Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Calloway.
Hi Brandon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been passionate about anime since I was around 10 years old. For me, it was more than just entertainment — it was an escape. Growing up in a tough environment, anime offered a different kind of world, one where struggle could lead to strength, and even the most unlikely heroes could rise. That energy, that storytelling, really stuck with me. It shaped the way I saw possibility, creativity, and hope.
In 2020, I finally took the leap and started writing my first comic. I had this deep desire to see more Black representation in the kinds of stories I grew up loving. That’s what led to the birth of Blerd Comics — a space where we create manga that centers Black and Brown characters in powerful, imaginative narratives. Our stories are authentic, adventurous, and unapologetically fun.
At its core, Blerd Comics is about reclaiming space in a genre we’ve always loved but rarely seen ourselves in. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come — not just in the books we’ve published, but in the community we’re building around them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not — it’s been anything but a smooth road. When I started, I didn’t just have to write a story — I had to learn how to build an entire world from scratch. I had to figure out how to develop characters with depth, create engaging story arcs, write in a visual format, name the series, publish it, market it, sell it, distribute it, and then take in feedback to improve.
One of the biggest challenges was finding the right artist. As a writer, you can see the world so clearly in your head, but finding someone who can translate that vision visually — and who understands and respects the cultural weight of what you’re creating — is a real struggle. It took a lot of trial and error, but eventually, I connected with artists who could breathe life into my scripts.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Blerd Comics is a manga studio and publisher dedicated to centering Black voices in stories that feel every bit as epic, emotional, and action-packed as the series many of us grew up loving. While the industry often defaults to 20-page “floppies,” we publish full-length manga volumes so readers can sink into our worlds without interruption. That format lets us deliver rich lore, bigger character arcs, and cinematic pacing—hallmarks that have become our signature.
Our flagship title, The Blerd Files, showcases exactly what we do best: genre-blending adventures where Black and Brown heroes take the lead, whether they’re battling cosmic threats or wrestling with everyday struggles. Because we create in the manga style, each panel carries the kinetic energy and expressive storytelling anime fans crave, but grounded in cultural experiences rarely spotlighted in mainstream comics.
What I’m most proud of is simple: we’re still here, and we’re growing. In an industry that can be brutal for indie publishers, every new volume, every additional reader, and every message from someone who finally “sees themselves” on the page is a win. Our commitment to authentic representation, longer-form storytelling, and relentlessly high production values sets us apart—and it’s what keeps our community coming back for the next chapter.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
All of out stories are created with the goal of being animated and distributed on our own streaming app, Blerd TV.
The Blerd Files is available July 7th on Amazon and Our website is BlerdComics.Com
Pricing:
- Blerd Files – $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Blerdcomics.com
- Instagram: @Blerd_Comic & @Blerd_TV
- Facebook: @Blerd_Comic & @Blerd_TV
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blerdtvOfficial
