AIPT Comics

This week, Eisner Award-winning writer Saladin Ahmed joins the AIPT Comics podcast to talk about three very different heroes currently occupying his writing desk: Cheetara , Wolverine , and Bishop . With ThunderCats: Cheetara launching September 9, Ahmed discusses taking one of Third Earth’s most mysterious heroes into her own ongoing series, the troubling visions that challenge what she knows about ThunderCats history, working with artist Andrea Arcari, and the freedom Dynamite has given him to push and reshape the mythology. The conversation also returns to the X-Men universe, where Ahmed’s working on Wolverine and Bishop. We dig into where both characters currently stand, the distinct challenges of writing two veteran mutants, and what Ahmed is building toward in each series. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Indiana Jones hunts Marvel’s greatest artifacts in new variant covers Batman vs. Absolute Batman: DC reveals its big Batman Day 2026 special Boom-Boom takes charge as Marvel announces ‘Fugitive X-Force’ #1 Curt Pires and Jok unleash time-traveling monsters in ‘Creature Corps’ Our Top Books of the Week: Dave: The Legion of Super-Heroes #1 (Joshua Williamson, Hayden Sherman) Superman: The Stranger (Wes Craig) Alex:​​ The Legion of Super-Heroes #1 (Joshua Williamson, Hayden Sherman) Crowbound #1 (Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: Captain America #15 (Zdarsky, Schiti) Dave: Doom Patrol #1 (Darcy Van Polgeest, Nico Henrichon) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: The Forever Home #1 (Christian Ward, Sami Kivelä) Dave: Six of Us #1 ( Tom King , Gabriel Hernández Walta) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Black Cat #14 (Josemaria Casanovas) Alex: The Karman Blade #1 (Ian Bertram) Interview: Saladin Ahmed - ThunderCats: Cheetara (FOC August 10, out September 2) 1. Cheetara has always been one of the more mysterious ThunderCats because of her visions. What excited you about making those visions the engine of an ongoing series rather than just a supporting trait? 2. The solicitation mentions voices that contradict the Book of Omens and even praise the Mu'Tants. Were you interested in exploring how faith or certainty can be challenged when someone suddenly has conflicting truths? 3. One thing I've always liked about Cheetara is that she's often the calmest person in the room while everyone else is reacting emotionally. How did you approach giving her an internal journey that still feels true to that personality? 4. This is your first project with Dynamite and your first time writing ThunderCats. What surprised you most once you started digging into the mythology? Was there a corner of the universe you found yourself unexpectedly fascinated by? 5. Andrea Ancari is relatively new to American readers. What did you see in his storytelling that made him the right artist for a book balancing action, visions, and psychological mystery? 6. ThunderCats has existed across cartoons, comics, and multiple reinterpretations over decades. Were there specific versions of Cheetara you found yourself drawing inspiration from, or did you intentionally try to build your own voice for her? Wolverine / X-Men questions 1. One thing I've really enjoyed in your Wolverine run is seeing Logan genuinely vulnerable again. Between the broken claws and now the healing factor failing, what opportunities does a weakened Wolverine create that an invincible Wolverine simply can't? 2. Wolverine #21 was almost a bottle episode, with Logan and Nightcrawler just trying to relax before everything goes wrong. How important are those quieter character issues when you're writing someone who's usually defined by violence? 3. Julius Ohta has become a fantastic collaborator on the series. Are there moments where his storytelling or acting has changed the way you approached later scripts? Bishop / X-office question With both Wolverine and Bishop, you've been working inside a very interconnected X-Men line. How much collaboration happens behind the scenes? Bonus fun question You've now written everything from Miles Morales to Wolverine, Daredevil, and now Cheetara. Is there a dream character or franchise that still sits on your bucket list where, if the phone rang tomorrow, you'd immediately say yes?

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Hickman’s ‘Midnight X-Men’ is a ‘mutant, vampire epic’ with Krakoa -era DNA Midnight Previewssssss Marvel’s next Avengers vs. X-Men showdown is happening on the hockey rink Whatever this news is it sounds stupid Vault reveals ‘One Zero Zero One Saves the World’ from Jeremy Robinson and Tiago Palma Vault announces ‘Inanna: The Name She Lost’ from Inanna Sarkis, Tim Seeley and Ademir Leal Dark Horse spotlights Doctor Doom in ‘Marvel’s Most Villainous’ Volume 2 Dark Horse and Marvel celebrate classic X-Men history with ‘The Art of The Uncanny X-Men’ Dark Horse collects Jack Kirby’s Marvel Westerns in new three-volume series Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Operation: Iron Coffin #2 (Kenny Porter, Tyrell Cannon) Hammerfist #1 (Rick Remender, Steve Epting) Alex :​​ Fireborn #4 (Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland) Absolute Wonder Woman #23 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: What If… Cassandra Nova Killed Charles Xavier? #1 (Sumit Kumar, Ashley Allen) Dave: Godzilla Conquers the Multiverse #2 (Gerry Duggan, Javier Garron) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: Crowbound #1 (Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen) & The Doom Patrol #1 (Darcy Van Poelgeest, Nico Henrichon) Dave: Marvel Dimensions (Alex Ross) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Cruel Kingdom #1 (Yanick Paquette) Alex: Legion of Super Heroes #1 (Hayden Sherman) DSTLRY - David Steinberger (co-founder and CEO) and Chip Mosher (co-founder and CCO) DSTLRY has settled into its partnership with Penguin Random House, and readers are starting to see a steadier publishing cadence again. Looking back, what did that transition teach the company, and how does it position DSTLRY differently heading into the rest of 2026? You've said from the beginning that DSTLRY wasn't trying to become "just another publisher." Now that the initial launch period is behind you, what do you think defines DSTLRY's identity today compared to when you first announced the company? We've seen collections like Warm Fusion and A Mischief of Magpies join the schedule alongside new single issues. How important is building a strong hardcover library for DSTLRY's long-term vision, especially as more readers discover these books after their initial release? Neon Ichiban has grown quickly from a digital comics platform into something that feels much more creator-focused. At what point did you realize the platform could become more than simply a place to read comics? The new partnership with Scott's Collectibles brings a huge roster of creators into Neon Ichiban's digital remarques program. Why was that collaboration the right next step, and how do you see it changing the experience for fans who collect sketches and signatures? One of the most intriguing ideas behind Neon Ichiban is the Digital Fast-Pass at conventions. Do you see this as solving a long-standing problem for fans who spend hours waiting in Artist Alley, or is the bigger goal expanding access to creators beyond the convention itself? You've spent years thinking about where comics are headed digitally, first at Comixology and now with Neon Ichiban. What do you think today's readers expect from a digital comic that they didn't expect even five years ago? Both DSTLRY and Neon Ichiban seem to share the same philosophy: giving creators more opportunities while giving fans new ways to engage with their work. Is there a bigger vision connecting those two efforts, and where do you hope they are a year from now after another SDCC has come and gone?

Marvel’s Midnight Universe is getting ready to open its doors, and this week we’re going straight to two of the writers helping build it. Benjamin Percy and Phillip Kennedy Johnson join the AIPT Comics Podcast for an extended conversation about Midnight Fantastic Four and Midnight Spider-Man , two of the three series launching Marvel’s new horror-infused universe on October 7. Along with Jonathan Hickman on Midnight X-Men , Percy and Johnson are helping to establish a world in which familiar Marvel characters are being rebuilt through body horror, cosmic terror, and some seriously disturbing new origins. Percy digs into the Lovecraftian nightmare behind his Fantastic Four, why their familiar powers are closer to curses, the influence of California's strange scientific and occult history, and just how grotesque Reed Richards' elasticity can become. Johnson takes us inside his radically different Peter Parker, the role Oscorp plays in his transformation, ScieTronc's horrifying designs, and why calling this version of Peter "Man-Spider" barely scratches the surface. The conversation also gets into the larger Midnight Universe, including how Percy, Johnson, and Hickman are coordinating their books, how carefully they're approaching other Marvel characters, plans for the universe to eventually expand, and yes, whether Hickman's beloved data pages are coming along for the ride. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Marvel November solicitations! Jean Grey returns ! Marvel’s ‘ Incursions ’ one-shots revisit the road to ‘Secret Wars’ this November Marvel teases ‘Origin III’: Is Wolverine’s untold past about to be revealed? Official press release Marvel’s November 2026 solicitations reveal the post -‘ Avengers: Armageddon’ era Marvel retells Venom’s origin from the symbiote’s perspective in ‘Venom: POV’ Marvel’s free ‘Midnight Universe’ ashcan reveals creepy new details Marvel Comics sheds light on November 2026 variant series Momo-Tone covers Exclusive: Benjamin Percy and Raúl Fernández launch sci-fi horror series ‘Egg Hunt’ Exclusive : Brain Poison launches with three new sci-fi comics in shared universe Garth Ennis and John McCrea get weird with psychedelic horror tale ‘The Snail’ DC Comics Solicitations for November Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Punisher Vs. Spider-Man #2 (Dan Abnett, Matteo Della Fonte) Thor #800 Chris:​​ Nights #20 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano) The Last Driver #1 (Sean Murphy, Simon Gough) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: Nights #20 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano) Dave: Destination Kill #4 (Joe Palmer) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: Minotaur #2 (Si Spurrier, Michael Dowling) Dave: Batman: Bad Seeds – Sunset #1 (Matt Fraction, G. Willow Wilson, Giuseppe) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Tomb of Apocalypse #1 (Pablo Villalobos) Chris: Next Level: One Shot #1 ( Fernando Blanco Main Cover ) Interview : Midnight Universe - Ben Percy (Midnight FF) and Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Midnight Spider-Man) - Out October 7, FOC Aug 31 You’re both taking characters whose origins are among the most familiar in comics and rebuilding them through horror. What was the first thing each of you identified in the classic Fantastic Four and Spider-Man origins that could become genuinely frightening in the Midnight Universe? Since this is horror, are you inverting who is the hero? I.e. is Spider-Man the villain and hsi rogues the bad guys, same for FF, or is that giving too much away? Ben, the Fantastic Four have always been explorers pushing into the unknown, but here that curiosity seems potentially catastrophic. How much of Midnight Fantastic Four is about Reed Richards being unable to leave certain doors unopened, even when every instinct should tell him to stop? Phillip, you’ve described wanting Peter Parker’s transformation to feel like something conceived by H.R. Giger and directed by David Cronenberg. Once Peter becomes this grotesque spider hybrid, how do you preserve the humanity and responsibility that make him recognizably Spider-Man? Both books seem fascinated with science going somewhere it absolutely should not go. How differently do Reed and Peter respond to the realization that scientific progress has created something horrifying, and do you see them as cautionary reflections of each other? The solicit for Midnight Fantastic Four #2 mentions revisiting and redefining the perils of the atomic age. Ben, what interested you about connecting the Fantastic Four to that particular period of scientific optimism, anxiety, and destruction? Phillip, Oscorp isn't simply responsible for Peter's transformation. They're apparently using what they learn from him to create more human-animal hybrids. Does that give this version of Spider-Man a different relationship with his rogues gallery, especially characters like the Lizard and Doctor Octopus? Kev Walker and ScieTronc have incredibly distinct visual identities. Were there moments when their designs or pages came back and actually changed your understanding of this universe, or pushed the horror further than what you'd originally scripted? Horror can become less frightening once readers understand its rules. With both of you planning potentially very long runs, how do you keep the Midnight Universe mysterious and unsettling after readers have spent 20, 30, or even 50 issues living inside it? I know your books haven’t launched just yet, but it’s hard not to be excited for your books to somehow connect, given Spidey and the FF are thoroughly linked in the 616. Have you dreamed up crossovers yet? Finally, the important Midnight Universe question: if Midnight Spider-Man and the Midnight Fantastic Four were trapped together in a horror movie, who dies first, who somehow survives, and who makes the catastrophically bad decision to say, “Let’s split up”?

Jordan Morris returns to the AIPT Comics Podcast this week to talk about his increasingly packed comics slate, including the upcoming Amazing Venom . Morris digs into how Luciano Vecchio’s red-and-blue Venom design evolved into a new 616 character, why Boomerang was ultimately chosen to bond with the symbiote, and the appeal of turning one of Spider-Man’s lovable D-list scumbags into a Venom. We also look back at Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity , including Norman Osborn’s questionable motives for training the next generation of Spider-heroes, writing the different voices and quips of its large cast, and why Spider-Gwen became a particular favorite for Morris to write. Morris also talks Predator: Bloodshed , his approach to juggling multiple monthly projects, and plenty more from his busy year in comics. Also, if you liked signed comics, buy all of Amazing Venom in advance, signed by Morris, here . Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Warren Ellis returns to Image Comics with ‘Ghost Drive Station’ this November ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel collide for the first time in ‘Hope Assembles’ #1 X-Men's mystical side takes center stage in new 'X-Orcists' series this November 2026 Louise Simonson puts a Disney twist on a holiday classic in ‘Uncle Scrooge: A Christmas Carol’ #1 Marvel reveals new ‘Midnight’ variant covers ahead of October 2026 launch Ghost Rider: Kushala #1 collects Spirit Rider Infinity Comic this November ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ #1 joins Marvel’s Midnight launch with special midnight release ‘The X-Files’ returns to comics with new series from Joe Harris and Riley Brown Our Top Books of the Week: Dave: Of the Earth #4 (Chris Condon, Charlie Adlard) Absolute Batman #23 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta) Chris:​​ Regicide #1 (Patrick Kindlon, Ludovic Lalliat) Yumi: 00EX #1 (Doug Wager, Hoyt Silva) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: Did You Hear About Mimi Green #3 (Connor Goldsmith, Josh Cornillon) Dave: Infernal Hulk #10 (Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Adam Gorham) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: Nights #20 (Wyatt Kennedy and Luigi Formisano) Dave: Lobo #6 (Skottie Young, Riley Rossmo) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder #11 (Mateus Santolouco) Chris: Everyone Loves a Jewel Thief #4 ( Aaron Campbell Main ) Interview : Jordan Morris talks... Speed Racer: Tales from the Road – The Rook #1 — July 29 Spider-Versity #5 — August 22 Amazing Venom #1 — September 16 Predator: Bloodshed TPB — November 24 This has to be the most weekly comics you’ve written in your career yet. How has it been juggling so many projects? You're writing four wildly different books right now: the martial arts and horror of Predator: Bloodshed, the Spider-family training adventure of Spider-Versity, and, speedracer mixes cop drama with racing, the cosmic antihero comedy of Amazing Venom. What have you learned about your strengths as a writer from jumping between such different corners of the Marvel Universe and Speed Racer? Predator: Bloodshed drops a Yautja into an underground fighting tournament, which feels like a premise built to deliver spectacular action. Beyond the fights, what was the biggest storytelling challenge in making readers care about the human competitors? Bloodshed wraps up this week. Looking back on the series as a whole, was there a particular character, fight, or moment that surprised you while writing it? Spider-Versity puts Norman Osborn in the unusual role of teacher. What makes Norman uniquely qualified to train young Spider-heroes, and what makes him the absolute worst possible choice at the same time? Spider-Versity features a roster of younger Spider-characters who all have very different personalities and experiences. Was there one character whose voice came especially naturally to you? Speed Racer: Tales from the Road – The Rook #1 introduces a rookie cop going undercover in the dangerous world of Formula X racing. What drew you to telling a crime story through the lens of Speed Racer, and how did you balance the undercover-cop tension with the over-the-top spectacle fans expect from this universe? You've described Fred Myers ( Web of Venom #1 ) as one of your favorite Marvel antiheroes. What is it about Boomerang that keeps drawing you back to the character? Amazing Venom pairs Fred with Passenger, who seems like the perfect source of both chaos and comedy. How did you approach building that relationship, and what makes them a fun duo to write? Fun question: Of all your current leads and villains—Boomerang, Passenger, Norman Osborn, Carnage, and a Predator—who would be the absolute worst roommate, and who somehow ends up being the best?

San Diego Comic-Con delivered one of the biggest news weekends of the year, and we're digging into all of it on this week's AIPT Comics Podcast. We break down DC's latest Next Level announcements, including new ongoing series for Vixen, Static, Batman, The Demon, and Jonah Hex, react to Marvel's Predator vs. Punisher, unpack Christian Ward's newly announced Pandemonium , and even talk about Ryan Gosling's surprising Ghost Rider reveal. If it made headlines at SDCC, we're giving it the full AIPT treatment. After that, David sits down with Christian Ward to discuss Forever Home , his ambitious new Oni Press series with Sami Kivelä. Ward explains how the story grew from a simple yet unforgettable premise: a house that survives climate collapse by falling outside of time, where every 20 minutes inside equals a year in the outside world. The conversation explores the book's emotional family drama, its retro-futuristic design, climate anxiety, billionaire bunkers, and why Kivelä's storytelling elevates every page. Ward also reflects on balancing writing and art, teases what's next in his career, and shares why Forever Home is one of his most personal creator-owned projects to date. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS SDCC post-event review Christian Ward concludes his ‘Event Horizon’ trilogy with ‘Pandemonium’ this December DC unveils new ongoing series for Vixen, Static, and Batman in latest Next Level wave DC announces ‘Batman of Two Worlds’ #1 for Batman Day 2026 James Harren unleashes a terrifying new era for ‘The Demon’ in DC’s Next Level line Michael Walsh brings horror to the frontier in ‘Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death’ ‘Predator vs. Punisher’ pits Frank Castle against the galaxy’s deadliest hunter this November Marvel unveils three original WEBTOON series at SDCC, including Tony Stark romance and X-Men Korea Ryan Gosling is Ghost Rider Corin Howell’s hit horror series returns with ‘Lilith: Blood & Burlesque’ #1 this October 'Lost Fantasy' and 'Fireborn' collide in first-ever crossover 'SHOWDOWN' 'Wytches' returns this fall with expanded Pledged Edition ahead of TV adaptation Deadpool and Punisher's 'Big Guns' crossover expands with Bullseye, Black Hole, and new preview pages Our Top Books of the Week: Dave: Doomquest #3 (Ryan North, Francesco Mobili) Queen in Black #1 (Al Ewing, Iban Coelo) Alex:​​ Is Ted Ok? #6 (Dave Chisholm) The Patron #1 (Christian Ward, John J. Pearson) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex : Horror of Godzilla #1 (Ethan Parker, Griffin Sheridan, Tristan Jones) Dave : Queen in Black: Hela (Al Ewing, Carlos Magno) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: The Omega Book #1 (James Patrick, Pauli Junquera) Dave: Fort Psycho #1 (Matt Kindt, Brian Hurtt) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: The Deadman #3 - Cover D Tyler Boss Alex: Uncanny X-Men #33 Alexander Lozano '80s Storm Variant AND Batgirl #22 Cover B KyuYong Eom Variant Interview : Christian Ward - The Forever Home (out Sept 9, FOC Aug 3rd) with Sami Kivelä - Patron #1 (July 29) art by John Pearson

One of the biggest comics announcements of San Diego Comic-Con was the reveal that Matthew Rosenberg will become the next ongoing writer of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , and this week he's here for his first in-depth interview about the series. Rosenberg opens up about initially turning down the job before IDW came calling a second time, why his run is inspired by the raw energy of the original Mirage comics, and how he plans to put the turtles through a relentless fight across New York City. We also discuss his love of Eastman and Laird's work, collaborating with artist Juann Cabal, bringing forgotten characters back into the spotlight, and why this story will embrace every corner of TMNT history while carving out its own identity. NEWS Marvel Comics solicitations October 2026 José Andrés joins Earth's Mightiest Heroes in ' Meals to Astonish: Avengers' #1 this October Marvel's Trick-Or-Read program returns with 'Infernal Hulk' and 'Spidey and His Amazing Friends' Punisher battles Black Widow, Wolverine, and Winter Soldier in new Marvel one-shot series Marvel and Williams Racing team up for 'Iron Man: Racing Towards Doom' #1 this October Captain Britain gets 50th anniversary special Rob Liefeld relaunches ' Avengelyne ' with artist Daniel Mainé at Image Comics this November Lance Briggs, Kyle Higgins, and Danilo Beyruth announce sci-fi sports graphic novel 'The Trap' Exclusive: Dan Watters and Brian Level launch sci-fi horror series 'Mad Science Division' at Ignition Press Red Sonja and Barbarella unite for first-ever crossover series this November Archie celebrates 85 years with oversized anniversary special featuring comics all-stars Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Godzilla Conquers The Multiverse #1 (Gerry Duggan, Javier Garron) Terminal #1 (Robert Kirkman, Joe Casey, Andy Kubert) Alex :​​ Uncanny X-Men (Gail Simone, Jim Towe, Roge Antonio, Federica Mancin) Sicko #1 (Tini Howard, Amilcar Pinna) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: x Dave: Superman #40 (Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: Is Ted Ok? #6 (Dave Chisholm) Dave: The Horror of Godzilla #1 (Tristan Jones, Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sherida) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Rocket Raccoon: Rocket Rewind #1 (Mike Mignola Cover) Alex: X-Men 34 Alexander Lozano '80s Colossus Variant Interview : Matthew Rosenberg talks taking over TMNT You described your run as "The Warriors meets Daredevil: Born Again" with plenty of action and humor mixed in. Those are some massive touchstones. What qualities from those stories became your creative north star for this new era of TMNT? Your story begins immediately after Gene Luen Yang’s "The City That Never Dies" storyline, which sounds like it leaves the city fundamentally changed. How did Gene Luen Yang's finale create opportunities that wouldn't have existed otherwise? One of the biggest hooks is that the Turtles are being hunted over the course of a single night. What made that compressed timeline appealing, and how does it change the pacing compared to a more traditional TMNT story? You said the team hunting the Turtles is assembled specifically for this mission. Without spoiling who's involved, what makes this group uniquely equipped to challenge all four brothers at once? 10:59 Juann Cabal has shown he can handle kinetic action and expressive character work across Marvel and DC. What is it about his storytelling you’re excited to see in TMNT? You've mentioned your love for Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's Mirage Studios era. Were there specific themes or storytelling techniques from those early comics that you wanted to bring back for modern readers? Your comics often balance brutal action with sharp humor and strong character voices. How do you approach writing the Turtles so each brother feels distinct, especially when they're under constant pressure? You've written everything from street-level crime stories to huge superhero events. Where does TMNT fit creatively for you, and does it scratch a different storytelling itch than books like What's the Furthest Place From Here? or your Marvel work? You're taking over with issue #25, which already feels like a milestone. Looking ahead, what do you hope readers say about your TMNT run after they've finished that first story arc? If Destruction Be Our Lot #4 - Aug 19, 2026 King Spawn #58 - Aug 26th, 2026 Spawn #378 - Aug 26th, 2026

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we're bringing you the full, uncut conversation with Robert Kirkman, Joe Casey, and Andy Kubert about Terminal , Skybound's ambitious new superhero series. We dive into how the project came together, why the series embraces mystery and rotating protagonists, the thinking behind its striking character designs, and yes, the return of blind bag comics. It's a fun, wide-ranging discussion packed with insight into one of the year's biggest new launches. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Marvel Comics relocating to Burbank, names Stephen Wacker new editor-in-chief Marvel unveils ongoing variant cover program for Midnight Universe titles Sam Alexander returns to stop the Ten Rings in 'Nova: Return of the Rings' #1 DC extends 'Absolute Green Arrow' to 12 issues following fan response Dark Horse Comics reveals full San Diego Comic-Con 2026 signing and panel schedule IDW unveils packed San Diego Comic-Con 2026 plans with TMNT #300, Godzilla, Hello Kitty, Sonic, and more Image Comics reveals massive San Diego Comic-Con 2026 plans Exclusive: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes returns with time-travel graphic novel and Kickstarter campaign EC Comics spotlights artists in new 'Artists From the Abyss' anthology series Bit Bot unveils first look at ‘Final Boss’ video game adaptation with official screenshots 'Archie vs. The Terminator' brings John Connor to Riverdale this October Vampirella and Morrigan collide in first-ever 'Vampirella vs. Darkstalkers' crossover Greg Pak headlining a bold new era for ThunderCats this October 2026 ‘Ice Cream Man’ #1 returns with interactive “Chocolate/Vanilla Twist” edition this October TOP 50 COMICS - JUNE 2026 Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : A Mischief of Magpies #1 (Si Spurrier, Matías Bergara) Sonic the Hedgehog x Godzilla #1 (Nick Marino, Jack Lawrence) Absolute Green Arrow #3 (Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque) Chris :​​ Minotaur #1 (Si Spurrier, Michael Dowling) Punisher vs.The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Dan Abnett, Matteo Della Fonte) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: Tigress Island #5 (Patrick Kindlon, EPHK) Dave: Assorted Crisis Events #9 (Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: Sicko #1 (Tini Howard, Amilcar Pinna) Dave: Giant Robot Hellboy Returns #1 (Mike Mignola, Duncan Fegredo) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Uncanny X-Men #32 (Alexander Lozano '80s Rogue Cover) Chris: Star Trek: Red Shirts – Ghost of the 21st Century #1 ( Chris Burnham variant ) Interview: Robert Kirkman, Andy Kubert, Joe Casey Terminal #1 out July 22, 2026 Terminal is going to also feature a line bag program, what we can tell you right now, in true Robert Kirkman style, it is a blind bag with three surprise books in it unlike anything we've or anyone else has done before. Terminal throws readers right into a chaotic, violent world. When you were building the first issue, how did you approach onboarding readers without giving too much away? The book opens with some striking and surreal imagery, especially the eye and the idea of Maculox. What was the origin of that concept, and how central is it to the larger mythology? There’s a clear tension between evolution and destruction running through the story. How did you want to frame that conflict without falling into a simple good versus evil dynamic? The first issue makes some bold narrative choices in terms of expectations around who the story might follow. Without getting into spoilers, should readers expect that kind of unpredictability to be a core part of the series? Robert and Joe, how does your collaboration work on a project like this? Are you breaking story together, dividing scripts, or building off each other’s strengths in a specific way? Andy, the character designs, especially on the more villainous side, feel really eclectic and distinct. What were your inspirations when developing the look of this world and its characters? There’s a bit of a “hidden world” structure here, where a regular person is pulled into something much bigger. What drew you to that kind of setup, and how do you keep it feeling fresh? The series feels like it has big, long-term potential, but also a very focused central idea. Is the plan for Terminal to be a long-running series, or are you working toward a more defined endpoint? For all three of you, what was the moment in developing Terminal where you realized this was something special or different from other superhero books you’ve worked on or read?

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we're joined by Scott Snyder for one of our favorite conversations of the year. We dive deep into Absolute Batman , the newly announced animated series , why he believes monthly comics need to embrace what makes the medium unique, and the creative philosophy driving one of comics' biggest successes. It's a candid, wide-ranging discussion on storytelling, the future of superhero comics, and why taking big swings matters more than ever. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Judge Dredd and Biker Mice From Mars collide in new comic crossover and collectibles partnership Daniel Warren Johnson reveals new project 'Chainkata' for November 2026 Details Michael Walsh's 'Universal Monsters: Frankenstein' returns in remastered black-and-white edition Tradd Moore's first creator-owned solo comic, 'Touch Me Someplace Nowhere' announced Mike Mignola's new art book 'Circus of Bones' showcases over 145 original works Lara Croft joins G.I. Joe in first-ever 'G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero' crossover Rocketship Entertainment partners with Moulin Rouge for graphic novels, manga, and tabletop games Meet the players of ‘Zero Instance’ where a video game boss invades the real world DC reveals packed San Diego Comic-Con 2026 lineup Skybound unveils San Diego Comic-Con 2026 plans and exclusive collectibles Marvel reveals full San Diego Comic-Con 2026 plans with Hall H, Midnight Universe, and X-Men '97 panels Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Witness Point #1 (Nathan Fillion, Heath Corson, Soo Lee) Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 (Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Fran Galán) Chris :​​ Twilight Zone #9 (Juni Ba) Dispatched #1 (B. Clay Moore, Daniel Gete) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: Did You Hear About Mimi Green? #2 (Connor Goldsmith, Josh Cornillon) Dave: Operation: Iron Coffin #1 (Kenny Porter, Tyrell Cannon) TOP BOO KS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: Minotaur #1 (Si Spurrier, Michael Dowling) Dave: Sonic the Hedgehog x Godzilla #1 (Nick Marino, Jack Lawrence) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: A Mischief of Magpies #1 ( Bilquis Evely ) Chris: Nightwing #140 ( Jorge Fornes Main ) Interview: Interview: Scott Snyder 1. Manga storytelling influence Joe Kelly recently mentioned how manga like One Piece can devote entire chapters to a single action sequence, something that's harder to replicate in American comics because of page counts and production realities. Is manga storytelling an influence on your work, and do you find yourself thinking about how to capture that same sense of scale and rhythm within Western comics? 2. Marvel and DC I recently spoke with Josh Williamson about writing Iron Man, and it was fascinating hearing how he's consulting on DC projects while also becoming part of Marvel's plans. Seeing creators move more freely between publishers these days, does that ever make you want to jump back into Marvel for another major project? 3. Harley Quinn and Joker The revelation that Joker is Harley's father completely reframes both characters. What made that the right relationship for the Absolute Universe, and what storytelling opportunities does it create that couldn't exist with their traditional dynamic 4. Designing Gotham's monsters Body horror and transformation have become defining visual elements of Absolute Batman. What are your guiding principles when reinventing characters like Poison Ivy, Clayface, and others while still making them instantly recognizable? 8. Absolute Batman animated series You're serving as showrunner on the newly announced Absolute Batman animated series. How does that creative role differ from making comics, and what has surprised you most about translating this version of Batman to animation? 10. Court of Owls Finally, the Court of Owls has entered the picture. Without spoiling anything, what can readers expect from your take on one of the most important Batman concepts you've ever created?

Dave, Alex, and Chris are back for a mid-year review of the best comics of the year so far. Like any art, it's subjective as we pick our three favorite comics, biggest surprise, weirdest comic, best graphic novel, and more! Best comics of the year….SO FAR Alex : Pick 3 series: Is Ted Ok? (Dave Chisholm) Fireborn (Franklin Jonas, Curt Pires, Patrick Mulholland) Sai: Dimensional Rivals (Peach Momoko, et al.) Pick a graphic novel or collection : Pig Wife (Abbey Luck) Biggest Surprise of the Year : Poison Ivy being elected Mayor of Gotham (G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara) The "Please Never End" Award : The Power Fantasy - Kieron Gillan Caspar Wijngaard Weirdest Comic : The Eye Collector (GMB Chomichuk, Jonathan Ball), shoutout to High Strangeness #5 from Daniel Noah/Christian Ward Dave : Pick 3 series: Absolute Batman Infernal Hulk Escape Pick a graphic novel or collection: Memories of Giselle Biggest Surprise of the Year: Absolute Green Arrow The "Please Never End" Award: Exquisite Corpses Weirdest Comic: Red Roots Chris : Pick 3 series : The Deadman Lobo White Sky Pick a graphic novel or collection : Gigs Biggest Surprise of the Year : Death Fight Forever The "Please Never End" Award : Toxic Avenger Comics Weirdest Comic : The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, writer Mark Russell joins the show to discuss The Forgotten Divine , his new graphic novel from Ahoy Comics, now available to back via Kickstarter . Russell digs into the inspirations behind the story, why he wanted to explore the appeal of cults from the inside out, and how the project ultimately became one of his most personal works yet. We also discuss creativity as a form of belief, and the challenges of telling a complete story in one sitting. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS 'Absolute Batman' is getting an animated series, with Scott Snyder serving as showrunner Marvel clears up confusion over 'Amazing Spider-Man' #1000's two main covers 'Daredevil' is a hit, gets #1-3 reprints with new 'Daredevil: Born Again' variant covers Eliot Rahal and Mattia Monaco launch buddy-crime comic 'Crimes Against Nature' at Image Who is Fox Mask Killer? New Exquisite Corpses series promises answers 'That Texas Blood' returns with new story arc 'Hell Comes to Allison Ranch' this September IDW Dark announces horror mystery 'You'll Never Leave This Place Alive' for October Vault announces time-traveling cryptid adventure ‘Project Perseus’ launching this September EXCLUSIVE: David Dastmalchian's 'The Accessories' gives horror's forgotten sidekicks their own story Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Escape #8 (Rick Remender, Daniel Acuna) Venom #259 (Al Ewing, Carlos Gomez) Alex :​​ Is Ted OK? #5 (Dave Chisholm) Captain America #12 (Zdarsky, Schiti) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: In Your Skin #3 (Aditya Bidikar) Dave: The Eye Collector #1 (Jonathan Ball, GMB Chomichuk) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 (Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez) Dave: What If...? Secret Wars #1 (Alex Paknadel, CAFU) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Iron Man #7 (1:25 Dave Rapoza Variant) Alex: The Deadman #2 (Alex Eckman-Lawn variant) & The Mortal Thor #12 (Alex Ross) Interview : Mark Russell - The Forgotten Divine Ahoy Kickstarter Link . The Forgotten Divine digs into why people are drawn to cults and belief systems. What was the starting point for you, and what did you want to understand or say about that impulse? Rodney feels like a very grounded, human entry point into a story that quickly spirals into something much bigger. How did you approach building him so readers stay with him even as things get more extreme? There’s a real balance here between empathy and critique. You can understand why these characters believe what they do, even as things go off the rails. How do you walk that line without judging them or letting them off the hook? The preview pages have some striking bits of philosophy, like “the secret to happiness is low expectations.” How do those ideas emerge for you, and are they things you believe or more reflections of the characters’ mindset? The idea that “where you are is who you are” feels especially loaded, almost like a commentary on class, fate, and identity. Was that always baked into the concept, or did it grow as you developed the story? When we glimpse the alien world, it feels almost overwhelming, with that massive eye and the intense color palette. What were your conversations like with Russ Braun in shaping how that world should feel versus how the “real” world reads? You’ve done a lot of satire, but this feels like it leans harder into psychological and emotional territory. Did this project push you in new directions as a writer? AHOY has built a reputation on smart, risk-taking books, and this is their first Kickstarter. How does that format change how you think about the book, if at all? The story seems to ask whether there’s something real behind the visions or if belief itself is the point. How important was it to keep that tension alive rather than give clear answers? Fun one to close: If you started having Rodney’s dreams tonight, what’s the first sign you’d think, “Okay, I might actually be starting a cult”?

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS DC Solicitations September 2026 ‘Batman: Bad Seeds’ livestream reveals new titles, solicitations, and Jim Lee art giveaway DC announces new Legion of Super-Heroes , Teen Titans, and Doom Patrol ongoing series DC reveals 'The Wonder War' Act 2 with 'Wonder Woman' #37 and Matriarch special DC unveils spring 2027 graphic novels and launches Compact Comics Adventures line Wes Craig returns Superman to his Golden Age roots in new DC Black Label series Marvel's Midnight Universe gets unified launch as all three titles arrive on October 7, and only those titles Marvel Solicits for September 2026 The Muppets make history in first ever Marvel Comics anniversary one-shot Marvel teases Deadpool vs. Punisher project with cryptic announcement Bullseye battles Nova, Star-Lord, and Jack of Hearts in 'Marvel Gold' '76 #1 Steve Orlando's 'Gambit: Gone' brings two Remy LeBeaus together this September Doctor Doom wages war on Hell in Marvel's 50-page splash-page epic Black Panther and Namor journey into Hell in new 'Doomed!' limited series Dan Panosian writes and draws 'Wolverine: Paradise' for Marvel this October 2026 Marvel's X-Men battle Xenomorphs in new 'Alien vs. X-Men' crossover Marvel launches 'Infernal Hulk vs. Wolverine' ahead of Hulk War event Marvel reveals new 'Avengers #1' covers and True Believers Blind Bag exclusives Marvel reveals new 'Amazing Spider-Man' #1000 covers and story details USA TODAY PLAY partners with Marvel for exclusive weekly Spider-Man comic series Patrick Horvath invites top creators into Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees for Halloween special IDW Dark announces new Smile and A Quiet Place comic book series Todd McFarlane's original 1977 Spawn design finally arrives in 'Spawn 77' Guillem March returns with creator-owned romantic thriller ' Ofiusa ' this September Steve Skroce launches superhero meta-adventure Tales of Wonder at Skybound this September Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen launch dark fantasy series 'Crowbound' this September Christian Ward and Sami Kivelä explore the end of the world in Oni Press' new sci-fi thriller 'The Forever Home' Dark Horse announces 'Minor Threats: Welcome to Twilight—Villains and Vignettes' anthology series Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Absolute Green Arrow #2 (Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque) Memories of Giselle #1 (Katia Vecchio) Chris :​​ Gigs (Mark Mosedale, Si Smith) Lobo #4 (Skottie Young and Jorge Corona) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: Gigs (Mark Mosedale, Si Smith) Dave: Absolute Batman #21 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: Narco #4 (Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard) Dave: Blüdwire #1 ( Paul Allor, Ermitis Blanco ) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Superman #39 ( Dan Mora ) & Doomquest #2 ( Alex Ross ) Chris: Universal Monsters: Blood of the Wolf Man #1 ( Maria Wolf variant ) Interview : Joshua Williamson Creator Spotlight, plus we talk Iron Man, Wolf Man, Superman, and more! Career / Process You broke in around 2006, and you’re now pushing close to two decades in comics. How has your approach to storytelling changed from those early years to now? You’ve been at this for nearly 20 years at this point. What’s something you understand about comics today that you wish you knew when you started? You’re writing across multiple major franchises right now. How do you shift your voice between something like Superman, Iron Man, and G.I. Joe? On top of all this, you wrote a story in Creepshow Vol. 4 #5 titled Artificial Ignorance. Was that a story you had in a drawer, or…how did that come to be? Superman / Superboy-Prime Superboy-Prime has always been a volatile character, but here he feels almost desperate to prove himself. How do you balance his edge with making him someone readers want to follow? With Manchester Black entering the picture, what excites you about putting those two characters in conflict specifically? Any Superman elements/tropes you want to touch? Iron Man You’ve said Tony Stark is one of your favorite characters. What’s something about Tony that you feel hasn’t been explored enough in past runs? Madame Masque and A.I.M. feel like they’re operating at a higher level here. What makes them the right villains for this phase of the story? Universal Monsters: Blood of the Wolf Man Do you have a favorite Universal Monsters adaptation? Do you have any favorite werewolf stories? This feels like a very grounded, almost psychological take on the Wolf Man. What drew you to that angle? Is the when of this story important to the overall experience? What makes the Wolf Man a character worth revisiting right now? Rapid Fire Question Round (Stolen from Stephen Colbert so that a guest is “known”): Best sandwich? What's one thing you own that you really should throw out? Apples or oranges? What is the scariest animal? Have you ever asked someone for their autograph? What do you think happens when we die? Favorite action movie? Favorite smell? Least favorite smell? Flat or sparkling? Most used app on your phone? If you could have dinner with any three characters you’ve written before, who would they be and why? You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life: what is it? Depeche Describe the rest of your life in 5 words?

When Skybound announced M.A.S.K. would be joining the Energon Universe, fans immediately had questions. How would Matt Trakker and Miles Mayhem fit alongside Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Void Rivals? Out this week, we sat down with writer Dan Watters and artist Pye Parr to discuss updating the classic property, designing its iconic vehicles, and why M.A.S.K. offers a unique perspective within the larger Energon Universe. We're running the full uncut interview, featuring even more discussion on cool cars, character dynamics, action sequences, and what readers can expect from the series moving forward. Plus, we recap the biggest comics news of the week, share our favorite new releases, and much more. NEWS Absolute Catwoman #1 heads back to press as DC announces 'Absolute Cassandra Cain' one-shot MAD celebrates 600 issues with new material, classic favorites, and Sergio Aragonés cover Batman, Superman, and "Weird Al" Yankovic unite for DC's strangest team-up yet Marvel launches 'Amazing Venom' starring Boomerang's symbiote-powered comeback Marvel returns to the Mangaverse with five-part 25th anniversary event this September Marvel Zombies returns this September with Punisher leading a desperate fight for survival Spider-Woman's 50th anniversary special launches a darker new chapter for Jessica Drew The Rolling Stones team up with Marvel for exclusive ‘Foreign Tongues’ vinyl collector series David Colton's growing power takes center stage in new look at 'Avengers: Armageddon' #4 and 'Cap' Dark Horse launches new oversized Marvel Black & White line with Barry Windsor-Smith's landmark Weapon X Daniel Warren Johnson's 'Beta Ray Bill' gets oversized Artist's Edition in 2027 ROM joins the Energon Universe in surprise comic hidden inside 'M.A.S.K.' #1 blind bags Mike Mignola returns to Hell with new two-issue Hellboy story alongside Cyrille Pomès Shredder gets extended ! Our Top Books of the Week: Dave: Skate Ali #1 (Sam Humphries, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Natacha Bustos) The Nice House by the Sea #10 (James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martinez Bueno) Chris:​​ Tigress Island #4 (Patrick Kindlon, EPHK) M.A.S.K. #1 (Dan Watters, Pye Parr) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: D’Orc #5 (Brett Bean) Dave: Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past #1 (Kevin Smith, Giuseppe Camuncoli) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: Concrete: Stars Over Sand #1 (Paul Chadwick) Dave: The Amazing Spider-Man #31 (Joe Kelly, Patrick Gleason) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: X-Men United #4 (Kris Anka Cover) Chris: Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #2 ( Phil Jimenez and Alex Sinclair Main ) Dan Watters Pye Parr - MASK #1 out June 10th M.A.S.K. has always had a unique place in Hasbro history, sitting somewhere between G.I. Joe, Transformers, and its own thing. What aspects of the original property were most important to preserve, and where did you see opportunities to reinvent it for the Energon Universe? Matt Trakker's introduction is fascinating because he's being hunted by the military, yet it quickly becomes clear he wants to be captured. Why was that the right way to introduce him, and what does it reveal about who he is in this version of M.A.S.K.? Miles Mayhem comes across as both calculating and completely unhinged. His fear of Transformers and extraterrestrial threats gives him a very different motivation than a typical villain. What interested you about making him someone who might see himself as humanity's last line of defense? One of the most exciting ideas in M.A.S.K. has always been vehicles transforming into weapons and armor systems. Pye, what was the challenge of updating those iconic transformations for modern audiences while still capturing the toyetic fun fans expect? Dan, after writing Destro, what was appealing about tackling another corner of the Energon Universe? Did your experience with Destro help shape how you approached M.A.S.K., or did you want this book to have a completely different flavor? The first issue hints at a larger arms race involving technology and weapons that may not even originate on Earth. How much of M.A.S.K. is a spy thriller versus a science-fiction story, and where does it fit tonally alongside Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Void Rivals? Bruce Sato and Gloria Baker are positioned as key new recruits. What qualities do they bring to M.A.S.K. that complement or challenge Matt Trakker's leadership style? The original M.A.S.K. comic debuted in 1987 and had a very different view of global threats and military organizations. Were there any specific elements from that era that you deliberately updated to reflect modern anxieties and geopolitics? Fun question: If you could each claim one M.A.S.K. vehicle and mask from the entire franchise to use in real life for a week, which would you pick and what completely irresponsible thing would you do with it?

Welcome to AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 382! This week, we're joined by Absolute Catwoman writer Che Grayson to dive deep into one of DC's most exciting new series. We discuss reimagining Selina Kyle for the Absolute Universe, blending espionage and cyberpunk influences, exploring Catwoman's Afro-Cuban heritage, and what makes this version of Gotham's greatest thief unlike any that came before. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Dark Horse Comics agrees to voluntarily recognize Dark Horse Workers United Oni Press unveils first look at new Archie era, announces 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch' and 'Archie in Hell' DC GO! expands in 2026 with new originals, returning favorites, and the first crossover event Marvel reveals final chapters of 'Queen in Black' event as Venomworld emerges Marvel reveals post-'Avengers: Armageddon' era with mysterious 'Earth's Mightiest Survivors' teaser Marvel bri1ngs its second-ever True Believers Display Box to 'DNX' #1 Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto launch new 'Avengers' #1 this November NiFe WARS launches NFC-authenticated collectibles platform with blind bags 'TMNT' #300 tops 200,000 orders as IDW prepares biggest Turtle story in years Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Billy Bat (Naoki Urasawa, Takashi Nagasaki) Spawn #376 (Matthew Rosenberg, Stephen Segovia) Alex :​​ IM CHEATING: The End Times #7 (Benjamin Percy, Stephen King) Only The Savage Are Left #1 (Zach Kaplan, Stefano Rafaelle) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: What If Uncanny X-Men (Gerry Duggan, Jan Bazaldua) Dave: Uncanny X-Men #29 (Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: The Nice House by the Sea #10 (Tynion, Álvaro Martínez Bueno) Dave: Tarzan Beyond #1 (Steve Orlando, Renato Guedes) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Daredevil #3 ( Alexander Lozano Cover ) Alex: X-Men #31 Alex Ross Marvel Dimensions variant Interview: Che Grayson - Absolute Catwoman - Out June 10th Absolute Catwoman hits the ground running with a fast pace and a globe-trotting setup. What was your approach to making this version of Selina feel immediately distinct from page one? This Selina feels very self-made, with high-tech gear and a life she’s built outside Gotham. What interested you about exploring her at that stage in her life? The Absolute Universe already introduced Selina in Absolute Batman . How did you approach taking an established version of the character and expanding her into her own series? Speaking of collaboration, how do you and Scott split the writing duties? Are you breaking story together, or does one of you take the lead in certain areas? Bengal’s art really sells the motion and the tech, especially in action scenes. How closely are you working with him in terms of visual storytelling, and were there any sequences you were especially excited to see him bring to life? The Calicos are a really intriguing addition, with that more classic Catwoman-inspired look. What can you tease about their role in Selina’s past and how they shape who she is now? This version of Selina has some bold new elements, including her enhanced gear and abilities. Without spoiling too much, how far are you planning to push what Catwoman can be in the Absolute Universe?

On this week's AIPT Comics Podcast, we're joined by writer Zack Kaplan to talk about two ambitious new projects that tap into some of today's biggest anxieties. First up is Only the Savage Are Left, Kaplan's new post-apocalyptic series with Stefano Raffaele, which imagines a world overrun by a virus that transforms people into monsters. During the conversation, Kaplan digs into the moral dilemmas at the heart of the series, the challenge of creating a new kind of monster apocalypse, and why the story's central romance is just as important as its horror. We also discuss The Smart Division, his upcoming AI-driven crime thriller with John Pearson, exploring how rapidly advancing technology, generational divides, and questions about institutional trust shaped the book's premise. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Stan Lee returns through AI as ElevenLabs launches voice, image, and music partnership Money Shot is getting its wildest crossover yet with Patton Oswalt returning for ‘The F* Offs’ #1* Get Hype: Marvel’s terrifying new Midnight Universe gets 'Midnight X-Men' #1 preview Book of Boba Fett series announced Dark Horse employees announce unionization effort with CWA Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Doomquest #1 (Ryan North, Francesco Mobili) Infernal Hulk #7 (Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Adam Gorham) Alex :​​ Absolute Wonder Woman #20 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman) Did You Hear About Mimi Greene? (Connor Goldsmith, Josh Cornillon) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: The Infernal Hulk #7 (PKJ, Adam Gorham) Dave: Escape #7 (Daniel Acuna, Rick Remender) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: Uncanny X-Men #29 (Wilson, Vecchio) & What If...? Uncanny X-Men #1 (Gerry Dugan, Jan Bazaldua) Dave: Deadman #1 (Martin Morazzo, W. Maxwell Prince) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: The Twilight Zone #7 (Juni Ba connecting cover) Alex: Poison Ivy #45 Cover B Noobovich Variant Interview : Zach Kaplan (art by Stefano Raffaele) talks Only the Savage Are Left (Out June 3) The Smart Division out August 5, FOC Jun 29th Only the Savage Are Left presents a world where survival itself requires violence. What was the starting point for the virus concept, and how did you land on the idea that the “cure” is tied to killing another infected person? There’s an early suggestion in the book that civilization didn’t collapse because people failed to work together, but because they turned on each other. How much of this story is meant to reflect real-world anxieties about how fragile social order really is? You’ve described the idea that “civilized society is a failed experiment.” How does that philosophy shape Ryder’s journey, especially as someone who begins the story outside that cycle of violence? Ryder starts off relatively sheltered, living behind a wall and seemingly untouched by the infection. What interested you about telling a story through a character who hasn’t yet been forced to compromise his morality? The relationship that pulls Ryder out into the world feels central to the emotional core of the book. How did you approach balancing that love story with the brutality of the setting? Without spoiling too much, how does the virus actually work on a thematic level? Is it purely biological, or is it also meant to represent something more psychological or societal? As Ryder encounters other survivors and “monster-killers,” how do you approach defining who the real monsters are in this world? Shifting to The Smart Division , the idea of an AI being involved in a “perfect murder” is chillingly plausible. What kind of real-world advancements in AI or predictive tech inspired this story? The pairing of a Gen-Z savant and a veteran FBI agent feels like a classic odd-couple dynamic. What makes that contrast especially interesting in a story about artificial intelligence and crime? Fun one: if you had to survive in the world of Only the Savage Are Left , what’s your strategy in the first 24 hours… and are you making it out alive?

On this week’s AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re joined by writer Kenny Porter and artist Tyrell Cannon to talk all things Operation: Iron Coffin , the wild new IDW Dark series that drops Dracula onto a Nazi war train in one of the year’s coolest high-concept comics. During the interview, the duo digs into balancing horror and action, Dracula’s internal struggle, the grindhouse inspirations behind the violence, and how the book evolved into a monster-filled gauntlet packed with occult science, anime influences, and brutal fight choreography. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Marvel shakes up leadership as Brad Winderbaum takes over comics and franchise direction Marvel Comics August 2026 solicitations Marvel reveals ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #1000 as biggest issue in series history Marvel resurrects Indiana Jones’ wildest comic adventures in deluxe hardcover reprints Marvel launches ‘Marvel Tōkon: First Strike’ #1 comic and variants for new fighting game 'Batman: Bad Seeds' turns Gotham into a nightmare in DC’s next major crossover DC Solicitations August 2026 DC announces ‘Batman & Robin: Dynamic Duos’ as Waid and Samnee return for new maxiseries Static joins the Titans as DC sets up a massive new Amazon storyline EC Comics returns with 'Shellshock' #1, a new war anthology from Oni Press launching August 2026 ‘Star Trek’ celebrates 60 years with massive all-star anthology special this September Iman Vellani makes creator-owned comics debut with bold noir-inspired ‘Chachu’ at Image Mike Mignola and Michael Avon Oeming launch new Hellboy Universe series ‘Ghost of a Ghost’ Dark Horse shuts down TFAW stores as major company shake-up expands into games and entertainment New Dark Horse noir 'The Big Shakedown' set in earthquake-decimated Los Angeles Tom King and Gabriel Hernández Walta reteam for 'Six of Us' Our Top Books of the Week: Dave: Absolute Green Arrow #1 (Pornsak Pitcheshot, Raphael Albuquerque) Alias: Red Band #3 (Sam Humphries, Geraldo Borges) Alex:​​ Odin #1 (James Tynion IV, Marguerite Bennett, Letizia Cadonici) Of the Earth #1 (Chris Condon, Andrew Edrich, Charlie Adlard) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: Sorcerer Supreme #6 (Bernard Chang) Dave: Sai: Dimensional Rivals #5 (Peach Momoko and more) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: Exquisite Corpses #13 (Tynion, Walsh), Fireborn #2 (Curt Pires, Timmy Heague, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland) Dave: Doomquest #1 (Ryan North, Francesco Mobili) and Red Roots #2 (Lorenzo De Felici) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 ( Werther Dell'Edera Card Stock Cover ) Alex: Wiccan & Hulkling: Raid of Ultron #1 Interview - Kenny Porter, Tyrell Cannon - Operation: Iron Coffin - July 8th - FOC June 1 Asking for an elevator pitch usually feels a bit cliche as an interviewer, but then Operation: Iron Coffin feels like it deserves it since it kind of has the perfect tight setup, care to share one? Earlier this year you mentioned to Chris Coplan Dracula isn’t really a hero here, even if he’s the protagonist. How important was it to frame this as a redemption story without ever sanding off the uglier truths about who Dracula is and what he’s done? Tyrell, you talked before about Dracula wrestling with the cost of his immortality and violence. Visually, how do you show that internal conflict in a character who often presents himself as cold, confident, and almost unstoppable? The first issue moves at a breakneck pace, but there are key flashbacks and supernatural moments that hint at something deeper under the grindhouse chaos. Kenny, how did you approach layering emotional depth into something that’s also designed to feel like an adrenaline-fueled action movie? The Nazi train setup creates this perfect “one nightmare after another” structure where every car can introduce a new horror. Was the book always designed like a deadly gauntlet, or did the train concept evolve as you built the story? There’s a fascinating tension between nature and science in the issue, especially with Dracula as this ancient evil crashing into engineered horrors and wartime experimentation. Was that thematic contrast something you wanted front and center from the beginning? Tyrell, one thing I loved was how physically dominant Dracula feels. He’s ripping people apart, shrugging off attacks, and moving through scenes like a slasher villain unleashed. What were the biggest influences behind the choreography and sheer brutality of the action sequences? Hazel and Ivy immediately make a strong impression, especially because they seem to understand Dracula in ways others don’t. What can you tease about their dynamic with him and why they’re such dangerous opponents specifically for this version of Dracula? Kenny, the issue somehow makes Dracula sympathetic without asking readers to forget he’s a monster. Were there any versions of Dracula in film, literature, or comics that influenced your take, or did you intentionally try to move away from previous interpretations? Fun/silly question: if your Dracula had a playlist blasting while he fought his way through the Nazi train, what songs or bands would absolutely be on it? Fun/silly question to cap things off: Dracula has now fought through a Nazi train like the star of the wildest action movie never made. If you could drop your version of Dracula into any other movie genre or setting next, where would you send him?

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Marvel to launch Midnight Universe August 2026 turning heroes into nightmares Marvel’s reveals DNX 'X-Men' event details for August 2026 Jubilee and Wolverine uncover the 'Tomb of Apocalypse' in new 2026 Marvel series Marvel sheds light on August 2026 'What If...?' titles Image announces "Summer of Youngblood" in a road to 100 DC announces 'Next Level One Shot' #1 with Deadshot leading major new storyline Popular comics piracy site disappears from the internet, sparking piracy debate among comic fans Netflix developing ‘Barbaric’ TV series based on Vault fantasy hit by Michael Moreci and Nathan Gooden 2026 Eisner Awards nominations announced with DC leading Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Destination Kill #1 (Joe Palmer) Innards #1 (Rob Guillory, Sam Lotfi) Alex :​​ Absolute Batman #20 (Snyder, Dragotta) Hidden Springs #1 (Rob Williams, Nil Vendrell Pallach) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: Uncanny X-Men #28 (Simone, Vecchio) Dave: Hidden Springs #1 (Rob Williams, Nil Vendrell Pallach) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: Absolute Green Arrow #1 (Pichetshote & Albuquerque) Dave: Ultimate Impact: Reborn #1 (Chris Condon, Stefano Caselli) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Batman / Superman: World's Finest #51 (Dan Mora Cover) Alex: Odin #1 variants (Ward & Simmonds) Interview: Chris Condon (with Andrew Ehrich) - Charlie Adlard - of the earth - May 20 out 1. Opening hook / origin Chris, you’ve said that roadside coyote scene was the first thing you wrote, even before you knew the full story. What was it about that moment that felt like the right entry point into this world? 2. Tone and influences You’re blending eco-horror and neo-noir in a really striking way here. What’s each of your relationship to those genres—are there specific books or films that shaped how you approached them, or personal favorites that were on your mind while making this? 3. The prose chapter choice That opening prose chapter from Oilfield Graveyard: Tales of the Wildcatter Myth is such a bold structural swing. What does prose allow you to do that comics alone wouldn’t, especially in setting up the mythology? 4. The Wildcatter as a presence The Wildcatter evolves from something almost abstract in issue #2 to something disturbingly human in issue #3. How did you approach revealing it piece by piece without losing the mystery? 5. Character and transformation The grandmother’s descent is genuinely unsettling. How did you think about her transformation in relation to the oil itself, is it possession, corruption, or something more symbolic? 6. Visual storytelling and horror lineage Charlie, you spent years defining the visual language of long-form horror on The Walking Dead. When you approach a story like this, how does that experience inform your instincts—and where do you find yourself deliberately doing something different? 7. Pacing and silent storytelling Charlie, one thing that really stands out is how much space you’re given for quiet, atmospheric sequences—scenes that breathe and flow without a lot of dialogue or overt plot movement. How do you approach pacing those moments visually so they still feel propulsive, and what do you think comics can do in those silent stretches that other mediums can’t? 8. Fun / silly question: If the Wildcatter had a playlist, what’s the one song that absolutely has to be on it?

On this week’s AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re joined by writer Rob Williams to talk all about Hidden Springs, his wild new series that blends retired Hollywood legends, a baby kaiju, and a desperate race against the military. It’s a fun, heartfelt conversation about building flawed characters, mixing comedy with tragedy, and why stories about second chances hit harder when everything’s on the line. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Marvel teases a terrifying new universe with ‘Midnight’ as the Ultimate Universe ends Marvel reveals August 2026 ‘Queen in Black’ covers as Al Ewing teases massive event scope Kevin Smith brings Spider-Man and Hulk together for a wild exorcism story Mary Jane gets 60th anniversary special one-shot for August 2026 Thor is gone and Marvel is celebrating issue # 800 with a very different hero Rick Remender and Steve Epting’s ‘ Hammerfist ’ starts turning heads after teaser drop ‘Assorted Crisis Events’ #8 gets Javier Pulido third printing cover 'Bug Wars' returns with 'The Coming of the Wardoom' in August 2026 Stjepan Šejić returns with 'Death Vigil' #1 from Image Comics and Top Cow this August DC’s Super-Family faces Zod in massive new crossover ‘Kingdom of Zod’ 'Witchblade/Vampirella' kicks off swap crossover similar to 'Superman/Spider-Man' Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Fantastic Four #10 (Ryan North, Humberto Ramos) Estuary #2 (David Andry & Tim Daniel, Maan House) Chris :​​ Royals #2 (Derek Kirk Kim, Jacob Perez) Daredevil #2 (Stephanie Phillips, Lee Garbett) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: MegaGhost Volume 2 #2 (Gabe Soria and Gideon Kendall) Dave: Absolute Superman #19 (Rafa Sandoval) Fantastic Four #10 (Ryan North, Humberto Ramos) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: Destination Kill #1 (Joe Palmer) Dave: Innards #1 (Rob Guillory and Sam Lotfi) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Absolute Batman #20 (Skottie Young) Chris: Bleeding Hearts #4 ( Juni Ba Variant ) Interview : Robbie Williams - Hidden Springs - Rend and Tear and Tooth and Claw - Feature film Game 1. Hidden Springs has such a wonderfully strange premise: retired Hollywood legends protecting a baby kaiju. Where did the initial spark for this story come from, and when did you realize this was the right mix of heart, comedy, and monster chaos? 2. The cast of characters is incredibly eclectic, from a rocker reminiscent of Ozzy Osbourne to a classic Hollywood beauty, a trailblazing female director, a stand-up comedian, and a career TV star. How did you approach building such different personalities and making them feel like a believable found family? 3. Nil Vendrell Pallach is handling the art. What did Nil bring to the project visually that made them the perfect collaborator for a story that moves between comedy, nostalgia, and kaiju action? 4. There’s something inherently funny about ageing celebrities being the only ones capable of protecting a world-ending monster. What interested you about pairing the idea of aging, fading fame, and second chances with something as huge and destructive as a kaiju? 5. With all these Hollywood types, I was reminded of Caccoon, about a group of old folks who encounter an alien eggs that give them youth, with your new series on the way do you think this the old person encountering sci-fi elements is an underused corner of fiction? 6. What made dark horse the right publisher for this? 7. You’ve written everything from Judge Dredd to Petrol Head. Where does Hidden Springs sit for you creatively? Does it tap into a different storytelling muscle compared to your other work? 8. (Fun question) Your heroes include a rocker, a comedian, a movie star, and a legendary beauty escorting a baby kaiju across the countryside. If you had to add one more retired celebrity archetype to the team, who would it be and what ridiculous skill would they bring to the kaiju babysitting mission?

Owner Floyd and manager Griffin join us to talk about their upcoming expansion into a second-floor space, how they’ve turned their shop into a true community hub, and what it actually takes to run a successful comic store in 2026. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS Comics legend Gerry Conway passed away at 73 New series ' Regicide ' blends dracula and 'Berserk' for August 2026 release Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are back for the wildest noir yet with ' Unfinished Tales ' DC launches Building Bad Sweepstakes letting fans create a new Batman villain Marvel assembles Daredevil, Echo, and more for Disability Pride Month story Marvel pushes blind bags to the limit with 'DNX' #1 and ultra-rare surprise covers Marvel has revealed 'Avengers: Armageddon' #3 and 'Cap' #14, teasing a major team shakeup ahead New symbiote Symbie scores new one-shot 'It's Symbie' #1 Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Red Roots #1 (Lorenzo De Felici) Uncanny X-Men #27 (Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio) Chris :​​ Is Ted OK? #3 (Dave Chisholm) Wrestle Heist #5 (Kyle Starks) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Chris: Is Ted OK? #3 (Dave Chisholm) Dave: Swamp Thing 1989 #1 (Rick Veitch, Michael Zulli) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Chris: She-Spawn #1 (Gail Simone, Ig Guarra) Dave: If Destruction Be Our Lot #1 (Matthew Rosenberg, Andy MacDonald) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Daredevil #2 ( Bill Sienkiewicz Virgin Cover ) Chris: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1 ( David Aja Variant ) Interview : Final Boss Comic Shop, Floyd - Manager / Griffin - New Jersey 1. Expansion & Growth You’ve been a staple since 2007, and now you’re expanding. What made this the right moment to grow, and what does expansion look like for Final Boss? 2. The “Final Boss Family” Identity You refer to your community as the “Final Boss Family.” What does that mean in practice, and how have you intentionally built that culture over the years? 3. Competing with Bigger Markets You’re not in NYC, but your signings can rival shops in major hubs. What’s your approach to events that helps you punch above your weight? 4. The State of the Industry From your perspective behind the counter, what’s working in comics right now, and what challenges are you seeing for shops like yours? 5. Book Club & Community Engagement Your monthly book club is a big part of your identity. How does something like that translate into both community building and business sustainability? 6. Curating the Shelves With so many publishers and titles, how do you decide what to stock, and what kinds of books tend to resonate most with your customers? 7. Lessons from Nearly Two Decades Since opening in 2007, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about running a successful comic shop? 8. Looking Ahead With expansion on the horizon, what’s your vision for Final Boss over the next 3–5 years, and what do you hope never changes?

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we interview cartoonist Stephanie Stalvey, diving deep into her graphic memoir Everything in Color . In the conversation, Stalvey opens up about growing up in an evangelical household, unpacking purity culture, and how motherhood reshaped her understanding of faith and identity. It’s an honest, vulnerable discussion about turning lived experience into art, and why telling these stories can resonate far beyond one person’s life. NEWS Marvel Solicitations for July 2026 Miles Morales faces his most personal threat yet in new 'Miles Morales: Spider-Man' #1 Red Hulk takes over the Marvel Universe in 'Avengers: Armageddon' and the preview reveals just how bad it gets 'Fantastic Four' #15 sends the team spiraling through time for a wild 65th anniversary story Doctor Doom takes over 616 Day with Blind Bags, rare comics, and surprise sketch covers Godzilla teams with Knull to conquer the Marvel Multiverse in explosive finale in Toho/Marvel collab First look at Marvel’s Pride special as Ultron crashes Wiccan and Hulkling’s anniversary and new Pride covers are revealed Predator crashes the Planet of the Apes in Marvel’s wild new crossover you didn’t see coming 'Do A Powerbomb' returns to comic shops with 'Black and White' #1 Vault announces weird western ongoing series ‘Dead Acre: Black Badge’ Rob Liefeld expands 'Youngblood' with 'Badrock' solo series Dark Horse announces Adam Frankenstein origin one-shot set in the Chaos Universe DC heroes meet NHL icons in final “Secret Identity” card drop from Upper Deck ' Minotaur ' comic by Si Spurrier and Mike Dowling launches July 2026 from Ignition Press Our Top Books of the Week: Dave: Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity #1 (Jordan Morris, Joe Kelly, Pere Perez) Corpse Knight #1 (Michael Chaves, Matthew Roberts, Rico Renzi_ Alex:​​ Absolute Wonder Woman #19 (Thompson, Sherman) Sorcerer Supreme #5 (Orlando, Bernard Chang) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: Exquisite Corpses #12 (James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh) Dave: Wolverine #19 (Saladin Ahmed, Martín Coccolo) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: The Sacrificers #21 (Rick Remender, Max Fiumara) & Is Ted OK? #3 (Dave Chisholm) Dave: Swamp Thing 1989 #1 (Rick Veitch, Michael Zulli) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Feral #22 (Tony Fleecs & Trish Forstner Weapons Homage Cover) Alex: Wiccan: Witches’ Road #5 (Karen S. Darboe variant) Interview : Stephanie Stalvey, EVERYTHING IN COLOR out 04/28/2026 Your book explores growing up in an evangelical community where love and obedience were deeply intertwined. When you look back now, how do you understand that relationship differently? One of the most striking ideas in the book is the notion that “our bodies belong to the authority figure.” How did unpacking that belief shape the emotional core of this memoir? Everything in Color is deeply personal, especially in how it portrays your relationship with your husband and your child. What was it like sharing drafts with your husband as you were creating the book? Your journey raises big questions about faith, doubt, and identity. Did you find yourself arriving at answers while making the book, or is it more about learning to live with the questions? The book touches on major shared moments like 9/11 and the COVID lockdown. How did anchoring your personal story to these larger events help shape the narrative? There’s a powerful shift in the book where love, especially through motherhood, reframes everything as sacred. When did that realization first begin to take hold for you? This is a massive and ambitious work. Was it always envisioned at this scale, and how long did it take you to bring it to life? The title Everything in Color feels like a mission statement for the book. At what point did you know that was the right way to describe this journey? The artwork blends intimacy with emotional weight throughout. How did you approach pairing your visual storytelling with such vulnerable subject matter?

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’ve got a full-length interview with Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque all about Absolute Green Arrow , their bold new take that turns Oliver Queen into something far more dangerous. It’s a deep dive into the horror influences, the mystery at the heart of the story, and how the duo is reshaping one of DC’s most iconic heroes. Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! NEWS ‘DNX’ pits X-Men and Fantastic Four against a virus in 5-issue event, with new blind bags revealed Marvel’s 'Queen in Black' gets new blind bag covers and bizarre Venomworld Bouncers Rocket Raccoon gets 50th anniversary special 'Rocket Rewind' #1 for July Marvel adds even more Doctor Doom to release slate with 'Challenges of Doom' starting July 2026 Spider-Man and Punisher’s first team-up goes off the rails in new series in time for 'Brand New Day' Marvel layoffs ! Dark Horse brings Marvel Comics villains into focus with new 'Most Villainous' collections Dark Horse announced even more Marvel Comics horror collections: The Best of Marvel's Vampire Tales Mike Mignola returns to Hellboy Universe with 'The Foundry: In Peril on the Seas' #1 this August Ring Magazine and Dark Horse launch boxing comic series 'The Man Who Beat The Man' by Gail Simone DC Comics solicits July 2026 A hidden traitor and a war from the deep threaten to tear ‘Dark Knights of Steel II’ apart Lono returns as '100 Bullets' enters its most dangerous chapter yet with 'The US of Anger' #1 DC releases even more 'Absolute Batman' #19 covers with official Absolute Robin designs First look: DC reveals The Art of Supergirl book bridging comics and the upcoming film DC unveils noir horror 'Clayface: Celebrity Dirt' focused on Basil Karlo out July 98th Meet the New Jersey killer who was supposed to be a star in ‘Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy’ #1 Dynamite sets July 22th for 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' return Our Top Books of the Week: Dave : Absolute Batman #19 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta) Alias: Red Band #2 (Sam Humphries, Geraldo Borges) Alex :​​ Fireborn #1 (Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland) The Thing on the Doorstep (Simon Birks, Willi Roberts) Standout KAPOW moment of the week: Alex: Magik & Colossus (Ashley Allen, German Peralta) Dave: Lobo #2 (Jorge Corona, Skottie Young) TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK Alex: In Your Skin #1 (Aditya Bidikar, SOM) & Absolute WW #19 (Thompson, Sherman) Dave: The Amazing Spider-Man #27 (Joe Kelly and Friends) & Spider-Man/Superman #1 (Various) JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. Dave: Marc Spector: Moon Knight #3 (Ryan Stegman) Alex: Sorcerer Supreme #5 1:25 Mingyi Gan Variant Interview : PORNSAK PICHETSHOTE and RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE - Out May 20 - (FOC April 27) For Pornsak Pichetshote: This book leans hard into urban horror and murder mystery. What drew you to reimagining Green Arrow through that lens rather than a more traditional superhero approach? For Rafael Albuquerque: The visuals carry a lot of mood and unease. How did you approach designing a version of this world that feels grounded but still heightened enough for horror? Trick arrows, yes or no? For Pornsak: Dinah Lance is effectively our entry point into this mystery. What made her the right character to lead the story instead of Oliver himself? For Rafael: This series deals with violence in a more unsettling, investigative way. How do you balance making those moments impactful without overwhelming the reader? For Pornsak: The suspect list of archers is a clever way to tap into DC history. How did you decide which characters to include, and how do you make each feel distinct within the mystery? For both: This series is arriving after several Absolute titles have already established the tone and expectations of the line. How did you think about fitting into that larger world while still carving out your own identity? For Pornsak: There’s a question at the heart of issue #2 about whether the killer is something to stop or understand. How important is moral ambiguity to this version of Green Arrow? For Rafael: Oliver Queen’s presence looms large even in death. How did you approach visual storytelling around a character who is central but not always physically there? Fun question for both: If you had to survive in this world and pick one DC archer to have your back, who are you choosing… and who are you absolutely avoiding?