The United States Department of Nerds Podcast

Duke Electric & Miguel Santiago - AHA! Horror Anthology Episode 2: Too Late to Save ThemOn this episode of The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life, we’re joined by Duke Electric and Miguel Santiago to discuss their contribution to AHA! (A Horror Anthology).This story explores one of the deepest fears imaginable, a parent realizing something is wrong with their child. What begins as a subtle moment of doubt evolves into a psychological horror story rooted in identity, AI, and the loss of control.We break down: The real-world fears that inspired the story How tension and unease drive the narrative The concept of biocomputers and AI influence The collaboration between writer and artist The devastating ending and what it represents AHA! is more than a horror anthology it’s a platform for creators to tell bold, unsettling stories and bring new voices into the indie comics space.Support the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/imchrisstall/chk-comics-presents-aha-a-horror-anthology?ref=profile_created&category_id=249Follow the creators: Duke Electric: https://bsky.app/profile/dukeelectric.bsky.social Miguel Santiago: https://bsky.app/profile/migs-ink.bsky.social📺 WATCH / FOLLOW USDNYouTube: http://youtube.com/@USDN_PodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/usdepartmentofnerdsTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/usdn_chairman📩 BUSINESS / MEDIA [email protected]💥 SUPPORT THE SHOW🛒 BCW Supplies: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse Code: USDN for 10% OFFAffiliate disclosure: USDN may earn a commission if you use our link or code.The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life

Alex De Luca - Building Dragon Whisperer & a Steampunk Comic UniverseIn this episode of The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life, The Chairman sits down with comic creator Alex De Luca.From his early days discovering comics in a small newsstand to breaking into the industry through persistence and passion, Alex shares the full journey behind his career.We explore the creation of Dragon Whisperer, a steampunk fantasy story that flips the traditional dragon narrative by focusing on communication instead of conflict. Alex also dives into:His creative process as a writer and letterer The importance of collaboration in comics The realities of breaking into the comic industry How personal life experiences shape storytelling 🔗 CHECK OUT ALEX DE LUCADragon Whisperer:https://www.red5comics.com/dragon-whispererFallen (Red 5 Comics):https://www.red5comics.com/fallen-1Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/alexbabyblueInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/alexanderbabyblue/Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/alexgdeluca.bsky.social📢 SUPPORT USDNSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe | 📢 Share🧠 COLLECTOR TIP OF THE WEEKShop BCW Supplies:https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse Code: USDN for 10% OFFAffiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a commission if you use our link or code.📬 BUSINESS / MEDIA [email protected]

Alim Leggett joins The USDN Podcast to discuss his LIVE Kickstarter campaign for The Diary of Sweet Pea #3.At the center of the story is Imani Williams, a young girl whose powers are triggered by grief, trauma, and emotional intensity. These abilities manifest subconsciously, acting as both protection and danger as her world expands beyond a personal story into something far more complex.In this episode, we explore:• The emotional foundation of Sweet Pea • How trauma influences storytelling and character design • The progression from issue #1 through #3 • Kickstarter strategy and backer value • Why creator-owned comics matter🚀 Back the campaign:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sweetpeacomic/the-diary-of-sweet-pea-1-3Follow Sweet Pea Comic:https://www.facebook.com/sweetpeacomic https://www.instagram.com/sweetpea_comic/Follow USDN Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcasthttps://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast💼 Collector Tip of the Week Protect your collection with BCW Supplies: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn Use code USDN at checkoutAffiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you.📩 Business / Media Inquiries: [email protected] USDN Podcast - Where indie comics come to life.

In this episode of The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life, The Chairman sits down with Alejandro Rosales Duran, creator of Drako & Sambos Inc., to discuss what it really takes to build a comic universe from scratch.Coming from Colombia, Alejandro is working to create his own lane in the global comic space — developing original characters, telling new stories, and building a creator-owned brand from the ground up.The conversation explores:• Alejandro’s origin story and early inspirations• The creation of Drako & Sambos Inc.• His comic project Archer of Heat • The realities of the indie creator grind • Social media strategies for artists • The importance of consistency and enjoying the creative processThis episode is a deep dive into the mindset, discipline, and vision required to build something of your own in the indie comic space.📍 Follow Alejandro: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drakoandsambosinc Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/alejorosales94YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrakoAndSambosIncTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drakoandsambosinc01📺 USDN YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast🧠 Collector Tip of the Week (BCW Supplies): Protect, store, and upgrade your comic collection with BCW Supplies.👉 https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn 💸 Use code USDN for 10% off your orderAffiliate disclosure: USDN may earn a commission if you use our link or code.🗣️ Business / Media Inquiries: [email protected]

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.In this episode, The Chairman sits down with Chris Stall & Kris Mendoza of CHK Comics to kick off a special AHA! Horror Anthology series.What started as a simple idea quickly turned into a full indie horror project driven by DIY mentality, punk culture, and a passion for storytelling. From assembling creators to shaping a diverse range of horror stories, this conversation explores what it really takes to build an anthology from the ground up.This episode covers: • The origin of AHA! • Indie comics and DIY culture • Building a creator-driven anthology • Horror storytelling across multiple styles • The realities of indie publishing🔗 Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/imchrisstall/chk-comics-presents-aha-a-horror-anthology📲 CHK Comics:https://www.instagram.com/chkcomics/ https://www.threads.com/@chkcomics📲 Chris / Longbox Punk:https://www.youtube.com/@longboxpunk https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:eajy32ziw5awu7lz2k4b76dx https://bsky.app/profile/longboxpunk.substack.com📲 Kris Mendoza:https://www.instagram.com/punkrockkris https://www.threads.com/@punkrockkris💥 Collector Tip of the Week: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn Code: USDNAffiliate disclosure: USDN may earn a commission if you use our link or code. 📩 Business / Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Len Mihalovich, creator and publisher behind Lenovations Press, joins the USDN Podcast to discuss building a lasting indie comics universe across decades.From the 1990s indie comic boom to today’s creator-driven landscape, Len shares his journey from rejection letters and early publishing struggles to launching Section 12 and establishing a boutique publishing model focused on quality and longevity.We explore: • Breaking into comics in the 90s • Indie publishing challenges and distribution collapse • The evolution of Section 12 • Building Lenovations Press • Creating comics beyond Kickstarter • Sustaining a long-term indie publishing visionThis episode is a deep dive into persistence, storytelling, and what it really takes to build something that lasts in indie comics.🔗 FOLLOW LENOVATIONS PRESS🌐 Website: http://www.lenovationspress.com 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lenovations 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenovationspress/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LenovationsPress/ 💰 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lenovationspress🧰 COLLECTOR TIP OF THE WEEK (USDN)Protect, store, and upgrade your comic collection with BCW Supplies.🛒 https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn 💸 Use code: USDN for 10% offAffiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you.📢 ABOUT USDN PODCASTThe USDN Podcast is a creator-focused media platform dedicated to indie comics, crowdfunding, and the people shaping the future of storytelling.🎙️ Hosted by The Chairman 📅 New episodes weeklyBusiness / Media Inquiries: [email protected]

Donal Thoms-Cappello - Building the Sci-Fi Universe of POWERSCAPEIn this episode of the USDN Podcast, we sit down with Donal Thoms-Cappello, creator of the sci-fi series POWERSCAPE.Set in the year 2798, POWERSCAPE explores a future where civilization survives within franchise cities powered by limited energy resources and structured around competition.We discuss the origins of the series, its 20-year development, and how themes of sports, philosophy, and societal structure influenced its creation. Donal also shares insights into storytelling, worldbuilding, and the evolving landscape of comics.🔗 Follow Donal Thoms-CappelloGlobalComix https://globalcomix.com/c/powerscape-Patreon https://patreon.com/powerscape_comicInstagram https://www.instagram.com/powerscape_comic/BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/powerscapeuniverse.bsky.socialFacebook https://www.facebook.com/65DollarFuneral/🛒 Collector Tip of the WeekProtect and store your comic collection with supplies from BCW Supplies.Use our affiliate link:https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse code USDN for 10% off your order.Affiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you.📺 Subscribe to USDNhttp://youtube.com/@USDN_PodcastBusiness / Media Inquiries: [email protected]#usdnpodcast #indiecomics #comicbooks #scifi #scificomics #worldbuilding #creatorowned #kickstartercomics #comiccreator #indiecreators

Welcome to The USDN Podcast - where indie comics come to life.In this episode, host The Chairman sits down with Paul Eza, creator of The Olympian and founder of Acorn Comics.We dive into the origins of The Olympian, a story blending Greek mythology, small-town life, and a reluctant hero chosen by fate. From a mysterious talisman to mythological creatures like a Minotaur and a talking squirrel, this series delivers a fresh take on classic legends.Paul also shares his journey from law to comics, launching Acorn Comics, and what it takes to build a sustainable indie publishing brand through Kickstarter.🚀 Back The Olympian on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ezaesq/the-olympian-1-2🔗 Connect with Paul Eza:Website: http://www.acorncomics.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acorncomics/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acorn.comics Threads: https://www.threads.com/@acorncomics Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ezaesq.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AcornComics19🎙️ New episodes weekly. Real creators. Real stories. Real indie comics.