MATT FRACTION FIRESIDE CHAT Pt 1 DC VEEPS WAYNE & CUNNINGHAM AND JK WOODWARD

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On this edition of Word Balloon, we talk with DC vice presidents Bob Wayne and John Cunningham about the Diamond Top 10 sales numbers of comic books from May, plus the first reactions to DC’s 2nd Wave titles, Before Watchmen and further details about the #0 Issues and 3rd Wave of new DC books coming in September.

Then we start a 2 part Matt Fraction Fireside Chat. Matt shares his insight on the current and future storylines ofThor, Iron Man and The Defenders. There are trippy dream walking moments and self realization ideas happening in all three books, but Fraction is employing these similar plot devices in very different ways in each title.

Finally JK Woodward joins us to talk all things Trek and Who, as we discuss IDW’s Star Trek TNG-Doctor Whocrossover mini series. Plus JK gives us an update on IDW’sFallen Angel series with Peter David.

Dave Gibbons on The Secret Service and Watchmen The Rucka Debrief Part 2 and First X-Men With Neal Adams and Christos Gage

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On this episode of Word Balloon, Dave Gibbons is back to talk about The Secret Service, his new Icon mini series with Mark Millar. Of course this being the debut week of the Before Watchmen prequels, we ask Dave to comment on the ongoing debate over whether these projects should happen or not. We also talk about where creator owned projects are in the post Watchmen era, and get an idea of some of Gibbons future digital plans.

Greg Rucka finishes the latest Rucka Debrief, with talks about The Punisher, his steampunk swahsbickling web comic Lady Sabre and the Pirates Of The Ineffable Aether with artist Rich Burchett , plus more classic detective debate about the many film and TV versions of Sherlock Holmes and Philip Marlowe.

Finally we take you inside a recent Marvel telephone press conference featuring Christos Gage and Neal Adams talking about their First X-Men mini series debuting this August. Adams and Gage field questions about this continuity implant that tells the earliest tales of Charles Xavier's attempt to save Mutants in the years before founding his school for the gifted. The creators talk about their takes on Magneto Wolverine Sabretooth, and several new characters created for the series.

The Rucka Debrief Pt 1 Jeff Parker and Sal Abbinanti

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On this episode of Word Balloon, Greg Rucka returns for the start pf a new 2 part Rucka debrief. In part one, we talk about Rucka's latest novel ALPHA from Mulholland Books. Greg introduces a new action hero Jad Bell, and his challenge is a terrorist threat in a huge theme park with personal and professional stakes on the line. Greg talks about his world building here and creating this new hero who differs in many ways from Greg's past comic and novel heroes. (part 2 will cover Greg's comic doings)

Jeff Parker is back to talk about the  transition form his run on Thunderbolts to the title becoming Dark Avengers with T-Bolt artists Kev Walker and Declan Shalvey . Parker's run on the Red Hulk continues with Haunted Hulk, featuring Red exploring the monster corner of the Marvel U. We also talk about Bucko Jeff and Erika Moen's webcomic, soon to be released in a September trade collection by Dark Horse Comics. Jeff's been busy with a diverse run of short works too like his work with Colleen Coover in CREEPY #8, an upcoming DC digital Batman story with Gabe Hardman, and a short feature in the BOOM! Planet Of The Apes Annual in August.

Finally comic artist Sal Abbinanti is back to promote a live panel he'll be doing to benefit Chicago Public Radio this weekend. The subject: Have Hollywood and TV drastically changed the mythologies behind Superhero origins?

Jeph Loeb Dean Haspiel Seth Kushner and Steve Bryant

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On this episode of Word Balloon: Jeph Loeb is back with a new edition of The Loeb Report! The Vice President of Marvel TV is here to talk about the 1-hour block of Ultimate Spider-Man and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! on Disney XD. Loeb also talks about the obvious positive impact Marvel’s The Avengers has had on Marvel’s live action TV shows in development including The Hulk. In addition, he addresses the rumors that The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! might be cancelled after this current season. Loeb then teases details of his upcoming finish to his Wolverine Sabertooth saga with artist Simone Bianchi.

Then Dean Haspiel and Seth Kushner return to Word Balloon to discuss the TRIP CITY website, a multimedia hub for many Brooklyn creative artists.  Dean and Seth have been co-hosting the Trip City Podcast featuring peer-to-peer conversations between comic book creators, and other media creators and stars.

Kushner is also here to talk about his photographic work in the new comics history book Leaping Tall Buildings written by Christopher Irving. Irving and Kushner produced an excellent look at creators from golden age stalwarts like Joe Simon Irwin Hassen and Jerry Robinson, to today’s web comic innovators. From mainstream to underground no era or genre of comics is ignored, and the profiles presented by the duo are unparallelled.

Haspiel  talks about current projects like making the 6 page digital comic for THE DOORS mobile app, which depicts the band’s official point of view of the infamous Miami concert of March 1^st, 1969. Haspiel also has a Godzilla Legends issue this month from IDW written by Bobby Kurnow, and a quirky upcoming 8 page Spider-Man story for Marvel later this year. The guys also discuss the Before Watchmen and Jack Kirby controversies, digital comics and more.

Finally Steve Bryant joins us to discuss his breaking good news as BOOM! Studios announced his appointment as the artist on their new ongoing Steed and Mrs. Peel series starting with a zero issue in August written by Mark Waid. Bryant is also preparing an Athena Voltaire Omnibus Volume for Dark Horse Comics Sequential Pulp imprint.

DC VPs and The Comic Books Comeback Of Mike Oeming

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On this edition of Word Balloon we check in with DC vice presidents Bob Wayne and John Cunningham to talk about the April numbers and the release of DC's 2nd wave of titles entering the New 52. The duo remain elusive when it comes to any information regarding 3rd waves coming in the fall. Also, Cunningham gives us more details on the Nielsen marketing surveys the company did at the start of the New 52 and says they plan to do follow up surveys to see how trends may have changed since the initial excitement for the new books.

Then we welcome back Michael Avon Oeming, who had been working in video games fro the past few years with only Powers as his comic book output. This summer Oeming is back full time with several new creator owned projects at Dark Horse like Wild Rover, a very dark personal story combined with supernatural allegories and imagery.

We also talk about his new post modern Superhero team The Victories  and its comparison to previous Oeming original works likeParliament Of Justice, Ship Of Fools, and Hammer Of The Gods. Plus, Mike talks about the new direction and upcoming re-boot of Powers called Powers FBI. 

As we've learned in previous conversations Oeming is a big mythology fan, and he has interesting thoughts on why he thinks Superheroes don't fit the function of past mythologies and legends.

Fred Van Lente And The Comic Book History Of Comics And Shooters OGN

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On this episode of Word Balloon Fred Van Lente discusses the IDW release of The Comic Book History Of Comics, written by Fred and drawn by Ryan Dunleavy . The talk leads to the debate about fine artist Roy Lichenstien' s pop art paintings that were based on real comic book panels. Were these painting fine art celebrating design , like Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Can paintings, or outright plagiarizing comic artists like Mike Sekowsky and Russ Heath? Van Lente is also part of the Valiant Comics revival writing Archer and Armstrong coming out in August. We also talk about Fred's upcoming Hulk work, on the HULK Season One OGN with Tom Fowler , to this month's HULK SMASH #5 with Mike Oeming.
Then the team behind Vertigo's new war OGN Shooters writers Eric Trautmann Brandon Jerwa and artist Steve Lieber join us to talk about the complicated life of a corporate contract soldier working for the US in current forgien conflicts. It's a very personal story for Trautmann, who based the story on his brother-in-law Dave. he trio talk about the book, and discuss their other recent projects including Jerwa's comic book film documentary, he and Trautmann's Dynamite books like Flash Gordon and Vamperella, and Lieber talks about the piracy experience he and Jeff Parker had with their Oni press mini series Underground.

Art Baltazar's Chgo AM TV Guest Spot On WCIU-TV

 Art was great in this profile called "I love my job" click here to get to WCIU's video profile of Artie

Can Rob Liefeld Save These 3 Comic Books?

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On this episode of Word Balloon, Rob Liefeld returns to talk about 3 DC titles he's taking over in May, with the challenge of resurrecting interest and sales. They are The Savage Hawkman with art chores by Joe Benitez, Deathstroke (written and drawn by Rob) , and Grifter with scripting help from Frank Tieri. All of these books sales have dropped dramatically since their #1 debuts, can Liefeld's ideas turn the tide and make them hits?

Liefeld talks about what his plans are for all three titles, including Deathstroke's hunt for the space criminal Lobo starting in issue 9 , which will introduce the character to the new 52 DC continuity. Liefeld promises that this Lobo will not be the cartoony parody character he was in previous stories. There's clearly interest in Rob's Deathstroke-Lobo plans, because the issue is among the top 25 reordered books by retails according to numbers released last week.

We also talk about the critical acclaim his characters are getting in his revamped Extreme line of book.s like Prophet, Supreme, and Glory. Also, Rob gives his views on writing decompressed stories in today's comic book market.

The Lost 1979 Comics Documentary Panel Live at C2E2

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Live From last weekend's C2E2 Word Balloon presents the first panel exploring the 1979 Lost Comic Book Documentary. You'll hear audio from the documentary which gives a great behind the scenes look at the offices of DC and Marvel. Guests on the panel were Mike Gold former editor and DC Comics public relations man when the documentary was made, and artist Douglas Klauba (The Phantom, Project Superpowers) who discovered the film.

In the documentary, you'll hear details about the Superman Vs Muhammed Ali book, Jim Steranko gives his point of view on crime comics while explaining his art process making the 1976 graphic novel CHANDLER:RED TIDE, Stan Lee and Archie Goodwin go over designs on a new Marvel Comics Hero, The Human Fly, Trevor Von Eden and editor Jack Harris prepare the first issue of Black Lightning and more.

Plus in the panel's q&a session Mike shares stories about Joe Kubert, Neal Adams, Joe Orlando, Steve Ditko and other bronze age memories.

Then podcasters Jim Seguland (Raging Bulletts) and Brian "Pants" Christman (Comic Geek Speak) join us for a quick update on their shows.

Survival Of The 2nd Tier Heroes In Today's Market With Kelly Sue DeConnick The DC Veeps and Art and Franco

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The plight of creating an ongoing series featuring 2nd and 3rd tier heroes is discussed on this episode of Word Balloon.

First DC Vice presidents Bob Wayne and John Cunningham join us to discuss the monthly numbers, but also talk about the re-tooling of some of DC's New 52 titles that are seeing creative changes. Will they be enough to boost sales?

Then writer Kelly Sue DeConnick talks about her new series Captain Marvel. Carol Danvers is getting a promotion, and a new monthly series, but the life expectancy for Marvel books that don't feature Spider-Man Wolverine isn't promising. DeConnick discusses the challenge of starting this type of book, plus we talk about her new Dark Horse series with Phil Noto Ghost, and a new Castle OGN from Marvel coming this fall.

Then we wrap up with solo talks featuring Art Baltazar and Franco. The duo has just wrapped up the Tiny Titans series with issue 50, and begin their new kids comic Superman Family Adventures with a preview that was featured in that last TT issue . The guys are notorious for clowning when their together, but I forced them to talk separately to get a more serious look at the wrap up of their New York Times best selling series, and the challenge of doing a new all ages title featuring Superman.

Time Code
   00:00 -    13:59  DC Veeps Bob Wayne and John Cunningham
   14:00 - 2:15:48  Kelly Sue DeConnick
2:15:49 - 2:41:38  Franco
2:41:39 - End       Art Baltazar

Crime Comics and The Digital Market With Mark Waid Ed Brubaker Greg Rucka Mike Norton and Tim Seeley

Download The MP3 Here On this edition of Word Balloon, we continue to talk with creators who are experimenting with creator owned ideas in print and the digital markets . First Mark Waid joins us to talk about his foray into the digital comic relm. His blog, markwaid.com launched today to be an open forum showing his process and ideas on his approach to comic storytelling on this platform. You can download his first digital pdf LUTHER Also Mark reveals his plans to fund the venture, which includes putting his huge comic book collection up for sale that goes back to the 1950's. We talk about some of the unique items in his collection and how you can purchase some of these books. Then direct from last weekend's ECCC convention, a crime comics panel featuring Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, who start with their crime story influences , and talk a lot about their creation of the DC comic Gotham Central. Plus Ed talks about his current success with the Image book FATALE and Greg previews his next spy novel ALPHA due out in May. Finally direct from their Four Star Studio, Tim Seeley and Mike Norton talk about their new Image series Revival , which they describe as a Farm Noir tale. Tim updates us on his other Image books Hack-Slash, Bloodstrike and Top Cow's Witchblade, while Mike tells us about the plan to collect his web comic Battle Pug as a trade collection in July, from Dark Horse. Four Star Studio has been pulishing their digital comics Double Feature for about a year. 2 8 page stories for 99 cents in various genres. The guys tell us how that venture has gone so far. Time Code 00:00 - 48:55 Mark Waid 48:56 - 1:44:11 Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka 1:44:12- End Of Show Tim Seeley & Mike Norton

Jonathan Hickman And Francis Manapul

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On this episode of Word Balloon, Jonathan Hickman is back to tell us about the wrap up to his epic 3 year story in Fantastic Four. He's not done with the Four, or the Future Foundation (FF), and tells us what to expect in the months to come. You'll hear about his writing chores on the upcoming Avengers VS X-Men projects, and what it was like co writing with his Architect buddies Brian bendis Jason Aaron Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction We also discuss SHIELD and his run on The Ultimates. Then we go in depth on Jonathan's creator owned books past and present at Image Comics. From the debut issue of The Manhattan Projects drawn by Nick Pitarra to next month's start of the spy series Secret with artist Ryan Bodenheim. Hickman also made a big splash at Comixology releasing all of his earlier creator owned works as digital products, including one big bundle of all 5 works The Nightly News, PAX ROMANA, Red Mass From Mars, Transhuman and The Red Wing . He gives us all the details in his decision to release them now, and in the formats he chose . Then, artist writer Francis Manapul is back to tell us what's been happening in the pages of The Flash for DC Comics. We talk about his unique art choices to display the hero's super speed, and The Flash's point of view when faced with the choices of how to stop a crime or disaster from happening. Francis also talks about his writing process with his co-writer and colorist Brian Buccelatto, and what it's like to have put The Flash back in the top 10 of comics ordered by direct market stores.

Jeff Lemire Talks Animal-Man and NunzioDeFilippis and Christina Weir's FCBD book Bad Medicine

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On this edition of Word Balloon writer Jeff Lemire talks about his work on current and upcoming comics. You’ll hear about his current runs on DC’s Animal Man and Frankenstein Agent Of SHADE . Jeff tells us about the excitement coming in his AM/Swamp Thing crossover with Scott Snyder, and why he’s chosen to leave writing Frankenstein , and handing off the book to Matt Kindt with issue 10.

Jeff is leaving the monster team book to take over Justice League Dark with issue 9 . He discusses the new team members and the more adventure based direction for the book. What makes this book and team a “Justice League series ” are the questions Jeff tries to answer, with his choices of where the stories are going.We also talk about his upcoming Top Shelf OGN project The Underwater Welder .

Then Nunzio DeFilippis & Christina Weir talk about their Oni Press series Bad Medicine, a supernatural police procideral drawn by Christopher Mitten which debuts as Oni’s Free Comic Book Day entry in May.

Plus, we talk about some young adult comics they’ve made with female heroines. The high school baseball story Play Ball from Oni drawn by newcomer Jackie Lewis, and a newly re-imagined and designed Avalon Chronicles Vol 1 drawn by Emma Vieceli.

Crunching Numbers With DC's Rood And Wayne, Ron Marz and Ben Blacker

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On this edition of Word Balloon we crunch the Diamond Distributor numbers with DC vice presidents John Rood and Bob Wayne. as reported Friday DC had all of the top 10 books for the second month in a row, but Marvel won the market share and unit share percentage race. We break down the direct market and digital numbers and get more answers from last months Comics Pro Retailer Summit in Dallas.

Then Ron Marz joins us to talk about his work on Top Cow's Artifacts series, which has changed the status quo for the Top Cow Universe. We also talk about his Samurai vs Vampires series Shinku from Image Comics, plus we examine his departure from DC's Voodoo series after the first 4 issues.

Finally television writer Ben Blacker joins us. Ben and his writing partner Ben Acker created the popular comedy podcast Thrilling Adventure Hour which features live readings of sci-fi, western, and mystery sketch parodies done in the style of old time radio plays. Blacker also hosts The Nerdist Writers Panel, which is a live discussion of TV writers who talk about the business of television. They analyze the successes and failures of sitcoms, genre fiction, dramas and more. That podcast is also recorded live at Meltdown Comics Podcast Theater and gives a fascinating look at the business side of television as it evolves in the current new media environment.

Crossing The Comic Book Digital Barrier With Scott Snyder Mark Waid and Jay Faerber

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On this edition of Word Balloon writer Scott Snyder joins us to discuss his incredible run on Batman which continues with the Court Of Owlssaga. We look back at last year's Detective Comics arc The Black Mirror and look ahead to the back up Owl stories in Batman and the coming crossovers in the Bat family books. We also discuss his new take on Swamp Thing and it’s coming crossover with Animal Man written by Snyder’s good friend Jeff Lemiere.

Mark Waid is back to talk about wrapping up his Boom Studios books Irredeemable and Incorruptible . We dissect his current run on Daredevil for Marvel comics, plus Mark gives us his view of how the comic book business has changed in the ast 10 years. Mark also teases his creator owned digital comic book plans which will be announced at this year’s Wonder-Con in Anaheim later this month.

We wrap up with writer Jay Faerber , whose crime comic Near Death has just finished its first arc with the first trade available in stores and issue 6 debuts later this month. Jay is also on the writing staff of Sarah Muchelle Geller’s CW TV series Ringer, and he tells us behind the scene details of the show as they await word on if we’ll get a second season or not. Jay also talks about his 10 plus years at Image Comics, and compares the current creator owned digital comics scene to what’s happening in television drama and it’s new platforms beyond network and Cable TV.

Time Code
00:00 -  30:39             Scott Snyder
30:40 - 118:15             Mark Waid
118:16-End Of Show   Jay Faerber

Comic Books Past Present And Future With Neal Adams and Tony Akins

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On this episode of Word Balloon, legendary artist Neal Adams is back to discuss many issues of the current comic book scene. From finding a neutral way to help Gary Friedrich's financial situation, without taking sides in the Disney-Friedrich-Ghost Rider lawsuit, to DC and Marvel's new place in their corporate parents business.

Neal talks about the recent Comic Book films based on DC Marvel and Dark Horse properties, and asks why wasn't John Stewart in the Green Lantern movie, given his prominent place on TV's Justice League series, which had a built in audience of millions?

You'll also hear a good dose of comic book history. From Neal's point of view of the Pinoy artist invasion of the 1970's with guys like Tony De Zuniga and Alfredo Alcala, plus other Adams peers like John Buscema, and Gene Colan.

We discuss Batman Odyssey and Neal's Dark Horse Presents serial Blood. Plus some current and future projects including hints at a new Marvel project. We wrap up with an interesting look at how the idea of the motion comic has evolved into Neal's work in animatics for the motion picture industry.

Then Tony Akins talks about joining the creative team on DC's Wonder Woman sharing alternate art chores with Cliff Chaing. Tony and WW writer Brian Azzarello are longtime Chicago Comic creator pals, going back to the days of companies like Now comics and Comico, and they've been trying to work together on various Vertigo projects for years. The former Jack Of Fables artist admits he's not a big super hero fan these days, but this warrior versus horror villains take on WW intrigued Tony enough to take himself out of the running for some other big ticket books.

Being a working vet of the Chicago Comics scene for over 20 years, Tony talks about the old days of Chicago's thriving comic book publishing scene in the 80'sand 90's, and looks ahead to his pending move to Seattle later this year.

Word Balloon Talks With Halo's Master Chief, Scott Lobdell, and Paul Jenkins

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Today a triple feature on Word Balloon as we tak about the worlds of comic books and video games.

First up Steve Downes a fellow radio announcer. Steve is the Morning Host of The Classic Rock radio station WDRV-FM: The Drive in Chicago and the syndicated rock documentary radio show The Classics , but to gamers and fans of Sci-Fi Steve is best known as the voice of Master Chief in The Halo Games. Steve talks about his history with the character details on the upcoming Halo 4 game this Xmas, and what it’s like to be the voice of a cultural icon.

Then writer Scott Lobdell  joins us to talk about his 3 DC books Superboy Teen Titans and Red Hood and The Outlaws. Scott explains his pitch process for his NU 52 books, his ideas behind the characterizations he's chosen for both new and old characters, and we talk about the fan reaction to the titles, including last falls outrage at the sexualization of the character Starfire .

We wrap things up with an insightful talk with Paul Jenkins who discusses his recent Marvel mini series like Ka-Zar and the aborted Captain America:Band Of Heroes, plus his DC work on Batman:The Dark Knight with David Finch and the Deadman arc in DC Universe Presents. Paul also gives us behind the scenes details on the new Darkness 2 Video game and his thoughts on the evolution of story telling in video games.  Paul also has news about his website and upcoming projects including some new creator owned comics.

Time Code 

  00:00 - 32:29     Master Chief Steve Downes 

  32:30 -  2:02:04  Scott Lobdell 

2:02:05- End Of Show Paul Jenkins 

Tonight Prophets Of Science Fiction -Issac Asimov

My debut on the Science Channel's Prophets Of Science Fiction is tonight at 10pm eastern, 9pm central.

Tonight it's all about robotics, and the amazing author Issac Asimov. It was a true honor to be part of this program, which also features our Fireside Chat pal Matt Fraction.

Watch it tonight! 

Before Watchmen Scott Porter Jim Henson's Tale Of Sand and Tom Fowler

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On this week's Word Balloon, we cover a lot of pop culture ground. First DC Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development John Rood and SVP of Sales Bob Wayne discuss The Before Watchmen project, and debate the question of what happens to creator owned deals that hinged on reverting back to the creators once a book's print run sold out now that digital books have infinite copies and would never "sell out" .

Then actor Scott Porter joins us. Scott played Cyclops on the G4 X-Men and Wolverine anime series and X-Men Destiny Video Game , but you might know him better in his TV roles as George Tucker on Heart Of Dixie, Friday Night Lights QB Jason Street , or as Rex Racer in the Wachowski's Speed Racer Film . As a huge comic fan, Scott is in a great position to give us his point of view on the current Hollywood -Superhero Genre relationship.

Keeping with the film discussion, Archaia's Editor In Chief Steve Christy and artist Ramon Perez are up next to talk about adapting the 1967 Jim Henson Jerry Juhl screenplay Tale Of Sand as an original graphic novel. We talk about the book, and a side of Filmmaker Jim Henson Muppet fans might not be aware of.

Finally artist Tom Fowler joins us to discuss Hulk Season One, the 100 page original graphic novel written by Fred Van Lente. Fowler talks about some unique ways he's addressing the art, plus we talk about his work on Venom with rick Remender, and loads of canadian pop culture talk.

Time Code
00:00 -  14:48 Wayne and Rood on Before Watchmen
14:49 -  51:42  Scott Porter On G4's  X-Men Anime, Speed Racer and More
51:43 - 140:39 Ramon Perez and Steve Christy On Jim Henson's Tale Of Sand
1:40:40- End Of Show Tom Fowler on Hulk Season One Venom and More

Time Out Chicago-Robert Feder Profiles Word Balloon

This was a real shock. Chicago Media critic Robert Feder has been a supporter of my radio work, since my days at the Score. When my partnership with Mike North ended, Feder was very kind on a phone call about my dismissal saying "You're a talented guy John, you'll bounce back."

Cut to 11 years later...

I wanted to make Robert aware of my upcoming appearance on The Science Channel's Profits Of Science Fiction Series (Next Wed at 10-9 Central) and had hoped to get a paragraph mention in a multi-item column. He quickly responded with a positive e-mail, and asked for more information about Word Balloon. The result? This flattering piece about the podcast and where we're at in the pop culture world.

Thanks Robert.