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PODCAST

Word Balloon Comics Podcast

1 on 1 interview show featuring the creative minds behind Comics TV Film Novels & Animation. Hosted by Chicago Pop Culture expert, John Siuntres

tv & film

All Episodes

47:30

Ninja Kaiju With Franco and Scoot

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/22

Franco and Scoot present Ninja Kaiju from papercutz. 2 Mad scientists are battling for secret formula that turns an unspespecting nmild mafnered Ninja into a raging giant monster. Hilarity ensues.

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53:15

2007 Dwayne McDuffie

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/21

From 007. Today we dive into one of the true pillars of modern comics and animation , Dwayne McDuffie, the co-founder of Milestone Media and creative force behind Static Shock, Damage Control, and countless Justice League stories.In this episode we sit down with Dwayne to unpack his journey from groundbreaking comic book writer to influential TV producer, his passion for superhero storytelling, and how his work reshaped representation on the page and screen. We get into his creative process, the

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65:32

100 FAQ Making Comics With The Bonds

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/20

Shelly Bond and Philip Bond join me to talk about their new Kickstarter project, 100 FAQs on Making Comics, a straight-shooting, experience-driven guide for anyone serious about breaking in or leveling up in the comics industry.Shelly brings decades of hands-on experience editing creator-owned books as well as shaping landmark work at Vertigo and IDW, giving her a front-row seat to what actually makes comics succeed creatively and commercially. Philip complements that insight with sharp storytelling

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104:02

The Day DC Got Canceled Paul Kupperberg Remembers the...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/19

In 1978 there was Cancel Culture, Of a Different Kind. In this wide-ranging conversation, Paul Kupperberg kicks things off by revisiting the chaos and opportunity of DC’s infamous Implosion, detailing how he helped salvage lost work through the two landmark volumes of Canceled Comic Cavalcade, a rare behind-the-curtain look at comics that almost vanished into history. From there, we dig into his run on Vigilante, where street-level justice met moral complexity, and his offbeat, character-driven take

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91:49

“Pop Culture Time Machine: Ed Catto Talks Retro-Fan...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/17

Ed Catto, professor at Ithaca College and Editor-in-Chief of RetroFan Magazine joins us for a lively dive into the newest issue, packed with pure pop-culture comfort food. We talk Saturday morning cartoons and why they still matter, behind-the-scenes conversations with cast members from The Brady Bunch, and a terrific about Don Novello about the enduring appeal of Father Guido Sarducci.Ed also gives a forward-looking preview of Ithacon, Ithaca College’s long-running comic convention, sharing what

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130:05

STARFLEET ACADEMY EP 6 REVIEW

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/16

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76:56

Diana Schutz pt 3 Dark Horse, Teaching Comics, and...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/15

Part three with Diana Schutz is where the long view comes into focus. She traces the beginnings of her friendship with Brian Michael Bendis , how that relationship started, why it endured, and what it says about spotting talent early and sticking with your people.From there, Diana talks about teaching at Portland State University, building a comics-focused class from the ground up, and eventually turning it over to Shelly Bond , another respected editorial voice. It’s about mentorship, paying it

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65:06

"My Four Days At Marvel" Diana Schutz pt 2

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/14

Part two with Diana Schutz picks up right where the real war stories begin.This time, Diana pulls back the curtain on her Comico years , stepping into the editorial trenches at a publisher that, for a moment, looked like it was riding high. She talks candidly about the challenge of wrangling the Robotech comics line,but also the joy of editing Johnny Quest, working with the legendary Doug Wildey and the always inventive William Messner-Loebs. She breaks down why that book worked . Then comes the

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75:54

“Inside the Early Indie Boom” Diana Schutz pt 1

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/13

This is Part One of a three-part deep dive with comics legend Diana Schutz, whose editorial fingerprints are all over modern comics history. From her influential years at Dark Horse to her early work during the Comico era and beyond...We start at the beginning: Diana’s first exposure to comics through Supergirl and her love for the clean, expressive style of 1960s comic art. That passion never faded, it evolved. She walks us through the meticulous process of restoring a classic Lois Lane cover,

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78:24

Punks Toons and Screenwriting adventures with Dave Baker

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/12

On this episode of Word Balloon, I’m joined by writer Dave Baker to talk about his new Top Shelf graphic novel Punk N’ Head, a wild, heartfelt, and sharp-edged story that blends music, identity, and outsider energy into something that feels both chaotic and personal. Dave breaks down the inspiration behind the book, the visual collaboration, and why this one hits close to home.We also get into his adventures in animation writing. The hustle, the rooms, the realities of working in that fast-moving

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82:16

Bob Rozakis The DC Answer Man

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/11

In this episode of Word Balloon, I sit down with longtime DC writer and historian Bob Rozakis for a deep dive into his Bronze Age experiences writing Robin, Teen Titans, Superman, and more during one of the most transitional eras in comics history. Bob reflects on crafting character-driven stories at a time when DC was recalibrating its identity, sharing behind-the-scenes insight into working with iconic heroes while balancing continuity, editorial demands, and the evolving tastes of readers in the

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97:45

Starfleet Academy ep 5 Review

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/10

We review the SAM/DS9 episode, featuring Teen Bar fights a senior staff dinner with a fish that farts and glitter vomit.This was there idea of an Avery Brooks tribute. At least it was good to see Jake Sisko.

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56:46

Dennis Hopeless Just Brutal

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/09

In this episode of Word Balloon, I’m joined by writer Dennis Hopeless for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about career pivots, creative freedom, and why he’s done pitching new ideas to Marvel.Dennis breaks down what pushed him toward the creator-owned route and why Ignition Press is the right home for his new series Just Brutal. The book flips classic sword-and-sorcery on its head, following a modern family of adventurers who battle barbarian-style monsters while dealing with very real, very

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83:36

Crossover With Sal Crivelli pt 2

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/08

The crossover continues as I join Sal Crivelli for Part Two, where the conversation zeroes in on specific creative flashpoints in current comics, and a shared love of pop-culture comfort food. We compare Joe Kelly’s and Zeb Wells’ respective runs on Amazing Spider-Man, breaking down what worked, what frustrated readers, and why Spidey remains one of the toughest characters to steer long-term. We also look ahead to the upcoming Superman/Spider-Man crossovers by Mark Waid and Brad Meltzer, and why

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76:33

Crossover With Sal Crivelli pt 1

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/07

In this first half of the Word Balloon / ComicPop crossover, I’m joined by Sal Crivelli for a straight-up, no-nonsense conversation about the current state of comic books, specifically the ongoing competition for readers between Marvel and DC.We dig into how both publishers are trying to hold attention in a crowded market, what strategies are actually working, and where each company may be losing ground. From creative directions and line-wide initiatives to accessibility for new readers and

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79:29

Speed Racer and SCOOP with Richard Ashley Hamilton

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/05

We kick off with a look under the hood of Speed Racer: Tales from the Road, Richard’s recent one-shot that brings new energy and heart to the iconic franchise. Then we shift gears to SCOOP, his gripping YA graphic novel series that follows teen reporter Sophie Cooper through political intrigue, celebrity secrets, and paranormal mysteries. Part Nancy Drew, part All the President’s Men, and part Buffy, SCOOP is a smart, fun, and socially aware series that Richard describes as a love letter to

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61:35

Boxing Talk With Bill Dettloff

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/04

Welcome to a special edition of Word Balloon, doubling as a new installment of The Big Bout Podcast, where I get to scratch that old boxing reporter itch and dive deep into the sweet science.This time, I’m joined by one of the most respected voices in boxing journalism: Bill Detloff. A longtime writer and editor for The Ring magazine, Bill’s been ringside for some of the sport’s most pivotal moments and has chronicled both its legends and its lost souls with unmatched insight.We’ll be talking about

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56:13

Blood, Biplanes, and Barbarian Mayhem Garth Ennis...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/03

Garth Ennis has never been interested in playing it safe, and this conversation is a perfect snapshot of why his work still cuts deeper than just about anyone in comics. We dig into Babs from Ahoy Comics, his savage sword-and-sorcery riff that weaponizes absurdity, blood, and pitch-black humor to skewer genre clichés while still delivering the kind of brutal action Ennis fans crave. It’s funny, ferocious, and very deliberately unserious, until it suddenly isn’t.From there, we shift gears into war

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84:06

Starfleet Academy Ep 4 Review

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/02

we debate the school debate episode

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60:46

Sex Criminals Q and A Fraction and Zdarsky

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2026/02/01

Recorded live at Cincy Comic Con in September 2014, this panel captures Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky at the height of their breakout Image Comics hit Sex Criminals, a book that smashed expectations by blending raunchy comedy, emotional honesty, and high-concept crime storytelling.Fraction and Zdarsky dig into how Sex Criminals came together, why Image was the perfect home for a book this personal (and this weird), and how humor became a Trojan horse for deeper conversations about intimacy, shame,

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1,578 results

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