Word Balloon Comics Podcast

John Siuntres
  • 4.7 (466)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED DAILY

1 on 1 interview show featuring the creative minds behind Comics TV Film Novels & Animation. Hosted by Chicago Pop Culture expert, John Siuntres

  1. 3H AGO

    Holy 60th Anniversary Batman !

    This special episode commemorates the 60th anniversary of the groundbreaking ABC television series Batman, the pop-culture lightning bolt that turned comic books into primetime spectacle and permanently rewired how superheroes could be portrayed on screen. I share a couple of professional and personal encounters with "The Bright Knight"  But, at the heart of the episode is a rare 2016 interview with the late, great Adam West, recorded not long before his passing. West reflects candidly on stepping into the cape and cowl, navigating the razor-thin line between sincerity and satire, and why playing Batman seriously—even when the world was laughing—was the key to the show’s success. He discusses: How the series embraced comic-book logic without mocking itThe cultural shockwave of Batmania in the 1960sThe unexpected responsibility of becoming Batman to generations of fansWhy the role followed him for life—and why he ultimately embraced that legacyThis episode isn’t just a celebration of a TV show. It’s a tribute to an era, a performance, and a philosophy of heroism that proved Batman could be smart, strange, colorful, and iconic—all at the same time. Six decades later, the Bat-signal still shines. And Adam West is a big reason why. 🦇

    20 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Darwyn Cooke's The Hunter Book Club review

    Word Balloon Book Club brings together John Siuntres, Patreon supporters, and members of Brian Michael Bendis’s Discord for an in-depth, no-nonsense discussion of The Hunter, the hard-boiled graphic novel adaptation by Darwyn Cooke. The conversation digs into Cooke’s razor-sharp storytelling, his mastery of mid-century crime aesthetics, and how The Hunter distills the brutal, minimalist spirit of classic pulp fiction into pure visual momentum. We break down Cooke’s page design, color choices, and economy of dialogue, while also talking about why Parker remains such an enduring anti-hero and how this book stands apart from more traditional crime comics. It’s a smart, passionate discussion fueled by creators, longtime readers, and serious fans.Equal parts literary analysis, comics craft talk, and shared enthusiasm for one of the great graphic novels of the 21st century. Exactly what a book club should be: focused, informed, and fun.

    2h 14m

  3. 2D AGO

    Aw Yeah Podcast 2026 The Year Ahead

    Word Balloon Comics Podcast

    1h 52m

  4. 4D AGO

    Previewing E-Motion Sickness: A Love Boat Re-Watch Podcast

    set sail with its maiden voyage, and we’re not easing into calm waters. In this debut episode, John Siuntres and Franco dive headfirst into Season One, Episode One of The Love Boat, the episode that launched a TV institution and defined late-’70s comfort viewing for decades to come. Joining them as this week’s guest passenger is Margaret Larkin from The Radio Girl Podcast, bringing sharp insight,  and zero tolerance for shallow nostalgia. Together, the crew breaks down: The episode’s multiple guest-star storylines and how the rotating-romance format was established right out of the gateWho these guest stars really were beyond their Love Boat appearances—career highs, unexpected turns, and pop-culture contextBehind-the-scenes facts, network strategy, and why this show worked when it absolutely shouldn’t haveWhat holds up, what’s already dated, and what still weirdly worksThis isn’t a breezy recap. It’s a smart, funny, occasionally skeptical re-watch that treats The Love Boat as both a time capsule and a television machine built to last. Climb aboard. The champagne is cheap, emotions are high, and the seas may get choppy.

    1h 2m

  5. 5D AGO

    Scene Missing Anatomy Of A Murder

    Today On Word Balloon Scene Missing takes a deep dive into Otto Preminger’s Anatomy of a Murder, the landmark courtroom drama that shattered Hollywood taboos and rewrote how adult themes could be portrayed on screen. Joining me is Chicago radio legend Dan McNeil, known to generations of listeners from WSCR and WMVP, bringing his sharp perspective and cultural memory to the conversation. We break down why Anatomy of a Murder was so controversial in 1950.From its frank sexual dialogue and moral ambiguity to Duke Ellington’s groundbreaking jazz score, and why it still feels modern today. McNeil and I examine James Stewart’s career-defining performance, George C. Scott’s volcanic debut, and Preminger’s fearless refusal to spoon-feed the audience easy answers.  This isn’t just a film-school autopsy. It’s a conversation about censorship, masculinity, truth versus storytelling, and how a supposedly “old” movie still punches harder than most modern courtroom dramas. Smart, opinionated, and unapologetically adult.

    1h 6m

  6. 6D AGO

    Tim Seeley X-Factor Godzilla Revival TV and More

    Tim Seeley joins met talk about many current projects includng Deadpool, Godzilla, He-Man, X-Factor Psylocke Ninja, and the status of his SyFy TV Show Revival,

    1h 17m

  7. JAN 7

    Chris Roberson Enters the Trek Continuum

    On this episode, I’m joined by writer Chris Roberson for a wide-ranging conversation about Star Trek past, present, and occasionally frustrating. Chris discusses his Star Trek novella and his ambitious IDW Comics crossover teaming up the original series crew with the Legion of Super-Heroes, blending two classic sci-fi universes with big ideas and deep-cut continuity. From there, the conversation expands to cover every era of Trek, as we compare notes on what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why the franchise continues to inspire such passionate debate. Along the way, I vent some long-simmering frustrations with Kurtzman-era Trek, while Chris offers thoughtful context from the perspective of a writer who’s actually played in the sandbox. It’s a candid, nerdy, and occasionally cathartic discussion about the state of Star Trek, its legacy, and what fans still hope it can boldly be.

    1h 36m

  8. JAN 4

    Father Of US Pulp Fiction Edgar Rice Buroughs

    Today a discussion of one of the father's of pulp hero fiction. Edgar Rice Burroughs , honoring the legendary creator of Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, Carson of Venus, and a galaxy of other characters who helped define adventure and imaginative storytelling for generations of readers.. ERB was a pioneer in creator ownership of his heroes, and made a masswive media bltz in film radio and comics.  In this extended conversation, we explore Burroughs’ impact on comics, film, and popular culture, and why his work still resonates with fans around the world. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s dive into the remarkable legacy of Edgar Rice Burroughs.”

    1h 26m
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
466 Ratings

About

1 on 1 interview show featuring the creative minds behind Comics TV Film Novels & Animation. Hosted by Chicago Pop Culture expert, John Siuntres

Information

  • Creator
    John Siuntres
  • Years Active
    2006 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1K
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright John Siuntres
  • Show Website
    Word Balloon Comics Podcast

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