Building A Limitless Comic Universe: Founders Christopher Ikpoh & Steffon Thomas on Creative Extreme

·31 min·3 clips

Steffon Thomas transcribed the entire Transformers movie from memory at age 12, sparking his journey into comics.

The episode begins with host Martin Sexton introducing Creative Extreme as an ambitious indie comic company. Founders Christopher Ikpoh and Steffon Thomas join to discuss their creative origins. Thomas recalls being inspired by the 1985 Transformers movie, transcribing it from memory at age 12, and collecting Marvel cards. Ikpoh mentions family movie nights, the X-Men animated series, and a graphic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles novel. They met playing college basketball, where Ikpoh was the superstar and Thomas the third-string point guard. After college, Thomas worked at American Greetings while Ikpoh pursued pre-law, but they reconnected when Ikpoh sent Thomas a 200,000-word manuscript. This led to Project 365 in 2016, where they released one character daily. They commissioned artists, finding that unknown artists gave A+ work while established Marvel/DC artists initially offered C-level work, later improving their offers. The project involved systematic spreadsheet sessions to develop characters. Post-Project 365, they expanded into screenplays, graphic novels, and teleplays, aiming to be the next Marvel/DC. They describe their collaborative dynamic: Thomas provides structure while Ikpoh brings unbridled creativity, though they sometimes butt heads productively. A key example is Ikpoh revising a horror screenplay in real-time based on Thomas's notes. They address misconceptions about indie comics, noting high costs but also emphasizing starting with free platforms like Instagram. Fan engagement happens primarily at conventions, where face-to-face feedback is valuable. When asked about dream collaborators, Ikpoh names Adi Shankar for his work on Castlevania, and Thomas names Ryan Coogler. They conclude by stressing their 'imagination without limitation' motto and swinging for the fences creatively.

As heard by us

Creative Extreme traces how character feedback can shape broader comic worlds.

Creative Extreme's founders frame comic-making as a process of steady expansion, where a single character can open into a wider cast, a fuller world, and a clearer emotional shape.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want to hear how Creative Extreme turns stray ideas, fan reactions, and one supposed filler character into a bigger creative map.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from GEEK VIBES NATION