In this episode, we sit down with David Howard, the brilliant mind behind Blood World: Phoenix Throne. We explore the expansive universe of his comic, where humanity's future hangs in the balance, caught between the competing visions of unchecked mutation, genetic engineering, and transhumanism. David dives into the story’s core, drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi and fantasy like Game of Thrones, Dune, and Mass Effect. We also get behind-the-scenes insights into his creative process, character development, and what’s next for Blood World.

Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 - Introduction and welcome
00:14 - David Howard on Blood World: Phoenix Throne and its universe
02:00 - Inspiration from sci-fi classics and modern technology
04:50 - Factions and political tension in Blood World
08:05 - The power struggle in the Ganymede monarchy
11:29 - Themes of sacrifice and societal reflection
15:20 - Building a collaborative vision with artists
19:00 - The pacing and cliffhangers in Blood World
22:48 - How you can get a copy of Blood World: Phoenix Throne

Key Takeaways:

• Blood World: Phoenix Throne explores a far-future where humanity faces critical choices about its evolution—mutation, genetic engineering, or transhumanism.
• The story is deeply inspired by modern sci-fi and classic fantasy, mixing political intrigue with futuristic technology.
• David Howard emphasizes the collaboration process with his artists, which helped bring his vivid world to life.
• Themes of power, tradition, and progress versus preservation resonate throughout the comic, making it a reflection of today's societal struggles.

Quotes:

• "The whole universe is about three competing visions for the future of humanity—mutation, genetic engineering, and transhumanism."
• "For all of our advancements by 2587, we're still fighting about many of the same things—religion, power, food, resources."
• "It’s a collaboration. When I write, I want to give vivid sensory descriptions so that the artist can feel it and bring it to life."

Call to Action:
Loved this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review! Share your favorite moments on social media using the hashtag #GeekFreaksPodcast, and let us know what you’re most excited to see in Blood World.

Links and Resources:

• Stay up to date with all the latest news at GeekFreaksPodcast.com.
• Follow David Howard and his journey in creating Blood World: Phoenix Throne via the links in the description.
• Get your copy of Blood World: Phoenix Throne soon on the M1 Worldcom website!

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Listener Questions:
Have questions for David or topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes? Send them our way, and you might hear them on the next show!

Apple Podcast Tags:
Geek culture, Blood World, Phoenix Throne, David Howard, Sci-fi comics, Transhumanism, Game of Thrones, Dune, Mass Effect, Cyberpunk, Comic books, World-building, Factions, Political intrigue