On This episode of Word Balloon, it's part 2 of The Rucka Debrief. Writer Greg Rucka talks more about his
upcomiong novel series for Alpha. You'll hear about the digital plans for Greg's Oni books,  We also hear
about Greg's "passion project" American Soldier with artist Rick Burchett, and we look back at Greg's art collaborators on the Queen and Country Comic Series.

One word of caution. Being the poltical news junkies Greg and yours truly are , the conversation turned to the coming mid-term elections, not in specifics but the general idea that we live in a highly partisan enviroment. The discussion came up inspired by a listener asking about where gets his news. Still, some listeners just want to hear about comics. 

For those who would like to pass on the political portion of our discussion, skip from 22:18-30:55

On this episode of Word Balloon, we begin a 2 part conversation with Greg Rucka. Today his new Queen And Country novel THE LAST RUN from Bantam Books is out, and next week, Greg will begin a multi city tour promoting the book. For full rundown of signings visit Rucka’s website.

We talk about the book and where the Q&C series goes after the novel as Greg calls this story “The end of Q&C volume 1.”

Greg also discusses his departure earlier this year from DC Comics, explaining why he left, and what projects are in the near and distant future. You’ll hear his thoughts on the future of Characters he’s created like Batwoman , and Renee Montoya

We also begin answering your questions for Rucka.

An all star list of creators are on tap on this episode of word balloon, .libve from the floor of this year's New York Comcicon.

Billy Tucci talks about his work on the DC war books, and rebooting his creator owned series Shi for the 21st century, beginning next year.

Nicola Scott previews her upcoming run on Teen Titans with JT Krul.

Ryan Dunleavy and Fred Van Lente preview issue 5 of their history of comics documentary
Comic Book Comics.

Trevor Goring discusses his new IDW 3 part WW2 series Iron Siege starting in December.

Colorist Paul Mounts talks about his work on Fantstic Four Cpatain America, and the transition from
hand coloring books, to learning the digital process.

The entire creative team from Vertigo’s Scalped  writer Jason Aaron, and artists RM Guerra, and Giulia Brusco discuss how they were put together by editor Will Dennis .

Stuart Moore discusses his IDW Star Trek One Shot on Captain Pike, His Spider-Man Howard The Duck Special Back in Quack! The monthly Namor series, and a new OGN Shadrach Stone, a paranormal adventure story from Penny Farthing Press. With artist Jon Proctor.

Walter and Louise Simonson discuss recent and future works coming from DC and Marvel.

John Paul Leon  previews a new Batman mini series with Kurt Busiek , and talks about last years
Sgt Fury & The Howling Commandos Shotgun Opera with Jesse Alexander.

Cliff Chang preview his upcoming run on Zantana with Paul Dini, and hints at a 2011 project that reunites him with Brian Azzarello.

Jamal Igle talks about wrapping up his run on Supergirl with issue #59.

Christos Gage talks about his Marvel books, the Vertigo Crime Novel Area 10 with Chris Samnee, his Avatar superhero series Absolution , and his work on the new Captain America video game.

From 2000AD Robbie Morrison and Simon Frazier discuss their new Nikolai Dante graphic novel Amerika , plus Simon talks about his Lily Mackenzie series featured in the 2000AD Megazine.

On this episode of the podcast, Brian Bendis goes into detail about all of his NYCC announcements of current and future projects with Marvel and ICON.

In a full disclosure discussion we had prior to the convention , you’ll hear all about Taki O, the new creator owned all ages project from Bendis and Mike Oeming , how Brian's daughter played an importatnt role in creating the concept, and how it will impact future arcs of their other creator owned series Powers.

We also discuss, Bendis’s new reboot of Moon Knight with Alex Maleev, all of Brian’s Avengers books, including a preview of the next arcs in New Avengers and Avengers, the joy of working with Alan Davis on the well received Avengers Prime, and  welcoming Sara Pichelli who will alternate arcs with David LaFuente Ultimate Spider-Man. 

Then we cut to a brief floor conversation from last Friday at the con with talk about Scarlett, the 150 issue plans for Ultimate Spider-Man, and next years Avengers annuals which will have a linking storyline. Bendis also teases a 2011 Avengers story drawn by Brian Hitch 

Time for part 2 of our conversation with Ed Brubaker. We finish up some listener questions, and transition into our usual random discussion about foreign crime films and television that might’ve flown under the general audience radar. We also talk about some of the golden and silver age great moments of forgotten comics. From Gil Kane’s HIS NAME IS SAVAGE, to Johnny Craig’s EC CRIME AND SUSPENSE STORIES and his Warren work on CREEPY and EERIE . We remember the Marvel Black and White magazines , including their PLANET OF THE APES original stories by Doug Moench .

Ed also compares his collaborative runs writing with Greg Rucka on DC’s GOTHAM CENTRAL to writing IRON FIST and UNCANNY X-MEN with Matt Fraction.

On this episode we wrap up a 2 part talk with artist Tony Harris. In part 2 Tony explains his pursuit to create a freelance guild for comic book writers and artists to get better wages health benefits and retirement security . The Guild is called SAEG, the sequential arts and entertainment guild.

Tony gives us an update on War heroes his Image comics mini series with Mark Millar. Tony explains the reasons behind the delays and the plan moving forward on the series.

Then we talk about Tony’s love of pulp hero fiction from the 1930’s and 40’s. It inspired the 2 JSA projects he did with writer Dan Jolley,  The Liberty Files and The Unholy Three. Harris’s love of pulps inspired his next project with writer B Clay Moore which was slated for Wildstorm, The Whistling Skull . According to recent tweets by Moore, the project will move forward despite the recent news that the Wildstorm imprint was wrapping up.

Note: Our talk with Tony took place before the Wildstorm announcement. Attempts made to get an update comment from Tony regarding the publishing plans for The Whistling Skull were unsuccessful.