“Do it yourself” is the motto of Portland’s newest independent publisher, Imposter Comics, and nothing could exemplify that maxim more than their remarkable creators: Jay Lewis, Ryan Bir, and Brett Weldele. Moderated by another fellow creator, Arthur Smid, the panel dived into the inspiration and humble beginnings of the publisher, their current comic lineup, and what to expect from them in the future.
As I walked into the Imposter Comics panel room, an almost immediate sense of ease washed over me. It was quiet, intimate—and I knew at that moment that atop the stage stood a collection of like-minded comic creators. I had taken my place in the front, and soon afterwards, Smid officially began the panel by addressing the crowd.
Smid introduced our cast of characters we’d be listening to for the next hour, going one by one down the row and supplementing their names with impressive accolades. Accompanying the presentation was a PowerPoint, and on the very first slide, a question posed to the crowd: “What is Imposter Comics?” And within the very same slide, a short, yet succinct, series of responses: “Original stories. Independent creators. DIY.” I appreciate the candor a few simple words can bring, and it instilled in me a swift sense of authenticity and general breadth of what would be at work amongst the creators at Imposter Comics in one confident swoop.
Smid then pivoted the conversation toward Jay Lewis (a local Portlander and fellow comic writer), inquiring about how he got his start in the world of comics. And like a common thread across a plethora of creatives in this age, his foundation began during COVID, after he decided to take a writing course from the renowned Brian Michael Bendis. From there, his love of the craft fostered in him a dream he dared to speak into existence—one plenty of us in this field aspire to bring forth. This anecdote doesn’t just serve to elucidate how he came to be, but acts as the quintessential factor that pulls so many of us intrinsically towards this place of refuge: We do this because there sleeps within us a wild ambition to bring to life the stories we so desperately need to share. And nothing encapsulates the mission statement of Imposter Comics more than heeding that desire to bleed who you are to the world.
Amongst the subsequent slides were deep dives into the publisher’s three slated releases—Dark Visions (supernatural horror), MindRunners (psychological sci-fi), and Bad Moon Rising (survival horror). From there, the audience was treated to stunning sequential art created by the brilliant minds of Ryan Bir and Brett Weldele. The quality on display was phenomenal, and something I could already picture hiding amongst the wall of new releases waiting to be discovered by a new comic reader at their local comic store. Through Smid’s moderation, the artists elaborated upon their design processes, discussing the importance of collaboration and emphasizing the core elements of what makes comics such a beautiful medium.
In a short post-interview, I asked Lewis about his expectations/hopes for the inauguration of Imposter Comics, to which he promptly responded, “I’m just excited to share my stories.” I believe it is through this declaration of unfettered passion that the throughline of Imposter Comics remains steadfast, and its future success secured. I don’t know what other projects the creators will cook up, but I do know for a fact that they’ll be filled with enough heart to inspire others to follow in their path.
