🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview — John McGuire: In Our Dreams Awake #3 | Dreampunk Indie Comic Kickstarter

Welcome back to the United States Department of Nerds Podcast, where we’re for the people, by the people, and of the people.

In this episode, The Chairman sits down with John McGuire, writer of In Our Dreams Awake #3 — a haunting, genre-bending dreampunk comic where two worlds collide: one ruled by magic, and one consumed by cyberpunk decay.

It’s a story that explores dreams, dual realities, and identity, asking the question: What if you could never be sure which world was real?

🌙 Episode Highlights

• The origin and meaning of In Our Dreams Awake
• Building dual worlds of fantasy and cyberpunk
• Writing the emotional core of Jason Byron’s fractured reality
• Defining “dreampunk” and how it differs from cyberpunk
• John’s creative process and collaborations with Egg Embry
• Lessons from running Kickstarter comic campaigns
• How dreams influence art and storytelling
• A special Halloween bonus on weird dreams and creative inspiration

🚀 Support the Kickstarter

In Our Dreams Awake #3 is live now on Kickstarter!

👉 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ioda/in-our-dreams-awake-3-a-dreampunk-comic

Back the project, grab exclusive rewards, and help bring this dreampunk vision to life!

🧠 About the Guest

John McGuire is the writer behind In Our Dreams Awake, The Gilded Age, Hollow Empire, and The Dark That Follows. A lifelong storyteller of speculative fiction, he blends sci-fi, fantasy, and philosophical mystery to explore the border between reality and imagination.

💀 About the Series

In Our Dreams Awake follows Jason Byron, a man trapped between two worlds — one mystical, one mechanical. As both realities begin to collapse, Jason must uncover which life is real… and which is only a dream.

Blending fantasy, cyberpunk, and surrealism, it’s a must-read for fans of Inception, Sandman, and Blade Runner.

🎧 Available Now:
📺 Watch the full video here on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on all podcast platforms — just search USDN Podcast

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🎙️ USDN Podcast Interview w/ E.B. Kogan & Jessica Silvetti — Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2

Film to Fantasy: E.B. Kogan & Jessica Silvetti on Shockheaded Peter

Welcome back to the United States Department of Nerds Podcast! I’m The Chairman, and today we’re diving into the haunting, fantastical world of Shockheaded Peter, the second installment of a 3-part horror-fantasy graphic novel series.

Joining me are E.B. Kogan (Empire, Ordinary Joe, In Our Blood) and Jessica Silvetti (Juego de las llaves, In Absentia) — a powerhouse writing duo with deep roots in film and television who are now unleashing their nightmarish vision into the indie comics scene.

About Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2
A chilling cautionary tale of marvelous retribution and dreadful delight, Shockheaded Peter conjures a crossbreed of Labyrinth and A Nightmare on Elm Street — by way of Studio Ghibli. The story follows Ruby, a teenage girl with an actual broken heart, as she’s drawn into the crusade of a mysterious harbinger of punishment.

With evocative art from Giuseppe Sabè Di Stefano, this series balances gruesome fates with strange whimsy, creating a horror-fantasy like no other.

In this interview, we cover:

How their Hollywood backgrounds shaped the pacing of the comic

The collaborative process behind creating a layered, surreal world

The inspirations that fuel Shockheaded Peter’s blend of horror, folklore, and fantasy

Ruby’s journey in Book Two — and hints at what’s to come in the finale

Bringing the series to readers through Kickstarter and the importance of fan support

📚 Support Shockheaded Peter Vol. 2 on Kickstarter: [Insert Kickstarter Link]

Follow the creators:
🔗 E.B. Kogan — https://www.instagram.com/ebkfromla/
🔗 Jessica Silvetti — https://www.instagram.com/jess_silvetti/

✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to USDN for more indie comic spotlights, creator interviews, and nerd culture deep dives.

#ShockheadedPeter #IndieComics #USDNPodcast #KickstarterComics #HorrorFantasy

USDN Interview | Ben Lacy – Shark of War #9 (Kickstarter Live Now!)

Welcome back to The United States Department of Nerds (USDN)! 🎙️ Today we dive into one of the most outrageous, high-octane indie comics on the scene: Shark of War 🦈💥.

Joining me is Ben Lacy (writer/artist/creator) to talk about the epic finale of The Whales of War Arc in Shark of War #9, now live on Kickstarter!

In this episode, we discuss:

What makes Shark of War stand out in the indie scene
The rise of the Mega Whale of War 🐋 (the biggest villain yet)
Gnasher’s escape from the Lab of Terrors & what it means
How new readers can catch up with all 9 issues
Kickstarter rewards, campaign perks & indie comic insights
What’s next for Gnasher after this arc wraps

If you’re a fan of wild concepts, cyber-sharks, and boss-level storytelling, you don’t want to miss this one.

🔗 Back Shark of War #9 on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bitingcomics/shark-of-war-1-9-final-boss-battle?ref=discovery&term=shark%20of%20war&total_hits=12&category_id=250

🌐 Follow Ben Lacy & Shark of War:

Website: https://mailchi.mp/ed97fcc5707b/bitingcomics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharkofwar

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more indie comic interviews and Kickstarter spotlights!

#SharkOfWar, #IndieComics, #KickstarterComics, #USDNPodcast, #ComicBooks, #IndieCreators, #SupportIndieComics, #MegaWhaleOfWar