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

Thomas Healy: Writer and Editor-in-Chief of Todd McFarlane Productions & Spawn

Thomas Healy (Editor-in-Chief of Todd McFarlane Productions) joins Nerdy Mewzings to discuss his journey from comic shop manager to running the Spawn universe, his love of original art, and writing projects like Black Ritual and Scorched. Thomas shares how he discovered comics through Avengers and Daredevil, worked at shops like Samurai Comics, and made the leap to TMP after a call from Shannon Bailey. He talks about the realities of managing continuity across multiple ongoing titles, giving feedback to creators, and finding new talent at conventions. Thomas also opens up about his writing process, the challenges of balancing editor and writer hats, and why patience and taking critique are essential for breaking into comics. He geeks out over searching for grail art pieces like a Transmetropolitan page and Rex the Wonder Dog #4, his admiration for creators like Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson, and the thrill of the hunt in collecting. Current highlights include Scorched #51 and plans for more stories in the Spawn universe, plus his desire to one day write a Judge Dredd tale! If you love Spawn, behind-the-scenes comic industry talk, original art collecting, or creator journeys — Leave a 5 STAR review, share with a friend, and Keep it Nerdy! Follow Thomas Healy: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thomashealy/ [https://www.instagram.com/thomashealy/] Become a Patreon member to gain access to each week's episode 48 HOURS EARLY, plus other perks: https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings [https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings] Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Thomas Healy Joins Nerdy Mewzings 1:30 - Comic Shop Life & Discovering Spawn 5:00 - Transition to TMP & Becoming Editor-in-Chief 9:00 - Managing the Spawn Universe & Continuity 13:00 - Writing Black Ritual & Scorched 17:00 - Original Art Collecting & Grail Pieces 22:00 - Advice for Aspiring Creators: Feedback & Persistence 27:00 - Judge Dredd Dreams & Future Projects 32:00 - Convention Life & Discovering Talent 37:00 - Balancing Editor & Writer Roles 42:00 - Current Spawn Titles & What's Next 47:00 - Where to Follow Thomas & Outro

Comic Creator Edison Neo: Snake Claws, Godzilla & TMNT Covers

Edison Neo (Singapore comic artist, creator of Snake Claws and No Brainer) joins Nerdy Mewzings to discuss his journey from doodling in school to becoming a full-time comic creator, landing covers for IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Godzilla, and launching his new art book Ink Trooper One on Kickstarter. Edison shares how he discovered comics later in life, learned fundamentals through YouTube (Jim Lee streams, David Finch), and dove deep into martial arts action inspired by Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Shaw Brothers films. He talks about creating Snake Claws during the pandemic as a personal challenge, expanding into the anthology No Brainer with its mix of long-form stories and fun short pieces, and the emotional impact of Daniel Warren Johnson’s Murder Falcon. He also opens up about going full-time after a layoff, his tradigital workflow (digital pencils/roughs → traditional inking), and why he loves the freedom of creator-owned work while still enjoying mainstream gigs. Ink Trooper One collects years of his hero and villain commissions (including many Big Two pieces) with commentary and is available to back on Kickstarter NOW: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/neocomicart/ink-trooper-vol-1 [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/neocomicart/ink-trooper-vol-1] If you love martial arts action comics, Southeast Asian creators, or seeing the full creator process — Leave a 5 STAR review, share with a friend, and Keep it Nerdy! Follow Edison Neo: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/neocomicart/ [https://www.instagram.com/neocomicart/] X - https://x.com/neocomicart [https://x.com/neocomicart] Become a Nerdy Insider member on Patreon and watch each week's episode 48 hours early along with other perks: https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings [https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings] Timestamps 0:00 - Intro & Edison Neo from Singapore 1:30 - Weather, Humidity & Daily Life in Singapore 5:00 - Early Doodling to Discovering Comics 9:00 - YouTube University: Jim Lee, David Finch & Learning Fundamentals 13:00 - Snake Claws: First Creator-Owned Project 17:00 - No Brainer Anthology & Mixing Long & Short Stories 22:00 - IDW Opportunities: TMNT & Godzilla Covers 27:00 - Daniel Warren Johnson Influence & Emotional Storytelling 32:00 - Trdigital Workflow: Digital Roughs + Traditional Inking 37:00 - Going Full-Time After Layoff 42:00 - Upcoming Art Book Ink Trooper One Kickstarter 47:00 - Advice for Aspiring Creators in Small Scenes 52:00 - Where to Follow Edison Neo 55:00 - Outro & Support 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