Two Geeks Talking

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 Kuti, the amount of research by Jibola and Conor into this massive life; how to manage creative doubt in the face of publishing deadlines; and the single most important thing they agreed on before starting this massive project being released by Harper Collins Publishing!
"Fela: Music is the Weapon is not authorized by, affiliated with or otherwise connected to the Fela Kuti family or estate."
SUPPORT THESE CREATORS: Get your copy of this graphic novel at: https://www.felagraphicnovel.com

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 Folklore of real life rejection into a Supernatural comic!
Find links, preview pages, and how to support the project at: https://UKGK.site

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 on how to perform when the stakes couldn't be higher, all set in the 1990s. Sometimes "Take Me To Your Leader" has consequences!

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 how AI and conventions and the invasion of personal and critical thinking has reduced creativity!

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 fantasy demands uncomfortable truths. Plus, Conor reveals the folklore that scared him, the YA tropes he’s “killing,” and the one line from The Last Witch he’d tattoo on his arm.

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 Opening01:24 - 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 Toronto08:20 - 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 icon19:40 - The Art of Lettering from Sound Effects to Scares22:19 - Colour Theory in Comics: Shifting from Cozy to Terrifying25:40 - 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 Visit31:19 - 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 Remarks41:25 - 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.

"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—why now?)
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.