Panopticon, Surveillance, and Indie Comics with Matt Stevens

Frederick Littles - Building Wise Acre Comics & the Reality of Independent Publishing

Frederick Littles joins The USDN Podcast to discuss Wise Acre Comics, Dark Sentinel: Origins #2, Magnus Jakuta, independent comic publishing, crowdfunding, comic production, and the realities of building a creator-owned publishing company. As the founder of Wise Acre Comics, Frederick has spent years developing original comic book properties while building a publishing company dedicated to producing creator-owned stories with long-term vision and lasting impact. From flagship titles like Dark Sentinel and Magnus Jakuta to expanding into action figures and collectibles, Wise Acre Comics is focused on creating an interconnected universe of original characters that extends beyond the comic book page. But building comics is only part of the story. During this conversation, Frederick shares the realities of independent publishing, managing creative teams, coordinating production schedules, running successful crowdfunding campaigns, earning the trust of backers, and balancing the creative and business sides of the comic book industry. Frederick also reflects on his military service, finding a second mission through comics, and the passion that continues to drive Wise Acre Comics forward. During this conversation, The Chairman and Frederick discuss his journey into comics, the founding of Wise Acre Comics, the origins of Dark Sentinel and Magnus Jakuta, creator-owned publishing, comic production, crowdfunding, expanding into collectibles, building original intellectual property, leadership, perseverance, and the future of Wise Acre Comics. TOPICS COVERED • Frederick Littles' journey into comics • The founding of Wise Acre Comics • Building a creator-owned comic publishing company • The origins of Dark Sentinel • Magnus Jakuta and expanding original IPs • Independent comic production and publishing • Managing creative teams and production schedules • Crowdfunding strategies and lessons learned • Building trust with Kickstarter backers • Expanding into action figures and collectibles • Leadership, perseverance, and long-term vision • Military service and finding a second mission • Building sustainable creator-owned intellectual property • The future of Wise Acre Comics SUPPORT FREDERICK LITTLES & WISE ACRE COMICS Website: https://www.wiseacrecomics.com/ [https://www.wiseacrecomics.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Campaigns: https://www.wiseacrecomics.com/pages/kickstarter-zoop [https://www.wiseacrecomics.com/pages/kickstarter-zoop?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiseacrecomics [https://www.instagram.com/wiseacrecomics] PROTECT YOUR COLLECTION WITH BCW SUPPLIES Shop BCW Supplies: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn [https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn] Use code USDN for 10% off your order. Affiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you. FOLLOW THE USDN PODCAST https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast [https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast] CONTACT THE USDN PODCAST: thechairman@usdnpodcast.com Follow The USDN Podcast for more conversations with independent comic creators, writers, artists, publishers, and storytellers exploring indie comics, crowdfunding, creator-owned publishing, comic production, worldbuilding, and the realities of the independent comic book industry. The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

JaVon O. Stokes - STRONG #1 and the Power Beyond Superheroes

JaVon O. Stokes joins The USDN Podcast to discuss STRONG #1, Kimora Sampson, superhero worldbuilding, representation in independent comics, building Visually Stoked Media, and the realities of independent comic book publishing. STRONG #1 continues the story of Kimora Sampson, a former Olympic athlete whose life changed forever after a tragic car accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. When an ancient cosmic force known as the Essence empowers her, Kimora gains the ability to transform into a 6'3", 200-pound superhero of unbelievable strength—but only for short periods of time. Following the best-selling STRONG #0, JaVon begins the ongoing adventures of one of independent comics’ most compelling new superheroes. As Kimora reveals the true depth of her power, kindness, and heart, political figures begin moving against her. Meanwhile, mysterious forces known as Magnus and Chivalry emerge with plans of their own. But STRONG is about more than superpowers. Inspired by the powerful women of color in JaVon’s life, the series explores internal strength, identity, resilience, family, ambition, and what happens when everything you thought defined you is suddenly taken away. During this conversation, The Chairman and JaVon discuss his journey into comics, the creation of STRONG, the inspiration behind Kimora Sampson, the mythology of the Essence, building an ongoing superhero universe, creating meaningful threats for an incredibly powerful character, representation in comics, reaching new readers, independent publishing, and the future of Visually Stoked Media. SUPPORT JAVON O. STOKES & VISUALLY STOKED MEDIA Website: https://www.visuallystoked.com [https://www.visuallystoked.com] X: https://twitter.com/Visually_Stoked [https://twitter.com/Visually_Stoked] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visuallystokedmedia/ [https://www.instagram.com/visuallystokedmedia/] PROTECT YOUR COLLECTION WITH BCW SUPPLIES Shop BCW Supplies: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn [https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn] Use code USDN for 10% off your order. Affiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you. FOLLOW THE USDN PODCAST https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast [https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast] CONTACT THE USDN PODCAST thechairman@usdnpodcast.com [thechairman@usdnpodcast.com] Follow The USDN Podcast for more conversations with independent comic creators, writers, artists, publishers, and storytellers exploring indie comics, crowdfunding, comic book creation, worldbuilding, publishing, and the realities of the independent comic book industry. The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Frank Goodie - Building AshVeil Comics & Thelbe Jack: Seeds of Ruin

Building an Indie Fantasy Universe One Comic at a Time | Frank Goodie Every fantasy world begins with a single idea. This week on The USDN Podcast – Where Indie Comics Come to Life, The Chairman sits down with Frank Goodie, founder of AshVeil Comics and creator of Thelbe Jack: Seeds of Ruin. Together they discuss: • Building an original fantasy universe • Creating compelling characters and lore • Turning ideas into published comics • Lessons learned from Kickstarter • Balancing comic creation with a full-time career • Long-term planning for an interconnected comic universe • Advice for aspiring indie comic creators Whether you're a fantasy fan, comic creator, or someone dreaming of publishing your own stories, this episode offers an inside look at what it takes to build a world from the ground up. Follow Frank Goodie 🌐 https://ashveilcomics.com [https://ashveilcomics.com] 📚 GlobalComix https://globalcomix.com [https://globalcomix.com] Subscribe to the USDN Podcast 🎙 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast] 🌐 All Links https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast [https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast] 📧 Business & Media Inquiries: thechairman@usdnpodcast.com [thechairman@usdnpodcast.com] 📚 Support the Channel BCW Supplies Affiliate https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=USDN [https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=USDN] Use Code: USDN to save 10% on your order. Affiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or discount code. This helps support the channel at no additional cost to you. The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Shawn McBee & MJ Jankowski - Westron #2 & Building Horror From Slavic Mythology

Shawn McBee and Maciej “MJ” Jankowski join The Chairman on the USDN Podcast to discuss Westron #2, their supernatural horror detective comic inspired by the creatures, legends, and folklore of Slavic mythology. After the first issue reached its Kickstarter goal in just six hours, Shawn and MJ return to expand the dark supernatural world of Westron. In this conversation, they share how a chance connection through Discord led to their creative partnership and the creation of the series, why Slavic mythology offers an untapped world of terrifying creatures and stories, and how they balance authentic folklore with building an original comic universe. The conversation also explores the realities of independent publishing and creator-owned comics, lessons learned from crowdfunding, the Kickstarter mistake they won’t make again, the challenges of funding future issues, planning a long-term story with a definitive ending, and what lies ahead for Westron. Support Westron #2 on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/propsmith/westron-2 [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/propsmith/westron-2] Learn more about Westron: https://westroncomic.com [https://westroncomic.com] Connect with the USDN Podcast: https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast [https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast] Business & Media Inquiries: thechairman@usdnpodcast.com [thechairman@usdnpodcast.com] 🛒 PROTECT YOUR COLLECTION WITH BCW SUPPLIES Save 5% on your order with code USDN: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn [https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn] As a BCW affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come To Life

Casus Belli - Reinventing Sherlock Holmes with Holmes: Undead #2

What happens when Sherlock Holmes survives Reichenbach Falls and enters a world where vampires, supernatural forces, and gothic horror are real? Casus Belli joins The United States Department of Nerds Podcast to discuss Holmes: Undead #2, the latest chapter in Killer Entertainment’s six-part A Study in Crimson story arc. In this conversation, Casus takes us behind the scenes of Holmes: Undead and explains how the series reimagines one of literature’s greatest detectives while remaining rooted in the legacy of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We discuss why Sherlock Holmes remains relevant nearly 140 years later, the decision to transform Professor Moriarty into an immortal vampire, the challenge of balancing detective fiction with supernatural horror, and revisiting the legendary confrontation at Reichenbach Falls. Casus also shares his journey from martial arts and professional wrestling into independent comics, the origins of Killer Entertainment, working with writer Thomas Pugh and artist Virgilio Calcagno, and the realities of creating and crowdfunding indie comics. The conversation explores the Holmes: Undead #2 Kickstarter campaign, variant covers including the Deerstalker and Andy Duggan Infinity Flux variants, what’s coming in Issue #3, the upcoming Gothic Market convention in Minneapolis, and future Killer Entertainment projects The Gingerbread Man and The Death Planner. Support Holmes: Undead #2 on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/casusbelli/holmes-undead-issue-2 [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/casusbelli/holmes-undead-issue-2] Visit Killer Entertainment: https://www.killerentertainmentllc.com/ [https://www.killerentertainmentllc.com/] Follow Killer Entertainment and Holmes: Undead: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@casusbelli123 [https://www.youtube.com/@casusbelli123] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1483075489302282/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1483075489302282/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casus_belli123 [https://www.instagram.com/casus_belli123] Threads: https://www.threads.com/@casus_belli123 [https://www.threads.com/@casus_belli123] 🎙️ Follow the United States Department of Nerds Podcast Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_Podcast] Find USDN everywhere: https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast [https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast] For interview requests and business inquiries: thechairman@usdnpodcast.com [thechairman@usdnpodcast.com] 📦 Support USDN Looking for comic book supplies? Shop BCW Supplies using our affiliate link: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=USDN [https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=USDN] Use promo code USDN at checkout. As an affiliate, USDN may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. The USDN Podcast - Where indie comics come to life.