The United States Department of Nerds Podcast

How human are you when your body can be replaced?Australian comic creator Stephen Kok of SigmaTestudio joins The USDN Podcast for an in-depth conversation about TRANSHUMAN Vol. 4: Betrayal, human augmentation, comic book lettering, crowdfunding, and the realities of creating independent comics.At the center of TRANSHUMAN is Rivka, a former soldier living in a world where technology can repair, augment, and increasingly replace the human body. But if our bodies can be replaced piece by piece, what actually makes us human?Stephen takes us inside the philosophy and science fiction behind TRANSHUMAN, Rivka's evolution across four volumes, and what Volume 4: Betrayal means for the next chapter of her story.We also go deep into Stephen's work as a professional comic book letterer. In an extended discussion on the art and psychology of lettering, Stephen breaks down how word balloons guide a reader's eye, how lettering affects pacing and storytelling, why placement matters, and how great lettering becomes an invisible part of the comic-book reading experience.Stephen also shares lessons from more than a decade of independent comics, Kickstarter fulfillment, building trust with crowdfunding backers, measuring campaign success by readers instead of dollars, and why creators need to stop waiting and start making their work.FOLLOW STEPHEN KOK / SIGMATESTUDIOWebsite: https://sigmatestudio.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sigmatestudioInstagram - @eskay8888: https://www.instagram.com/eskay8888/Kickstarter - TRANSHUMAN Vol. 1-4: Betrayal: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1917428739/transhuman-vol-1-to-4-betrayal-sci-fiPROTECT YOUR COLLECTION WITH BCW SUPPLIESLooking for comic book bags, boards, boxes, storage, and other supplies to protect your collection?USDN is a BCW Supplies Affiliate. When you shop through our affiliate link or use code USDN, your purchase helps support The United States Department of Nerds at no additional cost to you.Shop BCW Supplies: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnAffiliate Code: USDNAs a BCW Supplies Affiliate, USDN may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our affiliate link or code.SUPPORT THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF NERDSThe USDN Podcast puts independent comic creators, writers, artists, publishers, and creator-owned comics in the spotlight.Subscribe or follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts and join the Council of Nerds.Find USDN everywhere: https://linktr.ee/usdn_podcastThe USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

One hero was only the beginning.Lo Plater, creator, writer, and founder of Dark City Comics & Multimedia, returns to the Council of Nerds to discuss E.P.I.C. #2: ARISE ALPHAS - Part 1 and the expansion of the Dark City Universe.When Lo first joined USDN, we introduced Chris Tayborne, a young archaeology student transformed by the ancient cosmic technology known as the Alpha Bands. Since then, E.P.I.C. #1 has gone from Kickstarter campaign to fulfilled comic, giving Lo firsthand experience with the realities of producing, crowdfunding, and delivering an independent comic.Now the story is getting much bigger.The activation of the Alpha Bands has awakened the mysterious Alpha Strand, triggering the emergence of super-powered Alpha Humans around the world. Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. Others will fall somewhere in between.Lo takes us inside the mythology behind the Alpha Strand, how Chris responds to discovering that his transformation wasn't an isolated event, and why building the Dark City Universe means creating a world that extends far beyond E.P.I.C. himself.We also get into the realities of independent comic publishing: Kickstarter fulfillment, unexpected shipping costs, communicating with backers, building the right creative team, planning rewards, printing and distribution, direct-to-consumer relationships, supporting fellow indie creators, and why Lo believes creators are ambassadors for independent comics.With multiple characters and projects already being developed across the Dark City Universe, ARISE ALPHAS - Part 1 represents the next step toward the larger world Lo envisioned when he first entered the Council.E.P.I.C. #2: ARISE ALPHAS - Part 1 heads to Kickstarter in September 2026.🚀 Follow the E.P.I.C. #2 Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/darkcitycomics/epic-2-arise-alphas-part-1?ref=23uxfb🌆 Dark City Comics & Multimedia:http://www.darkcitychq.comFind everything USDN:https://linktr.ee/usdnpodcast📚 Support USDN through BCW Supplies:https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse code: USDNAffiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our BCW affiliate link at no additional cost to you.The USDN Podcast - Where indie comics come to life.

How do you turn the stories in your head into an original fantasy universe and then convince people to care about it?Jesse Wolfe joins the USDN Podcast to discuss The Legend of Kyyden #2, his journey from writing novellas to creating independent comics, and everything he's learned while building a creator-owned fantasy series from the ground up.What began as stories Jesse simply needed to get out of his head has grown into an ambitious creator-owned fantasy world with a long-term story still waiting to unfold. With The Legend of Kyyden #2 launching on Kickstarter October 12, Jesse takes us behind the pages of Kyyden and the realities of turning an idea into a comic, finding an audience for it, and continuing to build when you're responsible for far more than simply writing the story.Topics CoveredThe journey from writing novellas to creating comicsThe origins and philosophy behind The Legend of KyydenBuilding an original fantasy universeIntroducing readers to Kyyden through DimitriLearning from constructive criticismProtecting your creative vision as an indie creatorBuilding an audience and community around independent comicsReturning to Kickstarter for Issue #2Creating different editions for different audiencesPlanning a long-form creator-owned comic seriesThe realities of learning every part of independent comic productionJesse's influences and the future of The Legend of KyydenSupport The Legend of Kyyden #2🚀 Kickstarter - Launching October 12:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ubwriter/legend-of-kyyden-1-2-a-robust-fantasy-action-comic-series?ref=72140z🌐 Follow Jesse Wolfe:https://linktr.ee/jwstorytellingConnect with the USDN Podcast🎙️ Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast🔗 Follow USDN Everywhere:https://linktr.ee/usdn_podcast👥 Join the Council of Nerds Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/usdnpodcast❤️ Support the Channel:https://www.patreon.com/cw/thedfpnSupport Our Affiliate Partner📦 BCW SuppliesUse code USDN to save on your next order.https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUSDN may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through this affiliate link.Business / Media Inquiries📧 [email protected] you enjoy conversations with independent comic creators, Kickstarter spotlights, worldbuilding, and behind-the-scenes looks at creator-owned comics, subscribe and follow the USDN Podcast wherever you listen.The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Joe Kazmer and Jarrod Burris join The USDN Podcast to discuss Collision Force #2, an action-packed creator-owned comic that's been described as an "R-Rated G.I. Joe."From building an original comic universe to crowdfunding and cinematic storytelling, Joe and Jarrod share the story behind the series, how their creative partnership began, the transition from screenwriting to comics, lessons learned through Kickstarter, and why action comics still have an important place in today's independent comic industry.In This Episode The origins of Collision Force Building an "R-Rated G.I. Joe" for indie comics Creator-owned worldbuilding Screenwriting vs. comic writing Writing action for comics Crowdfunding lessons Why action comics still matter The future of Collision Force Learn More🚀 Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rowdybroncocreative/collision-force-2🌐 Official Website https://collisionforce.netConnect with the USDN Podcast🎙️ Subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast🔗 Follow USDN Everywhere https://linktr.ee/usdn_podcast❤️ Support the Channel on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/thedfpnSupport Our Affiliate Partner📦 BCW Supplies Use code USDN to save on comic book bags, boards, storage boxes, and collecting supplies.https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUSDN may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through this affiliate link.Business / Media Inquiries: 📧 [email protected] you enjoy conversations with independent comic creators, creator-owned comics, Kickstarter campaigns, worldbuilding, and behind-the-scenes looks at making comics, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform, and share this episode with a fellow comic fan.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 creatorsIf you're a fan of indie comics, horror comics, creator-owned storytelling, and comic book creation, this episode is for you.FOLLOW MARCO VITO ODDOInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/marcovito.oddo/Substack:https://marcovitooddo.substack.com/FOLLOW VICTOR COSTAInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/victorcosta.art/FOLLOW OTHERKINInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/otherkin.comic/USDN LINKShttps://linktr.ee/usdnpodcastBusiness & Media Inquiries: [email protected] Supplies Affiliate PartnerNeed comic bags, boards, storage boxes, top loaders, comic collecting supplies, or shipping materials?Shop BCW Supplies:https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=USDNAffiliate Code: USDNDisclosure: USDN may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through this affiliate link at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue spotlighting indie comic creators and producing creator-focused content.The USDN Podcast - Where indie comics come to life.