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

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.

Today on Word Balloon, I'm joined by acclaimed TV writer and comic book creator Christopher Cantwell. You know him as the co-creator of AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire, but today we’re diving into his latest project: the brand-new IDW Star Trek series, Redshirts — a sharp, subversive take on the classic Trek trope that finally gives the most expendable crew members their due. We also explore his standout Marvel runs, including a definitive modern take on Iron Man, the psychological complexity of Doctor Doom, and the gritty crime world of Golden Goblin. Plus, we get into his recent DC Comics work, where he brings the Challengers of the Unknown back into the spotlight in a wild miniseries featuring the Justice League. From Trek casulties to the far corners of the DC and Marvel multiverses — it’s all coming up today on Word Balloon. Part 2 follows 

This episode is a special Pride Month encore from 2016—my very first conversation with writer Steve Orlando. Steve joined me back then to talk about his new BOOM! Studios book Namesake, a bold sci-fi adventure about a gay fireman who crosses into an alternate dimension to bury his fathers—and uncover the truth about his identity and past.We also dove into Steve’s impactful work in the DC Universe, including Supergirl, Midnighter & Apollo, and his ambitious plans for the then-upcoming Justice League of America launch in January.It’s a great time capsule of Steve’s early rise—and the kind of inclusive storytelling he’s continued to champion ever since. Let’s rewind to 2016 and celebrate Pride with Steve Orlando.

Robbie covers a lot of ground talking his comics books for Marvel like Spider-Man Deadpool DR Strange and for DC Suicide Squad and more.He's also got 2 IDW projects out Sin Bin a Hockey Player Father and his teen daughter go deamon hunting, and the Star Trek Strange New Worlds Comic starting in Auguest. Speaking of Tek Robbie is on the writing staff of Strange New Worlds upcoming seasons 4 and 5 .We alos discuss his tv work on Supernatural and the forgotten NBC Superhero series THE CAPE 

Welcome to a Scene Missing edition of The Word Balloon Podcast! I’m John Siuntres, and today Gabriel Hardman and I are diving into the dusty trails of indie cinema with action star and filmmaker Alexander Nevsky, joined by his co-star Nick Balle, to talk about their new western, The Wide West, now streaming free on Xumo Play. This isn’t your typical shoot-’em-up. The Wide West is inspired by a real historical event from 1907, when Japanese sumo wrestlers met President Theodore Roosevelt in a diplomatic exhibition—a forgotten slice of international history that sparks the film’s wild premise.Even better? The movie features real sumo wrestlers bringing raw physicality and authenticity to the screen. We talk about the real-life origins, the challenges of mixing action and historical fiction, and what it takes to make a western in the 21st century with indie muscle and global ambition. It’s a showdown you didn’t see coming—this is The Wide West on Word Balloon.

Tim is back to discuss his Eisner nomination of his Alan Scott Green Lantern min series and the closeted life of a Gay Superhero in 1940s america. We also discuss his current run on IDW's Star Trek Lower Decks series his work on DC animated films about Superman Batman and DC Army heroes like the losers and Sgt Rock.