Michael Jan Friedman

86 years old, and none of us knew, I don't think the world knew, how close he was to passing away.

But we thought we'd do a tribute show, and not only do we have our usual Trek Watch compliment of Mitch, Franco, Wayne, but really happy to have joining us a fantastic Star Trek novelist and comic book writer, and a man that's usually at a lot of Star Trek conventions, Michael Jan Friedman.

It's good to see you, Mike.

Welcome back.

And it's an amazing read.

And we'll be back on the 8th with our usual regular release with, I believe, Next Generation Reunion by Michael Jan Friedman.

But David Mack, thank you very much for being with us.

Thank you for having me on.

Thanks so much for listening.

This week it's the return of New York Times best-selling author Michael Jan Friedman.

He talks about his current Kickstarter crowdfunder for The Company of Enhanced Beings.

Michael and I discuss this latest book, and it's a new collection of interconnected superhero stories inspired by his love for the Legion of Superheroes.

There's a lot to get to in this episode, so let's get on with the show.

Thank you.

New York Times bestselling author Michael Jan Friedman returns to the podcast and is talking about his new Kickstarter for the Company of Enhanced Beings, a new collection of interconnected superhero stories inspired by his love for the Legion of Superheroes.

Each story focuses on a different member or members of the company exploring their powers, personalities, relationships, and the situations that test them.

I mean, there's a guy that knows how to do extended canon beyond what you get in the TV and the movies.

And also last night, I just had Michael Jan Friedman.

Oh, really? Yeah, Mike's written his share of comics and novels of Star Trek.

Yeah, he's got a

John Sutris with you.

Michael Jan Friedman back on Word Balloon.

I'm really happy that I've gotten to know Mike over the years.

I always have him back when he has a brand new collection of short stories or a new novel.

He releases stuff through Crazy Eights, but he also does things on his own and has a great new Kickstarter campaign called of a series of short stories of these new young superheroes.

I grew up watching and reading them.

Loved the cartoon from a few years back.

But it's great to hear Mike's ideas for this book.

Well, they have been, actually.

Michael Jan Friedman was on earlier, and we were talking about Idris and everything and all the different things.

And it's like, are there only like 15 actors that are in everything? Because he didn't know that he was also in Masters of the Universe and everything.

Oh, dude, yeah.

Absolutely, man.

No, I was telling Wade how much I love the fact that he's using Dr. Occult in the Justice League.

And again, Mike Friedman and I were talking about it a couple hours ago.

And I'm like, you know, like Slam Bradley right there from the beginning of DC Comics.

So I'm like, "Ah, nah, I'll stay home." [laughs]

Well, instead of, uh, instead of New York Comic-Con for me, uh, uh, I'll be, uh, talking to, uh, Michael...

Well, first of all, we'll do our review show tomorrow night.

Yes.

And Tuesday, I got a double header.

Uh, Michael Jan Friedman, the Star Trek novelist, uh, has a new superhero, um, anthology of short stories that we're gonna talk about.

I like that guy a lot.

lot.Probably talk some Star Trek as well.