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.comAll 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 & SpotifySupport: 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

Steve Rude (Nexus co-creator) on animation battles, Jack Kirby lessons, and launching Return to Earth. A masterclass in traditional art.

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

James sits down with David Harper, fellow podcaster and creator of SKTCHD.com. They discuss the evolution of David’s podcast ’Off Panel’, his meticulous preparation methods for interviews, and his path through the world of comic book journalism. From their shared love of the Transformers and comic art, to the challenges of making a living through comics, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the comic book industry. David also opens up about his unexpected career shift, health challenges, and the community support that has kept him going! Subscribe for new Nerdy Mewzings episodes every Monday at 6am PST. Keep it Nerdy! Visit the Official SKTCHD website: https://sktchd.com/ Support Off Panel on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OffPanel Subscribe to SKTCHD/Off Panel’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@sktchdcomic Follow SKTCHD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sktchdcomic Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slicedfriedgold Find SKTCHD on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sktchd.bsky.social Follow SKTCHD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SKTCHD

Welcome back to the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast! Underground cartoonist extraordinaire Sam McClurg makes his triumphant return for round two, joining James to dive deeper into the gritty, unfiltered world of indie comics, raw artistry, and con-floor chaos. Fresh off his electrifying experience at Eddie P Con—where the energy crackled like a live wire—Sam opens up about channeling rock ’n’ roll legends Keith Richards and Hollywood outlaw Steve McQueen into his boundary-pushing work. They geek out over the latest pulses in the comic book underground: from sustaining that creative fire amid deadlines to the triumphs and tangles of self-publishing in the indie scene. The highlight? An exclusive sneak peek into Sam’s sizzling new Kickstarter, White Line: Deadline—a high-octane project blending his signature bold lines and rebellious spirit (Now LIVE—back it now and snag those killer rewards!). Whether you’re a die-hard comic collector or just love stories that bite back, this EPIC chat is your ticket to inspiration overload. Tune in for laughs, lore, and a masterclass in keeping the underground alive! Head over to Sam’s Official Website: https://www.sam-mcclurg.com/ Back White Line: Deadline HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sam-mcclurg/white-line-deadline?ref=project_build Subscribe to Sam’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Sam_McClurg

Join James on the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast for an inspiring conversation with comic book artist Todd Beats! Discover how Todd overcame early challenges to become a full-time artist, rocked Rose City Comic-Con, and built a massive TikTok and Instagram following. From his standout variant cover for Invincible Universe: Battle Beast, to engaging with fans and critics, Todd shares his creative process, upcoming projects, and essential tips for aspiring artists. Tune in to hear how persistence and passion fueled his thriving career! Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Follow and subscribe for more comic creator stories! Visit Todd’s Official Website: https://www.toddbeats.com/ Subscribe to his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddBeatsART Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toddbeats Checkout his TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@todd_beats

🎙️ Drop headfirst into the world of comics once again, with host James on the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast! In this episode, comic book writer Warrick Walker reveals his creative process, inspirations, and collaborations with artists Erwin Papa and Eric Rivera. Discover the secrets behind his storytelling and get a sneak peek at his upcoming projects!🚀 📚 Learn more about Warrick: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrickwalker Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/warrickwalker

Join me in welcoming prolific comic book artist Eric Canete, known for his astounding artwork, smoldering intensity, insanely dynamic art style, and co-hosting the now infamous InkPulp Podcast! We delve into Eric’s experiences in the animation and comic industries, his journey towards finding his unique artistic voice, and how the X-Men heavily inspired his creator-owned project, Arc Athena. Eric also shares insights into the collaborative process of storytelling, both in comics and animation, and discusses the origins and dynamics of the InkPulp podcast which he co-hosts with friends Shawn Crystal and Matteo Scalera. Don’t miss this insightful episode filled with invaluable advice for aspiring artists, as I dive into one of the most creative minds that brings our favorite stories to life! Visit Eric’s Official Website: https://www.ericcanete.com/ Subscribe to his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ericcanete Follow Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericcanete Check him out on X: https://x.com/EricCanete Take a look at his TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eric_canete Subscribe to the InkPulp Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/inkpulp Visit the InkPulp Website: https://www.inkpulp.tv/

In this episode of the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast, James welcomes LA-based comic book writer Ricardo Andrés Acevedo to discuss his journey in the comic book industry! They delve into Ricardo’s unique background, his writing process, and the inspiration behind his comic ’Bird Turd.’ Ricardo shares his experiences of working with artists, his first time at San Diego Comic-Con, and upcoming projects, including a new horror anthology and plans for a crime noir story. Tune in for insightful discussions on the world of comic book creation and the importance of persistence in pursuing one’s artistic dreams! Head over to his Official website: https://www.rickyinwriting.com/ Make sure to follow Ricardo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickyinwriting/ Check out the Official Instagram of the Bird Turd comic book: https://www.instagram.com/birdturdcomic/ Follow Ricardo on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickyinwriting

Join James in the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast studio for yet another exciting episode, this time with Narrative Illustrator, AKA Cartoonist, Conner Herbison! Conner discusses his journey from childhood doodles to pursuing a career in comic art, his experiences with fellow comic book creators like Clayton Rozman, and epic interactions with industry legends such as Geof Darrow and Jeff Lemire. They delve into the intricacies of comic art, storytelling, and the impact of genres and styles. Also, get a sneak peek into Conner’s latest project, ’Darvey Plunk,’ as well as his thoughts on the evolving comic industry. Tune in and Keep it Nerdy! Visit Conner’s Official Website: https://connerherbison.com/ Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connerherbison Check him out on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/connerherbison.bsky.social

In this episode, James is joined by prolific comic book and animation writer Adam Beechen! They discuss Adam’s impressive career trajectory from his early admiration for comics, sparked by a 1970s Spider-Man issue, to his extensive work in animation on shows like ’Teen Titans,’ ’Batman: The Animated Series,’ and ’The Wild Thornberries.’ Adam shares insights on the differences between writing for comics and animation, his experiences with notable artists and voice actors, and his approach to overcoming writer’s block. He also talks about his upcoming online course on comic book writing and new projects, including a Disney+ series about soccer star Lionel Messi! Signup for Adam’s Upcoming online comic book writing course here: https://elvtr.com/course/comic-book-writing Visit his Official Website: https://adambeechen.com/ Follow Adam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adambeechen/ Check him out on X: https://x.com/sonnova Follow Adam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonnova

In this episode of the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast, James sits down with Kristopher Leithwood, better known as Tartan Ninja, the second-ever comic book colorist to be featured on the podcast! They delve into Kris’ journey from wanting to be a penciller to becoming a professional comic book colorist. Tune in as they discuss the therapeutic aspects of coloring, the differences in approach for covers versus sequential pages, and the importance of colorists in the comic book industry. Kris also talks about his interactions with the comic book community on social media and his future aspirations, including a dream to collaborate with Todd McFarlane. A must-listen for comic book enthusiasts and aspiring artists alike! Subscribe to Kristopher’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tartanninjastudios Follow him on X: https://x.com/TartanNinjaArt Check out Kristopher’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tartanninjaart/ Support him on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tartanninja