Nerd Nation is a Comic News Podcast out of South Florida. I was fortunate to talk with Gene Hoyle about his Podcast, and he was kind enough to take some time and answer my questions.
Andra Walt: How long have you been a comic fan?
Gene Holye: I have been a comic fan as long as I can remember. When I became an avid comics reader is an event that shaped my whole life. I was a struggling reader. I was in first grade and way behind. My teacher saw my desire to learn but the difficulties that I faced. She gave me a copy of Superman #176. It was a goofy silver age story with Curt Swan art. The book made me want to learn how to read. I did, and now I read anything and everything from biographies to comics. It is a belief of mine that kids need to have access to comics at a young 
age, and make it a personal mission to make this happen as much as possible.
AW: Do you remember the first comic you bought?
GH: The first Comic that I bought for myself is not something I remember. What I do recall is that in 3rd grade, my class was taking a field trip to a place called Museum Village. My mom gave me 20 dollars for lunch and souvenirs. I walked to school, and on the way was a tobacco/convenience store that was my source for comics. I spent the money on every book on the spinner rack. This was when books cost 30-35 cents each. No one ever found out. I was very hungry but happy.
AW: When did you decide to begin podcasting, and what was the motivation behind this?
GH: I have always wanted to be involved in comics in some way. I did not have artistic ability and did not trust my writing skills. Podcasting seemed like a way to be part of the industry that I loved, a way to contribute. Before Nerd Nation, I co hosted a Star Trek and Sci Fi themed podcast. Wanting to reach a larger segment of fandom led me to start the podcast that I do today.
AW: How do people get chosen to be a guest on your show?
GH: I try and get folks from all parts of comics, TV/film and books on. The real honest answer here is that I put on those that say yes! Podcasting has yet to be recognized as true journalism, and that can be a challenge. If I ask 20 people, 3 may say yes. I have been impressed with the caliber of guest that we have had, from Babylon 5′s Claudia Christian to comics writer Peter David. I also try and promote Indy comics as much as possible. We have a great relationship with Cosmic Times publisher, Martin Pierro and he is on the show often.
AW: I heard that you are going to have a Nerd Nation panel at Megacon. Can you tell us something about that?
GH: The panel is a chance for Nerd Nation to spotlight the up and coming artists of the convention. I love Megacon, and artists alley is a must visit every year. My feeling was that there are many fans who may attend a panel like this to learn about breaking in themselves and just getting face time with the Indy guys would be a plus for them. This is also going to be an interactive panel, with trivia, giveaways and just a panel like you have never seen. It is Saturday at 6:30 pm to 8:30 in hall 221C.
AW: I saw on Facebook that one of the co-anchors on your show was leaving. Is there a back story to this, and can you tell us about that?
GH: Josh was the co host of Nerd Nation from the start. I approached him to take the position when I found him on the Megacon Facebook page last year. I could not have gotten this far without him, and his wit and drive will be missed. However, he and I wanted different things from a podcast.
My goal has always been a show about the Comics, etc. and the fans. Josh had other more adult oriented goals as a host, and we decided that what we had was 2 shows stuffed into one. I hope that he does well in his future endeavors, and look forward to listening to whatever he does.
AW: Do you follow other podcasts and, if so, what are some of your favorites?
GH: I do try and listen to podcasts whenever I can. I enjoy a podcast that goes issue by issue into the Golden age Superman issues http://goldenagesuperman.libsyn.com/. The Comic Geek Speak podcast did a wonderful series called The Crisis Tapes that I listened to. Luis Amado does a fun show called the Pow Wow Show that I enjoy. Also, Uncanny X cast….too many to name.
AW: How do you think digital publishing will affect the comic community? Good or bad?
GH: Digital is another way to get comics out there. That is always a good thing. Print comics that also go digital may one day take a bigger part of the marketplace, but I do not believe at all that it will go the same route as music and cripple the local comic shops. The profit point is not where it needs to be, and to be honest, if comics go all digital, too much else is lost. Comic stores go away. San Diego Comic Con would go away. Too much depends on print.
Another aspect of digital that helps the industry is Indy comic guys doing books online to get their work out there. Mike wagganer puts out his comic one page at a time here- http://www.mikewagganer.com/tag/deep-space-tragedy/ . Ed Siemienkowiczdoes an amazing book called Chrome and Dust here http://9mmstudio.com/comics/comicspage/comicspage.htm.
AW: Will you have a table at Megacon where people can meet you?
GH: The panel is the best place to see us. We do not have a table, but Nerd Nation Ambassadors will be roaming the con with giveaways and flyers all weekend. If you see us, say hi!!!
AW: Will you be doing interviews from the floor, or just speaking with people in the industry to get guests for your show?
GH: We have found that live shows at cons are problematic due to background noise. I am hoping to get a few sound bites though, and we will be broadcasting from somewhere that weekend as the last day of Megacon marks Nerd Nations first anniversary. Networking is the main plan though. I want to secure a ton of interviews for the coming year.
AW: How do you think the Indy market is competing with the big boys (DC & Marvel)?
GH: The Indy market is doing better overall than ever before. Image always amazes me. They have finally become the company that they set out to be many years ago. Archie is actually insane this year! The Indy market is strong, and books like Images’ ‘The Strange Talent Of Luther Strode’, and the continued success of ‘Walking Dead’ show that the market is wide open.
AW: Are you keeping up with the books in the DC reboot? Which ones are your favorites?
GH: I am still reading all 52, though that must change soon if I am to continue to eat. ‘Action Comics’, ‘Swamp Thing’ and ‘Firestorm’ are my favorites. ‘Green Lantern’ and all of the spinoffs are great, and I am thrilled to be a fan at a time that four GL books are being published at once.
AW: Who is your favorite Comic Hero, and why?
GH: Spider Man and Hal Jordan are the characters that I have always been especially fond of.
Spider man because Peter reminds me of an idealized version of myself. He takes the world on his shoulders, even when he should not. Every once in awhile he just gets fed up and feels that he cannot continue, yet every time he finds the inner strength to go on. I admire that.
Hal is a great character in that he is a version of me that I grew out of. The reckless guy who will jump into a fire without checking the charge on his ring. He is all impulse, yet always does the right thing. Hal is the ultimate Bad A$$.
AW: Are there any other conventions that you will be attending in 2012?
GH: Perhaps. A lot of that depends on balancing my day job and family as well as finances. I am much more likely to attend local shows. I have heard good things about Florida Super Con and may check it out this year. I also hope to attend Palm Con 2. That was an amazing small convention.
AW: Where can people find Nerd Nation at Megacon?
GH: Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 we will be in hall 221C doing the panel. NN folk will be all about the con floor reaching out to fans. I hope to spend some time at a few Artist Alley tables meeting new people and keeping in touch with old friends. We will also be stalking Charisma Carpenter until security boots us out (wait, can I say that?) . We can also always be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/nerdnation. I can be personally contacted at genesplice71@yahoo.com.
AW: Do you think Social Networking (Facebook, etc.) helps the comic community, and how (if yes)?
GH: It is a vital part of the community. Fandom and fans need input. They need things to enjoy, and a place to find those things and talk about them. Thanks to social networks like Facebook, I have fellow fans in Australia that I call friends even though we have never met.
There is a great, but very sad story, I tell sometimes when this topic comes up. On a site called trekspace, I started talking to a girl in the UK named Patricia Amber. Pat had many physical issues and was wheelchair bound. Her speech had been affected by many strokes and seizures, and the internet was her only outlet to the outside world. She loved Star Trek more than anything, and her enthusiasm and joy at being able to discuss episodes of “her show” made her so happy. I spoke with her for a few years. Sadly, she passed away and had no family or friends in the real world. The assisted living facility that she lived in helped us set up an online service for her when she died. There were dozens of friends there to send her off to the next world. The internet made this possible.
Fandom is a powerful force, and social networking is our best weapon.
Thank you Gene, and much success on the Podcast!!
Listen to Gene Hoyle’s Nerd Nation Podcast by following this LINK. Call in and be a part of the show!
Also, check out Gene’s Facebook page right HERE to get updates and fun stuff regarding Nerd Nation and Gene himself!
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I enjoyed this interview. I learned of a few more podcasts to listen too. ^_^