Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Filmmaker Ken Viola joins us to discuss his rare 1987 documentary The Masters of Comic Book Art—a raw, unfiltered snapshot of comics history featuring candid interviews with legends like Jack Kirby, Harvey Kurtzman, Neal Adams, Will Eisner, Art Spiegelman, Dave Sim, Frank Miller, and Bernie Wrightson. Narrated by Harlan Ellison, this film captures the voices of visionary creators at a turning point in the industry. Ken shares behind-the-scenes stories, what it was like filming these giants, and how the project came together. You can now watch the documentary online—don’t miss this essential piece of comics history.

n this episode, we dive into the most talked-about—and polarizing—installment of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: “An Adventure in Space and Time.” Was it a lighthearted homage to Trek’s origins, gently poking fun at William Shatner and Gene Roddenberry, or a snarky commentary dressed in retro cosplay? We debate whether the satire lands with love or leans too hard into mockery.We also unpack the increasingly odd portrayal of Mr. Spock—now depicted as a lovesick romantic entangled with La’an Noonien Singh. If this relationship is canon, why doesn't Spock even remember her name in “Space Seed”? Is this just sloppy continuity, or is something else going on?Then we shift gears for a full spoiler review of the brand-new Fantastic Four film—breaking down the performances, surprises, and whether Marvel’s First Family finally got the treatment they deserve.Buckle up—this one’s equal parts Trek talk, canon chaos, and superhero cinema smackdown.

More details of Bnedis and Oeming's nreturn to Powers, Fraction's upcoming Batman run, their thoughts and impt on Superman and Fantastic Four First steps, and the concerns about AI 

In Part 1 of this epic creator roundtable, Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming dive into their long-awaited return to Powers, now published by Dark Horse. They reflect on the legacy of the groundbreaking series, why now was the right time to bring it back, and what's in store for Deena Pilgrim and a new generation of police officers.Meanwhile, Matt Fraction joins the conversation to share insights on launching his new Batman run,  It’s a deep, candid, and funny chat among three of comics' most influential voices.

In this offbeat edition of Word ,Balloon's SCENE MISSING  Gabriel Hardman and I peel back the curtain on the gloriously chaotic making of Beat the Devil (1953), the cult classic that blended noir, comedy, and adventure long before it was fashionable.With a script co-written on the fly by Truman Capote, a sardonic performance from Humphrey Bogart, and the directing flair of John Huston, Beat the Devil was a film where nearly nothing went according to plan—and that’s exactly what makes it legendary. We dig into the behind-the-scenes madness: from Bogart breaking his teeth in a car crash and dubbing lines with a lisp, to Capote allegedly writing pages each morning just before they were filmed.Shot on location in Italy with a freewheeling cast of characters—including Gina Lollobrigida, Robert Morley, and Peter Lorre—this film defied studio expectations and genre conventions. Whether you see it as a brilliant satire or an accidental masterpiece, Beat the Devil remains a time capsule of mid-century moviemaking gone

A surprisingly polarizing episode. Were they loving parodies of Shatner and Roddenberry or mean swipes? Also, Spock is getting more romance action than Kirk on this show. 

In this episode, we catch up with legendary writer James Robinson to talk about his current Kickstarter campaign, Rogues' Kingdom, an epic new fantasy adventure created with artist Jeff Johnson — and with less than a week left to support, now’s the time to back it!We also dive into his latest Dark Horse Comics projects and take a retrospective look at some of his landmark work, from The Golden Age, Starman, JSA, and Earth-2 at DC to his unique run on Marvel’s Fantastic Four. James shares behind-the-scenes stories from his TV work on Stargirl, where he served as co-executive producer and writer, and discusses his time writing the cult films The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Comic Book Villains.It’s a wide-ranging conversation with one of comics' most celebrated voices — don’t miss it.

On this episode of Trek Watch, we’re diving into the highs and lows of the current Star Trek landscape. First, we tip our hats to Strange New Worlds for delivering a surprisingly fun and freaky zombie episode—proving once again that Trek can still get weird in the best ways.But it’s not all warp core breezes: we’re scratching our heads at that baffling Season 4 teaser, where Captain Pike is… a puppet? Yep, that happened. And we’re not thrilled. Add to that a Starfleet Academy trailer that feels more CW teen drama than classic Trek, and we’ve got some honest frustrations to beam up. It’s a mix of praise and protest this week as we talk tone, direction, and what the franchise needs to stay boldly on course.

In Part 4 of our conversation with comics veteran Al Milgrom, we spotlight his collaboration with Jim Shooter on Secret Wars II—digging into how the massive crossover was shaped behind the scenes, what it was like coordinating with dozens of creators, and how editorial challenges turned into creative opportunities.We also go inside Al’s time as editor of Marvel Fanfare, a title often misunderstood as a dumping ground for inventory stories. Al sets the record straight—it was actually a creative playground, where artists and writers could experiment with format, storytelling, and page layout. From unique one-shots to prestige-style presentations, Fanfare gave pros like Barry Windsor-Smith and Michael Golden the freedom to think outside the box and produce work that wouldn’t fit the typical monthly grind.Plus: more classic Marvel Bullpen stories—from prank wars and personality clashes to the raw energy of a company bursting with creativity in the Bronze Age.

In Part 3 of our conversation with comic book veteran Al Milgrom, we dig into the stories behind the pages — and beyond them. Al shares his memories of the legendary style of Wally Wood and offers insights into the creative genius of Murphy Anderson.Then, the spotlight shifts to the editorial trenches at Marvel. Al opens up about his collaborations and clashes with Jim Shooter, especially during the turbulent production of Secret Wars II. From late scripts to deadline disasters, you'll get the unfiltered truth from a man who was right there when it all went down. This is the good stuff — creator drama, comic history, and behind-the-scenes gold.

In Part 2 of our deep dive with comics legend Al Milgrom, things get even more candid. Al shares shocking behind-the-scenes stories about some of the biggest names from the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages of comics—warts and all. From ego clashes to editorial chaos, you’ll hear what really went down in the bullpen.We also detour into the strange world of obscure 1950s and 60s comic book publishers—including those that reprinted Golden Age stories with misleading new covers and numbering schemes, trying to pass them off as fresh material. Al offers insight into how these fly-by-night operations worked and what creators thought of seeing their work repackaged without credit or compensation.Plus: Al gives his reaction to seeing Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four: First Steps and offers a veteran's take on how it stacks up against the legacy of the First Family in comics. This one’s loaded with comic book history, brutally honest insights, and a few surprises you won’t hear anywhere else.Al wants you to know he's aca

On this episode of Word Balloon, we start a 2 part talk with one of the true utility players of the Marvel Bullpen—Al Milgrom. From penciling and inking to editing and writing, Al did it all during a pivotal era at the House of Ideas.We dig into his early days at Marvel, when the bullpen was more than just a nickname—it was a real, bustling office of creative chaos. Al shares memories of hand-delivering artwork to John Romita Sr. and Virginia Romita, navigating the personality clashes of the era and working under the towering presence of Jim Shooter as Marvel evolved into a more corporate machine. We also get the inside story behind the launch of Marvel Fanfare, a passion project that let Al spotlight top-tier talent and showcase stories on high-quality paper—long before the era of prestige formats. Whether you’re a fan of classic comics or just love hearing how the sausage got made in the Bronze Age, this conversation with Al Milgrom pulls no punches and delivers some terrific behind-the-scenes tales from a

My thoughts on the latest MCU film. 

In Part 2 of our conversation with legendary comic creator Jerry Ordway, we pivot from Metropolis to Marvel as Jerry shares his candid thoughts on the legacy and missed opportunities of the Fantastic Four movies—especially from the perspective of someone who’s spent time chronicling Marvel’s first family on the page. We also get some memorable Stan Lee stories, offering insight into the man behind the myth from someone who’s seen the industry evolve up close.But this episode isn’t just nostalgia—we dive into the more complex aspects of comic book history, including how creators depicted people of color during the Golden and Silver Ages. Jerry speaks honestly about the era’s blind spots and how the medium has both reflected and shaped cultural attitudes over time. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with one of comics’ most respected voices. 

Today on Word Balloon, we kick off Part 1 of a deep-dive conversation with legendary writer, artist, and inker Jerry Ordway. Jerry shares his thoughts on the new Superman film and reflects on his own legacy with the Man of Steel—both on the page and behind the scenes.We also dig into his acclaimed work on the Justice Society of America, a cornerstone of DC’s Golden Age revival. But that’s not all—we get into the nuts and bolts of comic book production, with Ordway breaking down how the cheap paper stock of the '60s through the '80s warped colors, muted tones, and frustrated artists. It’s a rare, behind-the-curtain look at the technical and creative challenges of working in the pre-digital era of comics. Whether you're a Superman superfan or a student of the artform, this is a must-listen conversation with one of DC's most important storytellers.

On this episode of Word Balloon, writer Jeremy Adams returns to break down his high-octane run on Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps, as well as his recent work on Aquaman. We dive deep into the cosmic drama brewing in the DC Universe, from Hal Jordan’s personal battles to the Corps-wide crises reshaping intergalactic law and order.Plus, Jeremy teases major developments and reveals the big team events looming in each series — events that could change the status quo for Earth’s emerald heroes and the King of Atlantis alike. Whether you're a die-hard GL fan or just jumping on board, this conversation is packed with insight, energy, and a creator’s perspective on building modern mythology.

In this episode of Word Balloon, we sit down with a veteran of the comic book trench Keith Williams an accomplished inker whose brushwork has brought some of the most iconic characters to life. From helping define the look of the Black-suited Spider-Man during a pivotal era in Marvel history, to adding depth and shadow to the Man of Steel’s adventures at DC, and even contributing to the legacy of The Phantom in the newspaper strips, this is a career that spans decades and genres.

On this episode of Word Balloon, we're talking with the legendary Beau Smith — a true cowboy of comics. From creating the cult favorite Wynonna Earp to seeing it ride high as a hit TV series, Beau’s journey is as action-packed as his stories. We dig into the roots of Wynonna, and how he’s now teaming up with the show's stars Melanie Scrofano and Tim Rozon to bring new adventures to the page.But that's just the start. Beau shares his unfiltered thoughts on the new Superman movie, and why he thinks the portrayal of Guy Gardner may be the most accurate DC Comics adaptation to date — especially considering he wrote the book on Guy. We also hit the DC vaults to revisit Beau’s time writing Catwoman, Wildcat, and other unsung gems that show his knack for tough characters with heart. If you love straight-talking creators and behind-the-scenes insight from someone who's lived it, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Today we’re talking digital comics, innovation, and disruption — past, present, and future. I’m joined by two key figures who changed the game once… and are looking to do it again. David Steinberger and Chip Mosher, the co-founders of Comixology, are here to talk about their bold new venture: Neon Ichiban — a next-gen digital comics marketplace built to empower creators, preserve ownership, and rebuild trust in the digital reading experience.In this conversation, we dig into their Comixology origin story, the Amazon acquisition and aftermath, and why they believe now is the time to reboot what digital comics should be. From creator-first economics to indie publishing opportunities, this is a candid, no-BS look at the challenges and potential of reinventing comics distribution from the ground up — again.