Word Balloon Comics Podcast

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.

In this candid second half of our talk, Greg Rucka opens up about why he walked away from DC Comics during earlier eras, and how those frustrations with co-writers and editors caused him to have serious personal issues and leave in digust to focus on creator owned projects.But it’s not all doom and gloom — Greg is genuinely excited about his latest DC work, the upcoming Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League, with his usual collaborator Nicola Scott. Greg makes it clear how much better the current editorial regime feels, compared to the past.We also dive into Greg’s prose side, where he’s just finished a brand-new Atticus Kodiak novel ready to hit publishers, and he teases the possibility of new Queen & Country stories on the horizon. He addresses the current state of the book market. On top of that,Greg shares fresh updates on Lazarus, his long-running Image Comics series with Michael Lark, and reflects on how that world continues to devolve. It’s a mix of hard truths, exciting projects, and the kind of thoughtful perspective you only get from a creator like Greg Rucka and a show like Word Balloon

We also address possible sequels to the old guard his thoughts on Superman and The Marvels films, a return to novel riting and more. The DC talk is coming in part 2

Enemy Mine, and 4 other Trek episodes seemed very similar.

3 new titles including a kickstarter from Franco featuring luchadores, an indiana jones style flyboy and... a ninja kaiju ?

In the second half of my conversation with Matt Fraction, we shift gears to talk about his ever-evolving writing process, from Batman to his Eisner-winning work on Jimmy Olsen and other standout projects from across his career.Fraction digs into how his approach to storytelling has changed over the years, balancing structure with spontaneity, and what keeps him inspired as both a writer and a fan.We also dive into today’s movie and TV landscape—what’s working, what isn’t, and how the comics medium continues to shape (and sometimes outshine) its Hollywood adaptations.To wrap things up, Matt and I swap some of our favorite cult film recommendations—deep cuts and offbeat classics that deserve a spotlight. It’s a wide-ranging, candid discussion that blends comics craft, pop culture commentary, and cinephile passion.

In this exclusive conversation, Matt Fraction joins me to discuss the launch of Batman #1 and the beginning of his ambitious new run at DC Comics. Fraction pulls no punches as he talks about his bold reinterpretation of Gotham City and its darkest corners.We dig into his surprising new take on Killer Croc, explore the emotional fallout of Batman’s ongoing struggle without Alfred, and break down the striking redesign of Gotham as a city under siege.Fraction also teases the shocking status quo shift for Jim Gordon—demoted to beat cop—and how Vandal Savage has twisted his way into control of both the Gotham Police and the city itself.This is the start of what promises to be a sweeping, character-driven saga that redefines the Dark Knight’s world from the ground up.

In this episode, I talk with writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson about his latest projects across Marvel and DC. We start with his run on The Incredible Hulk, exploring the dark, horror-driven arc that leads directly into the upcoming title change, Infernal Hulk.From there, we turn to Adventures of Superman: Book of El #1, which continues the epic saga Johnson began in Warworld, bringing Superman’s story into bold new territory.Finally, we preview next week’s release of Batman and Robin #25, featuring a new Penguin story and the debut of Gotham’s latest street-level menace — a mysterious new foe known only as The Quiet Man. It’s a deep dive into character, mythology, and the art of reshaping icons with one of today’s most ambitious superhero writers.

In this episode, I sit down with comic book writer Eric Palicki to talk about his latest Kickstarter project — a new edition of his horror-adventure Atlantis Isn’t Built for Tourists. Now reimagined as a digest-sized graphic novel, the collection includes the original story plus two brand-new tales expanding the world.We also take a look back at Eric’s earlier creations, including Black’s Myth for Ahoy Comics, a sharp supernatural noir, and No Angel, his collaboration with his sister, actress Adrianne Palicki. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about horror, mythology, family, and the craft of building lasting indie comics.