Word Balloon Comics Podcast

On this episode of Scene Missing, I sit down with writer–artist and filmmaker Gabriel Hardman to dive into the legendary film and television work of Robert Redford. From his breakout charm in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid to his understated power in The Way We Were , and his later turns as both actor and director, Redford has carved out a career that blends charisma, craft, and cultural impact. Gabriel and I share our personal favorite Redford performances and projects, looking at what made him such a timeless figure on screen—and why his influence still resonates in today’s Hollywood.

In this edition of the Word Balloon / Bendis Discord Book Club, we dive deep into 100 Bullets Vol. 1 by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. First published in 1999, this groundbreaking Vertigo series set a new standard for crime comics with its hard-boiled storytelling and stark, cinematic visuals.We break down the writing choices that made Azzarello’s scripts so sharp and dangerous, the noir-infused art style that Eduardo Risso brought to the page, and why this book still stands as one of the most influential titles of the late ’90s. Along the way, we share our own reviews, insights, and reactions to the characters, themes, and morality play at the heart of the story.Whether you’re discovering 100 Bullets for the first time or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this discussion highlights why Vol. 1 remains such an essential piece of modern comics history. 

In this conversation, I sit down with comic writer and filmmaker Rylend Grant, the force behind Half Evil Comics. Rylend is currently running a Kickstarter campaign for an all-new Evel Knievel comic, created with artist Dave Acosta, and he takes us inside the creative spark and daredevil energy fueling the project.But Rylend’s storytelling doesn’t stop with comics—we also dive into his film career, including his work on movies starring Emile Hirsch and Nicolas Cage. From the high-wire act of crowdfunding to the art of writing for both panels and the big screen we cover it all in this conversation. 

In Part Two of our conversation, Greg Pak takes us back to one of the defining stories of his career — the original Planet Hulk saga. He shares behind-the-scenes insights into crafting the epic that redefined the Green Goliath, and teases a brand-new chapter arriving this fall, reuniting the full creative team that launched the original classic.We also dive into the origins of Amadeus Cho, the boy genius who would become the Totally Awesome Hulk, and discuss the character’s impact on readers and representation. Greg speaks candidly about the sense of responsibility that comes with writing modern takes on Asian heroes, balancing authenticity with the larger-than-life demands of superhero storytelling.

Few writers move as seamlessly between genres and mediums as Greg Pak. In this special two-part conversation, we dive deep into the latest chapters of his ever-expanding career. First, Greg walks us through his brand-new Dungeons & Dragons run for Dark Horse, where he blends his gift for character-driven storytelling with the boundless imagination of tabletop fantasy.From there, we shift to his work on Dynamite’s Supernatural comic, a series rooted in the show’s first year that captures the raw energy of Sam and Dean’s earliest battles with the things that go bump in the night.We also revisit his acclaimed Superman run in Action Comics during DC’s New 52 era, exploring how he brought both epic spectacle and heartfelt humanity to the Man of Steel.And no Greg Pak talk would be complete without a look back—he shares heartfelt memories of the late, great Peter David, reflecting on their shared legacy as writers of Marvel’s Incredible Hulk and how David’s example continues to inspire his own craft. Planet Hulk

In this conversation, veteran animation writer and producer Alan Burnett reflects on his groundbreaking work shaping Batman: The Animated Series, the show that redefined superhero storytelling for television. Burnett walks us through the creative challenges of translating Gotham City’s noir-infused atmosphere and complex characters into a format that spoke to both kids and adults, setting a new standard for superhero animation in the 1990s.We also dive into his collaboration with Paul Dini on DC Comics’ adaptation of the series, where the two carried the show’s tone and visual style onto the comic page. Burnett explains how the book’s run—often praised for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the animated classic—expanded the mythology, introduced new dimensions to fan-favorite villains, and helped bridge the gap between animation and comics. This interview offers rare insight into how Burnett balanced studio mandates, creative instincts, and long-term storytelling, all while working alongside some of the most

Today on Word Balloon, we’re joined by a voice familiar to anyone who loves smart, insightful pop culture commentary — Glen Weldon, longtime NPR contributor and co-host of Pop Culture Happy Hour. Glen is also the author of The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture, a sharp, witty, and deeply researched look at how the Dark Knight has evolved across comics, TV, and film — and how fandom itself has grown right alongside him.From campy ’60s TV to grim ’80s reinventions, and into Batman’s role as a billion-dollar movie icon, Glen traces how this one character became a mirror for changing tastes, anxieties, and obsessions in American culture. We’ll dig into what makes Batman such a singular figure, what The Caped Crusade uncovers about us as fans, and where Gotham’s greatest detective might be headed next. This talk happened in 2016

Plus Star Trek Khan, Spinal Tap 2 Gen V Season 2 ep 1 and other tv and film tthoughts

More questions on camera nd from the live chat. We get more into comics, trek podcasting and more 

It's my version of the mailbag page at the back of old comic books. In this on-camera AMA with my Patreon supporters and live chat audience, we dug into every corner of geek and sports culture:Boxing: The big focus was on the much-anticipated Canelo vs. Crawford bout, with breakdowns of styles, stakes, and legacy.Comics: We spanned the decades — from the Silver Age of the 1960s through today’s modern runs, talking creators, characters, and the shifts in storytelling across generations.Television: Plenty of love for sci-fi and genre TV — Star Trek, Babylon 5, classic reruns, and today’s wave of streaming shows.Film: We reflected on the passing of the legendary Robert Redford, looked ahead at some of the biggest upcoming releases, and revisited the old-school geek movies that set the stage for today’s pop culture landscape.It was a lively back-and-forth with fans driving the discussion, mixing history, commentary, and plenty of fun tangents — the perfect example of what happens when the Word Balloon community g

Few modern writers have embraced sword-and-sorcery with the same passion and craftsmanship as Jim Zub, whose work on Conan the Barbarian for Titan Comics has been nothing short of a masterclass in honoring Robert E. Howard’s legendary creation while pushing the stories into bold new territory. Zub’s tales balance the grit and savagery fans demand with a keen sense of pacing and character that feels both timeless and fresh.With next month’s Conan the Barbarian #25, he delivers a special, self-contained story—an epic one-book adventure that promises to showcase everything readers love about the Cimmerian warrior in a single, unforgettable issue. It’s the perfect jumping-on point for new fans and a rich reward for long-time readers.Jim and I had some technicla issues on youtube, so we'll do part 2 later this week

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pinky and the Brain, the beloved Animaniacs spin-off that gave the world two of animation’s most unlikely lab partners.At the heart of the series’ enduring charm is the voice of Rob Paulsen, the endlessly versatile actor who brought the dim-witted yet lovable Pinky to life with his unforgettable “Narf!” catchphrase. But Pinky is only one jewel in Paulsen’s long career behind the microphone.From his heroic turns as Raphael (and later Donatello) in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, to the wisecracking wit of Yakko Warner in Animaniacs, Paulsen’s voice has become an essential part of the soundtrack to multiple generations’ childhoods. In this interview, he reflects on the legacy of Pinky and the Brain, shares stories from his many other iconic roles, and reminds us why, after decades in the booth, he remains one of animation’s most beloved and prolific performers.

In this second half of our conversation, Sterling dives deeper into his run on Supergirl alongside artist Jamal Igle. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about crafting Kara’s voice, working hand-in-glove with Igle to re-define her place in the DC Universe, and why their collaboration remains one of the character’s most beloved eras.Sterling opens up about the challenges of balancing editorial direction with his and Jamal’s creative instincts, and how they fought to give Kara her own identity separate from Superman. From comics, we shift back to television as Sterling talks about his time writing for The Flash on The CW.He expands on his contributions to the ambitious Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, explaining the difficulties of squeezing the vast scope of Marv Wolfman and George Pérez’s 1985 comic series into a handful of TV hours. Sterling reveals which classic comic beats he tried to sneak into the script.Sterling also discusses his most recent creative venture: filmmaking. His short film Just the Ja

In this first installment of my conversation with comics and TV writer Sterling Gates, we dive into his celebrated run on Supergirl with Jamal Igle . Sterling talks about how his stories are finding new life in print—starting with the reissue of his Bizarro Supergirl arc, and continuing next year with his contributions to the New Krypton saga omnibus, co-written alongside James Robinson and Greg Rucka. We also look at the various actors who've played the woman of tomorrow, including Gates's work consulting on the Flash film's alternate earth Supergirl.Sterling also reflects on how he first broke into writing Supergirl and later The Flash for the CW, bringing his comic book sensibilities into live-action storytelling.We look back at the ambitious Crisis on Infinite Earths TV crossover, where Sterling played a key role in guiding actor John Wesley Shipp through an emotional moment—reprisal of his 1990s Barry Allen Flash and the character’s poignant final scene. This episode captures Sterling’s unique perspectiv

Comics writer Mark Russell joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about his brand-new Mad Cave series spotlighting Racer X from Speed Racer. This isn’t just high-octane racing—it’s a crime-noir thriller that digs deep into the ex-racer’s mysterious past and explores how he became the legendary masked driver. Mark shares how he blended the danger of the track with the grit of noir storytelling to reimagine one of anime’s most iconic characters.We also preview his upcoming collaboration with Mike and Laura Allred on Wonder Woman Golden Age, where Russell puts his spin on Diana’s earliest stories through a 1985 crisis alternate earth  lens, paired with the Allreds’ unmistakable pop-art visuals.Along the way, Mark and I revisit highlights from his past work: the biting satire of his AHOY comedy comics (Second Coming, My Bad, Billionaire Island), his sharp reinterpretations of Hanna-Barbera icons (The Flintstones, Snagglepuss Chronicles), and his heartfelt take on DC’s Wonder Twins. Plus, he teases a bold new sc

In this candid second half of our talk, Greg Rucka opens up about why he walked away from DC Comics during earlier eras, and how those frustrations with co-writers and editors caused him to have serious personal issues and leave in digust to focus on creator owned projects.But it’s not all doom and gloom — Greg is genuinely excited about his latest DC work, the upcoming Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League, with his usual collaborator Nicola Scott. Greg makes it clear how much better the current editorial regime feels, compared to the past.We also dive into Greg’s prose side, where he’s just finished a brand-new Atticus Kodiak novel ready to hit publishers, and he teases the possibility of new Queen & Country stories on the horizon. He addresses the current state of the book market. On top of that,Greg shares fresh updates on Lazarus, his long-running Image Comics series with Michael Lark, and reflects on how that world continues to devolve. It’s a mix of hard truths, exciting projects, and the kin

We also address possible sequels to the old guard his thoughts on Superman and The Marvels films, a return to novel riting and more. The DC talk is coming in part 2 

Enemy Mine, and 4 other Trek episodes seemed very similar. 

3 new titles including a kickstarter from Franco featuring luchadores, an indiana jones style flyboy and... a ninja kaiju ?