Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Michael Stradford's Comic Tribute To Grindhouse Movies Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Grindhouse Comics Presents Raine is a kickstarter coming in mid August. It's 200 plus pages will feature a 92 page lead story about the title charcter and several shorter stories introducing a host of action heroes inspired by 70s grindhouse classics like Shaft and Cleopatra Jones.
Michael discuss the book it's inspirations, and has a ton of stoires of his own adventures in making film and comics.

Morgan Hampton Green Lantern Corps and More Jul 21, 2026

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Morgan Hampton takes us from his beginings breaking into DC with the Milestone writers program, and writing a Cyborg mini series before coming on the Green Lantern Corps . First he co-wrote with Jeremy Adams , but has been soloing since issue 10, and we're getting an epic story as Guy Gardner and a team of rainbow rings are facing the Mahunters in an epic battle.
He also has a cool IDW Serries Sons Of Star Trek featuring Jake Sisko, Nog, Worf's son Alexander and Q2

The Odyssey X-Men 97 reviews Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Comic TV and Movie Talk with COMIC POP's Sal Crivelli pt 2 Jul 19, 2026

Show notes

more talk about comics tv movies and more with sal crivelli of comic pop.
note-this was recorded before the news broke about stephen wacker takng over as marvel's new editor in chief

Comic TV and Movie Talk with COMIC POP's Sal Crivelli pt 1 Jul 18, 2026

Show notes

Sal, of The COMIC POP youtube channel joins me to take stock of comics tv and films.
We talk about- The rise of DC Supergirl and Spider Noir, Sony and Disney Marvel, and tips for other podcasters.

How Stephen Wacker Thinks About Comics Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Big news out of Marvel Comics today: Stephen Wacker has been named the company's new Editor-in-Chief. Given all the executive changes Marvel has gone through in recent years, it's encouraging to see someone with deep comic book experience taking the reins of the publishing line.Wacker's résumé extends well beyond editing comics. In addition to overseeing some of Marvel's biggest publishing initiatives, he also served as Vice President of Marvel Animation and later as Vice President of Marvel New Media, helping guide projects like the Marvel Audio Universe on SiriusXM, including Wolverine and other serialized Marvel audio dramas.
To celebrate the news, we're going back to this 2012 Word Balloon conversation with Stephen. It's a fascinating snapshot of Marvel during one of its most creative periods. We talk about the birth of Spider-Man's Brand New Day era, Dan Slott's early run on Amazing Spider-Man, Greg Rucka's Punisher, and Mark Waid's acclaimed Daredevil. Stephen also gets into the weeds on major crossover events like Spider-Island, Shadowland, and DC's The New 52, while pulling back the curtain on Marvel's creator retreats and the collaborative process behind building the Marvel Universe.
Ok, yes, this conversation is now more than a decade old, but I think it still provides a valuable window into how Steve Wacker thinks about comics—how he approaches storytelling, editorial decisions, and working with creators. Until I have the chance to sit down with him again, this interview answers a lot of the questions newer readers may have about the philosophy and instincts of the man now leading Marvel Comics. Enjoy this 2012 conversation with Marvel's new Editor-in-Chief, Stephen Wacker.

Russ Braun The Boys Batman and learning from Comic Masters Jul 15, 2026

Show notes

Of course we discus Russ working ion the boys with Garth Ennis, and other war comics, but did you now he pencilled the first Batman story about the venom drug? Did you also know he learned storytelling on the job from Joe Orlando Carmine Infantino, and a few other masters?
Not to mention his Disney animation career on some of their biggest films.
Listen, and find out.

Christopher Irving Comics History and Joe Unknown Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Chris si back to promote a new kickstarter coming in August about Joe Unknown, the adventures of a comic book horror host after hours ( Think a cross between the look of Kolchak The Night Stalker, in the role of The Crypt Keeper Of EC Comics)
But then we discuss a lot of his acedemic comic book historian work dispelling rumors and long held myths, like how and why kryptonite was created for the Superman radio show and more.

x-men 97 and other reviews Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

we discuss the first 4 eps of the new season plus other comics tv film and more

Rodney Barnes On Blacula Comics Streaming and More Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

Some great Rodney Barne Word Balloon segments presenting a wide-ranging conversation that spans comics, television, and film history. We kick things off with his chilling Blacula graphic novel, a fresh take on one of blaxploitation's most enduring horror icons, before diving back into the world of his acclaimed vampire epic Killadelphia, one of the most original independent comic series of the last several years.
Along the way, Rodney and I celebrate the legacy of blaxploitation cinema,its cultural impact, unforgettable characters, and the way those films continue to influence storytellers today.
We also spend time looking back at Rodney's work as a writer and producer on HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. Despite strong critical praise and passionate fans, the series was cut short after two seasons, with HBO citing a combination of relatively low viewership and its exceptionally high production costs. It's a reminder that, in today's television landscape, even acclaimed genre and franchise programming can be vulnerable if the audience doesn't reach the necessary scale, a reality that Star Trek fans, can certainly appreciate.

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