In this episode of Word Balloon, I’m joined by writer Dennis Hopeless for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about career pivots, creative freedom, and why he’s done pitching new ideas to Marvel.

Dennis breaks down what pushed him toward the creator-owned route and why Ignition Press is the right home for his new series Just Brutal. The book flips classic sword-and-sorcery on its head, following a modern family of adventurers who battle barbarian-style monsters while dealing with very real, very human dynamics. It’s big, bloody, and grounded in character. Exactly the kind of project that benefits from full creator control. 

We also look back at some of Dennis’s most high-profile Marvel work, including Avengers Academy, and he speaks candidly about the backlash, hate mail, and social-media blowback that came with writing teen heroes during a volatile moment in fandom. It’s a clear-eyed discussion about creative risk, audience expectations, and the personal toll of working inside big IP.

The crossover continues as I join Sal Crivelli for Part Two, where the conversation zeroes in on specific creative flashpoints in current comics, and a shared love of pop-culture comfort food. We compare Joe Kelly’s and Zeb Wells’ respective runs on Amazing Spider-Man, breaking down what worked, what frustrated readers, and why Spidey remains one of the toughest characters to steer long-term.

 We also look ahead to the upcoming Superman/Spider-Man crossovers by Mark Waid and Brad Meltzer, and why these projects feel like a genuine event rather than a nostalgia cash-in. On the DC side, we talk about the strong momentum behind DC KO and the DC Absolute lines, why those initiatives are connecting with readers, and what they suggest about DC’s current editorial confidence.

And because not everything has to be a debate, we wrap by bonding over our mutual love of Mystery Science Theater 3000, celebrating the joy of smart riffing, bad movies, and shared fandom.

In this first half of the Word Balloon / ComicPop crossover, I’m joined by Sal Crivelli for a straight-up, no-nonsense conversation about the current state of comic books, specifically the ongoing competition for readers between Marvel and DC.

We dig into how both publishers are trying to hold attention in a crowded market, what strategies are actually working, and where each company may be losing ground. From creative directions and line-wide initiatives to accessibility for new readers and long-time fan fatigue, it’s an honest look at how the Big Two are fighting for relevance in 2026. It’s a smart, fan-focused discussion between two hosts who grew up loving these characters and still care deeply about where the industry goes next.

We kick off with a look under the hood of Speed Racer: Tales from the Road, Richard’s recent one-shot that brings new energy and heart to the iconic franchise. 

 Then we shift gears to SCOOP, his gripping YA graphic novel series that follows teen reporter Sophie Cooper through political intrigue, celebrity secrets, and paranormal mysteries. Part Nancy Drew, part All the President’s Men, and part Buffy, SCOOP is a smart, fun, and socially aware series that Richard describes as a love letter to journalism and Gen Z curiosity.

We also tap into Richard’s experience as a former DreamWorks Animation veteran to discuss the current state of the animation biz. From the streaming shakeups and project cancellations to the challenges facing animation writers and how creators are coping in a shifting media landscape.

EDIT- I have included my response to Fmr Heavyweight Champion Deyontay Wilder's Firey UK Interview on the Talk Sport Boxing Podcast, and his delusional accusations that Tyson Fury cheated when he destoryed him in the final bout.

I urge all who are curious to see their interview. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwKZhZywsPQ

Welcome to a special edition of Word Balloon, doubling as a new installment of The Big Bout Podcast, where I get to scratch that old boxing reporter itch and dive deep into the sweet science.

This time, I’m joined by one of the most respected voices in boxing journalism: Bill Detloff. A longtime writer and editor for The Ring magazine, Bill’s been ringside for some of the sport’s most pivotal moments and has chronicled both its legends and its lost souls with unmatched insight.

We’ll be talking about his latest book, Ring Theory, a sharp, thought-provoking collection of essays that digs into boxing’s culture, characters, and contradictions.

From reflections on heavyweight mythology to the changing face of modern pugilism, Bill brings decades of experience and a genuine love for the fight game to the conversation. Whether you’re a hardcore historian or just catching up on the current scene, this one’s for anyone who still believes in the power of two fighters and one ring. Let’s talk fights.

Garth Ennis has never been interested in playing it safe, and this conversation is a perfect snapshot of why his work still cuts deeper than just about anyone in comics. We dig into Babs from Ahoy Comics, his savage sword-and-sorcery riff that weaponizes absurdity, blood, and pitch-black humor to skewer genre clichés while still delivering the kind of brutal action Ennis fans crave. It’s funny, ferocious, and very deliberately unserious, until it suddenly isn’t.

From there, we shift gears into war stories, both old and new. Ennis talks about his long-running love affair with Johnny Red, the WWI and WWII aerial combat hero he’s revived through graphic novels with a historian’s respect and a storyteller’s bite. We also break down Battle Action, the modern revival of the classic British war anthology, and why those stripped-down, morally thorny combat tales still matter.

Finally, Garth looks ahead to what’s coming next, teasing new projects and directions slated for 2026, proof that he’s nowhere near done challenging readers, genres, or expectations.

we debate the school debate episode 

Recorded live at Cincy Comic Con in September 2014, this panel captures Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky at the height of their breakout Image Comics hit Sex Criminals, a book that smashed expectations by blending raunchy comedy, emotional honesty, and high-concept crime storytelling.

Fraction and Zdarsky dig into how Sex Criminals came together, why Image was the perfect home for a book this personal (and this weird), and how humor became a Trojan horse for deeper conversations about intimacy, shame, and connection. It’s an unfiltered, funny, and thoughtful discussion about creative trust, collaboration, and what happens when a comic refuses to play by anyone else’s rules.

With Sex Criminals now officially greenlit as a new television series for Amazon Prime Video, this panel feels even more essential, a snapshot of the moment when a risky, deeply human comic proved it could punch through the medium and reach far beyond it.

Today on Word Balloon, I’m joined by Jim McCann, a creator whose career spans stylish indie storytelling and major superhero runs, and he’s back with something new. Jim joins me to talk about The Other Half, his brand-new detective comic from Ignition Press. It’s a sharp, modern homage to the high-society sleuths of the 1930s and ’40s. Very much in the tradition of Nick and Nora Charles, where glamour, wit, and mystery collide. We dig into the tone of the book, the appeal of that classic era, and how Jim updates the form without losing its elegance.

We also look back at Jim’s Eisner Award–winning graphic novel Return of the Dapper Men, his time at Marvel Comics writing Hawkeye & Mockingbird, and his years working behind the scenes as Marvel’s marketing director. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about craft, career pivots, and why some styles, and some stories...never go out of fashion.

Today on Word Balloon, I’m joined by two writers who know their way around both classic deduction and deep-cut science fiction as we talk about the Kickstarter for their new novel, Sherlock Holmes: The Southwark Stigmata. This is a project that leans hard into atmosphere, mystery, and character, re-examining Holmes through a darker, more psychologically charged lens, and the Kickstarter is giving readers a chance not just to support the book, but to be part of its launch in a meaningful way.

My guests are Michael Jan Friedman and Christopher Abbott. Mike brings decades of storytelling experience and an encyclopedic command of Star Trek, shaped by his many Trek novels and his work on Star Trek: Voyager. Chris is equally steeped in Trek lore, having written thoughtful Star Trek essays for Film Threat, and together they share a genuine love for canon, continuity, and bold reinterpretation. We dig into the origins of The Southwark Stigmata, how their collaboration came together, and why Sherlock Holmes still has new stories worth telling today.

Mark Waid is back to preview his Superman Spiderman crossover. We talk about Mister Terrific's time dislaced team in Justice League Unlimited with a Tim Drake Batman and Blue Superman . Action Comics and the Superboy Saga , plus The World's Finest team of Superman and Batman and Mark's return to the Flash co-writing with Christopher Cantwell