On this edition of Word Balloon, we wrap up 2011 with another multi guest show. We wrap up our last conversation of the year with Brian Michael Bendis who gives us updates on Takio, The Avengers Film, and his television projects like the Powers, pilot for FX, The Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon, and AKA Jessica Jones. We also talk about the recent cancellations of b-level character books, which begs the question “Can an ongoing c-level book survive in this current comic market?”

Next Will Pfieffer joins us to talk about his new gig co-writing Iron Man 2.0 with Nick Spencer to close out the current series.  DC comics also has re-released Will’s Batman Legends Of The Dark Night story Blaze Of Glory drawn by Chris Weston . Plus he has a new Tor Books original graphic novel due out in March . It’s a sci-fi suspense thriller called The Advance Team.  Will’s day job is a DVD reviewer for the Rockford Register Star newspaper, so we go over some of the quirkiest DVD releases for 2011.

Finally Atomika creator Sal Abbinanti wraps up his talk about the art exhibition  of his paintings going on at Challengers Comics in Chicago through January 9^th.

In each interview, there's a lot of backmatter about Movies Television DVDs and the pop culture things we love. Enjoy, and Happy New Year! 

Time Code 

Brian Bendis     00:00-46:00

Will Pfeiffer      46:01-2:03:01

Sal Abbinanti  2:03:02-3:05:00

Happy Holidays! Here's a four guest spectacular to help you get through the travel times to and from your holiday destinations.

First Brian Michael Bendis joins us for the start of a 2 part talk. We discuss the upcoming 2012 event Avengers versus X-Men, what's happening with the return of Norman Osbourne and a new team of Dark Avengers , plus Moon Knight, and this week's issue of Ultimate Spider-man #5.

Walter Simonson is up next. He talks about stepping down as an art teacher to concentrate on some future creator owned projects. Plus we look back at this year's release of the IDW Simonson Mighty Thor Artist Edition . Walter takes us behind the scenes explaining the process of putting this incredible project together. He also tell us about the experience of being in this year's Thor movie. We also look back at Walter's first writing assignments which led to his adaptation of Raider's Of The Lost Ark, with artist John Buscema , and the details behind a Batman sketch that led to a classic cover and story.

Then Paul Cornell Joins us to talk about his work on DC's new 52. We discuss his run on Stormwatch, which ends with next month's issue #5. Then we examine in depth the ideas behind Demon Knights . Paul takes us through all the main characters and hints at the book's future direction. Cornell also previews his upcoming Vertigo book Saucer Country which debuts in March, and a new sci-fi-police procedural novel he describes as " Buffy meets The Sweeney".

Finally we check in with Sal Abbinanti , the creator of Atomika . Sal has an art show of original paintings of heroes and villains going on through January 9th at Challengers Comics Rouges Gallery in Chicago.

00:00-57:57-     Brian Bendis

57:58-1:39:25-  Walter Simonson

139:26-237:15-  Paul Cornell

237:16-259:58   Sal Abbinanti

237:16-259:58   Sal Abbinanti

On this edition of Word Balloon, we spend a lot of time discussing the DC universe. First John Rood DC Entertainment's Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development joins us to breakdown the November numbers from Diamond as the new 52 propels DC to another winning month, however the gap between them and Marvel comics and Marvel Comics is narrowing. Rood gives us an idea of what the buying trends are now that there is 3 months of New 52 data to examine. Plus, we get some demographics from The Nielsen Surveys DC conducted with consumers.

Then James Robinson joins us for his first full length WB chat. Robinson explains how he got into reading American comic books growing up in London England. We discuss The Shade Maxi Series, and his exploration of this new DC Universe. Plus we look back on his recent runs on Superman, and The Justice League. James explains his ideas of characterization for heroes Like Donna Troy, villains like Solomon Grundy, and fan reactions to those choices.

Finally, we have a transcontinental talk with the entire Brazilian art team on Aquaman. Penciller Ivan Reis, Inker Joe Prado, and Colorist Rod Reis talk about the Brazilian comics scene, and why they chose to go from working on Green Lantern to Aquaman. Despite speaking in a 2nd language rather than their native portuguese, all three creators conduct a very nuanced and complex conversation discussing their art and love of certain characters with full command of the english language.