Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Today on Word Balloon, I'm joined by acclaimed TV writer and comic book creator Christopher Cantwell. You know him as the co-creator of AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire, but today we’re diving into his latest project: the brand-new IDW Star Trek series, Redshirts — a sharp, subversive take on the classic Trek trope that finally gives the most expendable crew members their due. We also explore his standout Marvel runs, including a definitive modern take on Iron Man, the psychological complexity of Doctor Doom, and the gritty crime world of Golden Goblin. Plus, we get into his recent DC Comics work, where he brings the Challengers of the Unknown back into the spotlight in a wild miniseries featuring the Justice League. From Trek casulties to the far corners of the DC and Marvel multiverses — it’s all coming up today on Word Balloon. Part 2 follows 

This episode is a special Pride Month encore from 2016—my very first conversation with writer Steve Orlando. Steve joined me back then to talk about his new BOOM! Studios book Namesake, a bold sci-fi adventure about a gay fireman who crosses into an alternate dimension to bury his fathers—and uncover the truth about his identity and past.We also dove into Steve’s impactful work in the DC Universe, including Supergirl, Midnighter & Apollo, and his ambitious plans for the then-upcoming Justice League of America launch in January.It’s a great time capsule of Steve’s early rise—and the kind of inclusive storytelling he’s continued to champion ever since. Let’s rewind to 2016 and celebrate Pride with Steve Orlando.

Robbie covers a lot of ground talking his comics books for Marvel like Spider-Man Deadpool DR Strange and for DC Suicide Squad and more.He's also got 2 IDW projects out Sin Bin a Hockey Player Father and his teen daughter go deamon hunting, and the Star Trek Strange New Worlds Comic starting in Auguest. Speaking of Tek Robbie is on the writing staff of Strange New Worlds upcoming seasons 4 and 5 .We alos discuss his tv work on Supernatural and the forgotten NBC Superhero series THE CAPE 

Welcome to a Scene Missing edition of The Word Balloon Podcast! I’m John Siuntres, and today Gabriel Hardman and I are diving into the dusty trails of indie cinema with action star and filmmaker Alexander Nevsky, joined by his co-star Nick Balle, to talk about their new western, The Wide West, now streaming free on Xumo Play. This isn’t your typical shoot-’em-up. The Wide West is inspired by a real historical event from 1907, when Japanese sumo wrestlers met President Theodore Roosevelt in a diplomatic exhibition—a forgotten slice of international history that sparks the film’s wild premise.Even better? The movie features real sumo wrestlers bringing raw physicality and authenticity to the screen. We talk about the real-life origins, the challenges of mixing action and historical fiction, and what it takes to make a western in the 21st century with indie muscle and global ambition. It’s a showdown you didn’t see coming—this is The Wide West on Word Balloon.

Tim is back to discuss his Eisner nomination of his Alan Scott Green Lantern min series and the closeted life of a Gay Superhero in 1940s america. We also discuss his current run on IDW's Star Trek Lower Decks series his work on DC animated films about Superman Batman and DC Army heroes like the losers and Sgt Rock. 

Welcome to The Big Bout Podcast—part of the Word Balloon Network.Today we’re going ringside with one of the best boxing minds in the game—historian and author William Dettloff. We’re digging into the treasure trove of vintage fights now streaming on YouTube, reliving the glory days of the ring with expert insight and behind-the-scenes context you won’t find anywhere else. From underappreciated classics to legendary brawls, we’re throwing it back and breaking it down. Then, we shift gears and look ahead—previewing the big matchups on the horizon, from rising stars to long-awaited grudge matches, and what fight fans should be watching for in the coming months. So lace up—The Big Bout starts now.

Lots of TV and film talk including a talk about the limits of streaming, where physical media will be in the future, and much more 

A 2012 interview with the producers of the 6 hour pbs documentary series Superheroes The Never Ending Battle . This documentary series features many legendary creators who thankfully were still alivbe to talk about their creations Joe Kubert (Hawkman) Joe Simon (Captain America) Jerry Robinson (Robin, The Joker) Stan Lee Neal Adams and countless more 

There are so many Roger Corman films we could've discussed but we throw a few curves and talk about some of the ones people miss on their Corman lists. From 1954's Highway Dragnet, which was Corman's first produced Screenplay to Frankenstien Unbound his last directed film from 1992

Mark Millar is back to talk about is new Kickstarter campaign for Psychic Sam co-created by John Romita Jr.The new book is already in the works as a film adaptation by the producer of Wrath Of Man and The Gentlemen Ivan Atkinson We also talk about his Vatican City Dark Horse comic, an upcoming new volume of Nemesis, and other coming projectsHe also explains what happened to his plans to write a new Superman story and an epuc Marvel crossver, plus we get a glimpse of what a public domain Supermanstory by Mark will look like in 2034

Go behind the scenes of SYFY’s haunting new series Revival in this exclusive interview with showrunners Aaron B. Koontz and Luke Boyce. Adapted from Tim Seeley and Mike Norton’s acclaimed Image Comics series, Revival isn’t your typical zombie tale—instead, the dead return to life just as they were, sparking a chilling murder mystery in the heart of rural Wisconsin.Whether you’re a longtime fan of the comics or new to the world of Revival, this episode offers an insider’s look at the making of one of SYFY’s most anticipated series—where every resident, living or undead, has secrets to keep and stories to tel

Sure there were gay cartoonists before him, but Andy was the first openly gay writer doing superhero comic books in the 80s and it wasn't easy. He discusses his comics like Wonder Woman 77 Meets the Bionice Woman, writing ground breaking Star Wars stories, and his many Star Trek Books and Comics..

JrJr is back to talk about a new kickstarter and collaoration with Mark Millar on a new vigilante character Psychic Sam . Inked by Klaus Janson this will be a 3 part 50 pages each arc, that is also in development as an upcomming film by Ivan Atkinson (Wrath Of Man, The Gentleman) Johnny talks about the new project teaming up again with Mark , past projects like Kick-Ass and his Daredevil and Spider-Man days at Marvel, thooughts on the adaptations of his work in film and tv and More Back the kickstarter here Psychic Sam - Vol. 1 of 3 by Side Hustle Comics — Kickstarter

It's part 1 of a 2 part Trek Watch where Franco and Wayne join me to add their thoughts on the Starnge New Worlds news and Dr Who Gatwa era. Plus our anticipation for the Superman film grows. 

Richard spent years at Dreamworks writing for the How To Train Your Dragon Franchise making VR senarios and episodes of The Netflix series. Todaay he's writing great YA graphic novels for Mad Cave's Imprint Maverick 3 volumes of Scoop a cross between the X-Files and Veronica Mars, and Tech-Tiv, a young woman who love pulp detective stories solving a mystery in a post apocalyptic world. 

Criminal is back with a new graphic novel in August by Sean and Ed Brubaker. Sean teases the story, plus talks about the upcoming tv adaptation from Amazon Prime. We also talk about his art process, working with his colorist and son Jacob, and a kickstarter campaign that features Sean's early work in UK comics 

Crystal is an accomplished off broadway playwright with a new play called OPEN an LGBTQ story about love and magic. We discuss the play, her writing seminars, historic broadway stories, and George Clooney's GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK, about the war between Communist witch hunter Senator Joe Mccrathy and CBS new anchor Edward R Murrow. Crystal also shared some rare Peter David encounters, and the recent loss of Jules Feiffer who made comics and wrote the first great superhero coffee table book The Great Comic Book Heroes in the 1970s. 

Bob worked with Peter for years as his editor on Star Trek Comics and a co writer of the Crazy 8 collective . He has Marvel DC and Star Trek stories about Peter and more . Is there a final David novel si the works? 

Tim and I discuss his work on Alan Scott in anticipation for his 2024 Green Lantern mini series.plus we discuss other DC Pride heroes . We also talk about Tim's animation work. 

More Who Obsevation from Paul including his audio Who Dramas for Big Finish, the TV adaptation of his Doctor Who Novel Human Nature, and the height of the 2010s British made Sci-Fi TV shows because of the success of Doctor Who. Torchwood,Primeval and more.