The United States Department of Nerds Podcast

Doug Marcaida - LINEAGE, Martial Arts Philosophy & Bringing Real Combat to Comics

Forged in Fire judge and martial arts expert Doug Marcaida joins The USDN Podcast to discuss LINEAGE: Brotherhood of the Blade — a grounded, action-driven comic series published by Kid Heroes Productions.

Blending authentic Filipino Martial Arts philosophy with brotherhood, legacy, and intelligent combat storytelling, LINEAGE follows two estranged brothers forced to confront their past and the mysterious blade tied to their family history.

We explore Doug’s journey from weapons specialist to storyteller, the philosophy behind “Keep Everyone Alive,” Kickstarter success, cultural representation in comics, and the future of the series.

Support LINEAGE: https://kidhero.es/lineage
Follow Doug Marcaida: https://instagram.com/dougmarcaida

The USDN Podcast spotlights indie comic creators, Kickstarter campaigns, and the real stories behind the panels.

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come To Life! 

#DougMarcaida #LineageComic #IndieComics #Kickstarter #MartialArts #ComicBooks #CreatorOwned #USDNPodcast

Braxton A. Cosby - The Yasuke Duology & Mythic Historical Storytelling

History remembers warriors.

Stories remember legends.

On this episode of The USDN Podcast, bestselling author Braxton A. Cosby joins us to explore the YASUKE Duology, a bold reimagining of history’s first African samurai, blending documented legacy with mythic fantasy.

From the slave markets of India to feudal Japan…

From loyalty under Oda Nobunaga to the supernatural realm of Elsewhere…

We discuss:

• Researching real historical figures
• Expanding prose into graphic novels
• The emotional themes behind Yasuke’s journey
• Indie comics publishing in today’s market
• Building a long-term storytelling career

With over 20 books, multiple awards, and a growing transmedia footprint, Braxton shares insights for both readers and creators navigating the evolving comics and publishing landscape.

Follow Braxton A. Cosby:

www.braxtoncosby.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braxtonacosby/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BraxtonACosby

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

#indiecomics #yasuke #graphicnovel #historicalfantasy #authorinterview #comiccreator #samuraihistory #worldbuilding #indiepublishing

Todd Black — Tokyo Blade Detectives #1–12 & The Future of Indie Sci-Fi Comics

In this episode of The USDN Podcast, we sit down with comic creator Todd Black to discuss his cyberpunk detective series Tokyo Blade Detectives and the Kickstarter campaign collecting issues #1–12.

Set 200 years in the future where guns are outlawed but violence still thrives, the series explores faction warfare, advanced technology, and the emotional consequences of conflict through the eyes of teenage detective Miko.

We talk about:

• Building a long-running indie comic universe
• Crowdfunding strategy and Kickstarter lessons
• Collaboration with international comic artists
• Expanding creator-owned stories beyond comics
• Writing the Thunder Rosa comic biography
• Advice for indie creators navigating today’s industry

If you’re passionate about indie comics, sci-fi storytelling, and creator-driven publishing, this conversation is for you.

Support the Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackmagicwolf/tokyo-blade-detectives-1-12

Follow Todd Black:
X: https://x.com/Guardians_Comic
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddblack.bsky.social

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

On this episode of The USDN Podcast, we sit down with indie comic creator Alfred Paige to discuss Hostile Assets — an upcoming crossover event uniting Gun Goth and Footpath in a brutal horror-action one-shot heading to Kickstarter this April.

We explore Alfred’s journey in indie comics, the collaboration with Mark Poulton of Haunted Pizza Comics, the creative process behind crossover storytelling, and what it takes to launch and sustain creator-owned comic projects through crowdfunding.

This conversation dives into worldbuilding, indie publishing realities, horror storytelling influences, and the evolving landscape of Kickstarter comics.

Kickstarter Links:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/koniwaves/gun-goth-x-footpath-hostile-assets
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jonathanhedrick/footpath-dangerous-nights
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sixfifteencomics/the-bear

Guest Socials:
https://www.facebook.com/Paige1productions
https://www.facebook.com/paige.dollarz

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

🎧 S. Xing Xin. B — From Indie Rejections to Walmart Shelves | USDN Podcast Interview

Rejected more than 200 times by the mainstream comic industry, S. Xing Xin. B chose persistence over permission — building his own publishing path and developing the Ximphonic Versus universe over a 32-year journey.

With 17 volumes published, nearly 13,000 physical copies sold without crowdfunding, direct market distribution, streaming adaptations in development, and a toy line heading toward Walmart retail, his story reflects the long-game reality of independent comic creation.

In this episode of The USDN Podcast, we explore:

• Turning rejection into momentum
• Building an indie audience without crowdfunding
• Artistic craft and anti-AI perspectives
• Expanding a comic IP beyond print
• Direct market distribution realities
• Creator endurance and legacy

Follow the project:

Website: www.ximphonicversus.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ximphonic_versus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dqg7XZHdY/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@ximphonic_versus

The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

#IndieComics, #ComicPodcast, #CreatorOwnedComics, #IndependentPublishing, #ComicBookIndustry, #IndieComicInterview, #ComicCreators, #USDNPodcast

Legacy Rising: Building Gods, Monsters & Myth with Gary Seaward

A story carried since 2008 finally takes shape.

This week on The USDN Podcast, we welcome creator and artist Gary Seaward to discuss Legacy: Idols & Bones — a new indie comic universe blending superhero mythology, sci-fi scale, and horror-driven consequences.

We explore the origins of the world, the characters shaping its future, and the Kickstarter campaign launching Issues #1 and #2.

From Eidolon and Carcass to Pulse, Widow-Maker, and Re’Ordain — this is a deep dive into building modern indie mythology from the ground up.

🔗 Kickstarter Pre-Launch:
 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/garyseaward/legacy-idols-and-bones-issues-1-and-2

🔗 Read Issue #1:
 https://globalcomix.com/c/legacy-idols-bones

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

#IndieComics, #ComicPodcast, #USDNPodcast, #KickstarterComics, #ComicCreators, #CrowdfundedComics, #IndieStorytelling

He Was Dying… Then the Government Turned Him Into a Weapon | PorTroyal Smith – The Rogue Recordings

He was dying.

Then the government offered him survival.

The price? Becoming a weapon.

In this episode of The USDN Podcast, we sit down with PorTroyal Smith (Nathan Lebens), author of The Rogue Recordings, to explore a superhero saga grounded in military realism, moral ambiguity, and the true cost of power.

From operating missiles in North Dakota to building a layered narrative about government-created super soldiers, PorTroyal shares the journey behind Shadowalker and Shadowar — and the question that defines the series:

When survival changes who you are… are you still the hero?

We discuss:

• Military influence in storytelling
• Weaponized humanity
• Power and moral consequence
• The evolution from Shadowalker to Shadowar
• Writing stories that deepen on a second read

📚 Featured Works — The Rogue Recordings Series

📘 Shadowalker (2019)
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08163LFPS

Audible:
 https://www.audible.com/pd/B0CQMDQSJY/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-380067&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_380067_rh_us

📕 Shadowar (2025)

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FWJ7K91K

Goodreads:
 https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18185383.PorTroyal_Smith

Power always comes with a cost.

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

#USDN, #PorTroyalSmith, #Shadowalker, #Shadowar, #IndieAuthor, #SciFiFiction, #SuperheroBooks, #PodcastInterview, #WritingCommunity, #Storytelling, #BookPodcast

Raised to Kill, Fighting Monsters — Akemi & Indie Comics with John Holland

Some stories are born from imagination. Others are forged through survival.

In this episode of The USDN Podcast, we welcome writer and publisher John Holland of Die Bold Comics to the Council to discuss Akemi, his upcoming Fund My Comic crowdfunder launching around the time of this conversation.

Akemi tells the story of a young woman raised as an assassin who escapes her past in Japan, only to find herself drawn into a hidden war against demons and monsters in the United States. We explore the emotional weight behind the story, the balance between action and trauma, and how monsters can serve as metaphors for the scars we carry.

John also shares insight into his upcoming Die Bold Comics Digital Library campaign on Zoop — a digital collection of nearly 30 previously published works, including A Girl and Her Dog, Alma, Robot Sex, and more.

This episode dives into legacy, longevity, crowdfunding strategy, and the realities of building a lasting indie comics career.

If you care about bold storytelling and supporting creator-owned comics, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🔗 Support John Holland & Die Bold Comics

🌐 Website: https://www.dieboldcomics.com/
📰 Substack: https://jholland.substack.com/
☕ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/dieboldcomics
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dieboldcomics.bsky.social
🧵 Threads: https://www.threads.com/@john.holland.1481
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/dieboldcomics
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.holland.1481
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dieboldcomics/

🔥 Support Akemi on Fund My Comic:
https://www.fundmycomic.com/campaign/944/akemi

Subscribe for more indie creator interviews, weekly comic recommendations, and deep dives into the stories shaping independent comics.

The USDN Podcast — where indie comics come to life.

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 saga driven by legacy, consequence, and imagination.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Artistic origins and anime influences
• Character design and visual clarity in action
• Mythology, relics, and dragon legends
• Indie creator realities and advice
• The future of the SaGia universe

🎨 Creator: Arnézia “wimbearn” Wimberly

🔗 Follow & Support
🌐 https://sagiaofficial.weebly.com/
🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/wimbearn.bsky.social
🧵 https://www.threads.com/@wimbearn
📸 https://www.instagram.com/wimbearn/
📘 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557516137152

This has been the USDN Podcast — where indie comics come to life.

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 storytelling — and why indie comics are still one of the most powerful creative spaces today.

This episode explores:

• The origins of Dark City Comics
• Redefining heroism for a new generation
• The creation of E.P.I.C
• The indie grind and the upcoming Kickstarter
• The future vision for the Dark City universe

If you believe comics should reflect the world we live in — this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🔗 CONNECT WITH DARK CITY COMICS

🌐 Website: https://www.darkcitychq.com
🚀 Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darkcitycomics/epic-1-the-alpha-strand
🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dark.city.comics
📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/darkcitycomics
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/darkcitycomics
❌ X: https://x.com/Darkcitycomics

The USDN Podcast — Where indie comics come to life.