More NYCC coverage Kyle Baker, Erik Larsen, Mike Richardson and more.

More from the 2008 New York Comicon . Quick sitdowns with Kyle Baker , writer/artist of the Image War story Special Forces , Jonathon Ames writer of the new Vertigo graphic novel, The Alcoholic, Erik Larsen, Publisher of Image Comics, and the mastermind behind the revival of public domain heroes and comic book titles "The Next Issue Project". Mike Richardson, the Publisher Of dark Horse comcis, talks about Buffy, Hellboy, and the way DHP handles franchise properties. And more from Walt Simonson, writer of DC/Wildstorm's World Of Warcraft , who gives us an update of what projects his wife (writer and fan favorite) Louise Simonson is doing these days.

Matt Fraction Onb Iron Mna, The X-Men, Thor, and more

Matt Fraction and Word Balloon host John Siuntres have a last call conversation about the books he's wrapping up, and the ones that are just beginning. From this week's debut of The Invincible Iron Man, to his wrap ups of The Order and The Immortal Iron Fist, from co-writing the Uncanny X-men with Ed Brubaker, to wrapping up the current arc of his Image creator owned book Casanova. During the conversation Fraction said there is an eventual end in sight for his run on Punisher War Journal, after which he'll turn the book over to his pal, and current co-writer Rick Remender. Fraction discussed the road ahead, starting with the current Jigsaw arc. "We're at payoff time for Punisher... I knew coming this book I knew right away if you're going to make your stand on Punisher do the ultimate Jigsaw story... Working with Rick Remender has been a dream and has made the book sicker and more damaged and explosive than I ever thought. If we could make a punisher movie, it would be this story." "After the Jigsaw arc, there's a little secret invasion tie-in and then an arc called King Frank...the Jigsaw arc and King Frank story is where my bruns been leading to from the beginning.After "King Frank" I'll step aside, and just let Rick tear it up. That's the plan, things might change, but that's the plan." Some other highlights from the audio interview... On The Invincible Iron Man, Fraction was pleased that the book ended up matching so well with the film, so new readers can jump on. "I had no advanced script to work from so it was me trying to write the type of iron man comic that I hoped would fit with the tone of the film." On bringing the threat of young Ezekiel Stane from the Order to the first IM story arc . "I wanted to bring a Stane character back to the marvel universe as soon as I heard that Jeff Bridges was playing Obediah Stane in the film. That's when I created Stane's son." On the possibility of members of The Order possibly showing up in the new Iron man book "I don't what the etiquette is bring back characters from your canceled comic, but love Henry and Tony talking together so I imagine Henry will show up soon." On wrapping up his run on Iron Fist, " The idea of leaving really scared me so I Knew it was the right thing to do. Ed was leaving after this arc, David just had a kid, so he has to dial back forawhile...it was just sort of "why are we staying?" You know, if they Clash had quit after London Calling they'd be the greatest band of all-time... So rather than be thought of as the guy who ruined Iron Fist, after Brubaker left, I thought it was time to go."#15 is another one shot look back at an earlier Iron Fist, Bi Fang Wen during the first England-India Opium War, and #16 is called "Happy Birthday Danny" which will be our swan song" On co-writing the the X-Men with Brubaker "Ed and I have put together this 25 issue super arc, and we're switching off on stories. #500 we did together,then I'm doing 501- 503, then Ed will come back on #504." "There isn't a core x- team, but (instead) a very big ensemble. So characters will come in when we need them... The Mutants have adopted San Francisco as their new home, and are sending the word out, that all Mutants are welcomed by the city." On writing Cyclops "Scott has always been the moral center of the book and When the book of the X-Men is finally closed, it'll be pretty clear it was Scott's story. Xavier's dream is over, it's now Scott's dream and the future of mutant kind is on the line. We're having to see Scott as a man of faith, who has to put his beliefs and actions in ways he never had to before...it's one thing when he made decisions as the team's leader, he's now leading the whole Mutant race, and lives with the idea that "Every decision I make affects the survival of our species." On wrapping up the current Casanova arc with next week's issue #14 "I think (this arc) is the best story I've ever written. Everything is revealed,some people live, some people die, and everyone has to pay

The Many Faces Of Iron Man

Celebrating The Sucsess Of the Iron Man film, we bring back highlights from two great interviews that featured landmark stories of Ol' Shellhead . First up, Dave Michelinie discusses his classic run with artist Bob Layton, on the Iron Mna arc Demon In A Bottle . Then Chuck Austen Discusses his classic Max Black and White Iron man tale from an alternate universe War Machine .

P Craig Russell Interview

In this edition of Word Balloon Host John Siuntres interviews master artist P Craig Russell, who's hard at work on adapting Neil Gaiman's Sandman story, The Dream Hunters into a mini series to be released by Vertigo in the fall. They discuss Craig's longtime collaborations with Gaiman, including the details behind the landmark issue Sandman #50. They also discuss Craig's early days at Marvel, and talk about his work on Doctor Strange and the Kilraven War Of the Worlds series with Don McGreggor , his operatic adaptations that began in the pages of his direct market series form Eclipse Comics Night Music , to his work on Batman, Conan Elric, and Hellboy. Russell is no stranger to the Internet. Fans can follow the progress of his current work in a series of video podcasts at his website www.pcraigrussell.net produced by Craig's pal Wayne Allan Harold of the www.lurid.com community .

Barry levine's How To Make a Blockbuster Comic Book Film

On this edition of Word Balloon Host John Siuntres tackles the question, "How do comic books get sold as film properties?" For the answer, we turn to Film producer and Radical Comics Publisher Barry Levine.Levine has had an interesting path to comic books that started when he was a successful rock album photographer, to years as a music supervisor of films like Driving Miss Daisy, Die Hard With A Vengeance, Judge Dredd and Street Fighter. Levine eventually became a film producer on Detroit Rock City and has shepherded comic book properties to production deals on books like Rex Mundi, and Damn Nation. Barry explains the process, and tells us why you can't \just walk into a studio meeting with a comic book, and get a film commitment. Radical Comics new line of titles debut this month, starting with an art book preview being given away as part of Saturday's free comic book day. We'll talk about the two radical comics debuting this month for only 1 dollar,Caliber the King Arthur in the old west saga, and Hercules featuring a very different take on the mythological hero. Plus Barry gives us his 2008 game plan for Radical Comics.

View Fron The NY Comicon Floor

On this episode, Word Balloon's coverage of the NYCC. Most of my work that weekend was done for video interviews, and this is really a sampler of the 32 interviews I ended up doing. I brought my field recorders, expecting to do as many audio talks as video, but things got so busy and productive on the video side that I never had timne to do more audio. I did speak to the favs from the bronze age who still do great work today, Len Wein Marty Pasko and Walt Simonson all together and you'll hear that, along with Gail Simone, Grant Morrison, Dan DiDio, Lou Ferrigno, Ethan Van Sciver, Irwin Hassen, Tony Moore Jeremy Love, Mike Oeming, Brian Glass,Jamahl Ingle Jeremy Haun and Billy Tucci. I'm presenting the full audio of Grant and Gail's talks. The other's will be seen in their entierty eventually at www.newsarama.com , and www.pulpsecret.com just click on their NY comicon coverage, and you'll see why I have a face for podcasting ;).

Flashback: Neal Adams Expanding Universe

From Dec 2005, The man who redefined the DCU. The man who smacked the camp out of Batman, and made him the dark knight badass once again. The man who had Superman fight Muhammad Ali...and Supes actualy lost the battle! Legendary artist Neal Adams actually tolerated my silly questions for over 90 minutes, and was ready to give me even more time!!!! Listen , as Neal brings us tales from the early days of Comics Bronze Age. You'll hear about his Green Lantern-Green Arrow run with Denny O'Neil, The Deadman Saga, and many behind the scenes stories of the Dc Offices of the 1960's & 70's. Neal also goes in depth on his scientific theories about an expanding earth, and answers the obvious question, how does an un-accredited science enthusiast pitch his theory, when the conventional science world refuses to listen?

Andrea Romano Directing The New Frontier

On this edition of the Word Balloon podcast, host John Siuntres chats with Andrea Romano, the casting and voice director for Warner Animation, who's been directing the dialog sessions for TV shows like The Boondocks, Sponge Bob, and all of the DC superhero projects, including the Batman, Superman and Justice League films and TV series. You'll get behind the scenes details about the upcoming Batman Gotham Knight DVD, the highly successful Justice League The New Frontier, and next Fall's new series Batman The Brave And Bold. Andrea also talks about casting Kevin Conroy for the original Batman animated series, and answers the perennial fan question "Why doesn't Conroy play Batman in every Warner Bros lamination project?" Plus fascinating voice over stories about Brooke Shields (New Frontier's Carol Ferris) David Boreanaz (Hal Jordan) Phil Morris (John Stewart) and many other stars .

Marv Wolfman, By Night

Word Balloon is back , with another Friday flashback episode from 2006. Host John Siuntres talks with the Man who created Crisis On Infinite Earths and Nova, brought new life to the undead in Tomb Of Dracula , Devised the revitalization's of Dick Grayson, Wally West, and the other New Teen Titans , and made major impacts on so many other Marvel and DC characters. We look back at Marv's time at Warren publishing, when he edited and wrote for Vampirella, Creepy and Erie . Marv recalls editing Marvel's black and white magazines from Crazy to Deadly Hands Of Kung Fu, his time in the 1970's Marvel bullpen and breathing life back into 1980's DC on The Crisis Maxi Series, and The New Teen Titans with George Perez. You'll hear Marv's views on publisher-wide event books, "story-decompression", and his genuine pride in the Teen Titans animated series. Marv also "previews" his 2006 work on The Infinite Crisis Annual, The Teens Titans Annual, and collaborating with Geoff Johns.

Flashback Beau Smith

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FROM 2006: THE MODERN MASTER OF TWO FISTED ACTION DISCUSSES HIS IDW SERIES COBB: OFF THE LEASH , FEATURING DYNAMIC ART BY EDUARDO BARETTO. PLUS HIS RUNS ON GUY GARDNER WARRIOR, CATWOMAN, THE BLACK TERROR, AND THE WILDCAT MINI SERIES . WE ALSO TALK ABOUT BEAU'S DAYS IN TOUGHMAN COMPETITIONS, SOME GREAT B-MOVIE DVD RECCOMENDATIONS, AND A SHELVED WONDER WOMAN PROJECT THAT BEAU WANTS DC COMICS TO RECONSIDER

Mike Norton And The Art Of The Quick Draw

On This edition of the Word Balloon podcast, host John Siuntres catches up with DC artist Mike Norton. The guy's been busy, taking over the pencil duties on Green Arrow/Black Canary from Cliff Chiang, starting with this week's issue #7. We'll also get a behind the scenes look at some new books on the way this month and beyond... Mike talks about drawing this month's Blue Beetle all Spanish issue #26, written by Jai Nitz , and he's drawn three weeks of back up stories, in the upcoming DC weekly,Trinity, collaborating with the legendary veteran Jerry Ordway. He also talks about wrappingThe All New Atom, and reflects about working with writer Gail Simone, His work on Metamorpho Year One with Dan Jurgens, and The Image Book Loaded Bible 3 written by Tim Seely, and drawn by Norton and Chris Johnson . Norton is a podcaster too. He co-host's the CrankCast with artist Chris Crank. Norton Crank and Siuntres participated in last year's 24 hr comic podcast with many other comic book artists and podcasters. John and Mike discuss the prospects of attempting another 24 hr marathon show.

Frakback-Mark Verheieden on Battlestar Galactica

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From 2005 With the return of television's best Sci-Fi show this Friday, we look back at this 2006 interview with co-exec producer Mark Verheiden. Key episodes that Mark wrote are discussed including the amazing first season cliffhanger. Mark also discusses  the seasons he wrote for Smallville. Even more Hollywood talk involves Mark's work as the co-creator behind Timecop, screenwriter of Jim Carrey's adaptation of The Mask, and he announces the start of working with Bruce Campbell on the 2007 film, My Name is Bruce. We also cover Mark's great comic book work for Dark Horse, including his 1980's subversive action parody, The American , and his DC work on Superman, The Phantom, and Superman-Batman.

Listen to "Frakback: Mark Verheiden talks Battlestar Galactica" on Spreaker. 

Weir & DeFillipis On Jumper Pitcihing Zatanna, and ARLI$$

On This edition of Word Balloon Writers Christina Weir and Nunzio De Fillipis join host John Siuntres to discuss their Oni prequel to the film Jumper drawn by their longtime collaborator Brian Hurtt . They also talk about their mainstream work on Checkmate, Wonder Woman, Detective Comics New Mutants, plus their television adventures writing for the HBO series ARLI$$. You'll hear about their work at DC and Marvel, including some interesting pitch stories invvolving Iron Man and Zatanna that truly illustrate the process and journey all writers go through to get their plots heard by editors . De Fillipis is also about to start his third semester teaching a comic book script-writing introduction course at the UCLA extention. In the discussion,you'll hear a lot about his teaching approach and how he tackles the prospect of organizing ideas into a cohesive plot and story. If you're in the LA area, you can find course information here... www.uclaextension.edu in the english dept, course #409.2 Some news from the interview. The JUMPER DVD will include an additional animated story written by the duo, and drawn by Hurtt that further explores the character of David and his Mother. The final volumes of Destiny's Hand and Amazing Age of Luna are coming from Seven Seas . They are also writing a romantic comedy film for the Oxygen Network. The sequel to Past Lives "All Saints Day" is coming from Oni in late 2008, or early 2009.

Flashback Interview : Walter Simonson

A WB classic from 2005 Walter Simonson looks back at his classic work. From Thor The Frog and the creation of Beta Ray Bill, to Orion and The New Gods. From his collaborations with Martin Pasko to put the bronze age spin on Dr Fate, to reviving Manhunter with Archie Goowdwin. We talk about the Fantastic Four, his spin on X-Factor co-plotted with his wife Louise , to working on the Marvel Star Wars comic at that awkward time between The Empire Strikes Back, and Return Of The Jedi. Tales of wonder, from a true master.

Richard Starkings On Crafting Comics The Right Way

On This edition of Word Balloon Writer-Artist-Letterer Richard Starkings of Comicraft pulls away the curtain and talks about his collaborators. Like Kurt Busiek J Scott Campbell , Tim Sale, Jeph Loeb, Joe Casey, Tom Scioli, the guys at Comiccraft , and the many artists that are helping him put out the cult favorite animal noir-series from Image Elephantmen. Starkings talks about his early days at Marvel UK and the lessons learned that he took to start the Comicraft company, and he discusses the importance of graphic design when creating a comic.

Steve Englehart on The Bat, Cap, and More

Word Balloon Podcast Host John Siuntres continues his spring cleaning of the WB podcast archives, and presents this 2005 conversation with writer Steve Englehart. As the new Batman film gets closer, and Ed Brubaker continues to make headlines with his run on Captain America , the tining seemed right to re-post this talk with Englehart who put his mark in the same heroes in the 1970's. First they discuss Englehart and Marshall Rogers signature Batman story Dark Detective: The Laughing Fish and it's 2005 sequel Dark Detective 2 . Then they look at the 1973 Captain America Secret Empire Arc. A controversial story, whose villain appeared to be the then sitting president Richard Nixon. Finally, they talk about Steve's runs on The Defenders, Avengers , creating Night-Man for Malibu comics, and his creator owned character for Eclipse comics, Coyote

Ron Marz Adding To The Legacy Of Heroes

Today on the Word Balloon Podcast Host John Siuntres and writer/editor Ron Marz discuss the concept of the legacy hero character in comic books. You'll hear Marz compare his Green Lantern , Kyle Rayner toDani Baptiste, one of the current holders of the Witchblade for Top Cow The conversation begins with an in depth look at Witchblade #116, which is a launching point for new readers, as Sara Pezzini and Dani share the power of the Witchblade. Marz discusses some hints in regards to the future of the series, and his current collaborator artist Stjepan Sejic. Marz also discusses his duties as an editor at Virgin Comics over-seeing their Shakti line of books, including Devi, Ramayan Reloaded, and The Sadhu. They also look back at Ron's years at writing for the star wars books at Dark Horse, his time at Crossgen, working on Scion with JIm Cheung, The Path with Bart Sears, and Sojourn with Greg Land. Future plans for Marz include In May, a new mini series for Virgin called Depak Chopra's BEYOND, an adaptation of a screenplay Chopra wrote. Also the Devi/Witchblade crossover. In addition to the regular Witchblade series (where Ron is committed til at least issue #150) , he'll write this summer's Top Cow crossover mini series Broken Trinity. Later on this year for Dark Horse he will get back to his co-creator owned Samurai Heaven and Earth vol 3 with artist Luke Ross, and another mini series Pantheon City with Canadian artist Clement Sauve

Jay Faerber Master Of the Faerberverse

On this edition of the Word Balloon Podcast, Host John Siuntres welciomes back writer Jay Faerber who discusses his unique spin on super hero books. The conversation revolves around Jay's 3 current hero books all from Image Comics... Dynamo 5 the story of 5 illegitimate super powered offspring of a iconic but flawed super-dad. Nobel Causes Jay's super-powered soap opera which returns advancing the story and characters 5 years into the future ,causes new relationships, romances and conflicts for Doc Nobel and his family of heroes and villains. Plus, his new 5 part mini series out in May Gemini, which Jay describes as a "Manchurian candidate"-hypnotically programmed hero, who by day is unaware of his hyper-powered alter ego, and the spy team that has programmed him, and guides him.

Gene Colan- Words Of Wisdom from THE DEAN

From 2005, a conversation with the Man Who Paints With Pencils. We discuss Gene's 50 plus years in the business, that includes meroies of the 1960's Marvel Bullpen. He recounts working on charcters like Daredevil, Captain America, The Sub Mariner,and Dracula. We also discuss his stints at DC in the 1950's (as Adam Austin) and the 1980's on Batman Wonder Woman, and Nathaniel Dusk. Gene discuss his film influences , his attention to detail when it comes to cars, cities, and objects. Plus he talks about collaborations with Stan Lee, Marv Wolfman, Don McGregor and others.

Mike Grell On Jon Sable, Green Arrow, The Warlord & Beyond

In this episode of Word balloon, host John Siuntres presents a conversation with one of the great stars of the brozne age, who still draws amazing work today, Mike Grell. Grell's work goes back to the 1970's on titles like the Legion Of Superheroes and Batman, but you have to include his own creations like The Warlord and his revamp of DC's Green Arrow which began with The Longbow Hunters in 1986. Grell went to Pacific and later First Comics creating works like Starslayer and Jon Sable, Freelance. Grell is midway through a new Sable story, Ashes Of Eden . The story will eventually be collected as a trade, but you can follow the story for free at www.comicmix.com. In the interview Grell discusses how his own militray inteligence background informed the 1980's stories of Sable, and his future work with the character. Grell has another story in the works with Mark Ryan called The Pilgrim, The story is a modern supernatural thriler, based in part on factual accounts of the British Gov't study of the occult to combat the Nazis during WW2. "Mark crafted the story, and frankly it gives me the willies." Other future projects for Grell may include a return to his charcter Travis Morgan, The Warlord."I'm working on a DC proposal for a new Warlord story... we'll see." His also has two novels in the works, one featuring Sable, the other Savage Empire, which is sword and sandals epic based on an original comic strip idea of Grell's, about an archeologist who time travels back to Atlantis.