Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Allison give a writers room perspective on the failing of strange new worlds

In this in-depth conversation, legendary painter and storyteller Alex Ross takes listeners behind the curtain of some of his most ambitious and thought-provoking projects across DC, Marvel, and Dynamite.Ross begins with the haunting Batman: Black and White – Case Study, written by Paul Dini, a noir-style exploration of Bruce Wayne’s fractured psyche and the fine line between justice and obsession. He then turns to Avengers/Invaders, co-written with Jim Krueger, a modern-day saga where the original World War II Invaders are thrust into the present-day Marvel Universe. The time-displaced heroes clash with contemporary Avengers, forcing both eras to confront what it truly means to be a hero in vastly different moral landscapes.Next, Ross discusses JSA: Thy Kingdom Come, created with Geoff Johns, Dale Eaglesham, and Fernando Pasarin — a powerful spiritual sequel to Kingdom Come. The story brings the older, war-torn Superman of that alternate Earth into the mainstream DCU, confronting the Justice Society and reexamining faith, legacy, and the enduring cost of heroism.Finally, Ross reflects on his work at Dynamite Entertainment with Project Superpowers, where he and Jim Krueger resurrected and reimagined dozens of Golden Age public domain heroes — from the Green Lama to the Black Terror — breathing new mythic life into forgotten icons while exploring how timeless ideals can evolve for modern audiences.

In this episode of Word Balloon, cartoonist Dean Haspiel joins John to talk about his new Kickstarter anthology series, Antimatter — a collection spotlighting his signature creator-owned characters including Billy Dogma, The Red Hook, and Chest Face. Haspiel explains how Antimatter brings together stories from across his indie universe, blending love, heroism, and surreal New York energy.The conversation also detours into today’s entertainment landscape, as John and Dean swap thoughts on recent hits and misses in movie theaters and on TV, and what makes storytelling resonate in any medium.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deanhaspiel/antimatter/?ref=kicktraq

Comics writer Jim Zub returns to Word Balloon to discuss his work on Conan the Barbarian #25 for Titan Comics, a milestone issue that celebrates both the Cimmerian’s legacy and the current Titan era of storytelling. Zub talks about honoring Robert E. Howard’s classic voice while keeping Conan fresh for modern readers, balancing sword-and-sorcery action with character depth. The conversation also dives into how this special issue bridges past and present creators, what makes Conan timeless, and how Titan’s publishing approach keeps the Barbarian’s adventures thriving for a new generation of fans.

In this 2013 Word Balloon conversation, artist Rags Morales discusses his pivotal work on Action Comics during DC Comics’ New 52 relaunch. Morales reflects on collaborating with writer Grant Morrison to redefine Superman for a new generation—depicting a younger, more grounded Man of Steel in his early years as a social crusader. The discussion explores the creative process behind redesigning the character’s look, the artistic challenges of working on such an iconic title, and how Action Comics helped set the tone for the New 52 era across the DC Universe.

This week on The Kinescope Podcast, John and the panel revisit the gripping 1957 Studio One production “The Night America Trembled.” Hosted by Edward R. Murrow and featuring a remarkable early cast — including Warren Beatty, Ed Asner, Warren Oates, James Coburn, and John Astin — the teleplay dramatizes the nationwide panic sparked by Orson Welles’ infamous 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast. While the story amps up the hysteria for television, it remains a fascinating look at how a single night of radio blurred the line between fact and fiction for millions of listeners.

I embark on an off-ship solo mission to explore the first four episodes of Star Trek: Khan. The discussion dives into the heated fan debate over whether this Secret Hideout–produced audio drama truly belongs in Trek canon. Along the way, Me, Larry Young and memebers of the League weigh continuity questions, franchise history, and the larger implications of re-framing Khan’s story within modern Star Trek lore.

In this dark and thrilling episode, I sit down with comics legends Matt Wagner and Kelley Jones to talk about their gothic team-up on a new Dracula graphic novel series — a fresh, nightmarish take on the Lord of the Undead that blends Hammer horror, classic literature, and modern comics craft. We also dive deep into their iconic Batman work. Matt Wagner reflects on his acclaimed retellings of the Dark Knight’s formative years in Batman and the Monster Men and Batman and the Mad Monk, grounded updates of the original Detective Comics stories that shaped Gotham’s early shadows. Meanwhile, Kelley Jones revisits his unforgettable Batman: Red Rain, a horror-infused Elseworlds classic that reimagines Batman as a literal creature of the night — a vampire battling Dracula himself. Plus: Kelley’s eerie, emotional Deadman mini-series, their shared love of horror as mythmaking, and what it means to push iconic characters into darker, more psychological terrain. A must-listen for fans of Batman, monsters, and the art of gothic reinvention.

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 decades later as one of the most influential American films ever made. Join us as we unpack its themes of good vs. evil, childhood innocence, and religious hypocrisy, all framed by some of the most striking black-and-white cinematography ever put on screen.

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 cultural impact of Peanuts from the 1950s through the 2000s, and how the strip mirrored American life over five decades.With his encyclopedic knowledge of 20th-century media, Mark also shares behind-the-scenes stories from his own career in comics and animation, including his time with Jack Kirby, his TV work, and his long-standing role as a chronicler of comic book history. For more of Mark’s daily reflections on comics, entertainment, and pop culture past and present, visit his indispensable blog: NewsFromMe.com