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Geek Freaks Interviews

Geek Freaks Interviews

By: Geek Freaks
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 Join Frank of Geek Freaks as he talks with creators of all kinds about their craft and motivation. Hear from comic creators, directors, actors, podcasters, game developers, and more!Geek Freaks Art
Episodes
  • From Punk Art to Cosmic Horror: The Creative World of Dan Henk

    From Punk Art to Cosmic Horror: The Creative World of Dan Henk
    Jun 26 2025
    In this episode of Geek Freaks Interviews, Frank sits down with the multifaceted Dan Henk—an artist, dark fiction writer, and tattoo veteran—to explore a career built on punk rock attitude, bold art, and haunting stories. Dan walks us through his journey from satirical magazine art to becoming a staple in the tattoo and indie horror scenes. He discusses how personal tragedy and health battles shaped his storytelling and gives us a preview of his upcoming anthology The Joke is on Mankind. Along the way, he shares what it takes to blend visual art and fiction, how community plays a role in independent publishing, and what his future book plans involve—including alien invasions and guerrilla warfare inspired by his military father.Timestamps and Topics:00:00 Introduction to Dan Henk00:36 Dan’s daily creative routine01:13 Early work in punk magazines and political cartoons02:54 Transition to book covers and comics04:04 Tattoo career and NYC hustle05:08 Surviving personal loss and illness05:32 Shift toward dark fiction and The Black Seas of Infinity07:28 Artistic influences and the power of story08:53 How art inspires writing (and vice versa)10:01 How personal trauma shaped Dan’s writing urgency11:13 Preview of new anthology The Joke is on Mankind13:18 On curating diverse voices in indie horror14:38 Dan’s podcast and building a creative network15:43 Newsletter and staying connected with fans16:39 Future writing plans: Alien invasions and father-son dynamicsKey Takeaways:Dan Henk is an artist who channels his life experiences—punk roots, personal loss, and visual storytelling—into dark, compelling fiction.His creative process intertwines art and writing, often one inspiring the other.His new anthology The Joke is on Mankind draws influence from The Outer Limits and Lovecraftian horror with a focus on story over shock.Dan curates a balanced mix of indie and mainstream voices, creating space for underrepresented yet talented creators.He emphasizes authenticity over trend, aiming for lasting impact with each project.Future projects explore themes of societal collapse and alien invasions, merging real-world military insight with speculative fiction.Quotes:"I don’t care what genre it is—as long as it tells a strong story.""After Monica passed, I realized—I need to get these stories out now.""Art inspires my writing and writing brings new life to my art. They feed each other constantly.""You can talk about an idea forever, but at some point, you just have to make it real."Call to Action:If you enjoyed this conversation with Dan Henk, don’t forget to subscribe to Geek Freaks Interviews on your favorite podcast app. Leave us a review and share this episode with your fellow horror fans and creatives using the hashtag #GeekFreaksInterviews. For all updates and episode archives, head to GeekFreaksPodcast.com.Links and Resources:Dan Henk’s website and newsletter: danhenk.comPreorder The Joke is on Mankind (releasing late June)Podcast news source: GeekFreaksPodcast.comFollow Us:Instagram: @geekfreakspodcastTwitter: @geekfreakspodThreads: @geekfreakspodcastFacebook: Geek Freaks PodcastPatreon: Geek Freaks PatreonListener Questions:Have a question for our next guest or want to suggest someone to be interviewed? Message us on social or visit our site to drop us a line!Apple Podcast Tags:Dan Henk, tattoo artist, horror fiction, indie publishing, punk art, dark fiction, cosmic horror, art and writing, creative process, Geek Freaks Interviews
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    19 mins
  • Twisted Holidays and Galactic Chaos: Inside the Wild Worlds of Scott Wilke

    Twisted Holidays and Galactic Chaos: Inside the Wild Worlds of Scott Wilke
    Jun 12 2025
    In this episode of Geek Freaks, Frank sits down once again with comic writer Scott Wilke to talk about his latest installment in the Periwinkle Saga—Frost. Scott reveals the dark holiday-themed universe he's building with gritty one-shots like Cupid and Frost, blending inspiration from John Wick, Pulp Fiction, and classic holiday lore. He also shares what’s coming next in the saga (O’Hare), explores the storytelling challenges of single-issue comics, and teases other upcoming Bad Bug projects including Junk World, Murder Mary, and Xeno Geist. This one’s a must-listen for indie comic fans and anyone who loves morally complex heroes.Timestamps and Topics:00:00 Introduction and Scott’s return00:29 The origin and tone of Frost01:34 John Wick vibes and Arturo Meza’s vital role02:16 Expansion plans for the Periwinkle universe03:35 The mob power vacuum behind the Periwinkle stories04:07 Why holiday mythology makes a great sandbox05:13 Morally gray characters and relatability06:52 The human side of Jack Frost and father-son dynamics08:09 How Scott collaborates with artist Arturo09:43 Trusting the artist to elevate the vision12:09 Writing method and storyboarding for comics13:35 Film influences in structure and tone15:28 Why Periwinkle is still a must-read16:07 Preview of upcoming titles: Junk World, Murder Mary, Xeno Geist20:07 New artistic collaborations and creative challenges22:04 Where to follow Scott online23:10 Kickstarter's evolving role in indie comics25:10 Passion over profit and creative freedom25:47 If Scott could write for the Big Two: Superman or Punisher?27:34 Final thoughts and where to start in the Periwinkle SagaKey Takeaways:Frost is a gritty, John Wick-style one-shot starring Jack Frost as a hitman in a mythological mob war.The Periwinkle Saga is building toward crossover stories, but each one-shot can be enjoyed on its own.Artist Arturo Meza plays a huge role in maintaining the cohesive tone and world-building.Scott uses film structure and storyboard planning to craft compact, character-driven narratives.New titles like Junk World and Murder Mary reflect Scott’s range—from space smuggling to fourth-wall-breaking mayhem.Kickstarter provides unmatched creative freedom and direct reader engagement for indie creators.Despite writing morally gray stories, Scott's dream characters to write include Superman and Punisher.Quotes:🗯️ "Frost is my love letter to John Wick... He’s not just a killer—he’s trying to break free of his father’s shadow."🗯️ "Each one-shot tells its own story, but for those following closely, the saga is building toward something much bigger."🗯️ "Arturo learned English through Tarantino movies—so our comics were always going to be wild."🗯️ "Kickstarter is where indie comics thrive. It’s not about profit—it’s about passion and storytelling."Call to Action:Love comics with a gritty twist and deep mythology? Subscribe to Geek Freaks and don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Share this episode with fellow comic lovers using #GeekFreaksPodcast and let us know which Periwinkle character you want to see return!Links and Resources:🔗 GeekFreaksPodcast.com — Source of all our news and updates📖 Follow Scott on Instagram: @scottwilke24🎯 Back his comics on Kickstarter and find his work via Bad Bug MediaFollow Us:📲 Facebook: facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast📲 Threads: @geekfreakspodcast📲 Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast📲 Twitter: @geekfreakspod📲 Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcastListener Questions:Have a question for Scott or want us to explore a specific indie comic on the next episode? DM us or email through GeekFreaksPodcast.com!Apple Podcast Tags:Scott Wilke, Periwinkle Saga, Frost Comic, Indie Comics, Bad Bug Media, Kickstarter Comics, Comic Book Writer, Comic Book Interview, John Wick Inspired Comics, Holiday Comic Universe, Geek Culture
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    28 mins
  • Comics, Classrooms, and Captain America: Teaching Through Fandom with Mark Domeier

    Comics, Classrooms, and Captain America: Teaching Through Fandom with Mark Domeier
    Jun 5 2025
    In this episode of Geek Freaks Interviews, Frank is joined by Mark Domeier, a passionate middle school English teacher from Minnesota who uses comic books and pop culture to bring reading and writing to life for his students. With a collection of over 14,000 comics, Mark shares how he leverages his love for superheroes and stories like Star Wars, The Outsiders, and even The Mandalorian to make literature relevant and fun. We explore how comic books support reading comprehension, creativity, and engagement, and how fandom can help students find their voice in writing. Whether you're an educator, comic lover, or lifelong geek, this episode is full of inspiration.Timestamps and Topics:00:00 – Intro and welcome00:22 – Mark’s comic collection and using comics in education01:08 – Visual storytelling and reading comprehension02:53 – Mark’s first comic subscription and lifelong love of Spider-Man04:22 – From Marvel to DC: Expanding fandom05:59 – What inspired Mark to become a teacher07:07 – Encouraging reading through comics and creative assignments08:01 – Teaching with Star Wars in the classroom09:57 – Using essays to analyze Star Wars and develop critical thinking11:29 – Comics in lessons: Drawing stories, analyzing narratives13:17 – Creative final projects: Comic books, screenplays, and songs16:08 – Fighting for creativity in the age of AI18:23 – Middle school creativity vs. deeper literary structures21:08 – MCU, Mandalorian, and how current media inspires students23:37 – From the classroom to pop culture essays and fandom discussion25:01 – Connecting WWII and Star Wars in teaching Anne Frank26:32 – Fandoms showing students what makes a good person29:07 – Using sports fandom in class to build engagement30:55 – Funko Pops, Stephen King, and knowing your students33:02 – Meeting students where they are and guiding them forward35:40 – Advice for teachers using fandom in education38:29 – Closing thoughts and gratitudeKey Takeaways:Comics can help students visualize and understand stories, boosting comprehension and engagement.Students are more likely to connect with material when they see their interests and strengths reflected in it.Pop culture like Star Wars and the MCU can be tools for teaching analysis, persuasive writing, and historical parallels.Offering students options in how they express learning—whether through art, comics, or music—promotes creativity.Teachers must adapt to their students’ learning styles and passions, especially in a world increasingly impacted by AI.Fandom isn’t just entertainment—it’s a pathway to deeper learning and connection.Memorable Quotes:“If you read 20 or 25 comic books, that’s the same as reading a novel.”“Every student should read The Outsiders. I’ve taught it almost every year of my career.”“I’m just going to go out kicking and screaming, fighting to make kids be creative.”“I remember being a kid and wishing that I could be bitten by a radioactive spider.”Call to Action:If you loved this episode, subscribe to Geek Freaks Interviews on your favorite podcast app. Leave us a review, share the episode with your fellow educators and comic fans, and tag us with your thoughts using #GeekFreaksPod!Links and Resources:🌐 GeekFreaksPodcast.com — Source for all our news and episodesFollow Us:📱 Facebook: facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast📸 Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast🐦 Twitter: @geekfreakspod💬 Threads: @geekfreakspodcast🎧 Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcastListener Questions:Have a question for Mark or thoughts on using comics in the classroom? Send them our way and we might include them in a future episode!Apple Podcast Tags:comics, education, Star Wars, Marvel, teaching strategies, pop culture in school, middle school reading, student creativity, graphic novels in education, Geek Freaks Interviews
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    41 mins
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