The legend of Ryan Wild has been told for the past 25 years in radio. Now focused on Mediabase and voiceover work, he has spent time either on-air or programming (or both) on more call letters than keys on a keyboard. Wild's journey has taken him from Quad Cities, to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis. Just as legendary as his radio career, his love for all things 80's and 90's nostalgia was the perfect fit to cover Jason Aaron's reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. With Raphael in prison, Michelangelo starring in Japanese action movies, and Leonardo and Donatello struggling in their own ways, how will out favorite pizza loving New Yorkers come together for one more cowabunga! Comics.FM episodes are always filled with real radio talk, and this one even more serious with a personal journey of mental health for the first half of the episode. If you just want to jump to the comic talk, that starts about 49 min in. Ryan tells JP about his favorite celebrities he's interviewed and Dennis Miller, John McCain, Luke Bryan and yes, Taylor Swift top the list! Find out why he feels the country music artists make for the best in-person interactions. As a Superhero, think a bumbling Greatest American Hero with Superman's abilities and Blankman's desire to be a crime fighter -- starring TV's Michael Chiklis, Da Commish. Ultimately, Wild loves the people he worked with in radio. That's his real superpower. Connect with him @wildonair
In this classic rock episode of Comics.FM, join host JP Black and his KKFM studio mate, guest Chris Austin, as they delve into the enchanting world of "The Silver Coin" comic book. Art by Michael Walsh (Star Wars, Black Hammer/Justice League) and joining forces with an all-star writing roster for the series (Chip Zdarsky in this issue #1) Each issue unfolds a standalone nightmare set within a shared, sinister universe. The saga begins in 1978, where a struggling rock band’s fortunes take a sharp turn after they discover the enigmatic Silver Coin. But as their star rises, they soon learn that every gift has a price — and this curse is always hungry. Pick of destiny anyone? Chris Austin shares his 'nice-guy' expertise in the radio industry and why it's better to help the competition than try and sabotage them. (JP takes notes on this whole being nice thing) If Chris was in a superhero movie, he most likely would have a mind control level that would make Dinner for Schmucks look like...uh...Shmucks for Dinner. And I release you. Chris knows how to survive in the radio world but could easily be lured by a magic Silver Coin that could make him all-powerful over the airwaves! All in all - radio is a fun job, and comics are a fun read. This is why we do Comics.FM! Listen to both Chris Austin and JP Black every weekday on 98.1 KKFM and follow along @ComicsFM wherever you waste time at work!
Danielle talks about moving up the ranks at 95.9 The River out in the Chicago suburbs and some strange run-in's with listeners. Roses given, feet pics requested were all part of the gig that she didn't know she was signing up for! JP and Danielle talk about the amazing comic, Saga by Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist). Saga is set in a vast universe where two warring races—the technologically advanced Landfallians (with wings) and the magic-wielding Wreath (with horns) have turned their home worlds conflict into a galaxy-spanning war. Though Landfall and Wreath can't risk destroying each other directly, their war wages on countless other planets and moons, dragging in outsiders and mercenaries. You get to read the story as it unfolds while the main character Hazel (daughter of Alana and Marko) narrates as the crew is always on the run. Comics.FM delves both into the comic but also the radio career of the guest. Danielle talks about getting into radio and how it can wear you down over the years, especially when you are a good solider and say yes to everything without complaints. In her longtime role at 95.9 The Riever, eventually, even the best team player can feel it's the right time to move onto a new adventure. Danielle and JP talk about the "On" and "Off" switches that radio people have when meeting listeners or being out in public and how it could be vastly different experiences than what you hear over the airwaves. Tufano also gets into why there is an extra layer of uncomfortable than happens being a female personality on the radio and using her real name. As a superhero, she would be Flygirl, but not the dancing kind, put possibly in a tracksuit regardless. Danielle talks about interviewing Jeremy Renner, Gary Sinese, and Mark McGrath and why it's important to stick to the script. When the band Lit asks you to get alcohol - keep the change Plus she gets an offer she can't refuse, but did refuse from Gene Simmons! It's like Hot Ones but instead of wings, it's comics, and instead of licking saucy fingers, Danielle gets into licking toes and elbows!
Joe Cicero, you know him from Star 105.5 in in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. And also his long history with Chicago pizza and Chicago radio joins JP Black to talk about the first issue of the IDW "Godzilla in America" series, the aptly titled Godzilla vs Chicago. This is Joe's first ever comic book! Godzilla vs Chicago consists of 4 mini-stories. The first, from Mike Costa and Ryan Brown, is a must read for Chicago sports fans and Svengoolie fans. The second story with tales from the El train from Tim Seeley and Heather Breckel. The 3rd story from Ezra Daniels is a classic Chicago politics story with a twist. And the book wraps up with a Caroline Cash story that gives a giant sized middle finger to Indiana... which is every Chicagoan's dream of course. Plus Godzilla everywhere in Chicagoland! So many great Chicago references in the comic, but there is one mistake that both Joe and J.P. each realized in this issue! Stay for the radio talk as they each share their stories about how not to fry an engineer inside a radio tower! EXCLUSIVE JOE CICERO RADIO STORIES NOT HEARD ANYWHERE ELSE! Before becoming the main dude on suburban Chicago airwaves for 15 years, Joe had a journey in downtown Chicago radio. Find out about Joe's first gig on the air and what legendary radio personality he had to follow. Radio has so many twists and turns and you gotta make the most of every chance you get. With demo CD in hand, Joe made sure it got in the hands of someone who could give him another shot! Find out how Joe Cicero pissed off the iconic Kevin Matthews as the hotshot new overnight kid. When Joe gets to Star 105.5 in Crystal Lake, the drama starts on Day 1 with his new boss not even knowing he was hired - yikes! He's a big deal as the morning host and even get a cell phone with a whole lotta MINUTES ready to use! If Joe Cicero were a Superhero, who would he be? While he has dressed as Batman for Halloween and even got to drive the original Batmobile, his power of care and compassion would turn him into the Amazing Frenzo! (no relation to Wizzo from the Bozo Show.... we think) Last but not least, Joe Cicero dishes the dirt on the several celebrities he interviewed that may or not be cool (or a jerk!) - Avril, Alanis, Foxworthy, Simon Cowell and more! Follow Joe's antics online @radiojoecicero and also if you are in the Chicago area, check out the McHenry Outdoor Theater at GoldenAgeCinemas.com
Another Comics.FM episode where JP talks radio and comics with one of his colleagues in the business. Today Scorgie and JP Black talk about Ice Cream Man from Image Comics. Written by W. Maxwell Prince and Art by Chris O’Halloran and Martín Morazzo. While they reference the first issue, each comic is a one-off tale of weird plots and characters with a side of two scoops of ice cream. The Ice Cream Man is ready to serve with a snap of his fingers, lickety split! Scorgie and JP talk about the influences that got them both into radio. Scorgie mentions the VH1 Show Free Radio with Lance Krall and Jimmy Fallon's "And We're Back" radio skits on SNL. JP talks about Steve Dahl and Johnny B, then Howard Stern, and movies like Airheads that made radio seem like the coolest job ever. They get into the "theater of the mind" element that radio always had and always will be. JP discusses how radio gives that same illusion like pro wrestling or politics of what is real and what is not. Lesson to the kids - say yes! It just may pay off as JP talks about when he was asked to be an emcee for the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs. Maybe you'll even get to meet a famous heavy metal drummer! Check our Scorgie on 98.1 KKFM Weekends and all around Southern Colorado at live events! Follow Comics.FM at the website and on Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, X, and more!
JP Black and Jack Taddeo get into the fun behind the scenes world of radio about being actually live, and all the chaos and greatness that can come when the adrenaline kicks in with a hot mic! Jack talks about changing the format game at WLIT in Chicago at 93.9 Lite FM and what would actually when DEAD AIR is heard over the station airwaves. Do we yell at someone first or get it back on the air first? JP finds out if Jack can fire him 10+ years later for letting F-Bombs from Ozzy on the air! The comic we picked is called "Dead Air" (how appropriate!) written by Benjamin Hunting and art by Joe Ng. Imagine if once a year, every year, you could talk to the dead. That’s the world of Dead Air, where this technology has become just another commercial service. When Michelle, the main character, finally decides to use it to reconnect with an old friend from her college radio days, she ends up getting way more than she bargained for. And yes - the viral moment mentioned in this episode with a young Kevin Walters who, in protest of the Des Plaines Oasis shutting down, handcuffed himself to the door. It was a special place for him as he was conceived there after a Phil Collins concert. I believe it was a Burger King bathroom. Comics and talk about 103.9 The Fox, a station that Jack format flipped and put JP on (for some reason) in afternoons! We wrap up with some tangent on Batman Radio, Michael Keaton anger, and random drag racing stories. Anything goes on Comics.FM (if only we had wings to steal a gimmick from Hot Ones...) Jack's Music on Vinyl Read the first 4 pages of Issue 1 for free Benjamin Hunting CJNK Spotify Playlists 1 2
Comedian and 95.9 The River alumni, Patrick O'Hara joins JP Black on this episode of Comics.FM. They will review Deadpool: Dead Presidents by Brian Posehn and Gerry Duggan. Art by Tony Moore. Patrick wishes he could become Quarterman as a superhero with a built in quarter made from his thumb. He hangs out near the Aldi carts. Plus the modified X-Ray vision? Sounds like a real skelephile. He ain't saving anyone from cart catastrophes! Russian Pink if you're reading this, we want you to lead us to the promised land. Lesson to the kids looking to get into radio: Make fun of someone's pants. At the very least, it could catapult you from radio into the comedy world! Hear Patrick's tales of consuming a 2 pound burger in hopes to compete with the Wolf of Wingtown. Find out what is the one thing Carlton Fisk will not do, even thought Patrick thought he would do anything for a fan, but not that. And he finally found some green jelly at Home Depot! Comics.FM with J.P. Black is just like the show with the wings, except less messy and lower tier celebs. And zoom with whatever equipment we have. Follow Patrick O'Hara online at @patrickocomedy Get merch for THIS show at Comics.FM (yes, that's the website, it's not just a dessert topping!)
PRETEND YOU GO BACK IN TIME TO FIX THE AUDIO ISSUES.... Josh Aldis aka Aldis Snow aka LazerWolf6969 joins JP Black to talk about a new comic from Joe Trohman, Brian Posehn, and Chris Johnson. Rifters from Image Comics. This R Rated take on time travel images how badly we would F up the past if we were all allowed access right in our pocket. This Rifters Comic Review is filled with the random tangents you didn't ask for but definitely need. JP and Josh talk about meeting at 95.9 River in Aurora/Naperville (WERV) then moving into 103.9 The Fox (WFXF) in Crystal Lake. Josh tells is famous MEETING ANAKIN SKYWALKER story while JP wonders why he would pick teleportation without the ability to fight as a superpower? Also - season 2 of Hits? But when?! Crank it to 11 (because there are sound issues) and enjoy this Comics.FM discussion of the comic book, Rifters. Comics.FM - It's like Hot Ones but instead of wings, it's comics. And instead of real celebrities it's C/D Level Radio People. Follow Comics.FM on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and more!
They say KNOWING IS HALF THE BATTLE, but surely the other half is filled with male pre-teen angst from the late 80's. JP Black and Danger (no longer a Boy!) talk about GI Joe, Saturday Morning Adventures. It's a four part series that looks exactly like the cartoon many of us grew up with! Writer - Erik Burnham, Artist - Dan Schoening, and Colors - Luis Antonio Delgado, this story is a classic "I found a genie, and I get three wishes" story with Cobra Commander hilariously being frustrated! And you can learn valuable lesson from the modern day PSA's in the book! Danger has been the Program Director and Morning Show Host (along with Lindsay) on Nash FM 97.3 for years. It's the top country station the market and many times the top station overall! Danger and JP nerd out about celebrity appearances, what our superpowers would be, and most importantly how the G.I. Joe USS Flagg Aircraft Carrier impacted both of their lives! Check out Nash FM 97.3 for more info on Danger and get social links and merch for this show at Comics.FM
Today on Comics.FM JP Black talks to legendary Chicago radio personality and local band enthusiast, James VanOsdol. James has been the host, producer, and all-around hustler for his Car Con Carne podcast for over 1000 episodes! JVO and JP discuss the Joker infatuated Punchline #1 comic book, from DC Comics. Find out why JVO says Punchline's podcast scene was OFFENSIVE to him! Hear about his almost 20 years of podcasting experience, including just the FACS ma'am. Learn how Car Con Carne navigated through COVID with daily shows to a with or without food (sing that part to U2) mentality in 2025. Spoiler: No more free lunches kids. Exclusive: James tells you his secret how to make a podcast successful and beat out the other zillion podcasts out there. Tip with a Punchline: Don't wear boots and hold a iPod whilst recording. In the them of long-term wrestling storytelling, hear the one-sided radio history of James VanOsdol and JP's single white female level obsession with getting on 94.7 The Zone as DJ. James also shares his BEST career advice he ever received in radio at Q101. And it wasn't just stay away from Carlin's 7 Dirty Words. JP and James also delve into why we need to be told to listen to something rather than let the algorithm do a underwhelming job at it. And the guys each share a behind the scenes style Billy Corgan Wrestling story each with a little. Comics.FM is just like Hot Ones, but with Mayonaise on the comic books. Comics.FM CarConCarne.com
Some know this large man as Nate Nelson, Actor and former Radio Host and Producer at 95.9 The River nestled in the heart of Chicagoland.... some know him as Dante Dread. Nate joined JP Black to talk about a new comic that just came in this year, in 2025 from Jason Aaron: Bug Wars. Imagine an entire battle going on in the grass of the backyard, but what happens when the full size humans get involved? Find out more in this Honey I Shrunk the Kids meets Lord of the Rings epic battle! Nate discusses his upcoming film projects including Pulp Heroes and it's coming crowdfunding campaign. Find out who got hired first as both Nate and JP proclaim the other got the gig first and became quickly jealous! Both of these dude got into the radio business at the same time and in the same exact way. Check out this look into both of their entertainment careers now almost 20 years later! Maybe Comics.FM is like Hot Ones! Except instead of chicken wings, these radio peeps talk comic books with a saltier flavor than the tears of your bug-like enemies!.
Ryan Kaufman is a self-proclaimed highfalutin fellow who enjoys a good story as much as the next guy. JP once faced Ryan in a hot wing contest and lost so this episode of Comics.FM so far IS the most like Hot Ones! Except instead of chicken wings, we do comic books with a flavor all their own. And instead of actual celebrities JP talks to radio people he allegedly knows. Department of Truth by James Tynion IV gets into many conspiracies from the moon landing, to JFK, to everything in between. Are the conspiracy theorists correct? Are they totally wrong and crazy? It really doesn't matter if majority rules and we all believe it! Ryan talks about meeting a 3 Time NBA MVP and why he wants Professor X's power, but not his hairline!
Jacob Beals has the last laugh while being "second in line" for Comics.FM. This show is a lot like Hot Ones. Except instead of chicken wings, we do spicy comic books. And instead of actual celebrities JP talks to radio people he knows. Today we get into Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar. What if Superman was a bad guy raised in the Soviet Union during the Cold War? Along with discussing the book, we find out if a big morning radio star finally gets what he deserves in his contract! What heartthrob has what it takes to play Jacob Beals (92.5 KJJY, First in Line Podcast) in the movie, BEALS -- and the sequel, THE BEALS!
Bobby Adan joins JP Black (98.1 KKFM) for this first episode of Comics.FM. It's just like that show Hot Ones. Except instead of wings, we do comic books. And instead of actual celebrities JP talks to radio people he knows. Today we talk about the awesome DC Comics Batman: Three Jokers comic written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Jason Fabok. The Comedian, the Criminal, and the Clown have some fun with Batman, Batgirl, and Red Hood! Find out why Bobby would make a superhero movie about his life called Blink and why he chose teleportation powers. But who plays Bobby? Meryl, Morgan, Dave Grohl? Speaking of Jokers, Practical or Impractical, Bobby talks about hanging out with Joe Gatto, who may have left one group of Jokers to become the new 4th Joker? Tune in to hear the Popcast Pop Tart, Bobby Adan (92.9 Peak FM, 98.9 Magic FM, Bobby's Popcast) and JP Black nerd out and put on their happy face and talk all things Joker!