Send us a text Holy career arc, Batman! This week on Back to Pop, we’re joined by the legendary Loren Lester—the voice behind Robin and Nightwing in the iconic Batman: The Animated Series. And more! What You’ll Hear: 🎭 The Broadway Debut – How Loren made it to the Kit Kat Club in Cabaret after five decades in the business 🦇 Behind the Bat-Family – Inside stories from recording, plus returning as Nightwing years later 📺 Screen to Stage Journey – From The Facts of Life and Rock ‘n’ Roll...

Send us a text She’s the mother who protected Elliott in E.T., the woman who fought a rabid Saint Bernard in Cujo, and the primal force behind The Howling. For over four decades, Dee Wallace has moved seamlessly between heartwarming classics and the darkest corners of horror, creating an unforgettable legacy on screen. In this episode of Back to Pop, host Marc Childs sits down with the legendary actress to explore her remarkable journey — from her Kansas roots and early teaching days to becom...

Send us a text This week on Back to Pop, Marc Childs sits down with Joe Pruett — Eisner Award–winning writer, editor, and publisher whose career has shaped the independent comics landscape for over three decades. From his early days assisting Bob Burden on Flaming Carrot to co-founding AfterShock Comics and now leading the horror imprint Ninth Circle, Joe has dedicated his career to empowering creators and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. In this in-depth conversation, Joe opens up...

Send us a text # Mike Vosburg: From Underground Comics to Emmy Gold What happens when a 15-year-old comic fanboy launches his own fanzine and never stops creating? You get Mike Vosburg—a legendary artist whose pen has shaped everything from underground comics and Marvel’s GI Joe to HBO’s iconic Tales from the Crypt and Emmy-winning animation. In this episode, we trace Mike’s extraordinary journey through five decades of pop culture. Starting with his DIY fanzine Masquerader in 1962, Mike ro...

Send us a text What happens when the Dark Knight meets Gothic horror? You get Kelley Jones — the artist who turned Batman into a living nightmare and made the shadows themselves come alive. From Micronauts to Red Rain, Kelley’s journey through comics has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, we explore his early days growing up in Citrus Heights, discovering Marvel reprints, and landing his first pro gig at Marvel. We dig into how a comment from Marshall Rogers set him on the path to...

Send us a text From disco-fueled sci-fi musicals to zombie-fighting cult classics and outrageous dark comedies—Catherine Mary Stewart has done it all. In this episode of Back to Pop, we sit down with the actress who became an ’80s icon through some of the most beloved films of the decade. ✨ Highlights include: Catherine’s leap from London stage training to her spontaneous audition for The Apple (1980) that launched her career.Behind-the-scenes stories from The Last Starfighter (1984), one...

Send us a text Step inside Gotham’s shadows with legendary animation director Kevin Altieri, the creative force behind some of Batman: The Animated Series’ most unforgettable episodes. In this deep-dive conversation, Kevin reveals the directing choices, visual techniques, and collaborative magic that helped redefine what television animation could be. From the noir spectacle of “On Leather Wings” to the eco-horror of “Eternal Youth,” the madcap tension of “Harlequinade,” and the bruta...

Send us a text This week, we sit down with Stan Bush, the Grammy-winning rocker whose anthems fueled everything from Transformers: The Movie to Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and beyond. With classics like The Touch, Dare, Fight to Survive, and Never Surrender, Bush’s music became the battle cry of underdogs and heroes across decades of pop culture. In this conversation, Stan opens up about: The early spark that shaped his signature uplifting sound.Writing The Touch and its enduring legacy in Tra...

Send us a text Before he was shaping the Marvel Universe, Gerry Conway was a teenager from Brooklyn with a letter printed in Fantastic Four #50. Just three years later, he was a published writer at DC Comics. By 19, he was scripting The Amazing Spider-Man—and soon after, he would pen one of the most pivotal moments in comic history: the death of Gwen Stacy. In this episode of Back to Pop, Gerry takes us through his journey from wide-eyed fan to one of the most influential storytellers in co...

Send us a text Welcome to Back to Pop! I’m your host, Marc Childs — and today’s guest is an actor whose voice has crossed worlds of animation, live action, and video games. You know him as Nightcrawler in X-Men: The Animated Series and X-Men ’97, as Haytham Kenway in Assassin’s Creed III, and as the mighty dragon Sol Regem in The Dragon Prince. But beyond the booth, Adrian Hough is a storyteller, a father, and a passionate protector of our forests. In this episode, we dive into his early ro...

Send us a text Episode Description: What happens when a comics fan becomes one of the most trusted voices in Star Wars storytelling—and then takes on Tim Burton’s Batman? This week, we’re joined by John Jackson Miller, the acclaimed author behind Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Kenobi, and the brand-new Batman: Resurrection. Miller’s journey from running Comics & Games Retailer magazine to crafting beloved stories in iconic universes is anything but typical. We explore how his d...

Send us a text What happens when you mix a Grammy-nominated accordion goddess, a fearless feminist firebrand, and the wildest stage presence to hit HBO in the ’80s? You get comedy legend Judy Tenuta — and today, we’re exploring her incredible legacy with filmmaker Taylor Blackwell. Episode Highlights: •The making of “It Happened: The Judy Tenuta Story” — a vibrant mini-biopic that’s equal parts tribute and time machine •Behind-the-scenes secrets from using Judy’s actual costumes and original...

Send us a text Get ready to rediscover the worlds that shaped your childhood—and the nightmares that still send chills down your spine. In this episode, we sit down with David Kirschner, the creative force behind An American Tail, Child’s Play, Hocus Pocus and so much more. Before he created pop‑culture icons, Kirschner designed album covers for Neil Diamond and worked with Jim Henson on Sesame Street and The Muppets . He later dreamed up the magical Rose‑Petal Place universe , and his succes...

Send us a text Ever wondered what it takes to voice an entire cast of characters in a single show? Or how an actor brings psychological terror to life as Metal Gear Solid’s unforgettable Psycho Mantis? Join us for an extraordinary deep-dive with Doug Stone, the legendary voice actor who’s brought countless characters to life across animation, anime, and video games. From leading the heroic M.A.S.K. team as Matt Trakker (while simultaneously voicing seven other characters in the same series!)...

Send us a text What if a postcard could change your life? Welcome to Back to Pop, the podcast that dives deep into the stories behind the stories in comics, pop culture, and the creative industry. Each episode features intimate conversations with the legends, innovators, and unsung heroes who shaped the entertainment we love. From Marvel editors to European comic translators, from educational comic pioneers to digital media trailblazers, Back to Pop uncovers the human moments that transforme...

Send us a text Before “Me Grimlock!” echoed across Saturday mornings, before Spirit walked calmly through the chaos of G.I. Joe missions, there was a young performer discovering the power of voice. In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Back to Pop, we sit down with voice acting legend Gregg Berger—the man behind Grimlock, Spirit, Firefly, Ripcord, Long Haul, Odie, and more—to explore the emotional depth, discipline, and imagination it takes to bring iconic characters to life. 💥 Insid...

Send us a text In this raw and revealing episode, we dive deep with Allison Pittel, breakout star of indie horror hits Stream and Screamboat. From her leap to NYC’s acting grind to the Meisner method that shaped her craft, Allison unpacks the real journey behind the scream queen spotlight. 🎬 SEGMENTS INCLUDE: Making the move to NYC & surviving the audition hustleFinding truth in terror through Meisner techniqueBehind the scenes of Stream – trauma, tension & truthScreamboat’s final...

Send us a text In this powerhouse episode of Back to Pop, we sit down with legendary writer Christy Marx—the visionary behind Jem and the Holograms, a creative force on G.I. Joe, Spider-Man, Babylon 5, Conan the Adventurer, and so much more. From pioneering emotional storytelling in Saturday morning cartoons to building entire worlds in comics like Sisterhood of Steel, Red Sonja, and Elfquest, Christy Marx has always championed character-driven narratives rooted in empathy, identity, and pu...

Send us a text This week on Back to Pop, we’re diving into the origin story of one of the most beloved fan events in the country: JoeFest. Host Marc Childs sits down with JoeFest founder Ed Schumacher to unpack how a small toy show in an Augusta, Georgia hotel ballroom evolved into a full-scale convention center experience with thousands of fans, celebrity guests, and a collector culture that rivals anything Hasbro could dream up. 🎙️ From humble beginnings to massive growth 🎨 The art of c...

Send us a text Dive deep into the legendary voice behind your favorite childhood heroes! 🐢🎮 Join us on Back to Pop as we go behind the microphone with Cam Clarke, the iconic voice actor who brought Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life and created the chilling presence of Liquid Snake in Metal Gear Solid. But this conversation reveals so much more than just voice acting mastery. Discover the untold story of one of America’s greatest musical dynasties - the King Family - as Cam ...