On this edition of word balloon host John Siuntres spoke with Heroes Co-Executive Producer Jeph Loeb about episode nine, the possible fate of the spin-off series Heroes Origins, and what may be next for volume 3...whenever that happens.

They also squeeze in some talk about Jeph's upcoming Marvel Books Ultimates Vol 3 and Hulk .

On this episode of Word Balloon Dc Writer Geoff Johns and Host John Siuntres catch up with a big picture look at the characters and story arcs playing out in Action Comics,Justice Society Of America, Booster Gold and Green Lantern.

We'll discuss Geoff's takes on the multiple versions of Superman,
the legion of super heroes, and all the palyers in the sinestro corp war
and finding a new purpose for booster gold.

You'll also hear Geoff's thoughts on the WGA strike and some 
never realized season 2 story ideas for the blade tv series, including a plot with Marc Spector, Moon Knight.

Some other tidbits from the interview...

Johns has green lantern plotted to issue 55 ...JSA to 25 or longer, Action Comics"if we stay the course, Gary and I have two years of stories to tell."

On Green Lantern: "That book with its epic scope... to bring Hal Jordan to issue 50 has become a very personal story for me." 

On Superman Prime: "He's absolutley one of my favorite characters to write. he's such a jerk(laughs.)

On the future : Johns and former Blade TV/JSA collaborator David Goyer have a new comic story idea they hope to release in early 2009.

Suppose they held an LA comic book convention without a live audience? That's what happened last week, on a shoot for the CBS TV series NUMB3RS.

The episode revolves around some action at a comic book convention so the word went out for creators to show up to the mock-con and go through the motions of a real show.

There were some familiar names among the creators and guest stars for the shoot, and Word Balloon got the low down from indie artist Tony Fleecs (In My Lifetime, Postcards:True Stories That Never Happened)

On this Halloween edition of Word Balloon, host John Siuntres
chats with artist Phil Hester, who's been flexing his writer muscles
and has a slate of current and upcoming monster related stories.

We caught Phil as he was recovering from a cold, but still excited about
getting more scripting work alongside his upcoming art projects.

You'll hear about Hester taking the reins on THE DARKNESS for Top Cow, and a new direction for the series main character Jackie Estacado.
Also the very funny "werewolf in recovery" series THIRTEEN STEPS,
co-written with Chuck Satterlee and drawn by Kevin Mellon for Desperado.

But Phil show his sensitive side too, in a poingant indie short story featured in The Villard Books collection POSTCARDS: "True Stories That Never Happened".

On the art side, Phil previews the December start of his run on Superman Confidential, teaming up with his infamous inking partner Ande Parks and writer B Clay Moore.

Next Year will be busy for Phil, writing and drawing a Daredevil/Magdalena crossoverfor Marvel/Top Cow in February, and in the spring he and artist Andy Kuhn bring back FIREBREATHER for Image Comics.

Part 2 of The Comic Creator Panel That Josh Fialkov put together Sept 29th for the LA Public Libarry.

Featuring Mark Waid Ross Richie, Christos Gage Kazu Kabuishi and Tony Fleecs.

 

Today we wrap up our conversation with the Kentucky writer. Kirkman tells us about winning a SPIKE-TV scream award last year,and tells us how his scary books play to the non-comics horror crowd.

We also talk about his run on Ultimate X-Men, and preview his collaboration with Rob Liefeld on Kilraven, the Martian hunting hero of Marvel's War Of The Worlds.

This weekend several comic book podcasters got together to do a non-stop 24 hour comics podcast. They included DC artist Mike Norton and Chris Crank of Devil's Due (The Crankcast) Marvel artist Skottie Young, Chris Neesman Brian Salazar & Tom Katers (Around Comics) Stevie D and Eric (The Comic Book Queers) and John Siuntres (Word Balloon).

Along with the round table discussions, there were informal interviews with other comic pros like J Torres, Tim Seeley, Chris Moreno Jeremy Haun Chris Burnham, Sean McKeever and Brian Michael Bendis. Most of the pros just talked casually about work in general, but Bendis dropped a few comic news items regarding his books.

On this special edition of Word Balloon, we present the Bendis interview, moderated by John Siuntres and the Around Comics hosts.

Some highlights from the interview...

On Ultimate Origin being re-scheduled...

Bendis and artist Butch Guice have three issues completed, but some tie-in stories written by Jeph Loeb won't be ready till next year. Plus they didn't want the Ultimate Universe storyline to conflict with Bendis' Secret Invasion miniseries, so Ultimate Origin is getting pushed back until the end of summer 2008.

On the ,b>Avengers/Secret Invasion/Illuminati books…

When artist Frank Cho finishes his Mighty Avengers arc he will move to the Mighty Avengers Annual featuring an all female Avengers team facing a group of female villains. Mark Bagley then replaces Cho on the series, and he's already finished drawing his arc. After issues #6 and #7 of Mighty Avengers comes out, Illuminati #5 will be released.

New Avengers #38 will be a very special issue focusing on Jessica Jones and Luke Cage drawn by Alias co-creator Michael Gaydos. "I don't want to spoil the story but it's called ‘The Break-Up.’"

On Secret Invasion...

There are clues to who is a Skrull in some of the thought balloons in Mighty Avengers, so it will be fun to see who can figure out who the Skrulls are, by re-reading those issues."

On Ultimate Spider-Man

"I got permission to Ultimatize a few villains from the 1967 Ralph Bashki Spidey animated series that have never appeared in any Marvel Comics. "I was surprised that there didn't have to be any legal wrangling to recreate these villains."

In fear of the pending 2008 Hollywood writers/directors strikes, the studios are rushing to production with any potential films in the development pipeline. Apparently, this has resulted in some upcoming good news for Bendis.

"Uh yes... in about three weeks, I should have some announcements."

In this episode of Word Balloon, host John Siuntres begins a two part conversation with writer Robert Kirkman.

Kirkman gives us an update on Haunt, his 2008 collaboration with Todd McFarlane, of which the writer says, "I've written the script for it...we're looking for a May/June 2008 launch. Todd will be designing all the characters,and I'm going to say he'll be doing all the covers . Hopefully it will be a cool book, I've got some cool stuff planned."

We also hear a preview of his return to the Marvel Zombies universe, as Marvel Zombies 2 hits the stores this month. We'll also discuss his string of Image creator owned books, including the very popular Invincible, and his other Zombie mega hit The Walking Dead. he talks about turning over a couple of his creations to new writers, like Bruce Brown (currently writing Brit), and the upcoming Atom Eve miniseries written by Benito Cereno.

On the subject of craft, Kirkman discusses his thoughts on the difficulties in writing a first issue, selling a new series to the public and more

Writer Jason Aaron gives word balloon host John Siuntres the lowdown on his critically acclaimed  pulp western series Scalped from Vertigo,
all about the seedy side of life on a native american reservation.

They also talk about his Vertigo debut,the Vietnam mini series The Other Side, his Ripclaw one shot, part of Top Cow's Pilot Season. and
his past and future work on the Wolverine solo book for Marvel.

Writer Allan Heinberg wraps up his long awaited 5 part Wonder Woman arc from DC comics, and discusses the story and delays with host John Siuntres.

We also discuss the upcoming Marvel Young Avengers mini series featuring Allan & Jim Cheung's team now in the hands of other creators.

Plus we look at Allan's television work, currently as a co-executive producer of Grey's Anatomy. The Emmy winning ABC series returns for it's 4th season this week.

 

The Cartoon Satirist is back discussing his new Fantagraphics book The Fun Never Stops a collection of comic strips, cartoons and illustrations from the pages of RAW, MAD, Heavy Metal, SPY, DETAILS, The New Republic,The New York Times Magazine
and THE NEW YORK OBSERVER.

Drew tells hilarious stories about Woody Allen Jerry Lewis
Groucho Marx,Howard Stern, Jimmy Kimmel, Larry Storch
Mad Magazine creator Harvey Kurtzman, and why George W. Bush is the spitting image of 1950's comedian Doodles Weaver

You'll learn the genesis behind Freidman's recurring hero The
Duke Of Eltingville, his past animation work for Liquid TV and
Comedy Central. We'll touch on his trading card work for Topps
and wonder where his style of comic strip satire fits into today's
electronic media world.

Minnesota Artist Brent Schoonover joins host John Siuntres for a talk about two great indie projects. Horrorwood the 1950's Hollywood Murder Mystery written by Brandon Terrell from Ape Entertainment, and coming out in November Astronaut Dad  from Silent Devil Productions written by David Hopkins.

To see more of his art, check out his website www.brentschoonover.com

Word Balloon presents this 2 part chat with writer Marty Pasko.

He started his career as a freelance writer, but soon worked his way through the DC ranks , writing runs on Superman, Dectetive Comics, Justice League Of America, Swamp Thing, and Wonder Woman.

He also revamped The Metal Men, Doctor Fate, The Blackhawks, Secret Six, and Kobra, among others.

Marty shares a detailed look at the 1970's DC bullpen , and the changes in making comics from the Bronze Age, through today.

Couldn't make the trip to Chicago? No problem, just close your eyes and Word Balloon takes you there in this audio podcast report

 

Taped from the convention floor, host John Siuntres scanned the rows of artist alley and beyond to get quick moments with an assortment of comic creators and executives, that run the gamut of the comics world.

We'll catch up with creators like...

Matt Anderson & Eric Hutchins (White Picket Fences)

Dan Didio (Executive Editor DC Comics)

Art Baltazar & Franco (Tiny Titans)

Will Pieffer (Catwoman & Amazons Attack)

Skottie Young (New X-Men)

Matt Wagner (Grendel, Madame Xanadu, Zorro)

Tony Digerolomo (Bongo Comics, Super Frat, Zombie County)

Micheal Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Spider-Man Red Sonia, Powers)

Phil Hester (Thirteen Steps, The Darkness)

Ande Parks (Daredevil Annual, Blood Red)

Andy Owens (Buffy Season 8, Countdown Arena)

Don Kramer (Dectective Comics)

Andrew Pepoy (Jack Of Fables, Bongo Comics)

Chris Kirby (Lost Squad)

Dave Wachter (Scar Tissue)

Pat Loika (Pantheon, Path To Armegeddon)

Shane White & Scott Reed (The Overman)

Christian Beranek  (Silent Devil Productions)

Raven Gregory (Return To Wonderland)

Sean McManus (The Sin Of Mark Grimm)

Ralph Tedesco (Xenoscope Books)

B Clay Moore (Hawaian Dick, The Leading Man)

Chris Moreno (Sidekicks, Frontline: World War Hulk) 

We're in that "twilight zone" time between two big conventions, post San Diego, but pre Wizard Chicago. To tide us over till the news from the Windy City start pouring in, Word Balloon host John Siuntres presents this collection of creator convention stories.

Brian Michael Bendis shares classic encounters with Lou Ferrigno,
and a memorable writers panel where he had to contend with a great
Marvel writer, who didn't agree with today's decompressed story telling.

Jimmy Palmiotti talks about the strange promotion a convention in Spain set up, to tie into the release of the Garth Ennis Amanda Connor classic, THE PRO.

Chuck Austen gives a first hand account Of Alan moore strange adventures at the infamous 1986 SDCC, his first (and last) american convention.

And Tim Bradstreet tells us what it's like when The great Steranko holds court, after hours at a con.

More words and memories with artist Tim Bradstreet, who not only gives us some news about the double sized Punisher #50 issue from Marvel's Max line, featuring interior art by Howard Chaykin...

But he also talks up books from the Raw Entertainment Studios
like Bad Planet written by Thomas Jane & Steve Niles , Todd Farmer's Alien Pig Farm, future projects like the Bloody Pulp anthology ,and what fans cam expect from the Raw booth at the San Diego Comicon.

On this edition of Word Balloon host John Siuntres
chats with artist dan Brereton. Dan's creator owned
crime noir meets classic horror series the Nocturnals.

Doc, The Gunwitch, Halloween Girl and the other Nocturnals 
fight against Pacific City's organized crime families is poised for a return via Olympian Publishing, with the release of The Nocturnal Alaphabet book featured this week at the San Diego Comicon.

Dan gives us details on the book, new stories included in the
Deluxe Hardcover collections of the Nocturnals saga  and some early word on the upcoming new Nocturnals mini series in development.

We'll also spend time talking about Dan's work on September's
Immortal Iron Fist Annual for Marvel Comics written by Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction and sharing the art chores with his friend Howard Chaykin.

A Double Sized final chapter to this session of the Bendis Tapes.

You can hear both Brian Bendis and John break down as the hours tick away, answering this last clump of questions fro the jinxworld message board.

As the air gets thinner, the humor gets crazier

 

 

 

On this edition of Word Balloon host John Siuntres talks with a writer who's finally getting the attention he deserves.

John sits down with tv and film writer Christos Gage to talk about his current comics work on World War Hulk tie ins with the X-Men and Iron Man, His Wildstorm work including the ongoing series Stormwatch PHD drawn by Doug Mahnke, and upcoming new miniseries Armegeddon, and info about The Authority Prime mini sereis.

We'll also get details on future projects like House of M Avengers with
artist Mike Perkins and for Dynamite Entertainment Chris will be
writing new adventures of the spaghetti western anti hero,
The Man With No Name.

More Q&A from Brian Michael Bendis's message board.  On this edition of Word Balloon, He and host John Siuntres provide more insight into Brian's storylines for the months ahead.

As his Marvel works wrap up, and DC comics begin, writer Sean McKeever looks back and forward with Word Balloon host john Siuntres

In this podcast interview, we talk about the wrap up of his run on Spider-Man loves Mary Jane, with Takeshi Miyazawa ,  the process of writing countdown with Paul Dini for DC, and we'll get hints of what's to come for the Birds Of Prey and Teen Titans.

Sean talks about his formative collaborations with writers like Paul Jenkins and artists like Mike Norton. You'll hear about his Marvel runs on The Inhumans, Gravity, and Sentinel, and future project at DC in the months ahead, like his Search For Ray Palmer issue, featuring
the Earth 3 Crime Syndicate. 

Here's more of the neverending story of Bendis answering questions from his jinxworld.com message board.

You'll get more tidbits on HALO, Ultimate Origins, The Avengers books and Ultimate Spider-Man.

There's even more to come in the days ahead....

Artist Jeremy Haun is back, but the conversation is all new, with his debut as a crime writer, on this month's Oni Press OGN Narcoleptic Sunday , which debuts at this month's San Diego Comicon.

Jer also discusses his current run on Marvel Comics Excalibur written by X-Men legend Chris Claremont , and the progres of the Kansas City based comic creator studio Atomic Revolver, with writers B Clay Moore Jason Auron and Seth Peck, and artists Tony Moore and Jason Latour.

Ethan Van Sciver is back to showcase THE SINESTRO CORPS, in this very spoilerrefic conversation.

Ethan talks about his colaborative process with Geoff Johns, his early years, and what's in store, for the GLC in 2007.

On this edition of word balloon we sit down with DC Artist Mike Norton and Chris Crank, from Devil's Due Publishing. Chris and Mike are comic pros who also host their own podcast The crankcast.

We'll talk to Mike about his work on The All New Atom with Gail Simone, and the book's involvement in DC's new weekly series Countdown, and Loaded Bible 2 the action packed post apoccalyiptic showdown between Jesus and Legions Of vampires.

Chris talks about Pull Box Online, the digital comics distribution
store he set up through Devil's Due, and his involvement in the upcoming Troma Anthology Books of Horror stories.

With convention season under way we talk about the difficulty pros have juggling work deadlines and the need to be out at conventions plugging
their books.

Today Word Balloon's host John Siuntres sits down for a chat with artist Tim Bradstreet, who breaks down his style of art, and answers the fans who think light box artists are just "tracers".

They also talk about his years of covers for books like The Punisher, Hellblazer and his current work with his Raw Entertainment Partners Steve Niles and Thomas Jane.

You'll get the details on Tim's longtime pet project Red Sky Diary, and they preview this month's re-return of the Sci-Fi story Bad Planet , written by Tom Jane with new interior artist James Daly.

You'll want to follow along looking at the art examples discussed, so while you're listening,  check out Tim's typepad blog, http://timbradstreet.typepad.com/ , and his Red Sky Diary Page, http://www.myspace.com/redskydiary 

With stories like infinite crisis and 52,Comic Book writer Geoff Johns has been one of the guiding voices of the entire DC universe.

Now past his involvement in the wide ranging crossover events,
Geoff can focus on his personal monthly books, like Green Lantern , and the upcomming Sinestro Corps,His Superman run on Action Comics co-written with film director Richard Donner,and the Justice Society of America, currently in the midsts of a Justice League Legion Of Superheroes cross over, cowritten by Brad Meltzer.

We'll also talk about the new upcoming booster gold series, cowritten with Jeef Katz, and drawn by booster's original creator Dan Jurgens, and Geoff's movie work, including his role as an executive producer on the Metal Men film.

Marvel Comics Writer Ed Brubaker checks in with a look at what happens next after the death of capt america, we'll talk about the media hype that followed the event, plus we discuss Ed's current runs on The Uncanny Xmen, his collaboration on The Immortal Iron fist with Matt Fracation, Daredevil, and Ed's creator owned book from Icon Criminal.

The Co-Excutive Producer Of Heroes checks in with more behind the scenes information, some teases about next season, and a delightful chat about how he hooked up with show creaytor Tim Kring, his long time pal JJ Abrams, and his writing partner Jeph Loeb.

Jesse also wrote ALIAS during it's 5 seasons, was one of the creators behind LOST, and wrote the recent monster parody EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS.

 

We cover it all, in the classic Word Balloon tradiotion.

From Aug 2004, The acclaimed comic artist discusses his longtime colaborations with the Wachowski's in comics, and film. We talk about the conceptual art behind THE MATRIX, his creations for The Wachowski's comic book imprint Burlyman Entertainment, Shaolin Cowboy and Doc Frankenstien.

Then we look at Geof's many works with Frank Miller. his friendship with Moebius , and our mutual love for the american western.

It's time for the final rucka debrief.  
We'll take a tour of Greg's favorite pop cultural refernces Which range from the literaray masters of espionage fiction, to Rick and AJ in Simon and Simon.

Greg also teases more info about his upcoming batman superman arc,
he gives his insight into the charcters of Tara Chase from
queen and Country Sasha Bordeaux in checkmate
and Renee Montoya the new Question.

Rucka also has final thoughts on the "52" project, as the last weekly issue hits the stores today.

In This episode of Wordballoon, we talk with writer Brad Meltzer about The Lightning Saga, the current JLA JSA Legion Of Superheroes Team Up, co written with Geoff Johns. Meltzer also discusses the paperback release of his 2006 best selling novel, The Book Of Fate.

We'll also prevview Brad's remaining stories on Justice League Of America, and revisit his first JLA arc, The Tornado's Saga, His Green Arrow story The Archer's Quest and discuss the fan reaction to Sue Dibny's controversial rape in Identity Crisis.

The conversation continues, as the DC writer answers more fan questions about his characters and stories . You'll learn more about "52", passing the hero mantle of THE QUESTION, film news on WHITEOUT, and why isn't DC considering a new LOIS LANE book?

In this first part of the Rucka debrief , you'll get writing tips from greg,
information about the upcomming Checkmate/Outsiders Crossover from DC comics , details on the future plans for greg's British spy series from Oni Press Queen and Country, and upcoming Rucka novels...

You'll hear Greg's thoughts on what should and shouldn't be
done with Wonder Woman,and more on the wrap up of DC's weekly series "52", and the consequences of "World War 3".

NOTE: This conversation took place in late March,
before DC announced the new plan of Gail Simone
taking over Wonder Woman, and Greg's comments should not
reflect on Gail's plans for the Amazon Hero.

The spider-man film is less than a month away, and we check in with venom's creator. David tells us what it was like to enter the business and create such memorable charcters as Venom,
Carnage, Jim Rhodes, and Claw the unconqueroed.

We cover his runs on The Unknown Soldier, The Avengers, His    spider-man and superman years, and talk about his legendary runs
on Iron Man with Bob Layton,  including the seminal story "demon in a bottle".

an audio tour of the indie master artist's latest book, Old Jewish Comedians, from Fantagraphics. We talk about the careers of Jerry Lewis  Bud Abbott, and Milton Berle and the lesser lights like Benny Rubin, Herbie Faye, and Mousie Garnder.

Drew also shares some his influences that led to his unique style of art and satire, tales of working with R Crumb, and Art Spigelman, and answers age old literary questions like "What night time TV soap star did JD Salinger stalk in the 80's", "What comic strip kept Vladimir Nabokov mystified/" and "Who is Menasha Skulnick ?"

Steve Niles made his mark in comics when he formed his own publishing company called Arcane Comix, where he published, edited and adapted several comics and anthologies for Eclipse Comics.

His adaptations have included works by Clive Barker, Richard Matheson and Harlan Ellison. Niles is best known for his horror noir chracter Cal McDonald the star of many mini series and prose projects, his original vapire tale 30 days of night will sooon be released as a major motion picture,

He's also working with comics legend bernie wrightson on City of Others, and on several other projects that come up in the course of our conversation. We'll talk about his work with Sam Rami, Tim Bradstreet Thomas Jane, and the pros and cons of comic creators on the web.

Wordballoon, in association with newsarama.com presents part 2, as we wrap things up with the writer of many Marvel Comics and  The Co-Executive Producer of NBC's Heroes.

We discuss the Buffy Season 8 comic book from dark Horse and jeph's eventual association with the series. We also get into a detailed debate about the amount of publisher wide events that DC and Marvel are serving non-stop to their readers. Finally we wrap up with an insider's view of the breakout hit tv series of this season, Heroes.

In our first WB conversation, Jeph and I spoke on his car phone, while he made his daily commute from his home to the studios of LOST .

The travelouge nature of our talks continue in this chat which starts in the cabride from Wonder-Con, To The SF airport, and finally wraps up at stately Loeb Manor, and his new office digs at HEROES.

In part 1, Jeph gives us the background behind his Wolverine run, and his involvemnt in Civil War, which led to the creation of FALLEN SON, THE DEATH OF CAPT AMERICA

We wrap up our talk with Brian Bendis. see How mnay hidden double meanings there are in some of his answers, givien the recent events in the Marvel Universe and their impact on the two Avengers teams....

Part 2 of our marathon conversation continues, with comments about the philosophy behind comic book events, more backgorund of Ultimate Spider-Man and The Avengers books, and lots more!

The Great Thing about having these marathon conversations with Marvel Comics writer Brian Michael Bendis is the amount of plot hints, character studies, and project updates for his books and films in production. Aspiring comic book makers will learn a lot about the craft of writing, and how to promote a new indie book.

The challenge (and fun)  is to wade through the hundreds of silly and random questions provided by myself and Bendis's message board community at jinxworld.com to get to those nugets of information.

 

If You'd Like to follow along with the thread containing all of the questions' here's the link

http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=102365

As comic book readers get older, some may tire of the safety rules superhero stories have when published by the big two DC and Marvel Comics.

Writer Jay Faerber has written for the big two on titles like DC's Teen Titans and Marvel's the New Warriors, but these days seems happiest focusing on his own original ideas. Joining his soap opera hero series Nobel Causes is a new hero team book from Image, Dynamo 5 featuring the illegitimate superpowered children of Captian Dynamo
an iconic all american hero who's public wasn't aware of his all too human flaws.

We'll also talk about Jay's love of detective fiction in books and TV, and his original gumshoe creation, Dodge's Bullets.

FROM 2006...THE POPULAR DC WRITER ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM FANS ABOUT BEHIND THE SCENES FACTS ON BOOKS LIKE BIRDS OF PREY, AND SECRET SIX, HER INTEREST IN WRITING OTHER FAN FAVORITE PROJECTS, AND LOOKS AHEAD TO BOOKS LIKE THE ALL NEW ATOM AND GEN 13. GAIL RESPONDS TO QUESTIONS ABOUT HER WRITING STYLE, HER INFAMOUS ESSAY ON THE 90'S PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN IN COMICS "WOMEN IN REFRIGERATORS" , AND HER CONTINUING SPITBALL FEUD WITH BRIAN BENDIS. YOU'LL ALSO LEARN THE ONE BIRDS OF PREY STORY IDEA DC WOULD NEVER LET GAIL USE... IT'S A DOOZY!

From 2005, a fun conversation with the man who put THE PUNISHER in The Big Leagues, with the 1986 mini series CIRCLE OF BLOOD, with artist Mike Zeck.

We talk about Steve's work with the legendary Gil Kane, His crime comics, the weekly Permanent Damage column at CBR and his epic bio comic on the late Pope John Paul The 2nd!

It's time for part two, the wrap of up my coverage of the FX con in Orlando Florida. In this episode you'll hear from Gene Ha the Eisner Award winning artist, who's working with Grant Morrison on The Authority from Wildstorn, and a few other high profile projects.

Artist Mike Perkins tells us what he can about Capt America's post civil war plans, and other projects in the works at Marvel.

Chuck Dixon Lays out his Wildstorm slate of books.

Cover painter Mark Sparacio tells us about his cover work for the overstreet guide, comic buyers guide, Heroes for Hire at marvel and more upcoming work

Indie creators Derrick Fish (Dandy & Co) , Shannon Chenowith (The Line) , and Art Baltazar (Gorilla Gorilla & Patrick The Wolf Boy)

and we wrap things up with two stars from the Sci-fi Chanel's hit series Eureka, the father daughter duo of Collin Ferguson and Jordan Hinson

What a great time at Orlando's FX Convention! This is the first of two shows, featuring panels and conversation with Matt Wagner (GRENDEL MAGE BATMAN ) Chuck Dixon & Derick Donovan (CONNOR HAWKE), Dave Johnson (100 BULLETS BEN 10) Steve Scott (CHECKMATE SHADOWPACT) Michael Golden (MICRONAUTS THE NAM), and the guys from Desperado Publishing, including Joe Pruett (KILROY IS HERE) Mike Perkins (NEGATIVE BURN) Chris Moreno (SIDEKICKS) Stephan Nilson (ATOMIK MIKE) and Andrew Robinson(DUSTY STAR) .

 

Later this week, more conversations in part 2 !

 

 

A brand new talk, with one of the Chicago based Comic Book creators ...

If you're a fan of the RA Salvatore comic adaptations, or early Devil's Due GI Joe books, you already know Tim Seeley is a great artist. But his writing is distinctly funny and consistantly entertaining . We talk about Tim's work on JOE, The Salvatore adaptations of Deamon Wars and Forgotten Relms, and his original horror creation, Hack Slash, which has beemn optioned for a future motion picture release.

Tim's also hard at work on a Troma Pictures comic anthology , adapting films like The Toxic Avenger, Surf Nazis Must Die, and the like, and the long awaited sequel to LOADED BIBLE , with artist Mike Norton.

Ethan is an exceptional artist and a very funny guy! I had so much fun talking about his work and comics in general.

Learn all about the secrets behind Cyberfrog, Ethan's early Heavy Metal influences, his long collaborations with Geoff Johns, which began on the sometimes forgotten FLASH IRON HEIGHTS and continued with GREEN LANTERN REBIRTH. We'll also disucss his run on Superman Batman with Mark Verheiden , and wait till you here his take on a classic O'Neil/Adams Green Lantern Green Arrow scene .

From Dec 2005

 

 

 

Sorry folks a few new interviews got lost in a hard drive mishap, so enjoy this June 2005 interview with the great fantasy artist Colleen doran, who's work on A Distatnt Soil , The Book Of Fate, Orbiter and other comic books continues to amaze readers.

Colleen discusses her colaborations with Mike Carey J Michael Straczynski, and Warren Ellis. She also discusses her approach in drawing Japanese style manga projects.

This was one of the first wordballoon episodes, Has my voice changed much?

The 24 hr news cycle is taken to task in Jonathon Hickman's new book from Image Comics.

Citizen victims of false accusations form an agressive cult that seeks revenge on the irresponsible reporters and news organizations that ruined their lives.

But the plot of the nightly news is only half of Hickman's
singular creation.The gov't conspiracy theories and media issues
are presented in a format that is part sequential art, part
information guide, wraped in a design display that is like no
other comic book on the market.

We talk with writer artist Jonathon Hickman, about the issues and design of The Nightly News.

From Jan 2006 A Conversation With Writer/Producer Dwyane McDuffie.

Dwayne co-founded the Milestone Comic Book Line, created Static Shock , and Marvel Comics Damage Control . He wrote great adventures for books like X-O Man Of War, Deathlok, and the Fantastic Four.

He also was part of the phenominal production staff that made the Warner Bros/DC Cartoons of the 90's. We spend a lot of time talking about the Static Shock TV series, and Justice League , which scoring huge ratings for the Cartoon Network. Details about classic JL stories, and the other comic creators who had a hand in various episodes.

Learn all about Dwayne's comic books,cartoons and his love of the superhero genre .

Ape Entertainment's Pulp Adventure series is wrapping up it's first arc, "Flight Of The Pheonix" in January, but this month, you can see the genesis of the Sexy Female Adventurer with the Trade Collection of Her first Onlione Adventures. We discuss her origins and pulp influences with her Creator, Artist Steve Bryant.

Check it out, and find out why comci creators like Warren Ellis Mark Schultz, and Tim Bradstreet love this book too!

Damn I love this book!

Swashbuckling action set during the american revolution, Pirates, Monsters, Masked Heroes...and Ben Franklin? Lichius gives us the lowdown on his comic book creation, THE BLACK COAT co-written with Adam Cogan and amazing art from Francesco Francavilla for Ape Entertainment. The first trade A CALL TO ARMS, is avaiable now though Diamond Distributing . Learn all about this revolutionary hero, and his fellow cast of characters.

Think of this as Wordballoon's Holiday special, like It's A Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story. One of the most requested interviews is back! From Dec 2005, The man who redefined the DCU. The man who smacked the camp out of Batman, and made him the dark knight badass once again. The man who had Superman fight Muhammad Ali...and Supes lost! Legendary artist Neal Adams actually tolerated my silly questions for over 90 minutes, and was ready to give me even more time!!!! Listen , as Neal brings us tales from the Bronze Age, and goes in depth on his scientific theories about an expanding earth. How does an un-accredited science enthusiast pitch his theory, when the conventional science world refuses to support it?

The DC/Marvel/Wildstorm writer talks about his comic books, like Iron Man Captian America Casualties Of War, Union Jack, Stormwatch, and more, plus he and host John Siuntres have to bond as fellow Greek countrymen, and figure out which comic pros are also Greek.

We also talk about his transition from screenwriter on TV shows like LAW AND ORDER SVU, and NUMB3RS to comics.

If you've ever been to a DC Nation panel, that seems to be the tone in some fans voices , as they fret over the fate of their favorite comic book heroes .

From killing Sue Dibny and Ted Kord, nearly killing Nightwing, to the new versions of Blue Beetle, Aquaman and The Atom. If they'd get past their anger, they'd realize how much fun it's been reading the comic books.

The executive editor of DC Comics has readers attention and wondering each month, what's going to happen next?

We take a look at Dan's editorial views on why things change, and his plans for DC in 2007.

Steve Ditko created him for Charlton Comics, but writer Denny O'Neil re-defined THE QUESTION. It was a ground breaking 1980's series remebered fondly by the industry's top writers today.

In this march 2006 conversation, Denny talks about the character , and his new novel, HELLTOWN , which gives the backstory of Vic Sage's path which resulted in his adopting THE QUESTION identity.

Die hard Question fans will notice changes to the story as originally depicted in the Charlton and DC comic books, but O'Neil Fans won't be disapointed in the cameos and tone of the novel.

We also discuss Denny's start in the comic book field and his influences learning from editors like Julie Schwartz and Stan Lee.

You might hear some Batman talk in their too, given O'Neil's 30 plus years writing and editing the character.

It's Here! The Final Chapter! Bendis and I go one more round talking about all of his comic books

After 5 twilight hours of answering fan questions Brian and I are tired and losing our grip on reality.

Listen, as John loses his ability to read english!

Hear Bendis, as he shrinks to microscopic size buried under the weight of another word association list, or Paste Pot Pete reference! Will our heroes survive?

How's That for Stan Lee style hyperbole?

Sure, Matt is kicking ass writing comic books like Punisher War Journal and The Immortal Iron Fist (with Ed Brubaker) for Marvel, but are you reading Cassanova? His wigged out action packed, and very disturbing spy series from Image?

How about older books, like the Image graphic novel Five Fists Of Science, the 1899 heroic duo of Mark Twain and Nikolai Tesla Vs the evil of Thomas Edison?

Or the IDW crime classic, LAST OF THE INDPENDENTS?

We cover those, plus throw in enough pop culture talk to make Alex Trebeck weep.