
UNCANNY CREATIVES
By Powerhowz Arts & Entertainment
Sometimes undiscovered, often underrated makers of sequential art each week discuss their trials and triumphs as UNCANNY CREATIVES.

UNCANNY CREATIVESMar 15, 2022

Episode 31: Curtis Clow (rhymes with "POW") has mastered crowd-funding his creative work
Comic writer CURTIS CLOW works the crowdfunding scene to the max, acquiring 4000 supporters in the last 4 years through his Kickstarter projects. Listen up, if you want to get your next comic off and running!
Pops, the host of UNCANNY CREATIVES podcast, has been collecting, selling, and loving comics for over 40 years. When you see him ask him about his Comic on Campus venture.

Episode 30: Director, tattoo artist and, now, graphic novelist JAMES SPOONER discusses his latest creative offering, THE HIGH DESERT.
James Spooner's debut graphic novel, THE HIGH DESERT, chronicles his early years and his connection to punk music. He took some time out of his busy touring schedule to chat with Pops about how people of color fit (or didn't fit) into the American punk scene.
Pops of Powerhowz Distributing has been helping small press and indie comic creators get their work onto more shelves since 2019. Contact him via email pops@powerhowzdistro.com to schedule your interview.
Listener Advisory: The interview includes at least one mention of a derogatory term some may find offensive. Please note the word was used within the context of Mr. Spooner's story. It was not meant to insult nor offend the interviewer nor his audience.

Episode 29: Rico Thompson of Reflection Comics has a new comic shop in Punta Gorda, Florida!
Southwest Florida has a new comic shop, REFLECTION COMICS. Store owner, Rico Thompson, took some time out of his busy day to tell us how he got started in comics and how The Dark Knight Returns changed his life.
Pops of Powerhowz Distributing has been helping small press and indie comic creators get their work onto more shelves since 2019. Contact him via email pops@powerhowzdistro.com to schedule your interview.

Episode 28: Comic writer Justin Bartz tried and tried again to bring us Project Shadow Breed
After several attempts with publishers, Justin Bartz and Amazing Action Comics are finding their stride with their main title, PROJECT SHADOW BREED. In our recent conversation, we discuss the writing process and how this indie comic creator got his comics into the hands of retailers.
Since 2019, Powerhowz Distributing has been helping indie comic creators and small press publishers get their work into shops worldwide. Contact Pops about joining our network of comic professionals.

Episode 27: Matthew Bogart and Jesse Holden create INCREDIBLE DOOM, a graphic novel about the simpler early days of the internet
Co-creators Matthew Bogart and Jesse Holden made INCREDIBLE DOOM as a labor of graphic novel splendor; this conversation details how it started and how it's going now.
Powerhowz Distributing is building a decidedly independent comic distribution network of creators, publishers, and retailers. Join the movement pops@powerhowzdistro.com

Episode 26: Jeff McClelland and Jeff McComsey collaborate on HONCHO and detail the comic writing process
In this episode, Pops talks with two small press comic creators, Jeff McClelland and Jeff McComsey, about writing, drawing and publishing indie comics. It's easy to follow along; just be patient.
Powerhowz Distributing is determined to help indie comic creators get their books onto more shelves. Contact me for your own strategic marketing gameplan.

Episode 25: OLD SCHOOL Part 2 - Comic book artist and graphic novelist Bob Fingerman is also my ex-classmate from HS of Art & Design
Second part of a mostly-unrelated interview with BOB FINGERMAN who started creating comics about 40 years ago. He chats with Pops about the early years, Mad Magazine, and how different it is to write a novel vs. a comic book story.

Episode 24: OLD SCHOOL - Part One featuring Illustrator Danny Hellman
It's been 40 years since we graduated from NYC's High School of Art and Design so Danny Hellman and Pops get caught up in the latest in art, comics, and the group-thinking mess creative world has become. First of at least two interviews with my ex-classmates.
Powerhowz Distributing helps small press and indie artists get their work onto more store shelves through social media and subtle hints.

Episode 23: Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos works well with nudges from those who encourage her writing
Stephanie Pitsirilos is a comic/zine creator AND a public health advocate AND not-librarian? The NuyoGreekan author speaks about her work and its diverse origins.
Roland "Pops" Edwards is a new indie comic distributor, as Powerhowz Distributing, and seeks out the eclectic and spectacular work of alternative comics and graphic novel creators and connect them to the stores who support this growing body of work.

Episode 22: Telling a different story with Fobbs the Chairman
Independent comic writer Fobbs the Chairman enlightens Pops during their discussion about how different voices are heard within the comic business.
Roland "Pops" Edwards Jr. distributes indie comics through Powerhowz Distributing and hosts this podcast, for which he will create a site soon.

Episode 21: Skateboarding zinester Benji Osias likes his bourbon and publishes FILTHY DITCH CREW ZINE
Filthy Ditch Zine is for the skateboarding lover in you. Or near you. Its publisher, Benji Osias, chats with Pops about the culture and fame of the sport and where his quarterly publication fits in the grander scheme.
Roland "Pops" Edwards Jr. distributes indie comics through Powerhowz Distributing and hosts this podcast, for which he will create a site soon.

Episode 20: UK writer/artist/cosplayer Katherine Hemmings talks about her life as a redhead in BEING GINGER
Meet Katherine Hemmings, an English redheaded cosplayer who wrote BEING GINGER, a series of diary comics.
Powerhowz Distributing offers new options for independent artists and small press to reach their fans and retailers through contextual creative social media marketing.
Contact: pops@powerhowzdistro.com for more info.

Episode 19: Carlos Reyes and the thing about cats in comics.
Independent comic writer Carlos Reyes has more than a few stories that "started as an inside joke." Listen to this episode to hear the punchline.
Roland "Pops" Edwards, Jr. is an independent comic distributor, eBay retailer, and host of UNCANNY CREATIVES podcast.

Episode 18: Tina Fine is an economist by day and the creator of OFF GIRL, a comic for mature readers
This episode contains subject matter for mature audiences. Listener discretion is advised.
Meet Julia Davenport, Off Girl, a young lady who is "inhabited by an alien demon" who kills anyone Julia touches when she has an orgasm. Listen to Tina Fine, the title's writer, explain how this 18+ comic came to life.
Powerhowz Distributing offers new options for independent artists and small press to reach their fans and retailers through contextual creative social media marketing. Email pops@powerhowzdistro.com for more info.

Episode 17: Kayden Phoenix and her Latina Superheroes
Introducing A La Brava, Kayden Phoenix's team of Latina Superheroes, encouraging and empowering a new generation of comic readers.
Powerhowz Distributing offers new options for independent artists and small press to reach their fans and retailers through contextual creative social media marketing. Email pops@powerhowzdistro.com for more info.

Episode 16: The Wonder of Barbara "Willy" Mendes
Muralist and indie comic creator and editor, BARBARA "WILLY" MENDES has a few tales to tell about alternative comics, comic conventions, and how music influences her art.
Powerhowz Distributing offers new options for independent artists and small press to reach their fans and retailers through contextual creative social media marketing. Email pops@powerhowzdistro.com for more info.

Episode 15: What happens when we mix COMICS AND TONICS? New publishers and cocktail craftsmen, Andrew Venegas and Alex Sewell, give us the 411 on their comic recipe book. 18+
The creators of COMICS AND TONICS (the novelty cocktail recipe book in a comic format) chat with Pops about reaching all those people who spent many days in 2020 drinking.
Powerhowz Distributing offers new options for independent artists and small press to reach their fans and retailers through contextual creative social media marketing. Email pops@powerhowzdistro.com for more info.

Episode 14: Comic book writer David Pepose gives me a recipe for success (in pizza making?)
Former news reporter David Pepose works and lives in LA. Listen in as he tells me how he got his comic Spenser & Locke optioned and why it's important to finish (sensing a theme here?).
Pops (Roland Edwards Jr.) runs Powerhowz Distributing, FanboyFrantics and Uncanny Creatives studio where this podcast is recorded in Pennsylvania.

Episode 13: Illustrator David Hollenbach shares how he and writer Christopher Charlton created BLACK OF HEART, a horror mini-series
Follow along the story of David Hollenabch an illustrator who in 2013 with Chris Carlton published BLACK OF HEART which was recently reissued by Source Point Press.
Podcast host Roland Edwards Jr. had a comic book delivery service (COMIC COURIER - the "Uber" for comics) in the mid-1990's. Today, he splits his time between indie comic distribution through Powerhowz Distributing, this podcast and building an elite team of media content creators who help promote artists.

Episode 12: Megan Cosman, former drag-racing Girl Scout, knows how to market indie comics!
When she worked at Diamond Comic Distributors Megan Cosman helped many indie comic publishers market their titles to retailers. Now, as a freelancer, she is showing those publishers the world of promotion beyond the catalog.
Roland "Pops" Edwards is a new indie comic distributor, seeking the weird, eclectic, and spectacular work of alternative comic and graphic novel creators and the stores who support this growing body of work. During the 2020 pandemic he started this podcast and an art studio with the same name. Find out more here.

Episode 11: Sean Fitzgibbon wrote a graphic novel about a spooky hotel
Indie comic artist Sean Fitzgibbon explores unusual, real places and events through his work. He's looking for a publisher for his new graphic novel about the Crescent Hotel, a haunted landmark in Eureka Springs, AR.
Roland Edwards Jr. runs Powerhowz Distributing, an indie comic distro seeking to help artists and small press get their work onto store shelves. This podcast is made possible by him.

Episode 10: Tim Fielder, the author of INFINITUM, tells us how important it is to finish
Tim Fielder of Dieselfunk Studios is an Illustrator, concept designer, cartoonist, and animator. His most recent graphic novel, INFINITUM, is "grounded in cause and consequence."
Roland "Pops" Edwards Jr. runs Powerhowz Distributing, a company focused on promoting independent comics offered through small publishers and unsigned creators. This podcast serves as one of his platforms for helping bring awareness to those books and hopefully get them onto store shelves.

Episode 9 : Live from Arkansas, Eldon Cowgur talks about his comic, ASTRAY3
Eldon Cowgur is the author and illustrator of ASTRAY3, his self-published fantasy graphic novel.
Roland "Pops" Edwards is an independent comic distributor, Powerhowz Distributing, seeking the weird, eclectic, and spectacular work of alternative comics and graphic novel creators and the stores who support this growing body of work.

Episode 8: Dan Mazur speaks about his silent graphic novel LUNATIC
Recorded the day after Christmas 2020, screenwriter/comic artist DAN MAZUR relays the story behind his newest graphic novel, LUNATIC, his early days in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and his connection with Leonard Nimoy.
Your host, Roland "Pops" Edwards, is an independent comic book distributor for indie artists, retailers, and small press publishers. #readmorecomics Find out more at www.powerhowzdistro.com

Episode 7: Monarch Comics and the Saga of Evil Monkey Man
It started with a song.
Meet Vin Ferrante and Blake Seals of Monarch Comics, publisher of WITCH HUNTER, THE LAST and THE SAGA OF THE EVIL MONKEY MAN. They'll talk about their connection to Ross Andru and how a song became a comic book. www.monarchcomics.com
Roland "Pops" Edwards is a new indie comic distributor, seeking the weird, eclectic, and spectacular work of alternative comic and graphic novel creators and the stores who support this growing body of work. Find out more www.powerhowzdistributing.com

Episode 6: Joe Ryan works hard at his craft and collects Transformers
Joe Ryan, independent comic artist, is working and networking his way into the comic business. Listen to what this Port Jervis NY native has going on in the Covid Age.

Episode 5: Fernando Pinto is an indie comic writer from Chile who does some stand-up comedy
During the tumultuous year 2020, comic writer Fernando Pinto and publisher 215ink reissued WARPED! The Adventures of Sandy and Angus. In this episode, Fernando talks about his studies at the Kubert School, his music career, and his love for chicken burritos.
Your host, Roland "Pops" Edwards, is building an independent comic book distribution network of artists, retailers, and publishers. #readmorecomics Find out more at www.powerhowzdistro.com

Episode 4: Playwright and author of 4 Spawn issues Tom Leveen likes his steak medium well.
Tom Leveen is an author who helps other authors understand the nuances of getting published. I heard him on a YouTube talk show and found out he is one of a few writers who have co-written Todd McFarlane's SPAWN. Listen in to his insights on book publishing, agents, and how he got that sweet gig on the longest-running creator-owned comic.
Your host, Roland "Pops" Edwards, is building an independent comic book distribution network of artists, retailers, and publishers. #readmorecomics Find out more at www.powerhowzdistro.com

Episode 3: Donna Barr is an independent artist and says she was born a sergeant
Donna Barr is the creator of Desert Peach, Stinz, and most recently, Mary Mary.
Roland "Pops" Edwards is the owner of a new indie comic distributor, Powerhowz Distributing, seeking the weird, eclectic, and spectacular work of alternative comics and graphic novel creators and the stores who support this growing body of work.

Episode 2: Tyler Wentland draws and has an appetite for pizza!
Tyler Wentland is the author and illustrator for Alterna's RED KOI, a samurai-fantasy creature tale.
Roland "Pops" Edwards is a new indie comic distributor, Powerhowz Distributing, seeking the weird, eclectic, and spectacular work of alternative comics and graphic novel creators and the stores who support this growing body of work.

Episode 1: Ramel Hill writes, draws, and likes a GOOD burger!
Ramel Hill is the author and illustrator for the crowd-funded self-published comic series, PINKWING AND THE PRIME-CONTROLLER, and the newest mini-series from Blackbox Comics, BIGS AND TINY, dubbedas "the Odd Couple..but with Superpowers" by Dylan Abuel of The Comic Lounge.
Roland "Pops" Edwards is a new indie comic distributor, seeking the weird, eclectic, and spectacular work of alternative comic and graphic novel creators and the stores who support this growing body of work. Find out more www.powerhowzdistributing.com