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Join us for an extraordinary conversation with comic book legend Tom DeFalco, former Marvel Editor-in-Chief and co-creator of Spider-Girl.

In this 60-minute deep dive, Tom takes us through his remarkable journey from clipping newspaper strips in Queens as the oldest of seven kids to becoming one of the most influential figures in comics history.

We explore his early days breaking into the industry at Archie and DC Comics, his transition to Marvel where he launched Dazzler and wrote iconic runs on Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, and Fantastic Four, and his seven transformative years as Marvel’s Editor-in-Chief from 1987 to 1994.

Tom opens up about his creative philosophy, his legendary collaborations with artists like Ron Frenz and Paul Ryan, and what it took to guide Marvel through a period of massive expansion. We discuss the challenges of balancing editorial leadership with creative vision, address the controversial Clone Saga, and celebrate the unexpected triumph of Spider-Girl and the MC2 universe.

From the evolution of the comics industry across multiple decades to advice for aspiring creators today, this episode offers rare insights from a true architect of the Marvel Universe. Whether you’re a longtime comics fan or curious about the creative process behind beloved characters, Tom’s stories illuminate what it takes to craft lasting mythology in a collaborative medium.

Topics covered: Early career at Archie & DC • Launching Dazzler • Writing Spider-Man & Thor • Marvel Editor-in-Chief tenure • The Clone Saga • Co-creating Spider-Girl • Writer-artist collaborations • Industry evolution • Creator advice​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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**He voiced your childhood hero. He survived a war. Now he’s breaking barriers in Hollywood.**

From the jungles of Cambodia to becoming one of the most versatile actors in modern entertainment, François Chau’s journey will leave you speechless. This is the story Hollywood didn’t want you to hear.

## The Man Behind Your Favorite Characters

Remember Quick Kick from **G.I. Joe**? The Shredder from **Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II**? Dr. Pierre Chang’s mysterious Dharma videos in **Lost**? Jules-Pierre Mao’s chilling presence in **The Expanse**?

**They’re all the same person.** And his real story is more incredible than any character he’s ever played.

## From Survival to Stardom

In this explosive episode of **Back to Pop**, François Chau reveals what it took to escape Cambodia as a refugee, rebuild his life in America, and break into an industry that wasn’t ready for him. This isn’t just another Hollywood success story — it’s a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and refusing to be invisible.

### 🔥 What You’ll Discover:

**The Untold Origin Story**

- How a Cambodian refugee became one of pop culture’s most recognizable voices
- The struggles and sacrifices that shaped his path to Hollywood
- Why his journey matters more now than ever

**Behind the Legends**

- Never-before-heard stories from the G.I. Joe and TMNT sets
- The truth about filming Lost’s iconic Dharma orientation tapes (yes, THOSE tapes)
- What really happens behind the microphone in Ghost of Tsushima

**Breaking Barriers**

- The evolution of Asian representation in Hollywood — from the inside
- Why versatility became his superpower across animation, film, TV, and gaming
- His groundbreaking role as Feng Zhao in HBO’s The Penguin

**The Future of Storytelling**

- Where the industry is heading (and what needs to change)
- His advice for the next generation of diverse storytellers
- What’s next for this unstoppable force

## This Episode Is For You If:

✅ You grew up obsessing over G.I. Joe on Saturday mornings  
✅ You’re still trying to solve the mysteries of Lost  
✅ You care about representation and diversity in media  
✅ You love behind-the-scenes stories from legendary franchises  
✅ You believe in the power of resilience and reinvention

## Why This Matters Now

At a time when authentic representation matters more than ever, François Chau’s story proves what’s possible when talent meets determination. This is the conversation the industry needs to hear.

**This isn’t just an interview. It’s a legacy.**

-----

## 🎧 Listen Now

**Available on:** Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | All Major Platforms

👉 **Visit BackToPopMedia.com** for exclusive content, upcoming guests, and behind-the-scenes access

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

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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 High School, Evil Speak,  to Gilmore Girls, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and beyond

🎮 Beyond Animation – Voice work in G.I. Joe, Halo 4, Batman: Arkham Knight, and dozens more
👨‍👩‍👧 A Creative Legacy – Raising Tony-nominated daughter Julia Lester (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Into the Woods)

Plus: The “love at first sight” moment that started it all, advice for aspiring actors, and what excites him about the future of entertainment.
Whether you know him as Dick Grayson, Fritz Hansel, or Roy from Peekskill—this is the conversation fans have been waiting for.

http://www.lorenlester.com/

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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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 becoming one of Hollywood’s most beloved Scream Queens. Dee opens up about working with Steven Spielberg on the set of E.T., the physical and emotional intensity of filming Cujo (a performance Stephen King himself said deserved an Oscar), and her return to authentic horror with her latest project, Southern Scares.
But Dee Wallace is more than an actress. She’s a best-selling author, international speaker, and teacher of conscious creation who has dedicated her life to helping others manifest their deepest desires. We discuss her philosophy on self-creation, how she defied six specialists to create her daughter, and why she believes horror isn’t just about fear — it’s about healing it.
This conversation is part nostalgia, part masterclass in fearless living. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of her iconic roles or discovering her wisdom for the first time, Dee’s warmth, authenticity, and light will leave you inspired.
Topics Covered:
•Working on E.T. , Cujo, and more
•Behind the scenes of Southern Scares
•The healing power of horror
•Conscious creation and manifestation
•Staying creative in an ageist industry
•Asking for what you truly want

Guest: Dee WallaceHost: Marc ChildsDuration: ~45 minutes

Website: https://iamdeewallace.com/ 

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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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 about:

🎨 His early start at Caliber Comics and the creation of the groundbreaking 

anthology Negative Burn

🩸 The moral and psychological layers behind Kilroy Is Here and Black-Eyed Kids

⚡ Founding Desperado and AfterShock Comics—and the lessons learned from building indie publishers from the ground up

🌑 His newest venture, Ninth Circle, and his new series Viking Moon—a mythic fusion of Vikings, werewolves, and human darkness which is available now check your local comic shop.  Don't forget to check out his Kickstarter for the upcoming https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1510966209/the-book-of-jusko 

If you love the craft, business, and heart of independent comics, this episode is a must-listen.

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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# 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 rode the wave of underground comics in the ’70s before breaking into mainstream Marvel with GI Joe: A Real American Hero, where he both penciled classic issues and storyboarded for the animated series.

But Mike’s most haunting legacy might be his work on Tales from the Crypt, where he illustrated 92 of the 93 covers and storyboarded the show’s wraparound sequences, bringing EC Comics’ horror tradition to a new generation. His talent for visual storytelling earned him an Emmy for directing HBO’s Spawn series, proving he could master both the page and the screen.

We also explore his feminist fantasy epic Sisterhood of Steel, his storyboard work on iconic music videos like Eminem’s “Stan” and Eve’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” and what it takes to build a career that seamlessly moves between comics, television, animation, and film.

**In This Episode:**

- Launching a fanzine at 15 and breaking into underground comics
- Inside Marvel’s GI Joe empire: penciling and storyboarding
- Creating 92 spine-chilling covers for Tales from the Crypt
- Winning an Emmy for directing Spawn
- Storyboarding hip-hop’s most memorable music videos
- The story behind Sisterhood of Steel and taking control of publishing
- Hard-earned lessons on visual storytelling across mediums

Whether you grew up reading GI Joe, got nightmares from the Crypt Keeper, or marvel at the craft behind your favorite music videos, Mike Vosburg’s story is a masterclass in creative versatility and artistic longevity.

**Subscribe to Back to Pop and never miss an episode where we celebrate the artists who create the culture we love!**

Mike’s Website 

https://vozart.com/

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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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 becoming one of the most distinctive Batman artists of all time.

Kelley opens up about crafting horror within heroism — from Batman: Red Rain to Dark Joker the Wild, Swamp Thing, and Frankenstein Alive, Alive! — and how he balances the grotesque and the beautiful. We also dive into his latest project, Dracula: The Impaler under Orlok Press, co-created with Matt Wagner, where Dracula is reborn as a medieval warlord from hell.

If you’ve ever wondered how psychology, style, and sincerity intertwine to create lasting horror — this episode is your masterclass.

🦇 Topics Include:

• Marshall Rogers’ prophecy that came true
• The making of Batman: Red Rain
• The art of horror and clarity
• Collaborations with John Beatty, Doug Moench, and Matt Wagner
• Founding Orlok Press & Dracula: The Impaler
• Why “horror only works when it’s sincere”

Follow Kelley’s work and support Dracula: The Impaler on Kickstarter. 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/draculatheimpaler/dracula-book-3

📺 Watch, listen, and stay nostalgic — only on Back to Pop Media.

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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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 of cinema’s earliest CGI-driven adventures.
• Her unforgettable turn as Regina Belmont in Night of the Comet (1984), blending Valley-girl sass with end-of-the-world grit.
• Revisiting Nightflyers and Annihilator—cult gems that pushed sci-fi and horror into daring new territory.
• Laughs, chaos, and cultural legacy from Weekend at Bernie’s (1989).
• Reflections on ’80s stardom, the enduring power of cult cinema, and staying connected with fans through conventions and social media today.

🎙️ Catherine opens up about lessons learned from her very first audition, what it was like stepping into groundbreaking productions, and how it feels to see her work live on through passionate fan communities.

If you grew up on The Last Starfighter, quoted Night of the Comet, or laughed your way through Weekend at Bernie’s, this episode is a time capsule of ’80s pop culture you won’t want to miss!   

Website:

https://www.catherinemarystewart.com/

https://www.instagram.com/catherinemarystewart?igsh=NWhhazRmcDNmN2c3

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Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Lauren M. Antoine 

Website: 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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 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 brutal showdown of “Bane,” Kevin shares how he balanced cinematic atmosphere with network restrictions—and why those bold decisions still influence today’s storytellers. We also explore the futuristic elegance of “Deep Freeze,” and the art of making every punch, pause, and shadow count.

Whether you’re a lifelong Bat-fan, an aspiring animator, or a director hungry for insight, this episode delivers a masterclass in animated storytelling.

🎧 Listen to learn:

• How Kevin sold a “70mm film look” to network executives
• The secrets behind BTAS’ signature noir lighting and dynamic action
• Why collaboration with storyboard artists, painters, and voice actors is key to animated world-building
• Lessons every modern animation director can take from Gotham’s Dark Knight

Pull up a chair at the poker table with Gotham’s rogues—and discover how Kevin Altieri helped create one of the greatest animated series of all time.

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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If you’re looking for comics then stop by Sean’s shop here’s the link.

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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 Transformers and beyond.
• Scoring the rise of Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport and Kickboxer.
• Collaborating with legends like Jonathan Cain, Jim Vallance, and Paul Stanley.
• Revisiting cult classics with tracks like Thunder in Your Heart and The ’80s.
• Keeping the fire alive with modern anthems like Stand or Fall and Born to Win.

From movie marathons to gym playlists, Stan Bush’s songs remain the soundtrack of resilience and triumph. Tune in and rediscover why his music still makes us believe we’ve got the touch.

Stay in touch with all things Stan Bush and grab a copy of his new album here: https://stanbush.com/

Theme music composed by Ron Wasserman 

Audio composed and edited by 

Gabe Fletcher 

Website: 

https://gabefletcher.net/

Composer Ron Wasserman 

Back To Pop 

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