Origins Of The Justice Gang With DeMatties and Maguire

Today, we’re throwing it back to a special conversation recorded in 2020 during the virtual Baltimore Comic Con. My guests are the legendary team of J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire, two of the creative forces—alongside Keith Giffen—behind one of the most beloved and influential Justice League runs of all time.Their groundbreaking late-‘80s take on Justice League International reinvented the team book with heart, humor, and character-driven storytelling. It was a bold departure from grim and gritty trends, instead focusing on the humanity—and hilarity—of heroes like Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter, and Guy Gardner. And now, decades later, the spirit of that run has resurfaced in a major way, inspiring the tone and team dynamic of the Justice Gang in the new Superman film from James Gunn’s DCU.

Today’s episode is a deep dive with writer James Robinson, recorded back in 2011 during a fascinating stretch of his DC Comics career. We cover a lot of ground—from his return to one of his most beloved characters in The Shade, spinning off from the Starman mythos, to the behind-the-scenes realities and editorial limitations that shaped his Justice League of America run.Robinson opens up about his creative choices during the Flashpoint event, particularly his darker take on The Outsider, and how the Superman stand-in Mon-El came to headline the Superman books during a major story pivot.We also talk about the launch of the New 52, and his reimagining of the Justice Society of America and Earth-2, showing how he brought fresh perspective to classic Golden Age characters under a new editorial mandate. Throughout the conversation, James shares his passion for DC’s B- and C-list heroes—characters like Solomon Grundy, Donna Troy, and Congorilla—and how he always strived to give them depth and relevance.And for fans of comics history, there’s a charming detour into his childhood in England, and how kids in the ’70s got their hands on American superhero books across the pond.It’s a candid, passionate, and sometimes frustrating look at what it means to write in a shared universe—and what it takes to elevate the characters that don’t always get the spotlight.

Today, we’re diving into a no-spoiler review of the brand-new Superman film from writer-director James Gunn. This marks the dawn of a new DC cinematic era, and all eyes are on how Gunn reintroduces the Man of Steel to a modern audience. We’ll talk tone, performances, world-building, and how this version stacks up against previous big-screen takes and beyond. No plot points ruined, no twists revealed—just honest impressions of the filmmaking, the cast, and whether this Superman feels like the hero we’ve been waiting for. If you’re on the fence about seeing it, or just want a vibe check before heading to the theater, this episode’s for you.

Today I’m joined by writer Sam Humphries, who's bringing big energy to Marvel’s latest New Avengers series. We dive into his approach to the team, the surprises in store, and how he's shaking up the lineup.But that’s just the start—Sam also talks about his work in audio storytelling, including his Audible dramas, and reflects on standout runs at DC Comics, from the cosmic challenges of Green Lanterns to the chaotic charm of Harley Quinn. Plus, we revisit his time in front of the camera as one of the hosts of DC Daily, where he brought comic book news and commentary to screens around the world.Comics, audio, screen—Sam’s done it all, and this is a wide-ranging, high-energy conversation you won’t want to miss.

Today as we anticipate the opening of James Gunn's new Superman film,  we’re flying into a deep discussion on 2013's Man of Steel, the divisive Zack Snyder film that reimagined Superman for a new era.And joining me are two longtime friends of the show and Superman storytellers in their own right—Art Baltazar and Franco, the award-winning creative duo behind Tiny Titans, Superman Adventures, and Superman of Smallville. We compare their vision of the character—lighthearted, hopeful, and kid-friendly—with the darker, more intense take seen in Man of Steel. It’s a fun and thoughtful chat about what makes Superman Superman, and how different creators interpret the Last Son of Krypton.Whether you love Snyder’s film or had issues with it, this conversation offers a fresh perspective from two guys who love the character and have helped pass him on to a whole new generation.Up, up, and let’s get into it.

This week on Word Balloon, it’s a pop culture roundup as we dive into the latest film and TV buzz. From James Gunn’s Superman reboot and the long-delayed Nautilus series finally surfacing, to the creepy Revival and the absurd action of FUBAR with Arnold Schwarzenegger—there’s a lot to break down. We’re also reviewing Marvel’s Ironheart, discussing where it fits in the post-Wakanda Forever timeline,Jurasic World, and taking a pit stop to look at F1, the new racing film aiming to rev up the summer box office. Insight, laughs, and no punches pulled—this is the Word Balloon take on what’s hot (and what’s not) in the world of screens, big and small.

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.