BGSU helps alumnus launch comic book business venture

IronClad Comics went from a pitch at the annual Hatch event to a bingeable comic book series with four completed comics

By Branden Ferguson

When David Timm '25 enrolled at Bowling Green State University, he was prepared to earn a reputable degree in economics and pursue a minor in entrepreneurship. In the end, he earned much more than a degree.

He took part in a program called the Hatch, which served as the perfect launchpad for his lifelong dream of creating comic books. The annual Hatch event – modeled after the hit show "Shark Tank" – helps students transform their ideas into real-world ventures.

"BGSU and the Hatch program allowed me to develop my dream into a successful business model faster and younger than most entrepreneurs can," said Timm.

The Hatch initiative, supported by the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at BGSU, fosters creativity, self-reliance, and a "can-do" attitude in students across all disciplines.

Timm jumped headfirst into the program, refining his business plans, developing financial models and creating the necessary infrastructure to run his company successfully.

"The Hatch not only helped me refine my comic book business," Timm said, "it also helped me learn to better communicate with investors, advocate for myself and sell my company to an audience."

At the 2024 Hatch presentations, Timm and his business partner, Cody Karamol, unveiled their vision for IronClad Comics: a series of "bingeable" graphic novels aimed at teens and young adults. Seeking investment, they outlined a comprehensive release timeline, pitching their goal of "forging the next generation of heroes."

Timm and Karamol impressed investors with their business idea and received the "Market Potential Award." With support and buy-in from the Hatch program, the two hit the ground running.

Their successful pitch centered on their flagship series, "The Warden," which follows a Detroit-born man in 2004 with extraordinary supernatural powers of mysterious origin. After creating a costume and beginning to save people, he finds that his actions have consequences. He finds himself being pursued by a tenacious reporter, the police and a government agency.

One comic quickly turned into four.

"We are working on the fifth and sixth books now, which will close out the first book of 'The Warden,' Timm said. "With the help of the Hatch, we have created a 10-15 year plan with about 45 full-graphic novels in it, including ongoing series, standalone stories and a sequel. After those 10-15 years, we plan to move into movies, TV shows, toys and games.

"BGSU helped me turn my dream into a reality," Timm said. "I hope to continue running IronClad Comics and turn it into a cultural phenomenon and household name."

Hoping to improve his skills as an entrepreneur and advance IronClad Comics, Timm decided to return to where it all began and is now pursuing a master's degree in business at BGSU.