On this edition of Word Balloon, Sal Abbinanti creator of Atomika
the alternate history of Russian superheroes and villains.

Sal explores the iconic images of the former USSR, combined with
Russian mythology, but is the first to say this isn't a pro-soviet
polemic. "At least once a con a guy wants to argue with me
about Communism...or say how are things in Russia and I say 'Guys,
come on, Gene Simmons really wasn't a serpent. It's just an act.' "

He gives tips to aspiring creators about marketing an independent
comic in the current market. "You gotta hustle...I tried going to
cons, all over the country like Loretta Lynn with the records
and my husband (working) out of the car...doesn't work...I tell
new creators, don't release the book until you have 5 issues in the
can, you never realize how much time it takes to promote the thing...
plus dealing by yourself with colorists,inkers and printers...you
never realize how much time it will take."

Sal also discusses future projects like The Hostage based on  
true crime Brazilian kidnappings and the sci-fi comedy Dagos On The Moon.

We talk Scalped, Wolverine Weapon X, His wrap up on The Ghost Rider series, and his upcoming origin of one of the immortal weapons, Fat Cobra.

On this edition of Word Balloon, coverage of this year's FX International Con in Orlando, Fl.

You'll hear floor chats with Jeremy Haun, who talks about drawing the Batman-Battle For The Cowl One-Shot Arkham Asylum, written by David Hine, and drawing the Top Cow series Berserker written by Rick Loverd . Haun calls the arkaham One-Shot "A great hooror
story.I got to draw some of my favorite villians...it does focus on the events after Arkham explodes in the first issue of Battle For the Cowl...with hints of what we'll see in the future (Bat books) ."

Marvel writer Jonathon Hickman talks about Secret Warriors & his work on the Fantastic Four Dark Reign series and taking over the main FF book following Mark Millar and Brian Hitch "After the events of Civil War and Secret Invasion I thought there was a real oppourtunity to do a lot of FF closure in the Dark reign series . The first arc of the regular series will be called "solve everything", and Reed sets out to do so."

Artist Ben Templersmith talks about his IDW work on Wormwood, Doctor Who, and Groom Lake, plus answers the perenial question will he and writer Warren Ellis be doing more issues of their Image series Fell?
"There is more Fell(to come), whenever Warren wants to do it, I'm doing it."

Writer Christos Gage discusses his IDW GI Joe work, his coming Avatar series Absolution, His WIldcats wrok for Wildstorm, and Marvel books.

On Avengers: The Initiative "Somehow a rumor got started that the Initiative was being cancelled, but that's not true, the only way it will be cancelled is if people think it's cancelled and stop buying it...We're actually starting an exciting period...the initiative is now run by Norman Osborn, so they're now training villians to be dark avengers and appear to be heroic while still being bad on the downlow...Some former members are going underground to rebel against the new initiative directive. Tigra will be looking for some payback after her beating from The Hood."

On the upcoming mini series House Of M:Masters Of Evil "What were the villians doing in the House Of M world. The Hood has assembled a gang of villians including Asorbing Man Titania, Crossbones The Sandman, Batroc The Leaper...they get together to steal, in a world where Magneto's army comes down on them hard...the non mutant world starts to mistake their rebellion as being heroic, so they start to plan the scam of a lifetime."

Avatar comics publisher William Christensen talks about Wareen's Ellis's Ignition City, Freak Angels, and how Avatar has chnaged their image from the "Bad Girl" books, to their current line of unfettered stories by today's top creators. Writer artist Mike Wolfer talks about his work with Eillis on the Avatar Series Gravel .

And, Jim McCann checks in to discuss his New Avengers:The Reunion mini series for Marvel.

Ivan Brandon and Nic =Klien debut their Image series Vikings on April 22nd. The First Issue has already sold out with retailers, and Ivan Talks about the series particulars.

We also look at his upcoming mini series for DC, featuring Nemesis, Final Crisis Aftermath : Escape, and his recent appearence on NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice

I

On this episode, we check in with writer JM DeMatteis. JM is known for groundbreaking character studies in arcs like "Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt", and his memorable Joker story "Going Sane". Today JM discusses his new IDW mini series THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SAVIOR 28, with artist Mike Cavallaro. A compelling portrait of a long time patriotic super hero who questions his role of aggressor in the never ending battle. His story begins in the late 30's and progresses through the post 9-11 21st century. Superhero fans will appreciate the nods to familiar moments of real world and comics history, that play out in a very different way than they are used to.

On his upcoming collaboration with his Bwa-ha ha pals Keith Giffen and Kevin McGuire on Metal Men , in the back of Giffen's Doom Patrol .
" Every once and awhile Keith will call me up and say "Wanna do this?" and I always say 'Yeah!" What Keith does is he puts down this rock solid foundation of a story...you get the basic of the plot and characterization, a few one liners and then I come in and fill up as many word balloons as I can!"

We also discuss DeMatties role as editor-in-chief of Ardden Entertainment, including the new Flash