The following is an interview with the creative team behind Homebrewed Comics – Chris Sahloff, Dan Price, Drew D. Lenhart, and Dennis Valencia – on the publishing company’s recent launch. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with the team about what defines a Homebrewed title, their shared creative process in bringing new worlds and characters to life, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent launch of Homebrewed Comics! What inspired the genesis of Homebrewed as a publishing company, and what defines (or will come to define) a Homebrewed title?
Chris Sahloff: At its core, Homebrewed stands for creativity without compromise. The name itself is a nod to homebrew campaigns in tabletop games with those unique, custom-built worlds where imagination trumps rules and the unexpected is celebrated. That same spirit runs through every title we create and support.
Drew D. Lenhart: Another point of inspiration is we have like-minded goals. A lot of first-time creators go the path of working alone and/or starting their own publishing house. This introduces a creator to see all aspects of the business from the creation to formatting, publishing, marketing, distribution, etc. We all ran into this scenario where overtime this drains the creativity a bit. Now, we can split roles, maintain our creative projects, push forward with new goals and initiatives while having a blast doing it.
Dan Price: Indie comics can be a lonely business, especially at first. I’ve always had the honor of writing BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE with Casey T. Allen and having that strong creative partnership is a huge boon. But I have been friends with Chris, Dennis, and Drew for years over Instagram, watching them on the same journey I have been on, admiring the strength of their projects. To see such driven creators who bring fresh concepts to the indie comics community was really attractive, but the fact that they have strong business minds for comics made the transition to Homebrewed a no-brainer.
Dennis Valencia: As an outside creator who has worked with Christopher Michaels, Drew Lenhart, and Dan Price, the one word that comes to mind is ‘professional’. They are more than just competent in their ability; their passion comes through with every turn of the page. They truly have a love for the craft! Unbridled love! And in respect to HBC, they are not just a credit to themselves, but to others in Indie Comics. They work hard, tell great stories, and make comics, comics again!
BD: What can you share with us about your existing slate of titles and the respective creative teams involved?
CS: We have a huge lineup this year and we kick off with the 8th issue of CRIT on April 30th which is also celebrating the 5th year of the title. That release also includes the remaster of issue 1 and 5. CRIT is written and illustrated by me and colored by Luis Thomas.
We currently have issues 0-7 of CRIT completed, with Issue #8 (He Who Would Be King) launching April 30th. The first 5 issues are also collected in a graphic novel, now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Each issue of CRIT is born from actual tabletop RPG sessions, giving our stories organic chemistry, unpredictable twists, and real stakes. We’re proudly independent—writing, drawing, coloring, and publishing everything in-house or with select collaborators who bring something special to the page.
We’re also developing other media including a deck-building game coming next year and a crossover fighting game featuring CRIT and other indie comic properties.
DP: BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE is the story of a gentle cryptid forced out of hiding and into battle with a kaiju and creatures of lore controlled by a mysterious cabal, but for what purpose? Casey Allen and I are proud to release the fourth book in the BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE saga with Chapter 3: Hellhound On My Trail. After battling the likes of Kung Fu ‘Thuhlu and being abducted by a mysterious cabal, Benny, Iris, and the bunny are on the run! Running their way to Kickstarter. We are offering all the BFKK books in this campaign, including BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE: Hinagon, so new readers can get in on the ground floor. Look out for the Early Bird discounted bundles! Join us for a LIVE Kickstarter Launch Party on Instagram May 14th at 7:00PM Central. Follow @danomyte139 to watch.
BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE Chapter 3: Hellhound On My Trail written by Casey Allen and Dan Price. Art by Dan Price.
DDL: Caspian Porter is a character that I created and wrote. A year ago, I completed a 5-issue mini-series; Homebrewed will now republish it as single issues and collected editions. The story is about a Han Solo type of character in the future. However, he’s much more of a bumbling idiot. His spaceship, the Assurance, and his robot named Curbie, get sucked into a wormhole, and sent back in time to a prehistoric Mars. The characters return this year for an epic crossover event launching on June 21st in The Celestial Knight VS Caspian Porter, by Drew D. Lenhart, Dennis R. Valencia, and Juan Fleites.
DV: I’ll start with the project near and dear to my heart, CK vs. CP: The Celestial Knight vs. Caspian Porter. Working in Indie Comics, you meet some incredibly talented creators; Drew Lenhart rises to the top! His proclivity to write adventures with wit, charm, wrapped up in a ball of sheer chaos, makes our team-up the perfect fit! ‘Bumbling space delivery man, Caspian Porter crosses into the universe of The Celestial Knight and insanity ensues!’. ‘Nuff said!
We have something for everyone! From an action-packed, unpredictable, D&D-based super team to a black-belt cryptid, to a venturesome space delivery man battling a nuclear cosmic knight in shining armor, HBC has so much to offer comic fans and collectors!
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in bringing new stories to life on the page?
CS: We each have our own process and skill sets. I (Chris Sahloff) write CRIT using the recordings of our D&D stories and storyboard them out into a comic. I can’t speak for Dan, Drew and Dennis about their process but I am sure each is unique as well.
DDL: For me it starts with a simple idea or inspiration. For example, with my character, Caspian Porter, the process quite literally started with an unrelated cover description for an anthology I was working on. That cover inspired the characters and the main plot point over a weekend. Some ideas don’t come quite as quickly, I do sit on ideas for several years before bringing anything to life. My main rule of thumb for bringing something to the page is to always know the ending to the story (or something close). For me it’s a lot easier to guide the characters to the ending than to struggle figuring out how to begin.
DV: As the creator of The Celestial Knight (writer/ artist/ inker/ colorist), I’m living my boyhood dreams! Growing up with ’90s Image comics tucked under my pillow and ’90s cartoons, the ‘rule of cool’ (D&D nod) is what guides my pencil! Let’s take comics back to what made us fall in love with the medium to begin with!
DP: My background is in comedy comics. I have worked on three indie titles previously, all of which were dripping in satire. When it comes to BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE, everything I did previously was thrown out the window. The idea was to do a large story with an intense storyline that was not at all rooted in comedy. Since the story is action adventure/psychological thriller and the main character was a blurry creature of legend, it seemed appropriate that the artwork be fluid and in constant movement. Brushy, grungy lines to enunciate that point. Casey Allen, my co-writer, really helped shape the vision and bring my insane ideas all together. Team effort, baby!
We all do our own thing which is what makes Homebrewed unique. Different stories executed in different ways. I love the diversity of the HBC’s line-up.
BD: As creators, you are no stranger to crowdfunding, having successfully run several campaigns. Why do you feel that crowdfunding – Kickstarter in particular – has been such a valuable resources to ensuring the success of today’s comic book creators?
CS: Kickstarter gives unknown creators a platform to publish and be seen. Without it a lot of indie comics would never have been created.
DDL: I think Kickstarter has given a spotlight to so many creators that have dreamed of getting their book out into the wild. It’s the size of the platform and the user base that make crowdfunding so beneficial. Kickstarter gives you the tools to be successful. While that’s not a pass to guarantee funding, it’s a fantastic start, you just need to put in the work!
DP: Kickstarter/crowdfunding at large is the best distribution solution for amazing comics that have not made their way to stores. There are some real gems out there that need to be seen. A strong Social Media game plus Kickstarter can equal financial success if done correctly. Like Drew said, put in the work.
DV: Crowdfunding comics puts the creative process, the power and control, in the creators hands. It’s a pure representation of that creators visions and hard work. It enables those not in the big 2 to flex, create, live their dreams.
BD: Are there any other projects on which you are currently working that you are able to share with our readers?
CS: We have a huge lineup coming for the year. Stay tuned on our website and Instagram accounts for more info drops.
BD: Are there any upcoming conventions at which our readers will be able to find you throughout 2025?
CS:
Ishcon in May in Raleigh NC
Heroes Con in June in Charlotte NC.
DP:
South Texas Comic Con April 25 – 27, 2025 McAllen, TX
Austin Books & Comics (Free Comic Book Day) May 3, 2025 Austin, TX
Dallas Fan Expo May 30 – June 1, 2025 Dallas, TX
Big Alpaca Comics (Store Signing) June 14, 2025 San Antonio, TX
Greater Austin Comic Con July 19 – 20, 2025 Austin, TX
Bedrock City Comic Con October 4-5, 2025 Houston, TX
Comic Arts San Antonio (CASA) November 15, 2025 San Antonio, TX
DV:
HeroesCon 2025 in my backyard of NC
FCBD at Collecting Problems in Fort Mill SC
Bi-weekly Live Draws on my IG DR.Valencia.Team.No.Sleep
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Homebrewed Comics and its catalog?
CS: Follow us on social media and check out our website. We have a ton of content waiting for people to dive into. We’re not chasing trends. We’re not trying to be the next big thing. We’re building something real, where creators tell the stories they want to tell, and readers get to experience worlds that feel alive, unpredictable, and unapologetically unique.
