Well…I’ve gone from loving this show, to being a patreon supporter, to not supporting and unfollowing the show. John has become a disgruntled old man that thinks he knows about modern culture. He refers to himself as “hip.” Not true. He argues with his “friends” about how they talk over him, but all he does is talk over them and get on his soapbox and name drops comic titans. He shares the same stories about how he feels about certain topics on multiple shows, my favorite was when everyone stopped commenting cause he argues over you position and tells you to stop talking. So infuriating to listen. I had to stop. Its a shame, it used to be really good, insightful conversations about comics, now it’s political, sports and music thrown in there. I just can’t anymore. “That’s fantastic.”

I’ve been listening to this podcast for over a year and every interview is interesting.

Been a listener for many years! Loved so many of the conversations.

I have listened to WB since 2007 I think and it is the best comic interview podcast out there. John is great at directing the conversation, asking interesting questions and just letting the comic creators really talk and shine. I read the new birds of prey because of his Kelly Thompson interview. Good stuff.

Stop reading the questions and comments from the feed, while trying to interview someone. You sound distracted and it causes stumbles in the conversation. Set aside a chunk of the episode for ‘question from the fans’ segment or something. I am not subscribed to this show because I love the insights of ‘Doombro28’, or to hear that Neal says Hi.

I broke my neck and had a massive head injury and this pod helped me rekindle my love for comics, then John likes to insult Handicapped people like myself on the pods. That in turn showed me John was the type to punch down on people, especially handicapped people and his actions left a bad taste in my mouth. If you want a good comicbook podcast listen to anything but this. You can find better Star Trek, Comic Book, and Boxing podcasts anywhere else.

I think I started listening to Word Balloon in 2015/2016, when I was in college. The hours-long episodes were great company on my weekend drives home then, and they’re great company when I’m drawing or going to classes for grad school now! Listening to John Siuntres’s detailed conversations with so many amazing comics creators about their many approaches to the craft has made me feel like creating comics is doable. It really is amazing how much I have learned about an inherently VISUAL medium by LISTENING to a podcast! Even so, many of these conversations remind me that it can be done, even if all I’m doing myself right now is making some silly web comics. Word Balloon is very good. Some of the conversations are kind-of boring and I skip them, but Siuntres releases so many episodes nowadays that there’s usually something to listen to!

I’ve listened to hundreds of hours of this informative podcast. I’m currently enjoying the multi-part Marty Pasko interview. As a lifelong comics reader, I find this stuff fascinating and entertaining. Thank you Mr. Siuntres for all the great pod.

I enjoy the long form conversations and John is a solid interviewer and knows how to carry a conversation, keeping it fluid and casual yet on topic. The chats are informative and fun, like listening to friends catch up.

The Paul Jenkins episode featured host and guest saying nice things about a hate group and pushing far right propaganda about “diversity” being a big problem in comics and the big 2 should stick to publishing stories about the same dozen white dudes it has for 80 years.

Great show

John Suintres is a long time Chicago broadcaster and an outstanding pop culture and comic book interviewer. I have discovered more about current and legendary comic book creatives thanks to this show! Essential listening!

John, you’ve been knocking it out of the park with the array of guests. While some of your peers have kind of leveled off, your show maintains a high standard.Keep up the great work!

John was a HUGE reason that I started my own show. There’s no one else like him and the amazing information you get out of each episode. Thanks for keeping us sane during these crazy times. -Brandon B. Host of Apollo City Comics Podcast

I’ll make this a 5 star review (and listen thru all of the ads) if you get the ad bot service, or whatever is used by your podcast service, to take out the false and misleading anti-Biden / Democratic ads, even if it means no political ads.

One of the best comic book podcasts out there! John has great rapport with the creators and gets some WONDERFUL content from them. I especially appreciate how many shows he’s put out during the 2020 pandemic. Listen and enjoy!

Was a decent podcast until the the colors were shown by introducing a bunch of communist propaganda.

Very enjoyable. Excellent host who has his head in the right place in creating great content. Surprised he was not on Wikipedia. It would be a great idea if he created a page there. People like to look up the history of the person who is providing the interviews and content.

This is THE podcast if you like comic books and graphic novels. The host is very knowledgeable and gets the most out of the people he is interviewing. It always feels like a fun, relaxed conversation among friends.

I can easily say Word Balloon is the finest, most accurate, nonsense and drama free podcast on comics. It only gets better with the occasional tweaks to its format. John is the master of interviews, asking solid questions and allowing the conversation to flow where it will yet keeping it on an interesting track. John is a helluva guy and deserves your attention. The cast is bias free and covers from the mighty Big Two to the smallest of indie creators. His passion for the medium is only rivaled by his knowledge of comics. John has a powerful radio voice that is both professional and casual. Why are you still reading this? Go listen to Word Balloon!!

Cannot say enough about what John does on this show. Absolutely phenomenal and a must listen. Great host with a better personality and an all star lineup of guests. Thank you so much for the hours and hours upon content.

Thoroughly addicted to this podcast. Some of the most entertaining interview I have ever heard. Love all the book and movie recommendations too.

John is a great podcast host and an even nicer person. I really enjoy listening to this podcast on a weekly basis. Deep dive interviews are super cool.

In depth interviews with the best of the best in comics and entertainment. If you are a comics fan or a process nerd, this is an absolute must. Remarkable insights and stories from legends of the industry. Been listening to Word Balloon for over 10 years and there’s nothing else like it!

John’s interviews are both highly informative and highly entertaining. He quickly has a natural rapport with each guest. He also understands his audience’s need for lots of good content and he is delivering in high gear. The trivia episodes are especially fun! And if you haven’t listened to “the Bendis tapes” you are missing out!

Love these chats with creators of all eras!

In the first 7 minutes I think I counted 5 ads, all at different points in the 7 minute span. One AT&T ad literally interrupted the host mid-sentence. I had to double check to make sure I didn’t somehow accidentally skip ahead. I’ve never seen that on a podcast before. The podcast is fine I’m sure, but integrating ads actually requires a little restraint and effort.

I am hooked on this show. We don’t get enough interviews that are so relaxed and informative anymore. This is in my week rotation all the time now!

If you have ever wanted to get into the mind of a creator you love, really understand their thought process and their own personal views about the comic industry, I cannot think of a better podcast than WordBalloon. With appearances from some of the top writers in the industry to lesser known, up and coming creators, John provides a platform for them to speak, and gives them a chance to express themselves freely, which I find wonderful. John himself is amiable, knowledgeable, and just a genuinely great host, and seems genuinely excited to be talking each and every creator, no matter how well known they might be. It doesn’t matter how many projects they have done or have coming up, John engages with each creator like a friend, and let’s them speak as openly as they like. Would I recommend? Absolutely. Hell, I’d recommend listening to some old episodes of WordBalloon if you have the time as the conversations are truly fascinating. I always look forward to hearing the next Word Balloon podcast.

If Chris Farley was alive, liked comics, and had a podcast, this would be it. "Hey Bendis! Remember when you made all the people Skrulls?!? That was cool, man!"

Such a great comics show with awesome interviews. The occasional political screed is annoying and his shyness from controversial comics subject matter is apparent (Ex: conservative comic creators), but it’s the best place for audible comic creator interviews.

Great stuff. Keep it up, John. Still waiting on that Brian Vaughan interview.

Best pop culture interview show you’ll find on any platform.

Not only is John a fantastic host and interviewer, but I feel that with every episode I listen to, I gain more and more valuable insight into the world of comics by those who are there now. They serve as an inspiration to me whether I choose to pursue writing or just in my everyday life. And I have that in my life because of John’s fantastic podcast. Thank you for what you do John!

John is a masterful interviewer who talks to so many legendary creators about everything you'd want to hear. You'll get so many behind the scenes stories, reflections of characters, writing insights, and more that make this show a must listen for anyone with just a mild interest in comics. John keeps things extremely casual which reflects in the interviews which are more open conversations where the guests just show their true selves and talk like friends hanging out.

John your show is consistently good but I feel your show opens are a bit too long maybe you could script your opens in order to be more concise. Otherwise your spontaneity and enthusiasm are great.

John brings it consistently - been a listener for years and it’s never been better!

John has connections with all of the top comics talent and the interviews are fantastic. The format is long enough to go into a lot of depth, while also venturing off topic a bit sometimes in a way to help you get to know the guests better. Tom King was also recommending this podcast at his WonderCon panel.

My only real complaint is one interview they went off topic talking about boxing and UFC

Longtime listener of Wordballoon. John Siuntres has the best comic book podcast out there! Always a treat to listen to the episodes.

This podcast is one of the most important pieces of modern comic history. A treasure trove of interviews. John Siuntres brings great interviewing every time and talks with some of the biggest and best creators in comic history and today. Check it out true believer.

John is a true pro! Asks great questions and has all the guests I want to hear from.

Love the conversations. But please address the sound levels.

If you enjoy comics and the people who create them John's conversations with creators provide awesome insights into the artists and their process. Word Balloon is the Fresh Air of comic book conversation. :-)

Siuntres seems like a good interviewer on the surface, but he is actually far more interested in sucking up to A-list comics creators. He is awed by their fame and rarely if ever challenges them on any key issues. For over a decade he has had access to all the big industry names, and during this time we have seen the industry collapse at near freefall speed, but you wouldn't know this by listening to Word Balloon. Everything is fine, it seems. Siuntres is also extremely close-minded and intollerant when it comes to people whose opinions differ from his own, and he lacks the self-control to keep irrelevant political topics to himself. So get ready to have interview after interview ruined by angry political ranting. Sad.

My new favorite podcast. Knowledgeable host and guests, good discussion and none of the self importance that plagues comic books and pop culture. I love how the host brings together the worlds of comics and boxing.

Word Balloon is in a class by itself when it comes to comic book/pop culture podcasts. It’s more than an interview show, it’s a conversation, which runs both ways. Because of that, the conversation goes to interesting places organically. It sounds like friends talking more than someone being interviewed. As a result you get some very open, honest conversations that go to real places and are not the standard interview. He’s also able to gain access to record panels at conventions. The guests are A List all the way whether he’s speaking Brian Bendis, Greg Rucka, Matt Fraction, Joe Quesada, Geoff Johns, Jeph Loeb, Scott Snyder, or any number of other amazing creators. It’s truly a unique experience that I could not recommend more to anyone interested.

Make no doubt about it John is great at what he does. Great guests, great interviewer but I wish he would keep his political views out of it. I want to listen to his pod to hear about comics, tv, etc not how much he hates Trump. I’ve had to stop listening several times because of this. I keep going back because he’s so good but don’t know how much more I can take. Please John at least tone it down a little, you’re alienating half your audience.

I’m a long time listener, and thoroughly enjoy hearing from A-list creators. However, Word Balloon can be frustrating, as the host has a habit of talking over and interrupting his guests. A good example is the March 8th 2018 interview with Tom King. At times you can hear Tom struggling to get a word in edgewise, and I’d really like to have known what Tom was going to say, but he was interrupted or cut off, so I’ll never know. Regardless, the guests are great, and I regularly recommend the podcast to others. However, while I understand the format is dubbed a “conversation”, I really wish the interviewer would let the guest do the lions share of the talking. Otherwise, keep up the good work.

Listened off and on for while, and then became a regular listener. What I enjoyed in my comics escape was now gone. Became political and I'm not interested in that.