Jimmy and Amanda talk Harley Quinn

Joe Quesada on the success of Guardians Of the Galaxy for Marvel Films

Axel Alonso on his big picture philosophies at Marvel

Diana Schutz Of Dark Horse on the perception of comics in the academic world and the mainstream pop culture

First an in studio visit with writers Kyle Higgins and alec Siegel, co creators of COWL from Image

Then Chuck Dixon via skypoe tells us about his new action advernture novel Levon's Trade. We also talk Batman The Punisher and Chuck's Wall St Journal editorial from this past June.

Great chat with Eric Powell about The Goon. He just wrapped up a pivotal story arc that leaves the Goon in a bad place to pick things up in February.

Then Mark Waid comes on to talk about the reboot of Archie and the Riverdale gang he's doing with Fiona Staples. Then we have Mark Art Baltazar & Franco talk with a fellow Superman fan about their favorite Superman runs, the daily comic strip from the 1960's, and Mark's observations on the latest Marvel summit.

The history of Hip Hop Music and Culture is explored in Pittsburg Cartoonist Ed Piskor's excellent weekly series, online at Boing Boing and in the gigantic treasury edition published format from Fantagraphics Books. We discuss the interesting performance art intersections that helped evolve the Hip Hop Movement from playing at rec rooms in the bronx, to the world wide phenomenon it became.

Ed talks about his big break working with Harvey Pekar, his self published work, and more.

Alex Segura From Archie Comics drops by to give the lowdown on the news of Fox developing a new live action tv series called RIVERDALE, and to go behind the scenes with Archie's Dark Circle line of Super Hero books.Upcoming reboots of The Black Hood & The Shield will join Dean Haspiel & Mark Waid's The Fox. Alex discusses the new directions and life at Archie Comics.We also talk about his crime novel SILENT CITY which has a follow up in the works. 

It's Time for The New York Comic Con, and Brian Bendis will be showing the first footage from the Powers TV show, and participating in Marvel 75th anniversary panels. Bendis joins us to tell stories about the pruduction of Powers hanging with the cast and crew and prepariing for the premiere coming in just a few months. bendis assures us that the 1st episode will be available free on many Sony online streaming platforms like crackle.com and others. 

There's lots of TV and movie talk, as the superhero genre prepares for a very crowded 2015. How has 2014 "set the table" for what's to come? Bendis even has positive thoughts about the upcoming Captain America 3 

We also talk in depth about his comic books Miles Morales Ultimate Spider-Man, The X-Men books, United States Of Murder Inc., and of course Guardians Of The Galaxy.

Plus, final thoughts on the closing of the Jinxworld Bendis Message Board, the 22 year old onlinbe community that launched many comic creator careers, and THIS VERY PODCAST! 

From Cincy Comicon, first a career spanning spotlight with Kelley Jones  the incredible Batman artist talks about his time with the caped crusader, his influences, love of Horror, and many other great works 

Then The Chew Revival Panel.The Image books crossed over this year, and then the creators joined me onstage to talk about their careers, books and view of today's comic book business. With Rob Gillory, Tim Seeley Mike Norton and Jenny Frison

2 great panels from Cincy Comic Con.

First a one on one interview with the irrepresible Tony Millionare , the Creator Of sock Monkey Uncle Gabby and Drinky Crow, along with Billy Hazelnuts and others. Tony talks about his life, career path, and what the current market enviroment is like for an indie comic strip artist. You can read Tony's weekly efforts at his website makkies.com 

Then a live scene missi9ng film discussion with comic artists Jim Terry (The Sundowners) Hilary Barta (Simpsons Sponge Bob ) and Sean lDove (Revival The Last Days Of Danger) 

2 Great panels from The Cincy Comicon 

Fraction and Zdarsky face a live audiebnce for a free wheeling sex criminals Q&A session.

Then the real Southern Bastards Jason Latour Tony Moore Mike Norton and Mark Kidwell talk about their southern roots, and how their heritage influences their art and stories. 

Andy Schmidt joins us to talk about his time editing Marvel Cosmic, including the formation of the current Guardians Of the galaxy Roster, and The Comics Experience Online School, which has a new project deal with IDW.

The Batman At 75 panel from Cincy Comic Con With Kelley Jones, Time Seeley, Ben Templesmith and Jeremy Haun. A great discussion about The Caped Crusader

Franco & Scoot McMahon from Aw Yeah comics tell us about Spot on Adventure , a new funny web comic with a novel story tellling approach that readers can guide through their participation via Patreon.

On this episode of Word balloon, it's back to school as we tour the Chicago campus of The International School Of Comics. Instructors Emma Rand Annalisa Vicari and Robin Mckay sat down to discuss the school's philosophy of how to teach commercial art to prospecrtive students.

Then Steve Bryant drops in to discuss the upcoming Dark Horse Comics Athena Voltaire Compendium, collecting and remastering the entire series to date,  including many new pages of story content.

Finally a new Scene Missing Segment recorded live at Challengers Comics in Chicago. We play movie trivia game show style with artists Jim Terry and Hilary Barta 

Happy To Bring You The Audio From The 9th Annual SDCC Podscasters Panel With Heath Corson, John Mayo Calvin Reid, Tim Beyers and Glenn Weldon

Plus The Future Of geek Panel With Rob Salkowitz, Heidi McDonald and Tim Beyers .

Both panels had great looks at the comic book and pop culture industires and where they're going.

We begin our coverage from this year's San Diego Comic-Con.

Days before the wide release of Guardians Of The Galaxy, Marvel Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada explains the origin of the comic and film. 

We have Image Expo Coverage featuring the keynote address by Image Publisher Eric Stephenson.

Michael Moreci talks about his new Image comic Roche Limit, his Planet Of The Apes comic from Boom! Studios, and writing the new Hack Slash comic, with Steve Seeley.

Ryan Browne talks about taking God Hates Astronauts to Image as an ongoing series.

Jim Heffron tells us about his kickstarter campaign for the Gangs Of Camelot OGN.

Not since ancient times has such an august group of greek geeks got together to talk about the Comics Market.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 10 scribe Gage joins us to talk about the current run, working with Xander (Nicholas Brendan) , and Dan Slott on Spider-Man .

Chris also has a Comix Experience Master Class Seminar coming up August 9th about staying in the comics biz after that first gig.

Chris Eliopoulos is back to talk about his I AM childrens books with Brad Meltzer, including the new one I AM ROSA PARKS. We talk about COWBOY, his 25 years as a letterer/production guy, and much more.

Writer Sam Humpries talks about the New Star Lord comic, debuting July 2nd. Are we on the verge of a new important Marvel hero, soon to be bolstred by The Guradian Of The Galaxy Movie opening August 1st?

Business analyst Tim Beyers from The Motley Fool is back to talk about the current Superhero Media Scene, and tells us who's doing it right or wrong. From network cable and streaming tv, to this season's blockbuster films, to the comics they come from.

To celebrate the podcast's 9th Anniversary we go back to a June 2008 conversation on the phone with Ed and Matt. They were just starting their new colaboartion on X-Men with issue 500 and wrapping up their Iron Fist work. 

Great chats about all their then current books, plus hilarious pop culture talk, including drunk Orson Welles, tv & movie reviews and more.

On Todays Word Balloon, we catch up with Matt Fraction for another Fireside Chat.Matt & Chip Zdarsky are enjoying massive popularity with their Image Book Sex Criminals, which is at the top of the NYT Best Seller List , not to mention Time Magazine's Comic Book Of The year, and even more mainstream press critical acclaim. We talk about the book, plus his other Image series Sattelite Sam co-created with Howard Chaykin , and the continuing Hawkeye series for Marvel with David Aja and Annie Wu.

Then an amazing Kickstarter campaign to support a play about the life and career of Jack Kirby is discussed with the husband & wife creators behind the project, Fred Van Lente & Playwright Crystal Skillman. We talk about KING KIRBY which is part of the Comic Book Theater Festival happening in June at The Brick in NYC. We talk about the unique challenges of presenting this as a stage play, Crystal's meeting with the legendary Producer/Director Hal Prince , and more.

We wrap up with writer Marc Andreyko, who amidst controversy has taken on the writing chores on Batwoman for DC, and delivering an excellent superhero rocedural with strong charcter moments . Marc talks about the book,and projects with Clive Barker for BOOM! , a fun spy book for IDW, and his Cinderella arc that just wrapped up in Vertigo's FAIREST.

On This episode of Word Balloon, Hasan Minajh talks about his project Stand Up Planet, a documentary series that debuts Wed May 14th at 7pm on the cable channels LINK TV, PIVOT, The So Cal Public TV tation KCET and streaming live at standupplanet.org. This 2 part docu takes an amazing look at stand up comedy in the third world, and is worth your attention. Featured in the show are comedians from India and South Africa, and words of wisodm from comedy legends Bill Cosby, Norman Lear (All In The Family) , and Carl Reiner (The Dick Van Dyke Show)

Comic Artist Steve Skroce joins us to talk about the return of Doc Frankenstien and his work with Filmmakers and Comic Book Vets The Wachowskis on his Burlyman Comics, and their films including The Matrix Trilogy, Cloud Atlas, V For Vendetta, and this summer's Jupiter Ascending.

We wrap up with a C2E2 Podcaters roundtable featuring Steve Dismie of Comic Book Queers Wendy Freeman of Double Page Spread , Chris Marshall of Collected Comic Library and John Mayo of Comic Book Page

As promised, we begin the feature "Private Talk In Public Places" 

In this exclusive interview for Word Balloon's Patreon subscribers, artist Robert Atkins (GI JOE, IDW DARK HORSE MARVEL) shares his tips on ways he engages his audience to build his audience. 

To hear this interview, subscribe to the podcast for only $1 a month by going to patreon.com/wordballoon

On this episode of Word Balloon, we start with Phil Jimenez who's getting ready for his May 10th live art seminar for Comics Experience . We talk about the Master class on action and acting on the comic page . We also talk about Wonder Woman, Infinite Crisis and his take on the Marvel & DCU today .

The we wrap up our exclusive C2E2 floor interviews 

Gail Simone is back to talk about Batgirl, Red Sonja and Lara Croft.

Greg Pak talks Superman-Batman and Action Comics 

Charles Soule talks Swamp Thing Red Lanterns Superman-Wonder Woman, and Letter 44

Nicola Scott talks Earth-2 

Brit Neil Gibson discusses his horror anthologies Twisted Dark and the challenges of breaking intio the american comics market 

Artist Jim Trry talks about his Dark Horse Comics series The Sundowners with Tim Seeley

Tony Fleecs and Thom Zahler talk My Little Pony and Thom's upcoming episode of Ultimate Spider-Man 

Massive C2E2 Con Coverage with lot of in-depth interviews 

Time Cues 

Brian Michael Bendis 00:00-104:08

Amanda Connor & Jimmy Palmiotti 104:09-120:58

Mike Perkins On Deathlok 120:59-136:13

Kyle Higgins On Image's C.O.W.L. 136:14-155:52

Pro Wrestlers Chris Daniels & Kazarian 155:53-202:35

Pete Tomasi on Batman & Robin  202:35-210:41

Marvel Press Conf w Sam Humphries on Star Lord 210:42-248:39

Sean Dove On The Lat Days Of Danger Kickstarter 248:40 - 259:54 

Dave Gruba & Rene Castellano on the Tales Of The Wolfman Kicktarter 2:59:55-End Of Show 

Dark Horse Comics Editor/ Writer Scott Allie checks in to talk about 2 new books from the Hellboy Universe, the laytest isues of Abe Sapien (written by Scott)  and Hellboy In Hell written and drawn by Mike Mignola. We also previe what dark Horse is Doing at C2E2 next week.

Fred Van Lente joins us to talk about his new run on Conan The Avenger starting April 23rd. Plus a new 10th anniversary edition of Action Philosophers, his take on Magnus Robot Hunter Archer and armstrong and more!

Finally we present a portion of the next Aw Yeah Podcast with guest dan Wickline, who writes for Zenescope Top Cow and Bleeding cool. Dan has an episode of Metal Hurlant coming up on the Syfy channel this month, starring James Marsters too! 

On this episode of Word Balloon Archie CEO Jon Goldwater joins us to talk about the recent and future innovations the Riverdale gang has  implemented to revitalize the line of comics and promote in other media. From Lema Dunham's upcoming mini seris, to live and animnated tv and film projects, to the revival of The Archies as a force in the music industry. 

Tim Seeley joins us to talk about the upcoming Revival-Chew crossover, his work in Gotham as a co-writer on DC's Batman Eternal , and his new Dark Horse Comics series The Sundowners 

We listen in on a new Marvel Press Conference as Axel Alonso, and Tom Brevoort give us creative details on Original Sins, the companion anthology series to the Jason Aaron-Mike Deodato event. 

Seth Kushner joins us to talk about his serio-comedy OGN Schmuck, his new comics studio with Dean Haspiel Josh Neufeld and Gregory Benton called Hang Dai and the Kickstarter campaign that is  hopefull to fund it all. 

On this episode of Word balloon, Kaare Andrews joins us to discuss the debut of his take on Iron Fist, which debuts April 9th. Kaare tells us his take on Danny Rand which doesn't dismiss previous takes but builds on it, while giving the Immortal Weapon a new singular direction. We also talk about Kaare's film directing career, including his new film Cabin Fever Patient Zero which comes out this June. Kaare explains his experiences and the differences in Hollywood filmmaking and Canadian Filmmaking.

Then it's a new WB Scene Missing segment, as Gabriel Hardman and Hilary Barta join me to talk about a ridiculous amount of old movies in a speedy fashion. We talk about these films...

The Gambler, Gator, Sharky's Machine, Laura, Rough Cut, The Strange Loves Of Martha Ivers, To Catch A Thief, Stick, Dr Goldfoot , The Glass Wall, Mr. Moto , Charlie Chan, Danger Route, Deadlier Than The Male, i-spy, The Manchurian Candidate, Johnny Cool, The Untouchables, Johnny Stacatto, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Tall T, Comanchee Station, the films of Budd Bedecker, The films of Anthony Mann, McClintock, The Quiet Man, Wash The Blood Of My Hands, Sorry Wrong Number, The Prowler, Too Late For Tears, Out Of The Past, Ace In The Hole, The Passion Of Joan Of Arc, The Hildegard Withers series, The Penguin Pool Murders, The Andy Hardy Films, Woman Of The Year, Madame Satan, She, You Can’t Take It With You, Around The World In 80 Days, Bunny Lake Is Missing, The Secret Agent, Advise And Consent, Book: Five Came Back by Mark Harris, The Best Years Of Our Lives, It’s a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night, Lady For A Day, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Last Hurrah, The Searchers, Casablanca, Sergeant Rutledge, Meet John Doe, Rocky, I Walk With A Zombie, Cat People, Moonrise, Night Tessa, Nightmare Alley, South Pacific, The Birds, Flight Of The Phoenix, Criss Cross, Black Angel, Along Came Jones, Chicago Calling, Son Of Dracula, Of Mice And Men, The Wolfman, Spider Baby, Cult film magazines Filmfax, Outre, Video Watchdog, Son Of Frankenstein, Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, Ghost Of Frankenstein, Freaks, Dracula, The Mummy, Escape Of The Planet Of The Apes

On Monday Marvel held a press conference that spelled out some of the details to the November 2014 Spider-Man event, which will feature Peter Parker teaming up with various versions of Spider-man from many alternative universes, from 1602, to What-If stories  to Spider-Ham! 

Creator Dan Slott and Editor Nick Lowe faced the press and our questions. 

On this episode of Word Balloon, we take you back to last week's Marvel Press Conference where writers Brian Michael Bendis Joshua Hale Fialkov and Michel Fiffe spoke to the press about their plans for Marvel's Ultimate Comics Line. There are big changes ahead for Miles Morales, The very cosmic Ultimate Fantastic Four and the Street level hero New Ultimates .

Then artist JK Woodward is back to discuss his new Star trek project. He and Robert and Scott Tipton are adapting Harlan Ellison's original series classic CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER. Ellison's original screenplay was very different and far more expensive to make than what Trek fans have seen in the original episode, but thanks to comics unlimited imagination, his story can finally be told the way he wanted. 

On this episode of Word Balloon, John expected a conversation with writer Paul Jenkins about his next volume of the FairyQuest saga with art by Humbert Ramos, but Paul had more on his mind. Kickstarter has put him on an emotional rollercoaster with alternating highs and lows. He explains some uncommon pitfalls no outsider would ever think of having to consider. Given Jimmy Palmiotti's Kickstarter POV from last week's episode, this interview continues the conversation in an interesting way.

Then Devin Grayson joins John for the first time to talk about her involvement in Christy Blanch's new Super MOOC about social issues explored through comic books. The Massive Open Online Course at canvas.net starts this week, and Devin will once again be part of the course's message board community and act as Christy's TA . She's also writing a monthly column exploring some of the issues fans are bringing up in conventions and online. We talk about her work in comics, novels, and gaming and some of the controversies she's faced in her writing career. 

On this episode of Word Balloon, we welcome back Jimmy Palmiotti , who is in the midst of his 6th Kickstarter campaign. This time for the post apocalyptic OGN DENVER. Jimmy tells us his KS strategies and about the highs and lows of making comic books in today's market From the frustrations of making IMAGE's  CREATOR OWNED COMICS anthology, to his current DC books ALL STAR WESTERN, HARLEY QUINN & BATWING. If you enjoy Jimmy and his Paper film teams stories head to their website Paper Films ,  and by a digital copy of one or more today!

Then filmmaker Brett Culp joins us to promote his excellent documentary LEGENDS OF THE KNIGHT, featuring personal success stories of people inspired by BATMAN. Culp gives us a preview of the film's subjects, talks about the inspirational power of the Batman Mythos, and tell us how you can get a screening of the documentary for your town to support your favorite charity. Learn more at the film's website wearebatman.com

On this episode of Word Balloon, we welcmoe back Dark Horse Comics Executive Editor Diana Schutz. We talk about her 30 year career in comics startinbg as a retailer in Vancouver BC to her move to the states, stints at Marvel and Comico before joing Mike Richardson and making the move to the Portland area in the early 90's.

She talks about her work Editing Frank Miller Will Eisner, Milo Manera and Stan Sakai including The Sakai Project to benefit Stan and his Wife

We talk about the geek girl movement, and the advancement of womes in comics. Plus Diana discusses the evolution of comics gaining respect in the academic world. We talk about her teaching career and where comics are going in the classrooms.

Peter David joins us to talk about his March 8th writing seminar for Comics Experience on Character Development. Plus we discuss his runs on X-Factor, The Star Trek Pocket Books, and the challenges of staying popular in today's comic market.

We'll wrap up with last week's Marvel Press conference for the Spring/Summer event Original Sin . Jason Aaron, Tom Brevoort, and Axel Alonso face the comic press's questions and we lear about the events origins and the directions it will go . 

On this edition of Word Balloon , Greg Rucka returns with a newe Rucka debrief. We get the lowdown on Lazarus , Greg & Michael Lark's post appocalyptic Image Comics series that looks at hwat happens when countries fall apart and crime familes are running the world's economy. We also look at Greg's upcoming series Veil for Dark Horse, The new solo Cyclops series for Marvel, plus more news about upcoming Rucka projects.

Then David Marquez and RJ Ryan discuss their new archaia OGN The Joyners in 3-D. We discuss the special 3-d process devised for the book, talk about the story, and RJ praises David's Marvel work on books like Ultimate Spider-Man, All New X-men, and others. 

Today's Word Balloon begins with a Marvel Press Conference About Wolverine #1. Creators Paul Cornell & Ryan Stegman talk about Logan's new direction and adversaries as he seemingly has gone rogue to the villian side of the Marvel Universe .

Reilly Brown talks about his innovative work in digital comics, from his creator Owned Book Power Play, to his current run on the Deadpool Infinite Comic 

We wrap up with Part 2 of Our Dan Slott talk , but beware, it's all british tv talk about Doctor who and Sherlock, so if you're not caught up, there's spoilers ahaed!!!!

We get a State Of Marvel Conversation from EIC Axel Alonso

Dan Slott talks about wrapping up Superior Spider-Man, welcoming Peter Parker back, and previews his new Silver Surfer Book With Mike Allred

Writer Christy Blanch From Ball State University and Part Owner Of Alter Ego Comics talk about her new Massive Open Online Course which looks at social issues through studying comic books. Plus her Thrillbent Comic The Damnation Of Charlie Wormwood.  Find out more about Christy's new online course here

Jason Aaron is back and talks about his upcoming Marvel event Original Sin, and handing off Wolverine and The X-Men To his pal Jason Latour Plus we talk about Thor and Amazing X-Men.

Scott Allie gives us the lowdown on Dark Horse in 2014. A much more diverse line-up than you might expect.

We wrap up with Dan Goldman , whose Red Light Properties is another unique creator owned project that deserves your attention. The first collected graphic novel comes out in February from IDW 

On this episode of Word Balloon, it's a king sized episode, with a new edition of The bendis Tapes. Brian Michael Bendis lays out the blueprints for the new direction for Marvel's Ultimate Universe. From new creators to new team line-ups all starting in April. Bendis also talks X-Men Guradians Of The Galaxy , a new crime project with Michael Avon Oeming , television and film project updates including an animation series from FX and details of his upcoming book on writing WORDS FOR PICTURES . Finally we talk about the oscar contending films out in theaters now, because Brian gets dvd screeners...lucky bastard.

Janelle Asselin joins us to talk about her editorial adventures. From stints with DC and Disney, to her current work at Comics Allience , and The Mary Sue. She's also written a "how to read comics" for bitch.com 

We wrap up with a new edition of Scene Missingt as Hilary Barta Gabriel Hardman and Will Pfeifer run through opinons on dozens of old movies. Get your notepads ready for our old film recommendations. 

Time Cues

  00:00 - 2:14:00 Brian Michael Bendis

2:14:00- 2:52:09 Janelle Asselin 

2:52:10 -End Of Show Scene Missing With Hilary Barta Gabriel Hardman and Will Pfeifer