Comic creator Tommy Huls joins The Chairman on the United States Department of Nerds Podcast to discuss Kingsville, World at War Comics, independent comics, creator-owned publishing, and crowdfunding. Tommy Huls has spent years interviewing comic creators through World at War Comics. Now, the interviewer becomes the interviewee as Tommy takes us inside the creation and evolution of Kingsville. Kingsville is a superhero comic built around global power, political conflict, and Sycodone, a rare resource capable of making superhuman abilities possible. As the Alliance for Global Safety grows in influence, the small nation of Kingsville controls the resource everyone wants. What begins as cooperation becomes a struggle over power, security, sovereignty, and control. Tommy takes us inside the creation and evolution of Kingsville, Rodrigo's moral conflict within AGS, lessons learned producing his own comic book, and why Kingsville Issue #1 entered a new stage with Critical Entertainment. We also turn the microphone around on one of indie comics' most prolific interviewers. Through World at War Comics, Tommy has spent hundreds of episodes speaking with independent comic creators, writers, artists, publishers, industry veterans, and some of the biggest names in comics. We discuss what those conversations taught him about building something that lasts and how becoming a comic creator changed the way he interviews other creators. The conversation also explores the realities facing independent comics, including crowdfunding, comic book distribution, reaching new readers, working with comic shops, and why great creator-owned comics can still struggle to find an audience. At the time of this interview, Kingsville Issue #1 was in the final stretch of its Kickstarter campaign. That campaign has now concluded, but the conversation provides an inside look at the artwork, covers, rewards, crowdfunding strategy, and what reader support could make possible for the future of the series. The interviewer became the creator. Now the microphone turns around. Topics Covered • The creation and evolution of Kingsville • Tommy Huls and World at War Comics • The origins of Sycodone and the Alliance for Global Safety • Rodrigo and the moral conflict inside AGS • Creating and publishing independent comics • Comic book lettering and production • Crowdfunding and Kickstarter comics • Kingsville Issue #1 and its Kickstarter campaign • Kingsville and Critical Entertainment • Lessons from hundreds of comic creator interviews • Becoming a comic creator after years as an interviewer • Building relationships in the comic book industry • Reaching readers with independent comics • Comic shops and comic book distribution • Creator-owned comics and independent publishing • The future of Kingsville Follow World at War Comics 🌎 https://linktr.ee/Worldatwarcomics The Kingsville Issue #1 Kickstarter discussed during this interview has concluded. Follow the United States Department of NerdsKeep up with USDN interviews, indie comic coverage, new episodes, convention coverage, and everything happening before the Council: https://linktr.ee/usdnpodcast 📧 Business & Media Inquiries: thechairman@usdnpodcast.com Protect Your Collection with BCW Supplies Need bags, boards, boxes, storage, or other supplies for your comic collection? Support USDN while protecting your collection through our direct BCW affiliate link: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdn Use code USDN at checkout to SAVE 10%. Affiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you. About the USDN Podcast The United States Department of Nerds Podcast puts independent creators where they belong, at the center of the conversation. Creator-owned comics. Independent publishing. Crowdfunding. Behind-the-scenes stories from the people actually making the books. The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life
