On this edition of Word Balloon, Dan Slott is back to answer your questions, and because he can’t wait for everyone to check out this week’s Amazing Spider-Man 655. Dan calls it “the best issue I’ve ever worked on.”

Combined with the double page scene montage in the back of ASM 654.1 and the cover previews for the next 4 issues, there are plenty of telltale signs for the future of the Spiderverse. Dan’s shares what few details he can with us, from Spidey taking the Human Torch’s place in the new FF, to hints of a future ASM event called Spider-Island.

Very sad to hear we've lost Dwayne today. Last night, I just finished watching All Star Superman, which Dwayne had adapted from Grant Morrision's comic. It was another instant classic.

In tribute here is Dwayne's 2006 Word Balloon conversation. We talk a lot about his animation work on Static Shock and JLU, but also get into many of his comic creations for Milestone DC and Marvel.

Dwayne was a pleaure to speak to at cons and here in this conversation. Rest in Peace.

Ande is best known for his inking , collaborating with his longtime pal Phil Hester, but Parks has been honing his writing skliils on specials and annuals at Marvel, OGNs at Oni and now monthly series at Dynamite.

Currently Ande is all over the Kevin Smith Green Hornet Universe writing KATO and Green Hornet-Blood Ties, plus he's writing the Lone Ranger crossover The Death Of Zorro.

We discuss these heroes, plus look back at some of our favorite moments from a mutual real life hero, Orson Welles.

On this opening salvo to this season’s Bendis Tapes, we start with a closer look at the new Moon Knight series beginning in May. After a mixed reaction to last week's Marvel press conference Bendis addresses the initial concerns old time Marc Spector fans have with the idea that his 3 multiple personalities have doubled to include Steve Rogers, Spider-Man and Wolverine .

We talk about Takio the all ages graphic novel from Brian and his Powers co-collaborator Mike Oeming

On the Marvel movie front, Bendis gives a non detail disclosing thumbs up to the Thor film, and more importantly describes the environment of the meetings with Thor director Kenneth Branaugh . You’ll also hear behind the scenes details of the last Marvel retreat, which was the first led by new Editor In Chief Axel Alonso.

We also get updates on the many TV projects Bendis has in the works. You’ll hear about Powers at FX, AKA Jessica Jones at ABC and Ultimate Spider-Man at Disney XD.

Finally, we begin to answer question posted at Brian’s Jinxworld message board, which cover big picture topics like how social media has improved the comics fandom -creator relationship.

On this episode of Word Balloon Stuart Immonen checks in and previews his new Marvel event coming this April, FEAR ITSELF written by Matt Fraction. The conversation then explores the various art styles Stuart has experimented with through the years. We discuss his early DC work on The Legion Of Superheroes, his Superman run as an artist and writer, andhis 1996 event The Final Night with Karl Kessel.

We also update the potential of any new NEXTWAVE material coming from him and Warren Ellis, look back at SHOCKROCKETTS and SUPERSTAR from he and Kurt Busiek, and discuss upcoming new projects with his wife Kathryn. 

Re-Posting this episode with Marvel artist Gabe Hardman. The sound is a little muffled in the interview, but I did my best to clean it up.

We talk about Gabe's work on HULK, and his and Jeff Parker's Plan's to broaden the Red Hulk's (General Thunderbolt Ross) rogues gallery. Plus we talk about the wrap-up to ATLAS, and Gabe's work as a storyboard artist in Hollywood.

Did you know Gabe was the brains behind an amazing sequence from a recent Super hero film?

Director Bryan Singer came to Gabe with the vague direction "Superman saves people in a plane" for Superman returns. Gabe and the technical crew came up with arguably the best sequence of the entire film.

Let's start petitioning the Hollywood brass to get Gabe in the director's chair!