The United States Department of Nerds Podcast

Kyle Valle and Erin Áine return to the USDN Podcast to discuss Autonomous, the innovative indie horror series helping launch Screamify's new Micro Horror format.

After first joining the USDN Podcast in December 2025 to discuss ZombieCON Volume 1, Kyle and Erin return to the Council to share the journey behind their latest project. We explore the evolution of Big Squid Productions, independent horror filmmaking, vertical storytelling, production challenges, working with Screamify, and what it takes to create original horror outside the traditional studio system.

Whether you're an independent filmmaker, horror fan, or creator looking for inspiration, this episode offers an honest behind-the-scenes look at bringing ambitious ideas to life with passion, creativity, and determination.

Topics Covered

• Autonomous
• Screamify Micro Horror
• Independent Horror Filmmaking
• Vertical Storytelling
• Big Squid Productions
• Behind-the-Scenes Production Stories
• Independent Film Distribution
• ZombieCON and Returning to USDN
• The Future of Horror Storytelling

Follow Kyle Valle & Erin Áine:

ZombieCON
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieconmovie/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zombieconmovie/

Big Squid Productions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigsquidfilms/

Kyle Valle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kykyv71/

Erin Áine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_aine/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mewnownews/

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The USDN Podcast spotlights independent creators across comics, film, crowdfunding, and storytelling.

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Bruno Catarino returns to the USDN Podcast to discuss Crimson Bay Issue #2, the latest installment in his creator-owned martial arts comic series inspired by classic fighting games, action cinema, and crime dramas.

In this episode, Bruno shares how Crimson Bay has evolved since its debut, the importance of balancing action with character development, building an original comic universe, collaborating with artist Samuel Donato, and the lessons he's learned through crowdfunding on Kickstarter.

We also explore the challenges of launching original intellectual property, the opportunities presented by public domain characters, convention pitching, and what the future holds for Crimson Bay and Bruno's growing catalog of creator-owned comics.

If you're passionate about indie comics, comic book writing, Kickstarter campaigns, martial arts storytelling, or creator-owned publishing, this episode is packed with practical insights and behind-the-scenes discussion from an experienced independent creator.

Support Crimson Bay Issue #2

Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redwulfcomics/crimson-bay-1-2-fatalfury-action-cobrakai-character-drama

Follow Bruno Catarino:

Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/brunocatarino.bsky.social

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The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Panopticon, Surveillance, and Indie Comics with Matt Stevens

What happens when a prison doesn't need guards because the prisoners believe they're always being watched?

This week on the USDN Podcast, Jeff "The Chairman" Fountain welcomes writer, artist, and creator Matt Stevens to the Council of Nerds to discuss Panopticon, a psychological science fiction comic that explores surveillance, memory, identity, freedom, and the systems that shape human behavior.

Matt shares the inspiration behind Panopticon, the philosophy that influenced the story, his journey into creator-owned comics, founding Dark Web Comics, launching the project's Kickstarter campaign, and what's next with Panopticon: The Chasm.

Whether you're a fan of indie comics, science fiction, psychological thrillers, or creator-owned publishing, this episode offers an insightful look into the creative process behind one of indie comics' most thought-provoking new series.

Guest Links

Panopticon:
https://www.panopticoncomic.com

Dark Web Comics:
https://www.thedarkwebcomics.com

Late Pledges:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/panopticoncomic/panopticon-1

Read Issue #1 Free:
https://embed.macroverse.com/portal/019d9496-2048-7299-8a67-b5d88ceb30ea

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/panopticoncomic/

Dark Web Comics Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedarkwebcomics_/

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This has been the USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Writer Michael Barron and artist Jack Van Thomme join The Chairman on the USDN Podcast to discuss The Secret Lives of Demon Hunters, a supernatural horror comic about marriage, monsters, hidden darkness, and the people who spend their nights hunting demons.

In this episode, we talk about slice-of-life horror, the origin of The Secret Lives of Demon Hunters, building a world of demons and possession, horror storytelling in comics, writing satisfying endings, Kickstarter preparation, reward tiers, indie comic promotion, and the reality of launching a creator-owned comic.

Ashley and Jordie may look like an ordinary married couple, but behind closed doors and beneath the surface of everyday life, they are fighting something far darker. The Secret Lives of Demon Hunters blends relationship-driven storytelling with supernatural horror, giving readers a grounded emotional core inside a world of demons, shadows, and secrets.

Topics include:

• The Secret Lives of Demon Hunters
• Slice-of-life horror
• Horror comics and supernatural storytelling
• Demons, possession, and hidden darkness
• Writer and artist collaboration
• Building a horror world in 24 pages
• Writing twists and satisfying endings
• Kickstarter comics and crowdfunding
• Indie comic promotion
• Creator-owned storytelling

Support The Secret Lives of Demon Hunters on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/secret-lives-hunters/the-secret-lives-of-demon-hunters-a-24-page-horror-comic

Follow Michael Barron:
https://www.michaelbarronauthor.com

Michael Barron on Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/barronauthor.bsky.social

Follow Jack Van Thomme:
https://www.instagram.com/real_jackvt/

Follow USDN:
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Business & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come To Life

Sean Wood joins The Chairman and the Council of Nerds to discuss The Fog Within, his creator-owned post-apocalyptic comic series that blends science fiction, action, mystery, and time-bending adventure.

With The Fog Within #5 launching on Kickstarter, Sean shares the origins of the series, how a simple run through a foggy day sparked the concept, the challenges of building a creator-owned comic universe, and the lessons he's learned from running multiple successful crowdfunding campaigns.

The conversation explores worldbuilding, indie publishing, Kickstarter strategy, creator-owned storytelling, and the realities of building an independent comic career one issue at a time.

Topics include:

• The origins of The Fog Within
• Worldbuilding and character creation
• Kickstarter crowdfunding
• Creator-owned comics
• Indie publishing
• Writing and storytelling
• Building a comic universe
• Lessons learned as an independent creator

🔗 FOLLOW SEAN WOOD

Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sw6157/fog5

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/sean.wood.831677

⚡ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

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The USDN Podcast - Where indie comics come to life.

How do two creators living in different countries build a creator-owned comic together?

In this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with writer Marco Vito Oddo and artist Victor Costa, the creative team behind OTHERKIN, an indie horror and urban fantasy comic series inspired by works such as Hellboy, Hellblazer, and Swamp Thing.

The conversation explores the origins of Otherkin, how the project evolved from an abandoned video game concept into a long-form comic universe, the challenges of independent publishing, and the realities of creating a comic series across continents.

Marco and Victor discuss worldbuilding, horror storytelling, character development, writer-artist collaboration, creator-owned comics, comic book influences, and the lessons they've learned while building Otherkin one issue at a time.

Topics include:

• The origins of Otherkin
• Creator-owned comics
• Horror and urban fantasy storytelling
• Writer and artist collaboration
• Building a long-form comic universe
• Character creation and worldbuilding
• Independent publishing challenges
• Physical vs digital comics
• The future of Otherkin
• Advice for aspiring comic creators

If you're a fan of indie comics, horror comics, creator-owned storytelling, and comic book creation, this episode is for you.

FOLLOW MARCO VITO ODDO
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/marcovito.oddo/
Substack:
https://marcovitooddo.substack.com/

FOLLOW VICTOR COSTA
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/victorcosta.art/

FOLLOW OTHERKIN
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/otherkin.comic/

USDN LINKS
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Business & Media Inquiries: [email protected]

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The USDN Podcast - Where indie comics come to life.

Writer and creator C.E. Massari joins The Chairman on the USDN Podcast to discuss his upcoming 120-page original graphic novel, The Mafia vs. The Klan, coming from Source Point Press.

Described as John Wick meets The Godfather, The Mafia vs. The Klan is a historical revenge noir inspired by real family history, Prohibition-era violence, and the question of what happens when justice fails.

In this conversation, we talk about the real story behind the book, the legacy of Augustina Massari, turning family tragedy into fiction, writing about the Klan without glorifying hate, the moral complexity of revenge, the Mafia as a storytelling force, and why comics were the right medium for this project.

We also discuss Source Point Press’ relaunch, the upcoming Kickstarter pre-sale campaign, the black-and-white noir visual style, working with artist Martin Gimenez, and the realities of indie comics, crowdfunding, professionalism, and creator relationships.

Guest Links:

C.E. Massari Substack: https://cemassari.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.e.massari/
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cemassari/the-mafia-vs-the-klan?ref=profile_created&category_id=252

Watch / Subscribe to USDN:
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Business / Media Inquiries:
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The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

The Write Brothas Entertainment joins The Chairman on the USDN Podcast for a deep dive into indie comics, creator-owned sci-fi, worldbuilding, and the ambitious 88 Universe.

Founded by Decarlo Tatum Jr. and Neil Newman, The Write Brothas Entertainment is built on one powerful belief: “It’s okay to imagine.”

In this episode, we discuss the origins of The Write Brothas, their creative partnership, the move from film and television ideas into comics, and the process of building a full indie sci-fi universe from the ground up.

We also explore the world of “88,” including Ominus, General Muakuu, the Zowen-Kag, Planet Edine, anime-inspired storytelling, cinematic influences, and the importance of originality in indie comics.

This conversation is about more than one comic book. It is about imagination, creator ownership, independent storytelling, and what it takes to build something original when there is no rulebook.

Guest Links:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/writebrothasent?igsh=cHphNTM5dTNweDJv

Website:
http://www.twbstudios.com/

USDN Podcast Links:

YouTube:
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Linktree:
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Business / Media Inquiries: [email protected]

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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.

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Dan Sehn of Argo Comics and writer Ray MacKay join The Chairman on the USDN Podcast to discuss GWP: Guys With Powers, a creator-owned indie superhero comic launching on Kickstarter.

This episode dives into the creation of an original superhero universe, the challenges of crowdfunding indie comics, the importance of promotion, and what it takes to build new heroes outside the mainstream comic machine.

Dan and Ray break down the world of GWP: Guys With Powers, including Cosmos, Radioactive Girl, Phaze, Dominico, and the Turbo Twins, while also discussing Argo Comics, indie publishing, Kickstarter, creator-owned comics, superhero storytelling, and the current state of the comic book industry.

Support GWP: Guys With Powers on Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dansehn/gwp-guys-with-powers

Follow the creators:
Ray MacKay: https://www.instagram.com/raymackaywrites/
Argo Comics: https://www.instagram.com/argocomics/

Follow USDN:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast

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Support USDN

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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.

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

#IndieComics #KickstarterComics #ComicBooks #SuperheroComics #CreatorOwnedComics #GWP #GuysWithPowers #ArgoComics #RayMacKay #USDNPodcast

What happens when a lifelong comic fan, toy collector, and convention veteran turns his passion into creator-owned comics?

In this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with John McLaren of Phantom Ink Comics to discuss the origins of ToteMan, Villains Anonymous, Argyle Avenger, NinjaBoy, and the journey from comic collector to comic creator.

John shares the personal inspiration behind ToteMan, including how the character helped explain epilepsy to his son, while also discussing the realities of independent publishing, convention culture, creator-owned storytelling, and the enduring appeal of classic comic book adventures.

From Gen X nostalgia and comic collecting to building a universe of original characters, this conversation explores why indie comics continue to thrive through passion, creativity, and community.

Follow John McLaren / Phantom Ink Comics:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Gen.X.Toybox

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/genxtoybox

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/PhantomInkProduction

Follow the USDN Podcast:
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📧 Business / Media Inquiries: [email protected]

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The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.