Word Balloon Comics Podcast

It's the Animated Amazon's Birthday week. To celebrate here's my first interview with Susan from 2014, which coinsided with word balloon's 11th anniversary week in 2016.lot's of justice league cartoon talk in this conversation.

Joe Kelly and I unpack a lot in this one on one at TerrificonPart 1: Back to Spider-Man—"Amazing Spider-Man" Relaunch & Multidimensional StakesKelly explains why relaunching Amazing Spider‑Man with a fresh #1 isn’t a reset—it’s the next natural chapter in Peter’s journey He teases bold new arcs that pull from Peter’s adolescence—pre‑high school—to recalibrate how we see him, emotionally and psychologically Kelly gets real about the dual storyline hitting in September 2025, where Spider‑Man splits across two frontiers: one grounded on Earth, the other traversing the cosmic reaches—frankly, “there are two Spider‑Men now,” he confirms Part 2: Animation Landmark—Man of Action & The Evolution of the MediumHe reflects on the early days of Man of Action Studios and the wild success of Ben 10: co-creating universally beloved characters and building stories that bridge generations.Kelly doesn’t sugarcoat how different today’s landscape is—from the golden age of cable to today’s streaming-dominated, content-saturated ecosystem. He talks about how creative freedom has evolved, from strict network pitches to the flexibility—and fierce competition—of streaming platforms and short length content.

This was my first con panel discussing  “The Comic Books” part of a 1978 (or possibly early 1979) Canadian TV documentary called The World of Comic Books, narrated by Jonathan Winters. The doc features insihts from Stan Lee, Archie Goodwin, Neal Adams Denny O'Neil,, Julie Schwartz, John Romita Jr Jack C Harris Mike Gold, Trevor Von Eden Frank Giacoia, Jim Steranko, and more.

No fluff—just the roadmap. Marvel EIC C.B. Cebulski hosts a sharp Fall preview anchored by headline books. Jonathan Hickman lays out the architecture and character heartbeat of Ultimate Spider-Man—how this relaunch reframes Peter, the scale of the new Ultimate line, and what’s next. Joe Kelly digs into Spider-Man—voice, velocity, and how to keep the wall-crawler surprising without losing the core. Charles Soule covers three fronts: the moral grind of Daredevil, the horror-thriller pulse of Carnage, and galaxy-shaping storytelling in Star Wars—why each book matters now and six months from now.Expect first-look pages, honest craft talk, and a candid Q&A. If you want where Marvel is headed this Fall and beyond, this is the map

On this episode of Trek Watch, we review episodes 5 and 6 of SNW , and the attempt at a backdoor pilot for a TOS year one series.

From Cincy Comic Con 2014 A celebratory, no-BS look at 75 years of the Dark Knight through four very different lenses.Tim Seeley digs into the controlled chaos of the weekly Batman Eternal writers’ room—how you pace Gotham for 52 issues and still land character beats that matter.Kelley Jones brings the gothic: big capes, bigger shadows, and why horror belongs at the heart of Batman.Ben Templesmith talks painting Gotham’s monsters and miracles with washes and texture, previewing the occult-crime vibe he brought to Gotham by Midnight.Jeremy Haun zeroes in on Arkham—madness, architecture, and the Jeremiah Arkham era he helped visualize—arguing that Gotham’s institutions are as potent as its villains. Together they chart how Batman flexes across tones—

In this 2007 conversation, writer Rick Remender opens up about his breakout creator-owned work and his forays into iconic franchises. He discusses the pulp-fueled intensity of Fear Agent, blending sci-fi adventure with personal tragedy, and the haunting horror of Sorrow, a tale of possession and small-town dread.Remender also previews The End League, his dark, subversive spin on the superhero genre, where flawed champions struggle to hold society together after the fall of the world.Alongside his creator-owned projects, he reflects on his contributions to beloved universes like Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek, sharing how he approached telling new stories in such well-established mythologies. Candid, energetic, and filled with creative insight, this talk captures Remender at a pivotal moment, on the cusp of becoming one of comics’ most daring voices.

Live from Terrificon, this panel reunites Ralph Macchio, Ann Nocenti, and John Romita Jr. to revisit one of Daredevil’s most memorable creative periods. Ralph sets the stage with behind-the-scenes stories of the handoff from writer Denny O’Neil to Frank Miller, and ultimately to Ann Nocenti, charting the evolution of the Man Without Fear through shifting creative visions.Ann and John share how the grit, danger, and energy of New York City’s real nightlife shaped their take on Matt Murdock’s world, infusing it with street-level authenticity and vivid, flawed characters like Typhoid Mary and Shotgun. The conversation takes a wild detour as the trio recalls their “freaky” trip to Paris representing Marvel — a surreal adventure filled with culture shock, unexpected encounters, and a dash of chaos. It’s a lively mix of comics history, personal anecdotes, and the creative alchemy that kept Daredevil swinging high.

Recorded live at Terrificon, this dynamic discussion brings together two of comics’ most celebrated storytellers — Dan Jurgens, the writer/artist behind defining eras of Superman, and Tom King, the Eisner Award–winning author of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Jurgens reflects on shaping the Man of Steel’s modern mythology, from “The Death of Superman” to guiding his evolution across decades, while King dives deep into his critically acclaimed reimagining of Kara Zor-El’s journey across the cosmos. Together, they explore what makes these Kryptonian icons timeless, how their stories inspire across generations, and the creative challenges of keeping them relevant in an ever-changing world. Packed with behind-the-scenes insights, humor, and heartfelt moments, it’s a must-listen for fans of Superman, Supergirl, and the enduring power of hope.