Fantasy author Michael Colon is back on the blog. Today we’re chatting about his new urban fantasy, The Greatest Comic Book Tale Ever Told.
Bio:
Michael Colon is a creative freelance writer and novelist, born and raised in the Big Apple, New York City. He uses his craft to profoundly impact the lives of others with thought-provoking words that breathe life into his characters. He often equates his writing to painting masterpieces with prose. His inspiration comes from various societal abnormalities, cultural differences, and his own life experiences. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys working out, watching sports, visiting museums, and exploring nature trails with his wife.
Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Michael. Please tell us about your newest release.
My newest release is The Greatest Comic Book Tale Ever Told, published through TWB Press. It’s a surreal, emotionally charged urban fantasy that follows a teen navigating grief, trauma, and self-discovery—until he realizes his life mirrors the comic books he escapes into. The story blends real struggles with a comic-inspired world, creating something both deeply personal and larger than life.
What inspired you to write this book?
Growing up in New York City, I was always drawn to stories that mixed the ordinary with the extraordinary. For me growing up I had a hard tim processing emotions, finding my identity, and dealing with the weight of without many people to lean on. This book came from my love of storytelling and my belief that even in the darkest chapters of our lives, we can find meaning, resilience, and imagination.
Excerpt from The Greatest Comic Book Tale Ever Told:
I open my eyes, and the brilliant glowing golden hero in the sky is trying to keepthis reality from ripping apart and destroying both of us. The angelic hero hasmultiple outstretched arms made of its glowing golden energy, holding differentplaces in the air to keep the apocalyptic Irontown from pulling itself apart in alldirections. The shadow demon is crawling away from me, breathing heavily.
“Sonny,” the golden hero calls. “You did it. Your memories of love and light kept you alive from the near-death experience I had to give you. You need to defeat the evil shadow once and for all. I won’t be able to hold reality intact very long. You need to be brave, and you need to fight back.”
What’s the next writing project?
I am working on a sequel to The Gift from Aelius that will focus on Lucy’s character as an adult. I also plan on self publishing a poetry book in the near future.
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
The hardest part is pushing through self-doubt. I’ve had to learn to trust my voice, even when the story feels too personal or overwhelming. With this book, the challenge was balancing raw emotion with surreal, comic-inspired elements—making sure the fantasy didn’t overshadow the heart of the story.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
I research while I write. I don’t let research stop the flow of storytelling—I start with the emotions and characters, and then I fill in details as needed. Whether it’s cultural references, philosophical themes, or the psychology of trauma, I dig in while writing so everything feels organic.
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
Most of the time, I write from a quiet corner in my apartment here in NYC. It’s simple, just my desk, a notebook, and a laptop. But for me, it’s less about the physical space and more about the mindset—I write best late at night when the city is quieter, and I can really sink into the story.
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I enjoy contemporary voices that ground their stories in raw emotion and real struggles, because that’s where I pull the most inspiration for my own work.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
If there’s one thing I want readers to take away from The Greatest Comic Book Tale Ever Told, it’s that your story matters—even when you don’t believe it does. I grew up unsure of my own voice, and writing taught me how to believe in it. If you’re chasing a dream, keep going. The pages you’re writing—both in books and in life—might one day inspire someone else to keep going too.
Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!