{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The United States Department of Nerds Podcast","title":"Raised to Kill, Fighting Monsters — Akemi & Indie Comics with John Holland","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/c8539e4c\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4095,"description":"Raised to Kill, Fighting Monsters — Akemi & Indie Comics with John Holland\n\nSome stories are born from imagination. Others are forged through survival.\nIn this episode of The USDN Podcast, we welcome writer and publisher John Holland of Die Bold Comics to the Council to discuss Akemi, his upcoming Fund My Comic crowdfunder launching around the time of this conversation.\nAkemi tells the story of a young woman raised as an assassin who escapes her past in Japan, only to find herself drawn into a hidden war against demons and monsters in the United States. We explore the emotional weight behind the story, the balance between action and trauma, and how monsters can serve as metaphors for the scars we carry.\nJohn also shares insight into his upcoming Die Bold Comics Digital Library campaign on Zoop — a digital collection of nearly 30 previously published works, including A Girl and Her Dog, Alma, Robot Sex, and more.\nThis episode dives into legacy, longevity, crowdfunding strategy, and the realities of building a lasting indie comics career.\nIf you care about bold storytelling and supporting creator-owned comics, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.\n🔗 Support John Holland & Die Bold Comics🌐 Website: https://www.dieboldcomics.com/\n📰 Substack: https://jholland.substack.com/\n☕ Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/dieboldcomics\n🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dieboldcomics.bsky.social\n🧵 Threads: https://www.threads.com/@john.holland.1481\n🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/dieboldcomics\n📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.holland.1481\n📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dieboldcomics/\n🔥 Support Akemi on Fund My Comic:\nhttps://www.fundmycomic.com/campaign/944/akemi\nSubscribe for more indie creator interviews, weekly comic recommendations, and deep dives into the stories shaping independent comics.\nThe USDN Podcast — where indie comics come to life.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/jK77dc0vRU6rdQe3lGzQeHxWXmC-iqPIYcsRvu3WnRw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8xMDE0/NzI5MzBlZGRiOGQ2/MzFlNGI2NzJiMzc2/MTczOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}