Flashback Kurt Busiek, The Mayor Of Astro City

A Flashback episode from 2006. Kurt Busiek talked about his plans to reboot Aquaman, his "Up Up and Away" Superman post Infinite Crisis arc co-written with Geoff Johns, his Wildstorm WW1 fantasy series Arrowsmith, and gets into the nitty gritty of Astro City

Inside The Batman Gotham Knight DVD

On this edition of the word balloon podcast, host John Siuntres takes us inside the press junket for Batman:Gotham Knight,. The anime DVD is in stores today, created to support next week's feature release of the Christopher Nolan Film, Batman:The Dark Knight. You'll hear in depth, (but spoiler free) interviews with several of the DVD's writers and producers, including some names very familiar to comic fans. Executive Producer Bruce Timm (Batman The Animated Series/Justice League Unlimited) first time animation screenwriters (and longtime comic book scribes ) Greg Rucka (Gotham Central) and Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets) , Film Composer Christopher Drake,, writer/producer Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series/Batman Beyond) and the former Academy Award Nominee (A History Of Violence) screenwriter Josh Olson . They talk about the unique collaboration between themselves and their Japanese animation partners in creating these 6 unique takes on Gotham's Guardian,. Timm and Burnett discuss the big differences in making the WB cartoons versus these short films. Beyond the DVD talk, Azzarello discusses his upcoming Joker Graphic Novel With Lee Bermejo , Timm and Burnett discuss their future animation plans, and Rucka talks about the Gotham Central Hardcovers coming from DC in the fall.

Live From The Floor At Wiz Chgo part 2

The 2nd half of my floor interviews from last weekend Wizard Chgo show. Informative chats with folks like... Marvel Editor Bill Roseman and artist Mike Perkins, who give the lowdown on the next Stephen King Marvel adaptation starting in September, The Stand. Geof Darrow is back to tell us about his contributions to the Wachowski’s take on Speed Racer and his directorial debut on the animated version of his own creation for Burlyman comics, Shaolin Cowboy. Ande Parks talks about his recent Daredevil Annual for Marvel and his upcoming writing projects for both Image and Oni Press Ryan Bodenheim, Jonathan Hickman’s artistic collaborator on their new Image series Red Mass From Mars checks in with a look at that project. Artist Andy Owens talks about his work on the Buffy Season 8 project, and Trinity from DC Writer Jai Nitz discusses his new take on The DC Comics western hero El Diablo. Don Kramer updates us on Nightwing, including the long awaited showdown between Dick Grayson and Two-Face. And Phil Hester talks about writing for Top Cow on The Darkness and the Daredevil/Magdalena crossover. Plus two extra Con-versations from this spring... Artist Rags Morales talks about his work on Nightwing, and writer Larry Hama talks GI JOE, and his new Devil's Due spy series, Spooks.

Word Balloon After Dark Fraction and Brubaker pt 2

With apologies to Dan Jurgens, the real masters of the Tangent Universe are Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction. The idea was to come on and talk about their collaboration on The Uncanny X-Men, and talk about their solo books, like Captain America, Daredevil, The Invincible Iron Man , Thor: Secret Invasion, etc. What followed was an incredibly random discussion, where more names are dropped than Disco Stu used , trying to get into Studio 54. The conversation begins with a look at the Mort Weisinger edited Superman era, but that dovetailed into lots of talk about Brubaker's noir book from ICON Criminal We review Indy 4, but that boils down to a George Lucas film analysis. A look at British TV becomes an appreciation of HBO shows and Jonathan Ames, then we go back to comics with what Fraction has cooking in Thor Secret Invasion. and what Brubaker isn't doing in SI, but is "letting Bendis do" with the New Captain America. More on the details of Uncanny X-Men #500, and a special appreciation for the falsely rumored works of Alex Raymond and Steve Ditko

Live From The Con Floor At Wiz Chgo pt1

Brian Bendis Dan DiDio, and many others are interviewed in this report from the covention floor of the Wizard World Chicago weekend. DiDio talks about Final Crisis, and the recent ttemps DC has made to reinvent heroes with familiar names. Bendis discusses Nick Fury - Secret Warriors, and many other plans, in a location where no comics podcast has dared to go before. Plus a nice mix of mainsteam and indie creatrors all straight form Artists Alley .

WB After Dark With Brubaker And Fraction Pt 1

The writing team behind Uncanny X-men join me in a 3 way talk , about their coming x-plans, plus we go in depth on Iron Fist, Capt America, Daredevil, Punisher War Journal and more

Flashback Interview : Chuck Austen Speaks

From 2006, my two part interview with writer Chuck Austen. Frankly, the vilification of this writer by some comic book fans was to me, one of the ugliest and insensitive attacks I've ever seen, and illustrates the point made by Joe Quessada, when he says, "Sometimes fans treat our fictional characters like real people, and treat real people working for us, like they were made of paper." Personally, I can name a lot of Austen stories I've enjoyed, like his work on the weekly Marvel Max Series War Machine, his run writing Superman on Action Comics, drawing Miracleman for Alan Moore, Elektra for Brian Bendis, and his animation work for many season on King of the Hill, and his co-creation Tripping The Rift. We cover all that and more in this interview. Thanks Chuck.

Kate Spencer: MANHUNTER, as Told By Marc Andreyko

In this episode of Word Balloon, host John Siuntres chats with Marc Andreyko, the writer and creator of the current Manhunter in the DCU, Kate Spencer. After a long time off, Issue #31 is out and serves as a great jumping on point for new readers, including an opening 2 page sequence that tells you all you need to know about the unconventional Ms. Spencer.

Daniel Way Dips Into The Deadpool

Download The MP3 Here On this edition of the Word Balloon podcast, host John Siuntres sits down with Marvel writer Daniel Way. During the conversation, Dan tells us about his future plans for The new Deadpool solo series that debuts in September, featuring art by Paco Medina . He also previews the next steps in Wolverine Origins, including the coming crossover with X-Men Legacy Dark Deceptions co-written with Mike Carey

Marc Andreyko, For The Defense

In anticipation of his Word Balloon return this week, , we repost this June 2005 talk with Marc Andreyko, who's Manhunter was just getting started at DC. We discuss his creation of Kate Spencer, and also talk about his work on Casefiles Sam & Twitch, and look closely at his collaboration with brian Bendis on the graphic crime novel Torso, which followed the post Chicago career of Elliot Ness as saftey inspector of Cleveland in the 1930's.

Len Kody & Eric J Cisco Kid Wyatt earp, and The Summer of 1968

On this edition of the Word Balloon podcast, a preview of a classic western showdown, and a web comic historic look back at the real life conflicts from the summer of 1968. Word Balloon host John Siuntres chats with the creative team behind "The Cisco Kid Vs Wyatt Earp", writer Len Kody and Artist Eric J. The story from Moonstone Books has a unique twist. Moonstone will release two books featuring the Cisco/Wyatt encounter, but each will feature one cowboy's perspective. The Wyatt Earp version was writtenby Chuck Dixon and drawn by Enrique Villigan. Both issues are due later this month. Len discusses his take on the O Henry anti-hero Cisco, who bears no resemblance to the smiling hero of the early 1950's TV show, portrayed by Duncan Renaldo.As Kody explains "In the original short story, Cisco became a bad man, due to a broken heart. In addition to the Earp encounter, my story flashes back to an earlier time, that shows what led Cisco down the wrong path." Cisco Kid Artist Eric J discusses his western influences and contributions to the story,and discuss some current and future projects. A Xenescope Grimm Fairy Tale take on "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" written by Raven Gregory, and a soon to be released "Worlds Of Dungeons and Dragons" story, from Devils Due. Kody also talks about the launch of a new web comic depicting the events that led up to the infamous Chicago riots during the 1968 Democratic Convention. Chicago 1968 is a weekly Web Comic, written by Kody and drawn by newcomer Jenny Frison. Kody describes the story as a documentary style comic, a dramatic presentation of historical facts."There's no zombies hiding out, or any "high concept" twist." He researched the history, trying to capture the tone of the times, by investigating all perspectives,including one personal connection to the event. "My Grandfather was a Chicago police captain sent to the Conrad Hilton hotel during the infamous 19 minutes of video tape shown that wed night, when the police, in a very rough fashion, arrested a whole bunch of hippies yippies and others. He had his own perspective on how things happened, and of course some of the protesters who were involved wrote about their own perspectives, plus the way the history books have portrayed it. The whole subject fascinated me." "The point of view my story is a Chicago centric take, showing how the police and the leaders of Chicago had their pride on the line to host the Democratic Convention, and guys like Mayor Richard J Daley were not going to be swayed by a protesting mob. Not to say that I'm defending the police, they definitely went too far. My political views are with the hippies. The irony is, if I were around then I would've been protesting with Abbie Hoffman, and likely be arrested by my grandfather. It was a very daunting task to understand where everyone was coming from during this historic happening." You can read the first pages of the web comic now, at http://www.webcomicsnation.com/lenkody/chicago1968/series.php

Steve Rude, The Dude Reflects and Looks Ahead

On this episode of Word balloon, host John Siuntres sits down with The Dude, Artist Steve Rude, who discusses his return to the worlds of Nexus and The Moth, in his self published line of books, Rude Dude Comics. Also in the interview, Rude discusses how he and writer Mike Baron got together to create Nexus for Capital City Comics, the early influences of Jack Kirby, and Alex Toth on his work, working with Moth scribe Gary Martin, and The Dude's views on the 1980's direct market, compared to today's comic book landscape.

On The waterfront, With Budd Schulberg

Working In Sports Talk Radio afforded me the chance to meet some amazing celebs. It was an honor to become aquaintences with Budd Schulberg, the screenwriter/author who created that classic Marlon Brando monologue "I could've been a contender. I could've been sombody, instead of a bum." from the 1954 film On The Waterfront. I met Budd as I covered the sport of boxing, and would frequently engage in conversations about the deacdes of fights he covered for newspapers and magazines. Being the film buff that I am, I'd also get the occasional courage to talk about his lengthy career working on so many of the seminal films of the 1950's. Here's a portion of my 2002 interview with Budd, as we discuss a few of his great films, including Humphrey Bogart's last picture, The Harder They Fall, and the cult classic view of the power of mass media pundits, A Face In the Crowd, starring Andy Griffith.

Mark Waid Boom's EIC "Don't Call Me Chief"

On this edition of the Word Balloon podcast, host John Siuntres catches up with writer Mark Waid. Among the subjects covered, they discuss his coming 1 year anniversary as Editor In Chief of Boom Studio's comic book line, the status of Boom's comic book plans for Farscape and The Godfather . They also discuss Mark's upcoming J Jonah Jameson arc on Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man, his wrap up as writer of DC's Brave and Bold, series, and a general discussion of the current DC universe. From the Resurrection of Barry Allen, to a comparison of the hero legacies fulfilled by characters Wally West (The Flash) and Dick Grayson (Nightwing) .

More Back Matter With Matt Fraction

In this episode of the Word Balloon podcast , host John Siuntres continues his conversation with writer Matt Fraction, with a spoiler filled examination of Matt's creator owned Image series Casanova which finishes its 2ND arc, "Where In Time Is Casanova?", with this week's issue #14. Then, Fraction and Siuntres shift to free-form mode as random subjects fly back and forth. They discuss the comics direct market, creators like Jack Kirby and Steve Gerber , Filmmakers John Huston and Orson Welles, and Fraction's glee, over buying the Dean Martin Variety Show DVD set.

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.