Word Balloon Comics Podcast

Part three of ’Twas the Night Before Bendis,. This episode is one of those conversations that starts simple and then immediately spirals—in the good way. We get into secret identities. Do they still matter? Do they work the way they used to? Are they essential to superhero storytelling, or are they a storytelling device we’re all pretending still functions the same in a world of satellites, social media, and everyone live-streaming everything all the time? And once you ask that question, suddenly you’re talking about everything.That leads us straight into Matt Fraction’s Batman run, because of course it does. What Matt is doing with Bruce, Gotham, power, legacy, and isolation opens up exactly the kind of questions modern superhero stories should be asking. Not “how dark can it get,” but “what does this all mean now?” We talk about what works, what surprises, and why Batman—somehow—still has new angles left when the right people are behind the wheel.And then—because this is how these conversations go—we pivot to celebrating Steve Lieber, one of the absolute greats. A master storyteller. A cartoonist’s cartoonist. Someone whose work quietly, consistently elevates everything it touches. We talk about why that matters, and why guys like Steve don’t just support comics—they define them.From there? We discuss where the Netflix Torso adaptation project is, and  TV. Film. The state of storytelling across mediums. . 

More on Bendis and Oeming's return to Powers in Powers 25 for Dark Horse, his Italy trip reuniting him with Ult Spider-man Artist and the co-creator of Miles Morales Sara Pichelli, fan questions anda preview of his Avengers story with Mark Bagley for #800 Part 3 tomorrow 

Part 1 of a three part chat. Mike Oeming and Taki Soma ended up joining us, obstensivley to talk about their new Powers 25 ongoing book from Dark Horse, but we instead did a lot of movie talk, and the threats of AI art. More tomorrow. 

As we look back at some of the very best conversations of 2025, there was no way I could leave this one out. One of the standout talks of the year comes from an artist whose work consistently blends sharp storytelling, inventive visuals, and genuine heart. From Whiteout to Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen, Steve Lieber has proven time and again that he’s one of the most thoughtful and versatile creators working in comics today. In this Best of 2025 episode, Steve joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about Metamorpho, the enduring appeal of Jimmy Olsen, and the realities of making comics in today’s industry — from creative challenges to smart business choices. It’s funny, insightful, and packed with the kind of perspective only years of experience can bring.

My Buddy chicago rado legend and my forer partner Mike North joins me for some movie talk about old Hollywood