Word Balloon Comics Podcast A Bronze Age Deep Dive With Mike Gold Pt 1
Nov 29, 2025
01:34:51
From 2020 at the start of COVID, I had this great talk with writer/editor extrordinare Mike Gold. Here are the highlights ...
Career Overview — Mike Gold’s background and path in the comics business, including early experiences and how he came to work for both DC Comics and First Comics.
The Bronze Age at DC — Discussion of the Bronze Age of DC Comics: what defined that period, the creative and editorial environment, and how DC approached storytelling and publishing in those years.
First Comics Formation and Philosophy — How First Comics was founded, its mission, and the difference between First Comics’ approach and the major publishers of the time.
Notable Titles & Editorial Work — Titles and creators Gold worked with while at First Comics and later at DC — including some of the series he edited.
Industry Changes & Direct Market — The evolution of the comics industry during his career: how the direct market, distribution, fan communities, and editorial practices shifted over time.
Creative Freedom & Editorial Risk — Reflections on the balance between editorial oversight and giving creators freedom — especially in smaller/independent settings vs larger corporate environments.
The Role of Comics in Pop Culture — Commentary on how comics fit into broader pop culture over time, their potential impact, and how creators and editors responded to changing audience expectations.
Career Overview — Mike Gold’s background and path in the comics business, including early experiences and how he came to work for both DC Comics and First Comics.
The Bronze Age at DC — Discussion of the Bronze Age of DC Comics: what defined that period, the creative and editorial environment, and how DC approached storytelling and publishing in those years.
First Comics Formation and Philosophy — How First Comics was founded, its mission, and the difference between First Comics’ approach and the major publishers of the time.
Notable Titles & Editorial Work — Titles and creators Gold worked with while at First Comics and later at DC — including some of the series he edited.
Industry Changes & Direct Market — The evolution of the comics industry during his career: how the direct market, distribution, fan communities, and editorial practices shifted over time.
Creative Freedom & Editorial Risk — Reflections on the balance between editorial oversight and giving creators freedom — especially in smaller/independent settings vs larger corporate environments.
The Role of Comics in Pop Culture — Commentary on how comics fit into broader pop culture over time, their potential impact, and how creators and editors responded to changing audience expectations.