James Robinson takes us behind the scenes of Earth-2 as he re-imagines DC's golden aged heroes into a modern day post appocalyptic world where Superman batman & Wonder Woman were killed. He also gives us details on Earth-2's new Batman , who debuts in April's E-2 Annual.

Dan Jurgens talks about his current run on Firestorn, and the job of taking over books in the New 52 . We also look back at his 90's run on Superman, comparing the man of tomorrow with the New 52 version of the character. We also talk about passt events like Zero Hour Death OF Superman and more looks at today's comics market.

Then 2 creators give self publishuing tips. First, Robbi Rodgriguez talks about his Acid Western Frankie Get Your Gun, and the new ep soundtrack for the comic that's out today. He also previews his new Vertigo series Colider written by Simon Oliver.

Then Ryan Browne talks about his kickstarter campaign for a hardcover collection of his web comic God Hates Astronauts, and his upcoming Image work on Manhattan Projects with Jonathan Hickman and Bedlam with Nick Spenser.

On this episode of Word Balloon, we check in with John Romita Jr. His current run on CAPTAIN AMERICA takes the character into Dimension Z on a cosmic odyssey with writer Rick Remender. Romita talks about deconstructing the super patriot. Plus we get an update on Kick Ass-2, and John reminisces about his early days in the Marvel Bullpen.

Then JT Krul joins us to promote some new projects at Aspen Comics. A new young adult novel called Lost Spark and a new project to be announced in April. We look at where aspen Comics is today as the company celebrates its 10th anniversary. JT also talks about his current run on SUPERMAN BEYOND , one of the best Superman stories you're not reading.

Art Baltazar & Franco ! join us to talk about their Kickstarter Campaign for AW YEAH COMICS their new kids line of comics starting this spring. We also talk about their current run on SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES which wraps up in May with some plots twists never seen before in any Superman Comics.

Finally Bob Wayne And John Cunningham of DC Comics join us to talk about the January Sales numbers and the WTF cover promotion happening in April.

On today's Word Balloon podcast, we catch up with Jonathan Hickman , who's taking the Avengers into new directions. New Avengers #3 had a startling finish and we talk about it. We also discuss his Image books The Manhattan Projects East Of West (which debuts next month) and the current status/fate of the espionage book Secrets .

Then Ball State University Lecturer Christy Blanch talks about her new MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) Gender Through Comics Books. The course will look at how men and women were depicted in comics from the 1930's to today. Blanch will have many guest speakers for the class, and the subjects discussed involve comic book history and a sharp look at characters like Lois Lane and Wonder Woman , who both started as capable strong rolemodels in the 1940's only to become lonley-heart single women desperate to marry their beaus in the 1950's. What happened? The male superhero stereotypical portrayals are also examined.

Today on Word Balloon, legendary filmmaker Ralph Bakshi joins us to discuss his Kickstarter campaign for a new animated series called Last days Of Coney Island.

The series sees Bakshi return to familiar territory New York in the 1960's. Bakshi promises scenes and stories about police corruption, gangs, prostitutes and the enui of the decade as the country suffered urban decay and the losses of leaders like John and Robert Kennedy.

Bakshi also dorps news about making sequel scenes for some of his cult classic films after he completes The Last Days Project. He talks about making new sequences for his films Wizards Coonskin, and Heavy Traffic.

For yeras he's talked about a new sequence for the 1977 film Wizards, involving the character Peace saving a train boxcar filled with draves being taken to their death, ala the real life WW2  refugees taken by the Nazis to concentration camps. Says Bakshi " I love Peace...it's an incredible action sequence ...it's a violent scene... so (explitive)  if you want to see Wizards 2 get Last Days going."  Number 3, I'd do Coonskin 2 ..and then Heavy Traffic and what I'm saying is  I can contunie to do more with these films, and release them on the net. " Bakshi would release the films on his website and a Bakshi channel he's developing.

Bakshi also updates us on the potential live action Robert Rodgriguez remake of his 1983 film Fire and Ice co-concieved by Frank Frazetta and written by Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas. Says Bakshi "  I had spoke last week obver emails that he wants to shoot it next summer...I get a nice fee if he shoots it . He came to me and wanted to do it. He wants to make it live action which is fine, cause I'd never re do it. I said make it like Sin City and Frazetta (style) he's says he would ...He's says he's shooting it  next summer, he's now shooting Sin City 2, so unless he feels the need to lie to me, that's his intention."
Bakshi also talks about his years at Terrytoon films which taught him the tricks to make animation at a cheaper cost. We also discuss his work on the Spider-Man Animated series, and his friendship with Frazetta.

Then we catch up with Rick Remender who's taking bold direction in his 2 Marvel Now! books Captain America and Uncanny Avengers. We talk about the ideas in the comics that have polarizing reactions from fans  but Rick is quick to say these are long story arcs that will reveal themselves over time. Rick also talks about the delightful success the Fear Agent Onibus is having , and announces some new creator owned projects for 2013.