Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Powers 25 to Batman: Bendis, Oeming & Fraction Talk Shop Pt 1 Aug 04, 2025

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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.

Bogie Huston and... Capote ? Beat The Devil Aug 03, 2025

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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 delightfully rogue. Join us as we celebrate the charming chaos and unlikely alchemy that brought it to life.

Illogical Romance Trek Watch Strange New Worlds Ep 4 review Aug 02, 2025

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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.

The Return Of James Robinson Aug 01, 2025

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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.

Trek Watch Zombies Deliver, But What’s With the Puppet, Pike Jul 31, 2025

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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.

"Marvel Fanfare and Mayhem: Al Milgrom on Shooter, Secret Wars & Shenanigans" pt 4 Jul 30, 2025

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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.

Secret Wars, Secret Stories Al Milgrom pt 3 Jul 29, 2025

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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.

Bootleg Comics, Bullpen Brawls & The Fantastic Four Film: Al Milgrom Unleashed Pt 2 Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

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 acailable for commisions and recreations if you email him at editorial@aol.com

Old School Marvel: Al Milgrom’s War Stories from the Bullpen pt 1 Jul 27, 2025

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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 guy who lived it.

Fantastic Four First Steps No Spoilers Review Jul 27, 2025

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My thoughts on the latest MCU film.

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