Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Pinky Yako and More With Rob Paulsen Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

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.

Sterling Gates Part 2 – Superhero Writing Across Comics, TV, and Film Sep 13, 2025

Show notes

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 Janitor has begun its run on the festival circuit and at comic conventions, and he talks candidly about making the leap from comics and TV to directing this riveting action film.
He shares the story behind the film, the lessons he’s learning as a first-time filmmaker, and why he believes conventions are the perfect place for genre fans to discover it. This continuation showcases Sterling Gates as a storyteller constantly moving between mediums, bringing the same passion to a 22-page comic, a TV superhero epic, or a low-budget short action film.

Supergirl, Flash, and THE Crisis Sterling Gates pt 1 Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

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 perspective bridging the worlds of comics and television, while celebrating both the legacies of Supergirl The Flash and the enduring power of DC’s multiverse storytelling.

Mark Russell Unmasks Racer X, Wonder Woman and more Sep 11, 2025

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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 sci-fi anthology series coming from Mad Cave Studios—Vanishing Point.

The Rucka Debrief pt 2 A New Rucka Era at DC Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

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 kind of thoughtful perspective you only get from a creator like Greg Rucka and a show like Word Balloon

The Rucka Debrief pt 1 Futuristic Espionage in Lazarus Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

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

Trek Watch SNW Ep9 Terrarium Review Sep 08, 2025

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

Fun Adventures coming from Franco Sep 07, 2025

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

Trek Watch Four and A Half Vulcans and more review Sep 06, 2025

Show notes

Matt Fraction: Writing Batman, Jimmy Olsen & Beyond (Part 2) Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

In the second half of my conversation with Matt Fraction, we shift gears to talk about his ever-evolving writing process, from Batman to his Eisner-winning work on Jimmy Olsen and other standout projects from across his career.
Fraction digs into how his approach to storytelling has changed over the years, balancing structure with spontaneity, and what keeps him inspired as both a writer and a fan.
We also dive into today’s movie and TV landscape—what’s working, what isn’t, and how the comics medium continues to shape (and sometimes outshine) its Hollywood adaptations.
To wrap things up, Matt and I swap some of our favorite cult film recommendations—deep cuts and offbeat classics that deserve a spotlight. It’s a wide-ranging, candid discussion that blends comics craft, pop culture commentary, and cinephile passion.

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