Brian Menard, is the owner and lead writer for Dojo Kun Comics, as well as a Certified Fraud Examiner, a Certified Internal Auditor, a Certified Internal Controls Auditor, Certified in Risk Management Assurance and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. He is additionally a member of the civilian arm of the FBI (InfraGARD) and a frequent contributor to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). He has been collecting comics for over 50 years and has been writing them since 2012.

In this first of three segments from episode 47 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P interviews Brian Menard, owner of Dojo Kun Comics and a professional fraud examiner. Brian shares his journey balancing a day job with his passion for publishing comic books, an interest rooted in classics from the silver and bronze age of comics. The conversation covers the intersection of his fraud examination career with comic book storytelling, intriguing crime narratives, and the challenges faced in the comic book industry. Brian also talks about his involvement with the controversial group ComicsGate, his experiences with crowdfunding, and the importance of maintaining an independent stance in the indie comic community. He concludes with insights into the stigmas and rewards of being part of the CG community.

In this second of three segments from episode 47 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P & guest Brian Menard dive into the complexities and dynamics of the ComicsGate (CG) community, discussing the challenges faced by indie comic creators outside the CG ‘club.’ The conversation highlights the disparity in reach and support between core CG members and others, emphasizing the importance of owning one’s audience through email lists. The guest shares personal experiences with well-known CG figures, the struggle of balancing a day job with comic creation, and reflections on the industry’s drama and sustainability. Insightful commentary on the economic realities of crowdfunding and market pricing in the comic book industry round out the discussion.

In this third and final segment of episode 47 of the Iron Age Marketing podcast, host Nicky P discusses with guest Brian Menard delve into the sustainability issues surrounding crowdfunding comic books. They discuss the economic challenges tied to production costs, irregular release schedules, and the high prices of crowdfunded comics, which often include additional and unnecessary items like stickers and posters. As the nation faces an economic downturn, both Brian & Nicky P emphasize the importance of building an organic audience and developing alternative strategies for distribution and where they fit into the evolution of the comic book ecosystem, the importance of marketing and the complexities creators face in balancing multiple roles.