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1 on 1 interview show featuring the creative minds behind Comics TV Film Novels & Animation. Hosted by Chicago Pop Culture expert, John Siuntres
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Episodes
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Transcribed
12 FEB 2026 · On this episode of Word Balloon, I’m joined by writer Dave Baker to talk about his new Top Shelf graphic novel Punk N’ Head, a wild, heartfelt, and sharp-edged story that blends music, identity, and outsider energy into something that feels both chaotic and personal. Dave breaks down the inspiration behind the book, the visual collaboration, and why this one hits close to home.
We also get into his adventures in animation writing. The hustle, the rooms, the realities of working in that fast-moving industry,and he shares an absolutely insane story about developing a Navy SEALs vs. aliens film that proves Hollywood can be as surreal as any sci-fi script.
On top of that, we talk about his own podcast Deep Cuts, where Dave digs into the overlooked, under-discussed corners of pop culture. It’s a funny, candid, and occasionally unbelievable conversation about making comics, surviving the entertainment business, and finding your voice in the chaos.
Transcribed
11 FEB 2026 · In this episode of Word Balloon, I sit down with longtime DC writer and historian Bob Rozakis for a deep dive into his Bronze Age experiences writing Robin, Teen Titans, Superman, and more during one of the most transitional eras in comics history.
Bob reflects on crafting character-driven stories at a time when DC was recalibrating its identity, sharing behind-the-scenes insight into working with iconic heroes while balancing continuity, editorial demands, and the evolving tastes of readers in the 1970s and early ’80s. From Robin back-ups to Titans team drama and Superman tales, Bob paints a vivid picture of what it was like working inside DC when the Bronze Age was firing on all cylinders. We also revisit one of the most unique chapters in DC lore, when Bob literally drove the DC Comics promotional “mobile” around New York and New Jersey hand-selling books like a Good Humor ice cream man.
He shares stories of being there when Christopher Reeve judged a Superman movie contest at DC, capturing that moment when comics and Hollywood suddenly collided in a big way. Bob offers candid memories of the DC Implosion. What it felt like from the inside as titles were slashed and uncertainty hit the staff, and how creators adapted during a turbulent stretch in the company’s history.
We also discuss his fascinating alternate-history essays published in Alter Ego, where Bob imagines a world in which DC and All-American Comics never consolidated the way they did. It’s a smart, playful exploration of “what if” publishing scenarios from someone who knows the real history inside and out.
Transcribed
10 FEB 2026 · We review the SAM/DS9 episode, featuring Teen Bar fights a senior staff dinner with a fish that farts and glitter vomit.
This was there idea of an Avery Brooks tribute. At least it was good to see Jake Sisko.
Transcribed
9 FEB 2026 · In this episode of Word Balloon, I’m joined by writer Dennis Hopeless for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about career pivots, creative freedom, and why he’s done pitching new ideas to Marvel.
Dennis breaks down what pushed him toward the creator-owned route and why Ignition Press is the right home for his new series Just Brutal. The book flips classic sword-and-sorcery on its head, following a modern family of adventurers who battle barbarian-style monsters while dealing with very real, very human dynamics. It’s big, bloody, and grounded in character. Exactly the kind of project that benefits from full creator control.
We also look back at some of Dennis’s most high-profile Marvel work, including Avengers Academy, and he speaks candidly about the backlash, hate mail, and social-media blowback that came with writing teen heroes during a volatile moment in fandom. It’s a clear-eyed discussion about creative risk, audience expectations, and the personal toll of working inside big IP.
Transcribed
8 FEB 2026 · The crossover continues as I join Sal Crivelli for Part Two, where the conversation zeroes in on specific creative flashpoints in current comics, and a shared love of pop-culture comfort food. We compare Joe Kelly’s and Zeb Wells’ respective runs on Amazing Spider-Man, breaking down what worked, what frustrated readers, and why Spidey remains one of the toughest characters to steer long-term.
We also look ahead to the upcoming Superman/Spider-Man crossovers by Mark Waid and Brad Meltzer, and why these projects feel like a genuine event rather than a nostalgia cash-in. On the DC side, we talk about the strong momentum behind DC KO and the DC Absolute lines, why those initiatives are connecting with readers, and what they suggest about DC’s current editorial confidence.
And because not everything has to be a debate, we wrap by bonding over our mutual love of Mystery Science Theater 3000, celebrating the joy of smart riffing, bad movies, and shared fandom.
Transcribed
7 FEB 2026 · In this first half of the Word Balloon / ComicPop crossover, I’m joined by Sal Crivelli for a straight-up, no-nonsense conversation about the current state of comic books, specifically the ongoing competition for readers between Marvel and DC.
We dig into how both publishers are trying to hold attention in a crowded market, what strategies are actually working, and where each company may be losing ground. From creative directions and line-wide initiatives to accessibility for new readers and long-time fan fatigue, it’s an honest look at how the Big Two are fighting for relevance in 2026. It’s a smart, fan-focused discussion between two hosts who grew up loving these characters and still care deeply about where the industry goes next.
Transcribed
5 FEB 2026 · We kick off with a look under the hood of Speed Racer: Tales from the Road, Richard’s recent one-shot that brings new energy and heart to the iconic franchise.
Then we shift gears to SCOOP, his gripping YA graphic novel series that follows teen reporter Sophie Cooper through political intrigue, celebrity secrets, and paranormal mysteries. Part Nancy Drew, part All the President’s Men, and part Buffy, SCOOP is a smart, fun, and socially aware series that Richard describes as a love letter to journalism and Gen Z curiosity.
We also tap into Richard’s experience as a former DreamWorks Animation veteran to discuss the current state of the animation biz. From the streaming shakeups and project cancellations to the challenges facing animation writers and how creators are coping in a shifting media landscape.
Transcribed
4 FEB 2026 · EDIT- I have included my response to Fmr Heavyweight Champion Deyontay Wilder's Firey UK Interview on the Talk Sport Boxing Podcast, and his delusional accusations that Tyson Fury cheated when he destoryed him in the final bout.
I urge all who are curious to see their interview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwKZhZywsPQ
Welcome to a special edition of Word Balloon, doubling as a new installment of The Big Bout Podcast, where I get to scratch that old boxing reporter itch and dive deep into the sweet science.
This time, I’m joined by one of the most respected voices in boxing journalism: Bill Detloff. A longtime writer and editor for The Ring magazine, Bill’s been ringside for some of the sport’s most pivotal moments and has chronicled both its legends and its lost souls with unmatched insight.
We’ll be talking about his latest book, Ring Theory, a sharp, thought-provoking collection of essays that digs into boxing’s culture, characters, and contradictions.
From reflections on heavyweight mythology to the changing face of modern pugilism, Bill brings decades of experience and a genuine love for the fight game to the conversation. Whether you’re a hardcore historian or just catching up on the current scene, this one’s for anyone who still believes in the power of two fighters and one ring. Let’s talk fights.
Transcribed
3 FEB 2026 · Garth Ennis has never been interested in playing it safe, and this conversation is a perfect snapshot of why his work still cuts deeper than just about anyone in comics. We dig into Babs from Ahoy Comics, his savage sword-and-sorcery riff that weaponizes absurdity, blood, and pitch-black humor to skewer genre clichés while still delivering the kind of brutal action Ennis fans crave. It’s funny, ferocious, and very deliberately unserious, until it suddenly isn’t.
From there, we shift gears into war stories, both old and new. Ennis talks about his long-running love affair with Johnny Red, the WWI and WWII aerial combat hero he’s revived through graphic novels with a historian’s respect and a storyteller’s bite. We also break down Battle Action, the modern revival of the classic British war anthology, and why those stripped-down, morally thorny combat tales still matter.
Finally, Garth looks ahead to what’s coming next, teasing new projects and directions slated for 2026, proof that he’s nowhere near done challenging readers, genres, or expectations.
1 on 1 interview show featuring the creative minds behind Comics TV Film Novels & Animation. Hosted by Chicago Pop Culture expert, John Siuntres
Information
| Author | John Siuntres |
| Organization | John Siuntres |
| Categories | TV & Film |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| john@wordballoon.com |
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