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-fire questions, behind-the-scenes chaos, and at least one joke about hiding real estate agents in basements.

Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction Clip and Opening 01:24 - Who is Ari Gross and What does He do? 04:08 - What is the most real detail in the comic that hits too close to home? 06:52 - And here I thought Taxes were bad in Toronto 08:20 - What's the line between 'I'd do anything for a House' to 'Nope, I'm out' 10:51 - What is the Timeline and How many Comics in the Upkeep Series? 13:23 - What is the Darkest moment in Upkeep #2? 15:33 - Who is the Team around the Upkeep comic series? 18:16 - The Art of Garrison Manor from third character to horror icon 19:40 - The Art of Lettering from Sound Effects to Scares 22:19 - Colour Theory in Comics: Shifting from Cozy to Terrifying 25:40 - How to Make Likeable Characters, Despite the body count. 28:01 - What Would Garrison Manor's Yelp Review Be? 29:34 - Popular Haunted Toronto Spots to Visit 31:19 - Do you not feel like you have found "Place"? 34:40 - Sell Your Comic in 10 Seconds! 35:28 - What's a Horror Movie that made you laugh, when you shouldn't have? 37:30 - Finish the sentence: ‘The housing market is worse than…[Blank] 39:41 - Making a Choice between Raising a Family and Owning a Home? 40:46 - If Garrison Manor offered you one wish (with consequences) Would you take it? 41:03 - Closing Remarks 41:25 - Kickstarter Campaign for Upkeep

SUPPORT THE KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN HERE: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arigross/upkeep-issues-1-2/

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 interviews like this one.

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:

1. Her own work (Epic Fail returns after 14 years—why now?)

2. An entire indie comics festival (Caption UK, Oxford’s legendary small-press gathering)

In this episode, we dig into:

• The "long game" of creative work—Why stepping away isn’t quitting (and how to know when to come back).

• Organizing a DIY festival—Budget hacks, volunteer wrangling, and why small press still matters in a digital age.

• The "Epic Fail" philosophy—How embracing messiness leads to better art (and fewer meltdowns).

• The real cost of hiatus—Audience drift, platform changes, and rebuilding momentum.

Whether you’ve got a half-finished project in your closet or dream of rallying a community, Amy’s story is a masterclass in creative resilience.

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 struggles shaped his comic’s emotional core. - Pesto Comics’ survival: Bootstrapping, niche audiences, and why “small press” doesn’t mean “small ambitions.” - What’s next after the final bell rings: New projects, collaborations, and the business pivots no one talks about. - Advice for creators: From Kickstarter grit to embracing the “weird” that makes your work unforgettable.

"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 lifelong school mate, Douglas Adams—and the unexpected storytelling lessons he learned growing up with the Hitchhiker’s Guide legend. - How playing with a top-tiered guild in Elder Scrolls Online became the spark for his latest New Rock novels. - The power of language—why he obsesses over words and how audiobooks fuel his creativity. - Finding a community and inspiration speaking at sci-fi/fantasy conventions—and why the fandom is the unsung hero of creativity.

"Sometimes the most pivotal moments in life come from the most unexpected places."

In this episode, I sit down with Rich Davis, an Eisner-nominated comic writer and the mastermind behind gripping series like Cult of Dracula, Rise of Dracula, Prometheus in Chains, REIGN OF DRACULA, and his latest project, Angel/Hunter.

Rich’s journey is a testament to the power of serendipity, passion, and relentless curiosity. We dive into: - How walking into a drama class and signing up for a 400-level Japanese history course set him on the path to becoming a storyteller. - The joy of writing—why he still finds magic in the craft, even after years in the industry. - Finding purpose early in life—and why he believes creative fulfillment is about more than just success. - The unexpected moments that shaped his career, from indie comics to Eisner recognition. - His latest project, Angel/Hunter, and how he reinvents classic horror myths.

Rich is one of those rare creators who radiates enthusiasm for his work, and this conversation is packed with insights for writers, artists, and anyone looking to turn their passion into a life’s work.

Just like that meme: "What Does An Audio Engineer Do do do do..." Jay Yow has had a successful 16 year career as an Audio, Music, Podcast Engineer with his own work and being a Producer on The James Altucher Show. As an engineer he's learned a few tricks of the trade from managing issues on the fly, to giving a master class in under 10 minutes to fledgling Engineers. We dove into Tech of a successful podcast; How to properly use AI for your podcast / engineering job, The use of Descript and much more!

Musician William John Titus Bishop grew up with music on the mind and in the soul. From his days being classically trained in Cello to learning the drums and the guitar on his own, he has taken his love of music to the next level by learning the folk styling of Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Janis Joplin and more.