Podcast
Word Balloon Comics Podcast
Hosted by John Siuntres · EN
1 on 1 interview show featuring the creative minds behind Comics TV Film Novels & Animation. Hosted by Chicago Pop Culture expert, John Siuntres
119episodes
Episodes
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Comic TV and Movie Talk with COMIC POP's Sal Crivelli pt 2
Yesterday01:10:24Tap to summarizemore talk about comics tv movies and more with sal crivelli of comic pop.note-this was recorded before the news broke about stephen wacker takng over as marvel's new editor in chief
Transcribe →Comic TV and Movie Talk with COMIC POP's Sal Crivelli pt 1
2d ago01:14:13Tap to summarizeSal, of The COMIC POP youtube channel joins me to take stock of comics tv and films.We talk about- The rise of DC Supergirl and Spider Noir, Sony and Disney Marvel, and tips for other podcasters.
Transcribe →How Stephen Wacker Thinks About Comics
3d ago01:26:20Tap to summarizeBig news out of Marvel Comics today: Stephen Wacker has been named the company's new Editor-in-Chief. Given all the executive changes Marvel has gone through in recent years, it's encouraging to see someone with deep comic book experience taking the reins of the publishing line.Wacker's résumé extends well beyond editing comics. In addition to overseeing some of Marvel's biggest publishing initiatives, he also served as Vice President of Marvel Animation and later as Vice President of Marvel New Media, helping guide projects like the Marvel Audio Universe on SiriusXM, including Wolverine and other serialized Marvel audio dramas.To celebrate the news, we're going back to this 2012 Word Balloon conversation with Stephen. It's a fascinating snapshot of Marvel during one of its most creative periods. We talk about the birth of Spider-Man's Brand New Day era, Dan Slott's early run on Amazing Spider-Man, Greg Rucka's Punisher, and Mark Waid's acclaimed Daredevil. Stephen also gets into the weeds on major crossover events like Spider-Island, Shadowland, and DC's The New 52, while pulling back the curtain on Marvel's creator retreats and the collaborative process behind building the Marvel Universe.Ok, yes, this conversation is now more than a decade old, but I think it still provides a valuable window into how Steve Wacker thinks about comics—how he approaches storytelling, editorial decisions, and working with creators. Until I have the chance to sit down with him again, this interview answers a lot of the questions newer readers may have about the philosophy and instincts of the man now leading Marvel Comics. Enjoy this 2012 conversation with Marvel's new Editor-in-Chief, Stephen Wacker.
Transcribe →Russ Braun The Boys Batman and learning from Comic Masters
5d ago01:19:08Tap to summarizeOf course we discus Russ working ion the boys with Garth Ennis, and other war comics, but did you now he pencilled the first Batman story about the venom drug? Did you also know he learned storytelling on the job from Joe Orlando Carmine Infantino, and a few other masters?Not to mention his Disney animation career on some of their biggest films.Listen, and find out.
Transcribe →Christopher Irving Comics History and Joe Unknown
6d ago02:17:06Tap to summarizeChris si back to promote a new kickstarter coming in August about Joe Unknown, the adventures of a comic book horror host after hours ( Think a cross between the look of Kolchak The Night Stalker, in the role of The Crypt Keeper Of EC Comics) But then we discuss a lot of his acedemic comic book historian work dispelling rumors and long held myths, like how and why kryptonite was created for the Superman radio show and more.
Transcribe →x-men 97 and other reviews
1w ago01:37:00Tap to summarizewe discuss the first 4 eps of the new season plus other comics tv film and more
Transcribe →Rodney Barnes On Blacula Comics Streaming and More
1w ago01:21:19Tap to summarizeSome great Rodney Barne Word Balloon segments presenting a wide-ranging conversation that spans comics, television, and film history. We kick things off with his chilling Blacula graphic novel, a fresh take on one of blaxploitation's most enduring horror icons, before diving back into the world of his acclaimed vampire epic Killadelphia, one of the most original independent comic series of the last several years.Along the way, Rodney and I celebrate the legacy of blaxploitation cinema,its cultural impact, unforgettable characters, and the way those films continue to influence storytellers today.We also spend time looking back at Rodney's work as a writer and producer on HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Despite strong critical praise and passionate fans, the series was cut short after two seasons, with HBO citing a combination of relatively low viewership and its exceptionally high production costs. It's a reminder that, in today's television landscape, even acclaimed genre and franchise programming can be vulnerable if the audience doesn't reach the necessary scale, a reality that Star Trek fans, can certainly appreciate.
Transcribe →Splash Pages Superman Spider-Man Crossovers
1w ago01:52:27Tap to summarizeTuesday, I guested on the Splash Pages Podcast, where they interviewed me about podcasting, but also we talked about favorite convention moments, and the 2 DC Marvel Spider-Man Superman crossover specials
Transcribe →Neil Sabatino Talks Open Caskets
1w ago00:50:15Tap to summarizeNeil Sabatino joins Word Balloon to talk about Open Caskets, a darkly funny and deeply surreal graphic novel created with his longtime collaborator Shaun Simon. Set around a support group where society's misfits, outcasts, and oddballs share stories that feel like lost episodes of The Twilight Zone, Open Caskets blends unsettling horror, offbeat humor, and emotional honesty into a world that evokes Charles Addams by way of Tim Burton. Neil discusses bringing these strange characters to life, reuniting with Shaun after years of creative collaboration that began in New Jersey's indie music scene, and how the pair transformed their shared sensibilities into one of the year's most distinctive graphic novels.
Transcribe →Bug Wars Supergirl and more with Mahmud Asrar
2w ago00:54:42Tap to summarizeAsrar talks about his X-men work his Supergirl run during the new 52, Conan runs and his current image series Bug Wars with Jason Aaron.
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