Two Geeks Talking

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 he wishes more indie creators understood about deadlines, professionalism, and pitching. The conversation dives into horror influences, current “horror diet,” and introspective questions on success, failure, legacy, and what it really takes to make an anthology that actually ships.

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 platform for interviews, previews, and business‑side insight Gen Z can actually act on. If you’re a creator, publisher, or shop owner who wants to stop complaining about algorithms and start owning attention—this episode breaks down how to partner with Prana, how to think about the next 10 years of comics, and why asking for help is the actual flex.

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 you to do more.

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 unpack the realities of indie comics, lessons learned from interviewing Star Trek Academy actors and Comic Legend Jeff Lemire. Finally the collaboration and self-promotion of the M.A.L.E.K. Kickstarter and how you can support Jeff’s work now and in the future.

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 balances historical accuracy with storytelling when exploring mafia culture and walks through the evolution of his all-ages noir series “Detective Potatoes”, "Dust Bunny Mafia" and "Mobimals".