Word Balloon Comics Podcast

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Alex Ross: Marvel in Another Dimension Pt 2

In part 2 we discuss Steve Darnall’s new prose novelization of Alex and Kurt Busiek’s landmark series Marvels, along with Jack Kirby and the Fantastic Four, Superman, superhero movies, public-domain characters, artificial intelligence, and the changing relationship between comics and Hollywood.As always with Alex, the conversation is thoughtful, candid, passionate, and filled with the kind of artistic insight that only he can provide.

Alex Ross: Marvel in Another Dimension Pt 1

In this special two-part conversation, Alex joins me to discuss his brand-new graphic novel, Marvel Dimensions, written and fully illustrated by Alex for Marvel and Abrams ComicArts. It’s his second book in the Marvel Arts line, following Fantastic Four: Full Circle, and it arrives September 1st.The story begins as a sweeping journey through the classic origins of the Marvel Universe. Spider-Man, the Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine, and many more appear in dramatic painted sequences that deliberately echo their earliest adventures. A mysterious narrator guides us through these familiar moments. But gradually, the voice behind the story, and its reasons for telling it, become much less familiar.From there, the book turns darker and more unpredictable. Familiar stories begin changing, characters behave in unexpected ways, and the consequences spread across the Marvel Universe. Alex uses those classic characters and origins as the foundation for a much larger mystery, including new character concepts and a final act designed to make readers reconsider everything they have just seen. The hardcover also includes a separate 32-page comic that is pivotal to the overall story.

The Toys and Docs That Made Us Brian Volk Weiss

Brian Volk Weiss of The Nacelle Company discusses his seminal Netflix series The Toys That Made us, now in the midst of a Kickstarter Campain for a 2 volume book set The Art Of The Toys That Made Us. Brian also tells us what to expect in seasons 3 and four of the series, coming soon. We talks abot that and his other great series Icons Unearthed and teases new series of those.He also holds the rights to a bunch of favorite IPs from the 80s like Robo Force and Biker Mice From Mars, being printed by ONI press, and details new anumated series in the works. 

Judd Winick pt 2 Batman Catwoman DC Events and More

In Part Two, Judd Winick explains how he parlayed his fame from MTV’s The Real World into a meeting with editor Bob Schreck and an invitation to write for DC Comics. He discusses bringing Jason Todd back from the dead in Batman: Under the Hood, contributing to major DC events including Infinite Crisis, and his memorable runs on Green Arrow, Batwing, and Catwoman. Plus, we look at Judd’s hit all-ages series Hilo and preview the new Hilo holiday special coming this October.