Nerdy Mewzings

Join me on Nerdy Mewzings as I sit down with talented comic book writer and artist Brandon Paul in his very first podcast appearance! We dig into his creator-owned debut: The Adventures of Chuk Maxwell — a thrilling post-apocalyptic space western featuring a gun-slinging, hover-tank-piloting canine freelancer from an alien world. If you love indie comics, gritty storytelling, stunning art inspired by Mignola, Moebius, Geof Darrow, and Daniel Warren Johnson, and the journey of a solo creator grinding late nights while balancing a day job and family — this episode is for you.
Brandon shares:
-How a drawing of his dog in a desert hover tank sparked an entire comic series
-Transitioning from animation school (2009 recession era) to self-publishing his first 28-page issue
-Influences from Hellboy, Batman: The Animated Series, and epic road trips to Monument Valley
-His workflow: digital/hybrid inking in Photoshop, learning from InkTober, SVS Learn pro classes, and tough-but-helpful portfolio reviews
-The cliffhanger ending of Issue #1 (trust me, you'll want Issue #2 ASAP!)
-Dream projects (Thor? Hellboy?), favorite creators (Daniel Warren Johnson love!), and plans for the 5-issue arc
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & first podcast vibes
02:00 - Chuk Maxwell origin: dog-inspired InkTober → full comic
05:00 - Late-blooming comic fan: Hellboy gateway, Mignola influence
08:00 - Animation background → solo comic creation
14:00 - Detour project under NDA + getting back to Chuk
17:00 - Ink Pulp, Jake Parker, SVS Learn shoutouts
20:00 - Writing & art process: Marvel method vibes, digital tools
26:00 - Issue #2 progress + Slack method drawing
30:00 - Balancing day job, family, and comics
35:00 - Daniel Warren Johnson fandom & creator inspiration
40:00 - Dream gigs: Thor, Silver Surfer, Hellboy?
45:00 - Cons, Instagram traction, future plans (Kickstarter?)
50:00 - Where to buy Chuk Maxwell & follow Brandon
Grab Issue #1 (physical or PDF) here: https://chukbook.com
or https://www.bpaul.art/shop
Follow Brandon:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpaul.art
Website: https://www.bpaul.art/
If you're an aspiring comic creator, artist, or just love discovering fresh indie books, if this episode inspired you, FOLLOW Nerdy Mewzings Podcast for more creator interviews, and drop a FIVE star review!

Join James once again in the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast studio for an epic, nostalgic deep dive with acclaimed cartoonist & writer Derek Laufman — the ongoing artist on Skottie Young's hit series I Hate Fairyland from Image Comics!
In this must-watch interview, Derek shares his wild journey through the comic industry:
-Growing up obsessed with 90s Image Comics legends like Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, and Rob Liefeld
-The highs and lows of animation school at Sheridan College
-Heartbreaking early setbacks in comics; pivots into video games and freelance
-Rediscovering his passion through forums like Digital Webbing and DeviantArt
-And finally landing the dream gig on I Hate Fairyland after years of creator-owned work.
We geek out over GI Joe, Spawn speculation, the magic of old-school forums (shoutout to Ryan Ottley, Ryan Stegman, and the "cool kids" like Scotty Young), finding your artistic voice, the importance of fundamentals over flash, and why it's never too late to chase your comic dreams — Derek was 47 when he went full-time on Fairyland! Plus, Derek talks about his own incredible creator-owned books like Ruinworld, Bot-9 (wordless graphic novel inspired by Miyazaki), The Witch of Wickerson, Crimson Fall (Hellboy + Witcher vibes), and his current project Rats of Ironwood.
If you're an aspiring artist, comic fan, or just love hearing real stories from the trenches of the industry, this one's for you.
Drop a review: What's your favorite Image Comics era? Or which Derek project are you grabbing next?
Follow for weekly comic creator interviews, art talk, and pop culture deep dives!
Follow Derek Laufman:
Website & Shop: https://www.dereklaufman.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dereklaufman
X - https://x.com/laufman
(check his bio for all links!)
Support Nerdy Mewzings:
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/nerdymewzings
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nerdymewzings
X - https://x.com/nerdymewzings
 

Join me on the Nerdy Mewzings Podcast for an epic, heartfelt conversation with the incredibly talented Brett Bean — artist behind I Hate Fairyland, Dungeon Crawler Carl: The Crocodile, and now his brand-new creator-owned high-fantasy comedy series D'ORC launching February 4, 2026 from Image Comics! Brett shares his wild journey: skipping school to read Savage Sword of Conan at a Circle K (and getting picked up by the police!), growing up in a religious household where comics were hidden treasures, losing everything in a fire (echoing Eric Larsen's story), transitioning from video games (Sony's Syphon Filter & SOCOM), concept art, Jim Henson puppet design (!), and finally chasing his lifelong dream of making comics.
We bond over Washington State roots, destroyed childhood comic collections by family, religious upbringings clashing with Spawn and heavy metal mags, supportive spouses, avoiding burnout, and the magic of problem-solving in creative careers. Plus, the big reveal: D'ORC — a hilarious half-dwarf, half-orc misfit (all DORK!) caught in a doomsday prophecy that says he's destined to end the world. Elves vs. Orcs, wizards vs. common sense, dragons vs. everyone... and a chicken? Perfect for fans of Conan, Lord of the Rings, and deadpan humor like Gert's. With stunning art by Brett, colors by Jean-François Beaulieu (I Hate Fairyland), and letters by Nate Piekos (Minor Threats), plus insane variant covers from Ryan Ottley, Ryan Stegman, Mirka Andolfo, and more — this is the fantasy romp we've been waiting for!
We also geek out over influences (Bill Watterson, Todd McFarlane, Mike Mignola, Moebius, Eastman & Laird's TMNT, and modern stars like Daniel Warren Johnson), original art collections, Star Wars prototypes, Muppets, and why passion is more important than perfection.
If you love creator journeys, fantasy comics, or just great nerdy chats, hit play now. Don't forget to buy D'ORC #1 at your local comic shop February 4th and Keep it nerdy!
Follow Brett:
Website - https://www.brettbean.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brett2dbean
Substack - https://brettbean.substack.com/
 

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!