About FSK
Freestyle Komics (FSK) is an independent comic book label and publisher founded in 1999 by creator Michael Watson and based in Columbus, Ohio. FSK launched its first original series, HOTSHOT, in July 2006, following several creative iterations. The debut issue—written and lettered by Victor Dandridge Jr., penciled by Michael Watson, and originally digitally inked and colored by David Brame—marked the beginning of a bold, self-publishing journey.
Over the years, FSK has continued to grow its diverse library of self-owned comic book IPs, including Vigilance, Heroes International, Cypher, Emerald Quest, and The Zero Event. In 2021, FSK amicably parted ways with indie publisher Short Fuse Media, LLC, returning to full self-publishing operations for all its titles.
Freestyle Komics (FSK) now boasts 14 original titles and is quickly approaching 50 published comic books. You can catch the FSK crew at comic conventions across the country—or request our books at your favorite local comic shop.
FSK is where indie heroes rise. Check out some of our core books below.
Over the years, FSK has continued to grow its diverse library of self-owned comic book IPs, including Vigilance, Heroes International, Cypher, Emerald Quest, and The Zero Event. In 2021, FSK amicably parted ways with indie publisher Short Fuse Media, LLC, returning to full self-publishing operations for all its titles.
Freestyle Komics (FSK) now boasts 14 original titles and is quickly approaching 50 published comic books. You can catch the FSK crew at comic conventions across the country—or request our books at your favorite local comic shop.
FSK is where indie heroes rise. Check out some of our core books below.
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Publication History 1999-2021
Self-Publishing 2006-2015
Although FSK's flagship comic book title HOTSHOT was created in 1999 the first issue of HOTSHOT was self-published by FSK in July 2006. FSK continued to self-publish Hotshot until October 2015 when FSK signed its first publishing agreement. During this time, FSK self-published HOTSHOT issues zero through six.
Legacy Rising Publications 2015-2017
FSK signed its first publishing agreement with [2]Legacy Rising Publications in late 2015. Under Legacy Rising, FSK produced issues HOTSHOT (vol 2) #1 & #2, VIGILANCE issues #1 & #2, HEROES INTERNATIONAL issues #1 & #2, and EMERALD QUEST (vol 2) issue #1. Prior to the January 2017 scheduled release of HOTSHOT (vol 2) #2, VIGILANCE #2 & HEROES INTERNATIONAL #2, Legacy Rising Publication announced it was halting all publications terminating all publishing agreements effective immediately.
Short Fuse Media, LLC 2017-2021
FSK signed its second publishing agreement with [3]Short Fuse Media, LLC (SFM) in May 2017. FSK returned HOTSHOT to its original numbering by reverting volume two issues #1 & #2 to issues #7 and #8. FSK re-released HOTSHOT #1-9 under Short Fuse Media, LLC via fully funded SFM managed Kickstarter campaign in September 2017. FSK then published VIGILANCE #1-3 via fully funded SFM managed Kickstarter campaign in December 2017. The final series released under the FSK and Short Fuse Media, LLC publishing agreement was HEROES INTERNATIONAL #1-3 via fully funded SFM managed Kickstarter. FSK and Short Fuse Media, LLC amicably terminated their publishing agreement effective immediately in May 2021.
Return to Self-Publishing in 2021
FSK DAY 2021 Release ScheduleFSK's return to self-publishing coincided with the May 2021 launch of the HOTSHOT VOL 1 & 2 trade paperback / graphic novels via FSK managed Kickstarter. This FSK Kickstarter was fully funded at $11,183 exceeding the initial goal of $6,000. This Kickstarter also saw the release of Hotshot issue #10 via stretch goal and the release of lettered issue #0. FSK followed the release of HOTSHOT VOL 1 & 2 and issue #10 with the launch of another FSK managed Kickstarter in September 2021 for EMERALD QUEST #1. This included a pre-order via Backer Kit for Hotshot issue #11 scheduled for release in December 2021. During FSK Day 2021 FSK announced their 2022 release schedule featuring 13 new releases.
Although FSK's flagship comic book title HOTSHOT was created in 1999 the first issue of HOTSHOT was self-published by FSK in July 2006. FSK continued to self-publish Hotshot until October 2015 when FSK signed its first publishing agreement. During this time, FSK self-published HOTSHOT issues zero through six.
Legacy Rising Publications 2015-2017
FSK signed its first publishing agreement with [2]Legacy Rising Publications in late 2015. Under Legacy Rising, FSK produced issues HOTSHOT (vol 2) #1 & #2, VIGILANCE issues #1 & #2, HEROES INTERNATIONAL issues #1 & #2, and EMERALD QUEST (vol 2) issue #1. Prior to the January 2017 scheduled release of HOTSHOT (vol 2) #2, VIGILANCE #2 & HEROES INTERNATIONAL #2, Legacy Rising Publication announced it was halting all publications terminating all publishing agreements effective immediately.
Short Fuse Media, LLC 2017-2021
FSK signed its second publishing agreement with [3]Short Fuse Media, LLC (SFM) in May 2017. FSK returned HOTSHOT to its original numbering by reverting volume two issues #1 & #2 to issues #7 and #8. FSK re-released HOTSHOT #1-9 under Short Fuse Media, LLC via fully funded SFM managed Kickstarter campaign in September 2017. FSK then published VIGILANCE #1-3 via fully funded SFM managed Kickstarter campaign in December 2017. The final series released under the FSK and Short Fuse Media, LLC publishing agreement was HEROES INTERNATIONAL #1-3 via fully funded SFM managed Kickstarter. FSK and Short Fuse Media, LLC amicably terminated their publishing agreement effective immediately in May 2021.
Return to Self-Publishing in 2021
FSK DAY 2021 Release ScheduleFSK's return to self-publishing coincided with the May 2021 launch of the HOTSHOT VOL 1 & 2 trade paperback / graphic novels via FSK managed Kickstarter. This FSK Kickstarter was fully funded at $11,183 exceeding the initial goal of $6,000. This Kickstarter also saw the release of Hotshot issue #10 via stretch goal and the release of lettered issue #0. FSK followed the release of HOTSHOT VOL 1 & 2 and issue #10 with the launch of another FSK managed Kickstarter in September 2021 for EMERALD QUEST #1. This included a pre-order via Backer Kit for Hotshot issue #11 scheduled for release in December 2021. During FSK Day 2021 FSK announced their 2022 release schedule featuring 13 new releases.
FSK DAY
FSK conducts an annual event geared toward raising awareness around the FSK Brand.
FSK DAY 2018 | August 11, 2018 | Comic Town
FSK DAY 2019 | September 14, 2019 | Comic Town
FSK DAY 2020 | October 17, 2020 | Virtual due to Covid 19 Pandemic; Hosted from FSK Facebook Page
FSK DAY 2021 | December 3-5, 2021 | Comic Town
FSK DAY 2022 | Tentative August 2022 | Comic Town
FSK DAY 2018 | August 11, 2018 | Comic Town
FSK DAY 2019 | September 14, 2019 | Comic Town
FSK DAY 2020 | October 17, 2020 | Virtual due to Covid 19 Pandemic; Hosted from FSK Facebook Page
FSK DAY 2021 | December 3-5, 2021 | Comic Town
FSK DAY 2022 | Tentative August 2022 | Comic Town
HotshotVerse and the VERSE Reading Order
FSK introduced The Hotshotverse recommended reading order in 2021. This was made official with FSK's return to self publishing in June 2021 resulting in new branding for all titles prominently featuring the "VERSE" number on the cover of each individual comic issue. The Hotshotverse is the name of the connected universe created by FSK. It contains the events across all interconnected FSK published titles: Hotshot, Vigilance, Heroes International, Emerald Quest, Cypher, Zero Event and Fivestar. Although each FSK published title can be read separately, it is recommended by FSK that readers follow the Hotshotverse (or VERSE) reading order to better understand how each standalone title interconnects to the next. The "VERSE" reading order is notated on the cover of each individual comic below the specific issue number.
Meeting the people behind the Freestyle table is an experience and one you will never forget. If it's the first time you've done so...or the tenth.
The crew has leveled up since those beginning years of comic book crafting. "The Four" as they have just been labeled in this very writing have come to the head of the classroom of FSK through different paths that met in the middle. Laurie Foster bringing her tenured inking experience and leaderships skills in business developed thru her career but honed at Unlikely Heroes Studios as the FSK Business Admin! Veronica Smith starting off as a colorist for Hotshot and thru the years she has turned herself into the lead colorist and the Associate Editor at FSK. Danny Cooper with his sharp eye and attention to detail started as a fan, moved up to a letter, then the editor and not holding domain over all he sees and touches as the Editor in Chief.
Now after a journey that has yet to be complete the FSK team has failed, grown, succeed and learned. Ready to put together a new vision with great comic titles as Hotshot, Vigilance, Heroes International , Five Star, Spider Squirrel, Tiajitsu gates, and more.
The crew has leveled up since those beginning years of comic book crafting. "The Four" as they have just been labeled in this very writing have come to the head of the classroom of FSK through different paths that met in the middle. Laurie Foster bringing her tenured inking experience and leaderships skills in business developed thru her career but honed at Unlikely Heroes Studios as the FSK Business Admin! Veronica Smith starting off as a colorist for Hotshot and thru the years she has turned herself into the lead colorist and the Associate Editor at FSK. Danny Cooper with his sharp eye and attention to detail started as a fan, moved up to a letter, then the editor and not holding domain over all he sees and touches as the Editor in Chief.
Now after a journey that has yet to be complete the FSK team has failed, grown, succeed and learned. Ready to put together a new vision with great comic titles as Hotshot, Vigilance, Heroes International , Five Star, Spider Squirrel, Tiajitsu gates, and more.