Word Balloon Comics Podcast Sterling Gates Part 2 – Superhero Writing Across Comics, TV, and Film
Sep 13, 2025
01:07:52
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 separate from Superman. From comics, we shift back to television as Sterling talks about his time writing for The Flash on The CW.
He expands on his contributions to the ambitious Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, explaining the difficulties of squeezing the vast scope of Marv Wolfman and George Pérez’s 1985 comic series into a handful of TV hours. Sterling reveals which classic comic beats he tried to sneak into the script.
Sterling also discusses his most recent creative venture: filmmaking. His short film Just the Janitor has begun its run on the festival circuit and at comic conventions, and he talks candidly about making the leap from comics and TV to directing this riveting action film.
He shares the story behind the film, the lessons he’s learning as a first-time filmmaker, and why he believes conventions are the perfect place for genre fans to discover it. This continuation showcases Sterling Gates as a storyteller constantly moving between mediums, bringing the same passion to a 22-page comic, a TV superhero epic, or a low-budget short action film.
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 separate from Superman. From comics, we shift back to television as Sterling talks about his time writing for The Flash on The CW.
He expands on his contributions to the ambitious Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, explaining the difficulties of squeezing the vast scope of Marv Wolfman and George Pérez’s 1985 comic series into a handful of TV hours. Sterling reveals which classic comic beats he tried to sneak into the script.
Sterling also discusses his most recent creative venture: filmmaking. His short film Just the Janitor has begun its run on the festival circuit and at comic conventions, and he talks candidly about making the leap from comics and TV to directing this riveting action film.
He shares the story behind the film, the lessons he’s learning as a first-time filmmaker, and why he believes conventions are the perfect place for genre fans to discover it. This continuation showcases Sterling Gates as a storyteller constantly moving between mediums, bringing the same passion to a 22-page comic, a TV superhero epic, or a low-budget short action film.