In this episode of Talking Comics, AJ Reimann sits down with indie writer and artist C.L. Zeno (creator of Drunk Mom, Evandra’s Theory, and Phantasmagoria). They dive into collaboration, mental health, the power of storytelling, and the growing indie comics community. CL shares how Drunk Mom came to life, his engagement story at Galaxy’s Edge, and how comics connect creators and fans.

🔗 Follow C.L. Zeno:

Instagram @clzeno

linktr.ee/clzeno

✨ Special Mentions/Sponsors:

We thank everyone for watching and supporting!

Thank you to Amped Comics for partnering with us and offering you 10% off your order using code TCP10 https://ampedcomics.com/discount/TCP10

👉 Free preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://subscribepage.io/talkincomics

👉 Hit the Kickstarter “Remind Me” button to follow the project launch (coming early 2026). https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

👉 Subscribe to Talking Comics for more creator interviews, comics talk, and behind-the-scenes updates. https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

⏱ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Intro: Welcome back to Talking Comics

00:25 – Meet CL Zeno & his journey into comics

03:30 – The power of collaboration in indie comics

07:00 – Writing vs drawing and balancing creative roles

10:00 – From Comic Cons to community building

14:25 – CL’s magical engagement at Galaxy’s Edge

18:00 – Phantasmagoria & mental health in storytelling

22:00 – Creating Evandra’s Theory & Drunk Mom

28:00 – Male mental health themes in comics

34:00 – Advice for new comic creators & collaboration tips

43:00 – Community and local comic shops in Virginia

48:00 – Phantasmagoria Kickstarter details

54:00 – CL’s favorite heroes and first comics

1:02:30 – Fun rapid-fire questions & final thoughts

1:08:00

Welcome back to Talking Comics Podcast Episode 47!

AJ and Annakhan are back with a magical new episode packed with laughs, blind bag surprises, DC trivia battles, and all things comics.

📦 They unbox DC K.O. blind bags, reveal some wild variant covers, and test their comic knowledge with a showdown of DC heroes and villains.

💌 Plus—it’s Mail Time! featuring VeeFriends surprises, comic talk, and a sneak peek at AJ’s upcoming indie comic The Chronicles of Panel Pete!

🦸‍♂️ This Week’s Comic Pulls:

Culdasack #3

Power Fantasy #12

Amazing Spider-Man #1

TMNT #2

Absolute Batman #13

Binary (by Stephanie Phillips)

Harley Quinn & Elvira #1

Hot in the City

🎮 Also Discussed: Fortnite, Among Us, Marvel Zombies, Baldur’s Gate 3, and upcoming Halloween trivia fun!

✨ Support the Show:

✨ Special Mentions/Sponsors:

We thank everyone for watching and supporting!

Thank you to Amped Comics for partnering with us and offering you 10% off your order using code TCP10 https://ampedcomics.com/discount/TCP10

👉 Free preview of The Chronicles of Panel Pete https://subscribepage.io/talkincomics

👉 Hit the Kickstarter “Remind Me” button to follow the project launch (coming early 2026). https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

👉 Subscribe to Talking Comics for more creator interviews, comics talk, and behind-the-scenes updates. https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Intro: Episode 47 & Cake Talk

02:30 – Weekly Comic Pulls

08:40 – Annakhan’s Haul: Harley Quinn & Elvira #1

15:30 – AJ’s Reads & Yearly Comic Count

20:10 – Upcoming Reads & Comic Plans

24:00 – Mail Time Unboxing!

30:10 – DC K.O. Blind Bag Reveal

39:00 – DC Trivia Showdown

45:30 – This or That: DC Edition

52:00 – Halloween Chat & Favorite Candy

55:00 – Wrap-Up, Links, and Sign-Off

#TalkingComicsPodcast #ComicPodcast #DCKO #BlindBagUnboxing #HarleyQuinn #Elvira #Batman #StephaniePhillips #ComicCollectors #IndieComics #PanelPete #ChroniclesOfPanelPete #ComicTrivia #MailTime #MarvelZombies #PodcastLife #ComicTalk #ComicPulls

Step inside the creative world of Do Not Disturb with writer Jarod Hunter Rowe, co-creator of this noir-inspired detective mystery published by Invader Comics. Host AJ Reimann talks with Jarod about his start in Hollywood, writing partnerships, creative collaboration, and bringing a ghostly hotel to life on the comic page.

Jarod shares how Do Not Disturb came together—from screenplay roots to a full indie comic release—and the lessons he’s learned about patience, teamwork, and trusting the process.

💬 Topics include:

Transitioning from film to comics

Writing partnerships and creative chemistry

The art of collaboration between writer, artist, and colorist

Advice for new comic creators

A look at Invader Comics and Blue Fox Comics

🔗 Follow Jarod: Instagram @jarodhroe

🎧 Subscribe for more creator conversations and deep dives into the world of indie comics on Talking Comics!

✨ Special Mentions/Sponsors:

We thank everyone for watching and supporting!

Thank you to Amped Comics for partnering with us and offering you 10% off your order using code TCP10 https://ampedcomics.com/discount/TCP10

👉 Hit the Kickstarter “Remind Me” button to follow the project launch (coming early 2026). https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

👉 Subscribe to Talking Comics for more creator interviews, comics talk, and behind-the-scenes updates. https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast

⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Intro / Welcome to Talking Comics AFTER Dark

01:00 – Meet Jarod Hunter Rowe

03:00 – From Hollywood to Comics

05:00 – Creating Do Not Disturb

07:00 – Submitting to Invader Comics

09:00 – Writing Partnerships & Collaboration

13:00 – The Story Behind Do Not Disturb

16:00 – Building the World and Tone

19:00 – Comic Creation Tips & Lessons

22:00 – The Power of Color and Art Direction

26:00 – Conventions & Fan Interaction

30:00 – AJ’s Comic Journey & Panel Pete

38:00 – Kickstarter Talk & Indie Comic Plans

42:00 – Favorite Comics & Influences

44:00 – Fun Rapid-Fire Questions

48:00 – What’s Next for Jarod Rowe

50:00 – Where to Find Jarod Online

52:00 – Closing Thoughts & Subscribe

#TalkingComics #ComicPodcast #DoNotDisturb #InvaderComics #IndieComics #ComicBookWriters #ComicCreators #JarodRowe #ComicInterview #ComicsCommunity #GraphicNovel #ComicArt #CreativeProcess #ComicWriting #BlueFoxComics #ComicBookPodcast #NoirComics #HauntedHotel #Storytelling #TalkingComicsAfterDark