Sami DeMonster: Curator of Stories

“I appreciate how there are more voices telling unique stories, boundaries being pushed, and new universes being created. It’s definitely a golden age for indie comics right now.”

-Sami DeMonster

Armed with some of the coolest jackets, a ring light, and a keen eye for stories, influencer Sami DeMonster has created one of the largest following of comic book fans on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. While this impressive and well-earned achievement is a testament to their hard work, it’s especially notable as often the comic books discussed are indie titles.

Today, it is not uncommon to see videos of DeMonster showcasing the latest titles from Eisner winning publishers like BOOM! Studios or Image Comics, their journey has not only highlighted exciting new titles, but helped thousands of followers find their next favorite comic book. 

DeMonster, one of the prominent voices of next generation readers, was kind enough to talk about their origin story and why they’re excited for the future of comic books. 

A nerd throughout their childhood in the early 2000s, DeMonster’s primary comic book reads were DC Comics trades purchased at Barnes and Noble such as titles like Teen Titans and Super Girl. “My graduation hat from high school was a collage of female superheroes and of course—in the middle—is Super Girl,” said DeMonster. “As I continued my comic book journey, I became drawn to isolated titles from DC Black Label and DC Bombshells.”

DeMonster’s introduction to indie titles would thrive after getting a job at a comic book shop. By chance, DeMonster had a copy of their résumé when they found a comic book shop on the way to a job interview. While DeMonster was told there wasn’t a job available at that time, they would soon get a call opening a whole new world of comic books. 

“I was really excited to learn more about comics and I found myself starting to pick up single issues every month. There was something about being in that atmosphere, seeing new titles, and meeting other female nerds,” said DeMonster. “I love superheroes so much, but I began to find indie titles had more possibilities and quickly I was finding comics I liked from publishers like BOOM! Studios.”

“One of my favorite aspects [of working at a comic book store] was getting people into comics for the first time—especially women and little girls who are intimidated because it’s a male dominated field,” said DeMonster. 

DeMonster’s passion and excitement for helping people learn more about new titles extended beyond the comic shop and onto social media. “I decided to make a few TikTok videos for comics that I enjoyed like DC Pride and Grim, but I only received a few ‘likes.’ I figured I wouldn’t make any more videos, but DC Comics reached out to do a campaign for DC Pride—which was a dream come true.”

DeMonster would go on to make more videos and begin focusing on indie titles, and soon publishers such as BOOM! Studios began to take notice and indie titles became a core of the videos being produced.

“One of the best things about indie comics is that you don’t have to know decades of lore to enjoy these titles,” said DeMonster. “I found myself going out of my way to read and review more indie titles for any new reader who came across my videos.”

DeMonster’s platform may have started with 9,000 followers in 2020, but as of 2024 it has grown to more than 30,000 followers on TikTok and more than 24,000 followers on Instagram. 

Authenticity is a core component of DeMonster’s videos and it’s often seen in the level of excitement. “[As an influencer] I have noticed how sometimes the numbers [of social media engagement] are with people who talk about pop culture, but I always want to celebrate titles that I like and I enjoy promoting voices of smaller creators.”

DeMonster has worked with several larger publishers and over time has fine-tuned their reviewing style. “At first I would review all titles that were sent to me, but companies didn’t understand my platform, so I would get requests to review vacuum cleaners or dog products—I don’t even have a dog! I focused my style, and now I work for BOOM! Studios doing their weekly new comic book videos and I do paid partnerships with publishers. I also showcase smaller creators if there is time, but it’s all about finding a balance.”

As of now, DeMonster has read hundreds of titles and when asked what makes a good comic, intention is key. “I get excited about well-developed characters with good lore. A good comic book has to create an emotional connection,” said DeMonster. “I appreciate how there are more voices telling unique stories, boundaries being pushed, and new universes being created. It’s definitely a golden age for indie comics right now.”

As an influential voice for the next generation of comic book readers, DeMonster is positive about the industry and has several key improvements they’d like to see. “I look forward to more diverse characters that others can see themselves in, and I hope that publishers don’t just focus on larger IPs, but instead give marketing effort to smaller titles that may not get the same attention. Sometimes obscure titles can get someone new into comics,” said DeMonster. “I also want to see more social media talking about smaller titles and comic books getting more recognition—even major comic cons are less about comics and more about pop culture.”

With the volume of comic books read on a weekly basis as well as for personal enjoyment, it’s clear that DeMonster is one of the key voices in the comic book community to help readers find a great story. Whether it’s horror, queer, or slice of life tales, DeMonster’s got you covered. 

For more on Sami DeMonster, be sure to follow them on Instagram or TikTok (their handle is the same on all social media pages: @samidemonster). For paid partnerships, contact SamiDeMonster@gmail.com. This interview was edited for clarity. For the full interview, check out the video below!