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The Weekly Pop Culture Audio Podcast Featuring In-Depth One On One Interviews and Discussions From The Entertainment Worlds Of Genre Fiction-
Comic Books, Novels, Television, Film, Video Games And More. Created In 2005 By Chicago Radio/TV Host John Siuntres

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Friday, September 28, 2012

The Comic Book Business With Ed Brubaker, Sam Humphries and Josh Blaylock



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Today on Word Balloon more conversations about the how comic book business is changing and what factors new creators should consider as they try to put their books in the hands of consumers.

Ed Brubaker is back for part 2 of our marathon discussion , and he gives the reasons why he left DC to join Marvel in an exclusive deal, that inlcuded taking advantage of the ICON imprint , which led to books like Criminal and Incognito.

Sam Humphries talks about the new status quo in The Ultimates #16, as Captain America becomes president of the United States and takes a hands on approach to settling the current US Civil Wars. We also take a look at his BOOM! Studios sci-fi series Higher Earth.

In the pre-tablet world, My Space was a big player in the digital comics arena , and Humphries as manager of content developement was a big part of My Space Comics. He tells us about the heyday of the social media site, specific promotions involving Dark Horse Presents BOOM! Studios and Marvel, and what lessons can be learned from that digital initiative comparing it today's marketplace.

Josh Baylock , Publisher of Devils Due Publishing talks about his imprint's transformation into a "turn-key" operation set up to provide not only publsihing but other direct marketing services for a comics creator who wants to self publish.

He has a current Kickstarter project for the web comic western Plume by K Lynn Smith, and talks about how crowd funding has impacted the comic businesss.

Blaylock and DDP skyrocketed to audience awareness in the early 2000's when he got the GI JOE license to publish new comics from Hasbro and his DDP line expanded with more original titles along side the JOE books. He also created an early digital comic market called Pull Box Online , but factors from the US economic crash of 2008-09 including the eventual decline of bookstores like Borders left Blaylock with a list of creditors and creators who had to come to terms regarding DDP's outstanding debts. Blaylock says " It was combination of a lot of things. I can't go into details but I finally settled a lot of that stuff that allowed us to get back into distribution ."

Josh also wrote a book in 2006, How To Self Publish Comics , Not Just Create Them, and would hold convention seminars helping new creators get started in the field . The business has certainly changed since then, and Josh has updated the book for new print and digital editions debuting in October. He shares some of the revisions to the book and his observations on what today's challenges are for aspiring creators.

Friday, September 21, 2012

The Image Comics Revolution 3.0 with Ed Brubaker Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley


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On this episode of Word Balloon we begin a 3 part conversation with Ed Brubaker, who made it official a few weeks ago that he was leaving Marvel Comics to focus on film and tV work and his Image Comic Fatale with longtime collaborator Sean Phillips. In part 1 we talk about the first seven issues of Fatale, and some of the subjects Ed is exploring. He tells us why he chose the flashback time periods of the story, and what they represent. We also begin our discussion of where creator owned books are in today's comic market?

We continue the theme with our next guests writers Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley, as they discuss their Image book Hoax Hunters. Mike and Steve talk about their unique set of characters starting with the strangest astronaut ever called Murder.

It's interesting and educational  to explore the current comic business through the Image prism . We'll compare the 2 situations with the high selling success of Brubaker & Phillips Fatale and the strong but smaller sales performance of Hoax Hunters . Both books are enjoying out of the gate popularity, but is everybody quitting their day jobs?



Friday, September 14, 2012

BENDIS! on A v X #11 and the Death Of...? DC VEEPS and Marvel Editor Lauren Sankovitch





On this episode of Word Balloon we not only wrap up the latest edition of the Bendis Tapes, we also talk to Brian one day after the shocking events of Avengers Vs X-Men 11. We talk about the story beats of the issue, and the ramifications of the issue's climax.
Check the Time Code below to avoid the spoiler details if you haven't read the issue yet, and have dodged the massive news coverage.

Then it's time for our monthly conversation with Bob Wayne and John Cunningham from DC Comics. We look back at the first year of "The New 52"

We wrap up with Marvel Editor Lauren Sankovitch who talks about the Marvel Now books she oversees like Captain America, Winter Soldier, Thor God Of Thunder, Journey Into Mystery and more. Lauren talks about the new creators on some of the books and new directions for the stoy arcs. We also talk about how Marvel's AR app is changing the way editors map out stories.

TIME CODE
00:00-31:58 Bendis Talks AvX 11 (SPOILER WARNING)
31:58-1:18:10 Bendis Tapes Part 3
1:18:11-1:33:24 DC Comics Bob Wayne and John Cunnigham
1:33:25- End Of Show Marvel Editor Lauren Sankovitch




Friday, September 07, 2012

Bendis Tapes Part 2 Chris Burnham Rick Remender & Tom Brevoort



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On this episode of Word Balloon we continue the latest edition of the Bendis Tapes . In Part 2, Bendis talks about the editorial process behind marvel's monthly double shipping issues. We discuss the gripes adult views have with the Ultimate Spider-Man Disney XD cartoon, then go into a behind the scenes look at the writers room. Brian addresses the difficulty of creating new stand alone characters for the big two that find success . He hypes Daredevil End Of Days, and  All New X-Men . Brian also talks about the likely scrutiny that his X-Men run will receive from hardcore X-Fans . We also talk about Bendis's recent year run on Moon Knight with Alex Maleve and it's role as a prequel to his upcoming Ultron War story.

Then Chris Burnham sits down for a live interview done at Aw Yeah Comics Store in Skokie, IL. We talk about his run on Batman Incorporated , and how he approaches the character.

Finally we listen in on last week's Marvel Next Big Thing Press Conference as Rick Remender and Tom Brevoort breakdown what to expect from Uncanny Avengers.
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