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Do you have a comic book idea you want to see in print? Woody Arnold is a DIY, indie comic creator who has navigated the tricky world of self publishing. He has had to adapt to many challenges, which he hasn't let stop his current project,  Cybersymbiosis.  Woody is taking Cybersymbiosis to a whole new level with his latest Kickstarter effort. Check that out here. Also, a new segment debuts on NW NERD: Random Fandom. We all have some piece of pop culture we hold dear — perhaps something that has been lost to time, salvaged mostly in our memories, or maybe it’s a guilty pleasure, something folks wouldn’t assume you love. Whatever it is, NW NERD is collecting these treasures in a segment called "Random Fandom." Random because of the pop culture discussed, or the people discussing it. Support the show

Beverly Downen wears many hats ... or helmets, horns ... and crowns? She's a cosplayer, competitor, judge, and now an author!You may know Beverly as a skilled cosplayer who crafts impressive costumes for the Northwest's many comic cons. You may know her from competitions she has participated in or judged. You may know her from the SheProp! community (celebrating female, non-binary, and transgender cosplayers). Pretty soon, you will know Beverly as an author. Her new book, "Cosplayer's Ultimate Guide to EVA Foam," is on pre-order (as of the publishing of this episode), and is slated to be released on November 25. Beverly sits down with NW NERD to discuss how she got into cosplay in the first place, her work as a cosplayer and in the SheProp! community, and her new book.  Support the show

The Hero Initiative is a federally recognized non profit with a simple mission – help comic creators in need. It's been around nearly 20 years and during that time it has distributed more than $1 million to such comic creators. But what does helping "comic creators in need" mean anyway? We're pulling in Cullen Stapleton, Hero Initiative's volunteer in the Pacific Northwest. He gives us an up-close look at what this non-profit does and what kind of help our cherished comic creators need. And while we're at it, we get a primer on Rose City Comic Con's upcoming Drink and Draw After Party, presented by Dark Horse Comics. For more details and tickets, check out Rose City Comic Con's website. Support the show

A chat with actor Russell Hodgkinson of "Z Nation" fame. The actor discusses the film scene in Spokane, whether or not he should shave his beard, projects he's working on, cats, and gardening ... and more. This interview was recorded at Spokane's Lilac City Comic Con.And check out the first time Russell spoke with NW NERD. This episode is brought to you by Rose City Comic Con's Drink and Draw after party, presented by Dark Horse Comics. Drink and Draw is 8 p.m. on September 9, at the Spirit of '77. Proceeds go to support the Hero Initiative. Get your tickets now. Support the show

Dyer has some big news to announce, and to explain it all ... this episode is going to get a little weird. Egypt Archie from the Comic Dads and Joel the Geek take over the podcast to press Dyer about what NW NERD has been up to, why did it go on hiatus, what will the podcast be like now ... and what's the deal with this magazine?!That's right, NW NERD has made a magazine that is now showing up at geek hangouts across the Northwest, from Portland to Spokane, Seattle to Bellingham. Digital copies are available at nw-nerd.com. This is a magazine for us - the geeks, cinephiles, gamers, cosplayers, comic collectors, pop culture aficionados and more. If you know that Han shot first, or have a favorite Star Trek captain, or dream about roaming Middle Earth or outer space in the Bebop, this magazine is for you. And by the way, this podcast episode is brought to you by Rose City Comic Con's Drink and Draw after party, presented by Dark Horse Comics. Grab your tickets now. Comic artists will draw alongside you as you settle in for a night of hilarity and artistry. There will be prizes. And it's all for a good cause - The Hero Initiative. NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots. This episode also features "Humm OK" by Gable. Support the show

What started as a chance encounter with a rental VHS copy of "Clerks" put Ming Chen on a path to working with the film's creator, Kevin Smith. That path included designing websites, podcasting, TV's Comic Book Men, and more. Ming sits down on the couch with Dyer Oxley during Washington Summer Con to discuss his unique resume ... and just about everything else. Like, do you have a favorite sparkling water? Ming does. So does Dyer. And by the way, this podcast episode is brought to you by Rose City Comic Con's Drink and Draw after party, presented by Dark Horse Comics. Grab your tickets now. Comic artists will draw alongside you as you settle in for a night of hilarity and artistry. There will be prizes. And it's all for a good cause - The Hero Initiative. NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots. Support the show

What would Jim Starlin, creator of Shang-Chi, say about where this character could be headed on screen? We ask him in an exclusive interview. Also featuring collaborator Jaime Jameson to talk Dreadstar and more.  Our Shang-Chi discussion continues with Joel the Geek and NW NERD’s Nina to cover our reviews of the film, as well as (spoiler alert) speculation on where Marvel could be aiming its films now that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has been released.Support the show

Chanel Johnson just wanted a perfect wedding. For her (and husband Bil) that meant a Harry Potter / Viking themed event. Chanel tells the story of her geek wedding. Also, Victoria Rudolph with Simply Nerdy Events provides some insights into wedding planning, especially for those who really want to include their pop culture passions. And joining this special wedding episode is Nina, the girl who Dyer somehow convinced to marry him. They have their own experience to relate, which includes planning, and eloping ... and a Superman shirt. Support the show

This episode is for all the geek senses – tastes and smells, etc. Michel Paves used her creativity during the pandemic to develop scent profiles for her favorite fandoms and characters, from Wolverine to Falkor the luck dragon. That evolved into Nerdwax Candles which can be found online and perhaps at a farmer's market near you. She talks with NW NERD about some candle projects in the works.  Also, NW NERD recently won an award from the Society of Professional Journalists for a version of a story he did on Friday Elliott with Friday Afternoon Tea. That story was first published on NW NERD. We're playing a segment from that story. Friday showed how she uses her unique form of synesthesia to develop flavor profiles by listening to NW NERD episodes and designing a tea flavor for the podcast. Joining this episode to talk through it all is Egypt from the Comic Dads along with Nessa (Comic Mom). Both have bartending experience, so we're throwing some characters at these comic parents to see what drink they would serve them. All that and a few special announcements. Support the show

You can still play The Oregon Trail on Apple Arcade, but the modern version of this iconic educational game has gotten an upgrade as part of an effort to more accurately depict the times, and the people along the trail – Native Americans in particular.  This story comes to us from reporter Anna King who first reported this story for Northwest News Network. You can read and hear her story here. Music in this episode was by Kevin MacLeod. NW NERD's theme music is by The Hoot Hoots. Support the show

An encore presentation of NW NERD's feature story on the Oregon Trail video game that was the highlight of many young students' school day in the 1980s and 1990s. NW NERD talks with Don Rawitsch, the creator of the educational video game,. It was a rocky road over many years before The Oregon Trail was a pop culture icon. Ensign Brandon Haddix and Pop Culture Journalist Dyer Oxley go over their own experiences with the game, and Dyer even pops a quiz on Brandon. Support the show

What is the connection between Star Trek and journalism?NW NERD presents a special roundtable discussion with three award-winning journalists who happen to be major Star Trek fans. Essex Porter, Heather Bosch, and Jeff Pohjola join Dyer for a chat about their love of Star Trek, and how it can relate to their industry. Support the show

When the pandemic first struck in 2020, Funko was already in a bit of a funk. But the company, and its fans, learned to adapt over a rocky year. This is the story of how Funko (and its fans, and retail shops) faced the pandemic. What it learned and how it adapted may change things for this Northwest-based fandom company. Also featuring Pixie Bomber Cosplay. This feature references reporting from The Seattle Times, GeekWire, and CNBC.Support the show

Former Seahawk Cassius Marsh (currently Pittsburgh Steelers) has long dreamed of owning a store focused on Magic: The Gathering and other collectable cards. He has now achieved that dream with Cash Cards Unlimited, further aiming to provide a new experience for card collectors. It turns out, this is not Cassius' only nerd niche ... and he may have even more ambitions to pursue. He talks about it all with NW NERD. Also – can Spokane be Washington's film town? We talk through why filmmakers praise the area for making movies, yet they shy away from the Evergreen state. Finally, Dyer offers his review of Zack Snyder's Justice League. He has been harsh on Snyder movies in the past. Will this film finally change his tune? Joining this episode as co-host is That Guy Named John with About to Review, offering his cinephile expertise on the Northwest film scene. Theme music by The Hoot HootsMusic in this episode: "Newer Wave" by Kevin MacLeodSupport the show

Jim Demonakos (Emerald City Comic Con, LightBox Expo, Comic Stop) has a new project – a documentary on Hellboy creator Mike Mignola. Thanks so a very successful Kickstarter campaign, the documentary has more than enough funding to be completed. Jim joins pop culture journalist Dyer Oxley to discuss the project, as well as talk about the career of an "entreprenerd."Also, Joel the Geek co-hosts to discuss what to watch over the next couple months. There's plenty of shows and movies coming to a streaming service near you ... like really near you ... your living room because that is where we watch things these days. Joel and Dyer have a few recommendations. Finally, Avatar is the world's highest earning film in history, again. It's still a terrible film. But it's made a lot of money. So they're making four sequels that you can look forward to starting this year. Support the show

The pandemic and 2020 shocked the pop culture convention industry that gives us comicons and other coveted gatherings. NW NERD brings in Todd Jones (former Global Director of Content and Celebrity Talent for ReedPOP) to help explain what has gone on behind the scenes, and what comicons will likely look like moving forward.Also, Dr. Tim Elam with the University of Washington's Applied Physics Lab discusses how his work is helping NASA search for ancient life on Mars. That work is happening right now!And Netflix just released demographic data about its own content and company. The numbers show that the streaming company has some work to do. Cosplayer and artist RainyRentyn joins Dyer this episode to talk through it all. Also: Want to submit your own recording to introduce NW NERD? Just like Renee aka Pixie Bomber did for this episode? We'd love to include you. Email nwnerdpodcast@gmail.com for details. Support the show

On the first episode of Season 5, we meet a new superhero on the streets of Seattle, and she has a pretty cool car, too. Meet Captain Quidel, who arrived in time for the pandemic. Also... Catching up with Jedi Minister Tyler Arnold on the changes to Spokane's Jedi Alliance church.  A discussion on pop culture conventions as we look ahead in 2021. Will you attend any comicons over the coming months? Finally, Dyer provides an update about Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon, and developments that occurred since NW NERD's feature story on his fan meet ups / bowling tour.  And also a few announcements. Support the show

We've left one year behind, and are embarking on another. There are a few headlines that may affect our relationship to pop culture in the months ahead. Plus, the Northwest has a couple connections to a coming mission to the moon that will make history. To get into the details, we talk with Northwest News Network's Tom Banse about one booming corner of the film industry (despite, and because of the pandemic), as well as NASA's Steven Smith about news around the developing Artemis missions.Joining this episode are special guests People's Critic Tim Hall (also with Made in the 80s podcast) and Pixie Bomber cosplay.  Film industry booming in Hollywood NorthTwo notable astronauts part of Artemis teamSupport the show

The annual Festivus special carries a bit of a curse on NW NERD. Audio gets glitchy, Dyer's soundboard doesn't work, or the Monorail keeps interrupting. And this year's Festivus recording is on par with all that ... and 2020 in general. Yeah, we'll blame it on 2020. Despite some recording snafus, we had a great time with Egypt with the Comic Dads and cosplayer RainyRentyn who joined us for the airing of grievances, and some feats of strength. It's time for a Festivus for the rest of us!Support the show

Featuring: Tae Phoenix with Trek the VoteTalk show hosts Dave Ross and Michael MedvedMellina White, co-founder of The Seattle ConservativeEgypt with The Comic DadsWarning: Some may disagree with parts of the discussion ... and that's OK. "Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis, the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe."A little honesty -- this is not the usual NW NERD Podcast episode. While it's not the focus, the discussion in this episode deals with politics and other points of disagreement. There are a range of guests in this episode, and none of them align. People are going to speak their minds, and express opinions. But to be clear, that is not what this episode is about. It's about all of us. It's hard not to notice the division and the toxic nature of many interactions these days, from social media to real life. Disagreeing usually devolves into demonizing. We're going to talk with people who say otherwise. And we're going to pull in some pop culture lessons to remind us how to rise above division, disagree without demonizing, and how we can all be civil ... if we choose. Support the show