Nerdy Mewzings

Irish comic artist Ruairi Coleman (Marvel/DC, Iron & Frost, Son of Kal-El, and now Predator: Bloodshed with Jordan Morris) joins Nerdy Mewzings for a fun chat about breaking into comics, the tight-knit Irish creator community (shoutouts to Reese Hannigan, Danny Earls & more), and his journey from small press to licensed hits. Key highlights: -Early beginnings: Childhood Superman/Spider-Man, X-Men cartoon influence, fumbled path via psychology degree before returning to art -Breaking in: Dynamite (Tour Rock), Panini Star Wars, connections via Will Sliney, Kieron Gillen-era support -Irish creator brotherhood: Reese Hannigan (Star Wars Bad Batch), Danny Earls' work ethic/background mastery, mutual door-opening -Process: Penciling + inking own work, digital pencils with traditional finishing inks, regimented 5 AM starts, sustainability over burnout -Predator: Bloodshed: Underground fighting tournament, heavy/grounded Predator design, world-building in a concrete jungle, fun kills ramping up -Discipline & mindset: "Must do as a good master," small pragmatic goals, rest/recovery, showing up even on low-confidence days -Licensed work realities: On-model challenges, notes from Lucasfilm/20th Century, balancing speed with quality Predator: Bloodshed #1 & #2 are already out (series launched Feb 2026)—grab them at your LCS! Support Nerdy Mewzings: Head over to https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings for FREE bonus content! Follow Ruairi Coleman: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ruairicoleman (process, previews) X/Twitter - https://x.com/ruairicoleman Substack (Swingin’ Lead newsletter): https://colemancomicart.substack.com (free, bi-weekly updates) Love Predator, licensed comics, Irish creator stories, or discipline talks for artists? Leave a 5 STAR Review, Share with Friends, and Keep it Nerdy! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Irish Creator Brotherhood (Reese Hannigan, Danny Earls & More) 2:30 - Early Beginnings: Superman, X-Men Cartoon & Small Press Roots 5:00 - Fumbled Path: Psychology Degree Before Returning to Comics 8:00 - Breaking In: Dynamite, Star Wars for Panini & Key Connections 11:00 - Irish Support Network: Door-Opening & Mutual Recommendations 14:00 - Process Evolution: Penciling + Inking Own Work, Digital vs. Traditional 18:00 - Discipline & Routine: 5 AM Starts, Sustainability & "Must Do as a Good Master" 23:00 - Predator: Bloodshed Overview (Underground Tournament, Heavy Design) 27:00 - Licensed Work Challenges: On-Model, Notes & Speed vs. Quality 31:00 - World-Building, Kills & Fun of the Predator Universe 35:00 - Balancing Superheroes, Licensed Books & Personal Projects 39:00 - Upcoming Work Teases & Socials 42:00 - Where to Follow Ruairi 44:00 - Support the Podcast & Keep It Nerdy

Joining us all the way from Greece is the incredible traditional comic book artist DaNi (Coffin Bound, Batwoman with Greg Rucka)! We chat late-night Greek style about her journey from fine arts/sculpture to full-time comics, self-publishing zines, breaking into American publishers via conventions and connections, and her love for traditional tools (brushes only—no digital!). Key highlights: -Early influences: Mike Mignola, Charles Burns, South American artists, and discovering obscure 70s/80s horror/erotic comics in Venice -Indie Greek scene: Huge, diverse, political/erotic vibes; Comicdom Con turning 20! -How she broke in: Zines at cons leading to 2000 AD, IDW, Coffin Bound with Dan Watters -Working on Batwoman #1 (Greg Rucka, DC Next Level – out March 2026!): Research, mood boards, Greek-inspired city, action-packed issues -Process: Heavy layouts/planning, 2-3 pages/day pencils, deadlines fuel her, weekends off for life -Fun side: Naps as creativity recharge, hating alarms, cats (every comic artist has them!) -Advice: Do the work first, make friends at cons, find your creative soulmate collaborator DaNi's Batwoman series redefines Kate Kane—don't miss it! Find it at your LCS. Follow DaNi: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danistrips (main spot for art updates) Website/Portfolio - https://www.danistrips.com (books, Coffin Bound collections) If you love traditional comics art, indie scenes, or Batwoman—FOLLOW and leave a 5 STAR REVIEW! Support Nerdy Mewzings Patreon for FREE bonus content! https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings Share with friends & Keep it nerdy! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Greeting DaNi from Greece 1:30 - Late Nights, Early Mornings & Naps for Creatives 3:50 - Aging, Recovery & Loving Naps 5:20 - University in Fine Arts/Sculpture (Greek System) 8:00 - Combining Comics & Sewing for Uni Exhibition (Tales From the Strips) 10:30 - Origin of "DaNi Strips" Name & Double Entendre Fun 11:50 - Childhood Drawing, Redrawing Comic Endings & Greek Indie Scene 14:00 - European Comics Influence (Political, Erotic, Anthologies) 16:30 - Influences: Mignola, Burns, South Americans, Obscure Horror Comics 20:00 - Deciding to Go Full-Time Comics (2018, IDW Break) 23:00 - Meeting Dan Watters & Creating Coffin Bound Magic 26:00 - Breaking In: Zines at Cons, Connections Over Cold Pitches 29:00 - NYCC Adventures, Meeting Heroes & Greek/Italian Convention Cliques 33:00 - Cats, Parrots & Artist Stereotypes (Everyone Has Pets!) 37:00 - Current Work: Batwoman with Greg Rucka (Process, Research, Greek City) 42:00 - Traditional Tools Only (Brushes, CD Markers, No Digital) 45:00 - Character Development, Deadlines & Scheduling for Sanity 49:00 - Pace: Layouts Fry Brain, 2-3 Pages/Day, Weekends Off 54:00 - Excitement for Batwoman Issues + Upcoming Release 56:00 - Where to Follow DaNi + Outro 58:00 - Support the Podcast & Keep It Nerdy

Storyboard artist Keith Morange (Marvel, Disney, HBO, Katy Perry videos) joins Nerdy Mewzings to discuss pivoting from childhood Hulk/Superman comics to live-action storyboarding, why comics offer "no compromise" freedom, and his upcoming indie sci-fi graphic novel Sky Lights—a tale of UFO conspiracies, indigo kids, human-initiated contact, and deepening mystery! Key highlights: -Early influences: Sal Buscema Hulk, Curt Swan Superman, Greatest American Hero -Storyboarding realities: 20-50 frames/day, loose/fast style, invisible art frustrations -AI in art: Acceptance over resistance, useful tools vs. losing personal voice/sacredness in comics -Sky Lights process: 200+ pages, full creator control (pencils, inks, colors, lettering), pacing like music, growth serving the story -Discipline & mindset: Showing up on low-confidence days, rest/recovery parallels to BJJ/warrior mindset -UFO mysteries inspiring the book, art's job to deepen the unknown -Upcoming: Cover finished (end 2025), coloring near-complete, trailer soon, Kickstarter summer 2026—sign up on his site for notifications! Sky Lights is self-contained story with epic scope—don't miss it! Follow Keith Morange: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/keith_morange Website - https://www.keithmorange.com X/AKA Twitter - https://x.com/Keith_Morange YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@keithmorange Love indie sci-fi, storyboarding, UFO lore, or creator discipline talks? Follow and leave a positive review! Support Nerdy Mewzings on Patreon for bonus content coming soon! https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings Share with friends & Keep it nerdy! Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Keith's Current Work (Sky Lights Coloring Near-Complete) 1:00 - Discipline: Showing Up on Low-Confidence Days 3:00 - Building Confidence Through Routine & Small Wins 5:00 - Earliest Comics Memories (Hulk, Superman, Flip Books) 7:00 - Dad's Influence & Childhood Drawing Magic 9:00 - Animation Dreams to Live-Action Storyboarding 12:00 - Storyboarding Hollywood (Clients, Speed, Customer Service) 15:00 - Loose/Fast Style vs. Finished Art Temptations 18:00 - AI in Art: Acceptance, Tools vs. Losing Personal Voice 23:00 - Storyboarding Skills in Comics (Pacing Like Music) 26:00 - Sky Lights Origins (UFO Chase, Indigo Kids, Mystery) 29:00 - Art's Job: Deepen the Mystery 31:00 - Kickstarter Summer 2026, Trailer Soon, Mailing List 33:00 - Full Graphic Novel Format, Self-Contained Story 36:00 - Warrior Mindset & Rest/Recovery Parallels to BJJ 41:00 - Consistency, Small Goals & Momentum 46:00 - Tools/Workflow (Photoshop, Potential Clip Studio Switch) 51:00 - UFO Disclosure Thoughts & Human Contact in Book 54:00 - Where to Follow Keith 57:00 - Support the Podcast & Keep It Nerdy

Thomas Pitilli is BACK on Nerdy Mewzings! One of our most popular guests EVER returns, the talented comic book artist and illustrator (Archie Comics, DC, editorial work) stops by for an incredibly insightful conversation on art, growth, and the creator journey! We geek out over: -His evolution from animation dreams → illustration → back to comics -Teaching & mentoring on Patreon (portfolio reviews, one-on-one feedback) -Common artist pitfalls: skipping fundamentals, over-relying on polish, comparison traps -The power of traditional tools, hand inking, and hand lettering revival (Ames guide!) -The legendary 28 Panels Challenge (February comic panel-a-day) + his Stardust story redo -Why Artist's Editions are the ultimate art education tool (full-size originals, mistakes & all) -Favorite editions (Alex Toth Bravo for Adventure, Neal Adams, Jim Lee X-Men & more) Thomas shares humbly how he learns alongside his audience, fights imposter syndrome, and uses challenges to build momentum on passion projects. Huge thanks to Thomas for returning – his first episode is still top-viewed! Follow Thomas Pitilli: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thomaspitilli Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomaspitilli Patreon (mentorship, portfolio reviews, process): https://www.patreon.com/thomaspitilli Website/Commissions: http://www.thomaspitilli.com If you love comic art, illustration, process breakdowns, or Artist's Editions – Like, comment, share, review on audio platforms Support Nerdy Mewzings: Patreon → bonus content coming soon! https://www.patreon.com/nerdymewzings Keep it nerdy!

Join James as he chats with legendary comic book artist Matteo Scalera (Black Science, Batman, Deadpool, Hulk, Nemesis Forever, King of Spies) — the latest 'catch' in the InkPulp crew! Matteo shares his origin story: growing up in Italy obsessed with Dylan Dog, Spawn, 90s Image comics, and Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac), attending comic schools in Milan, winning a major contest judged by Sergio Toppi, breaking into US comics via Image, his big Batman issue, long collabs with Mark Millar, switching to one-to-one traditional art, and the deeply personal inspiration behind his new creator-owned graphic novel, The Fourth Father — a 190-page family drama with superhero touches, born from becoming a dad. We dive into process, humility at early cons, paying it forward with portfolio reviews, the InkPulp brotherhood (Eric, Jim, Shawn), and why this book means so much to him. Don't miss this heartfelt, inspiring convo — and support The Fourth Father on Kickstarter! (Launching soon — pre-launch page live now!) Kickstarter Pre-Launch (Notify + get free first 20 pages via newsletter): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/inkpulp/the-fourth-father-graphic-novel-by-matteo-scalera Matteo's Site (free preview + newsletter): https://www.matteoscalera.com/ Follow Matteo: X - https://x.com/ScaleraMatteo Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matteoscalera/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MatteoScaleraArt/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & Collecting the InkPulp Crew like Pokémon 02:00 Italian comic schools & early influences (Dylan Dog stories!) 09:00 90s comics obsession & drawing origins 18:00 First steps, contest win, & going pro 27:00 Early US cons, humbling moments, meeting Eric 35:00 Paying it forward & InkPulp crew 37:00 Marvel break, Deadpool era, Batman bestseller 40:00 Working with Mark Millar & one-to-one art switch 48:00 The Fourth Father: Fatherhood, story, process, Kickstarter details 1:03:00 Wrap-up & where to follow/support If you love comics, art process, creator-owned stories, or just great creator chats - Follow/Review, and please Share with fellow comic loving friends. Support the pod: Check https://www.patreon.com/nerdymewzings for bonus content coming soon. Keep it nerdy!

Join me on Nerdy Mewzings as I sit down with incredibly talented comic artist and colorist Victor Medina! He shares his rollercoaster journey in comics—from peeking at his brother's Conan books as a kid, falling in love with '90s legends like Marc Silvestri, Jim Lee, and Todd McFarlane, to a shocking high school art class nightmare that almost derailed his passion forever. We dive deep into his comebacks: discovering new artists during hiatuses, working at Disneyland, experimenting with pinup photography to level up his understanding of color and composition, and finally breaking through by winning Mad Cave Studios' 2024 Talent Search as a colorist. Now he's leveling up fast—finishing sequentials on the fantasy miniseries The Madcaps (his first full interiors!), jumping between pencils/inks and colors, switching to Clip Studio Paint for that perfect traditional feel digitally, and tackling upcoming projects (including a secret big one at Mad Cave). Victor drops real talk for aspiring creators: don't quit even if you're "older" (he's 49 and just getting started!), always keep learning, seek honest feedback (shoutout to Ryan Benjamin, Steve Oliff, Alex Sinclair, and Marc Silvestri), ignore like counts, and get your work in front of editors. He's super open—hit him up for brushes, blue-line inks to practice over, or coloring advice! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & catching up on live streams 04:00 Childhood comic origins & '90s influences 09:00 The insane high school art teacher story 15:00 Early convention days, Marvel chats & life breaks 20:00 Photography pivot → better colors & composition 25:00 Convention comebacks, huge praise from top pros 30:00 Mad Cave win, digital switch to Clip Studio, workflow tips 38:00 Current projects: Madcaps sequentials & more 45:00 Advice for breaking in today 52:00 Where to follow Victor & upcoming releases Check out Victor's art -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/art_of_victormedina -TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@artofvictormedina -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victor.medina.68817 -YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtofVictorMedina Look for The Madcaps #3 (late March-ish wrap-up) and his upcoming Mad Cave work! If you're an artist, creator, or just love comics—follow for more creator chats, leave a review if this inspired you, and share with a fellow nerd!

In this heartfelt Nerdy Mewzings Podcast episode, host James Foster sits down with comic artist and writer John Mungiello for his very first podcast ever! John shares his incredible journey from taping 90s X-Men episodes on VHS (with mom's help!) to discovering bold artists like Erik Larsen, Frank Miller, and Daniel Warren Johnson — then pivoting through fine arts school, teaching high school art, and reigniting his comic art passion during COVID to create his own stories. We dive deep into: -Childhood comic shop hunts and 90s influences -Fine art vs. comics stigma and how teaching kids manga/comics changed everything -Creative process: rhythm in panels/writing, following "feelings," leaving room for imagination -Daily drawing habits to beat burnout/ADHD while juggling teaching and family -His breakout graphic novel EVE: a wild, bloody holiday epic uncovering Mrs. Claus's dark origin—vengeance, broken marriage, black metal hellscapes (praised by Daniel Warren Johnson!) -Upcoming: The Deadly Dozen, Crawler, and more creator-owned work If you love indie comics, creator-owned stories, art journeys, or just inspiring creator chats, this one's for you! Grab EVE on Amazon or direct from John's Official Website: https://www.johnmungiello.com/ Follow John Mungiello: -Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jmungiello -X/Twitter https://x.com/JMungielloArt Follow Nerdy Mewzings for more comic creator interviews, live draws, and nerdy chats! Leave a review and share with a friend to support indie creators. Keep it nerdy! Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Nerdy Mewzings: Meeting Artist/Writer John Mungiello 01:02 Connecting Through Instagram & Curating an Art-Only Feed 02:26 Early Influences: Cartoons, X‑Men, Batman, and the VHS Era 04:25 First Comic Shop Finds: Preacher Covers & Erik Larsen’s Spider‑Man 06:34 Nineties Style DNA: Hatching, Kirby Roots, and Favorite Artists 09:28 From Hellboy to Sin City: Miller, O’Barr, and Finding a Voice 10:32 Leveling Up: Copying, Inking Experiments, and Discovering Max Ernst 12:07 Art School to Teaching: Mixing Fine Art with Comics (and Dropping the Stigma) 16:27 Getting Serious About Comics: Early ComiXology Issues, Then a Pause for Teaching 18:40 COVID Reset & the Comeback: Posting Art, Building Skills, and Landing an Editor 21:51 Writing as Part of the Process: Poetry, Rhythm, and Creator-Owned Inspiration 24:10 YouTube University & Online Classes: Proko, Watts, and New Learning Access 27:47 Less Is More: The Power of Omission in Art & Storytelling 29:26 Influences & Breakthrough: Daniel Warren Johnson Buys a Page 31:30 The Book Reveal: From a Santa Sketch to a 160-Page Graphic Novel 36:03 Publishing & What’s Next: Deadly Dozen, Crawler, and New Collaborations 39:12 Creative Process: Writing From Images, Feelings, and “Puzzle Pieces” 42:26 Time Management & Workflow: Drawing Every Day, iPad Layouts, and Staying Human 47:35 Selling the Book, Pricing Sketches, and Where to Follow (Wrap-Up)

Join host James for an in-depth chat with veteran comic book inker Marc Deering (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Immortal Hulk, Hunt Kill Repeat, The Adventures of Lumen N from Dark Horse)! Marc shares his journey from discovering inking via Wizard Magazine in the pre-internet era, landing his first gig in 2003, favorite tools (Raphael brushes, Hunt 102 quills, even old Rapidographs), hybrid traditional/digital workflows, and what an inker really brings to pencils (texture, tone, lighting, readability). We geek out over Star Wars (inking Darth Vader was a career highlight!), Transformers, GI Joe, the old-school production grind vs. today, embellishment vs. finishing, and why collaboration duos are rarer now. He also opens up about co-founding Flipside Comics — a hub for serialized web comics, public domain gems, creator-owned projects, and even an 80s/soundtrack radio station for artists. Plus: —killer advice for breaking in today —make your own comics, use social media, focus on direct-to-fans —and why passion beats luck Whether you're an aspiring artist, comic fan, or just love the craft, this one's packed with stories, laughs, and real talk. Watch/Listen/Subscribe/Follow/Comment/Review Now and Keep it Nerdy! Checkout the Official Flipside Comics Website: https://ontheflipsidecomics.com/en/ Follow Marc and Flipside Comics: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marcdeering and https://www.instagram.com/flipsidecomix X/Twitter - https://x.com/Marc_Deering and https://x.com/FlipsideComix Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Back (Again): Technical Difficulties & Shoutouts 02:30 Marc Deering’s Origin Story: Army Days, Wizard Magazine & Breaking In 04:51 Early Inking Tools: Brushes, Quills, and Learning from Pros 07:14 RapidoGraph Love/Hate: Cleaning, Collecting, and Old-School Gear 10:05 Traditional vs Digital Inking: Choosing the Right Workflow 11:50 Inking Over Pencils: Blue Lines, Hybrids, and Nerve-Wracking Pages 17:21 What an Inker Actually Does: Clarity, Texture, Tone & Readability 20:39 Embellisher vs Finisher: Classic Collabs and Why They’re Rarer Now 24:40 Shared Nerd Passions: GI Joe Tattoo, Transformers, and Collecting Talk 28:42 The Pandemic Pivot 29:28 Transformers & Star Wars Fandom: Prequels, Sequels, and the Disney Era 31:51 Inking Highlights: Doctor Aphra, Vader Pages, and Immortal Hulk 35:13 What an Inker Looks For: Tight Pencils, Team Chemistry, and Workflow Changes 39:13 How 'Adventures of Lumen N' Happened: Tryouts, Twitter, and Becoming Co-Owner 43:21 Launching Flipside Comics: Website, Merch, and Serialized Releases 46:47 Public Domain Characters: What You Can (and Can’t) Do With Superman, Conan, and More 49:34 Flipside Radio + Writing Slate: New Projects and Creative Direction Beyond Superheroes 53:32 Breaking Into Comics Today: Direct-to-Consumer, Social Media, and “Just Make a Comic” 56:11 Wrap-Up: Where to Follow, Current Projects, and Final Thanks

Join James for the epic return visit of comic book artist Sedat Oezgen as he breaks silence on his massive new project: The Whisper War – a provocative sci-fi murder mystery written by Emmy-winner Marc Guggenheim (Arrow, Star Wars, Planet of the Apes)! Dropping February 10, 2026 exclusively on Comixology Originals (digital-first), this 5-issue series blends futuristic noir, forgotten wars, and mind-bending twists. Sedat shares his insane process: oversized 16x22 pages, one-page-per-day pace, hybrid traditional/digital workflow, unique world-building (no Star Wars/Blade Runner clones!), and why he pushed himself to the limit for this passion project. Highlights: Guggenheim tailoring the script to Sedat's strengths, stunning colors by Carlos Cabrera, teases of shocking issue #2 twists, Sedat's upcoming DC/Green Lantern work, and why indie comics matter. Pre-order The Whisper War now on Comixology: https://a.co/d/0c2wKPy7 Follow Sedat: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sedatoezgen Subscribe to his YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@sedatoezgen Follow the podcast: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nerdymewzings X - https://x.com/nerdymewzings Become a member - https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Reintroduction 00:50 The Long-Awaited Project Reveal 03:17 Challenges and Triumphs in Creation 06:25 Collaboration with Mark Guggenheim 08:48 World-Building Inspirations 13:55 Unique Sci-Fi Elements 21:55 The Whisper War: Plot Overview 26:39 Process and Passion Behind the Art 30:33 Burnout and New York Script Arrival 30:45 DC Short Story and Whisper War Progress 32:14 Collaboration with Mark and Carlos 34:39 Digital and Traditional Art Workflow 42:07 Maintaining Quality Under Pressure 46:03 Upcoming Projects and Green Lantern 54:02 Supporting Indie Comics 54:54 Follow Sedat on Instagram If you love sci-fi comics, creator-owned stories, or behind-the-scenes artist talks, please follow the podcast and leave a 5 STAR review!

Join James in the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast studio as he sits down once again with comic artist Todd Beats for an inspiring, no-filter conversation about persistence, artistic evolution, and staying true to your creative voice! Fresh off conventions and exciting new cover projects (including The Maxx, a Darkness variant for Marc Silvestri, and VeeFriends for Gary Vee), Todd opens up about: -Why daily practice and feeding your “truest self” matters more than chasing trends -How he’s evolving his inking and rendering style in real time -The mindset shift from perfectionism to joyful expression -Closing commissions to make room for sequential storytelling in 2025 -Advice for aspiring artists: just show up, put in the reps, and let your unique voice emerge If you’re an artist grinding toward your breakthrough or just love honest talks about the creative journey, this episode is pure motivation! Follow Todd: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddbeats YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddBeatsART Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toddbeats.art Website & newsletter: https://toddbeats.com Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Casual Banter 01:09 Weather Talk and Regional Differences 02:35 Convention Experiences and Social Media Impact 04:29 Artistic Evolution and Inspirations 06:34 Persistence and Artistic Advice 10:19 Finding Your True Self Through Art 16:38 Influences and Developing a Unique Style 28:29 Live Streaming and Community Engagement 31:44 Fan Encounter and Artistic Journey 33:44 The Importance of Humility and Continuous Learning 35:34 Future Plans and Evolving Skills 38:26 Balancing Commissions and Personal Growth 42:32 Exciting Projects and Collaborations 49:53 Reflecting on Success and Future Goals Tune in every Monday for a new episode featuring another amazing creator! Enjoying the podcast? Please considering following and giving a 5 star review. It's FREE and the easiest way to help ensure more people get to experience the show :) Thanks and Keep it Nerdy!

Join me on Nerdy Mewzings as I sit down with talented comic book writer and artist Brandon Paul in his very first podcast appearance! We dig into his creator-owned debut: The Adventures of Chuk Maxwell — a thrilling post-apocalyptic space western featuring a gun-slinging, hover-tank-piloting canine freelancer from an alien world. If you love indie comics, gritty storytelling, stunning art inspired by Mignola, Moebius, Geof Darrow, and Daniel Warren Johnson, and the journey of a solo creator grinding late nights while balancing a day job and family — this episode is for you. Brandon shares: -How a drawing of his dog in a desert hover tank sparked an entire comic series -Transitioning from animation school (2009 recession era) to self-publishing his first 28-page issue -Influences from Hellboy, Batman: The Animated Series, and epic road trips to Monument Valley -His workflow: digital/hybrid inking in Photoshop, learning from InkTober, SVS Learn pro classes, and tough-but-helpful portfolio reviews -The cliffhanger ending of Issue #1 (trust me, you'll want Issue #2 ASAP!) -Dream projects (Thor? Hellboy?), favorite creators (Daniel Warren Johnson love!), and plans for the 5-issue arc Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & first podcast vibes 02:00 - Chuk Maxwell origin: dog-inspired InkTober → full comic 05:00 - Late-blooming comic fan: Hellboy gateway, Mignola influence 08:00 - Animation background → solo comic creation 14:00 - Detour project under NDA + getting back to Chuk 17:00 - Ink Pulp, Jake Parker, SVS Learn shoutouts 20:00 - Writing & art process: Marvel method vibes, digital tools 26:00 - Issue #2 progress + Slack method drawing 30:00 - Balancing day job, family, and comics 35:00 - Daniel Warren Johnson fandom & creator inspiration 40:00 - Dream gigs: Thor, Silver Surfer, Hellboy? 45:00 - Cons, Instagram traction, future plans (Kickstarter?) 50:00 - Where to buy Chuk Maxwell & follow Brandon Grab Issue #1 (physical or PDF) here: https://chukbook.com or https://www.bpaul.art/shop Follow Brandon: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpaul.art Website: https://www.bpaul.art/ If you're an aspiring comic creator, artist, or just love discovering fresh indie books, if this episode inspired you, FOLLOW Nerdy Mewzings Podcast for more creator interviews, and drop a FIVE star review!

Join James once again in the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast studio for an epic, nostalgic deep dive with acclaimed cartoonist & writer Derek Laufman — the ongoing artist on Skottie Young's hit series I Hate Fairyland from Image Comics! In this must-watch interview, Derek shares his wild journey through the comic industry: -Growing up obsessed with 90s Image Comics legends like Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, and Rob Liefeld -The highs and lows of animation school at Sheridan College -Heartbreaking early setbacks in comics; pivots into video games and freelance -Rediscovering his passion through forums like Digital Webbing and DeviantArt -And finally landing the dream gig on I Hate Fairyland after years of creator-owned work. We geek out over GI Joe, Spawn speculation, the magic of old-school forums (shoutout to Ryan Ottley, Ryan Stegman, and the "cool kids" like Scotty Young), finding your artistic voice, the importance of fundamentals over flash, and why it's never too late to chase your comic dreams — Derek was 47 when he went full-time on Fairyland! Plus, Derek talks about his own incredible creator-owned books like Ruinworld, Bot-9 (wordless graphic novel inspired by Miyazaki), The Witch of Wickerson, Crimson Fall (Hellboy + Witcher vibes), and his current project Rats of Ironwood. If you're an aspiring artist, comic fan, or just love hearing real stories from the trenches of the industry, this one's for you. Drop a review: What's your favorite Image Comics era? Or which Derek project are you grabbing next? Follow for weekly comic creator interviews, art talk, and pop culture deep dives! Follow Derek Laufman: Website & Shop: https://www.dereklaufman.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dereklaufman X - https://x.com/laufman (check his bio for all links!) Support Nerdy Mewzings: Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/nerdymewzings Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nerdymewzings X - https://x.com/nerdymewzings

Join me on the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast for an epic, heartfelt conversation with the incredibly talented Brett Bean — artist behind I Hate Fairyland, Dungeon Crawler Carl: The Crocodile, and now his brand-new creator-owned high-fantasy comedy series D'ORC launching February 4, 2026 from Image Comics! Brett shares his wild journey: skipping school to read Savage Sword of Conan at a Circle K (and getting picked up by the police!), growing up in a religious household where comics were hidden treasures, losing everything in a fire (echoing Eric Larsen's story), transitioning from video games (Sony's Syphon Filter & SOCOM), concept art, Jim Henson puppet design (!), and finally chasing his lifelong dream of making comics. We bond over Washington State roots, destroyed childhood comic collections by family, religious upbringings clashing with Spawn and heavy metal mags, supportive spouses, avoiding burnout, and the magic of problem-solving in creative careers. Plus, the big reveal: D'ORC — a hilarious half-dwarf, half-orc misfit (all DORK!) caught in a doomsday prophecy that says he's destined to end the world. Elves vs. Orcs, wizards vs. common sense, dragons vs. everyone... and a chicken? Perfect for fans of Conan, Lord of the Rings, and deadpan humor like Gert's. With stunning art by Brett, colors by Jean-François Beaulieu (I Hate Fairyland), and letters by Nate Piekos (Minor Threats), plus insane variant covers from Ryan Ottley, Ryan Stegman, Mirka Andolfo, and more — this is the fantasy romp we've been waiting for! We also geek out over influences (Bill Watterson, Todd McFarlane, Mike Mignola, Moebius, Eastman & Laird's TMNT, and modern stars like Daniel Warren Johnson), original art collections, Star Wars prototypes, Muppets, and why passion is more important than perfection. If you love creator journeys, fantasy comics, or just great nerdy chats, hit play now. Don't forget to buy D'ORC #1 at your local comic shop February 4th and Keep it nerdy! Follow Brett: Website - https://www.brettbean.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brett2dbean Substack - https://brettbean.substack.com/

Join James in an EXTRA packed Nerdy Mewzings Podcast studio as he welcomes Ridge Kiley (President/CEO of Rising Empire Studios and Creator of Alpha Clash TCG) and writer AJ Light (Alpha Clash Co-Creator) for an energetic chat about building a new comic + trading card game universe from the ground up! The guys share: -How the pandemic sparked the idea for a wizard battle royale video game that evolved into a full multimedia franchise -Turning graphic novels, novels, and comics into core drivers for the Alpha Clash trading card game -The surreal journey of teaming up with legendary writer Mark Waid (Flash, Kingdom Come) to co-write a new 3-issue comic arc -Upcoming Kickstarter launching January 20, 2026: Alpha Clash: Rising Empires – 3 issues, tons of variant covers, ultra collectibles, and digital options -Lessons on comic scripting, collaborating with artists, and balancing superpowers for both story and gameplay Perfect for comic fans, TCG players, and anyone inspired by indie creators building their own universe! Support the Kickstarter (pre-launch page live): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alphaclash/alpha-clash-rising-empires-by-mark-waid-and-aj-light-1-3 Official Website: https://alphaclashtcg.com/ Follow on Instagram: Alpha Clash - https://www.instagram.com/alphaclashtcg Rising Empire Studios - https://www.instagram.com/rising_empire_studios Ridge Kiley - https://www.instagram.com/kiley_wrestling AJ Light - https://www.instagram.com/ajlightwriter Mark Waid - https://www.instagram.com/markwaidwriter

Join James in the Nerdy Mewzings studio as he chats with rising Irish comic book artist Reese Hannigan, proudly the first Irishman to appear on the podcast! Reese dives into his journey: -Growing up inspired by cartoons, Spider-Man movies, Todd McFarlane, and early YouTube art videos -Transitioning from traditional to digital workflow (Clip Studio lover!) -Breaking into comics, influenced by fellow Irish artists like Danny Earls -Working on Star Wars: Hyperspace Stories – The Bad Batch: Rogue Agents (and previous Ghost Agents miniseries) for Dark Horse Comics -Recent cover work for Dynamite (Terminator, Shredder, Supernatural, Peter Cannon Thunderbolt) -Balancing a day job, deadlines, and going full-time freelance soon A fun, inspiring talk for aspiring artists about persistence, digital tools, finding your style, and living the Star Wars dream! Follow Reese: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reesehanniganart X/Twitter: https://x.com/Reesehannart