The Rise of Indie Comics

Community, Identity, and Creativity: Interview with Mark Bandy

In this episode of the Divergent Comics podcast, I sit down with Mark, creator of Psion, a supernatural thriller blending mystery, conspiracy, and Southern Gothic influences. We discuss his journey from engineering student to comic creator, the inspiration behind Psion, the importance of representation in comics, and how community and identity shape his storytelling.  00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:01:30 - Discussion on Supporting Black Independent Creators 00:02:50 - Mark's Background and Journey to Writing 00:04:30 - Overview of Scion and Its Themes 00:06:50 - Influences and Inspirations for Scion 00:09:00 - Would You Rather Segment Begins 00:09:30 - Perfect Gift vs. Receiving What You Want 00:10:50 - Unlimited Vacation Days vs. Guaranteed Raise 00:12:00 - Telekinesis vs. Telepathy 00:13:30 - Catalyst for Creating Comics 00:17:00 - The Impact of HBCUs on Mark's Life 00:20:30 - The Importance of Community and Representation 00:25:00 - Character Development: John Lewis 00:30:00 - Exploring the Southern Gothic Genre 00:32:30 - Crimson Sleeper Studios: Origin of the Name 00:35:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crimsonsleeper/psion-2-a-southern-gothic-thriller-48-pages-full-color?ref=ct9px2 [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crimsonsleeper/psion-2-a-southern-gothic-thriller-48-pages-full-color?ref=ct9px2] https://www.instagram.com/crimsonsleeperstudios?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== [https://www.instagram.com/crimsonsleeperstudios?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]

From Comics to RPGs: Interview with Matthew Bradley

In this episode of the Divergent Comics podcast, I sit down with Matt of Birdseye View Comics to discuss his comic Biorhythm, a sci-fi epic where a cosmic event sparks the evolution of humans and animals, leading to a clash between two emerging species. We explore his journey into comics, the themes and inspirations behind his work, upcoming projects, and his vision for expanding Biorhythm into a tabletop RPG. 00:01:30 - Getting to Know Matt 00:02:30 - Would You Rather Segment 00:11:00 - Story Overview of Biorhythm 00:14:30 - Political Themes in Biorhythm 00:16:30 - The Evolution of the Title 00:18:00 - Other Projects by Matt 00:20:30 - Impact of Biorhythm on Readers 00:23:00 - Biorhythm as a Tabletop RPG 00:24:30 - Medium Adaptation Preferences 00:26:00 - Advice for New Comic Creators 00:27:30 - Where to Find Matt and His Work 00:28:00 - Conclusion and Farewell https://www.instagram.com/matthewbradley238?igsh=MWNiaGg0Mnl3eGNlNg== byrdseyeviewcomics.com

How Life Influences Art: A Conversation with Chris Bickham

In this episode of the Divergent Comics podcast, I talk with indie comic creator Chris Bickham, creator of Hatui — a futuristic series blending action, political tension, and hybrid human-animal rebels fighting for survival. We discuss Chris’s journey into comics, the life experiences that shaped his storytelling, his creative process, and the future of the series. Plus, we mix in some laughs, creative insight, and advice for aspiring comic creators. If you’re into indie comics and thought-provoking worldbuilding, this is an episode worth checking out. 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:01:23 - Chris's Journey into Comics 00:03:36 - The Impact of Life Experiences on Art 00:06:43 - Favorite Vegetables Segment 00:07:34 - Getting in the Creative Zone 00:09:09 - Storyline and Political Undertones 00:12:08 - Character Development and Growth 00:14:09 - Inspiration Behind the Story 00:17:50 - Artistic Choices: Black and White vs. Color 00:19:37 - Future Plans for "Hatui 00:20:53 - Potential Side Projects 00:24:53 - Advice for Aspiring Comic Creators 00:26:06 - Dream Comic Series to Rewrite 00:29:55 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find Chris * Instagram: chris_infamy80 * TikTok: chrisinfamy80

From Spite Projects to Supermassive Success: Interview with Don Mancha III

Summary In this episode of the Divergent Comics podcast, I sit down with indie comic creator Don, the mind behind Supermassive Hover Biome. We dive into his creative journey, the origins of his publisher name Revenge Audit, and the mix of humor, absurdity, and heartfelt friendship dynamics that shape his webcomic. Don also talks about inspirations like Powerpuff Girls, his approach to subtle storytelling, and upcoming projects including Maho Grindhouse and Subpar Soul Worker. If you love indie comics, weird humor, and behind-the-scenes creative insight, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 00:00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:02:24 - The Name "Revenge Audit" 00:04:49 - Inspiration for Writing Comics 00:07:13 - Eclectic Tastes in Media 00:10:24 - Supermassive Hover Biome Overview 00:13:45 - Humor in Supermassive Hover Biome 00:16:33 - Character Dynamics 00:19:21 - Powerpuff Girls Influence 00:23:42 - Narrative Techniques 00:29:22 - Future Plans for Supermassive 00:31:03 - Upcoming Projects 00:34:19 - Thoughts on Publishing 00:37:39 - Animated Adaptations Links Super massive hover biome main: https://www.revengeaudit.com/super-massive-hover-biome.html [https://www.revengeaudit.com/super-massive-hover-biome.html] Revengeaudit.com: https://www.revengeaudit.com/ [https://www.revengeaudit.com/] Socials: https://www.instagram.com/revengeaudit/ [https://www.instagram.com/revengeaudit/].    https://www.instagram.com/donmanchaiii/ [https://www.instagram.com/donmanchaiii/]

The Heart of Storytelling: Interview w/ Michael Driver

In this episode of the Divergent Comics podcast, I sit down with author Mike Driver to discuss his journey into writing and the inspiration behind his book King of the Block. We explore the story’s themes and its complex anti-hero, Rafe Simmons, who struggles with the consequences of his life rather than embracing it. Mike shares insights on authenticity in storytelling, his creative process, and why writers should focus on telling the stories that matter to them. We also touch on the future of the series, including the sequel Rafe’s Return and potential spinoffs. 00:00:00 - Welcome to the Divergent Comics Podcast 00:02:30 - Dedication and Motivation 00:05:00 - The Importance of 'Why' 00:08:00 - Influences in Writing 00:12:00 - Rafe's Transformation 00:19:30 - Book Series Overview 00:21:00 - Future Projects 00:24:00 - Advice for Aspiring Writers 00:32:00 - Closing Thoughts Links https://www.instagram.com/mikedriverauthor/ https://tr.ee/wDinZohbXd https://www.threads.com/@mikedriverauthor