The United States Department of Nerds Podcast

🎙️ 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 Partner: @cape_events1

#USDNPodcast, #CapeCon, #IndieComics, #PopCulturePodcast, #TMNT, #DFPN, #LivePanel, #WrestlingFandom, #ConventionCulture, #NerdCommunity, #ComicBookCreators

🎙️ 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 air unbreathable, and humanity clings to life under the domes of franchise cities powered by alien energy known as C.O.R.E..

The only way to keep the lights on? A brutal, world-defining sport called Powerball — where entire civilizations compete for energy, power, and existence itself.

POWERSCAPE is a futuristic exploration of empire, identity, and spectacle — blending cyberpunk aesthetics, sociopolitical commentary, and philosophical storytelling in a universe where the line between entertainment and survival no longer exists.

🧠 In This Episode

• The origins and evolution of POWERSCAPE
• The philosophy behind competition and spectacle
• Building a believable 28th-century civilization
• Inside the art, team, and world-building process
• Details on the POWERSCAPE #2 Kickstarter campaign
• The long-term vision and future of the series

💥 Support the Campaign

🔹 Kickstarter — POWERSCAPE Issue #2:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/65dollarfuneral/powerscape-issue-2?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=powerscape&total_hits=9

🔹 Patreon — Exclusive Content & Behind-the-Scenes:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/Powerscape_comic

🔹 Follow Donal Thoms-Cappello on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/donalthomscappello/

🎧 About USDN Podcast

The United States Department of Nerds is a cinematic podcast dedicated to the worlds of independent comics, creators, and imaginative storytelling.  Hosted by The Chairman, each episode explores how creators build worlds, challenge genres, and redefine what storytelling can be.

#USDNPodcast, #Powerscape, #DonalThomsCappello, #SciFiComics, #IndieComics, #KickstarterComics, #CyberpunkComics, #FuturisticComics, #ComicBookPodcast, #ComicCreatorInterview, #IndieComicCreators, #ComicBookCommunity, #SciFiStorytelling, #USDNShorts, #TheChairman, #UnitedStatesDepartmentOfNerds, #PowerballGame, #CrowdfundedComics, #SciFiPodcast, #FutureSports, #ComicBookCulture

🎙️ 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 Vol. 1 delivers practical effects, meta humor, and indie-horror heart. 

💀 In This Episode:
The origins of ZombieCON Vol. 1 — where cosplay meets carnage
The creative partnership of Valle & Áine and their fandom-fueled vision
Indie filmmaking tricks that made a small-budget horror feel like a blockbuster apocalypse
Behind-the-scenes stories: gallons of fake blood, real convention chaos
Plus: Exclusive teases of ZombieCON Vol. 2

🧩 Where to Watch:
ZombieCON Vol. 1 is available now on all major VOD platforms in North America, with a DVD release on October 14th.

🔗 Watch, rent, or buy here → https://zombieconvol1.com

🎬 More links → https://linktr.ee/ZombieCONVol1

📲 Follow the Movie:
@zombieconmovie — across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok & YouTube

Tag them and join the undead fandom!
#zombieconvol1

👥 Cast & Crew on Instagram:
🎥 @bigsquidfilms • 🎭 @kykyv71 • 🩸 @erin_aine
💀 @joebezko • 🧟 @mannyluke4 • 🧛 @punkiejohnson
🎬 @chriscasi • 🧠 @cmendez78 • 🎨 @nicholemcauley

📻 About USDN:
Hosted by The Chairman, USDN Podcast dives deep into indie comics, films, and the creative minds behind them.
Subscribe for cinematic interviews, fandom spotlights, and original genre storytelling.

🕯️ Watch Now — because at the end of the con… we all look a little undead.

 #ZombieCONVol1, #ZombieCONMovie, #IndieHorror, #HorrorComedy, #USDNPodcast, #HorrorInterview, #Halloween2024, #CosplayHorror, #FandomCulture, #KyleValle, #ErinÁine, #BigSquidFilms, #IndieFilm, #ZombieMovie, #HorrorPodcast 

🎙️ 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 chillingly fun interview, we cover:

The eerie origins of Memoirs of the Morbid and its EC horror inspiration
How Grant transitioned from graphic design to full-time indie comics
A behind-the-scenes look at The Orange Edition — including stories like Cubicle of the Damned, Bubble, Fiona’s Fantasy Forest, and Invaders
The incredible creative team: Brian K. Morris, Will Conway, Alberto Pessoa, Samir Simao, and David Schuler
The challenges (and joys) of creating a modern horror anthology in 2025
Tips for indie creators ready to bring their own nightmares to life

If you love Creepshow, Tales from the Crypt, or EC Comics classics, this episode is for you! 🕯️

🧠 Featuring:
Grant Lankard — Creator / Writer

🎙️ Hosted by: The Chairman of USDN Podcast

📘 Back the Campaign:

🧡 Memoirs of the Morbid: The Orange Volume on Kickstarter →

👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mrgrantastic/memoirs-of-the-morbid-orange-volume?ref=discovery&term=memoirs%20of%20the%20morbid&total_hits=3&category_id=249

📸 Follow Grant Lankard on Instagram:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/gwlankard/

🪦 Follow the Team:
🌐 www.RisingTide.pub
🌐 www.willconway.co.uk

🎧 Subscribe for more indie comic interviews, horror spotlights, and creative deep dives — only on The USDN Podcast.

#USDNPodcast, #MemoirsoftheMorbid, #GrantLankard, #TheGhoulmaster, #horrorcomics  , #indiecomics , #kickstartercomics , #comicbookinterview , #horrorpodcast , #independentcomics , #supportindiecomics , #eccomics , #TalesFromTheCrypt, #creepshow , #usdn , #indiehorror , #horroranthology , #usdnshorts , #comiccreators , #thechairman , #horrorfans 

🎙️ 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 capturing motion on the page, and the upcoming Kickstarter campaign that will bring this lightning-fast hero to readers everywhere.

💬 Topics Covered:

The origins and philosophy of Apogee Comics
The creative journey behind Quickwire #1
How to balance speed, humor, and character depth in superhero storytelling
Insights into their Kickstarter campaign and what fans can expect

Whether you’re a long-time indie comics fan or new to the scene, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes that independent doesn’t mean slow.

🚀 Watch now and discover how Apogee Comics continues to redefine “The Height of Independent Comic Entertainment.”

🎧 Listen on all major podcast platforms & YouTube!

📍 Follow Apogee Comics: 
🌐 Website: https://www.apogeecomics.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apogeecomics/

📅 Featuring:

Nick Garber: Creator / Founder
Matthew Jasso: Writer
Harshstroke: Artist

🎙️ Hosted by The Chairman of The United States Department of Nerds (USDN)

#USDNPodcast, #ApogeeComics, #Quickwire, #IndieComics, #KickstarterComics, #ComicBookInterview, #ComicCreators, #NickGarber, #MatthewJasso, #Harshstroke, #MichaelWoods, #IndieComicSpotlight, #USDN, #ComicPodcast, #SuperheroComics, #Quickwire1, #IndependentComics, #ComicBookCommunity, #SupportIndieComics, #ApogeeUniverse, #USDNShorts, #USDNPodcastInterview, #TheChairman, #IndieComicCreators, #KickstarterLaunch, #BehindThePanels, #ComicBookCulture, #IndieComicPower, #TheSpeedOfIndependence

🎙️ 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 commit and reborn with hellish power.

🔥 What to Expect in This Episode:

The origin and evolution of The Plague — from concept to cursed legend

The moral decay of a futuristic New Orleans

The cost of revenge, justice, and damnation

The visual style and grimy VHS horror tone that define the series

The grind of indie creation and launching The Plague Kickstarter

What’s next for Lucky Devil Comics and their infernal universe

💀 Whether you’re a fan of Spawn, The Crow, Punisher, or Robocop, this episode dives deep into the art of crafting vengeance-fueled horror with indie grit and supernatural fire.

📢 Support the Creators:
Follow Lucky Devil Comics and back The Plague: Ill Fate on Kickstarter to help bring this dark vision to life.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1461695832/the-plague-1-ill-fate?ref=user_menu

🕸️ Watch / Listen Now — if you dare.
Because sometimes… justice doesn’t come from Heaven — it rises from Hell.

#USDNPodcast, #ThePlagueIllFate, #LuckyDevilComics, #IndieComics, #KickstarterComics, #ComicBookInterview, #HorrorComics, #HalloweenSpecial, #SupernaturalComics, #DarkComics, #ComicBookPodcast, #SpawnFans, #TheCrow, #Robocop, #Punisher, #NewOrleans, #RevengeStory, #IndieCreators, #USDN, #TheChairman, #ComicBookCommunity, #HorrorPodcast, #VengeanceFromHell, #ComicKickstarter, #IndieComicSpotlight

🎙️ 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 integration make it a one-of-a-kind comic experience

How Dara Pinkerton’s investigation leads to something far darker than she expected

The powerhouse art team featuring Keron Grant, Khari Evans, Robyn Smith, PJ Kaiowa, and more

What it takes to build a top 1% Kickstarter success story

And what’s next for the Dark Pink universe

💀 Whether you’re a fan of Blade Runner, The Crow, or True Detective, this is the perfect spooky season story you don’t want to miss.

Follow Dark Pink Comics: 
https://www.instagram.com/darkpinkcomics/

🩸 Back the DARK PINK Kickstarter before it’s gone:
👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darkpinkcomics/dark-pink-comics

#USDNPodcast, #DarkPink, #ChristopherRFord, #IndieComics, #KickstarterComics, #ComicBookInterview, #NoirComics, #HorrorComics, #NeonNoir, #80sNewOrleans, #HalloweenSpecial, #ComicBookCreators, #IndieComicSpotlight, #TheChairman, #USDN, #KickstarterSuccess, #SupernaturalStories, #ComicPodcast, #HalloweenPodcast, #BayouHorror

🎙️ 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 world was real?

🌙 Episode Highlights

• The origin and meaning of In Our Dreams Awake
• Building dual worlds of fantasy and cyberpunk
• Writing the emotional core of Jason Byron’s fractured reality
• Defining “dreampunk” and how it differs from cyberpunk
• John’s creative process and collaborations with Egg Embry
• Lessons from running Kickstarter comic campaigns
• How dreams influence art and storytelling
• A special Halloween bonus on weird dreams and creative inspiration

🚀 Support the Kickstarter

In Our Dreams Awake #3 is live now on Kickstarter!

👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ioda/in-our-dreams-awake-3-a-dreampunk-comic

Back the project, grab exclusive rewards, and help bring this dreampunk vision to life!

🧠 About the Guest

John McGuire is the writer behind In Our Dreams Awake, The Gilded Age, Hollow Empire, and The Dark That Follows. A lifelong storyteller of speculative fiction, he blends sci-fi, fantasy, and philosophical mystery to explore the border between reality and imagination.

💀 About the Series

In Our Dreams Awake follows Jason Byron, a man trapped between two worlds — one mystical, one mechanical. As both realities begin to collapse, Jason must uncover which life is real… and which is only a dream.

Blending fantasy, cyberpunk, and surrealism, it’s a must-read for fans of Inception, Sandman, and Blade Runner.

🎧 Available Now:
📺 Watch the full video here on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on all podcast platforms — just search USDN Podcast

#InOurDreamsAwake #JohnMcGuire #USDNPodcast #IndieComics #KickstarterComics #HorrorFantasy #Dreampunk #CyberpunkComics #FantasyComics #ComicBookInterview #GraphicNovel #ComicKickstarter #IndieComicInterview #ComicBookCreators #PodcastInterview #IndieComicPodcast #SpeculativeFiction #Dreamscape #CreativeWriting #HalloweenPodcast

🎙️ 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 unleashing their nightmarish vision into the indie comics scene.

About Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2
A chilling cautionary tale of marvelous retribution and dreadful delight, Shockheaded Peter conjures a crossbreed of Labyrinth and A Nightmare on Elm Street — by way of Studio Ghibli. The story follows Ruby, a teenage girl with an actual broken heart, as she’s drawn into the crusade of a mysterious harbinger of punishment.

With evocative art from Giuseppe Sabè Di Stefano, this series balances gruesome fates with strange whimsy, creating a horror-fantasy like no other.

In this interview, we cover:

How their Hollywood backgrounds shaped the pacing of the comic

The collaborative process behind creating a layered, surreal world

The inspirations that fuel Shockheaded Peter’s blend of horror, folklore, and fantasy

Ruby’s journey in Book Two — and hints at what’s to come in the finale

Bringing the series to readers through Kickstarter and the importance of fan support

📚 Support Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2 on Kickstarter: [Insert Kickstarter Link]

Follow the creators:
🔗 E.B. Kogan — https://www.instagram.com/ebkfromla/
🔗 Jessica Silvetti — https://www.instagram.com/jess_silvetti/

✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to USDN for more indie comic spotlights, creator interviews, and nerd culture deep dives.

#ShockheadedPeter #IndieComics #USDNPodcast #KickstarterComics #HorrorFantasy

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 villain yet)
Gnasher’s escape from the Lab of Terrors & what it means
How new readers can catch up with all 9 issues
Kickstarter rewards, campaign perks & indie comic insights
What’s next for Gnasher after this arc wraps

If you’re a fan of wild concepts, cyber-sharks, and boss-level storytelling, you don’t want to miss this one.

🔗 Back Shark of War #9 on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bitingcomics/shark-of-war-1-9-final-boss-battle?ref=discovery&term=shark%20of%20war&total_hits=12&category_id=250

🌐 Follow Ben Lacy & Shark of War:

Website: https://mailchi.mp/ed97fcc5707b/bitingcomics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharkofwar

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more indie comic interviews and Kickstarter spotlights!

#SharkOfWar, #IndieComics, #KickstarterComics, #USDNPodcast, #ComicBooks, #IndieCreators, #SupportIndieComics, #MegaWhaleOfWar