Welcome to The USDN Podcast - where indie comics come to life.

On this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman is joined by Akihiro Goska, director of Froglight Studio, an emerging indie manga studio from the Philippines.

Akihiro shares how his creative journey began with Wattpad writing during lockdown, how Froglight Studio came together, and what it takes to build a collaborative manga project from the ground up. The conversation explores leadership, artistic growth, creative teamwork, and the studio’s first major story, Snow’s Warm Embrace.

They also discuss the rise of manga creation outside Japan, the challenges of building recognition as a new studio, and Froglight’s future plans in both manga and animation.

Follow Froglight Studio:
Facebook: Froglight Studio
Instagram: Froglight Studio
TikTok: Froglight Studio

Subscribe and join the Council of Nerds for more interviews with indie comic creators, storytellers, crowdfunders, and rising voices in the world of comics.

On this episode of the USDN Podcast, host The Chairman sits down with creator David Biggs, founder of Disco Punk Comics, to explore the origins of his upcoming indie comic series Once Upon a Hive in the West.

Inspired by spaghetti westerns and the strange realities of insect life cycles, the series imagines a gritty frontier where bugs become gunslingers, outlaws, and legends of the Wild West.

David shares the story behind launching Disco Punk Comics, the lessons he's learned navigating the indie comics scene, and how collaboration and community are shaping the future of his publishing label.

The conversation also dives into the realities of indie comic production - crowdfunding, working with artists, building creative teams, and balancing the passion of storytelling with the business of comics.

For anyone interested in indie comics, Kickstarter publishing, and creator-driven storytelling, this episode offers an inside look at what it takes to build a comic from the ground up.

Follow David Biggs / Disco Punk Comics

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discopunkcomics
Website: https://discopunkcomics.com

Russell Berger joins The USDN Podcast to discuss A Knight’s Title, his long-running independent sci-fi fantasy saga, and the realities of building a creator-owned universe without the backing of a major publisher.

In this conversation, Russell shares how his love of creative writing began in elementary school, how influences like King Arthur, Star Wars, Highlander, anime, and comics helped shape his storytelling, and why A Knight’s Title evolved into an episodic format instead of a traditional single-volume release.

The episode also explores the business and mindset side of independent creation — from self-publishing out of necessity, to the difficulty of audience growth, to the importance of consistency, branding, and staying connected to readers.

Russell also discusses the meaning of knighthood in his universe, the role of “blood abilities” in the story, his plans for future physical editions, and why he believes animation would be the ideal adaptation format for A Knight’s Title.

This is a strong conversation for anyone interested in indie publishing, worldbuilding, serialized storytelling, and the creator mindset it takes to keep going when no one hands you the opportunity.

Follow Russell Berger

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KingDarkhart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KingDarkhart?mibextid=LQQJ4d
X: https://x.com/KingDarkhart
Official Website: https://www.aknightstitle.com/

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