Nerd Initiative Mission & Values
Nerd Initiative is run by a collective of journalists, editors, and creators with decades of combined experience in entertainment and pop culture.
We are a safe space to discuss, debate, and talk about comics, movies, streaming, TV and more.
With so much toxicity online today, we are a place to create without fear, and with a “Good Vibes Only” culture. We actively encourage constructive discussions, ideas, all voices and points of view.
Nerd Initiative is positive, inclusive, relevant, and thought-provoking. These values are at the core of true fandom.
Michael Rothman
New York
Founder
Michael is an Emmy Award winning entertainment and sports reporter spending over a decade at ABC News & Good Morning America, hosting shows like Inside Marvel! Michael brings his unique vision and passion to supporting the next generation of entertainment reporters helping them to truly “Create without Fear.”
Better known as “SuperheroTok” on TikTok
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Matthew Roth
Virginia
Editor-in-Chief
Editor in Chief by day, daredevil by night . Owner of the green bay packers, lego fiend. Matt hails from Boston by ways of Virginia and dreams of working for Disney or Marvel some day. When he’s not busy writing comic book scripts he’s too afraid to do something with he’s building Legos, buying RSVLTS, or yapping on his podcast, Hops ‘Geek’ News. He’s been coined as emo Jesus due to his undying love of 2000’s emo and ability to break out into song lyrics at any moment. You can find him reviewing comics books, movies, and TV shows on Nerd Initiative.
Half of the geek & beer loving podcast, Hops Geek News.
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Derek Hoskins
Indiana
Executive Producer
Derek is a classically trained singer. However, his claim to fame is that Iron Man was his favorite character before it was cool… “you posers!” Derek can be found at Nerd Initiative reviewing comic books every Wednesday, and making our videos look good.
Also known as “Paperweight Entertainment” online.
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Megan Spangler
West Virginia
Head of Social Media
Megan is the biggest Marvel fan and has a nontoxic Marvel podcast called Vigilante Vibes where she talks about the Marvel Universe! Often deep diving into characters, many fans didn’t even know existed. At Nerd Initiative, she’s a member of the executive team and helps wherever she can to make this the #1 place for pop culture positivity. You can also find her every Wednesday on the website dropping a ton of comic book reviews.
Megan is the owner of the Vigilante Vibes podcast and the Nerd Haven on Facebook.
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Lauren Freeman
Florida
Senior Editor
A late bloomer to the world of nerdom, Lauren fell in love with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in 2000, and never looked back. When not podcasting on ‘Hops GEEK News’ she can be found drinking a bad motivator IPA at Oga’s Cantina in Disney World, or reading comic books on the beach. Her role at Nerd Initiative involves reviewing comic books, TV shows, and novels for the website. You can also catch her on the Nerd Initiative socials dropping Nerd News every Friday.
The other half of the geek & beer loving podcast, Hops Geek News.
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Thomas W. Craig VIII
California
Head of Brand Video/Talent Acquisition
Thomas was raised in Mililani, Hawai‘i — but his true origin story begins with Saturday morning cartoons. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Power Rangers. And most importantly, X-Men: The Animated Series. Even though he holds a commercial pilot’s license and a certified flight instructor rating, it’s stories of mutants and heroes which are the real reason he’s here. Now at Nerd Initiative, he blends his love of pop culture with storytelling, covering comics, TV, Movies, and creator interviews.
You can also find Thomas lifting people up on The Sick Burn Podcast.
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Anthony Ellmer
Arizona
Contributor
Anthony recently joined the exciting world of Cosplaying. When not cosplaying, you can find him reading comics and manga, or watching anime. Both are hobbies he’s had since he was young. You can find Anthony at Nerd Initiative doing reviews for anime and gaming.
INSTAGRAM @anthonyellmer
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Chris True
Virginia
Senior Movies Writer
Chris is a dad, whose son is his favorite concert buddy! He’s a Deathcore/Metalcore vocalist for the southeastern deathcore band, Divided. Chris is a teacher by day, with a background in European history. Chris can be found reviewing movies, TV streaming shows, and award shows.
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Edalyn Thomas-Bagwell
Michigan
Contributor
Eda lives with her fiancé, 2 dogs and 3 cats. She’s inspired by the gay icon that is Harley Quinn, and has been reading comics and playing video games since she was 4 years old. You can find Eda writing comic book reviews each week, as well as writing about anime & gaming.
INSTAGRAM @edaquinn13
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Eric McClanahan
New Jersey
Contributor
Eric is an old-school nerd raised on Transformers, Star Wars, and Spider-Man. He loves movies, especially the weird ones. A Texan by birth, he currently lives in New Jersey with his wife Meredith and their cat Bennie. Eric can be found on Nerd Initiative doing interviews and reviews all about movies, music, novels, and more.
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Forrest Gaddis
California
Contributor
Forrest spends his days writing stories, chasing loud guitars, and flashing pinball lights. When he’s not at a punk rock show with his kids, he’s crafting lists, essays, and deep‑dive commentary on movies at Nerd Initiative. His work also appears at Dying Scene and Fanbase Press, where he brings the same mix of heart, humor, and sharp perspective to everything he writes. Movies and Book Reviews
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Ian
Indiana
Contributor
Ian is a co-owner of an Independent Movie Theater. He really loves Zaxbys and podcasting.
INSTAGRAM @iant203
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Janelle Holland
New Jersey
Contributor
Janelle once modeled in an American Girl Fashion show, and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel. She loves traveling, and collecting magnets wherever she goes. You can find her at Nerd Initiative covering written comic book reviews, as well as reviewing Movies and TV shows. Janelle also contributes to our Anime department, and drops some awesome articles covering different topics in the world of nerdom.
TIK TOK @janscomicspace
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Juan Cordero AKA juanreadscomics
Indiana
Contributor
Juan reads 6 comic books a day like it’s a personality trait, overthinks panels so you don’t have to, and gets emotionally invested in fictional people. You can find him every week dropping videos on the Nerd Initiative socials letting people know exactly what comic books to pick up.
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Kat
New Jersey
Senior News Correspondant
Kat loves Marvel, Critical Role, TTRPGs, and the occasional Canadian TV show. You can find Kat running her own blog, Music News Daily. There she talks about the latest in a bum, tour, and festival news. At Nerd Initiative you can find her covering Comic Book Reviews, News Articles, and Interviews. In addition to the website, you can find her content on Substack at Kat’s Nerdy Things.
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Micah
Virginia
Contributor
Micah is destined to become a Super Saiyan. Ouija boards don’t work for him, and he’s been an X-Men fan since age five. You can find Micah on Nerd Initiative doing anime videos
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Shawn
Illinois
Contributor
Originally from Mississippi, Shawn was a fingerprint analyst, and now a Criminal Justice Professor. You can find Shawn on Nerd Initiative writing comic book reviews. However, occasionally he’s forced out of his comfort zone to bring his vast comic book knowledge to our YouTube channel.
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Travis Armstrong
Indiana
Contributor
Travis is a die hard Batman fan, and married to his beautiful wife, Lindsay. While Batman comes first in the comic book world, he dabbles in other comics as well: Star Wars, New Avengers, Wonder Woman, Battle Beast, Bug Wars, and more. You can find him weekly on Nerd Initiative’s website and socials doing both written and video reviews for his favorite comic books.
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Yancy E. Arce Rosado AKA Year of the Collector
Colorado
Contributor
Yancy is a published poet, who does kickass written comic reviews every Wednesday on Nerd Initiative.
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