Word Balloon Comics Podcast

set sail with its maiden voyage, and we’re not easing into calm waters. In this debut episode, John Siuntres and Franco dive headfirst into Season One, Episode One of The Love Boat, the episode that launched a TV institution and defined late-’70s comfort viewing for decades to come. Joining them as this week’s guest passenger is Margaret Larkin from The Radio Girl Podcast, bringing sharp insight,  and zero tolerance for shallow nostalgia. Together, the crew breaks down:The episode’s multiple guest-star storylines and how the rotating-romance format was established right out of the gateWho these guest stars really were beyond their Love Boat appearances—career highs, unexpected turns, and pop-culture contextBehind-the-scenes facts, network strategy, and why this show worked when it absolutely shouldn’t haveWhat holds up, what’s already dated, and what still weirdly worksThis isn’t a breezy recap. It’s a smart, funny, occasionally skeptical re-watch that treats The Love Boat as both a time capsule and a television machine built to last. Climb aboard. The champagne is cheap, emotions are high, and the seas may get choppy. 

Today On Word Balloon Scene Missing takes a deep dive into Otto Preminger’s Anatomy of a Murder, the landmark courtroom drama that shattered Hollywood taboos and rewrote how adult themes could be portrayed on screen.Joining me is Chicago radio legend Dan McNeil, known to generations of listeners from WSCR and WMVP, bringing his sharp perspective and cultural memory to the conversation. We break down why Anatomy of a Murder was so controversial in 1950.From its frank sexual dialogue and moral ambiguity to Duke Ellington’s groundbreaking jazz score, and why it still feels modern today. McNeil and I examine James Stewart’s career-defining performance, George C. Scott’s volcanic debut, and Preminger’s fearless refusal to spoon-feed the audience easy answers. This isn’t just a film-school autopsy. It’s a conversation about censorship, masculinity, truth versus storytelling, and how a supposedly “old” movie still punches harder than most modern courtroom dramas. Smart, opinionated, and unapologetically adult.

Tim Seeley joins met talk about many current projects includng Deadpool, Godzilla, He-Man, X-Factor Psylocke Ninja, and the status of his SyFy TV Show Revival,

On this episode, I’m joined by writer Chris Roberson for a wide-ranging conversation about Star Trek past, present, and occasionally frustrating. Chris discusses his Star Trek novella and his ambitious IDW Comics crossover teaming up the original series crew with the Legion of Super-Heroes, blending two classic sci-fi universes with big ideas and deep-cut continuity.From there, the conversation expands to cover every era of Trek, as we compare notes on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why the franchise continues to inspire such passionate debate. Along the way, I vent some long-simmering frustrations with Kurtzman-era Trek, while Chris offers thoughtful context from the perspective of a writer who’s actually played in the sandbox. It’s a candid, nerdy, and occasionally cathartic discussion about the state of Star Trek, its legacy, and what fans still hope it can boldly be.

Today a discussion of one of the father's of pulp hero fiction. Edgar Rice Burroughs , honoring the legendary creator of Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, Carson of Venus, and a galaxy of other characters who helped define adventure and imaginative storytelling for generations of readers.. ERB was a pioneer in creator ownership of his heroes, and made a masswive media bltz in film radio and comics. In this extended conversation, we explore Burroughs’ impact on comics, film, and popular culture, and why his work still resonates with fans around the world. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s dive into the remarkable legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs.”

Welcome back to Word Balloon! Today, we’re diving deep into the Star Trek universe with one of its most accomplished storytellers — David Mack. You know his work from the Deep Space Nine episodes “Starship Down” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon”, two fan-favorite installments that captured the show’s emotional depth and moral complexity.Since then, Mack’s become one of Star Trek’s defining novelists — the author behind landmark books like Destiny, Vanguard, and Control, and now, the brand-new Strange New Worlds novel, Ring Of Fire. We’ll talk about how David approaches writing for different eras of Trek, what it’s like balancing the optimism of Strange New Worlds with the grittier tone of his earlier work, and how he helped expand Star Trek’s literary canon into something as rich and compelling as the shows themselves.Plus, we’ll get into his latest creative venture — co-writing the Star Trek: Khan audio drama, exploring the rise and legacy of one of the franchise’s most fascinating villains. It’s a fascinating look at a writer who’s helped shape Star Trek across television, novels, and now audio storytelling. So grab your communicator, set your phasers to “listen,” and join me as we boldly go into the creative mind of David Mack — right here on Word Balloon!

A look back with Art Baltazar Franco Scoot McMahon and Me

Powers. Black Hammer Minor Threats, and more. Dark Horse Comics editor Daniel Chabon joins the show for an in-depth conversation about shaping creator-driven comics in today’s industry. Daniel breaks down the editor’s role behind the scenes, from developing pitches and guiding visual storytelling to balancing creator vision with long-term publishing strategy.We talk about Dark Horse’s approach to original series, working with both established voices and emerging talent, and how the publisher continues to evolve in a changing comics landscape. Daniel also shares insights into collaboration, deadlines, and what makes a project stand out when it lands on an editor’s desk.

In this episode, we sit down with one of the defining writers of modern Marvel to talk about what’s next, what still matters, and what didn’t quite land. Paul discusses his two new Marvel series coming in 2026, including his long-awaited return to The Sentry, launching this March. We dig into why this new Sentry story feels necessary now, how it builds on the psychological core that made the character unforgettable, and what Paul wants to explore that he couldn’t before.We also get an exclusive look at Captain Marvel: Dark Star, a story that reaches back into Carol Danvers’ Ms. Marvel era to investigate an unsolved crime that has lingered in the shadows for decades. Paul breaks down why revisiting that moment matters—and how reframing the past can change how we understand Carol today.The conversation turns reflective as we revisit Paul’s Marvel Knights era, including his landmark run on Inhumans—what that period at Marvel felt like from the inside, the creative freedom it allowed, and why those stories continue to resonate.And yes—we talk about television. Paul finally watched the ABC Inhumans series, and he’s candid about his reaction, where it went wrong, and why adaptations miss the mark when they lose sight of character and theme. It’s a wide-ranging, honest conversation about legacy, reinvention, and returning to the worlds you helped define—on your own terms.

Live from Terrificon, this panel reunites Ralph Macchio, Ann Nocenti, and John Romita Jr. to revisit one of Daredevil’s most memorable creative periods. Ralph sets the stage with behind-the-scenes stories of the handoff from writer Denny O’Neil to Frank Miller, and ultimately to Ann Nocenti, charting the evolution of the Man Without Fear through shifting creative visions.Ann and John share how the grit, danger, and energy of New York City’s real nightlife shaped their take on Matt Murdock’s world, infusing it with street-level authenticity and vivid, flawed characters like Typhoid Mary and Shotgun. The conversation takes a wild detour as the trio recalls their “freaky” trip to Paris representing Marvel — a surreal adventure filled with culture shock, unexpected encounters, and a dash of chaos. It’s a lively mix of comics history, personal anecdotes, and the creative alchemy that kept Daredevil swinging high.

Part three of ’Twas the Night Before Bendis,. This episode is one of those conversations that starts simple and then immediately spirals—in the good way. We get into secret identities. Do they still matter? Do they work the way they used to? Are they essential to superhero storytelling, or are they a storytelling device we’re all pretending still functions the same in a world of satellites, social media, and everyone live-streaming everything all the time? And once you ask that question, suddenly you’re talking about everything.That leads us straight into Matt Fraction’s Batman run, because of course it does. What Matt is doing with Bruce, Gotham, power, legacy, and isolation opens up exactly the kind of questions modern superhero stories should be asking. Not “how dark can it get,” but “what does this all mean now?” We talk about what works, what surprises, and why Batman—somehow—still has new angles left when the right people are behind the wheel.And then—because this is how these conversations go—we pivot to celebrating Steve Lieber, one of the absolute greats. A master storyteller. A cartoonist’s cartoonist. Someone whose work quietly, consistently elevates everything it touches. We talk about why that matters, and why guys like Steve don’t just support comics—they define them.From there? We discuss where the Netflix Torso adaptation project is, and  TV. Film. The state of storytelling across mediums. .

More on Bendis and Oeming's return to Powers in Powers 25 for Dark Horse, his Italy trip reuniting him with Ult Spider-man Artist and the co-creator of Miles Morales Sara Pichelli, fan questions anda preview of his Avengers story with Mark Bagley for #800 Part 3 tomorrow

Part 1 of a three part chat. Mike Oeming and Taki Soma ended up joining us, obstensivley to talk about their new Powers 25 ongoing book from Dark Horse, but we instead did a lot of movie talk, and the threats of AI art. More tomorrow.

As we look back at some of the very best conversations of 2025, there was no way I could leave this one out. One of the standout talks of the year comes from an artist whose work consistently blends sharp storytelling, inventive visuals, and genuine heart. From Whiteout to Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, Steve Lieber has proven time and again that he’s one of the most thoughtful and versatile creators working in comics today. In this Best of 2025 episode, Steve joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about Metamorpho, the enduring appeal of Jimmy Olsen, and the realities of making comics in today’s industry — from creative challenges to smart business choices. It’s funny, insightful, and packed with the kind of perspective only years of experience can bring.

My Buddy chicago rado legend and my forer partner Mike North joins me for some movie talk about old Hollywood

Once upon a time in the DC Universe, Santa Claus wasn’t just slipping down chimneys… he was training Batman and battling monsters with the world’s greatest heroes. And now in Jeff Parker’s wild 2024 yuletide epic, Santa Claus isn’t just on the nice list — he’s in the Justice League’s corner as the entire DCU faces supernatural threats and a mysterious new enemy in the holiday season’s coolest crossover.  In this episode, Jeff returns to chat about his latest Santa-and-Justice-League mashup — where the Caped Crusader, magic-wielders like Zatanna, Damian Wayne, and even the House of El join forces with St. Nick himself to save the season when the Justice League winds up stranded in a dark realm and heroes are hunted by chilling forces led by the enigmatic Silent Knight.

Welcome to Word Balloon, the podcast that dives deep into the art and craft behind the comics you love. In today’s festive yet fierce chapter of the DC Universe, we’re exploring one of the most delightfully unexpected team-ups in comics history. Imagine the Dark Knight of Gotham City — brooding on rooftops, stalking shadows… now pair him with a man in a red suit who slides down chimneys and actually trained him once. Batman and Santa Claus together, facing supernatural forces, holiday horror, and the kind of mythic storytelling only a master like Jeff Parker can deliver. In this episode, Jeff — writer of Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight and its winter sequel — joins us to talk about his new weekly DC Comics series, how Santa fits into the DC Universe, the lore behind their partnership, and why this strange yet wonderful story is resonating with fans this holiday season. So strap in for ghosts, gods, demons, and yuletide myth — because this isn’t just Christmas with the Caped Crusader… it’s Silent Knight, and it’s one wild ride.

Welcome back to Scene Missing, the show where we dig past the highlight reels and get into the real story. This time, Gabriel Hardman, Ian Brill, and I take a hard, unsentimental look at the career of Burl Ives—a performer whose legacy is far bigger, messier, and more complicated than the warm baritone most people remember.We start with the role that earned him Hollywood’s highest honor: his Oscar-winning turn as Rufus Hannassey in The Big Country, opposite Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, and Charlton Heston—a performance that weaponized charm into something quietly menacing. From there, we contrast it with the brutal, snowbound moral reckoning of Day of the Outlaw, where Ives delivers one of the coldest outlaw portrayals ever put on film. We also explore his unexpected presence in prestige drama, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, sharing the screen with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor, and how his earthy gravitas grounded Tennessee Williams’ overheated world.On television, we revisit his folksy patriarch on O.K. Crackerby!, his later dramatic turn on The Bold Ones: The Lawyers, and how TV both extended and softened his public image. And yes—we absolutely talk about the role that permanently etched him into pop culture: the voice of Sam the Snowman in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a performance so comforting it practically erased the edge of the man behind it.But we don’t stop at acting. Ives’ massive influence as a folk singer is front and center—from “Blue Tail Fly” to “Big Rock Candy Mountain”—along with the career-altering moment that still sparks controversy: his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee, where he named names, including Pete Seeger, reshaping both of their legacies in opposite directions. This isn’t a tribute. It’s an honest conversation about talent, ambition, fear, and compromise—and how one man could be a beloved storyteller, a terrifying screen presence, and a cautionary tale all at once.

Today on Word Balloon, a best of talk with writer, producer, and comics industry fixture Andy Mangels It's a vital conversation about breaking barriers in geek culture. In this episode, Andy opens up about his experiences as an openly gay creator working in comics, television, animation, and fandom —how he navigated an industry that wasn’t always welcoming, and how he helped push the door open for others through his writing, advocacy, and community leadership. From his early days in fandom to his work creating inclusive stories, Andy shares the highs, the lows, and the moments that mattered most. We also talk about the broader landscape of representation in geek media, what it means to break the “gay geek glass ceiling,” and why visibility still matters in 2025 and beyond. It’s a candid, inspiring conversation about identity, passion, and the hard-won progress of LGBTQ+ creators in a culture that’s still evolving.