The United States Department of Nerds Podcast

SaGia: Building an Anime-Inspired Indie World with Arnézia “wimbearn” Wimberly

On this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman is joined by Arnézia “wimbearn” Wimberly, creator of SaGia, an anime-inspired indie sci-fi fantasy series blending dragons, fallen gods, alien races, and mythic relics into a bold original universe.

Influenced by Akira Toriyama and Ken Sugimori, SaGia explores the fall of the Sagian Gods, the rise of the Drakens, and a cross-world conflict that threatens both Earth and Sariju. Through powerful character relationships, high-energy action, and deep lore, Arnézia is building a...

Lighting the Shadows of Heroism: Dark City Comics & E.P.I.C Explained

In this episode of The United States Department of Nerds, The Chairman sits down with Lonnie Lowe Jr (Lo) — creator and founder of Dark City Comics — to shine a light on E.P.I.C (Earth’s Protector in Crisis) and the philosophy behind Lighting the Shadows of Heroism.

Dark City Comics is building a universe where grit meets greatness, where heroes are shaped by culture, crisis, and consequence. From street-level struggles to cosmic stakes, Lo shares how lived experience fuels storyt...

JUNKET: Hidden Worlds Revealed — Building Myth, Meaning & Indie Worlds with Ray Reynet

On this episode of The USDN Podcast, we’re joined by Ray Reynet — independent comic creator, writer, illustrator, animator, and founder of Farlook Studios.

Ray is the creator of JUNKET: Hidden Worlds Revealed, a creator-owned comic series that blends mythology, faith, adventure, and bold cartooning with the spirit of classic comics. Inspired by creators like Jack Kirby and Darwyn Cooke, JUNKET has earned a cult following in Florida comic shops and is now expanding into animation, short films, and other media.

...

🎙️ USDN INTERVIEW: Alim Leggett — Every Panel Counts: Building The Diary of Sweet Pea

Hello there — I’m The Chairman, and this is The United States Department of Nerds, where indie comics come to life.

This week, the council sits down with Alim Leggett, the creator, writer, and art director behind The Diary of Sweet Pea. In a powerful and introspective conversation, Alim unpacks his creative philosophy, the emotional core of his work, and why he believes every panel counts.

We dig into the origins of Sweet Pea, a story about grief, memory, and uninten...

LAST GEN: The Rise of a New Superhero Generation

In this episode of The United States Department of Nerds, The Chairman is joined by Matt Jasso and Ray MacKay to discuss LAST GEN, a bold new superhero team rising out of The Remnant Universe.

The conversation explores legacy, pressure, and identity as a new generation of heroes steps out of the shadow of icons like Atoman and Atomic Thunderbolt. From the massive 92-page LAST GEN #0 to the team’s first mission in LAST GEN #1: “Pest Problem,” this interview breaks down how character, creativity, and indie...

In this episode of The United States Department of Nerds, The Chairman welcomes Nathan Rouse, aka Mr. Unchainedunlimited, creator of JUPITERMAN and the ambitious shared universe known as The Idolverse.

Nathan joins the Council of Nerds to discuss his journey as a creator, the importance of inclusive representation in comics, and why JUPITERMAN — an Indigenous Native American tribal hero — was the perfect character to launch a universe built on identity, culture, and purpose.

This episode explores the responsibility of storytelling, the power of indie comics, and how creators can build worlds that truly matt...

🎙️ From Art to Darkness: Lloyd Cheatham on Brother To The Night

This episode of The United States Department of Nerds features artist and self-publishing creator Lloyd Cheatham, the force behind Cheat Designs and AngryArtist74.

Lloyd joins The Chairman to discuss his creative journey, using art as emotional expression, and the creation of his self-published indie comic Brother To The Night — a story rooted in darkness, purpose, and personal truth. We explore his artistic identity, the challenges of self-publishing, and what it means to build stories that resonate beyond the page.

🦇 Topics Cov...

Walking Dead with Superhumans: The World of Flamevolt with Bruno Catarino

In this episode of The United States Department of Nerds, the Chairman welcomes back comic creator Bruno Catarino to talk about his latest project, Flamevolt Issue #1 — a brutal, cinematic indie comic described as The Walking Dead with superhumans.

Bruno dives into the inspiration behind Flamevolt, how his previous projects shaped this new series, and the creative process behind building a world driven by survival, power, and humanity. We explore the themes, visual identity, and why Issue #1 serves as a powerful entry point for ne...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview: Michael J. Williams

Writing Balance, Editing Power & Building Indie Comics That Last

On this episode of The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life, we’re joined by Michael J. Williams, comic writer, editor, screenwriter, and Editor-in-Chief at Inked Studios.

Michael has worked with Advent Comics, Grok Comics, Champion Comics, Alter Ego Arts, Super Serious Comics, Mazzi Productions, and has assisted on 40+ crowdfunding campaigns, contributing to projects connected to Wesley Snipes, Austin St. John, and Justin Gray.

We dive deep into:

Six Fifteen Comics: Creating Black Heroes, Culture, and Community

On this episode of The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life, we’re joined by Malcolm McFadden, creator and writer of Six Fifteen Comics, to talk independent comics, creative inspiration, and his latest Kickstarter project The King’s Domain #1–2.

Malcolm is a hip hop artist, writer, and audio engineer from Annapolis, Maryland, whose passion for comics began at a young age and evolved into a creator-owned comic company focused on telling dope, authentic stories centered around Black characters. Drawing inspiration from icons like Batman, Static...

🎙️ USDN PODCAST INTERVIEW — MARK BERTON

Into the Heart of the Unknown: Cryptid Horror, Conspiracies & AROUGHCOUNE

Author and former journalist Mark Berton joins the United States Department of Nerds Podcast to discuss Aroughcoune, a chilling cryptid horror novel that blends secret government experimentation, survival horror, Indigenous folklore, and ethical consequences rooted in reality.

Set in the wilderness of Western Pennsylvania, Aroughcoune explores what happens when science pushes too far — and when ancient knowledge collides with modern secrecy.

In this episode, we discuss:

🎙️ Indie Comics Spotlight: Evan Quiring Talks Murder City Devil & Lucha Mystery | USDN Podcast

In this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with Evan Quiring, creator of Murder City Devil and Lucha Mystery, to talk noir horror, masked mythology, and over 20 years of grinding in indie comics.

From Winnipeg, Manitoba to working with publishers like Antarctic Press, Dynamite, Markosia, and Big Bang Comics, Evan shares his journey as a writer/artist, the challenges of freelancing, and what it means to finally see his creator-owned series picked up by Studio Comix Press...

🎙️ USDN PODCAST — Indie Comic Spotlight: Grinding Against The Marrow w/ Snake | USDN Podcast Interview

Creator of Grinding Against The Marrow

“In every town, there’s a darkness people pretend not to see. A walkway they don’t walk down. A story they’re too afraid to hear. But sometimes… a storyteller shows up who’s willing to drag that story into the light.”

This episode of the USDN Podcast features Snake — the UK indie comic creator behind Grinding Against The Marrow, a raw, poetic, street-level character drama published by Markosia.

The...

Quickwire Creator Matthew Jasso Talks Phantom Hawk, Apogee Comics & Indie Superheroes | USDN Podcast

⚡🦅 THIS WEEK ON THE USDN PODCAST

We sit down with Matthew Jasso, the mind behind the lightning-charged comedy of Quickwire and the shadow-soaked vengeance of Phantom Hawk Resolute from Apogee Comics.

From reckless speedsters to brutal vigilantes, Jasso’s storytelling proves that indie comics don’t stay in one lane — they dominate all of them.

⭐ Featured Titles

Quickwire #1 – “Electron Dance”

A fast, hilarious, high-charge superhero debut starring Tyler Bao — a snack-loving speedster who never e...

HEAVY METAL WORLDS & MUTANT WARLORDS — Jason Lenox on Lords of the Cosmos #5

Enter the cyber-fantasy wasteland of Lords of the Cosmos #5, where mutant warlords, mythic warriors, biomechanical nightmares, and 80s-infused chaos collide.

The Chairman sits down with creator and illustrator Jason Lenox to explore the origins of the series, the new arcs introduced in Issue #5, the explosive war on Aiden, and the meticulous line-art process that defines Lenox’s unmistakable style.

This episode dives deep into:
 • The birth and evolution of the LOTC universe
 • Mistress Zemba’s rising popularity
 • “Alien...

🎙️ USDN Podcast — “Horror Unbound” feat. Francisco Hnilo (@fah_draws)

The Chairman returns with another deep-cut dive into the world of modern horror comics — from Boom Studios nightmares to Image Comics psychological terrors. Artist & storyteller Francisco Hnilo joins the Council to break down the books redefining fear in the 21st century.

🔥 Topics Covered:
• Boom Studios’ domination of modern horror
• Psychological dread vs supernatural terror
• Experimental horror from Bad Idea & IDW Dark
• Image Comics creators rewriting the genre
• Underrated indie horror comics you should be reading
• Francisco Hnilo’s must-read horror recommendation

...

ATRIUM #1 — Inside the High-Stakes Thriller | Steve Bynoe Interview | Comix Asylum x USDN Podcast

In this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with Steve Bynoe — writer, educator, Editorial Director at Comix Asylum, and co-creator of the action-suspense thriller ATRIUM #1.

ATRIUM marks Comix Asylum’s transition from covering comics to creating them, delivering a high-stakes, cinematic miniseries where a single donor heart becomes the center of a deadly chase.

🔥 ABOUT ATRIUM #1

Paramedics Naomi and Darnell are tasked with transporting a donor heart to a mysterious patient. But when a storm derails t...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — “SUPER CRAZY & A LITTLE WEIRD: Enter the World of N-Bolt”
Guest: James R Demery : Cartoonist / Illustrator
Host: The Chairman — USDN Podcast

Step into a world where imagination crackles with energy. In this episode, we sit down with James R Demery, the creator behind the electrifying, hyper-kinetic indie comic N-Bolt — a universe that’s super crazy, a little weird, and overflowing with style.

From his Baltimore origins to the creative spark that built the “Demeryverse,” James walks us through his artistic evolution, his storytelling philosophy, and the birth of one of the most original...

🎙️ Horror-Holiday Launch: A VERY CARMILLA CHRISTMAS CAROL — Clay Adams & D.E. Schrader Interview

Snow falls… a candle flickers… and Carmilla rises again.

In this late-night horror-holiday special, the USDN Podcast welcomes Clay Adams : Co-Writer/Letterer and D.E. Schrader : Co-Writer/Filmmaker for the launch of their wicked new gothic one-shot:

🎄 A VERY CARMILLA CHRISTMAS CAROL

A sexy, spooky, sapphic, satirical reVamp of Dickens’ iconic ghost story — and the newest entry in the expanding Carmilla Unbound universe.

We dig into:
• How Carmilla collides with Dickens to create a new holi...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — Giuseppe “Sabè” Di Stefano | Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2 | Indie Comics | Artist Spotlight

Step inside the creative world of Giuseppe “Sabè” Di Stefano, the dynamic Italian illustrator bringing haunting beauty, surreal atmosphere, and bold visual storytelling to the indie comic scene. In this USDN Podcast interview, The Chairman dives deep into Sabè’s artistic journey, his unique illustrative style, and his work on the striking new release Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2, written by E.B. Kogan and Jessica Silvetti.

Whether you're a fan of indie horror, expressive illustration, or international comic artistry, this episode delivers a r...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — “GENERAL WASHINGTON & THE LIBERTY TREE #1”
Guest: John Luzar — Writer/Creator
Originally streamed: Thursday, November 13 @ 7PM EST

🔥 ABOUT THIS EPISODE

What happens when a symbol becomes a battleground?

In this USDN Podcast interview, we dive deep into the new Kickstarter comic General Washington & The Liberty Tree #1, a bold and provocative superhero story that explores the weight of legacy, race, and national identity in a country struggling to define itself.

A decade after the original General Washington’s tragic death, the alien symbiont that granted his powers has rem...

🎙️ USDN Podcast LIVE from Cape Con!
The Chairman and the Council of Nerds hit the convention floor for USDN’s first-ever live panel!
 
Recorded live in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this episode brings unfiltered energy and community spirit as the team dives into indie comics, TMNT nostalgia, and the storytelling roots of wrestling.

Now streaming on all podcast platforms.

Follow and connect:

IG: @usdn_podcast
FB: United States Department of Nerds
Threads: @usdn_podcast
Bluesky: usdn-chairman.bsky.social

Guests: @mac_aka_yaboy | @blakmakk

Event...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview: “POWERSCAPE — The Game That Rules the Future”

Guest: Donal Thoms-Cappello (Writer | Creator)
Runtime: ~60 minutes
Tone: Futuristic | Philosophical | Sci-Fi Spectacle

In the 28th century, survival means winning the game.

Join The Chairman of The United States Department of Nerds (USDN) for a deep dive with Donal Thoms-Cappello, creator of the visionary sci-fi saga POWERSCAPE — a series two decades in the making that explores competition, control, and civilization’s final play for survival.

⚡ About POWERSCAPE

It’s the year 2798 A.D. Earth is scorched, the ai...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview: “ZombieCON Vol. 1 — Cosplay, Carnage & Con Culture”

Guests: Kyle Valle (Director & Co-Writer), Erin Áine (Lead Actor & Co-Writer)

Welcome to the United States Department of Nerds, where fandom meets the apocalypse.

This week, The Chairman sits down with Kyle Valle and Erin Áine — the creative forces behind 🧟‍♀️ ZombieCON Vol. 1, a blood-splattered love letter to convention culture, cosplay, and chaos.

🎬 About the Film:
When a group of die-hard fans accidentally unleashes a real zombie outbreak, the line between costume and corpse disappears.

Equal parts Shaun of the Dead and Galaxy Quest, ZombieCON...

🎙️ USDN Podcast: “Memoirs of the Morbid: The Orange Edition” — An Evening with Grant Lankard & The Ghoulmaster

Step inside the crypt with The Chairman of The United States Department of Nerds (USDN Podcast) as he sits down with Grant Lankard, creator of Beowulf, League of Cryptids, and the haunting horror anthology Memoirs of the Morbid.

This episode dives deep into The Orange Edition — the latest volume in Lankard’s macabre series inspired by classic 1950s EC horror. Expect twisted morality tales, dark humor, and ghoulish satire, all introduced by the delightfully dreadful host, The Ghoulmaster.

💀 In this chi...

🎙️ USDN Podcast: The Speed of Independence with Apogee Comics

Buckle up and get ready to move at the speed of imagination! 🏁

In this episode of The USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with the creative team behind Apogee Comics — Nick Garber, Matthew Jasso, and Harshstroke — to talk about their electrifying new indie superhero series, Quickwire #1 ⚡.

From Apogee’s powerful merger of Guerilla ComX and Move The World to their mission of pushing the limits of independent storytelling, this conversation dives deep into creation, collaboration, and community. We explore how Quickwire came to life, the art of captu...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview: “THE PLAGUE: ILL FATE — Vengeance Rises in the Shadows of New Orleans”

A Halloween Special Presentation from the United States Department of Nerds (USDN Podcast)

🕯️ Step into 2030 New Orleans — a city drowning in corruption, sin, and smoke. From the ashes of betrayal rises THE PLAGUE: ILL FATE, a supernatural-action horror from Lucky Devil Comics that drags vengeance straight out of the grave.

In this hour-long Halloween special, The Chairman sits down with the Lucky Devil Comics team to unearth the dark origins behind their cursed avenger — a man executed for crimes he didn’t com...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview: “Something Wicked Blooms in the Bayou” — A Halloween Special Presentation

Step into the haunted neon glow of 1980s New Orleans as The Chairman of the USDN Podcast sits down with Christopher R. Ford, creator of the hit Kickstarter comic DARK PINK — “The World’s Freshest New Comic Adventure.”

This cinematic Halloween episode dives deep into the supernatural streets of 198X New Orleans, blending noir mystery, 80s music, and monstrous horror into one unforgettable story.

🕯️ In This Interview:

The origins and inspirations behind Dark Pink

Why the 80s setting and music inte...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — John McGuire: In Our Dreams Awake #3 | Dreampunk Indie Comic Kickstarter

Welcome back to the United States Department of Nerds Podcast, where we’re for the people, by the people, and of the people.

In this episode, The Chairman sits down with John McGuire, writer of In Our Dreams Awake #3 — a haunting, genre-bending dreampunk comic where two worlds collide: one ruled by magic, and one consumed by cyberpunk decay.

It’s a story that explores dreams, dual realities, and identity, asking the question: What if you could never be sure which...

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview w/ E.B. Kogan & Jessica Silvetti — Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2

Film to Fantasy: E.B. Kogan & Jessica Silvetti on Shockheaded Peter

Welcome back to the United States Department of Nerds Podcast! I’m The Chairman, and today we’re diving into the haunting, fantastical world of Shockheaded Peter, the second installment of a 3-part horror-fantasy graphic novel series.

Joining me are E.B. Kogan (Empire, Ordinary Joe, In Our Blood) and Jessica Silvetti (Juego de las llaves, In Absentia) — a powerhouse writing duo with deep roots in film and television who are now unlea...

USDN Interview | Ben Lacy – Shark of War #9 (Kickstarter Live Now!)

Welcome back to The United States Department of Nerds (USDN)! 🎙️ Today we dive into one of the most outrageous, high-octane indie comics on the scene: Shark of War 🦈💥.

Joining me is Ben Lacy (writer/artist/creator) to talk about the epic finale of The Whales of War Arc in Shark of War #9, now live on Kickstarter!

In this episode, we discuss:

What makes Shark of War stand out in the indie scene
The rise of the Mega Whale of War 🐋 (the biggest vill...

Writing Imperfect Superhumans: The Story Behind Zip | USDN Interview with Mike Scrase

Hello Council Members! I’m The Chairman of The United States Department of Nerds (USDN), and today we’re diving into the world of ZIP — the British comic about flawed superhumans that doubles as a smart commentary on disability.

Joining me is Mike Scrase (Writer), the creator of Zip, published by Markosia Enterprises. With stunning art by San Espina and lettering by Ferran Delgado, Zip has already delivered three powerful issues — and now Issue #4 is heading to Kickstarter!

In this episode, we’ll ex...

📺 When Good Looks Kill: The Origin of Greg | Duke Electric Interview | United States Department of Nerds (USDN)

Hello There, it's The Chairman of the United States Department of Nerds (USDN)—where we are for the people, by the people, and of the people!

In this episode, we’re joined by the multi-talented Duke Electric—creator, writer, and artist behind the outrageous new independent comic series GREG Issue #0: The Delivery Room (now live on Kickstarter)!

GREG tells the story of a man so good looking… that if you see his face, your head will literally e...

Hello there, it’s The Chairman of the United States Department of Nerds (USDN)—where we are for the people, by the people, and of the people!

In this episode, I sit down with Bruno Catarino to talk about his brand-new comic book project, Crimson Bay—a dark, action-packed series inspired by 1990s fighting games and brought to life through Kickstarter.

We dive into:

🔥 The origins of Crimson Bay
🔥 The unique characters and stories within the series
🔥 Bruno’s creative process and inspirations
🔥 What backers can expect from the Kickstarter campaign...

What happens when superheroes aren’t perfect? In this deep-dive interview, The Chairman of the United States Department of Nerds sits down with Mike Scrase, writer of Zip—a British indie comic published by Markosia Enterprises that redefines what it means to be superhuman.

Together, we explore:

🔹 The Creator Origin Story – Mike’s comic book beginnings and how Zip was born
🔹 The Story Behind Zip – Themes of identity, disability, and realism in a superhero world
🔹 Writing Disability, Responsibly – Avoiding tropes, doing the research, and listening to readers
🔹 Publishing & Kickstarter – Why the team is going the crowdfun...

🎨 Inside the Mind of Vitalerium’s Artist: Francisco Hnilo Interview | Comic Book Art, Webtoons & More

In this exclusive USDN interview, we sit down with Francisco Hnilo—the talented artist behind Vitalerium—to dive deep into his creative origins, process, inspirations, and what's next for this visually stunning comic series.

From storyboards to posters and Webtoons, Francisco shares how he broke into the world of comic book illustration and why Vitalerium stood out to him as a project worth diving into. We explore everything from character design and artistic influences to his preferred tools and techn...

VeVe x Star Wars: What’s Next for Digital Collectibles? | Interview with Dan Crothers

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Dan Crothers, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of VeVe, to explore what's coming to the platform—especially for Star Wars fans! From AR-enhanced Stormtrooper helmets to Mandalorian dioramas, this is your insider look into the galaxy of digital collectibles.

💫 What’s Coming to VeVe?

Vitalerium Unveiled: World-Building, Adaptation, and the Journey from Page to Panel | Podcast Interview

Join us for an in-depth conversation exploring the making of Vitalerium: Descent Into the Void, a sci-fi epic that bridges the gap between prose and sequential storytelling. In this episode, we dive into the origins of the Vitalerium universe, the transition from novel to comic book, and the creative challenges and victories that shaped its evolution.

Whether you're a fan of sci-fi world-building, indie comics, or creative storytelling, this interview offers a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration, adaptation, and artistic...

In this episode of the United States Department of Nerds (USDN), we sit down with indie comic creator Ben Lacy to dive into his latest Kickstarter project — Samson #2. This isn’t your typical superhero tale. Samson is a gritty blend of revenge, war, and horror set in an alternate-history world that challenges the boundaries of comic storytelling.

🎙️ Ben shares the inspiration behind the story, the unique themes he's exploring, and what fans can expect from the upcoming issue. We also talk about the creative process, exclusive rewards for Kickstarter backers, and stunning cover art tributes to icons lik...

USDN Interview w/ Bobby Campbell – Tales of the Illuminatus

In this exciting episode of the United States Department of Nerds (USDN) podcast, we're diving deep into the world of conspiracy theories, secret societies, and mystical elements with Bobby Campbell, the mastermind behind the Tales of the Illuminatus comic book. Hosted by your Chairman, we explore a world full of intrigue, suspense, and philosophical exploration inspired by the iconic Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson.

Join us as we chat with Bobby about the creation of this exciting new project, which de...