EXCLUSIVE: Todd Shastwick and David Nett’s ProgCore, LLC has formed a fantasy imprint with L.A. boutique publisher Gungnir, as they work up a slate of TV and podcast projects.
The two companies have joined forces to form ProgCore Press, which will focus on fantasy and roleplaying games and sit within Gungnir’s suite of publishing businesses.
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To this point, Gungnir has focused on superheroes, science fiction, and fantasy storytelling, and the deal with ProgCore will expand this into dark fantasy and sword and sorcery IP. In return, ProgCore gets access to Gungnir’s distribution network, including its agreement with Macmillan Publishers.
Gungnir and ProgCore are already planning a fantasy roleplaying game-themed cocktail book, a graphic novel and book of short stories set in Theer, and several adventure modules for table-top roleplaying games (TTRPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons and Shadowdark.
First up is ProgCore Fantasy: Dark Age of Theer, a 300-page resource for fantasy roleplaying gamers, featuring tips and advice, a detailed description of the original World of Theer, and more than 20 short stories set in Theer from the likes of Bhimani, Wil Wheaton, Terry Matalas, Cecil Castellucci, Bernardin, Erol Otus and Jasmine Bhullar. Hand-designed by Nett, it includes over 150 pieces of original art, and signed, limited editions sold out quickly in March 2026. Initial distribution of this first edition will begin this fall, with an expected retail release spring 2027.
This comes as ProgCore develops a proof-of-concept production for an animated series titled Passing Shimmer, which will feature the voice talents of Stashwick and Anjali Bhimani among others. The company is also in post-production on a ten-part “streaming documentary-style RPG actual play” called ProgCore Fantasy: City of Sorrow, which features the likes of Shastwick, Nett, Bhimani, Felicia Day, Yuri Lowenthal, Drea Letamendi and Marc Bernadin. It is in development on “several” sci fi/fantasy and narrative-driven podcasts.
ProgCore’s founders have extensive TV and film backgrounds. Stashwick is an actor, writer and teacher, who is currently co-writer on the Skydance Games’ Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. As an actor, his roles as Captain Liam Shaw in Star Trek: Picard and Deacon in 12 Monkeysand he has upcoming role as Paladin in Marvel’s VisionQuest. He is a central figure in the TTRPG world.
Nett’s is known for indie TV series Gold in 2008 and Night of the Zombie King two years later. He has created and contributed to streaming shows for Geek & Sundry, Shout!, Caffeine and others, and ran an L.A. theater company, Lucid by Proxy, for 15 years.
“Discovery is forever the enemy of independent art,” said Nett. “With five books, a documentary series, an animated short, two albums, a podcast, and more planned for the next few years, we’re great at making beautiful things on indie budgets, but getting word about our art to the people who will enjoy it is a huge challenge. The partnership with Gungnir gives us the marketing and distribution reach to get our books in front of audiences everywhere.”
“Gungnir was built to kick doors open for bold creators and worlds that refuse to play it safe,” said Gungnir CEO Matt Medney. “Todd, David, and ProgCore speak that same language. ProgCore Press is what happens when two fiercely independent creative houses decide to make some noise together. Let’s get loud.”
