The Blockbuster Blitz: Michael Kus Previews the Summer Hits and Misses

In this 2006 conversation, legendary writer and editor Denny O’Neil joins Word Balloon to revisit his groundbreaking 1980s run on The Question, a series that helped redefine the character for a new generation. Originally created by Steve Ditko for Charlton Comics, Vic Sage found new life under O’Neil’s pen—philosophical, gritty, and deeply human.We also explore Denny’s novel Helltown, which digs into Vic Sage’s origin story in a bold new way. Longtime fans will notice some departures from past continuity, but the spirit—and sharp commentary—are pure O’Neil.Plus: Denny shares stories from his early days in comics, working under editors like Julie Schwartz and Stan Lee, and yes, there’s some great Batman talk too—no surprise from the man who helped shape the Dark Knight for over three decades. A must-listen for fans of classic comics, noir storytelling, and one of the true legends of the mediu

Today, we go back to 2021 with an epic chat featuring writer Dan Slott—the man who brought his unique voice to Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and of course, Marvel’s First Family, the Fantastic Four. As the FF celebrated their 60th anniversary, Dan reflects on their legacy, his run on the title, and why they still matter in today’s pop culture landscape.But this conversation doesn’t stop at Yancy Street—we also dive into Doctor Who, one of Dan’s lifelong fandoms, and get his take on the show's recent direction. And then it gets a little spicy as we discuss Star Trek: Discovery and where that show may have gone off the rails. Plus a good dose of Star Wars talk. It’s comics, sci-fi, and brutally honest fandom with one of the sharpest writers in the business.

today we bring you Part 3 of my Summer 2011 conversation with the late, great Marty Pasko. In this installment, we explore Marty’s work from the 1980s, including his run on Blackhawk, and get his sharp perspective on what was then the big unknown — the launch of DC’s New 52. Marty had a lot to say about how that relaunch might alter the company’s history and how it stacked up against past reinventions of the DC Universe.We also take a hard look back at the Silver and Bronze Age stewardship of Superman under controversial editor Mort Weisinger — including Weisinger’s infamous treatment of co-creator Jerry Siegel and his iron grip on the Man of Steel’s mythos.Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes peek at the origins of DC’s beloved reprint formats — the 80-Page Giants and 100-Page Spectaculars. Where did the idea come from? Why did they work? And what legacy did they leave? This is essential listening for anyone who loves DC Comics history — as told by someone who lived it.

Welcome back to Word Balloon — the comic book conversation show. I’m John Siuntres, and this is Part 2 of my deep-dive with the late, great Martin Pasko. As the saying goes, you don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been. And nobody knew the road behind — or the road ahead — at DC Comics better than Marty.In this episode, we go beyond his 1970s Superman Retroactive story and dig into his role as one of DC’s most trusted historians. Marty helped shape The DC Vault in 2007 and contributed key research to Taschen’s massive 75 Years of DC Comics anniversary book. We cover it all — the decades of change and innovation that redefined DC’s biggest icons. You’ll hear wild behind-the-scenes stories, from the editorial panic caused by William Moulton Marston’s risqué Wonder Woman tales, to how a young Pasko and Cary Bates were tasked with tutoring The Godfather’s own Mario Puzo in Superman lore while he worked on the screenplay for the 1978 Donner film.Marty also shares the real story of how editor Julie Schwartz gave Batman a sharp new direction in 1966 — just in time to catch the eye of producer William Dozier and spark the campy but iconic Batman TV craze, and how it influenced the Joel Schumacher Batman films more than the gritty comic books.  This one’s a goldmine for comic book historians and longtime Super fans.

today we’re going back to 2011 for a special talk with the late, great Martin “Marty” Pasko — one of the definitive Superman writers of the Bronze Age. In this conversation, Marty and I discuss his return to the Man of Steel in Superman Retroactive: The '70s, a one-shot that let him revisit the era — and the version of Superman — that helped shape his career.With sharp insight and his trademark wit, Marty dives into the editorial landscape of the 1970s, working under Julius Schwartz, collaborating with writers like Cary Bates, and navigating the evolving tone of superhero storytelling during that time. We also dig into the deeper mythology of Superman — how the character reflects the shifting ideals of American culture, from New Deal crusader to conflicted godlike figure. Marty had a deep understanding of what makes Superman tick, and he wasn’t afraid to critique modern interpretations, while still holding out hope that each generation can rediscover the character’s timeless core. This one’s a masterclass in comic book history, character analysis, and creative reflection. 

The summer box office is heating up, and film critic Michael Kus joins John Siuntres on Word Balloon to break down what’s worth your time — and what might flop harder than a CGI explosion. From superhero fatigue to surprise indie hits, we dive into the big-budget battleground of 2025’s summer movie slate. Which franchises are running on fumes, and which directors still have the magic? It’s a no-holds-barred preview filled with sharp takes, behind-the-scenes buzz, and bold predictions We discuss F1 Superman, Fantastic Four First Family and The Naked Gun among others . 

Comic book writer and editor Jim Beard joins the show to discuss his new book JACK OF ALL COMICS — Tales Inspired by the Master, a tribute collection featuring essays by top comic creators influenced by Jack Kirby’s groundbreaking work. Also joining us is longtime DC Comics writer Paul Kupperberg, who dives deep into Kirby’s experimental 1970s DC projects like Spirit World and In the Days of the Mob.Paul also wrote Kirby's last monthly comic DC SUPER POWERS featuring The Justice League against Darkseid 

So Sad to hear The Infamous DC and Marvel writer and Editor in Chief has passed away. In tribute here's my 2022 conversation with Jim recorded at Terrificon in 2022. He will be missed. From writing DC stories at 13 to Marvel, Secret Wars, Valiant and The Comic Books 90s Implosion, Jim discusses it all.

"This is Word Balloon — the comic book conversation show. Today, we take a journey through the shadows of Gotham, guided by some of the greatest creative minds to ever leave their mark on the Dark Knight. From the revolutionary work of Neal Adams, whose dynamic art redefined Batman for a generation, to the gripping noir of Steve Englehart, who helped bring the Caped Crusader back to his pulp roots in the 1970s. We also remember the late Martin ‘Marty’ Pasko, not only a Bronze Age Batman writer, but also the story editor behind Batman: The Animated Series — the groundbreaking FOX Kids cartoon that raised the bar for superhero storytelling on television. And finally, we talk with Jeph Loeb, the screenwriter-turned-comics powerhouse behind the best-selling modern classics Hush and Hush Returns, collaborations that reshaped Batman for the 2000s. It’s a celebration of four generations of creators who each helped shape the legend of the Batman — in the comics, on TV, and beyond. This is a Gotham deep dive you won’t want to miss.

Welcome back to Word Balloon for Part 2 of our conversation with acclaimed TV writer and comic book master Christopher Cantwell.In this episode, we spotlight two of his exciting new creator-owned projects: Out of Alcatraz from Oni Press, co-created with artist Tyler Crook — a haunting, genre-bending tale set in the shadow of the infamous prison — and Kid Maroon from Vault Comics, a twisted noir adventure brought to life with co-creator Victor Santos.We also get a sneak peek at Chris’s upcoming work on seson 3 of the AMC+ horror anthology The Terror, where he’s helping shape a chilling new chapter in one of TV’s most underrated series. It’s creator-owned comics, serialized horror, and sharp storytelling — all in Part 2 of our deep dive with Christopher Cantwell, right now on Word Balloon.