Word Balloon Comics Podcast

From 2020. Award-winning cartoonist Dean Haspiel moderates a powerhouse discussion with four of the most influential creators in the history of American comics who all shared a studio in 1— Howard Chaykin, Walter Simonson, Denys Cowan, and Bill Sienkiewicz. Together, these legendary artists and storytellers explore the evolution of comic art from the Bronze Age to today — from groundbreaking experimentation in page design and narrative structure to the ongoing battle for creator rights and artistic freedom. Expect bold opinions, sharp humor, and a masterclass in how innovation and attitude reshaped the medium. Whether you grew up on American Flagg!, The Mighty Thor, The Question, or Elektra: Assassin, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at the artists who changed comics forever — and continue to inspire new generations to push boundaries.

Before there was the Marvel Universe… before Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four changed everything in 1961… there was Atlas Comics. It was the 1950s — the so-called “lost decade” for Marvel. The superheroes were gone. In their place came monsters, crime, westerns, romance, and science fiction. But inside those pages, you could already see the DNA of what was coming next.From artists like Joe Maneely, Bill Everett, and a young Steve Ditko… to Stan Lee’s endless experiments with genre and tone… the Atlas years are the missing link between Timely’s Golden Age and Marvel’s Silver Age explosion. In this episode, we’re diving deep into that forgotten era — the stories, the creators, the rise and fall of the Atlas line, and how those books quietly paved the way for the Marvel Revolution.

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!

Today on Word Balloon, I’m talking with two legends of Disney TV animation—Greg Weisman, the creator of Gargoyles, and Tad Stones, the mind behind Darkwing Duck. They’re teaming up for the first time in decades for a brand-new crossover comic series — Gargoyles / Darkwing Duck, debuting this January from Dynamite Entertainment.We’ll dig into how this unlikely mash-up came together, what it’s like blending the gothic mythos of Gargoyles with the high-energy satire of Darkwing Duck, and how the characters reflect two very different eras of Disney storytelling. Beyond the comic,Greg and Tad share their memories from the golden age of Disney Afternoon syndication—what it was like building shows like DuckTales, Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers, Aladdin: The Animated Series, and of course, Gargoyles—when animation was a daily fixture for millions of kids. And we’ll get real about today’s landscape—how streaming has upended the business model that supported those kinds of shows, what that means for creators, and whether there’s still room for original animated series to thrive outside of nostalgia.

Today, we’re heading off-world — straight into the events of Marvel’s massive Imperial Cosmic Epic, as the Green Goliath of Law gets a brand-new chapter in Planet She-Hulk. Writer Stephanie Phillips and artist Aaron Kuder join me to break down how Jennifer Walters finds herself at the heart of an intergalactic power struggle — torn between the laws of a reformed empire and the raw fury that made her a legend. We’ll talk about the tone of this new book — part political sci-fi, part space opera — how it connects to Hickman’s larger cosmic tapestry, and what fans can expect from Kuder’s out-of-this-world visual design and Phillips’ signature balance of empathy and grit. Whether you’ve followed She-Hulk since the Byrne and Slott days, or you’re jumping on now, this is the perfect gateway into Marvel’s next great cosmic saga.

In this Scene Missing episode, John Siuntres joins Wayne Mousseau and Mitch Hallock to dissect the newly unearthed Director’s Cut of the infamous 1990 Captain America film. Long dismissed as a curious relic of pre-MCU comic-book cinema, this version restores nearly 20 minutes of footage, deepening the Cold War paranoia and emotional stakes that the theatrical release fumbled.The trio dives into how director Albert Pyun’s original vision—once buried under studio edits and budget constraints—finally gets its due. They discuss the extended opening in 1943, richer character beats for Steve Rogers and the Red Skull, and the tonal tug-of-war between gritty espionage and pulp heroics.Wayne spotlights Pyun’s visual ambition on a shoestring budget; Mitch breaks down how the new cut reframes Cap as a tragic man out of time; and John connects the film’s underdog spirit to the larger legacy of Marvel adaptations before Blade and X-Men changed the game. It’s a spirited, funny, and surprisingly affectionate reassessment of a movie once mocked and now rediscovered—part history lesson, part fandom therapy session. Scene Missing proves again that even flawed heroes deserve a second look.

On this episode of Kinescope, John Siuntres, Jeff Parker, and Gabriel Hardman spotlight the remarkable live television work of Boris Karloff — best known as Hollywood’s original Frankenstein Monster but equally commanding on the small screen. From the tense anthology dramas of the early 1950s to his chilling appearances on Studio One, Westinghouse Studio One, Climax!, Suspense, and The United States Steel Hour, Karloff proved that terror and empathy could coexist in real time — without retakes.The hosts revisit surviving kinescopes that capture Karloff’s range — cultured villains, haunted men, and tragic figures performed before live audiences. They explore how these broadcasts bridged the golden age of horror and the birth of television drama, revealing how Karloff’s gravitas and restraint brought unexpected humanity to live anthology television. Expect insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and production history from the era when Boris Karloff mastered the art of live fright.

On this episode of To the Outer Limits, John Siuntres is joined by Gabe Hardman, William J. Meyer, Ian Brill, Jeff Parker, and Ande Parks for a lively and insightful discussion of the 1964 episode “Soldier.” Written by Harlan Ellison and directed by Gerd Oswald, this hard-edged science fiction story follows a genetically bred warrior from a future war who’s accidentally transported back to 20th-century Earth — a man who knows nothing but battle.The panel breaks down the episode’s sharp performances by Michael Ansara and Lloyd Nolan, its minimalist production design, and Ellison’s cynical view of endless human conflict. They explore the episode’s themes of nature versus nurture, Cold War paranoia, and the moral cost of a society addicted to warfare.The group also examines “Soldier”’s lasting influence — including its famous connection to The Terminator copyright dispute — and why it stands as one of The Outer Limits’ most haunting reflections on what it means to be human in a world built for war.

On this episode of To the Outer Limits, John Siuntres is joined by Gabe Hardman, William J. Meyer, Ian Brill, Jeff Parker, and Ande Parks for a deep-dive discussion of the classic 1964 episode “Demon with a Glass Hand.” Written by Harlan Ellison and directed by Byron Haskin, this landmark story starring Robert Culp remains one of the series’ most haunting and influential hours. The panel unpacks the episode’s noir atmosphere, its striking use of the Bradbury Building, and Ellison’s blend of human emotion with high-concept science fiction. Along the way, they explore the show’s visual style, its lasting influence on later genre storytelling—from The Terminator to modern cyber-noir—and what makes Demon with a Glass Hand one of The Outer Limits’ definitive masterpieces.

In this episode, I sit down with writer–artist Jeremy Haun, one of the most distinctive voices in modern comics, to talk about the evolution of his hit Image series The Beauty — the dark, provocative thriller about a sexually transmitted disease that makes its victims physically perfect… until it kills them. The book is now in production as an FX television series, and Jeremy shares behind-the-scenes details on how that adaptation is shaping up, what he’s learned from the process, and what fans can expect when The Beauty makes the jump from page to screen.We also dig into his brand-new creator-owned mini-series Murder Podcast, a twisted and timely story about obsession, media exploitation, and the true-crime culture we can’t seem to turn off. Jeremy breaks down the premise, his inspirations, and how the book blurs the line between audience and accomplice.Finally, we talk about Jeremy’s next big step — his new publishing venture, Ignition Press, built to give creators more control, flexibility, and creative freedom in the shifting landscape of independent comics

Here are the full radio episodes of my top 5 sci-fi clasisic dramas

This Halloween, Word Balloon heads back to the golden age of radio for a special countdown of my Top 5 Sci-Fi Old Time Radio Show Adaptations — stories that defined cosmic horror and speculative imagination long before television ever caught up.We’ll explore chilling classics like Ray Bradbury’s “Mars Is Heaven” and “Zero Hour,” the unnerving double-life tale “Marionettes, Inc.”, the surreal mystery of “The Junkyard,” and James Blish’s haunting micro-evolution fable “Surface Tension.” This episode features authentic audio clips from each of these legendary radio adaptations — the sounds, the voices, and the atmosphere that made 1950s sci-fi radio unforgettable.And stay tuned — a follow-up episode will present each of these radio shows in their entirety, so you can experience the full broadcasts as they were originally heard. It’s a celebration of science fiction, suspense, and Halloween chills

Welcome back, everybody — it’s Word Balloon, the comic book conversation show. I’m your host, John Siuntres. Today, I’m catching up with one of the busiest and most inventive creators in comics right now — Tony Fleecs. You know him from his breakout hit Stray Dogs, and now he’s back building on that legacy with not one, but two killer new creator-owned projects — Feral and Uncanny Valley. Feral takes the “cute-meets-terrifying” idea from Stray Dogs and turns it loose in a whole new world — a horror-survival story about cats, secrets, and survival that’s every bit as emotional as it is brutal. Meanwhile, Uncanny Valley dives into something totally different — a wild, imaginative blend of cartoon logic and family mystery, about a kid discovering he’s literally part-animated in a world that doesn’t make sense. It’s heartfelt, it’s weird, and it might be Tony’s most ambitious story yet.But that’s not all — Tony’s also been flexing his storytelling muscles over at Marvel. He’s got the Omega Kids X-men mini series, a brand-new Winter Break Special, and the Thing mini-series that digs deep into Ben Grimm’s humanity with that signature mix of humor and heart.We’ll talk about balancing the Marvel work with creator-owned books, how he builds tone between horror, humor, and heroism, and what it’s like to be one of the few creators who can make you cry over cats and cheer for the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing — all in the same year. It’s Tony Fleecs — back on Word Balloon — stick around, this one’s a great conversation.

A Halloween Special...Welcome to Word Balloon Theater, where we bring classic radio and record drama back to life — only this time, I’m part of the cast. On this episode, we step into a smoky pool hall, straight out of a 1950s crime picture. I’m your host, John Siuntres, playing opposite one of Hollywood’s great voices — Don Ameche.You know Ameche from his Oscar-winning performance in Cocoon, his sharp comic timing in Trading Places, and a career that stretched from golden-age radio to the silver screen. This scene comes from his 1958 Roulette Records album, Co-Star: The Record Acting Game — a clever concept that let fans play a speaking role opposite their favorite stars.In this track, Ameche plays a streetwise hustler working his angles over a crooked game of pool. So chalk up your cue, light a Lucky, and take a seat by the jukebox. You’re about to hear a slice of mid-century cool — Don Ameche and John Siuntres in “The Pool Hall.”This… is Word Balloon Theater.

On this episode of The To The Outer Limits, we review  “The Sixth Finger.”Joining me are storytellers Gabriel Hardman, Jeff Parker, and Ande Parks.t’s the story that dared to ask what happens when humanity fast-forwards its own evolution—and the answer, as usual, isn’t pretty. Starring a young David McCallum years before The Man from U.N.C.L.E., this 1963 classic turns the lab experiment trope into a gothic tragedy, complete with telepathy, hubris, and a proto–Professor X look that must have haunted comic readers who saw it first-run. Joining me for the discussion are three of my favorite storytellers who know a thing or two about pushing human potential to the breaking poin Together we’ll talk about the episode’s influence on pop culture and comics—from McCallum’s transformation makeup to its echoes in The X-Men, Planet of the Apes, and every “science-goes-too-far” story that followed.

Before Watchmen shocked readers with the idea of a staged alien invasion meant to unite humanity, The Outer Limits had already explored that same chilling premise more than two decades earlier. “The Architects of Fear,” one of the series’ most haunting episodes, aired in 1963 at the height of Cold War anxiety. In it, a group of idealistic scientists concoct a desperate plan to save the world from nuclear annihilation by creating a common enemy—an extraterrestrial threat—through grotesque transformation and deception.The story’s moral gravity and tragic human core—anchored by Robert Culp’s anguished performance—make it an emotional blueprint for Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen. Where Moore’s Adrian Veidt executes his plan with cold perfection, The Outer Limits delivers the same concept as human tragedy rather than triumph. It’s a tale not about success, but about sacrifice and futility—a broadcast parable warning that even the noblest lies can’t save us from ourselves.

Wayne and I discuss the story so far, plus wayne's take on Starflet academy's trailer and the SNW season 4 teaser

In this Scene Missing panel, we dive deep into the 1972 made-for-TV movie Gargoyles — a cult classic that helped define the early wave of ’70s creature features. Joining the discussion are Gabriel Hardman, Jeff Parker, Ian Brill, and Allison Baker, each bringing their sharp insight into the film’s production, themes, and its influence on modern genre storytelling.The panel explores the film’s eerie desert setting and its surprising critical success, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup that launched the career of Stan Winston, who went on to create the iconic creatures of Aliens and Predator. We spotlight the performances of Cornel Wilde as anthropologist Mercer Boley, Jennifer Salt (Sisters, Soap) as his daughter Diana, and Bernie Casey as the noble Gargoyle leader — one of television’s earliest sympathetic monster roles. We also examine the creative team behind the movie: director Bill L. Norton, later known for Cisco Pike and Law & Order, and writer-producers Steve and Elinor Karpf, who blended mythology, horror, and social reflection into an unexpectedly thoughtful TV thriller.

Comics writer and cartoonist Kyle Starks joins me to talk about his brand-new Image Comics series, Wrestle Heist — a wild blend of pro-wrestling spectacle and fast-paced crime caper energy. We get into how the idea came together, his trademark mix of humor and heartfelt chaos, and what makes this book stand apart from his previous creator-owned hits.Kyle also discusses his recent work writing Peacemaker for DC’s Black Label, sharing how he brought his offbeat humor and emotional grit to one of DC’s most unpredictable antiheroes. He teases his upcoming Vertigo series debuting next year, which pushes him into darker, more character-driven territory while still keeping his sharp dialogue and storytelling muscle.Plus, we dig into the next wave of creator-owned projects he’s got cooking — from new collaborations to long-planned solo works that show just how versatile and fearless he’s become as a writer.

In part two, writer B. Clay Moore dives into his latest creator-owned projects — the gritty 1970s crime saga Last Flight Out of Wichita from DSTLRY, and the political-horror series Bloodland (Vampires in the White House) from Ignition Press. Plus Netflix is makinga John Cena movie based on Clay and Jeremy Haun's 2007 comic The Leading Man Moore talks about chasing new stories, creative freedom, and pushing beyond the superhero mainstream into bold new worlds.