Mike Exner III

Mike Exner III writes comic books. It’s a simple statement, but his career tells a more layered story—one of reinvention, persistence, and the willingness to let a story find its audience wherever they happen to be.

Growing up in California’s Bay Area, Mike fell in love with superheroes and dreamed of making comics. He took his first real shot with Adamant, an indestructible hero whose journey would take him from humble webcomic origins to published print editions through Loophole Comics, the small press Mike founded to champion creator-owned work. The superhero-throws-himself-into-the-future premise let Mike play with familiar genre beats while subverting expectations about what a “classic” hero should become.

But Mike wasn’t content to stay in one lane. He helped shape other creators’ visions as editor of The Disasters, Micah Myers’s comedy about D-list supervillains trying to make it in a world of capes and capers. His editorial work proved he understood that good comics aren’t just about good writing—they’re about giving collaborators the space to shine.

When webcomics started shifting toward vertical-scroll platforms, Mike adapted. He brought his experience to Webtoon Originals, first contributing to the Skullgirls series and then co-creating MoonRise with artist Cem Iroz. The series follows Kam, a werewolf raised as a weapon by a shadowy agency, who must choose between his programmed identity and a new path. It’s genre storytelling with heart, exploring themes of found family and self-determination that resonate beyond the action sequences.

Mike shares his creative journey and industry thoughts through his Substack, The Exner Alert, where he’s built a community of readers who follow his work across platforms. Whether he’s launching a new series, collaborating with artists, or championing indie comics culture, he brings the same energy: enthusiastic, accessible, and always ready to tell the next story.