DC High Volume: Batman
Episode: Interviews with Batman: Dark Victory Editor Mark Chiarello and Supervising Sound Designer Jonathon Roberts
Host: Koi Jandro (DC | Realm)
Date: September 25, 2025
Episode Overview
This special episode of the DC High Volume: Batman companion series features in-depth interviews with two crucial creative forces behind recent Batman adaptations: Mark Chiarello, legendary DC Comics art director and editor, and Jonathon Roberts, supervising sound designer and mixer for DC High Volume: Batman. The conversations explore adapting iconic comics like Batman: Year One, The Long Halloween, and Dark Victory for audio, the timeless appeal of Batman, the collaborative process of comic production, and the unique storytelling challenges of translating visual epics to immersive sound.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
I. Mark Chiarello: The Art and Editorial Legacy Behind Batman’s Noir (01:00–20:49)
1. Early Fascination with Batman & The Iconic Status of the Character
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Chiarello’s Gateway:
- Grew up idolizing the Adam West Batman TV show of the late '60s/early '70s.
- Batman has been his favorite character since childhood.
"Batman’s been my favorite character. Like so many people." (02:16)
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On Batman’s Enduring Popularity:
- Debates factors: lack of superpowers, compelling rogues’ gallery, and universality.
- Notes Batman is uniquely enduring from comics to radio, TV, and film.
"No other character has stayed popular throughout his entire existence." (03:27)
2. Gotham City as a Noir Character
- On Gotham’s Atmosphere:
- Sees Gotham as the ultimate film noir location.
- Highlights Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s ability to blend superheroics and noir elements.
"Everybody loves that film noir feel...which Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale did so well in their run." (04:08)
3. Editing “Dark Victory” and Working with Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale
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Stepping into Big Shoes:
- Became editor for Dark Victory after the passing of legendary editor Archie Goodwin.
- Initially declined, feeling the weight of following The Long Halloween.
"Boy, talk about big shoes to fill. I think I said no at first. I just can’t do it...I was just...You. You’re t. Je it’s yours. If you know Jeff, he told me what I was doing..." (06:45)
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Memorable Editorial Story:
- Caught an error in Loeb’s script, resulting in a clever rewrite where Robin corrects Batman—an example of collaborative resilience and humility in comics creation.
"He rewrote the scene where Batman got the clue wrong, and he had Robin get the clue right...I goof on Jeff about that whole thing." (07:07)
- Caught an error in Loeb’s script, resulting in a clever rewrite where Robin corrects Batman—an example of collaborative resilience and humility in comics creation.
4. The Magic of Tim Sale’s Art Process
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Collaboration & Original Art:
- Recalls the excitement of receiving physical pages from Tim Sale.
- Sale’s approach was always rooted in storytelling, not just aesthetic skill.
"Timmy came at it from pure storytelling...That’s what comics are." (09:22)
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Influences & Community:
- Daily exchanges about comic art history (Alex Toth, Joe Kubert, etc.) fueled creative energy and inspiration within their team.
5. Honoring Tim Sale: “The Last Halloween” (12:14–16:19)
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Return to Illustration & Loss:
- Chiarello returned to illustration after decades directing art, contributing issue #3 of The Last Halloween.
- After Sale’s passing, he illustrated one issue as part of a collaborative tribute with other renowned artists.
"It was 10 issues...And then Tim died, and it was just heartbreaking...so Jeff calls me, ‘Hey, Mark, you’re drawing all 10...’ I said, I’ll draw one issue. Let’s get all the best artists..." (12:54)
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Tribute & Style:
- Chose not to mimic Tim Sale, but to honor his spirit while staying true to his own style.
- Embedded Easter eggs—a “SALE” (Tim’s last name) sign featuring in the art, for instance.
"I think he was sitting on my shoulder as I drew it." (15:21)
6. Art as Storytelling & the Joy of Community
- Chiarello’s Philosophy:
- Reverence for storytelling through art and the collaborative, community-driven nature of comics.
- Editorship is as much about nurturing community as about guiding craft.
"I just love the history of comics...Because you’re telling a story. I’m not a real verbal guy. I’m a picture maker." (16:43)
7. The Definitive Batman & the Hope for New Audiences
- On the Loeb/Sale Era:
- For Chiarello, Loeb and Sale’s work epitomizes Batman, blending gothic noir with emotional depth.
"For me, what Tim and Jeff did, that’s definitive Batman." (18:25)
- For Chiarello, Loeb and Sale’s work epitomizes Batman, blending gothic noir with emotional depth.
- Legacy & Impact:
- Hopes new audio adaptations provide the same captivating experiences he had with late-night storytelling as a child.
"I hope that fans have that same experience with this." (19:35)
- Hopes new audio adaptations provide the same captivating experiences he had with late-night storytelling as a child.
Notable Quote:
"They were The Lennon and McCartney of comics and Jeff was not going to drop that ball."
—Mark Chiarello (20:35)
II. Jonathon Roberts: Soundscaping Gotham (22:10–44:51)
1. Origins in Audio Storytelling
- Background:
- Music composition and theater sound design led to commercial audio, then podcasts, and eventually audio dramas.
"That was maybe seven years ago that I got hooked on this kind of like audio storytelling." (22:56)
- Music composition and theater sound design led to commercial audio, then podcasts, and eventually audio dramas.
2. Sound Design Philosophy & Working Process
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Audio as Imagination Partner:
- Emphasizes that unlike film, audio leaves visual interpretation to the listener, sparking countless individualized mental versions of Gotham.
"We’re partnering with the listener’s imagination...I’m inspiring a bajillion different scenes in people’s minds..." (23:58)
- Emphasizes that unlike film, audio leaves visual interpretation to the listener, sparking countless individualized mental versions of Gotham.
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Adapting Visual Epics:
- Unique to this project: working from both scripts and the original graphic novels, using a dedicated monitor to reference art for accuracy and inspiration.
"I bought like a separate vertical monitor...I can have the graphic novel open all the time right next to me..." (29:22)
- Unique to this project: working from both scripts and the original graphic novels, using a dedicated monitor to reference art for accuracy and inspiration.
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Workflow & Collaboration:
- Coordinates with a team of sound designers and composers, receives pre-edited dialogue and effects, then builds soundscapes layer by layer.
"My role as sound supervisor...means I’m shaping the final sound and doing the final mixing and bringing it all together." (26:23)
- Coordinates with a team of sound designers and composers, receives pre-edited dialogue and effects, then builds soundscapes layer by layer.
3. The Challenge of Cohesion & “Between the Panels”
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Maintaining Consistency:
- Cohesion comes from using a library of recurring sound effects, ambient noises, and character/aesthetic motifs.
"Building a pretty robust library of...ambiences...and trying to stick with it pretty in the interest of keeping the pace going." (32:02)
- Cohesion comes from using a library of recurring sound effects, ambient noises, and character/aesthetic motifs.
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Translating Comics to Audio:
- Works to fill “the space between the panels,” making sure each beat lands cleanly rather than becoming a muddled wall of sound.
"Stuff can be action packed, but it has to be like one thing at a time for the listener to follow." (38:21)
- Works to fill “the space between the panels,” making sure each beat lands cleanly rather than becoming a muddled wall of sound.
4. Connecting with Batman & Finding New Perspective
- A Newcomer’s Perspective:
- Did not grow up a comics aficionado; this experience allowed him to fall in love with Batman from scratch, finding resonance in Batman’s loneliness and “cave like” isolation.
"As I’m creating it, I’m learning about it, and it’s resonating with me in ways that people have probably...it struck people years and years ago." (34:19)
- Did not grow up a comics aficionado; this experience allowed him to fall in love with Batman from scratch, finding resonance in Batman’s loneliness and “cave like” isolation.
5. Grand Aha! Moments & Technical Insights
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Memorable Production Challenges:
- Mapping out complex action samely, tracking each move, each punch, to maintain clarity.
"I’m often, like, writing markers in, like, you know, punch, step on the foot, turn, spit blood, trip, drop, gun..." (38:21)
- Mapping out complex action samely, tracking each move, each punch, to maintain clarity.
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Influence on Future Work:
- Applying this laser-focused “one-thing-at-a-time” clarity to future audio projects—even becoming frustrated with overlapping or muddy sound design.
"This is my first superhero show. And, yeah, it’s been really influential for me to make sure those beats are really clear." (39:59)
- Applying this laser-focused “one-thing-at-a-time” clarity to future audio projects—even becoming frustrated with overlapping or muddy sound design.
6. The Power & Future of Audio
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Audio and Graphic Novels:
- Finds new energy in pairing audio with visual components; sees new potential for cross-media adaptations of classic comics.
"I see a lot of potential there...reviving other comics, other stories. Love that. Really fun." (42:31)
- Finds new energy in pairing audio with visual components; sees new potential for cross-media adaptations of classic comics.
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What He Hopes Listeners Take Away:
- Hopes that listeners, like he did, see themselves in the characters, connect on a personal level, and experience those moments of recognition and resonance.
"Everybody else has something in there that they connect with with Batman or another character that they can see themselves in this." (44:03)
- Hopes that listeners, like he did, see themselves in the characters, connect on a personal level, and experience those moments of recognition and resonance.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Batman’s Universality
"He’s the only character that has been popular for all that time...No other character has stayed popular throughout his entire existence."
—Mark Chiarello, 03:27 -
On Editorial Corrections
"He rewrote the scene where Batman got the clue wrong, and he had Robin get the clue right...To this day, I goof on Jeff about that whole thing."
—Mark Chiarello, 07:07 -
On Tim Sale’s Influence
"Timmy came at it from pure storytelling...either you can draw well or you can’t...that’s almost peripheral."
—Mark Chiarello, 09:22 -
On Audio as Imagination
"We’re partnering with the listener’s imagination...I’m inspiring a bajillion different scenes in people’s minds..."
—Jonathon Roberts, 23:58 -
On Translating Comics to Audio
"Stuff can be action packed, but it has to be like one thing at a time for the listener to follow."
—Jonathon Roberts, 38:21 -
On Connecting To Batman
"Lately, it’s like the loneliness that he’s grappling with...I have a lot of power, a lot of gadgets, but I’m here alone."
—Jonathon Roberts, 34:24
Important Timestamps
- Introduction & Chiarello’s segment begins: 00:59
- Chiarello on Batman’s universal appeal: 03:27
- Discussing Tim Sale’s process, comic art influences: 09:22
- Chiarello on illustrating The Last Halloween & tribute to Sale: 12:54–16:19
- On definitive Batman & adaptation for new audiences: 18:25–19:58
- Roberts’ segment introduction: 22:10
- Roberts on audio design approach and working from graphic novels: 29:22
- Roberts on cohesion through sound library: 32:02
- Roberts on connecting to Batman’s themes as a newcomer: 34:19
- Technical breakdown of mixing action in audio: 38:21
- Roberts on the future of audio and comics synergy: 42:31
- Closing thoughts — What Batman stories mean to the creators: 44:03
Episode Takeaway
This episode provides a multifaceted portrait of what it takes to bring classic Batman stories to life in new formats—the wisdom of legacy creators like Mark Chiarello, the dedication of art and editorial communities, and the innovation of audio storytelling led by Jonathon Roberts. Whether you’re a lifelong Gothamite or discovering Batman for the first time, the episode highlights how collaboration, reverence for history, and creative translation allow Batman stories to remain timeless and invite new generations to imagine Gotham in their own way.