Advertise on podcast: Nerdy Mewzings

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  

Join James once again in the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast studio, as he completes the trilogy with Chris Tung, founder of Raremarq (formerly Nerd Crawler), in a fun and insightful chat about building a powerhouse marketplace for comic book art lovers! Chris shares exciting updates on Raremarq's growth: -Helped creators earn over $2 million in under two years -Lower fees (starting at 6%), secure escrow protection, and vetted sellers featuring top names like Frank Cho and Artgerm -New tools: Auction Now Shopify app and AuctionNow.ai platform to launch your own real-time auctions and online store (starting free!) -Bringing auction tech to more creators, reps, shops, and fans worldwide Plus casual talk on movie trilogies, collecting challenges, Berserk manga love, and the joy of giving back to the comic community. Perfect for artists looking to sell originals, collectors hunting rare pieces, or anyone curious about the business side of original comic book art! Visit Raremarq: https://www.raremarq.com/ (with a Q!) Shopify Sellers: Search "Auction Now" in the Shopify App Store Launch Your Store: https://auctionnow.ai/ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raremarq  

Dive into an epic chat with comic artist & writer Nick Pitarra (The Manhattan Projects, Ax-Wielder Jon) as he shares his wild journey breaking into comics, pulling insane all-nighters, his deep love for influences like Frank Quitely, Moebius, and Geof Darrow, collaborating with Jonathan Hickman, and the heartfelt origin of his creator-owned barbarian masterpiece Ax-Wielder Jon. We also geek out over arm wrestling training, studio grind stories, and why finding your artistic voice matters more than perfect anatomy. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a die-hard indie comics fan, or just love behind-the-scenes creator stories—this one's for you!  Staying Connected: Social Media and Art Follow Nick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickpitarra Follow Nick on X/AKA Twitter: https://www.x.com/nickpitarra Check his original art: https://www.felixcomicart.com/ArtistGalleryTitles.asp?ArtistId=568  

This week James had the honor of chatting with Felix Lu of Felix Comic Art, a comic book artist representative who works with acclaimed superstars like Ryan Ottley, Daniel Warren Johnson, Nick Dragotta and many more. They discussed the intricacies of the art representation industry, the significance of original art sales, and the ever evolving landscape of comic book art collecting. The conversation also touches on Felix’s personal connections and stories, including his first original art purchase, the booming success of Absolute Batman, and essential advice for new collectors. If you’re obsessed with Absolute Batman, trying to collect Nick Dragotta art, or just want to know how one series completely rewrote the original art market — this is the interview everyone will be talking about. New episodes every week! Follow Felix for every new Drop (you do NOT want to miss the next one): https://www.felixcomicart.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/felixcomicart X/Twitter: https://x.com/FelixComicArt Newsletter sign-up (most important): https://www.felixcomicart.com  

On Halloween 2025, Jim Mahfood (Marvel’s Spider-Man, Clerks, Grrl Scouts, Fortnite, Tank Girl) dropped by Nerdy Mewzings right after his brand-new 48-page Spider-Man parody one-shot THE ARACHNID ENFORCER absolutely demolished its Kickstarter goal on Day 1 — more than doubling the first-day numbers of his previous hit Savage Street Vigilante — and introduced the instant fan-favorite character GANGSTER BOOGIE!   In this packed episode we explored:    • The exact numbers and strategies behind Arachnid Enforcer’s monster launch • Jim’s proven playbook for running smooth, highly profitable indie comic Kickstarters • Why parody and homage comics are exploding in popularity right now • His journey from late-90s Kinko’s zines → working at Marvel → full creator-owned freedom • Traditional ink-on-bristol vs. digital art, live drawing sessions with Inkpulp, favorite tools, and more • Plus: late pledges are still open through the end of December 2025! Late Pledge / Buy the book here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimmahfood/defective-comics-presents-the-arachnid-enforcer Follow Jim & shop his store: https://jimmahfood.com All links: https://linktr.ee/jimmahfood If you love indie comics, Spider-Man-inspired stories with a wild twist, or just want to hear what happens when the wall-crawler skips the whole “great power, great responsibility” lesson… this episode is for you. New episodes of Nerdy Mewzings drop every Monday at 6 am PST — Follow so you never miss a guest!

Returning guest and rising comic book coloring superstar STEVE CANON is back for an unfiltered, no-holds-barred deep dive into the world of a professional colorist!   In this episode we bring the heat on: His very first covers on the main Spawn title (Spawn #369 A & B with Raymond Gay & Danny Earls) Coloring Danny Earls’ mind-blowing architectural covers for Sam & Twitch: Gangland The Daniel Warren Johnson Youngblood relaunch variant for Rob Liefeld Upcoming Dark Souls miniseries by George Mann Alpha Clash comic (the lore book for the hot new tabletop game) The real state of the comic industry in 2025 — creator-owned vs. the Big Two, building leverage, and surviving as a pro AI in comics: helpful tool or existential threat? (and why the line is getting scary-blurry) Why some “simple” covers take weeks while others are done in a day Steve’s complete coloring workflow: Procreate → Clip Studio → Photoshop breakdown Balancing full-time fatherhood while coloring some of the hottest books on the stands right now If you love raw, behind-the-scenes comic talk with zero corporate filter, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for!   Follow Steve Canon: Instagram → https://instagram.com/stevecanon X → https://x.com/stevecanon_   New episodes drop every Monday!

Join James on Nerdy Mewzings for an in-depth chat with indie comic book writer Caleb Palmquist https://calebquist.com —creator of Unicorn Vampire Hunter, Dragon Grit, and the ever-growing Swords of Arthur universe. From the perfect con pitch (“a unicorn that kills vampires”) to 40+ successful Kickstarters, Caleb opens up about escaping 2016 debt, forging lasting artistic partnerships (Daryl Toh, Kay Woolhiser), and balancing a full-time teaching gig with non-stop scripting, packing, and caffeine-fueled nights.   Highlights: Issue 9 of Unicorn Vampire Hunter (Kickstarter live NOW!) + Volume 2 finale Dragon Grit Vol 1 at the printer—Vol 2 singles in 2026 Huge Arthurverse rollout: 4 books, wildly different art styles, Lancelot & toddler Galahad, plus a brand-new subscription service Real talk on con tabling, smart crowdfunding, finishing books before launch, and why relationships trump cold DMs Perfect for creators, backers, or anyone who loves fantasy mash-ups—this episode is packed with laughs, inspiration, and hard-earned advice!   Current Projects: Unicorn Vampire Hunter #9 on Kickstarter | Dragon Grit Vol 1 soon | Swords of Arthur subscription 2026 Follow Caleb: https://calebquist.com or https://unicornvampirehunter.com – weekly newsletter with previews & updates! Check out his Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/caleb.palmquist Nerdy Mewzings: Audio on Apple Podcasts, Podbean & everywhere | Video on YouTube & Spotify Support: https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings (lost episodes, stickers, live shows)

🦇 ERICA D’URSO IS BACK – and this time the bat is OUT of the bag! The Immortal Legend Batman artist returns to Nerdy Mewzings and finally reveals: • The soul-crushing pressure of drawing AFTER Dan Mora’s designs 😱 • How she designed Bruce Wayne’s civilian look, enemies & the Shadows • Why she almost turned down Batman (!!) • The secret creator-owned project (John Wick + Spirited Away + Putin in a mixer 👀) • Traditional vs digital, selling originals, white-out disasters & MORE This is the most candid Erica has EVER been. You won’t hear this anywhere else! Follow Erica NOW (original pages sell out in hours): 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erucchan ✉️ Commission / waitlist form in bio 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvpvSOdDRLk7JxZjf-kMNSg New episodes every Monday 6 AM PST 🎙 Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean 🎥 Full video version: https://youtube.com/@nerdymewzings Support the show + get exclusive bonus clips: ❤️ https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings

Legendary Nexus creator Steve “The Dude” Rude gets RAW on animation battles, Jack Kirby lessons, and bringing Return to Earth to life. In this milestone episode of Nerdy Mewzings, James dives deep with comic book icon Steve Rude — co-creator of Nexus, winner of multiple Eisner & Kirby Awards, and a fierce defender of traditional art in the digital age.   What You’ll Hear: The real creative struggles behind the new Nexus: Return to Earth project Why Steve is fighting to launch an animated Nexus series (and the team he needs) Jack Kirby stories from meeting the King himself Traditional vs. digital art — why Steve refuses to compromise Kickstarter success secrets & building a 1,000+ member army Hand-lettering, on-model challenges, and the relentless pursuit of mastery Whether you’re an aspiring artist, comic creator, or Nexus superfan, this is the masterclass you’ve been waiting for! Support Steve's Work: Join the community on Patreon: www.patreon.com/steverude Subscribe to Steve's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@steverudethedude Pre-order Return to Earth: www.steverude.com/rte Get the How to Draw Figures book: www.steverude.com/howtodraw Join Steve's Discord: https://discord.gg/wtwjkud57 Steve is hiring: https://www.steverude.com/pages/colorist-search Follow Nerdy Mewzings for weekly deep dives with comic industry legends!

Join James as he catches up with his longtime friend, MEGA talented comic book artist, Siya Oum! In this episode, they chat about their 25-year friendship, reminiscing about their college days, the evolution of their artistic journeys, and discuss Siya's NEW Kickstarter project, Neo Wonderland. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of their art classes, inspirations from iconic comic book artists, and details about Siya's earlier work on projects like 'Fathom' and 'Lady Mechanika', as well as Marvel Comics and more. Don’t miss the exclusive insight into Siya's creator owned graphic novel, 'Neo Wonderland', a project over two decades in the making. Tune in for a mix of laughter, nostalgia, and a celebration of creativity! Back Neo Wonderland: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/siyaoum/siya-oums-neo-wonderland-graphic-novel?ref=acxdxn Visit the Official Neo Wonderland Website: https://www.neowonderland.com/ Subscribe to Siya's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/siyaoum Follow Siya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siya_oum