In this amazing episode on the Be Unmessablewith podcast, I sit down with David Crownson, who went from a Comic Book Dream to a Disney Deal.
What do you do when your vision feels impossible, your bank account is empty, and your dream is literally sitting in the rain, soaked, damaged, and ready to break you?
Most people quit. David Crownson didn’t.
Back in 2016, David had an idea so wild it sounded like a mash-up of history class and Netflix: What if Harriet Tubman was also a demon slayer? Armed with martial arts, supernatural strength, and the courage of her true story, she battles vampires, werewolves, and the forces of darkness to lead her people to freedom.
That spark of a vision became the comic book Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer. And today? It is on its way to being a TV show with Disney.
But it was not an overnight “success story.” It was years of rejection, shipping disasters (think 600 soggy comic books returned from the post office), car rides fueled only by gas money and hope, and moments where walking away seemed like the only sane option.
Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:
The “gas money” breakdown that turned into a breakthrough (and a sellout at Kevin Smith’s comic shop)
How David’s biggest mistake ruined comics and angry backers, became the moment that built trust with his audience
The leadership shift that changes everything: why true leaders don’t talk down or up to others, but create the space of excellence shoulder to shoulder
How a homemade teaser shot in a friend’s barn during the pandemic opened the door to Disney
Why you don’t need millions of people to say yes, you just need the right one
What I love about David’s story is how clearly it shows the shift from reaction to creation. When he was in survival mode, just hustling for gas money, life looked heavy and hopeless. But when he stood in the possibility of excellence, everything changed. Magic showed up. Doors opened. The impossible became real.
That is what being Unmessablewith looks like. It is not about being tough. It is about staying true to your vision when everything around you is screaming, “give up.”
If you are an artist, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing a dream that feels too big, David’s story will remind you:
-Do not give up on yourself.
- Do not mistake the clouds for the sky.
- And remember, before the breakthrough, it almost always feels heaviest.
Stay connected to your vision. Keep going through the clouds. The blue sky, and maybe even Disney, are waiting on the other side.
🎧 Listen now, breathe deep, and let’s get Unmessablewith.
For more resources, CLICK HERE for the podcast episode page.
https://beunmessablewith.com/be-unmessablewith-podcast/
Download the Free Guide of 5 Daily Practices To Be Unmessablewith Checklist
https://tremendous-builder-5717.kit.com/cd4fbb510d
Support and buy comics at www.kingwoodcomics.com
Find David At:
https://www.instagram.com/dcrownson/
https://www.instagram.com/kingwood_comics/
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