Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Word Balloon / Bendis Discord Book Club: 100 Bullets Vol. 1 Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

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.

Rylend Grant – Making Evel Knievel Comics & Indie Films Sep 23, 2025

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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.

Planet Hulk Revisited: Greg Pak on Legacies and New Frontiers Sep 22, 2025

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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.

Forging Worlds, Facing Demons and Superman: A Two-Part Talk with Greg Pak Sep 22, 2025

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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 is celebrating it's 20th anniversary with a new one shot chapter of the epic story. Details on that in Part 2

Inside Batman: The Animated Series with Alan Burnett Sep 21, 2025

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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 influential voices in modern Batman history.

Batman Day Special: Glen Weldon Unmasks The Caped Crusade Sep 20, 2025

Show notes

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

Trek Watch Strange New Worlds Season Recap Sep 19, 2025

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

The League Asks Me Anything pt 2 Sep 18, 2025

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

The League Asks Me Anything pt 1 Sep 17, 2025

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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 gets together to talk shop.

Celebrating Conan #25 with Jim Zub pt 1 Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

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

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