Word Balloon Comics Podcast

On this episode of Word Balloon, I sit down with writer Chip Zdarsky to dig into his bold, current run on Captain America. Chip explains his vision for the Star-Spangled Avenger, including the introduction of a new Cap born in the wake of 9/11, during the years when Steve Rogers was still frozen in ice. We also dive into his celebrated DC work on Batman, where he created the relentless Failsafe, repositioned Vandal Savage as a core Gotham villain, and shook up the city’s status quo with a brand-new police commissioner.But that’s just the start—Chip and I explore his Marvel catalog as well, from the gritty, character-driven drama of Daredevil to the cosmic and family-centered Marvel Two-In-One with the Thing and the Human Torch. And of course, we talk about his creator-owned stories, where he continues to push boundaries and surprise readers with inventive, personal storytelling.

From February 2013, visionary animator Ralph Bakshi joined me to discuss his then-new project Last Days of Coney Island, now streaming on YouTube and Vimeo. The series marked Bakshi’s return to gritty 1960s New York, promising raw stories of police corruption, gangs, prostitution, and the decade’s disillusionment following the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy.Bakshi also teased potential new sequences for cult favorites like Wizards, Coonskin, and Heavy Traffic, including a long-imagined Wizards scene where the pacifist hero Peace halts a WWII German-style train full of captives. Bakshi shared candid updates on the rumored live-action remake of his 1983 fantasy Fire and Ice, co-created with Frank Frazetta. According to Bakshi, director Robert Rodriguez was eyeing a Sin City-style adaptation, aiming to begin shooting after wrapping Sin City 2.Along the way, Bakshi reflected on his groundbreaking career, from his early years at TerryToons to his enduring influence on animation. This conversation captures Bakshi at his fiery best—unfiltered, defiant, and still pushing boundaries.

Legendary writer John Ostrander takes us on a tour of his greatest comic book triumphs. From co-creating The Modern Suicide Squad—and later seeing his creations explode onto the big screen—to redefining The Spectre, reviving Heroes for Hire, and crafting the sweeping Western saga The Kents, Ostrander’s impact is undeniable.He also dives into his years shaping the Star Wars expanded universe, launching Grimjack and breaking new ground at First Comics. Beyond comics, Ostrander shares stories from his earlier life as an actor and playwright in Chicago, painting a vivid picture of a career that spans stages, panels, and galaxies far, far away.

A Conversation With The Creators of the new Time Traviling Audio Drama, and their Kickstarter Campaign.Hear the pilot now https://media.rss.com/cheating-history/feed.xmlhttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cheatinghistory/cheating-history-season-oneBios Of The Creators... Jennifer Sterner is a screenwriter and producer with a mix of academic and creative experience. she’s developed a manga for Seven Seas Entertainment, created the web series Searching for Eden, and wrote on the YouTube drama Apartment 30. She serves as Associate Chair of Screenwriting at the New York Film Academy, where she teaches courses on storytelling.Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir are a writing duo known for their acclaimed runs at Marvel and DC, as well as creator-owned projects like Skinwalker and Three Strikes from Oni Press. Beyond comics, they’ve brought their storytelling skills to television on HBO’s Arli$$ and serve as educators at the New York Film Academy, where they mentor aspiring writers.

In this exclusive Word Balloon conversation, I sit down with writer David Pepose to talk about his exciting new projects bringing back some of the most iconic heroes of all time. Pepose is tackling Speed Racer, Space Ghost, and Captain Planet, reimagining these classic characters for today’s audience while honoring the legacy that made them timeless.We dig into how he balances nostalgia with fresh storytelling, the challenges of updating pulp and animated icons for modern readers, and what fans can expect from his bold takes on these beloved franchises. From high-octane racing to cosmic adventure and environmental heroism, Pepose shares his vision for breathing new life into these properties while keeping their heart intact. If you’re a fan of classic cartoons, Saturday morning heroes, or the modern comics scene, this interview is packed with insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and exciting teases of what’s to come.

On this episode of Scene Missing, I sit down with writer–artist and filmmaker Gabriel Hardman to dive into the legendary film and television work of Robert Redford. From his breakout charm in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to his understated power in The Way We Were , and his later turns as both actor and director, Redford has carved out a career that blends charisma, craft, and cultural impact. Gabriel and I share our personal favorite Redford performances and projects, looking at what made him such a timeless figure on screen—and why his influence still resonates in today’s Hollywood.

In this edition of the Word Balloon / Bendis Discord Book Club, we dive deep into 100 Bullets Vol. 1 by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. First published in 1999, this groundbreaking Vertigo series set a new standard for crime comics with its hard-boiled storytelling and stark, cinematic visuals.We break down the writing choices that made Azzarello’s scripts so sharp and dangerous, the noir-infused art style that Eduardo Risso brought to the page, and why this book still stands as one of the most influential titles of the late ’90s. Along the way, we share our own reviews, insights, and reactions to the characters, themes, and morality play at the heart of the story.Whether you’re discovering 100 Bullets for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this discussion highlights why Vol. 1 remains such an essential piece of modern comics history.

In this conversation, I sit down with comic writer and filmmaker Rylend Grant, the force behind Half Evil Comics. Rylend is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for an all-new Evel Knievel comic, created with artist Dave Acosta, and he takes us inside the creative spark and daredevil energy fueling the project.But Rylend’s storytelling doesn’t stop with comics—we also dive into his film career, including his work on movies starring Emile Hirsch and Nicolas Cage. From the high-wire act of crowdfunding to the art of writing for both panels and the big screen we cover it all in this conversation.

In Part Two of our conversation, Greg Pak takes us back to one of the defining stories of his career — the original Planet Hulk saga. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into crafting the epic that redefined the Green Goliath, and teases a brand-new chapter arriving this fall, reuniting the full creative team that launched the original classic.We also dive into the origins of Amadeus Cho, the boy genius who would become the Totally Awesome Hulk, and discuss the character’s impact on readers and representation. Greg speaks candidly about the sense of responsibility that comes with writing modern takes on Asian heroes, balancing authenticity with the larger-than-life demands of superhero storytelling.

Few writers move as seamlessly between genres and mediums as Greg Pak. In this special two-part conversation, we dive deep into the latest chapters of his ever-expanding career. First, Greg walks us through his brand-new Dungeons & Dragons run for Dark Horse, where he blends his gift for character-driven storytelling with the boundless imagination of tabletop fantasy.From there, we shift to his work on Dynamite’s Supernatural comic, a series rooted in the show’s first year that captures the raw energy of Sam and Dean’s earliest battles with the things that go bump in the night.We also revisit his acclaimed Superman run in Action Comics during DC’s New 52 era, exploring how he brought both epic spectacle and heartfelt humanity to the Man of Steel.And no Greg Pak talk would be complete without a look back—he shares heartfelt memories of the late, great Peter David, reflecting on their shared legacy as writers of Marvel’s Incredible Hulk and how David’s example continues to inspire his own craft. Planet Hulk is celebrating it's 20th anniversary with a new one shot chapter of the epic story. Details on that in Part 2