WEBVTT 00:00:03.732 --> 00:00:07.426 You are listening to the USDN on the 00:00:07.506 --> 00:00:08.832 DFPN. 00:00:40.417 --> 00:00:40.820 Thank you. 00:01:11.144 --> 00:01:13.046 what is up everybody and welcome to the 00:01:13.085 --> 00:01:14.628 united states department of nerds where we 00:01:14.647 --> 00:01:17.751 are for the people by the people and 00:01:17.911 --> 00:01:22.075 of the people and imagine a world where 00:01:22.174 --> 00:01:25.457 imagination is limitless where creativity 00:01:25.537 --> 00:01:29.182 sparks universes into existence when 00:01:29.221 --> 00:01:31.063 creator emerges with the world that's 00:01:31.183 --> 00:01:31.983 super crazy 00:01:32.921 --> 00:01:35.945 a little weird and absolutely bursting 00:01:36.206 --> 00:01:36.947 with energy. 00:01:37.328 --> 00:01:37.849 Tonight, 00:01:38.269 --> 00:01:40.191 we are stepping into the electrifying 00:01:40.251 --> 00:01:44.578 realm of InBolt and meet the mind behind 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:45.680 the madness 00:01:47.016 --> 00:01:47.477 James, 00:01:48.058 --> 00:01:49.618 welcome to the United States Department of 00:01:49.679 --> 00:01:53.322 Nerds and welcome to the Council of Nerds. 00:01:53.802 --> 00:01:56.385 For those tuning in tonight who may not 00:01:56.424 --> 00:01:58.325 know you or may not know your work 00:01:58.825 --> 00:01:59.287 yet, 00:01:59.966 --> 00:02:02.129 give us your origin story and how you 00:02:02.168 --> 00:02:06.272 got into comics. 00:02:06.352 --> 00:02:06.953 Well, first of all, 00:02:07.673 --> 00:02:08.614 good to be here tonight. 00:02:09.754 --> 00:02:11.175 And I hope you have a little time 00:02:11.195 --> 00:02:13.717 because it's kind of a long and a 00:02:13.957 --> 00:02:14.438 little bit of a 00:02:15.403 --> 00:02:17.084 Twisted story, not super twisted, 00:02:17.144 --> 00:02:18.604 just a slight veer. 00:02:19.224 --> 00:02:19.625 James, 00:02:19.685 --> 00:02:21.205 we got all the time you need to 00:02:21.245 --> 00:02:22.865 take to share your story with us, 00:02:22.905 --> 00:02:24.686 so go ahead and lay it on us. 00:02:26.066 --> 00:02:30.007 Well, ever since I can remember, 00:02:30.067 --> 00:02:32.026 I've always been fascinated by cartoons, 00:02:32.106 --> 00:02:34.727 and I've always been drawings ever since I 00:02:34.747 --> 00:02:36.348 was an elementary school student. 00:02:38.147 --> 00:02:39.467 My interest has always been in art. 00:02:40.927 --> 00:02:42.028 I'll tell you a little secret. 00:02:42.288 --> 00:02:44.028 I actually wanted to be a doctor, but... 00:02:45.355 --> 00:02:47.116 found out I was a little too squeamish 00:02:47.157 --> 00:02:50.258 for that kind of work. 00:02:50.358 --> 00:02:53.157 It happens to us. 00:02:53.217 --> 00:02:55.899 Anyway, I always loved cartoons. 00:02:56.338 --> 00:02:58.580 My favorites or my favorite channels was 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:00.540 Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon. 00:03:01.760 --> 00:03:03.161 I especially love cartoons. 00:03:03.181 --> 00:03:05.021 I already said that. 00:03:06.081 --> 00:03:08.022 My favorite was Ed and Natty from Cartoon 00:03:08.062 --> 00:03:08.483 Network. 00:03:08.862 --> 00:03:10.484 But as much as I love the crazy, 00:03:10.604 --> 00:03:11.144 off the wall, 00:03:12.543 --> 00:03:13.862 offbeat kind of growth shows. 00:03:14.242 --> 00:03:15.463 I always had a soft spot in my 00:03:15.503 --> 00:03:18.724 heart for, I don't, 00:03:19.004 --> 00:03:19.645 how did I put this? 00:03:19.724 --> 00:03:21.645 The Saturday morning action cartoons, 00:03:21.944 --> 00:03:24.485 because they felt kind of special compared 00:03:24.506 --> 00:03:26.967 to the rest. 00:03:26.986 --> 00:03:28.086 They had a little bit more heart, 00:03:28.146 --> 00:03:31.048 a little bit more story. 00:03:31.068 --> 00:03:33.328 Some more substance to them. 00:03:33.348 --> 00:03:37.128 Think early, early, early nineties, 00:03:37.568 --> 00:03:39.469 late nineties to early two thousands. 00:03:40.609 --> 00:03:44.991 Shows like Swat Cats. 00:03:45.031 --> 00:03:45.471 To be honest, 00:03:45.491 --> 00:03:49.292 that's what I compare Imbolto the most in 00:03:49.331 --> 00:03:49.991 terms of tone. 00:03:52.492 --> 00:03:53.993 Swat Cats is out right now with a 00:03:54.193 --> 00:03:55.835 new comic book on Kickstarter. 00:03:55.875 --> 00:03:56.514 Did you know that? 00:03:57.134 --> 00:03:57.395 Yeah, 00:03:57.414 --> 00:03:59.295 I just recently discovered Swat Cats a 00:03:59.336 --> 00:04:02.736 while ago. 00:04:02.796 --> 00:04:03.257 Anyway. 00:04:04.157 --> 00:04:05.277 Continue your story, James. 00:04:05.638 --> 00:04:06.157 Let us know. 00:04:06.859 --> 00:04:07.218 Anyway. 00:04:09.465 --> 00:04:11.687 For most of my school life, 00:04:11.706 --> 00:04:15.490 I've been drawing and eventually I started 00:04:15.509 --> 00:04:16.591 making my own characters. 00:04:16.831 --> 00:04:19.833 But I remember one particular class in 00:04:19.872 --> 00:04:22.636 high school that really sparked something 00:04:22.675 --> 00:04:27.139 in me, like media and storytelling. 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:30.302 I always enjoyed watching that kind of 00:04:30.341 --> 00:04:33.845 stuff, episodic or serial. 00:04:35.386 --> 00:04:36.367 Do I prefer episodic? 00:04:37.463 --> 00:04:39.024 And while I had to work with several 00:04:39.043 --> 00:04:39.545 other people, 00:04:39.704 --> 00:04:41.146 I think that's the most I ever enjoyed 00:04:41.185 --> 00:04:41.745 a class. 00:04:45.149 --> 00:04:47.709 And as I worked my way through college, 00:04:48.050 --> 00:04:50.351 I focused on a major integrated arts at 00:04:50.372 --> 00:04:51.692 the university of Baltimore. 00:04:52.994 --> 00:04:54.415 When we try to take our art skills 00:04:54.454 --> 00:04:55.815 and translate them into business. 00:04:56.437 --> 00:04:58.038 I've had to explain that several times 00:04:58.098 --> 00:05:01.720 because the program was relatively new 00:05:01.819 --> 00:05:02.641 when I was going there. 00:05:05.103 --> 00:05:05.322 So. 00:05:07.016 --> 00:05:08.517 Several years ago, I graduated. 00:05:09.819 --> 00:05:13.240 And to be honest, after a job search, 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:15.242 which didn't pick up anything, 00:05:16.262 --> 00:05:17.824 then the whole pandemic hit, 00:05:18.744 --> 00:05:20.144 which put a damper on that, 00:05:20.766 --> 00:05:22.326 on my search for employment. 00:05:23.867 --> 00:05:24.168 I just, 00:05:25.007 --> 00:05:26.189 it was during those months I actually 00:05:26.228 --> 00:05:28.430 started creating M-Bolt, 00:05:30.192 --> 00:05:31.853 M-Bolt in earnest as a digital comic. 00:05:32.173 --> 00:05:35.134 Starting with the first volume, 00:05:36.485 --> 00:05:38.447 You got the first story. 00:05:38.607 --> 00:05:39.307 I sent it to you. 00:05:39.987 --> 00:05:41.809 But there are other stories after it. 00:05:42.689 --> 00:05:46.572 Flaming Bug-Eyed Chimps, 00:05:46.593 --> 00:05:47.954 Cliche Hero Spirit, 00:05:48.375 --> 00:05:54.119 and Super Crazy Crime Stoppers. 00:05:56.581 --> 00:05:58.161 It's been going on for five years now, 00:05:58.262 --> 00:05:59.944 and only recently have I actually printed 00:06:00.064 --> 00:06:00.584 anything, 00:06:01.285 --> 00:06:03.045 which I think will give M-Bolt some more 00:06:03.105 --> 00:06:03.687 notoriety. 00:06:04.744 --> 00:06:07.084 And recently I have actually begun doing 00:06:07.185 --> 00:06:10.947 freelance work, you know, work for money. 00:06:10.966 --> 00:06:11.047 Yup. 00:06:11.588 --> 00:06:13.007 Yup. 00:06:13.028 --> 00:06:14.209 So I feel like that'll help me grow 00:06:14.249 --> 00:06:17.290 as a creator and a comic artist and 00:06:17.310 --> 00:06:18.151 a cartoonist. 00:06:19.072 --> 00:06:19.692 Oh yeah. 00:06:19.711 --> 00:06:20.351 That will definitely, 00:06:20.591 --> 00:06:24.555 definitely help you out there. 00:06:24.574 --> 00:06:26.074 Actually had a couple more interviews. 00:06:26.995 --> 00:06:28.216 It was on podcast before. 00:06:28.456 --> 00:06:30.858 Well, one podcast, the solo nerd bird. 00:06:33.797 --> 00:06:36.860 And, well, here I am now. 00:06:39.281 --> 00:06:42.103 Still working and still growing. 00:06:42.163 --> 00:06:43.004 That's how we do it. 00:06:43.064 --> 00:06:44.105 So, James, 00:06:44.146 --> 00:06:47.108 was there any particular moment in your 00:06:47.149 --> 00:06:48.629 life that said, like, 00:06:48.769 --> 00:06:50.451 this is my moment that makes me want 00:06:50.471 --> 00:06:53.074 to do comic books or to do comics 00:06:53.134 --> 00:06:58.298 in general? 00:06:58.317 --> 00:06:58.819 To be honest, 00:06:59.221 --> 00:07:00.161 I am a comic artist, 00:07:00.242 --> 00:07:01.802 but I consider myself more of an 00:07:01.843 --> 00:07:05.524 illustrator and a cartoonist at heart. 00:07:05.605 --> 00:07:05.845 Okay. 00:07:07.966 --> 00:07:10.247 What was that moment for you? 00:07:10.288 --> 00:07:12.750 Were you sitting in college and said, 00:07:14.190 --> 00:07:16.771 I'm going to start doing illustrations and 00:07:16.971 --> 00:07:17.293 art? 00:07:20.475 --> 00:07:21.836 Not sure I remember it clearly, 00:07:21.896 --> 00:07:25.538 but I think it happened a lot sooner 00:07:25.557 --> 00:07:26.559 than that. 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:27.858 Okay. 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:28.339 When I was in 00:07:29.550 --> 00:07:32.132 when I was still in elementary school and 00:07:32.314 --> 00:07:33.975 realized I was way too squeamish to be 00:07:33.995 --> 00:07:34.514 a doctor. 00:07:37.718 --> 00:07:39.600 I figured I'd have something else in mind 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:42.281 and figured I was really good at drawing. 00:07:42.362 --> 00:07:43.483 I loved cartoons. 00:07:44.584 --> 00:07:48.468 And so it just clicked for me. 00:07:48.507 --> 00:07:50.810 So who are some of your early artistic 00:07:50.889 --> 00:07:54.192 heroes that gave you inspiration to become 00:07:54.233 --> 00:07:54.994 an illustrator? 00:07:59.012 --> 00:08:05.173 No, it can be anybody you want. 00:08:05.194 --> 00:08:07.475 To be honest, not a specific person. 00:08:07.495 --> 00:08:10.295 Okay. 00:08:10.355 --> 00:08:11.815 But there are kind of art styles that 00:08:11.896 --> 00:08:12.675 I do admire, 00:08:12.735 --> 00:08:16.997 but they're not exclusive to any specific 00:08:17.096 --> 00:08:19.817 artist. 00:08:19.898 --> 00:08:20.077 I mean, 00:08:20.098 --> 00:08:24.738 there are several artists I do respect 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:25.499 that gave me a 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:29.862 pretty intent pretty good pretty 00:08:29.901 --> 00:08:32.503 significant love of cartoons but i don't 00:08:32.543 --> 00:08:37.903 exactly follow them like go ahead go ahead 00:08:37.964 --> 00:08:45.546 and tell us who they were well the 00:08:45.566 --> 00:08:47.966 creator of my favorite show was that was 00:08:48.086 --> 00:08:50.187 danny antinucci at annettie but i never 00:08:50.226 --> 00:08:52.368 really followed him until i saw my teeth 00:08:53.336 --> 00:08:53.836 Okay. 00:08:55.298 --> 00:08:57.139 But I don't really follow that style of 00:08:57.298 --> 00:09:00.140 off-the-wall surrealist humor. 00:09:01.822 --> 00:09:01.923 Okay. 00:09:01.962 --> 00:09:06.926 Still love the show, though. 00:09:06.985 --> 00:09:08.768 I guess what inspired me the most was 00:09:08.807 --> 00:09:10.649 the Saturday morning action cartoons like 00:09:10.749 --> 00:09:11.190 Yu-Gi-Oh! 00:09:11.250 --> 00:09:11.990 and Pokemon. 00:09:12.610 --> 00:09:15.273 And I never really thought much about the 00:09:15.293 --> 00:09:17.073 creators behind them until I looked them 00:09:17.173 --> 00:09:17.313 up. 00:09:17.374 --> 00:09:18.836 And it was still kind of hard to 00:09:18.875 --> 00:09:20.437 pinpoint who was behind them. 00:09:24.128 --> 00:09:25.048 I think both of those are, 00:09:25.428 --> 00:09:27.750 they're both animated in Japan, correct? 00:09:28.211 --> 00:09:29.211 Yeah, they're animated. 00:09:29.370 --> 00:09:31.152 That's before I knew what the word was. 00:09:33.594 --> 00:09:33.913 Okay. 00:09:33.933 --> 00:09:35.754 So let's jump over and let's talk about 00:09:36.014 --> 00:09:38.956 this world that you've created in the 00:09:39.057 --> 00:09:40.256 universe of InBolt. 00:09:40.618 --> 00:09:43.960 What sparked the concept of InBolt for 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:46.201 you? 00:09:46.260 --> 00:09:46.541 Well, 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:48.182 kind of like the Saturday morning action 00:09:48.201 --> 00:09:50.663 cartoons or the kind of show you watch 00:09:51.864 --> 00:09:52.804 at home after school. 00:09:53.884 --> 00:09:54.525 Okay. 00:09:54.546 --> 00:09:56.706 You watch on a morning afternoon after 00:09:56.726 --> 00:10:00.831 school. 00:10:00.850 --> 00:10:02.672 I might have to think back, 00:10:02.711 --> 00:10:05.413 but I've had the ideas for characters like 00:10:05.433 --> 00:10:07.096 this since I was in elementary school, 00:10:07.696 --> 00:10:11.980 though they'd be unrecognizable now. 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:12.360 Okay. 00:10:13.760 --> 00:10:16.702 So how would you describe InBolt as a 00:10:16.743 --> 00:10:18.845 character to someone meeting him for the 00:10:18.945 --> 00:10:19.826 first time? 00:10:25.184 --> 00:10:26.186 The character himself? 00:10:26.846 --> 00:10:27.527 Yeah. 00:10:27.547 --> 00:10:29.248 How would you describe Enbolt, 00:10:29.288 --> 00:10:29.947 the character? 00:10:30.668 --> 00:10:32.509 If you were introducing me to Enbolt for 00:10:32.529 --> 00:10:33.451 the first time, 00:10:33.990 --> 00:10:35.552 and I've never seen Enbolt, 00:10:35.991 --> 00:10:37.472 how would you describe him to me? 00:10:38.293 --> 00:10:41.775 Well, Enbolt, for the most part... Well, 00:10:42.037 --> 00:10:42.716 for starters, 00:10:43.557 --> 00:10:45.058 Enbolt is a nickname for him. 00:10:46.099 --> 00:10:48.240 His actual name is Nicky Lightling. 00:10:51.503 --> 00:10:52.663 And I describe him as... 00:10:53.888 --> 00:10:58.149 He's a teenager, about fifteen, so snarky, 00:10:58.528 --> 00:10:59.389 kind of lazy, 00:11:00.028 --> 00:11:03.210 but ultimately somewhat of a goody, goody, 00:11:05.789 --> 00:11:09.791 goody little nerd. 00:11:09.870 --> 00:11:13.052 And an amateur parkour enthusiast. 00:11:13.192 --> 00:11:14.131 Okay. 00:11:15.231 --> 00:11:15.991 His power is, 00:11:16.611 --> 00:11:18.472 I'm not sure if you heard this term 00:11:18.493 --> 00:11:19.913 before, but it's ergo kinesis. 00:11:21.263 --> 00:11:22.263 I've not heard it called that. 00:11:22.283 --> 00:11:24.504 I know it's energy manipulation is how I 00:11:24.524 --> 00:11:25.384 would know the power, 00:11:25.423 --> 00:11:26.724 but I like yours better. 00:11:28.445 --> 00:11:29.225 Yeah, it. 00:11:30.445 --> 00:11:32.926 It manifests as the cyan light and spark 00:11:32.985 --> 00:11:33.806 when he sparks, 00:11:34.605 --> 00:11:37.326 he can also absorb energy from other other 00:11:37.365 --> 00:11:40.966 sources and for temporarily and depending 00:11:41.006 --> 00:11:42.467 on what kind of energy absorbs, 00:11:42.488 --> 00:11:45.508 he can transform himself like fire or 00:11:45.628 --> 00:11:46.087 lightning. 00:11:48.649 --> 00:11:48.729 OK. 00:11:52.113 --> 00:11:53.673 He has several other friends with powers, 00:11:53.714 --> 00:11:56.135 too, and they help him. 00:11:56.155 --> 00:11:57.676 Tell us about the other characters in your 00:11:57.716 --> 00:11:58.797 story to go with him. 00:11:58.937 --> 00:12:03.639 Like, who are some of his allies? 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.080 Well, 00:12:05.421 --> 00:12:06.782 I probably should start with these two 00:12:06.841 --> 00:12:09.023 right here. 00:12:09.124 --> 00:12:16.268 This is Rocky and this is Buddy. 00:12:16.827 --> 00:12:17.749 They're the ones most... 00:12:19.070 --> 00:12:20.831 Who are with them most of the time. 00:12:21.191 --> 00:12:21.350 Yep, 00:12:21.431 --> 00:12:23.652 I've seen those two in the first issue 00:12:23.692 --> 00:12:24.351 you sent me. 00:12:24.893 --> 00:12:26.953 Yeah. 00:12:26.974 --> 00:12:31.035 Here they are again on this cover. 00:12:31.255 --> 00:12:32.255 Oh, I liked it. 00:12:32.275 --> 00:12:32.916 I like it. 00:12:33.777 --> 00:12:35.457 Have you ever played the Kingdom Hearts 00:12:35.477 --> 00:12:35.837 games? 00:12:35.857 --> 00:12:38.078 I have, yes, actually. 00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:39.700 One of my favorites. 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:42.260 Imagine these. 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:44.642 They're kind of like what Donald and Goofy 00:12:44.701 --> 00:12:45.402 are to Sora. 00:12:45.682 --> 00:12:46.442 They're that to me. 00:12:46.503 --> 00:12:46.663 Okay. 00:12:47.875 --> 00:12:49.135 They're with him most of the time. 00:12:52.778 --> 00:12:54.639 Rocky is about a year older than him, 00:12:54.979 --> 00:12:57.700 and he's more of a tough guy, 00:12:57.840 --> 00:13:02.783 more of an edge power, super strength. 00:13:02.802 --> 00:13:06.485 Buddy is the youngest, around ten. 00:13:07.284 --> 00:13:08.005 And his power, 00:13:08.285 --> 00:13:10.846 he's a bigger nerd than Nicky, I'd say. 00:13:12.868 --> 00:13:16.470 His power are these weird round balls. 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:19.639 And he manifests. 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:21.659 I can see a lot of influence from 00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:24.480 Kingdom Hearts in the art that you do. 00:13:24.581 --> 00:13:25.480 So that's really cool. 00:13:26.520 --> 00:13:29.481 Yeah, that and Inti Creates probably. 00:13:30.461 --> 00:13:30.942 Okay, yeah. 00:13:33.543 --> 00:13:34.802 Next here is Annika. 00:13:35.783 --> 00:13:36.864 She isn't always with them, 00:13:36.943 --> 00:13:40.404 but she's pretty single. 00:13:40.424 --> 00:13:41.764 She's the delivery girl, right? 00:13:42.445 --> 00:13:44.505 Yeah, she was. 00:13:44.546 --> 00:13:45.485 But she's more than that. 00:13:46.916 --> 00:13:48.778 She actually has her own power in the 00:13:48.817 --> 00:13:49.518 later issues. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:50.839 Oh, nice. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.400 So she developed powers, too, 00:13:52.640 --> 00:13:53.321 in the later issues? 00:13:53.902 --> 00:13:54.402 Yes. 00:13:54.942 --> 00:13:55.442 And to be honest, 00:13:55.482 --> 00:13:57.063 she's actually a bit closer to Nikki than 00:13:57.144 --> 00:13:57.845 Rocky or Buddy. 00:13:58.085 --> 00:13:59.505 Known him a little bit longer, 00:13:59.787 --> 00:14:00.726 but not much. 00:14:01.388 --> 00:14:04.630 But not by much. 00:14:04.750 --> 00:14:05.730 Okay. 00:14:05.831 --> 00:14:07.173 Her favorite thing to do is pretty much 00:14:07.212 --> 00:14:07.893 tease Nikki. 00:14:09.073 --> 00:14:10.355 Sorry you saw that in the first issue. 00:14:10.895 --> 00:14:12.517 Yep, I remember that one. 00:14:14.410 --> 00:14:16.751 So are there any themes or messages that 00:14:16.971 --> 00:14:19.173 sit at the heart of M. Bolton, 00:14:19.192 --> 00:14:21.474 what you're trying to portray through your 00:14:21.514 --> 00:14:22.294 illustrations? 00:14:26.437 --> 00:14:28.177 Well, to be honest, 00:14:28.378 --> 00:14:29.639 I don't really think there's a hidden 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:30.078 theme. 00:14:30.558 --> 00:14:33.179 But if you find something with it, 00:14:34.841 --> 00:14:37.842 I'd be glad if people do find a 00:14:37.883 --> 00:14:38.543 deeper meaning. 00:14:38.643 --> 00:14:41.384 And sometimes I would like to put a 00:14:41.423 --> 00:14:42.424 deeper meaning in there. 00:14:46.106 --> 00:14:46.927 But not all the time. 00:14:47.027 --> 00:14:50.509 It's mostly just having a fun adventure. 00:14:50.528 --> 00:14:51.929 There's nothing wrong with having a good 00:14:51.950 --> 00:14:52.690 adventure, man. 00:14:53.211 --> 00:14:53.951 Nothing at all. 00:14:54.490 --> 00:14:56.591 Kind of like the old action Hanna-Barbera 00:14:56.631 --> 00:14:57.212 cartoons. 00:14:57.873 --> 00:14:59.614 Oh, those were my favorite growing up. 00:15:03.255 --> 00:15:06.057 Who was your favorite one growing up from 00:15:06.116 --> 00:15:06.836 Hanna-Barbera? 00:15:08.238 --> 00:15:09.538 Probably the Flintstones. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:11.559 Same. 00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.539 Same. 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:14.341 I loved some Flintstones, man. 00:15:14.902 --> 00:15:15.481 Yeah, funny. 00:15:16.889 --> 00:15:21.230 So what's your favorite weird element that 00:15:21.250 --> 00:15:28.254 you've built into your world so far? 00:15:28.274 --> 00:15:32.775 Well, that's a good question. 00:15:33.596 --> 00:15:34.856 The series is episodic, 00:15:35.017 --> 00:15:38.258 but there's a very strong continuity. 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.678 OK. 00:15:40.698 --> 00:15:41.698 Something that happened in a different 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:44.660 issue before could affect the rest of the 00:15:44.701 --> 00:15:45.061 series. 00:15:47.375 --> 00:15:48.916 so you like to do call bats from 00:15:49.056 --> 00:15:55.239 earlier issues into later issues yes okay 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:56.620 i like to see that in my comic 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:58.519 books when i'm reading other comic books i 00:15:58.559 --> 00:16:00.620 like to see like call bats to older 00:16:00.660 --> 00:16:02.522 stuff that happened in earlier issues and 00:16:02.542 --> 00:16:04.682 then they're coming back to the new issue 00:16:04.743 --> 00:16:07.144 as well i always like finding those little 00:16:07.245 --> 00:16:09.745 elements hidden or sometimes not hidden in 00:16:09.806 --> 00:16:12.006 very obvious in comic books and 00:16:12.047 --> 00:16:16.109 illustrations okay for most 00:16:17.880 --> 00:16:19.000 And I'd like to explain a little bit 00:16:19.081 --> 00:16:20.142 more about M-Bolt. 00:16:20.881 --> 00:16:21.481 Okay, please. 00:16:21.581 --> 00:16:21.822 Go ahead. 00:16:22.523 --> 00:16:23.783 The reason he's actually called into 00:16:23.863 --> 00:16:28.225 action is because of a series of robots 00:16:28.264 --> 00:16:29.965 appearing called the Fovos. 00:16:30.865 --> 00:16:32.186 Okay. 00:16:32.225 --> 00:16:34.086 That's what he fought in the first issue. 00:16:34.846 --> 00:16:35.667 Yeah, I remember that. 00:16:35.947 --> 00:16:37.427 That was some good fights in that first 00:16:37.508 --> 00:16:37.807 issue. 00:16:38.087 --> 00:16:38.427 Thanks. 00:16:40.349 --> 00:16:42.730 They start popping up everywhere. 00:16:45.389 --> 00:16:46.629 They learn who's behind it, 00:16:46.951 --> 00:16:47.730 and to be honest, 00:16:47.750 --> 00:16:49.350 I actually have them right here. 00:16:49.932 --> 00:16:50.572 You gonna show us? 00:16:50.892 --> 00:16:53.232 In the poster. 00:16:53.373 --> 00:16:54.212 Okay. 00:16:54.273 --> 00:16:56.994 This little right here, that's him. 00:16:57.933 --> 00:16:59.154 Is he the main robot? 00:16:59.835 --> 00:17:01.355 He's not exactly a robot. 00:17:01.895 --> 00:17:04.557 Okay. 00:17:04.576 --> 00:17:07.157 But he's the guy behind the robots. 00:17:07.798 --> 00:17:09.999 Yeah, he's not exactly a guy either. 00:17:10.118 --> 00:17:13.279 His name is pronounced as Nasatus. 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:13.519 Okay. 00:17:16.876 --> 00:17:17.757 And where did he come from? 00:17:19.218 --> 00:17:20.137 You learn later. 00:17:20.597 --> 00:17:21.938 OK, I'll check it out. 00:17:22.298 --> 00:17:24.138 He's not he's the main villain, 00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:25.858 but he's not the only one. 00:17:26.558 --> 00:17:27.920 There are other villains like. 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:32.040 Say it and Eva Vision. 00:17:33.621 --> 00:17:34.941 And Siegel, the collector. 00:17:34.961 --> 00:17:37.981 OK. 00:17:38.061 --> 00:17:41.643 So how did you come up with the 00:17:41.663 --> 00:17:45.084 with your villains and like the names of 00:17:45.104 --> 00:17:45.763 your villains? 00:17:47.897 --> 00:17:48.999 That's a very good question. 00:17:49.398 --> 00:17:51.259 I kind of think of overworking things that 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:53.902 have already existed and just put my own 00:17:53.942 --> 00:17:56.462 twist on them. 00:17:56.522 --> 00:17:57.403 It's a good way to do it. 00:17:57.763 --> 00:17:58.284 And to be honest... 00:17:58.304 --> 00:17:59.785 You can't go wrong with an old classic 00:18:00.246 --> 00:18:01.066 with a new twist. 00:18:02.067 --> 00:18:05.209 And to be honest, I kind of... 00:18:05.249 --> 00:18:06.849 Some of the stuff I do is partially 00:18:06.890 --> 00:18:09.131 inspired by Lovecraftian horror. 00:18:09.590 --> 00:18:11.532 Ooh, that's some good stuff right there. 00:18:13.394 --> 00:18:14.273 Eldritch Abominations, 00:18:14.314 --> 00:18:16.335 they're kind of some of my favorite things 00:18:16.355 --> 00:18:16.875 in fiction. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:19.619 Okay. 00:18:19.640 --> 00:18:20.740 Now you're speaking our language. 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.421 We love some, 00:18:21.661 --> 00:18:23.561 some good love crafty and horror over 00:18:23.602 --> 00:18:29.805 here. 00:18:29.865 --> 00:18:31.265 So when did you, 00:18:31.484 --> 00:18:33.705 so I'm imagining that you started out on 00:18:33.767 --> 00:18:35.267 paper and now you're doing everything 00:18:35.426 --> 00:18:35.907 digital. 00:18:36.347 --> 00:18:37.827 Are there any, like, 00:18:37.847 --> 00:18:39.269 what are you using for your digital 00:18:39.409 --> 00:18:39.729 elements? 00:18:39.769 --> 00:18:41.309 Are you using your iPad or do you 00:18:41.349 --> 00:18:41.930 have an actual, 00:18:41.970 --> 00:18:44.711 like one of those electric sketch pads on 00:18:44.731 --> 00:18:45.211 your desk? 00:18:47.272 --> 00:18:47.512 Well, 00:18:47.553 --> 00:18:49.214 funny you should ask that because I still 00:18:49.255 --> 00:18:51.836 do paper first before I scan anything in. 00:18:52.596 --> 00:18:52.817 Okay, 00:18:52.836 --> 00:18:54.117 so you're doing the paper and then 00:18:54.178 --> 00:18:55.700 scanning it into the electronic? 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:58.041 Yes, it's easier for me in that way. 00:19:00.644 --> 00:19:00.923 Okay. 00:19:00.963 --> 00:19:02.204 That's how everybody's doing it these 00:19:02.244 --> 00:19:02.644 days. 00:19:03.326 --> 00:19:07.969 Takes longer though, but I like it. 00:19:07.989 --> 00:19:08.710 If it works for you, 00:19:08.829 --> 00:19:09.651 it works for you. 00:19:10.711 --> 00:19:12.372 I actually do use a drawing pad. 00:19:12.652 --> 00:19:14.272 I actually had one a while back, 00:19:14.452 --> 00:19:16.554 but there was a sparky connection, 00:19:16.594 --> 00:19:17.615 so I had to get a new one 00:19:17.634 --> 00:19:18.714 for my birthday last year. 00:19:19.276 --> 00:19:19.615 Oh, good. 00:19:19.695 --> 00:19:20.757 At least they got you a new one. 00:19:23.498 --> 00:19:25.278 I think a lot of people use Photoshop 00:19:25.338 --> 00:19:28.540 or Adobe, but I use something a bit... 00:19:28.560 --> 00:19:29.560 I didn't really have that much money 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:29.961 coming in, 00:19:30.001 --> 00:19:35.144 so I use something called Xero Pro Graphic 00:19:35.164 --> 00:19:35.684 Designer. 00:19:35.704 --> 00:19:36.704 I'm not sure if you've heard of it. 00:19:36.825 --> 00:19:38.286 No, I haven't heard of it. 00:19:38.365 --> 00:19:39.346 I'll have to look into it. 00:19:40.127 --> 00:19:41.769 It's kind of a cheaper alternative. 00:19:42.950 --> 00:19:44.570 I'm all about cheaper alternatives over 00:19:44.631 --> 00:19:48.233 here. 00:19:48.273 --> 00:19:50.134 So let's talk about some of your visual 00:19:50.214 --> 00:19:50.954 styles. 00:19:51.576 --> 00:19:53.737 So your style carries a lot of motion 00:19:53.836 --> 00:19:54.698 and energy. 00:19:55.557 --> 00:19:58.079 And how did that, well, no, 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.281 not that one. 00:20:00.321 --> 00:20:02.063 So are you drawing your script first? 00:20:02.843 --> 00:20:05.204 Are you doing like the draw first? 00:20:05.244 --> 00:20:07.205 Or do you kind of like, 00:20:07.246 --> 00:20:08.887 you know your story and you draw your 00:20:08.928 --> 00:20:09.307 story? 00:20:11.181 --> 00:20:11.340 Well, 00:20:11.381 --> 00:20:12.541 I definitely don't know how things are 00:20:12.561 --> 00:20:13.162 going to play out. 00:20:13.201 --> 00:20:13.603 So yeah, 00:20:13.623 --> 00:20:15.423 I have to do the script first. 00:20:15.523 --> 00:20:16.304 Okay. 00:20:16.544 --> 00:20:17.224 Okay. 00:20:17.244 --> 00:20:18.986 But the script does change as I draw. 00:20:19.006 --> 00:20:20.346 Oh, okay. 00:20:20.507 --> 00:20:21.708 Where I feel it's necessary. 00:20:22.887 --> 00:20:24.249 So you're going back, 00:20:24.288 --> 00:20:25.769 like if you get later in the story 00:20:25.809 --> 00:20:26.431 and you're like, wait, 00:20:26.550 --> 00:20:28.011 I think this will be better back here. 00:20:28.031 --> 00:20:30.452 And you go back and redo a panel 00:20:30.492 --> 00:20:30.933 or two? 00:20:31.733 --> 00:20:32.575 Is that how you're doing it? 00:20:33.295 --> 00:20:36.017 I usually do that change before I draw 00:20:36.037 --> 00:20:37.258 anything else. 00:20:37.298 --> 00:20:37.518 Okay. 00:20:37.597 --> 00:20:37.798 Okay. 00:20:38.663 --> 00:20:39.884 Go over it again. 00:20:40.163 --> 00:20:41.964 If I feel like something doesn't fit right 00:20:42.005 --> 00:20:43.566 or if I can do something different or 00:20:43.625 --> 00:20:47.148 better, I change it then. 00:20:47.209 --> 00:20:48.388 I change it then before I draw. 00:20:50.770 --> 00:20:51.070 I mean, 00:20:51.811 --> 00:20:53.353 there have been days I had to erase 00:20:53.393 --> 00:20:54.133 a panel or two. 00:20:54.153 --> 00:20:56.694 Yeah. 00:20:56.714 --> 00:20:58.115 About how long does it take you to 00:20:58.175 --> 00:21:01.917 knock out a panel? 00:21:01.938 --> 00:21:02.759 From start to finish, 00:21:02.798 --> 00:21:03.798 how long do you think it takes you 00:21:03.878 --> 00:21:04.740 to do it? 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.180 A panel or a page. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.299 Well, 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:06.641 we can say a panel or a page. 00:21:06.701 --> 00:21:07.541 Let's go with the page. 00:21:10.134 --> 00:21:10.874 Hmm. 00:21:10.973 --> 00:21:11.973 It kind of varies. 00:21:12.974 --> 00:21:15.134 Once I put some, I can draw, 00:21:15.595 --> 00:21:17.015 I can draw by hand one page a 00:21:17.055 --> 00:21:19.536 day, but going over it digitally, 00:21:19.556 --> 00:21:20.736 that takes a while. 00:21:21.155 --> 00:21:22.737 And I usually don't, 00:21:22.757 --> 00:21:26.537 I sometimes do multiple pages at once. 00:21:26.717 --> 00:21:27.037 Okay. 00:21:27.196 --> 00:21:28.958 And the most recent page that I scan 00:21:29.057 --> 00:21:31.218 in isn't the one I'm I'll be working 00:21:31.317 --> 00:21:32.357 on immediately. 00:21:32.538 --> 00:21:36.058 I'm usually working on pages before that 00:21:36.078 --> 00:21:39.799 because it takes time and 00:21:50.441 --> 00:21:52.342 So let's talk about, um, 00:21:54.542 --> 00:21:58.525 like your first escapades of in bolt and 00:21:58.865 --> 00:21:59.224 it kind of, 00:21:59.464 --> 00:22:01.465 it gives us some hint that there were 00:22:01.746 --> 00:22:04.826 bigger things coming for him when you 00:22:04.866 --> 00:22:05.508 wrote those, 00:22:05.548 --> 00:22:08.088 what tones or vibes were you aiming for 00:22:08.169 --> 00:22:10.869 in those earlier episodes? 00:22:13.010 --> 00:22:14.412 Well, pretty much the same thing. 00:22:16.512 --> 00:22:16.813 Well, 00:22:16.873 --> 00:22:18.534 what you start is part of kind of 00:22:18.554 --> 00:22:19.193 a trilogy. 00:22:20.555 --> 00:22:22.517 not the same issues back to back but 00:22:23.317 --> 00:22:26.820 part of the same theme the stone they 00:22:26.861 --> 00:22:31.365 fight at the end spoiler alert okay it's 00:22:31.425 --> 00:22:33.968 part of it's called the op ergo one 00:22:34.909 --> 00:22:37.050 in the series there's the op ergo two 00:22:37.330 --> 00:22:38.813 and part three 00:22:42.846 --> 00:22:43.386 Part three. 00:22:43.807 --> 00:22:45.646 But for the most part of the series, 00:22:47.048 --> 00:22:48.488 it's usually pretty lighthearted, 00:22:48.548 --> 00:22:50.548 kind of like the, I've mentioned before, 00:22:50.627 --> 00:22:52.028 Saturday morning action cartoon. 00:22:52.929 --> 00:22:55.769 Though it can get to Swat Cat's territory 00:22:55.848 --> 00:22:56.348 pretty quick. 00:22:57.288 --> 00:22:57.930 Okay. 00:22:57.970 --> 00:23:01.769 So is there, when you are, oh no, 00:23:01.809 --> 00:23:02.609 sorry, go ahead. 00:23:02.710 --> 00:23:05.451 And specifically issue Opiago part three, 00:23:05.911 --> 00:23:09.372 which introduces Nassatus in his true 00:23:09.412 --> 00:23:10.912 form, it's kind of brutal. 00:23:10.932 --> 00:23:11.632 Oh, okay. 00:23:11.852 --> 00:23:12.251 Okay. 00:23:14.461 --> 00:23:15.982 All right. 00:23:16.022 --> 00:23:16.343 So... 00:23:20.105 --> 00:23:23.088 When you are drawing in Bolt and you're 00:23:23.249 --> 00:23:24.769 doing his words, 00:23:25.309 --> 00:23:26.810 do you hear somebody's voice? 00:23:27.291 --> 00:23:27.731 Like, 00:23:27.751 --> 00:23:29.393 is there a particular character that you 00:23:29.453 --> 00:23:31.714 associate his voice with when you are 00:23:31.795 --> 00:23:32.935 doing his lettering? 00:23:35.038 --> 00:23:35.218 Well, 00:23:35.258 --> 00:23:37.660 there are several characters he's been 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:41.143 inspired by over the years. 00:23:41.163 --> 00:23:41.583 Pretty much... 00:23:47.134 --> 00:23:48.256 fictional characters he's already been 00:23:48.276 --> 00:23:48.936 inspired by. 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:57.003 His overall personality would be kind of 00:23:57.044 --> 00:24:00.006 like Mega Man or Sonic the Hedgehog or 00:24:00.066 --> 00:24:01.247 Sora from Kingdom Hearts. 00:24:01.728 --> 00:24:04.609 Okay. 00:24:04.630 --> 00:24:05.570 Pretty sure you see some of those 00:24:05.611 --> 00:24:08.512 influences in there. 00:24:08.633 --> 00:24:08.874 Oh yeah, 00:24:08.933 --> 00:24:10.194 definitely with the Kingdom Hearts. 00:24:10.275 --> 00:24:11.435 I can definitely see that. 00:24:13.557 --> 00:24:14.939 So you have teased... 00:24:16.106 --> 00:24:18.067 a little bit that there's a bigger world 00:24:18.467 --> 00:24:20.508 in Bolt coming. 00:24:22.788 --> 00:24:24.769 Is there anything that you can share with 00:24:24.888 --> 00:24:26.729 us from that or give us a little 00:24:26.749 --> 00:24:28.308 tease of some of the new characters or 00:24:28.328 --> 00:24:30.450 villains that you may have upcoming for 00:24:30.490 --> 00:24:31.509 the In Bolt series? 00:24:33.369 --> 00:24:35.790 Well, I will say that, 00:24:36.111 --> 00:24:36.711 I will say this, 00:24:36.871 --> 00:24:40.070 I'm on issue sixteen now and I've rotated 00:24:40.131 --> 00:24:43.971 several villains like Eva Vision and Seat. 00:24:45.625 --> 00:24:47.346 How about I, 00:24:47.366 --> 00:24:49.209 we also say the FOBOs are gonna be 00:24:49.229 --> 00:24:53.132 a reoccurring theme, theme as well. 00:24:55.933 --> 00:24:56.473 Okay. 00:24:56.594 --> 00:25:00.257 And well, you know, the term Miss Tech, 00:25:00.497 --> 00:25:02.419 you met Mr. Chambers in the first issue, 00:25:02.459 --> 00:25:02.699 right? 00:25:03.038 --> 00:25:03.598 Yes, yes. 00:25:03.618 --> 00:25:05.101 What's up with him? 00:25:05.560 --> 00:25:07.061 Well, he used to run this, 00:25:07.942 --> 00:25:09.604 a big part of the M-Bolt mythos, 00:25:09.624 --> 00:25:10.203 you should say, 00:25:10.403 --> 00:25:11.965 is the Miss Tech organization. 00:25:12.792 --> 00:25:13.534 He used to run, 00:25:14.173 --> 00:25:15.555 he actually used to run Mistech, 00:25:15.634 --> 00:25:19.377 which was dedicated to scientific research 00:25:19.458 --> 00:25:21.299 and, well, 00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:23.801 of unconventional sources of power or 00:25:23.862 --> 00:25:24.261 energy. 00:25:24.442 --> 00:25:25.803 Mm-hmm. 00:25:25.844 --> 00:25:26.263 Typically, 00:25:26.304 --> 00:25:31.367 all Mistech was dedicated to mad science, 00:25:31.907 --> 00:25:33.450 which is now defunct. 00:25:33.470 --> 00:25:35.550 Okay. 00:25:35.611 --> 00:25:37.772 And now he's holed up in this factory 00:25:37.813 --> 00:25:41.895 in Williamsburg selling Wonder Glue and... 00:25:42.930 --> 00:25:47.836 cryo mouse traps the horrible thing to be 00:25:47.895 --> 00:25:51.160 selling right now yeah he's not exactly 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:53.061 pleasant but he'll help them when it neat 00:25:53.402 --> 00:25:56.866 if they need it so do you plan 00:25:56.987 --> 00:26:00.150 on experimenting with inbuilt within other 00:26:00.171 --> 00:26:02.814 genres or comedy or horror or sci-fi 00:26:05.548 --> 00:26:05.588 No. 00:26:05.628 --> 00:26:05.729 Well, 00:26:05.749 --> 00:26:07.190 you've kind of got a little mix of 00:26:07.230 --> 00:26:08.611 some of those, except for the horror, 00:26:08.651 --> 00:26:10.832 but there's a little sci-fi elements in 00:26:10.872 --> 00:26:10.991 there, 00:26:11.031 --> 00:26:13.073 and there were some phony moments in that 00:26:13.134 --> 00:26:14.994 first issue that you let me read. 00:26:16.996 --> 00:26:17.395 Exactly. 00:26:17.435 --> 00:26:18.757 That's the tone I wanted to set for 00:26:18.777 --> 00:26:19.557 the whole series. 00:26:20.017 --> 00:26:20.637 Okay. 00:26:20.678 --> 00:26:23.519 Not a big horror fan. 00:26:23.558 --> 00:26:24.079 Okay. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.320 Anyone from elementary school will 00:26:26.361 --> 00:26:30.323 probably tell you that. 00:26:30.583 --> 00:26:32.544 Still not, but I'm still a sci-fi guy. 00:26:32.564 --> 00:26:32.683 Yeah. 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:41.342 So every indie creator has their ups, 00:26:41.521 --> 00:26:42.821 downs and breakthroughs. 00:26:42.882 --> 00:26:45.463 What has been your biggest challenge you 00:26:45.503 --> 00:26:47.325 faced so far? 00:26:48.726 --> 00:26:49.105 Well, 00:26:49.506 --> 00:26:51.086 the biggest challenge I've been facing is 00:26:51.207 --> 00:26:52.287 still what I'm facing. 00:26:53.948 --> 00:26:54.669 Getting a big enough, 00:26:54.949 --> 00:26:56.250 a bigger audience for my work. 00:26:57.069 --> 00:26:57.170 Well, 00:26:57.210 --> 00:26:59.230 hopefully coming on the podcast today, 00:26:59.250 --> 00:27:00.571 I'm going to send you some clips like 00:27:00.592 --> 00:27:01.432 I had told you earlier. 00:27:01.471 --> 00:27:02.492 Hopefully that will help you. 00:27:04.229 --> 00:27:05.930 get a little bit of a larger span 00:27:06.049 --> 00:27:08.652 of audience that you can enjoy and to 00:27:08.731 --> 00:27:09.712 enjoy in bolt, 00:27:09.752 --> 00:27:12.213 because it is a fantastic series that you 00:27:12.273 --> 00:27:14.516 are working on there. 00:27:14.556 --> 00:27:17.278 So what has been your proudest moment so 00:27:17.298 --> 00:27:19.439 far? 00:27:19.479 --> 00:27:20.900 To be honest, my proudest moment. 00:27:21.441 --> 00:27:23.061 Well, when I actually got, 00:27:23.582 --> 00:27:24.903 when I actually finished volume one, 00:27:24.942 --> 00:27:26.463 the first four stories in end bolts. 00:27:26.483 --> 00:27:28.786 Okay. 00:27:31.366 --> 00:27:32.268 That that'll, they'll do it. 00:27:32.307 --> 00:27:33.669 That had to be a really good one. 00:27:34.815 --> 00:27:35.576 And to be honest, 00:27:35.996 --> 00:27:37.538 one of my favorite issues was the OP 00:27:37.637 --> 00:27:40.800 Ergo Part III, which introduces Nesaitis. 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:46.506 Okay. 00:27:46.586 --> 00:27:48.407 And what was that with such a big 00:27:48.468 --> 00:27:51.509 impact for you? 00:27:51.550 --> 00:27:51.911 Well, 00:27:52.811 --> 00:27:54.492 Nesaitis is actually the master and 00:27:54.553 --> 00:27:55.814 creator of the Fovos. 00:27:56.634 --> 00:27:56.934 Oh, okay. 00:27:56.976 --> 00:27:58.217 It's kind of an epic battle. 00:27:59.116 --> 00:28:00.499 This epic battle occurs in... 00:28:01.723 --> 00:28:03.684 Another reoccurring thing with M-Bulk is 00:28:03.724 --> 00:28:05.886 this energy called appearing energy, 00:28:06.827 --> 00:28:07.667 which Mr. 00:28:07.708 --> 00:28:09.869 Chambers actually researched when he was 00:28:09.950 --> 00:28:10.210 doing, 00:28:11.090 --> 00:28:12.951 when he still ran Miss Tech and still 00:28:13.132 --> 00:28:14.752 researches to this day. 00:28:14.873 --> 00:28:16.974 Okay. 00:28:17.015 --> 00:28:20.176 So he's not exactly in the mad science 00:28:20.217 --> 00:28:21.238 business no more, 00:28:21.798 --> 00:28:23.878 but he's still keeping his hands at the 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:27.001 end to it. 00:28:27.142 --> 00:28:27.301 Yeah. 00:28:27.321 --> 00:28:27.461 Yeah. 00:28:29.567 --> 00:28:30.567 Yeah. 00:28:30.587 --> 00:28:32.048 Doesn't have much resources since Miss 00:28:32.088 --> 00:28:33.650 Tech fell apart, 00:28:33.690 --> 00:28:37.451 but he does keep an eye on things. 00:28:37.491 --> 00:28:38.412 So I got to ask, 00:28:39.512 --> 00:28:42.153 if you could give any advice to any 00:28:42.193 --> 00:28:44.375 new artists wanting to follow in your 00:28:45.096 --> 00:28:47.938 steps and be in their own illustrator and 00:28:48.057 --> 00:28:50.838 illustrate in their own work and sell in 00:28:50.858 --> 00:28:51.920 their own illustrations, 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.820 what kind of advice would you give them? 00:28:59.028 --> 00:28:59.768 Give me a minute. 00:29:00.588 --> 00:29:00.969 Okay. 00:29:00.989 --> 00:29:01.528 Take your time. 00:29:02.009 --> 00:29:02.869 That's a big question. 00:29:07.913 --> 00:29:10.233 Is not sure if this is going to 00:29:10.253 --> 00:29:11.375 be helpful or hurtful, 00:29:12.535 --> 00:29:15.777 but there are going to be times when 00:29:15.797 --> 00:29:19.578 you doubt yourself, when others doubt you, 00:29:19.638 --> 00:29:21.640 but even when you have those times, 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.621 there'll be times when you, 00:29:23.861 --> 00:29:25.261 as long as you keep going and 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:28.000 still believe in what you're doing and 00:29:28.381 --> 00:29:29.241 what you're creating. 00:29:31.143 --> 00:29:33.304 I believe something good can and will come 00:29:33.364 --> 00:29:35.905 of it. 00:29:35.945 --> 00:29:38.406 So bottom line is just don't give up, 00:29:38.787 --> 00:29:39.928 even if you have to take a different 00:29:39.968 --> 00:29:40.268 path. 00:29:42.328 --> 00:29:43.750 No, that's sound advice, man. 00:29:44.151 --> 00:29:45.711 And I think that can be applied anywhere, 00:29:45.750 --> 00:29:47.352 not just for up-and-coming artists and 00:29:47.392 --> 00:29:48.053 creatives. 00:29:48.553 --> 00:29:49.614 Just across the board, 00:29:49.794 --> 00:29:51.214 I think that's solid advice. 00:29:52.215 --> 00:29:54.336 So how do you stay motivated for the 00:29:54.396 --> 00:29:55.356 creative grind? 00:29:55.416 --> 00:29:56.738 I know if you're like me, I'm, 00:29:57.298 --> 00:29:58.097 I'm up late. 00:29:58.178 --> 00:30:00.038 I'm, I'm constantly, you know, 00:30:00.318 --> 00:30:02.940 working on my, my product here. 00:30:03.901 --> 00:30:06.761 How do you keep your self motivated to 00:30:06.801 --> 00:30:07.442 keep going? 00:30:09.083 --> 00:30:10.483 Well, for M ball, 00:30:10.523 --> 00:30:11.983 I basically have a bunch of ideas for 00:30:12.003 --> 00:30:14.265 these kids and for these characters. 00:30:14.325 --> 00:30:17.306 And I actually want to see them, 00:30:17.326 --> 00:30:19.086 see them brought to life and pen or 00:30:19.186 --> 00:30:21.228 ink and always have, 00:30:21.675 --> 00:30:22.876 Sometimes I have a hope that I can 00:30:22.916 --> 00:30:26.180 actually get it, get an animated series, 00:30:26.320 --> 00:30:27.981 whether it's M-Bolt or something else. 00:30:28.303 --> 00:30:29.002 Okay. 00:30:29.083 --> 00:30:31.826 Actually work on something or potentially 00:30:31.865 --> 00:30:32.747 working something else. 00:30:33.166 --> 00:30:33.528 To be honest, 00:30:33.548 --> 00:30:34.729 I don't know where I'm going to go 00:30:34.769 --> 00:30:35.910 from this, but I haven't, 00:30:36.451 --> 00:30:37.771 but good things have surprised me 00:30:37.852 --> 00:30:38.972 recently. 00:30:39.012 --> 00:30:39.693 Good. 00:30:39.713 --> 00:30:40.855 Surprises can be good. 00:30:43.455 --> 00:30:44.675 So James, 00:30:44.717 --> 00:30:47.037 I want you to tell everybody where they 00:30:47.057 --> 00:30:49.939 can find you on your social media and 00:30:50.118 --> 00:30:56.401 also where they can read in Bolt. 00:30:56.461 --> 00:30:56.980 I'll tell you. 00:30:59.221 --> 00:31:00.363 Mind if I share a couple of links 00:31:00.403 --> 00:31:03.903 in the private chat? 00:31:03.983 --> 00:31:04.223 Oh, yeah. 00:31:04.324 --> 00:31:05.125 No, you can do that. 00:31:06.724 --> 00:31:08.286 And I'll share it with everybody else. 00:31:08.625 --> 00:31:09.145 You can do that. 00:31:13.734 --> 00:31:20.478 You can find me on jrdemeryinstagram.com, 00:31:20.498 --> 00:31:21.999 Demery James on Facebook, 00:31:22.818 --> 00:31:23.838 and to read my work, 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:28.020 jamesryandemery on gumroad.com. 00:31:28.780 --> 00:31:29.582 I'm also on Ko-fi, 00:31:29.602 --> 00:31:31.843 pretty much the same name. 00:31:31.883 --> 00:31:31.962 Okay. 00:31:37.938 --> 00:31:40.118 When I repost all the everything, 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:43.099 all that will be in the description for 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:43.480 everybody. 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:45.099 It's actually in the description of this 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:47.800 video right now. 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:49.761 If you click on his Gumroad link, 00:31:50.182 --> 00:31:51.801 it will take you directly to where you 00:31:51.842 --> 00:31:54.603 can find his work and read in bold 00:31:54.903 --> 00:31:58.684 for yourself. 00:31:58.704 --> 00:32:01.005 So, James, don't forget the new issue, 00:32:01.125 --> 00:32:02.385 Oaky Valley Part One, 00:32:03.365 --> 00:32:05.787 and that's issue number sixteen, correct? 00:32:07.874 --> 00:32:08.153 Nailed it. 00:32:08.193 --> 00:32:09.055 Number sixteen. 00:32:10.215 --> 00:32:10.936 So everybody, 00:32:10.977 --> 00:32:14.039 make sure you follow support and share 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:16.803 James's work around all your social 00:32:16.843 --> 00:32:17.262 medias. 00:32:17.443 --> 00:32:19.566 Let's get him some more follows and get 00:32:19.586 --> 00:32:22.969 people reading his fantastic work. 00:32:23.670 --> 00:32:25.971 Indies thrive because of creators like 00:32:26.092 --> 00:32:29.375 James bringing new worlds to life. 00:32:32.385 --> 00:32:32.746 James, 00:32:33.067 --> 00:32:34.387 I want to thank you for coming on 00:32:34.407 --> 00:32:37.089 tonight and sharing in bulk with us. 00:32:37.130 --> 00:32:38.330 And if you don't mind hanging out a 00:32:38.371 --> 00:32:39.952 few minutes after the close, 00:32:40.452 --> 00:32:42.134 that way we can talk just a little 00:32:42.154 --> 00:32:42.434 bit more. 00:32:42.474 --> 00:32:42.835 All right. 00:32:43.796 --> 00:32:44.356 All right. 00:32:45.417 --> 00:32:46.198 All right, everybody, 00:32:46.238 --> 00:32:48.878 that has been the USDN podcast tonight 00:32:48.898 --> 00:32:51.000 where indie comments come to life. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:54.602 And if you've now been well, James, sorry, 00:32:54.862 --> 00:32:56.583 you have now been welcome to the Council 00:32:56.603 --> 00:32:56.982 of Nerds. 00:32:57.482 --> 00:32:59.344 And until next time, stay curious, 00:32:59.763 --> 00:33:02.224 stay creative and stay nerdy. 00:33:02.724 --> 00:33:03.986 Everybody have a good night. 00:33:43.307 --> 00:33:44.598 James, thank you for coming.