I recently got the amazing opportunity to interview Mr. Joseph Schmalke at FanExpo Denver, sitting at his booth surrounded by his works of beautiful art. Mr. Schmalke, who has become a force to be reckoned with in the world of horror graphic novels and comics, is not only a writer and illustrator but also the co-owner of Midnight Factory Press, a publishing house he runs with his wife, Hilarie. With a background that spans T-shirt design for Marvel Entertainment and FYE, as well as album art for heavy metal bands (yes, really), he has carved out a unique space in the comic book world.

Our conversation revolved around Midnight Factory Press and other publications. Over the next three to five years, Mr. Schmalke is focusing solely on his own projects. “If I’m not writing it, it’s not being produced by us,” he explains, mostly due to time constraints and timelines of other works in production. One of these includes his partnership with Megan Hutchison, where they split intellectual property ownership 50/50. Even artists working with him, if or when the time comes on projects are considered equal partners. “I make them a partner,” he says. “Even if all they’re doing is the art – and I say that knowing it’s the heavy lifting – they have 50/50 ownership.”

He has collaborative titles such as “Murder Hobo” with Ryan G. Brown, “One Last Trick” with J.K. Woodward, and the upcoming “Prophets of Doom” with Amanda Kahl. Each of these projects embodies the Midnight Factory Press ethos: bold, eerie, unapologetically strange, and right up my alley.

As the comic book industry continues to evolve into the digital age, Mr. Schmalke is mindful of the changing habits of readers. While digital-first platforms like Webtoon continue to thrive, physical books remain essential. “My daughters love reading digital comics like Lore Olympus,” he says, “but they always get the graphic novel, too.” Whether it’s the resurgence of vinyl records or limited-edition comic runs, tangible media continues to resonate with collectors and fans. “Even people who read everything digitally often want something physical when they really love it,” he says. From my experience, that’s so true, and sometimes I can’t get enough and get it inked all over my body. What a weird way to love something. As Mr. Schmalke puts it, “When people say the sky is falling, it’s not. There’s always going to be a need for the visual storytelling that comic books provide.”

Midnight Factory Press caters to younger readers by formatting their books in a 6×9 format, the same size as popular manga volumes. This sizing decision, he says, aligns with reader preferences and market trends. “Retailers say they can’t move the regular graphic novels, but those 6x9s fly off the shelves,” he notes. This format, paired with a soft-touch cover finish and rich interior art, makes the books both visually appealing and tactilely satisfying. Collectors still matter, even in the age of digital media. 

Midnight Factory Press continues to publish floppy issues for every title. The studio’s current lineup includes “Seven Years in Darkness: Year Three,” “We Don’t Kill Spiders: Season of the Witch,” and “One Last Trick,” which debuts at San Diego Comic-Con before hitting direct markets in October. Early next year, fans can expect to see “Prophets of Doom” and a new “Murder Hobo.”

When asked about fan favorites, Mr. Schmalke looks towards the empty space that “Seven Years in Darkness: Year One” was placed and said it consistently sells out at shows. “We Don’t Kill Spiders,” a beautifully bound hardcover, has also been a hit. Limited to just 1,000 copies, it reached the direct market in February and will soon see a softcover reprint.

Timing is everything in publishing, and Midnight Factory Press is strategic about launch windows and understands the consumer’s mind. “There’s a lot of psychology that goes into release dates and marketing.” He avoids releasing new titles from November through February, citing holiday spending habits and general market slowdowns. “March and April are when people start spending again. Tax returns hit, and suddenly they can afford that thing they saw a few months ago.”

Midnight Factory Press’s reach is also expanding internationally, thanks to a partnership with Dee’s Comics in Australia (hey Tom! Go stop by!). What started as a brick-and-mortar store in Canberra has evolved into a full-blown publishing and distribution partner. Dee’s now prints Mr. Schmalke’s titles locally, hires Australian artists for variant covers, and even distributes to markets as far-reaching as Fiji. “We’ve bypassed the whole tariff problem,” Schmalke notes. “Brendan at Dee’s champions us more than anyone.”

Mr. Schmalke & his wife Hilarie live and work in Maine. His studio is located in an old textile mill – a nod to the town’s blue-collar roots and a call to its artistic future. Interestingly, the mill was once home to the father of Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The more you know.

Before settling in Maine, he worked in post-production in Los Angeles, contributing to reality shows like “Toddlers and Tiaras” and “Honey Boo Boo.” Even earlier, he was a social worker in New York City, running programs for people managing mental health challenges. These incredibly diverse life experiences have informed his storytelling and artistic brain. He knows how to scratch that itch in the creepiest and most satisfying ways; horror.

As his catalog grows and his brand expands, Joseph Schmalke remains grounded, creative, and committed to both innovation and tradition. Whether it’s in the pages of “Prophets of Doom” or the booth of an overseas convention, his voice continues to be a vital one in modern comics. My biggest takeaway from my conversation with him was about the con experience itself. Think about it, we go to events called Comic Cons, which is short for Comic Conventions. These conventions are now being taken over by companies like FanExpo or FanX, which means it’s more for the fans, and less for the comics. Artist’s Alley is a fave of any con, but when you think about the comic book writers and creators in their corner, it really makes us think about the impact the digital age has had.

Visiting with Mr. Schmalke and his wonderful wife Hilarie was a pleasure. We even accidentally saw each other later in the evening and chatted more, off the record! You can find information on Midnight Factory Press at their website and follow Joseph on Instagram at @schmalke

Keep it tuned in for more coverage of FanExpo Denver!