The past informs the present. Today's episode features clips from past interviews that inadvertently provide insight on some recent events.

 

The past informs the present. Today's episode features clips from past interviews that inadvertently provide insight on some recent events.

 

The Death Of Sports Icon Muhammad Ali  hits me personally. As a sports reporter I covered Boxing for 16 years in print and radio, and had the opportunity to meet and interview Ali in 1991. I tell the story of our encounter that was full of the Ali magic and charm, even as his Parkinson Syndrome was slowly robbing him of the ability to speak. His ailment did NOT keep him from thinking and he proved that to me directly with his thoughts on previewing The Evander Holyfield George Foreman Championship fight.

 

Of Course comic fans all know a bit about the DC comics Superman Vs Muhammad Ali, which was an event unto itself. In 2005 Co-plotter and artist Neal Adams talked about his experience on the project and lots of thoughts on the man and his legacy. 

 

Then a look at The conclusion of DC Rebirth featuring the invasion of the Watchmen story and characters in the current DC universe . Was does it mean? Should it happen, given the creators Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons have no involvement and in Moore case objects to every continuation of the original story.

 

These same issue came up in 2012 when DC launched Before Watchmen, featuring prequel stories of the heroes and villains drawn and written by different creators. To illustrate the debate we look back at 2012 comments from Dave Gibbons, Ed Brubaker and Brain Azzarello,

Everytime there's been a DC Rebirth Project, Artist Ethan Van Sciver has been given the art chores. He is among the 4 artists chosen for the DC Rebirth 80 page giant coming in late May. He joins us to give his perspective what has the "rebirth" label meant when rebooting an established DC hero? 

Then Internet great Mr Skin jins me to talk about the recently held Anatomy Awards and his 17 years as a pop culture content creator. From the parody of his company in the Judd Apatow classic Knocked Up, to the breat nude scenes of geek culture icons both women and men. 

Ollie Masters talks about Vertigo's The Kitchen and BOOM! Studios Snow Blind

Aubrey Sitterson talks about GI JOE Vs Street Fighter from IDW and his podcasts Straight Shoot and Skald 

By Popular demand Marty Pasko is back with old stories and new observations on TV Film and Comic Books. 

Among the topics we cover include The 80's twilight zone show
alien nation, adapting superman returns for a dc comic, 
the reboot of star trek and the star trek original crew films the fred frieberg showrunner era of star trek, cbs westerns wild wild west and gunsmoke
40s-50s old time radio dramas alfred hitchcock's screenwriters
the editing styles of robert kanigher and joe kubert, the art of rick burchet & walt simonson and more!

Skottie Young joins us to talk about his new Image Book I hate Fairyland debutting this week. We also talk about his Marvel work including Rocket Raccoon, and the Giant Sized Little Marvel Secret Wars Tie in. 

Then from Cincy Comiccon, a live sketch off and informal talk with Ming Doyle Chris Burnham and Mike Norton 

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.

 

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) 

 

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.

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

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!!!!

On Today's Word Balloon, Jeph Loeb returns for a new Loeb Report. We talk about the new Marvel-Nextflix TV Deal , Thor 2 and it's connection to the Nov 19th episode of Marvel agents Of SHIELD. The talk expands into a look at the relationship between Marvel Movies TV and The comics, and where the geek industry is now compared to the pre-2000 years.

Ross Richie looks back at 2013 and Boom! Studios, including the roller coaster success of 2GUNS both as a comic series, and the summer film. We talk about BOOM's new relationship with FOX , and his thoughts on the evolution of the Geek Culture.

We wrap up with Andy Schmidt , who made his bones at Marvel editing the Annilhilation Comic event, and IDW's reboot of GI Joe.He also talks at length about his online comic book school Comics Experience, and what his program offers to writers and artists. 

Writer and radio broadcaster Steve Darnall joins us to talk about his past works in comics. Steve worked in the fringe genres as the comics market struggled to survive after the speculation era went bust. You'll hear about his collaboration with Alex Ross on the 2 part UNCLE SAM prestige series , to his parody of classic romance comics for Slave Labor Graphics and his own companmy Funny Valentine.

We also talk about Steve's current job hosting 2 radio shows which present classic Old Time Radio programs Those Were The Days and Yesterday USA, where he puts a historical context while presenting dramas comedies and documentaries made from the 1930s-1950s. As opposed to a nostalgic "Remember When" angle that older hosts use for a geritatric audience, Steve's show is one of discovery for a younger generation who come to these programs with a fresh perspective.

Then we talk about the radio superheroes some of which predate the 1938 debut of Superman. Darnall talks about the origins of The Lone Ranger and Green Hornet, created by Detroit radio station WXYZ owner Geoge W Trendle and writer Fran Striker. We also look at the 1940 Superman radio serial. You'll learn how many of the common phrases and plot points of the comics originated on radio like Jimmy Olson, kryptonite, and the infamous lines from Metropolis  citizens "Look, up in the sky ..." .

On this episode ogf Word Balloon Brad Meltzer is back to discuss the 2nd season of
Brad Meltzer's Decoded which premieres tonight at 9pm Easter/Pacific On The History
Channel. Brad recaps some of the highlights of season one, and a preview of this season.
The show goes global to investigates mysteries surrounding The Vatican, Fort Knox and more.

Plus Brad promises for JSA fans,the real story behind Adolph Hitler and The Spear Of Destiny.

We also talk about The Inner Circle Meltzer's latest novel, now available in paperback.

On this edition of the Word balloon podcast, we begin our C2E2 convention coverage with three guetss.

From the con floor artist Cliff Chiang talks about the new issue of Brave And Bold #33, on sale today featuring a girls night out between Zatanna, Batgirl, and Wonder Woman, written by J Michael Straczynski., plus Greendale, his upcoming original graphic novel, based on the music of Neil Young, written by Joshua Dysart.

We wrap up our talk with Matt Fraction, because we had to hold back our discussion about Casanova's move to Marvel's Icon inprint, it's conversion to color, and what it's like working with the Brazilian Brother art team of Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon.

Finally Brian Bendis is back to talk about his new creator owned Icon series Scarlet with co-creator Alex Maleve . We also talk about the IPad, and other digital issues regarding Spider-Woman, Powers, The Ultimate Universe,  and The Avengers .

In the episode of Word Balloon,host John Siuntres wraps up his marathon chat with the Marvel writer.
You'll here more fan questions that lead to covering topics like  the upcoming 68 page Mandarin story
in the next Iron Man Annual, Matt's favorite X-Men, A sense of the direction for the first arcs of Matt's debut run
on  Thor,, and more.

The acclaimed TV/Comics writer talks aboout Doctor Who,and Capt. Britain & MI:13

http://www.newsarama.com/common/media/video/player.php?aid=26076#playerTop

Here's my 2 part chat with "The Bear"

Part 1 all about the new Batwoman series, with art by JH Williams

Part 2 all about Greg's work in Action Comics, Queen and Country, and Stumptown from Oni Press, and his upcoming Atticus Kodiak novel Walking Dead, out April 28th.

http://www.newsarama.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=NA_090212_Greg_Rucka1

http://www.newsarama.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=NA_090212_Greg_Rucka2

On this editon of the Word Balloon podcast,
we talk with artist Skottie Young about his interpretation
of L Frank Baum's Wonderful Wizard Of Oz for Marvel Comics.
"if you do this you're going to have free reign
in designing this vision of Oz.

We get into a discussion about the oz mythos,
and it's various representations in other media.
the play and novel version of wicked to todd mcfarland's
twisted land of oz statue.

you'll hear about his collaborotive process with writer
and fellow oz enthusiast eric shanower.

we also discuss skottie's comedy/music podcast the devil and me
co-hosted with casey mcauley. there's also an informal talk
about where comics are going in 2009, digitally and the
collected trade versus the monthly magazine.

apologies folks, but after what was a hugely busy nov at my day gig, I got a nasty infection last thrusday, that threw me into the hospital. i'm generally fine, and the infection has almost cleared enough for them to send me home fri or sat. i have several fine current talks which were planned for early dec release, and they will be out starting at some point this wknd, if all goes to plan. thanks for listening, and being patient, of a different kind. j