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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

81:13

scene missing the night of the hunter

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/10/02

In this haunting episode of Scene Missing, we dive deep into Charles Laughton's singular directorial masterpiece, The Night of the Hunter (1955). From its expressionist visual style to Robert Mitchum’s chilling performance as the murderous preacher Harry Powell, we break down what makes this Southern Gothic thriller a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.We explore the film’s dreamlike atmosphere, the fairy tale overtones, and how it slipped through the cracks in its time — only to be recognized

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62:02

Unpacking Peanuts With Mark Evanier

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/10/01

On this episode, we're joined by legendary comics historian, animation writer, and pop culture expert Mark Evanier to discuss his latest project from Abrams Books: The Essential Peanuts Collection. This beautifully curated volume brings together decades of Charles Schulz’s iconic Peanuts comic strips, paired with insightful commentary and historical essays that spotlight the creative genius behind Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the gang. Mark reflects on Schulz’s artistic evolution, the

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72:18

Chip Zdarsky on Captain America, Batman and Beyond

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/30

On this episode of Word Balloon, I sit down with writer Chip Zdarsky to dig into his bold, current run on Captain America. Chip explains his vision for the Star-Spangled Avenger, including the introduction of a new Cap born in the wake of 9/11, during the years when Steve Rogers was still frozen in ice. We also dive into his celebrated DC work on Batman, where he created the relentless Failsafe, repositioned Vandal Savage as a core Gotham villain, and shook up the city’s status quo with a brand-new

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35:32

Ralph Bakshi Unfinished Animation Classics

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/29

From February 2013, visionary animator Ralph Bakshi joined me to discuss his then-new project Last Days of Coney Island, now streaming on YouTube and Vimeo. The series marked Bakshi’s return to gritty 1960s New York, promising raw stories of police corruption, gangs, prostitution, and the decade’s disillusionment following the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy.Bakshi also teased potential new sequences for cult favorites like Wizards, Coonskin, and Heavy Traffic, including a long-imagined

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80:07

Untold Stories of John Ostrander Suicide Squad...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/28

Legendary writer John Ostrander takes us on a tour of his greatest comic book triumphs. From co-creating The Modern Suicide Squad—and later seeing his creations explode onto the big screen—to redefining The Spectre, reviving Heroes for Hire, and crafting the sweeping Western saga The Kents, Ostrander’s impact is undeniable.He also dives into his years shaping the Star Wars expanded universe, launching Grimjack and breaking new ground at First Comics. Beyond comics, Ostrander shares stories from his

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55:59

Cheating History Podcast Drama Time Travel Thrills

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/27

A Conversation With The Creators of the new Time Traviling Audio Drama, and their Kickstarter Campaign.Hear the pilot now https://media.rss.com/cheating-history/feed.xmlhttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cheatinghistory/cheating-history-season-oneBios Of The Creators... Jennifer Sterner is a screenwriter and producer with a mix of academic and creative experience. she’s developed a manga for Seven Seas Entertainment, created the web series Searching for Eden, and wrote on the YouTube drama

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85:25

Go Speed Racer With David Pepose

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/26

In this exclusive Word Balloon conversation, I sit down with writer David Pepose to talk about his exciting new projects bringing back some of the most iconic heroes of all time. Pepose is tackling Speed Racer, Space Ghost, and Captain Planet, reimagining these classic characters for today’s audience while honoring the legacy that made them timeless.We dig into how he balances nostalgia with fresh storytelling, the challenges of updating pulp and animated icons for modern readers, and what fans can

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76:08

Scene Missing: The Robert Redford Files

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/25

On this episode of Scene Missing, I sit down with writer–artist and filmmaker Gabriel Hardman to dive into the legendary film and television work of Robert Redford. From his breakout charm in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to his understated power in The Way We Were , and his later turns as both actor and director, Redford has carved out a career that blends charisma, craft, and cultural impact. Gabriel and I share our personal favorite Redford performances and projects, looking at what made him

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120:01

Word Balloon / Bendis Discord Book Club: 100 Bullets...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/24

In this edition of the Word Balloon / Bendis Discord Book Club, we dive deep into 100 Bullets Vol. 1 by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. First published in 1999, this groundbreaking Vertigo series set a new standard for crime comics with its hard-boiled storytelling and stark, cinematic visuals.We break down the writing choices that made Azzarello’s scripts so sharp and dangerous, the noir-infused art style that Eduardo Risso brought to the page, and why this book still stands as one of the most

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63:17

Rylend Grant – Making Evel Knievel Comics & Indie Films

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/23

In this conversation, I sit down with comic writer and filmmaker Rylend Grant, the force behind Half Evil Comics. Rylend is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for an all-new Evel Knievel comic, created with artist Dave Acosta, and he takes us inside the creative spark and daredevil energy fueling the project.But Rylend’s storytelling doesn’t stop with comics—we also dive into his film career, including his work on movies starring Emile Hirsch and Nicolas Cage. From the high-wire act of

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66:39

Planet Hulk Revisited: Greg Pak on Legacies and New...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/22

In Part Two of our conversation, Greg Pak takes us back to one of the defining stories of his career — the original Planet Hulk saga. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into crafting the epic that redefined the Green Goliath, and teases a brand-new chapter arriving this fall, reuniting the full creative team that launched the original classic.We also dive into the origins of Amadeus Cho, the boy genius who would become the Totally Awesome Hulk, and discuss the character’s impact on readers and

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53:04

Forging Worlds, Facing Demons and Superman: A...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/22

Few writers move as seamlessly between genres and mediums as Greg Pak. In this special two-part conversation, we dive deep into the latest chapters of his ever-expanding career. First, Greg walks us through his brand-new Dungeons & Dragons run for Dark Horse, where he blends his gift for character-driven storytelling with the boundless imagination of tabletop fantasy.From there, we shift to his work on Dynamite’s Supernatural comic, a series rooted in the show’s first year that captures the raw

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60:43

Inside Batman: The Animated Series with Alan Burnett

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/21

In this conversation, veteran animation writer and producer Alan Burnett reflects on his groundbreaking work shaping Batman: The Animated Series, the show that redefined superhero storytelling for television. Burnett walks us through the creative challenges of translating Gotham City’s noir-infused atmosphere and complex characters into a format that spoke to both kids and adults, setting a new standard for superhero animation in the 1990s.We also dive into his collaboration with Paul Dini on DC

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65:56

Batman Day Special: Glen Weldon Unmasks The Caped...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/20

Today on Word Balloon, we’re joined by a voice familiar to anyone who loves smart, insightful pop culture commentary — Glen Weldon, longtime NPR contributor and co-host of Pop Culture Happy Hour. Glen is also the author of The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture, a sharp, witty, and deeply researched look at how the Dark Knight has evolved across comics, TV, and film — and how fandom itself has grown right alongside him.From campy ’60s TV to grim ’80s reinventions, and into Batman’s

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101:35

Trek Watch Strange New Worlds Season Recap

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/19

Plus Star Trek Khan, Spinal Tap 2 Gen V Season 2 ep 1 and other tv and film tthoughts

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97:02

The League Asks Me Anything pt 2

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/18

More questions on camera nd from the live chat. We get more into comics, trek podcasting and more

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65:23

The League Asks Me Anything pt 1

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/17

It's my version of the mailbag page at the back of old comic books. In this on-camera AMA with my Patreon supporters and live chat audience, we dug into every corner of geek and sports culture:Boxing: The big focus was on the much-anticipated Canelo vs. Crawford bout, with breakdowns of styles, stakes, and legacy.Comics: We spanned the decades — from the Silver Age of the 1960s through today’s modern runs, talking creators, characters, and the shifts in storytelling across generations.Television:

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120:24

Celebrating Conan #25 with Jim Zub pt 1

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/16

Few modern writers have embraced sword-and-sorcery with the same passion and craftsmanship as Jim Zub, whose work on Conan the Barbarian for Titan Comics has been nothing short of a masterclass in honoring Robert E. Howard’s legendary creation while pushing the stories into bold new territory. Zub’s tales balance the grit and savagery fans demand with a keen sense of pacing and character that feels both timeless and fresh.With next month’s Conan the Barbarian #25, he delivers a special,

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105:10

Pinky Yako and More With Rob Paulsen

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/15

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pinky and the Brain, the beloved Animaniacs spin-off that gave the world two of animation’s most unlikely lab partners.At the heart of the series’ enduring charm is the voice of Rob Paulsen, the endlessly versatile actor who brought the dim-witted yet lovable Pinky to life with his unforgettable “Narf!” catchphrase. But Pinky is only one jewel in Paulsen’s long career behind the microphone.From his heroic turns as Raphael (and later Donatello) in Teenage

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67:52

Sterling Gates Part 2 – Superhero Writing Across...

Word Balloon Comics Podcast ·

2025/09/13

In this second half of our conversation, Sterling dives deeper into his run on Supergirl alongside artist Jamal Igle. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about crafting Kara’s voice, working hand-in-glove with Igle to re-define her place in the DC Universe, and why their collaboration remains one of the character’s most beloved eras.Sterling opens up about the challenges of balancing editorial direction with his and Jamal’s creative instincts, and how they fought to give Kara her own identity

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1,383 results

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