On this edition of the Word balloon podcast, we begin our C2E2 convention coverage with three guetss.

From the con floor artist Cliff Chiang talks about the new issue of Brave And Bold #33, on sale today featuring a girls night out between Zatanna, Batgirl, and Wonder Woman, written by J Michael Straczynski., plus Greendale, his upcoming original graphic novel, based on the music of Neil Young, written by Joshua Dysart.

We wrap up our talk with Matt Fraction, because we had to hold back our discussion about Casanova's move to Marvel's Icon inprint, it's conversion to color, and what it's like working with the Brazilian Brother art team of Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon.

Finally Brian Bendis is back to talk about his new creator owned Icon series Scarlet with co-creator Alex Maleve . We also talk about the IPad, and other digital issues regarding Spider-Woman, Powers, The Ultimate Universe,  and The Avengers .

In the episode of Word Balloon,host John Siuntres wraps up his marathon chat with the Marvel writer.
You'll here more fan questions that lead to covering topics like  the upcoming 68 page Mandarin story
in the next Iron Man Annual, Matt's favorite X-Men, A sense of the direction for the first arcs of Matt's debut run
on  Thor,, and more.

Marvel writer Matt Fraction is here to discuss his current books, the craft of comic writing , and answer a ton of fan questions.
The Fraction family is expecting their 2nd child, any day now, so Matt wanted to check in before he's elbow deep in diapers and formula (which is similar to when he visits Bendis ) and talk about what's ahead. We begin a 2 part word balloon conversation that will conclude next tuesday.

In part 1 of Matt's Fireside chat,we pay tribute to the passing of artist/editor Dick Giordano.You'll learn the origin of The Doctor America story he co-created with Brendan McCarthy for "Who Won't Wear The Shield?" We discuss Matt's Iron Man/Thor Free Comic Book Day issue, with John Romita Jr.

Fraction also takes us through his earliest editorial cues through Civil War, and all events that led to the upcoming Heroic Age.  he explains the nature of iron man's series having a science fiction feel. What kind of leader has Scott Summer's become in
the wake of the mutant war? How will he reconcile Psylocke's white and asian backgrounds? Matt also tells us what's next for the X-Men after second coming , gives new creators tips on where to look for young artists,  and hints at some creator owned projects ion the way

Phil Hester joins us to say he’s not chasing batgirl anymore. The artist has been a busy writer creating the Anchor for Boom Studios, writing The Darkness for top cow, and black terror for dynamite. We get the lowdown on al of these series, plus Phil talks about some deals brewing for The Coffin and Fire Breather, and we talk about the changing comics market, and why some creators may be holding onto their best ideas for their own exploitation. The conversation starts with Phil’s role as breakdown artist on Dynamite’s Green Hornet series adapted from an unfilmed screenplay by Kevin Smith

from  May 8th 2006, as my description said back then...

THE EDITOR BEHIND THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN, BLACK PANTHER, MOON
KNIGHT AND THE PUNISHER, TALKS
ABOUT HIS INPUT IN MARVEL'S CIVIL
WAR, PLUS WE LOOK BACK AT
CONTROVERSIAL PROJECTS LIKE CAPTAIN AMERICA :
TRUTH, THE RAWHIDE KID, AND THE
GARTH ENNIS MAX NICK FURY MINISERIES.

YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT AXEL'S NUTURING
OF NEW ARTISTS AND WRITERS , AND
WHY HE'S AS LEERY AS SOME READERS
ABOUT EVENT BOOKS.