Word Balloon Comics Podcast

In this in-depth conversation, writer and franchise caretaker Andrew E.C. Gaska joins John Siuntres to discuss his work revitalizing three of science fiction’s most enduring universes — Planet of the Apes, Buck Rogers, and Space: 1999.Gaska talks about balancing canon, continuity, and creativity as he builds connective tissue between classic stories and modern reimaginings. For Planet of the Apes, he explains how his novels Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes and Death of the Planet of the Apes expand the original film mythology, deepening the lore around the astronauts, the forbidden zone, and the political world of the apes. Turning to Buck Rogers, Gaska outlines his efforts to restore the franchise to its pulp and serial roots, steering away from camp and back toward the raw, forward-looking adventure of Philip Francis Nowlan’s original creation. He also teases his plans for reconnecting Buck’s 20th-century origins with a plausible 25th-century future.Finally, Gaska delves into Space: 1999, discussing his