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?

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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

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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

Storyboard artist Keith Morange (Marvel, Disney, HBO, Katy Perry videos) joins Nerdy Mewzings to discuss pivoting from childhood Hulk/Superman comics to live-action storyboarding, why comics offer "no compromise" freedom, and his upcoming indie sci-fi graphic novel Sky Lights—a tale of UFO conspiracies, indigo kids, human-initiated contact, and deepening mystery!

Key highlights:

-Early influences: Sal Buscema Hulk, Curt Swan Superman, Greatest American Hero

-Storyboarding realities: 20-50 frames/day, loose/fast style, invisible art frustrations

-AI in art: Acceptance over resistance, useful tools vs. losing personal voice/sacredness in comics

-Sky Lights process: 200+ pages, full creator control (pencils, inks, colors, lettering), pacing like music, growth serving the story

-Discipline & mindset: Showing up on low-confidence days, rest/recovery parallels to BJJ/warrior mindset

-UFO mysteries inspiring the book, art's job to deepen the unknown

-Upcoming: Cover finished (end 2025), coloring near-complete, trailer soon, Kickstarter summer 2026—sign up on his site for notifications!

Sky Lights is self-contained story with epic scope—don't miss it!

Follow Keith Morange:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/keith_morange

Website - https://www.keithmorange.com

X/AKA Twitter - https://x.com/Keith_Morange

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@keithmorange

Love indie sci-fi, storyboarding, UFO lore, or creator discipline talks? Follow and leave a positive review!

Support Nerdy Mewzings on Patreon for bonus content coming soon! https://patreon.com/nerdymewzings

Share with friends & Keep it nerdy!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Keith's Current Work (Sky Lights Coloring Near-Complete)

1:00 - Discipline: Showing Up on Low-Confidence Days

3:00 - Building Confidence Through Routine & Small Wins

5:00 - Earliest Comics Memories (Hulk, Superman, Flip Books)

7:00 - Dad's Influence & Childhood Drawing Magic

9:00 - Animation Dreams to Live-Action Storyboarding

12:00 - Storyboarding Hollywood (Clients, Speed, Customer Service)

15:00 - Loose/Fast Style vs. Finished Art Temptations

18:00 - AI in Art: Acceptance, Tools vs. Losing Personal Voice

23:00 - Storyboarding Skills in Comics (Pacing Like Music)

26:00 - Sky Lights Origins (UFO Chase, Indigo Kids, Mystery)

29:00 - Art's Job: Deepen the Mystery

31:00 - Kickstarter Summer 2026, Trailer Soon, Mailing List

33:00 - Full Graphic Novel Format, Self-Contained Story

36:00 - Warrior Mindset & Rest/Recovery Parallels to BJJ

41:00 - Consistency, Small Goals & Momentum

46:00 - Tools/Workflow (Photoshop, Potential Clip Studio Switch)

51:00 - UFO Disclosure Thoughts & Human Contact in Book

54:00 - Where to Follow Keith

57:00 - Support the Podcast & Keep It Nerdy