Shawn Crystal (Marvel, DC, Spawn Universe, Deadpool, and co-host of the InkPulp Podcast) joins Nerdy Mewzings for a deep, fun conversation about his journey from late-blooming comic book fan to full-time creator, the InkPulp Podcast origin story, and pivoting into professional tattooing while still crushing covers and creator-owned work.

Key highlights:

-Getting into comics later: Discovering Dark Knight Returns, Todd McFarlane Spider-Man, and falling in love with the medium

-Early grind: WildStorm Resident Evil, long gaps between gigs, teaching at SCAD Atlanta while hustling samples

-InkPulp Podcast beginnings: Eric Canete (the "final boss"), Matteo Scalera, Jamie the producer, and building community through friendship

-Creator mindset: Paying it forward, learning from legends like Walt Simonson, building your own audience via Kickstarter/direct sales

-Tattooing pivot: Stepping into a new medium, re-igniting growth in all areas of art, balancing with comics

-Current work: Spawn Universe covers, upcoming projects, and the power of independent creator paths vs. big publishers

-Business lessons: Retailer relationships, newsletters, avoiding burnout, and why community corporate gatekeeping

Shawn’s honest take on the industry grind, paying dues, and creating your own lane is pure gold for aspiring artists!

Follow Shawn Crystal:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inkpulp (main hub for art, tattoos, updates)

Website / Newsletter - https://inkpulp.tv (sign up for the free newsletter)

Tattoo inquiries - https://www.theblackmarker.com/ or email inkpulp@gmail.com

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/inkpulp

If you love McFarlane art, creator business talk, or tattoo/comics crossover—FOLLOW and leave a 5 STAR review :)

Support Nerdy Mewzings: Free bonus content and full episodes 24-48 hours early for only $5 per month at https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Collecting the InkPulp Final Boss

2:30 - InkPulp Podcast Origins: Eric, Matteo, Jamie & Friendship First

5:30 - Jamie the Producer Story & Behind-the-Scenes Antics

8:30 - Irish Creator Community & Danny Earls Shoutout

11:00 - Early Comic Discovery: Dark Knight Returns & McFarlane Spider-Man

15:00 - Late Start in Comics & the Hustle Phase

19:00 - Grad School, Samples & First WildStorm Gig

23:00 - Teaching at SCAD Atlanta While Grinding Marvel/DC

27:00 - Long Gaps Between Gigs & Industry Realities

31:00 - Paying It Forward: Lessons from Walt Simonson & Others

35:00 - Tattoo Pivot: New Medium, Re-Learning & Artistic Growth

40:00 - Balancing Comics Covers, Spawn Work & Creator-Owned Plans

45:00 - Industry Landscape: Kickstarter, Retailers & Independent Paths

50:00 - Current Projects, Spawn Universe Covers & Future Teases

55:00 - Advice for Aspiring Artists: Hustle, Community & Staying Consistent

1:00:00 - Tattoo Work, InkPulp Live Streams & Building Your Own Lane

1:05:00 - Where to Follow Shawn Crystal + Outro

1:08:00 - Support Nerdy Mewzings & Keep It Nerdy

Irish comic artist Ruairi Coleman (Marvel/DC, Iron & Frost, Son of Kal-El, and now Predator: Bloodshed with Jordan Morris) joins Nerdy Mewzings for a fun chat about breaking into comics, the tight-knit Irish creator community (shoutouts to Reese Hannigan, Danny Earls & more), and his journey from small press to licensed hits.

Key highlights:

-Early beginnings: Childhood Superman/Spider-Man, X-Men cartoon influence, fumbled path via psychology degree before returning to art

-Breaking in: Dynamite (Tour Rock), Panini Star Wars, connections via Will Sliney, Kieron Gillen-era support

-Irish creator brotherhood: Reese Hannigan (Star Wars Bad Batch), Danny Earls' work ethic/background mastery, mutual door-opening

-Process: Penciling + inking own work, digital pencils with traditional finishing inks, regimented 5 AM starts, sustainability over burnout

-Predator: Bloodshed: Underground fighting tournament, heavy/grounded Predator design, world-building in a concrete jungle, fun kills ramping up

-Discipline & mindset: "Must do as a good master," small pragmatic goals, rest/recovery, showing up even on low-confidence days

-Licensed work realities: On-model challenges, notes from Lucasfilm/20th Century, balancing speed with quality

Predator: Bloodshed #1 & #2 are already out (series launched Feb 2026)—grab them at your LCS!

Support Nerdy Mewzings: Head over to https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings for FREE bonus content!

Follow Ruairi Coleman:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ruairicoleman (process, previews)

X/Twitter - https://x.com/ruairicoleman

Substack (Swingin’ Lead newsletter): https://colemancomicart.substack.com (free, bi-weekly updates)

Love Predator, licensed comics, Irish creator stories, or discipline talks for artists?

Leave a 5 STAR Review, Share with Friends, and Keep it Nerdy!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Irish Creator Brotherhood (Reese Hannigan, Danny Earls & More)

2:30 - Early Beginnings: Superman, X-Men Cartoon & Small Press Roots

5:00 - Fumbled Path: Psychology Degree Before Returning to Comics

8:00 - Breaking In: Dynamite, Star Wars for Panini & Key Connections

11:00 - Irish Support Network: Door-Opening & Mutual Recommendations

14:00 - Process Evolution: Penciling + Inking Own Work, Digital vs. Traditional

18:00 - Discipline & Routine: 5 AM Starts, Sustainability & "Must Do as a Good Master"

23:00 - Predator: Bloodshed Overview (Underground Tournament, Heavy Design)

27:00 - Licensed Work Challenges: On-Model, Notes & Speed vs. Quality

31:00 - World-Building, Kills & Fun of the Predator Universe

35:00 - Balancing Superheroes, Licensed Books & Personal Projects

39:00 - Upcoming Work Teases & Socials

42:00 - Where to Follow Ruairi

44:00 - Support the Podcast & Keep It Nerdy

Joining us all the way from Greece is the incredible traditional comic book artist DaNi (Coffin Bound, Batwoman with Greg Rucka)! We chat late-night Greek style about her journey from fine arts/sculpture to full-time comics, self-publishing zines, breaking into American publishers via conventions and connections, and her love for traditional tools (brushes only—no digital!).

Key highlights:

-Early influences: Mike Mignola, Charles Burns, South American artists, and discovering obscure 70s/80s horror/erotic comics in Venice

-Indie Greek scene: Huge, diverse, political/erotic vibes; Comicdom Con turning 20!

-How she broke in: Zines at cons leading to 2000 AD, IDW, Coffin Bound with Dan Watters

-Working on Batwoman #1 (Greg Rucka, DC Next Level – out March 2026!): Research, mood boards, Greek-inspired city, action-packed issues

-Process: Heavy layouts/planning, 2-3 pages/day pencils, deadlines fuel her, weekends off for life

-Fun side: Naps as creativity recharge, hating alarms, cats (every comic artist has them!)

-Advice: Do the work first, make friends at cons, find your creative soulmate collaborator

DaNi's Batwoman series redefines Kate Kane—don't miss it! Find it at your LCS.

Follow DaNi: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/danistrips (main spot for art updates)

Website/Portfolio - https://www.danistrips.com (books, Coffin Bound collections)

If you love traditional comics art, indie scenes, or Batwoman—FOLLOW and leave a 5 STAR REVIEW!

Support Nerdy Mewzings Patreon for FREE bonus content! https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings

Share with friends & Keep it nerdy!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Greeting DaNi from Greece

1:30 - Late Nights, Early Mornings & Naps for Creatives

3:50 - Aging, Recovery & Loving Naps

5:20 - University in Fine Arts/Sculpture (Greek System)

8:00 - Combining Comics & Sewing for Uni Exhibition (Tales From the Strips)

10:30 - Origin of "DaNi Strips" Name & Double Entendre Fun

11:50 - Childhood Drawing, Redrawing Comic Endings & Greek Indie Scene

14:00 - European Comics Influence (Political, Erotic, Anthologies)

16:30 - Influences: Mignola, Burns, South Americans, Obscure Horror Comics

20:00 - Deciding to Go Full-Time Comics (2018, IDW Break)

23:00 - Meeting Dan Watters & Creating Coffin Bound Magic

26:00 - Breaking In: Zines at Cons, Connections Over Cold Pitches

29:00 - NYCC Adventures, Meeting Heroes & Greek/Italian Convention Cliques

33:00 - Cats, Parrots & Artist Stereotypes (Everyone Has Pets!)

37:00 - Current Work: Batwoman with Greg Rucka (Process, Research, Greek City)

42:00 - Traditional Tools Only (Brushes, CD Markers, No Digital)

45:00 - Character Development, Deadlines & Scheduling for Sanity

49:00 - Pace: Layouts Fry Brain, 2-3 Pages/Day, Weekends Off

54:00 - Excitement for Batwoman Issues + Upcoming Release

56:00 - Where to Follow DaNi + Outro

58:00 - Support the Podcast & Keep It Nerdy