This Week: Comic Books

Comic books and their readers have both matured over the years. No longer are comic books just for children. Unfortunately, their reputation keeps the general public thinking of them as summer movie fodder with nothing but super heroes and larger-than-life villains. It's no surprise that fans tends to shy away from the general public and focus on their own comic book section of the world. Comic book podcasters interview the creators and discuss what is going on in the various comic book universes and try to avoid people who think that "Fantastic Four" was an accurate comic book movie. Below are three examples of the many comic book podcasts for comic book readers.

Title: Wordballoon: The Comic Creators Interview Show
Average Length: About 50 mins
Number of Episodes: 6 (available without a subscription)
Frequency: No Set Pattern - Every Couple of Days
Podcasters: John Siuntres
Audio or Video: Audio
Quality: Fair
Language: PG-13 for Language
Website: http://wordballoon.blogspot.com/

After 15 years as a broadcast journalist in Chicago for CBS, Fox Sports and ESPN, John Siuntres has decided to combine his experience with his love of comics. His professional background really shines through as I always learn a lot from the interviews and find myself telling others about it. My favorite so far was an amazing interview with Jeph Loeb ("Batman: Hush"), who discusses the recent loss of his son, leaving "Smallville" and joining "Lost" as a writer/supervising producer, not to mention his comic work. Siuntres has also interviewed Brian Michael Bendis ("Powers"), Geoff Johns ("Infinite Crisis"), Bill Willingham ("Fables") and Brian Azzarello ("100 Bullets"), just to drop a few names. He asks them about the process, the background, working with others in the industry and future projects. The only drawback to the show is the less-than-perfect audio as most of the interviews are done over the phone. It's occasionally distracting, but not enough to deter you from listening.

Time Worthy: Yes
Subscription Worthy: Yes
Grade: A- "Honor Society Candidate"

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Title: Fanboy Radio Podcast - The Comic Book Radio Show
Average Length: 10 mins with several full 1-hour episodes
Number of Episodes: 64
Frequency: Weekly
Podcasters: Scott Hinze & Oliver Tull
Audio or Video: Audio
Quality: Good
Language: PG
Website: http://fanboyradio.libsyn.com/

Fanboy Radio started as a comic book-centric radio show that broadcasts from a radio station in Forth Worth, Texas. In July 2005, they began repackaging sections of their show into podcasts. It began as ten-minute clips of their more notable interviewees: Joe Quesada (Editor-in-Chief of Marvel), Scott Kurtz ("PVP" webcomic), Stan "The Man" Lee, Chris Ryall (Editor-in-Chief of IDW), and has recently extended to an hour. They are very heavy on Marvel with some DC and just a splash of the independents for flavor. Scott and Oliver interview more from a fan perspective and tend to keep their questions on the light and fluffy side. Scott, especially, will occasionally talk more during the interview than the interviewee. The show is more than just interviews and the longer shows have discussions about what's going on in the world of comics. Unlike some of the other shows, it is very family friendly (kids could listen to it) because it doesn't get too critical or in-depth.

Time Worthy: Occasionally
Subscription Worthy: No
Grade: B "Satisfactory"

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Title: I Read Comics
Average Length: About 37 mins
Number of Episodes: 30
Frequency: Every 2 Weeks
Podcasters: Lene Taylor
Audio or Video: Audio
Quality: Good except during interviews
Language: R for Language and Sexual Content
Website: http://ireadcomics.blogspot.com/

The opening of each episode describes the overall theme best, "Yes, it's another comics podcast and the big difference is I'm doing it and I'm a girl. That's right, a girl who reads comics." Girls who read comics are a lot like male nurses. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it and it's not unheard of, but it's just not what you are used to seeing. This podcast is comprised of more reviews and comic book discussion than interviews. Taylor is very well spoken and gives solid criticism about mainstream, independent and manga comics. I don't have the same taste in comics, but I do enjoy hearing about new and/or unusual titles. Some of the comics she references and reviews are about homosexual relationships. Her frank language is refreshing from some of the other comic book podcasters who try to make the mainstream fans as happy as possible.

Time Worthy: Yes
Subscription Worthy: Yes
Grade: B+ "Solid Work. Gold Star Worthy"

We have now finished an entire month of entertainment based podcasts. Next month will have podcasts that focus on travel. Next week's installment will kick it off with podcasts that teach various foreign languages.

Come back this Thursday and check out our interview with Lene Taylor from "I Read Comics." Be there with bells on!

Powering off.