Will Lill Comics is an indie comics publisher in dedication to small press studios getting some attention. Founded by T. Warren Montgomery, this publisher begins with an ambitious decision. Through the fitting title, Monty’s World Montgomery gathers creatives he’s friends with to advertise themselves. Through them and decades of experience, Montgomery puts together his own series and company. Now let’s go more in depth.
Will Lill Comics: Monty’s World
In the aptly beginning of Monty’s World, Montgomery works with comics veterans like Steve Skeates. Who is Steve Skeates? Well he’s known for his work on Hawk and Dove… Where Steve Ditko pulls some stuff over him. But also the Bronze Age Aquaman! One where the King of Atlantis shows his stuff long before Peter David’s run. You see what I’m getting at? A number of these people don’t get their time in the spotlight. So Montgomery uses the opportunity to show readers what they’ve got. It’s also here that Montgomery meets his eventual collaborator Luis Rivera.
Within the anthology, Montgomery and creatives create one-shots of characters and series. Some get lucky enough to have more than one issue, the rest are just proof of concepts. An even lower number also appear again in later collections of Monty’s World/Fun Adventure Comics in color like Brother Bones. Unless they’re complete the same like Mercury. One concept Lightning Marval does away with its initial serious artwork with Montgomery going for his cartoony vision.
Do You Feel Lucky?
Including the above Brother Bones, a quarter of Monty’s World showcases Lucky Comics characters. Some of which include characters who may be part of the public domain such as Dani Garrett, the Beetle Girl. Not to be confused with the DC character, this version is the granddaughter of the original Fox/Charlton Blue Beetle. However things go on, it’s enough attention for Lucky Comics to run for more than four years. Beetle Girl even makes appearances in Lone Star Press’ Punchline comics. Also not to be confused with a DC character.
The Iron Gate Opens Once in a Blue Moon
In addition another indie publisher Iron Gate Comics also puts their content on display. Guardians of Creation serves as potential audiences first look into this new universe. Arguably for the best considering the many characters might steal Will Lill Comics’ spotlight. Especially considering Lloyd Smith Jr. joins in to advertise his character Ash-Aman of Blue Moon Comics. He in turn takes a page from Montgomery with his own anthology Diversions. Hopefully he finds a creative team and character to find passion in ala Firefox.
Will Lill Comics: Monty’s Heroes
John Kirby: Firefox is an unusual superhero story about learning to coexist. In a cutthroat environment where Marvel and DC dominate the superhero landscape, publishers have to bring out their best. In Gutternaut fashion of reading too much into something, Firefox reflects how Montgomery gets drawn into something. John Kirby is an average man trying to live his life, not looking for adventure. But his encounter with the alien hero Firefox joins them together in a battle against a galactic overlord.
But the problem is John is a farmer who despite a past tragedy has no drive to become a hero. As for Montgomery, his experiences are in lettering and coloring for over 30 years. He has never written a story and has only recently taken up drawing. Yet there’s obviously a passion for this with the amount of detail and care going into it. Even after a four year hiatus, Montgomery continues the series with a third issue.
What Does Montgomery Do Better?
Montgomery is by no means a viral storyteller, but he appears to be a more than capable businessman. Among the indie comics that decorate Comixology/Kindle, Will Lill Comics is the only publisher that has all of its content available for its Unlimited services. If I had to guess what Montgomery does during his hiatus, he ensures he can secure a foothold. A number of small businesses live or die by the amount of connections they have. And as far as Diamond Comic Distributors is concerned, there isn’t any reason to make a deal with Will Lill.
So Montgomery tries to stay in contact with as many of his fans as possible. I’m not too keen on the details, but in comparison to say Action Age and Dark Planet who have all but halted both publishing new issues and getting their latest issues available on Unlimited; Will Lill Comics is staying on top of things. At least at the time of this post. So while some publishers without connections fall short as they don’t have a business plan; Montgomery uses all of his experiences to keep Will Lill afloat.
Will Lill Comics: What Indies Can Learn From
So with all of this in mind, I can safely say Will Lill Comics is an ideal indie comics publisher. Most comic publishers without the major connections fall short on a lot of passion projects. In fact some of them go onto YouTube or Patreon to try and make money and community. While T. Warren Montgomery does do YouTube, it’s pretty recent. This guy instead uses what connections he does have to build himself up. Everything begins within an anthology that establishes both Montgomery and other small publishers. All while finding something to find passion. But in order to maintain it, Montgomery proves himself to be a great business man to keep connections with fans.
So there you have it, an indie publisher that pulls out all the stops to be seen. Be on the lookout for more Firefox and Lightning Marval. Thanks for coming and as always, remember to look between the panels.