Nerdy Mewzings

Artist Katelyn Windels: Devil in the Herd, Mignola-Style Horror, & VeeFriends

Katelyn Windels (Kate Komics) joins Nerdy Mewzings fresh off Emerald City Comic-Con to talk about her path from rural farm life and discovering comics through Spider-Man DVDs, to becoming a full-time artist at VeeFriends, and launching her creator-owned horror comic Devil in the Herd with Invader Comics. Kate shares how she always drew as a kid, found her love for comics through 90s cartoons and movies, and pursued a rare comic art degree at MCAD. She discusses shifting from traditional art to fully digital with Procreate, using photo reference and posing for dynamic work, and why Mike Mignola’s heavy blacks and storytelling remain her biggest influence. She also opens up about building an audience with Star Wars fan comics, landing freelance gigs at VeeFriends, and creating Devil in the Herd — a Southwest-set horror story blending religious trauma, farm life, and actual Satan as the antagonist. Kate talks about the challenges and dopamine of consistent posting, the importance of fundamentals, and why she loves drawing other people’s stories while still carving out her own horror tales. Devil in the Herd is out now (late pledges still open), and more stories in that universe are coming. Get it HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/invader/the-devil-in-the-herd-a-supernatural-horror-western-comic [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/invader/the-devil-in-the-herd-a-supernatural-horror-western-comic] If you love VeeFriends, horror with heart, creator process videos, or Mignola-style art — Share with a friend, Leave a 5 STAR review, and Keep it Nerdy!  Follow Kate Windels (Kate Komics): Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katekomics/ [https://www.instagram.com/katekomics/] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@katekomics [https://www.tiktok.com/@katekomics] Checkout VeeFriends Comics for FREE: https://veefriends.com/comics [https://veefriends.com/comics] Become a Nerdy Insider member on Patreon and get each week's episode up to 48 hours EARLY plus other perks: https://www.patreon.com/nerdymewzings [https://www.patreon.com/nerdymewzings] Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Kate Windels Joins Nerdy Mewzings 1:30 - Early Art Love & Farm Kid Roots 5:00 - Discovering Comics via Spider-Man DVDs & 90s Cartoons 9:00 - MCAD Comic Art Degree & Traditional to Digital Shift 13:00 - Influences: Mike Mignola, Wolverine & Heavy Blacks 17:00 - Building Audience with Star Wars Fan Comics 22:00 - Landing at VeeFriends & Freelance to Full-Time 27:00 - Creating Devil in the Herd: Horror, Satan & Southwest Vibes 32:00 - Process: Photo Reference, Posing & Procreate Workflow 37:00 - Kickstarter Experience & Future Stories 42:00 - Advice for Aspiring Artists: Consistency & Fundamentals 47:00 - Where to Follow Kate & Support Her Work 50:00 - Outro & Support Nerdy Mewzings

Comic Book Writer Ray Jamison: The Madcaps, Indie Comics & Storytelling

Ray Jamison (indie comic writer and creator of The Madcaps) joins Nerdy Mewzings for a fun conversation about turning his D&D homebrew campaigns into a fantasy horror comic, growing up with 80s cartoons, action figures, and comics, and launching his 3-issue miniseries on Kickstarter. Ray shares how the unholy trinity of 80s cartoons, toys, and comics shaped him, from Transformers and GI Joe to Batman ’89 in theaters and the explosive 90s Image era. He talks about moving from RPG storytelling with friends to writing original characters and injecting real emotion into The Madcaps — a story of four tight-knit friends hunting a necromancer during a curse and zombie-like outbreak in their hometown. The book is packed with camaraderie, heart, horror, and that classic fantasy adventure feel. He breaks down his creative process using Roll20 to map out scenes, working with talented collaborators like Victor Medina on art for issues 2 & 3, and Dan Kemp on colors. Ray also opens up about the balance between strong storytelling and dynamic art, and why he’s excited to bring this world to readers! The Madcaps Issue 3 Kickstarter is currently LIVE on Kickstarter! Issues 1 & 2 will be available in the campaign along with variants, glow-in-the-dark elements, lava foil covers, and more. Perfect for fans of indie fantasy, horror with heart, and strong character relationships. If you love creator journeys, D&D-inspired comics, or stories about friendship under pressure — Leave a 5 STAR review and share with a friend! Back the Kickstarter NOW - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/philboentertainment/madcaps-issue-3 [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/philboentertainment/madcaps-issue-3] Follow Ray Jamison: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raymondthedm/ [https://www.instagram.com/raymondthedm/] Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dm.ray.2025 [https://www.facebook.com/dm.ray.2025] Follow The Madcaps: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Madcaps-61551891676013/ [https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Madcaps-61551891676013/] Join The Nerdy Insider tier on Patreon and get each week's episode 48 hours early: https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings [https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings] Keep it nerdy! Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Ray Jamison Joins Nerdy Mewzings 1:30 - 80s Nostalgia: Cartoons, Toys & Comics 5:00 - From RPG Campaigns to Writing Comics 9:00 - The Madcaps Story: Friendship, Necromancer & Fantasy Horror 13:00 - Creative Process: Roll20 Planning & Character Development 17:00 - Collaborators: Victor Medina, Dan Kemp & More 22:00 - Kickstarter Journey: Issues 1-3 & Variants 27:00 - Advice for Aspiring Creators: Just Ask & Balance Story/Art 32:00 - Current Projects & Future Plans 37:00 - Where to Follow Ray & The Madcaps 40:00 - Outro & Support Nerdy Mewzings

Cartoonist D.J. Coffman: From Web Comics to VeeFriends with Gary Vaynerchuk

D.J. Coffman (VeeFriends comics lead, longtime web comic creator) joins Nerdy Mewzings to discuss his journey from 80s/90s comic fandom and web comics to leading character development and storytelling for Gary Vaynerchuk’s VeeFriends universe. Key highlights: -Early beginnings: Barbershop GI Joe comics, discovering comics as a viable career -Web comics era: Digital Webbing, Hero by Night, Movie Poop Shoot, building audience online -Transition to VeeFriends: Hired for daily comic strips, expanding into full monthly comics -Working with Gary Vee: Rapid character development, blind bag comics, building community -Process: Daily strips, story bibles, collaborative creation, using comics to inspire positivity -Creator mindset: Paying it forward, staying encouraged, visualization & discipline -Current work: VeeFriends monthly comics (2 per month), expanding series (Notorious Ninja & more) VeeFriends comics are available to read for free at https://veefriends.com/comics [https://veefriends.com/comics] – perfect entry point for new readers! Follow DJ Coffman: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/djcoffman [https://www.instagram.com/djcoffman](main hub for process, VeeFriends updates) X - https://x.com/djcoffman [https://x.com/djcoffman] Official Website: https://www.djcoffman.com/ [https://www.djcoffman.com/] If you love VeeFriends, web comics, Gary Vee, or creator hustle stories — Leave a 5 STAR review, share with friends, and Keep it Nerdy! Join the Nerdy Insider tier on Patreon to get each week's episode up to 48 hours early, along with other bonuses, and perks: https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings [https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings] Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & DJ Coffman on Nerdy Mewzings 1:30 - Early Comic Love: Barbershop GI Joe & Discovering the Medium 5:00 - 80s/90s Nostalgia, Image Boom & Extreme Studios Visits 9:00 - Web Comics Era: Digital Webbing, Hero by Night & Movie Poop Shoot 13:00 - Transition to VeeFriends: Daily Strips & Character Development 17:00 - Working with Gary Vee: Vision, Community & Positive Stories 22:00 - Building VeeFriends Comics: Monthly Releases & Blind Bags 27:00 - Process: Story Bibles, Collaboration & Expanding the Universe 32:00 - Creator Mindset: Staying Encouraged & Visualization 37:00 - Advice for Aspiring Artists: Reps, Passion & Paying It Forward 42:00 - Current VeeFriends Projects & Future Expansions 47:00 - Where to Follow DJ Coffman + Outro 50:00 - Support Nerdy Mewzings & Keep It Nerdy

Danny Earls: Soccer Pro to Superman Artist – The Grind Behind the Art

Danny Earls (former professional soccer player turned comic book artist) joins Nerdy Mewzings to discuss his remarkable transition from the pitch to the page, landing Superman: Father of Tomorrow, and developing his creator-owned horror project Hellfire. Key highlights: -Soccer career → art as escape → hyper-focused grind after retirement -Influences: Greg Capullo, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, studying fundamentals (backgrounds as characters, composition, value) -Process: Focused daily study, thumbnails/layouts first, balancing speed vs. quality, avoiding burnout -First big breaks: IDW covers, Marvel Hulk fill-ins, landing DC's Superman -Creator-owned passion: Hellfire (Irish mythology/ghost horror) – in development -Mindset: Working-class roots, paying it forward, staying humble, "history will separate us" -Current work: Superman (May 27, 2026 release), Spawn Universe covers, more in the pipeline Danny’s discipline and love for the craft are infectious — essential listening for any aspiring comic artist or athlete pursuing a creative path! Follow Danny Earls: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dannyearls16 [https://www.instagram.com/dannyearls16] (main hub for process, covers, updates) X - https://x.com/dannyearls16 [https://x.com/dannyearls16] Enjoying the all the amazing creators on the pod? Please leave a 5 STAR review, share with friends, and Keep it Nerdy!  Join the Nerdy Insider tier on Patreon for only $5 per month and get each week's episode up to 48 HOURS early plus other bonus perks: https://www.patreon.com/NerdyMewzings [https://www.patreon.com/NerdyMewzings] Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Danny Earls Joins Nerdy Mewzings 2:00 - From Pro Soccer Career to Full-Time Art Grind 5:30 - Work Ethic: Long Hours, Discipline & Staying Humble 9:00 - Influences: Greg Capullo, Mignola, Miller & Focused Study 13:00 - Backgrounds as Characters & Composition Mastery 17:00 - First Published Work & Breaking into IDW/Marvel 21:00 - Landing Superman: Father of Tomorrow at DC 25:00 - Process: Thumbnails, Layouts & Emotional Beats 30:00 - Creator-Owned Hellfire: Irish Mythology Horror Project 35:00 - Balancing Covers, Sequentials & Future Goals 40:00 - Paying It Forward & Irish Creator Community 45:00 - Advice for Aspiring Artists: Reps, Focus & Finding Your Rhythm 50:00 - Current Projects & Where to Follow Danny 54:00 - Outro & Support Nerdy Mewzings

Carlos Velez Podcast Debut: Artistic Journey to Pro Comic Covers in One Year!

Carlos Velez makes his world-exclusive podcast debut on Nerdy Mewzings! In just over a year of going full-time, this rising comic artist has already landed IDW covers (Power Rangers/Ninja Turtles), built a strong Whatnot streaming presence, and earned praise from pros while developing his dynamic style. Key highlights: -Early beginnings: Music (drums in church & jazz studies) → art as creative escape Transition to full-time: Leaving retail/car dealership, streaming on Whatnot, commissions & sketch covers -Artistic influences: Kael Ngu, Jason Fabok, Dan Mora, Ryan Benjamin, Greg Capullo, and studying pros via Proko/YouTube -Rapid growth: First published cover work, learning composition, speed vs. quality, avoiding burnout -Current workflow: Heavy digital focus, sketch covers, streaming with friends (Marvel Inc, Laced Canvas, etc.) -Mindset: Trial & error with schedules, finding your own rhythm, staying humble while pushing limits -Future goals: More cover work (especially Batman/Absolute Batman), sequential storytelling, and growing as an inker Carlos is a prime example of consistent daily reps paying off fast — perfect motivation for any aspiring artist! Follow Carlos Velez: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cmv_art_99 [https://www.instagram.com/cmv_art_99] (main hub for sketch covers, process, streams) Whatnot - Search CMV Art 99 (live drawing & auctions) Website / Prints & Commissions - https://cmvart.bigcartel.com/ [https://cmvart.bigcartel.com/] If you love sketch covers, rising comic artists, or creator hustle stories — Leave a 5 STAR review, share with a friend, and Keep It Nerdy! Join Nerdy Mewzings' Patreon and get weekly episodes 24-48 hours early, access exclusive content, submit questions for upcoming guests, and more! https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings [https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings] Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & World-Exclusive First Podcast Appearance 1:30 - Music Background to Art as Creative Escape 4:00 - College Struggles, Nerve Issues & Switching Paths 7:00 - Retail Grind & Art as Nighttime Sanctuary 10:00 - First Spark: Conversation with John Giang at Terrificon 13:00 - Going Full-Time After 1 Year & Whatnot Streaming 16:00 - Learning Speed vs. Quality & Avoiding Burnout 19:00 - Artistic Influences: Kael Ngu, Jason Fabok, Dan Mora & More 23:00 - First Published Work: IDW Power Rangers/Ninja Turtles Covers 27:00 - Collaborative Covers & Composition Challenges 31:00 - Current Workflow: Digital Focus, Sketch Covers & Streaming Friends 35:00 - Balancing Commissions, Covers & Future Sequential Goals 39:00 - Mindset: Staying Humble, Reps & Finding Your Rhythm 43:00 - Where to Follow Carlos Velez + Outro 46:00 - Support Nerdy Mewzings & Keep It Nerdy