project, I mean, one of the things that stood out strongly to me was just straight on embracing modern slang into their work. And I think a lot of people will kind of avoid that for fear of dating it, pun intended. But it really felt appropriate, if even necessary in this, you know, and it sort of goes back

[00:10:56] to the sacred thing we were talking about a minute ago. There's this idea that stories need to remain timeless, but, you know, they don't. Like some things are just for the hell of it and they're great and you absorb it and you'll remember that laugh or that that hook, you know, a month from now and you'll chuckle again. And that's great. I mean, that's perfect. And I think, too, you know, yes, things can get dated and everything. But I think with context, like what's what's old is new again.

[00:11:22] Like if somebody reads this in 20 years and is like, OK, and also modern dating, you know, it is slaying, it is messaging people, it is, you know, it's less face to face contact. Now it's more like what you're what you're typing and what you're posting. So I think it's very appropriate for zombie date night, too. Yeah, it's well. And it's really weird for an old dog like me to see have a teenager.

[00:11:48] And it's it's like, why aren't you just calling each other? Like there's this weird sort of social signaling that's happening that I just I don't ever want to date. It's yeah, it's it's it's rough out there from from what I've seen. I'm getting it's funny. When I first wrote this, I was started dating somebody and then now I'm marrying that person. So it is. Congrats. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate that. But it's it's crazy out there.

[00:12:16] And like you said, less face to face time, less contact as yourself. You're you're basically an avatar at this point. You're old pictures. It's nothing current. It's it's it's all text and talk, which is interesting. But and I feel like there's more introverts coming this way as as we progress into the future. Yeah, I think that to me is also interesting because I'm an extrovert.

[00:12:43] So at these comic cons, I'm just shouting at these people and I feel bad because they're like, well, you know, I mean, like they're they're they're not used to the social contact and the pandemic didn't help anything either. But yeah, I will try to whatever. I will try to try to picture you at a con being like murder sloths. Come on, get your murder sloths. I am shameless. Like I will dress up like a sloth if I need to.

[00:13:09] I'll do whatever I need to do to to talk to people and get get awareness about my comics. Yeah, I mean, it's just part of the hustle. I think Ian Mundrick and I were talking the other night and I think he put it as we're all whores in the the ending comics. You got the whore. Absolutely. When it comes to the comics, absolutely. I'll do whatever I need to do to tell you about it. Well, one of the other things I think makes this so successful is it's kind of eschewing

[00:13:37] this whole you're not even bothering with Easter eggs, but making these very blatant and direct pop culture references that span, you know, decades of time from the A team to, you know, infusing rap influences like Run DMC and Lloyd Banks, which I appreciate. Yeah. So I'm fired up in here. So how does this work? You know, is there like a Microsoft Word file that serves as the punchline database that you pull these out and just sort of slap them into the narrative when appropriate? I wish it was that put together.

[00:14:06] It is literally it'll come out as I'm writing because to me, I think your references in terms of the kind and listen, I don't know how other people write their comics or I don't know if it works the way I do my comics. But I remember hearing, I think it was, I'm not sure who the musical artist was, but they were saying like when you make a beat and a rap song, your references and where you got

[00:14:35] the sound from tells you who you are. So I want people when they're reading my comics to be aware of who I am. I love rap. I love old school TV shows. I love certain things and I'll make the references. And, you know, if if people don't understand the reference, I hope they look it up because it's like, hey, check this thing out. You might like it, too. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Well, kids from my particular vintage, certainly Lloyd Banks, you nailed it with that. And so run DMC. Yeah, Lloyd Banks.

[00:15:05] I feel like, you know, I feel like he gets looked over because of, you know, G unit, like 50 Cent was the big, big dog of that. But Lloyd Banks is incredible. He was such a good rapper. And I feel like he kind of gets lost in the shuffle because he and he knew his role, but like he I think he could have surpassed if he wanted to. But I feel like he's all, you know, that's his friend that he's like, I'm happy doing what I'm doing. Yeah. Well, I mean, he cashed in. Yes. Yes. You know, I'm still I'm still waiting for a G unit reunion.

[00:15:32] And at some point, I know they reunited like a few years ago, but I would love to see it again. I saw 50 Cent actually two years ago in Hartford. Um, and the show was was one of the most wild things I've ever been to. So it was actually good. I'm usually never go. It was a good show. He had dancers and everything. But the crowd was absolutely crazy. Like we, uh, the minute we got there, somebody knocked somebody out and I was like, all right, this is going to be a good show. Nice. Okay. Wow. Yeah.

[00:16:02] I know, uh, Wu Tang's back on tour and even though I am, I never go back. I don't know. I'm, I'm, I'm kind of pulled in by, by the new stuff. So I saw them, uh, during their last tour, but it's funny because rappers are usually late. Uh, they're usually very late when they go to shows and there, there are nine people in the Wu Tang clan. So I was, I was, it was like 1130 when they came on. I know this all too well. Uh, cause I did my time as a production assistant.

[00:16:31] It was on the, the rage against the machine tour that, uh, Wu Tang was opening for. Oh, hell yeah. And I remember a time in Atlanta, we were working the shed show, uh, which is the outdoor venue with, you know, the big, you know, metal tin roof, whatever they shed shows and ODB just wandered off and nobody knew where he was. So I had to go track him down in the hood as this, just, just, you know, here's the

[00:16:57] white guy walking where he's definitely not supposed to be looking for old dirty bastards. So you, you can see how the people who didn't interact with him were like, Oh, what are you doing here? Again? Yes. You're looking for old dirty bastards. Like seriously. Um, and I was like, no, no. And I found, and he was just hanging out smoking weed in somebody's house. So they were two hours late. All righty, everybody. We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back. Let's face it. The comics landscape is a mess right now.

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[00:20:14] And big thanks to Arkenforge for partnering with our show. I think I'm going to make Jimmy play a goblin warlock just to get even. Welcome back. Well, the creative team is back for another round. I'm really impressed with the visuals in the book. I actually love, is it Sergo Dominic? Am I pronouncing it right? Sergo Dominic, yes. Sergo Dominic, okay. But his artwork with the sort of exaggerated facial features that sort of reminds me of Justin Bua a little bit. Yeah.

[00:20:42] I fully expect him to be doing big publisher work at some point. Yeah. It's fantastic. I'd say he's incredible. And I love how in the second one, I feel like the second one is more warped. Like their perspective is a little bit more warped. Yeah. Just because of how messed up the world is with all the zombies and everything like that. And I think it just fits so well. He's so talented.

[00:21:05] And I'm very lucky to have the original team back for this because I feel like they make everything pop and they make everything better. So I'm very grateful for that. Yeah. It has the polish of something that you definitely expect to see. I mean, I could see it as an image book, honestly. I mean, that level of just the visual quality. Not take anything away from you. No, it's fine. That's what brings me to the point. I'm just a lowly writer, which is fine.

[00:21:31] But like all the art, like if at the end of the day, if I am terrible at what I do, the art will at least bring you in. That's my focus. You're being humble. You're being humble. I'm learning. I love your stuff. Thank you. I know. But the artists that I've been able to work with have just been like they knock it out of the park and then do it again. Like that's how good everything is. And comics is a team sport.

[00:21:58] Like it's not it's not just like you need they're all pieces of the puzzle and you need you need that to have everything work out perfectly. One thing goes wrong. It's all over. Yeah. Well, I got to ask. Zombies aren't the scariest thing in the book for my money. I remember doing those damn shoebox dioramas in elementary school. So are you exercising some personal demons here yourself? Yeah, I have. I have, you know, one of the main characters doing his presentations.

[00:22:25] And I just think it's funny when there's when you're doing stuff about zombies and it's like, all right, like that's scary. But like at the end of the day, you're just like people are still doing, I guess, human things where it's like instead of running around and everything, it's like, all right, we're all hanging out today. I got to show you this diorama. And, you know, taking the time to like, this is what we're going to do.

[00:22:48] And they're playing like, you know, I mean, I've been in meetings like that where people are still, you know, doing going going over the edge or going the extra mile when it comes to doing their presence. Yeah, I remember, man, I was just still, I'm not a good craft person. So like just nightmares and those little plastic scissors that we had to use as a kid trying to cut up an old shoebox that never worked right. And you ended up, they're supposed to, you know, protect you.

[00:23:15] So, um, and the safety scissors, I believe they are called, but they were never safe because they'd end up breaking and coming apart. And then you'd slice your finger on just trying to use them. It's, it's, it's daunting. Um, I hope, you know, you know, we're talking about like, you know, things day and age. I wonder if people still do that. And does, does your kid still, uh, are, does he still doing art projects or have, has he done art projects when he was a kid? Oh yeah, absolutely.

[00:23:41] Like we did one in junior high school when he was in a class, I think it was a design class, a 3d design class. And so we had to, no, it was a summer math class. That's what it was. So he was doing, it was an advanced AP geometry and the, the class you had to create a 3d mockup or a model.

[00:24:05] So we ended up cutting up and making one that was, you know, maybe eight by three of his dresser complete with drawers that. Oh my. It was, it was rough. I've still got, I've it's in my bedroom, like on the shelf. Cause I was like, I, that thing is I'm keeping it. It is an air lube now. I feel like the, that kids, at least when I was growing up, like the projects that you have to do when you're younger, when you don't know anything are probably the most like advanced.

[00:24:34] Compared to what you're older. So I remember in second grade, my teacher was like, all right, we're doing a, you have to create an invention. And I, in my mind, as I said, I'm like, oh man, I got to make this thing work. You're like, you're thinking like you're inventing lightning, you know, or inventing electricity. Sure. And I, and like, I would rack my brain about like, what am I supposed to do? And then I remember we create, we came up with, it was a glasses cleaner from the game mouse trap. And we just put like, we put like a, um, a piece of foam, you know, where the thing cranks. And I was like, oh, this could be a glasses cleaner.

[00:25:04] But like, it gave me so much anxiety because I'm like, I have to cure cancer by tomorrow. Like, what am I supposed to do? Yeah. I had a, I think it was, I think it was in sixth grade and it was a home ec for people who actually remember what home ec class was. That's right. And we had to make a stuffed animal and my poor mother stayed up with me teaching me how to sew. I think until about 4 a.m. The night before it was due, we're making a stuffed dinosaur.

[00:25:34] Uh, yeah. So hopefully you don't traumatize kids like that anymore. Cause that's all. I mean, I think, I think that, that, that helps you become extroverted because of so much years. You're in so much pain. If somebody else is doing it with you, you could just, you could relate to that person. You're like, oh man, we really have to do that. That project. Right. Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Well, in terms of the zombies, I've always been amazed by their cultural fortitude as a monster kind of managing to stick around for decades and decades and decades.

[00:26:01] Clearly there's some intent to use the blueprint of George Romero's, you know, iconic Dawn of the Dead in this with the mall setting. Have you ever visited the, the Monroeville mall? So that I, I'm very sad that I, so they, they're doing zombie fest and I wanted to reach out and be like, Hey, maybe I can, I can do it this year. But I got into another con for that weekend. So, okay.

[00:26:24] Like, so I can't, but I want, I want to do zombie fest and there's another one called the Mahoning drive-in and they do zombie, like a zombie festival of all films. And I'm like, I could probably just apply and see if I can get into that. But I think when zombie, maybe next year, cause if I have it by then zombie DNA will be printed in the next few months. So at least I'll have stuff, I'll have more zombie stuff to bring. But I love, I love zombies.

[00:26:49] I think that they have such staying power because it could be anybody, anybody, you know, you know, that's, that's a relatable thing. And I think everybody, there's fear in that because somebody you love can be, be gone in an instant, which is, you know, that's life, unfortunately. But at least in mine, mine, my zombies are zombies or they need a mate to survive. So I think that I'm trying to make it at least different, you know, and see where that goes. And it is technically a zombie date night.

[00:27:18] So it works on both, on every account. Yes, yes, for sure. Yeah. I actually did get to the mall way back when, and in doing a little research for this interview, I discovered in the truly American fashion that Walmart bought it this year. Wow. Oh yes. Yes. They, they did buy the Monroeville mall, which is sad. Yeah. You know what I mean?

[00:27:41] But, but, you know, I, I hope that, you know, things move on and I, I hope that they, they're able to, to do it at making, hopefully it continues as a yearly thing. I know they were worried about whether or not, but also on a, on a side note for the mall, the reason why I chose a mall for zombie date night was because it's my second comic. And as a big Kevin Smith fan, mall rats was his second movie. So I was like, the mall is a perfect, and also for, for, you know, Dawn of the Dead as well. Yeah.

[00:28:08] So it's, it, it, it, it tied in so perfectly and it's, and it's just such a good contained area. Um, and there's so much you can do in a mall with, with zombie. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, the mall is, is fertile ground for about anything. Yes. Um, but I feel like, you know, malls are, are going the way of the dodo, which is sad. Um, because, you know, growing up, I remember, you know, we would go all the time and now it's, it's harder to find, you know, people there. You know what I mean? People are just going in and out.

[00:28:38] Um, brick and mortar is kind of gone. Um, but yeah, it's, it's a, it's a weird time. Um, but I hope, I hope there's something that, I mean, I guess kids are going to virtual malls at this point. That's okay. There's plenty, plenty of stuff you could put zombie date night. Three will be in a Tesla dealership, which are already on fire. Maybe a car dealership or something, but, uh, but yeah. Um, but yeah, it's, it's, it's a lot of fun.

[00:29:07] There's a lot of stuff to do and, and, um, it just, it brings me back to when I was a teenager. So. Yeah. Do you have a personal favorite zombie movie? Um, I love, we just watched Anna the Apocalypse, which is really good. That was on Tubi and it was a zombie musical, um, which I thought was very entertaining. Um, we like, uh, my, my girlfriend's looking at me going, nah, I didn't like that one. Yeah.

[00:29:34] But, um, but yeah, I love that one and a Shaun of the Dead can't go wrong with that. Uh, you know, can't go wrong with, I'm trying to think of what other ones, um, you know, Dawn of the Dead, you know what, you know, it sucks though. Um, I feel like there hasn't been a, like the Resident Evil movies are not that like, I feel like they, they deviated so far from the game. It's like, why, why would you do that? But I think that they're going to make a new Resident Evil made by the guy who did, um,

[00:30:04] uh, Barbarian, um, which is, which is pretty good. So I'm excited for that. But yeah, I love a good zombie movie. The first time around for the first Kickstarter, um, I did Zombie Date Night Thursdays. This was during the pandemic and I would stream a zombie movie on Discord and I would watch it with people who backed the comic. Um, which is funny cause that's such a moment in time. I don't know if I could do that again now. Um, just because, um, but back then there was a good amount. There's like 12 to 13, 14 people who watched every week with me.

[00:30:33] And I thought that was very cool. Oh, that is really cool. I mean, I would not have thought of that. That's very clever. Yeah. Well also just it's, it was as literal zombie date night and people were so bored during the pandemic, it's like, Hey, I want, I want you guys to join the horde, join the horde on Discord. Yeah. I'm a 28 days later fan, which I think they're making another one. I thought I saw that it was 20, 28 years later with, um, with, uh, Quicksilver is he's going to be in it. Uh, or Craven the Hunter, Aaron, I think Aaron Taylor Johnson is his name.

[00:31:03] Something like that. Oh, I don't know. I watched Craven the other night. I got through half of it. No, no. Like I, I hate being the guy who's normally I'm just don't ever bash things. You know, like you're, you're definitely raining on somebody's parade when you say something's bad. So I try to stay in the positivity lane and I did, I watched half of it. I put it out on Discord. Why is everybody like beefing on this movie? It's not that bad. And then I finished it and I was like, Hmm, it's that bad.

[00:31:32] I think things are bad when there's not love in it, but even there, but there are bad things with love in it. I think that would make people appreciate it. Um, I've always liked to say with my comics, uh, if you, you know, back when you were going into blockbuster and you'd see these great horror, you know, horror, um, home videos, right? With the great cover on it, but then it would be terrible. Um, I always want to be like, it has a great cover and you'll be entertained by it. There you go. Yeah.

[00:31:59] Well, you're carving out a niche in this horror humor hybrid with crowdfunding. Are you planning on staying in that pocket or would you like to do other things? Um, I mean, I'm always open to anything. Always want to listen, but I think comics, I think I've, I've settled on, this is my creative vacation. This is where I can do whatever I want. This is where I can have fun. And, you know, that's why I do longer Kickstarters because I'm able to talk to people about what

[00:32:25] I, you know, what I made and, and, uh, meet new creators and, and meet people who are, who are making Kickstarters at the same time as mine and trying to get everybody funded. Um, cause if one of us wins, we all win. You know what I mean? I'm not trying to gatekeep or anything like that, but I am open. I'm open to anything. If people like my comics and want to, you know, talk to me about, Hey, maybe we'd like you for this publisher. Maybe we'd like you for this great, but I've never, I've never been approached. Um, so I don't, I don't know if, if people are interested or not, but I'm, I'm okay.

[00:32:55] Just creating things that I like and, and making, uh, making stuff that I want to make. Cause at the end of the day, that's the dream job. That's the dream and getting it done and making it, I would love to stay in crowdfunding, but it is getting harder and harder to, to get things funded. Um, but at least the last two projects have been a little bit harder. Um, but I think I started off too hot where like at the slow pokes made like close to 10 grand and it was like project we love. And like, Oh my God, there's, there's close to 400 people. And then zombie date and it's like, Oh, close to 400 people again.

[00:33:25] And you made, you know, made your money back. Great. Need a little bit more. And then as it went on, it was like, all right, you're not a project. We love just stay in your, just go over there. Um, but it's, it's still a great platform and I, and I, I hope to continue to use it for as much as I can. As a creator in that crowdfunding space, does it feel like there's a big difference or a big drop off post COVID for people who are actually in it? I think, I think Kickstarter, I think with the blockchain stuff, I think they lost a lot of people from that.

[00:33:55] Yeah. Um, I think people have just, you know, you're competing for everything. Like it's not even just comics anymore. It's people, you know, especially when the economy is rough, you know what I mean? And things you're competing to just for, you know, people are spending money. Um, so my, my thing is I'm like, Oh, you know, buy my comics. It's cheaper than eggs. So, uh, hopefully, but I know, I know people, you know, need their food and everything like that. It's tough out there. And I, and I, you know, I'm, I'm trying things and seeing what works.

[00:34:24] Um, and also, you know, people will come back for the second one towards the end of the Kickstarter too. They'll be like, all right, we got 60 days. I'll, I'll pop in then. So it's, it's patience, but I understand if people aren't as, are as talkative as me, um, it might be a tougher thing to sell, especially if you're not going on the shows. If you're not, if you're just trying to let Kickstarter do the work, you can't do it like that. You have to, you have to go from all avenues and you have to have a marketing plan. Um, so for me, I'll, I'm doing the shows.

[00:34:53] I'm, I'm posting once a day, try not to overdo it, but at the same time being like, Hey, you know, here's, here's some stuff to share. And then even with the 60 days trying to find, make sure I have content for every, every day or every week, um, of, of sharing something new. So it is definitely harder, but I like the fight. I like the challenge. And at the end of the day, you know, if, even if I don't make the funding, I'll figure out how to put it out somehow. Yeah.

[00:35:19] It just seems so tough and unnatural, not, not for you, but I know there are a lot of people who the idea of really commodifying, especially when you're putting something out on crowdfunding that they're all your baby, you know, like this is, this is my thing. And that can be really hard. I, I, it is, it is definitely tough. And, um, you know, I appreciate, uh, creators going out of their comfort zone to try new things and, and see where to go.

[00:35:45] And also I think it's just harder, uh, you know, the back when I first started doing the kickstarts, it was easier to reach people and it's getting harder to reach people. Like Twitter is God awful now. Um, because you can't even reach anybody. You're just shouting into the void at this point. And then blue sky is, is great, but I feel like there's still, you know, room to grow and, and room for people like, cause, cause when people say Twitter, people know what that is. People know what you're tweeting. Uh, the blue sky, like, what are you saying? Skeet skying, you know what I mean?

[00:36:14] Like, I don't think, I don't think it's into the, I don't think it's in the lexicon of, of pop culture and people at the moment. Um, and then same thing with Instagram, like Instagram is great. And, um, it's, I'm able to, to reach people, but the algorithm, like I have like 1500 followers on Instagram, which has been great. Cause it's a lot of people I've met over cons and people I know and things like that. But the fact that I'll post something and it doesn't even reach all of them is, is, is weird. Cause I'm like, it's 1500 and it's only reaching 90 people.

[00:36:42] That's, that's a, that's not a good algorithm. Um, so yeah, just keep trying, I'm trying things, sub stack, uh, tick tock. Um, and it's, but I feel like there's so many things that it's just, you're getting clusters of people at different times and it's not, you know, it's, it's tougher. It's, it's definitely tougher. And, you know, just navigating as it goes and see where, see how to reach people. But if it, if it means I have to go door to door, I'll do it. I'm happy to do it. Yeah.

[00:37:11] You need to, uh, perfect your craft in, um, puppetry and just have killer sloths. Yeah. I would dress up like a sloth, go door to door or, um, you know, when, when it's time, I don't know if a furry murder sloth is door to door angle. I try it. Yeah. I'd probably get arrested for that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, that was mean. My head just went, I still grab you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:37:39] But then, but then they send me to Costa Rica because I'm a sloth. Yeah. You know what I mean? That's not bad. That's a vacation. That's a good idea. They did deport the slope, the slope folks and then they kill, they kill ice, which would be great. Yeah. Hey, there you go. There's, there's, there's your fertile ground for the next one. Yeah. Well, what's next for you? Uh, aside from healing the inevitable physical and psychological damage that goes along with running a crowdfunding campaign.

[00:38:06] Uh, just, I'm, I'm enjoying creating. Um, I've, I have two more projects that I, that I finished last year, but once, um, once the Kickstarter is over for zombie date night, I'm going to get something moving for that. I have a werewolf, uh, type of comic coming after this. Cool. Um, and then, um, I, they'll probably be another slow pokes. My, my, I think my thing is, is do something, um, after, after this, do something new, do something familiar, do something new, do something familiar.

[00:38:36] Just, I think that's a good, that's a good way to keep people interested and keep people and get new people interested. Um, yeah. So, um, I've also been working with an artist. His name is Jason Thomas. Um, he did my Valentine's this year, uh, for zombie date night too. And, uh, we did a one pager for the comic con that we were both at and it was a big hit. It was, um, I'll send it to you. It's a, uh, it's a one page comic about Pluto getting his revenge on all the other planets for kicking him out of the solar system.

[00:39:04] It's called Pluto's revenge. And, um, it is within both of our styles. And I think I'm going to continue doing stuff for them, whether it's one page or short, short stuff just to kind of get our feet wet and see, you know, what that's like. Um, but yeah, if you like my stuff and want to see me in a publisher or want to see more or want to see something else, uh, you know, reach out to whoever and tell them you want more stuff. I'll, I'll, I'm always, I'm always down to listen. Well, where can people find you online? I think based upon this conversation, it's everywhere.

[00:39:34] Everywhere at the Steve Urena, T-H-E-S-T-E-V-E-U-R-E-N-A. I'm on Tik Tok. I'm on Instagram. I'm on Twitter. I'm on Substack. Um, anywhere that they have something, they're probably a username that says the Steve Urena. So go, go at me wherever. Um, and if there's a better place to scream out into the void, please let me know. Tell me too. Cause I need to know. Well, I've known Steve for a few years now covering the indie space. He was one of the first people I interviewed.

[00:40:04] Hopefully I've gotten better since then, but I think he has a, a, a nag for, for making simple, clever comics that are sure to entertain and elicit a round of belly laughter. You know, this is no exception. It's a great follow-up outing. And if you're interested, make sure to check out zombie date night two on Kickstarter. And I'll put the link in the show notes. So everybody has it to make it easy for them. Steve, it's always a pleasure getting to catch up with you. I love seeing the people that I started out interviewing still making stuff. It just, that warms my heart.

[00:40:33] And you always come with this vibrant and inevitably positive attitude, which actually puts a smile on my face. So I really appreciate that. Thank you. You're, you're making the indie comics community better, my friend. Thank you. I appreciate that. Uh, well, it's even crazier too, because I've been a lot of people's web shows that are still going on. I've been their first interview and I'm like, why me? Like, you know what I mean? There's so many, I appreciate it. I really do. And, and you're doing a kick-ass job and I'm glad you're still doing, doing these interviews as well.

[00:41:03] Yeah. Thanks. They, they mean a lot to me. And it means a lot to have people on who I did first. That's, that's always really, really cool. So hopefully next time I'll, I'll have like a long beard or something. I'll just be old. And we're still, we're still doing this every, every, uh, every few years or so. I don't have any more hair to lose. So like, what am I going to do? I do. So it's, it's fine. Well, I'm going to start wrapping these things up with a shout out. Um, so that's something that inspired you recently, someone doing something nice for you.

[00:41:33] It can really be anything. And I'll go first to give you a minute to think about it. I've stopped doom scrolling as much and started watching YouTube to pull in some positive vibes at night. It's going to get my headspace right. And last night I watched this really incredible video from the nowness channel and it featured, uh, dancer Christian Mensa and he's in New York and it's four or five minutes. It's just a short sequencing, but he's going through different vignettes, uh, in a dark city.

[00:42:01] And the, uh, the, everything is kind of supposed to echo the, the struggle of, you know, modern life, weighing us all down, everything that's just hitting us. And he's doing almost a, like a drunken Kung Fu style. Almost very, very loose with the movements. And I thought it was fantastic. So that, that's my shout out. So what you got? That, uh, that reminds me of the game seafood that I've been playing for PS five, which is it's like dark souls, but with, uh, with karate.

[00:42:30] Okay. Um, but, but I'm not familiar. Uh, so, so it's, it's a great game. Uh, it's a martial arts game. Um, but it's very, very hard and like, it's very simple, but it's very difficult at the same time. Um, but in terms of the shout out, I got to chat out to, uh, Rick Rubin love Rick Rubin's quotes on creativity. His book, the creative act is one of my favorite books. Um, cause it's just positive and it's just like, Hey, like look at it like this, look at it from different perspective. Um, and then shout out to podcaster, Tim Ferriss.

[00:43:00] I'm a big fan of his as well. Um, he has a show called tools of Titans and also a book, and it's just interviewing people that are creative, that are successful and just interviewing them about their habits. Um, which is very interesting. Cause it's like, Hey, you know, this might not work for you. This might work. You know, it's not trying to sell you on anything. It's more just, Hey, this is what, this is what I do. Maybe this will help you in your journey. Oh, that's really cool. Yeah. I'll have to check that out. Yeah. I'm so happy you brought up Rick, because that is one of those things that I have locked

[00:43:28] on in terms of just trying to stay positive and outlook is everything, you know? And I've been listening to the audio book of it lately. Um, fantastic stuff. Highly recommend it. Yeah. Um, and then I'm sure you've read this because you know, you're, you're a music person. Um, how music works by David Byrne. Uh, I just finished reading that and that is such an excellent book of just about how, you know, what are your limitations? Like what are, you know, you're working in within this system.

[00:43:57] How do you, what, what's your outlet? How do you figure it out? How do you create something new? Um, just given what you're given. And I, and I love that. Um, so, you know, I've been reading a lot lately. Um, shout out to Goodreads because, uh, so last year I read, uh, 53 books. So I keep trying to top myself every year and listen to more books. Um, but my, my, uh, my future wife to be says it's not, it's technically not, uh, it's not

[00:44:24] reading because I listen to audio books and because I listen on 2x speed sometimes to, to digest it. Wow. I could not do that. There's no way. Not either. I'll, I'll put it on in the car and she'll be like, stop it right now. Yeah. That's, that's overwhelming. I'd start like white knuckling the steering wheels. It's just too much. I can, I feel like I retain the information a little bit better cause I'm trying to listen to what it is. Um, but it depends on the book.

[00:44:50] Um, you know, some I could do, some I can't, but it's, um, yeah, it's, I, I do love reading and I'm glad, uh, oh, shout out to also there's too many shout outs. Shout out to also if you, if you're a big reader, like I am Libby and Hoopla. So, uh, get a library card and, um, as long as you have a library card, uh, Libby is access to your library digitally. So I've been collecting library cards like Thanos. So I like, I like, I'm like to my mom, I was like, Hey, give me your library card. And then I'll put it into the thing.

[00:45:20] And then more people from work, I'll be like, Hey, let me grab your library card. Cause you get a bigger, bigger, uh, sample size of books to read. Um, and then Hoopla is just another service as part of your library. And you can get, as long as you have a library card and get all free books, a ton of comics are on there. Um, so, you know, definitely go check it out. Yeah. I'm picturing a little bit more gambit with library cards in between the fingers than maybe Thanos. That's right. Except I'm not throwing it away. I'm just, I'm just showing you. You're hoarding. Yes.

[00:45:49] I'm hoarding and reading and trying to get smarter and better at what I'm doing. Okay. Well, we'll, we'll, we'll wrap it up there with our, our pun about zombies and hordes. So, uh, this is Byron O'Neill and for all of us at comic book, Getty, thanks for tuning in. Keep it all killer. No filler y'all. Thanks for listening. This is Byron O'Neill. One of your hosts of the cryptic creator corner brought to you by comic book, Getty. We hope you've enjoyed this episode of our podcast.

[00:46:15] Please rate review, subscribe all that good stuff. It lets us know how we're doing. And more importantly, how we can improve. Thanks for listening.