The United States Department of Nerds Podcast

🎙️ USDN PODCAST — Indie Comic Spotlight: Grinding Against The Marrow w/ Snake | USDN Podcast Interview

Creator of Grinding Against The Marrow

“In every town, there’s a darkness people pretend not to see. A walkway they don’t walk down. A story they’re too afraid to hear. But sometimes… a storyteller shows up who’s willing to drag that story into the light.”

This episode of the USDN Podcast features Snake — the UK indie comic creator behind Grinding Against The Marrow, a raw, poetic, street-level character drama published by Markosia.

The story follows Soma, a homeless ex-junkie Muslim woman navigating the violence, prejudice, and claustrophobic hostility of her hometown. Blending parkour-driven action, poetry-infused narration, and brutal realism, Grinding Against The Marrow is quickly earning attention for its honesty, movement, and emotional weight.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The origins of Grinding Against The Marrow
• Creating Soma and writing survival with authenticity
• Using poetry as narrative muscle, not decoration
• Building the oppressive world of Marrow
• Working with Markosia and Webtoon Canvas
• Audience feedback and creator growth
• What’s next for Soma — and for Snake

This is a story born from fractures — and shaped by resilience.

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

This is The Chairman, and the Council of Nerds is adjourned.

🔗 GUEST LINKS

📖 Grinding Against The Marrow (Webtoon):
https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/grinding-against-the-marrow/list?title_no=1025007

📸 Scott Matthew Watson (Snake) — Instagram:
 https://www.instagram.com/snake87smw/

🛒 Publisher (Markosia):
 https://markosia.com/2025/10/17/grinding-against-the-marrow-1-on-drivethrucomics-and-comixology/

Quickwire Creator Matthew Jasso Talks Phantom Hawk, Apogee Comics & Indie Superheroes | USDN Podcast

⚡🦅 THIS WEEK ON THE USDN PODCAST

We sit down with Matthew Jasso, the mind behind the lightning-charged comedy of Quickwire and the shadow-soaked vengeance of Phantom Hawk Resolute from Apogee Comics.

From reckless speedsters to brutal vigilantes, Jasso’s storytelling proves that indie comics don’t stay in one lane — they dominate all of them.

⭐ Featured Titles

Quickwire #1 – “Electron Dance”

A fast, hilarious, high-charge superhero debut starring Tyler Bao — a snack-loving speedster who never expected to become a hero.

Phantom Hawk Resolute #1

A dark vigilante rebirth filled with conspiracies, violence, and personal vengeance as Phantom Hawk targets Baseline Pharmaceuticals.

🎤 What We Discuss:

• Building comedy, action, and emotion in Quickwire
• Crafting a darker vigilante world in Phantom Hawk Resolute
• Jasso’s writing process
• The creative evolution of Apogee Comics
• The USDN Final Question

🔗 Follow Matthew Jasso

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJassoman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejassoman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Matthewjasso

🔗 Follow the USDN Podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usdepartmentofnerds
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/usdn_chairman

🎙️ The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

⚡🦅 The Council of Nerds is adjourned.

HEAVY METAL WORLDS & MUTANT WARLORDS — Jason Lenox on Lords of the Cosmos #5

Enter the cyber-fantasy wasteland of Lords of the Cosmos #5, where mutant warlords, mythic warriors, biomechanical nightmares, and 80s-infused chaos collide.

The Chairman sits down with creator and illustrator Jason Lenox to explore the origins of the series, the new arcs introduced in Issue #5, the explosive war on Aiden, and the meticulous line-art process that defines Lenox’s unmistakable style.

This episode dives deep into:
 • The birth and evolution of the LOTC universe
 • Mistress Zemba’s rising popularity
 • “Aliens meets Ninja Turtles” — the Pulse storyline
 • Building an 80s world for modern readers
 • Fan-created characters and the dual-campaign strategy

🔗 OFFICIAL LINKS — SUPPORT & FOLLOW JASON LENOX

Indiegogo (Lords of the Cosmos #5):
 https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/jasonlenox/lords-of-the-cosmos-issue-5

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

Press & Reviews:
 https://jasonlenox.com/pressandreviews/

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

🎙️ USDN Podcast — “Horror Unbound” feat. Francisco Hnilo (@fah_draws)

The Chairman returns with another deep-cut dive into the world of modern horror comics — from Boom Studios nightmares to Image Comics psychological terrors. Artist & storyteller Francisco Hnilo joins the Council to break down the books redefining fear in the 21st century.

🔥 Topics Covered:
• Boom Studios’ domination of modern horror
• Psychological dread vs supernatural terror
• Experimental horror from Bad Idea & IDW Dark
• Image Comics creators rewriting the genre
• Underrated indie horror comics you should be reading
• Francisco Hnilo’s must-read horror recommendation

📚 Featured Titles & Publishers:

Boom Studios — Be Not Afraid, Grim, Hello Darkness, SIKTC, House of Slaughter, When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee, The Graveyard Club: Fresh Blood, Marian Heretic

Oni Press / EC Comics — Blood Type, Catacombs of Torment, Epitaphs from the Abyss, Plague House

Bad Idea & IDW Dark — Cul-De-Sac, Event Horizon: Dark Descent, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn

Image Comics — Exquisite Corpses, Hyde Street, Fashion School Serial Killer, Sleep, Universal Monsters, W0rldtr33, Mommy Blog, The Deviant, Creepshow, Blood Train

Indie Highlights — Lilith, Monsters, Don’t Run With Scissors, Masterminds, Vatican City, Let This One Be A Devil, Seance in the Asylum, Grimm Tales of Terror, The Nice House by the Sea

📌 Follow the Guest:
Instagram: @fah_draws

🕯️ Keep the lights dim, keep your comics bagged… and remember: curiosity is the beginning of every horror story.

#HorrorComics, #USDNPodcast, #HorrorUnbound, #ComicBookPodcast, #BoomStudios, #ImageComics, #IndieComics, #HorrorFans, #JamesTynionIV, #HorrorCommunity, #PodcastInterview, #ComicBookReviews, #DarkHorseComics, #VaultComics, #HorrorArt, #GraphicNovels

ATRIUM #1 — Inside the High-Stakes Thriller | Steve Bynoe Interview | Comix Asylum x USDN Podcast

In this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with Steve Bynoe — writer, educator, Editorial Director at Comix Asylum, and co-creator of the action-suspense thriller ATRIUM #1.

ATRIUM marks Comix Asylum’s transition from covering comics to creating them, delivering a high-stakes, cinematic miniseries where a single donor heart becomes the center of a deadly chase.

🔥 ABOUT ATRIUM #1

Paramedics Naomi and Darnell are tasked with transporting a donor heart to a mysterious patient. But when a storm derails their route and a deadly strike team ambushes them, their mission turns into a desperate fight for survival — from city streets to the dark subway tunnels below.

A five-issue miniseries packed with tension, action, and character-driven storytelling, ATRIUM blends the energy of The Transporter with grounded, relentless suspense.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:

• The creation and development of ATRIUM #1
• Comix Asylum’s shift from journalism to publishing
• Building a cinematic, action-suspense comic
• Assembling the creative team:
– Steve Bynoe (Writer)
– Peter Van Horne (Writer)
– Lucas Filappi (Artist)
– Nikos Koutsis & Mike Toris (Colorists)
– Gregory Parkin (Letters)
• What readers can expect from the 5-issue series
• Future plans for Comix Asylum

📲 FOLLOW STEVE BYNOE
Instagram: @stevebynoeart
Twitter/X: @SteveBynoe47

📡 FOLLOW COMIX ASYLUM
Instagram: @comixasylum
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/comixasylum
Web site:  https://www.comixasylum.com/

📢 INDIE CREATORS — WANT TO BE ON THE SHOW?
Email: [email protected]

🎧 LISTEN & WATCH

This episode is available on:
✔️ YouTube
✔️ All major podcast platforms via Transistor
✔️ Facebook (Live Replay)

⚖️ OUTRO
This is The Chairman…
and the Council of Nerds is adjourned.

#ATRIUMComic, #ComixAsylum, #SteveBynoe, #IndieComics, #CreatorOwnedComics, #ComicCreators, #ComicBookInterview, #USDNPodcast, #ActionThrillerComics, #IndieComicPublishing, #LucasFilappi, #NikosKoutsis, #MikeToris, #GregoryParkin, #ComicBookCommunity

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — “SUPER CRAZY & A LITTLE WEIRD: Enter the World of N-Bolt”
Guest: James R Demery : Cartoonist / Illustrator
Host: The Chairman — USDN Podcast

Step into a world where imagination crackles with energy. In this episode, we sit down with James R Demery, the creator behind the electrifying, hyper-kinetic indie comic N-Bolt — a universe that’s super crazy, a little weird, and overflowing with style.

From his Baltimore origins to the creative spark that built the “Demeryverse,” James walks us through his artistic evolution, his storytelling philosophy, and the birth of one of the most original indie heroes on the scene.

Whether you’re an artist, writer, indie creator, or comics fan, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and pure creative energy.

📚 ABOUT N-BOLT

A high-energy hero with power over raw electricity, N-Bolt’s world mixes fast-paced action, weird elements, and a vibrant art style that pops off the page. James reveals the inspirations, themes, and future plans for the character and the larger universe he’s building.

🔗 FOLLOW & SUPPORT JAMES R DEMERY

👉 Gumroad: https://jrdemery.gumroad.com/
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jrdemery/
👉 Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/jamesrdemery

Support indie comics — creators like James make the scene powerful, diverse, and wildly imaginative.

🎧 FOLLOW THE USDN PODCAST

Where indie comics come to life and creators step behind the mic.
Subscribe for interviews, deep dives, creator spotlights, and more.

“N-Bolt is officially USDN Approved.
 This is the Chairman… and the Council is adjourned.”

#IndieComics, #ComicBookCreator, #DigitalArt, #Illustration, #IndieArtist, #ComicBookInterview, #USDNPodcast, #NBolt, #JamesRDemery, #IndieComicsCommunity, #CreatorSpotlight, #ComicBookArt, #MakingComics, #Webcomics, #DigitalIllustration, #ComicBookUniverse, #ArtProcess, #DrawingComics, #ComicBookHeroes, #IndieComicsSpotlight, #BaltimoreArtists

🎙️ Horror-Holiday Launch: A VERY CARMILLA CHRISTMAS CAROL — Clay Adams & D.E. Schrader Interview

Snow falls… a candle flickers… and Carmilla rises again.

In this late-night horror-holiday special, the USDN Podcast welcomes Clay Adams : Co-Writer/Letterer and D.E. Schrader : Co-Writer/Filmmaker for the launch of their wicked new gothic one-shot:

🎄 A VERY CARMILLA CHRISTMAS CAROL

A sexy, spooky, sapphic, satirical reVamp of Dickens’ iconic ghost story — and the newest entry in the expanding Carmilla Unbound universe.

We dig into:
• How Carmilla collides with Dickens to create a new holiday nightmare
• The creation of villainous miser Elonezer Spooge
• Reinventing the Ghosts of Past, Present & Future
• Building the book’s wicked visual identity
• Variant covers and artistic themes
• Why this one-shot is a perfect entry point for new readers
• The evolution of Bloodline Comics
• What’s ahead for 2025–2026

🩸 Support the Kickstarter (Live Now)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/schraderopolis/a-very-carmilla-christmas-carol-spicy-dickens-revamp

🔗 Follow the Creators

@schraderopolis
@bloodlinecomics
@bloodlinecomicspictures

The USDN Podcast — Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — Giuseppe “Sabè” Di Stefano | Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2 | Indie Comics | Artist Spotlight

Step inside the creative world of Giuseppe “Sabè” Di Stefano, the dynamic Italian illustrator bringing haunting beauty, surreal atmosphere, and bold visual storytelling to the indie comic scene. In this USDN Podcast interview, The Chairman dives deep into Sabè’s artistic journey, his unique illustrative style, and his work on the striking new release Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2, written by E.B. Kogan and Jessica Silvetti.

Whether you're a fan of indie horror, expressive illustration, or international comic artistry, this episode delivers a rich behind-the-scenes look at a creator whose work stands out in every panel.

🖌️ What We Discuss

• Sabè’s artistic origins & evolution
• Building visual identity in indie comics
• Bringing Shockheaded Peter’s eerie world to life
• Working with writers E.B. Kogan & Jessica Silvetti
• How style shapes tone, pacing & mood
• Advice for aspiring illustrators breaking into comics

📘 Featured Project

Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2

A dark, surreal, visually stunning continuation of the cult-favorite horror-fantasy series. Sabè breaks down the artistic process, inspirations, and challenges behind crafting such a wildly imaginative world.

📅 Episode Details

📍 Recorded live on the USDN Podcast
 🎙️ Hosted by The Chairman
 ⏰ Runtime: Approx. 60 minutes
 🎨 Guest: Giuseppe “Sabè” Di Stefano (Artist/Illustrator)

🔗 Follow Sabè

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabe_89_art/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@sabe_89_art

🔗 Follow the USDN Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usdn_podcast/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/usdepartmentofnerds
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/usdnpodcast
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@usdn_podcast

#USDNPodcast #GiuseppeDiStefano #Sabe #ShockheadedPeter #IndieComics #ComicBookArtists #HorrorComics #ComicArt #ArtistInterview #IndieCreators #ComicBookCommunity #DigitalArt #Illustration #ComicsInterview #USDN #CouncilOfNerds

🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — “GENERAL WASHINGTON & THE LIBERTY TREE #1”
Guest: John Luzar — Writer/Creator
Originally streamed: Thursday, November 13 @ 7PM EST

🔥 ABOUT THIS EPISODE

What happens when a symbol becomes a battleground?

In this USDN Podcast interview, we dive deep into the new Kickstarter comic General Washington & The Liberty Tree #1, a bold and provocative superhero story that explores the weight of legacy, race, and national identity in a country struggling to define itself.

A decade after the original General Washington’s tragic death, the alien symbiont that granted his powers has remained dormant—until now. 

We talk with writer John Luzar about:
⚡ Reimagining patriotic iconography in the modern era
⚡ The mythology behind the alien symbiont
⚡ Superheroes in politically charged times
⚡ Working with Jason Muhr, Mark Englert, Kelly Williams, and team
⚡ The Kickstarter campaign’s goals and stretch plans
⚡ Why this story resonates right now

📌 SUPPORT THE COMIC ON KICKSTARTER

Back it here ➜ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/worthcost/general-washington-and-the-liberty-tree

Email for interviews: [email protected]

General Washington and the Liberty Tree, John Luzar interview, Resistance Comics, patriotic superheroes, political superhero comics, indie comics, Kickstarter comics 2025, Jason Muhr art, alien symbiont comics, American identity comics, USDN Podcast interview, comic book podcast, comic book Kickstarter, new indie comic release.

🎙️ 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