Two Geeks Talking

At 80, L.A. Lockehart decided to launch a whole new chapter, publishing her debut mystery novel The Garden Tender’s Cats after a lifetime as an award‑winning musician, actress, composer, and painter. In this conversation, she unpacks how character, setting, and “spaces with secrets” drive her approach to mystery, why habits from music and visual art shape the way she writes scenes, and what people...

Tara Madison Avery and Michael Varrati break down how they built Four Seasons Of Fear a year‑long tour through queer horror with 24 LGBTQ+ comics creators, and why horror is one of the most flexible tools for talking about identity, community, and fear. They get tactical about choosing contributors, shaping stories around holidays and seasons, editing for emotional truth without losing the weird e...

Chris Stall, co‑founder of CHK Comics, breaks down how he and Kris Mendoza built AHA! (A Horror Anthology) as their flagship project—curating new indie horror voices, juggling creative and business brains, and running a Kickstarter that won’t become “another unfulfilled campaign.” He shares how they chose their creators, what this book says about the future brand of CHK Comics, and the hard truths...

Atom! Freeman has been playing the long game in comics market for 30+ years, and now he’s betting big on something everyone wanted but no one was executing: a physical magazine you actually pick up in your LCS. Comics The Magazine is the print-native answer to an overwhelmed direct market—giving retailers a plug‑and‑play discovery engine and giving potential customers and comic creators a real pla...

Dan Bethel, a comic creator, shares his perspective on the journey of "making comics" and the importance of simply starting. He discusses how the "fear of failure" often prevents creators from pursuing their passion, emphasizing that perseverance is key to "personal growth." This motivational conversation highlights that the biggest reward in "making a comic" is the act of creation itself, pushing...

Jeff Haas, host of Traversing The Stars, steps fully into creator mode with his brutal, mythic comic series M.A.L.E.K. Reigning Devil—think John Wick meets Dante’s Inferno. This episode dives into how Jeff blends high-octane action with literary and theological depth from an Atheist perspective. How Jeff has evolved as a writer, and builds a cosmic revenge story that still feels human. We also unp...

Bret Juliano creator of such comics as Dust Bunny Mafia, Detective Potatoes, Mobimals; dives into mafia history, all-ages comics. We discuss the business of building a comics brand in this punchy, story-packed conversation. Breaking down turning reality of true crime, obscure historical figures, and everyday inspirations into engaging, character-driven comics. In this episode, Bret shares how he b...

Doug Marcaida is a healer, veteran, martial arts master, weaponsmith, and judge on Forged in Fire. Now, he’s bringing his philosophy from the dojo to the comic page with his brand-new series Lineage — a story that explores heritage, honor, and healing through art and combat. In this deep-dive conversation, we unpack Doug’s mindset, creative process, and personal transformation — from bladesmithing...

Trevor Mueller returns to talk about Secret S.T.E.A.M. Society: Horses, Secret S.T.E.A.M. Society: Music; and Bat Pat—how he designs “learn through adventure” stories that kids actually want to read; What he’s learned as a dad writing for not only his children but all young readers, and how childhood favorites shaped the comics he creates today. We dig into balancing wonder, critical thinking and...

Lyndon Radchenka returns to Two Geeks Talking with a packed update: writing a Zatanna short for DC Comics, launching The Laundrymen: Book 2 – Blood of the Saucer Men, and navigating the shifting comics landscape from both the indie and mainstream sides. In this conversation, we dig into what actually changed for him after working with DC, how that experience rewired his approach to creator‑owned w...

Dirk Manning returns to Two Geeks Talking for his 11th interview, bringing 20+ years in horror comics (Tales of Mr. Rhee, Nightmare World, Write or Wrong) and over $750,000 raised through crowdfunding. Now Publisher at Source Point Press, Dirk breaks down how their creator‑owned model works, why keeping rights and the freedom to leave matters, and what most writers and artists get wrong about self...

Welcome to this 2025 year in review of Two Geeks Talking, highlighting some of the most memorable pop culture moments and best interviews from the past year. Despite a lighter interview schedule, every conversation was incredible, featuring top trending guests from various creative fields. Stay tuned for all the latest news from the show! With over 35 interviews on the show, and guests ranging fro...

Benjamin Kapit, a seasoned filmmaker, shares his enduring filmmaker motivation and passion for the craft after a decade in the industry. He offers film advice and insights into how to be a director by recounting a recent "behind the scenes" moment of joy on the set of The Sunrise House Seasons 1 and 2. His enthusiasm aims to inspire anyone looking at "how to start" their own journey in film.

 Steve Coffin, a classically trained artist whose comic series Helga’s Hornz draws on the wild teamwork of the A-Team, the stylish action of Charlie’s Angels, and the comic brilliance of Astérix. Coffin shares stories of childhood inspiration, stealing his brother’s comics, and how his love for artists like Gauguin and Uderzo shaped his vibrant, mischievous style. The discussion delves into creati...

William Gosline, creator of the hit graphic novel series Baby Barbarian, deconstructs his creative process, the young adult audience reactions (and their parents reactions!), starting his third successful crowdfunding campaign through Backerit. We also cover collaborating with an artist in Poland and other locations, the emotional core of his new story, and even the soundtrack sung by himself and...

What does it take to transform a complex icon like Fela Kuti into a graphic novel? I deconstruct the 10-year project of Fela: Music is the Weapon with co-creators writer Conor McCreery (Assassin's Creed, Adventure Time) and Nigerian-born artist Jibola Fagbamiye to uncover the tools, routines, and psychology they used. We cover changing publishers and page sizes to fit the life and times of Fela Ku...

Patrick Lugo is the writer and artist behind the Kickstarter hit Undead Kungfu Ghost Killer. We deconstruct how he fused the aesthetic of Shaw Brothers Kung Fu films with the Classic Gothic Horror of Hammer Horror Films to create a unique modern comic. We explore his creative process from A Tiger's Tale to UKGK, his approach to this current Kickstarter, and how he turns a character's Chinese Folkl...

What if the ultimate Model UN crisis scenario wasn't simulated, but terrifyingly real? This is the high-concept premise of ModelUN, the brilliant comic from co-creator Benjamin Hunting, where a high school diplomacy club is mistaken for Earth's governing body by an alien armada. We deconstruct the hilarious chaos that ensues, the art of negotiation under impossible pressure, and the meta-lessons o...

Jen Bateman returns to Two Geeks Talking, as we discuss their 1000 page trilogy: 'Behind The 8-Ball' comic anthology. It has been a few years since our last interview so there was plenty to talk about from their creative process, to becoming President of the Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) and modernizing that organization, to finding the right people and volunteers! We even talk about ho...

Conor McCreery, co-creator of Kill Shakespeare and writer of the new YA graphic novel The Last Witch, joins Two Geeks Talking (after five years) to dissect the psychology of defiance, the cost of magic, and how to subvert clichés in storytelling. They explore the tactical decisions behind building a powerhouse creative team, the personal fears that shape compelling characters, and why great fantas...

Ari Gross joins Two Geeks Talking to discuss Upkeep, a dark comedy comic about first-time home buyers in Toronto who turn to murder to protect their lavish lifestyle. This satire horror series skewers modern home ownership, raising a family, and the absurd hunt for daycare. Life isn't easy in Toronto. The line between satire and horror, and why this comic hits way too close to home. Expect rapid-f...

DeWayne Dority started his comic journey writing horror comics and his own Wake Comics Universe. When COVID hit he decided to switch gears and write a Dr. Seuss inspired children's comic book called: Shape Master; for his autistic son. With Liar his newest comic with a Kickstarter already on the go, he creates comics between horror and children's books whether its on his YouTube Channel or in inte...

"The Art of the Comeback: How to Revive a Passion Project (and a Whole Damn Comics Festival) After 14 Years" Featuring: Amy Letts (*Creator of Epic Fail & Organizer of Caption UK) Ever abandoned a creative project—only to resurrect it years later? Amy Letts, the sharp-witted mind behind cult webcomic Epic Fail, just pulled off a double revival: Her own work (Epic Fail returns after 14 years—wh...

In this episode, Adriano Ariganello creator of Pesto Comics publishing and the indie comic force behind his most recent wrestling-infused series From Parts Unknown (Issues #4 and #5).  We dive into: - The art of endings: Why wrapping a series feels like a “creative body slam” (and how to do it with grace). - Unexpected lessons from wrestling storytelling: How kayfabe, drama, and real athlete strug...

"What if the secret to great storytelling was playing an online game with your guild?" In this episode, I sit down with Richard Sparks, the imaginative mind behind the New Rock novel series (New Rock, New Role and New Rock, New Realm) available on Amazon, to explore how gaming, language, and fandom shape extraordinary fiction. Richard’s journey is anything but ordinary: - Playing games with lifelo...