Word Balloon Comics Podcast Mark Russell Unmasks Racer X, Wonder Woman and more
Sep 11, 2025
01:01:10
Comics writer Mark Russell joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about his brand-new Mad Cave series spotlighting Racer X from Speed Racer. This isn’t just high-octane racing—it’s a crime-noir thriller that digs deep into the ex-racer’s mysterious past and explores how he became the legendary masked driver. Mark shares how he blended the danger of the track with the grit of noir storytelling to reimagine one of anime’s most iconic characters.
We also preview his upcoming collaboration with Mike and Laura Allred on Wonder Woman Golden Age, where Russell puts his spin on Diana’s earliest stories through a 1985 crisis alternate earth lens, paired with the Allreds’ unmistakable pop-art visuals.
Along the way, Mark and I revisit highlights from his past work: the biting satire of his AHOY comedy comics (Second Coming, My Bad, Billionaire Island), his sharp reinterpretations of Hanna-Barbera icons (The Flintstones, Snagglepuss Chronicles), and his heartfelt take on DC’s Wonder Twins. Plus, he teases a bold new sci-fi anthology series coming from Mad Cave Studios—Vanishing Point.
We also preview his upcoming collaboration with Mike and Laura Allred on Wonder Woman Golden Age, where Russell puts his spin on Diana’s earliest stories through a 1985 crisis alternate earth lens, paired with the Allreds’ unmistakable pop-art visuals.
Along the way, Mark and I revisit highlights from his past work: the biting satire of his AHOY comedy comics (Second Coming, My Bad, Billionaire Island), his sharp reinterpretations of Hanna-Barbera icons (The Flintstones, Snagglepuss Chronicles), and his heartfelt take on DC’s Wonder Twins. Plus, he teases a bold new sci-fi anthology series coming from Mad Cave Studios—Vanishing Point.