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

1. Comics legend Gerry Conway passed away at 73
2. New series 'Regicide' blends dracula and 'Berserk' for August 2026 release
3. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are back for the wildest noir yet with 'Unfinished Tales'
4. DC launches Building Bad Sweepstakes letting fans create a new Batman villain
5. Marvel assembles Daredevil, Echo, and more for Disability Pride Month story
6. Marvel pushes blind bags to the limit with 'DNX' #1 and ultra-rare surprise covers
7. Marvel has revealed 'Avengers: Armageddon' #3 and 'Cap' #14, teasing a major team shakeup ahead
8. New symbiote Symbie scores new one-shot 'It's Symbie' #1

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Red Roots #1 (Lorenzo De Felici)
2. Uncanny X-Men #27 (Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio)

Chris:​​

1. Is Ted OK? #3 (Dave Chisholm)
2. 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

1. Marvel Solicitations for July 2026
   1. Miles Morales faces his most personal threat yet in new 'Miles Morales: Spider-Man' #1
   2. Red Hulk takes over the Marvel Universe in 'Avengers: Armageddon' and the preview reveals just how bad it gets
   3. 'Fantastic Four' #15 sends the team spiraling through time for a wild 65th anniversary story
   4. Doctor Doom takes over 616 Day with Blind Bags, rare comics, and surprise sketch covers
   5. Godzilla teams with Knull to conquer the Marvel Multiverse in explosive finale in Toho/Marvel collab
   6. First look at Marvel’s Pride special as Ultron crashes Wiccan and Hulkling’s anniversary and new Pride covers are revealed
   7. Predator crashes the Planet of the Apes in Marvel’s wild new crossover you didn’t see coming
2. 'Do A Powerbomb' returns to comic shops with 'Black and White' #1
3. Vault announces weird western ongoing series ‘Dead Acre: Black Badge’
4. Rob Liefeld expands 'Youngblood' with 'Badrock' solo series
5. Dark Horse announces Adam Frankenstein origin one-shot set in the Chaos Universe
6. DC heroes meet NHL icons in final “Secret Identity” card drop from Upper Deck
7. 'Minotaur' comic by Si Spurrier and Mike Dowling launches July 2026 from Ignition Press

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity #1 (Jordan Morris, Joe Kelly, Pere Perez)
2. Corpse Knight #1 (Michael Chaves, Matthew Roberts, Rico Renzi_

Alex:​​

1. Absolute Wonder Woman #19 (Thompson, Sherman)
2. 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

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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?
8. 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?
9. 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

1. ‘DNX’ pits X-Men and Fantastic Four against a virus in 5-issue event, with new blind bags revealed
2. Marvel’s 'Queen in Black' gets new blind bag covers and bizarre Venomworld Bouncers
3. Rocket Raccoon gets 50th anniversary special 'Rocket Rewind' #1 for July
4. Marvel adds even more Doctor Doom to release slate with 'Challenges of Doom' starting July 2026
5. Spider-Man and Punisher’s first team-up goes off the rails in new series in time for 'Brand New Day'
6. Marvel layoffs!
7. Dark Horse brings Marvel Comics villains into focus with new 'Most Villainous' collections
8. Dark Horse announced even more Marvel Comics horror collections: The Best of Marvel's Vampire Tales
9. Mike Mignola returns to Hellboy Universe with 'The Foundry: In Peril on the Seas' #1 this August
10. Ring Magazine and Dark Horse launch boxing comic series 'The Man Who Beat The Man' by Gail Simone
11. DC Comics solicits July 2026
    1. A hidden traitor and a war from the deep threaten to tear ‘Dark Knights of Steel II’ apart
    2. Lono returns as '100 Bullets' enters its most dangerous chapter yet with 'The US of Anger' #1
    3. DC releases even more 'Absolute Batman' #19 covers with official Absolute Robin designs
    4. First look: DC reveals The Art of Supergirl book bridging comics and the upcoming film
    5. DC unveils noir horror 'Clayface: Celebrity Dirt' focused on Basil Karlo out July 98th
12. Meet the New Jersey killer who was supposed to be a star in ‘Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy’ #1
13. Dynamite sets July 22th for 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' return

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Absolute Batman #19 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)
2. Alias: Red Band #2 (Sam Humphries, Geraldo Borges)

Alex:​​

1. Fireborn #1 (Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland)
2. 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) 

1. 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?
2. 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?
3. Trick arrows, yes or no?
4. 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?
5. 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?
6. 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?
7. 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?
8. 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?
9. 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?
10. 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?

Episode 374 of the AIPT Comics podcast puts a major spotlight on a surprising and passionate new voice in comics: Franklin Jonas. Best known for his music career, Jonas joins the show to talk about co-writing Fireborn within the Lost Fantasy universe, offering a candid look at how a lifelong love of comics turned into a full-fledged creative pursuit.

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

1. Marvel Comics releases all 'Queen in Black' solicits for titles out July 2026
   1. Queen in Black grows with 'Venom Unchained' miniseries
   2. Marvel Comics’ ‘Queen in Black’ Blind Bag gets bigger with ‘True Believers Display Boxes’
2. Marvel teases a new mystery hero who may outpower Red Hulk in ‘Avengers: Armageddon’
3. Marvel Comics teases a cryptic new threat: DNX
4. Marvel’s What If…? returns with multiverse twists for its 50th anniversary
5. Batman vs. FIVE Robins?! 'Absolute Batman' #20 cover reveal changes everything
6. Aquaman and Jeff team up now available on Marvel Unlimited
7. DC and Marvel reveal 'Supergirl/Blade' digital crossover launching April 2026
8. Top 50 March sales is live

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Everyone Loves a Jewel Thief #1 (Tim Seeley, Aaron Campbell)
2. Uncanny X-Men #26 (Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio)

Chris:​​

1. Punk'n Heads (Dave Baker and Nicole Goux)
2. Bleeding Hearts #3 (Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Everyone Loves a Jewel Thief #1 (Tim Seeley, Aaron Campbell)

Dave: Amazing Spider-Man #26 (Joe Kelly, Francesco Manna)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Chris: Tigress Island #2 (Patrick Kindlon, EPHK)
• Dave: Super Creepshow #2 (info)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Lobo #2 (Lee Bermejo)
• Chris: Narco #2 (Daniel Hillyard and Dave Stewart)

Interview: Franklin Jonas - Out April 15, FOC March 23rd - Artist: h with Curt Pires co-writing

1. You’re stepping into Curt Pires’ Lost Fantasy world—what excited you most about co-writing in an established universe, and how did you find your voice within it?
2. As someone who works in music, where rhythm, pacing, and emotion are everything, did that background influence how you approached writing Fireborn—especially in terms of momentum, dialogue, or how scenes “flow” on the page?
3. Aaron Hillburg is introduced as a “rich-kid failson,” which is such a loaded archetype—what made him the right entry point for a story that quickly becomes this massive, magical chase?
4. The dragon egg bonding to Aaron is such a striking image—what did you want that relationship to represent, both visually and emotionally, as the series unfolds?
5. Patrick Mulholland’s art brings a kinetic, almost explosive energy to the concept—how closely did you collaborate on visual storytelling, especially with something as wild as a floating dragon egg?
6. 11:10 Dark Reign war machine 11:45 Fear Itself
7. This feels like a story about inheritance in more ways than one—family, power, responsibility—what themes were most important for you to explore through Aaron’s journey?
8. For readers who haven’t touched Lost Fantasy before, how accessible is Fireborn as a jumping-on point, and what kind of experience were you aiming to deliver in issue #1?
9. If Aaron had to survive in New York for 24 hours before the egg bonded to him, what’s the most “failson” decision he’d make that would somehow make everything worse?

This week’s spotlight interview is with Timmy Heague, co-writer of Lost Fantasy #9, and is especially revealing, not just because of the wild hooks (Nazi dinosaurs, bazooka swords, monster hunting), but because of the unique vantage point he brings as both a writer and a longtime comic shop owner. That dual perspective shapes everything, from how he thinks about audience expectations to how stories are built to connect on the shelf.

This interview goes far beyond Lost Fantasy #9. Timmy Heague digs into his unlikely path from comic shop owner to working writer, how collaborations with Curt Pires and Franklin Jonas actually function behind the scenes, and why being on the retail front lines gives him a sharper read on what fans want than most creators. You’ll also hear about the realities of breaking in, the push and pull of co-writing, and the mentors who helped shape his voice. It’s part origin story, part industry insight, and a candid look at how comics really come together.

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

1. Hellfire Gala turns deadly: Marvel reveals a murder will change the X-Men forever
2. Marvel reveals new characters Sightseer and Mogul from ‘Reborn: Ultimate Impact’ series
3. 'Queen in Black' gets 3-part tie-in 'Defenders of Light and Dark' 
   1. And gets 2 one-shots
4. Marvel sneaks Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthall, and Frank Miller sketches in 'Daredevil' #1 Blind Bags
5. Marvel and Magic the Gathering collab for free promo card with 'Avengers: Armageddon' #1
6. Marvel celebrates Rogue One’s 10th anniversary with new one-shots for key characters
7. ‘Nights’ kicks off new story arc this July with #19
8. James Tynion IV launches new Brooklyn Comics nonprofit with major festival plans
9. Marvel’s weirdest monsters return in massive 400-page deluxe collection
10. Mike Mignola's 'Uri Tupka and the Devils' follow up Lands Unknown coming November 2026
11. Free LEGO Batman comic revealed for Free Comic Book Day with a surprising nod to his very first appearance
12. FCBD 'Energon Universe Special 2026' gets 5 new covers and a major first look at M.A.S.K.

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. MAD About DC #1 (Various)
2. Lands Unknown: Uri Tupka and the Gods (Mike Mignola)

Chris:​​

1. Royals #1 (Derek Kirk Kim, Jacob Perez) 
2. Daredevil #1 (Stephanie Phillips, Lee Garbett)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Bizarro: Year None #1 (Kevin Smith, Eric Carrasco, Nick Pitarra, Michael Garland) 

Dave: Venom #256 (Al Ewing, Carlos Gomez)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Chris: Estuary #1 (Tim Daniel, David Andry, Maan House)
• Dave: Sai: Dimensional Rivals #4 Giuseppe Camuncoli, Phil Noto, Jim Mahfood

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Black Cat #9 (Variant by Kris Anka)
• Chris: Iron Man #4 (Ryan Stegman-Frank Martin Main Cover)

Interview: Timmy Heague on Lost Fantasy #9, mixing craft, collaboration, and story teases:

1. You’re stepping into Lost Fantasy #9 during a moment where Henry is already physically and emotionally battered. What interested you most about picking up his story at this breaking point?
2. You’re working with Eamon Winkle on the Bombshell story. What makes Bombshell a compelling lens into this world, and how does her story complement or contrast Henry’s?
3. You’re co-writing this issue with Curt Pires and Franklin Jonas, while also contributing to a backup that ties into Fireborn. How did you all divide the storytelling responsibilities, and what did that collaboration look like on the page?
4. You’ve recently come off co-writing Archie vs. Minor Threats with Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum, which thrives on tonal contrast. Did that experience influence how you approach tone here, especially with the mix of action, sci-fi, and character work?
5. The solicit teases Henry being pulled into a new case while still recovering. How do you balance forward momentum with giving weight to his injuries and trauma?
6. The issue introduces the “Cyber-Ronin,” which is an instantly striking concept. What was the creative spark behind that character, and how does he challenge the world of hunters in a new way?
7. Lost Fantasy blends genres in a big way, from cyberpunk elements to mythic hunting lore. When you’re writing in that kind of sandbox, how do you keep the story grounded and emotionally clear?
8. Fun one: if you had to drop Bombshell into another comic universe for a one-shot, where would you send them and why?

On this week’s AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re joined by Matthew Rosenberg to talk about one of the most ambitious creator-owned books on the horizon: If Destruction Be Our Lot.

For a story about the end of humanity, this one is surprisingly full of life. We dig into how the series came together, from its strange and instantly compelling premise of a robotic Abraham Lincoln wandering a post-human world, to the deeper themes driving it. Rosenberg opens up about how the book grew out of his own creative evolution, how it responds to the current moment for artists, and why this isn’t a bleak dystopia so much as a story about connection, purpose, and trying to find meaning when the system no longer makes sense.

We also get into the craft behind it all, including the long development process, the collaboration with his brother Mark Elijah Rosenberg, and why artist Andy Macdonald might be doing some of the most exciting work in comics right now.

Of course, we also talk Spawn and what it means to step into that world, but the heart of this conversation is If Destruction Be Our Lot and why it might be Rosenberg’s most personal and layered work yet.

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

1. Sam Keith passed away
2. Claremont returns to tell Gambit's origin in 'Gambit: Wanted' #1
3. Marvel sheds light on 'Queen in Black' #1 blind bags covers and shares interior pages
4. Marvel Stormbreakers ‘What If…?’ variant covers celebrate 50 years of alternate marvel stories

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Sai: Dimensional Rivals #3 (Momoko, Mundo, Casagrande, Bengal)
2. Iron Man #3 (Joshua Williamson, Carmen Carnero)

Alex:​​

1. Is Ted Ok? #2 (Dave Chisholm)
2. Absolute Wonder Woman #18 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman) 
3. Sai: Dimensional Rivals #3 (Mike del Mundo story)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: Punisher #2 (José Luis Soares Pinto)

Dave: Knull #3 (Al Ewing, Tom Waltz, Juanan Ramírez)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Alex: Daredevil #1 (Stephanie Phillips, Lee Garbett)
• Dave: Uri Tupka and the Gods: Another Story from Lands Unknown (info)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Bizarro: Year None #1 (Nick Pitarra Cover)
• Alex: Batman / Superman: World's Finest #50 Cover F Rahzzah Variant

Interview: Matthew Rosenberg - Out May 6, FOC Apr 13th

1. If Destruction Be Our Lot imagines a world where humanity is gone and robots are left behind. What drew you to telling a story from that perspective rather than focusing on the fall itself?
2. Can you talk a little about your collaboration with Mark Elijah Rosenberg?
3. Andy Macdonald’s art brings a lot of personality to these robots. How closely did you collaborate to shape the look and feel of this world?
4. Abe, a robotic Abraham Lincoln, is such a strange and compelling lead. What made him the right lens for exploring meaning, purpose, and identity in this world?
5. There’s a strong theme of searching for connection, even in a world without humans. What does “friendship” look like in a story populated entirely by machines?
6. You’ve tackled everything from crime to dark comedy. Where does this series sit creatively for you, and does it feel like a departure or a natural evolution?

On Spawn

1. You’re stepping into Spawn with a major time jump and a new status quo. What excited you most about taking on such an iconic title at this moment?
2. Favorite Spawn character?
3. Where are you at with In Good Hands With Bad Company?
   1. We're Taking Everyone Down With Us
4. Would you call A Rook Spy Thriller a label under your brand?

Fun / Silly Question

1. If Abe could befriend any object or appliance in this world, what would be his ultimate ride-or-die companion and why?

We break down the biggest comics news and releases before diving into one of the wildest books on the stands right now. American Caper is messy, violent, hilarious, and packed with characters who seem one bad decision away from total collapse and that is exactly what makes it work.

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

1. Marvel Comics 2026 June solicitations!
   1. Doctor Doom returns and drags Captain America into a new war ahead of ‘Avengers: Armageddon’
   2. 'Amazing Spider-Man' #30-31 reveal Spore debut and major twist ahead of issue #1000
   3. Marvel reveals 'Avengers: Armageddon' variants and Comics Giveaway Day preview
   4. ‘Jeff the Land Shark: Superstar’ announced by Marvel with Mojo and new X-Men cast
   5. Marvel reveals Wolverine's claws will shatter in June 2026 'Wolverine' series
2. Marvel’s Swimsuit Special returns this July with new ‘Beach Day’ and must-see pinups
3. Full June 2026 DC Comics solicitations:
   1. DC just flipped Superman’s origin and threw Supergirl into a nightmare universe
   2. DC announces Summer of Supergirl Special #1 with all-star creative team
   3. DC Pride 2026 reveals 'Justice League: Dream Girls' event starring Galaxy and Dreamer
4. Every monster imaginable takes over the world in Dark Horse’s new horror series ‘Kingdom of Earth’
5. The Rocketeer goes undercover in new WWII espionage series 'Infiltrator!'
6. Image Comics has a Spawn shake-up, as Todd McFarlane & Brett Booth leave early for a new creative team and a time jump
7. Joshua Williamson turns the Wolf Man into his most brutal and heartbreaking story yet
8. 'The Eye Collector' preview reveals eerie new cosmic horror out June 2026

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Lobo #1 (Skottie Young, Jorge Corona)
2. Sentry #1 (Paul Jenkins, Christian Rosado)

Alex:​​

1. Absolute Flash #13 (Lemire, Haining)
2. Exquisite Corpses #11 (Che Grayson, Gavin Fullerton) 

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: Super Creepshow #1 (Kieron Gillen, Rossi Gifford)

Dave: Infernal Hulk #5 (Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Kev Walker)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Alex: Is Ted Ok? #2 (Dave Chisholm)
• Dave: DC/Marvel: Superman / Spider-Man #1 (Many)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Iron Man #3 (Josemaria Casanovas)
• Alex: Superman #36 (Rod Reis)

American Caper Interview: Producer & Additional Writing Lazlow, Editor Shelly Bond, and Finishes Chris Anderson

1. Dan Houser described American Caper as being fueled by his fascination with “hypocrites, sociopaths, political idiots, dysfunctional families, and violence.” When you first saw the concept for this story, what immediately stood out to you as something that felt especially relevant to the moment we’re living in?

2. The series pulls together a wild mix of characters. A Mormon hitman, a gambling-addicted lawyer, escaped convicts in love, a billionaire playing cowboy. How did you approach balancing such a large ensemble so the story feels chaotic in a good way rather than overwhelming?

3. Verona, Wyoming feels like a pressure cooker where crime, politics, and personal drama all collide. What was important to you in making this small town feel believable while still allowing it to host such extreme characters and situations?

4. The book leans hard into satire, sometimes feeling like it’s taking shots at every side of the political spectrum. Was there ever a concern about walking that line between satire that provokes thought and satire that might alienate readers?

5. The story’s interconnected crimes and morally gray characters gave me flashes of crime epics like 100 Bullets, where one event ripples across many lives. When building a narrative this tangled, how do you keep track of the cause and effect between characters?

6. Lazlow, your background includes storytelling in massive open-world games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. Did working on a comic require a different approach to pacing and structure compared to interactive storytelling?

7. (Fun question) If each of you had to survive in Verona, Wyoming for a week, which of these characters would you trust the most to have your back, and which one would you avoid at all costs?

On this week’s episode of the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’ve got something special for you. We’re running the full, uncut interview with Christian Ward, where the acclaimed writer and artist dives deep into his upcoming project: Event Horizon: Inferno! We unpack his creative process behind his storytelling and the big ideas driving his latest work. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about craft, comics, and the strange corners of genre storytelling that Ward continues to explore.

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

1. Ram V, Evan Cagle, and Anand RK reveal 'Deicidium' graphic novel coming to Image in 2026
2. Marvel reveals the tragic origin of Shalla-Bal in new 'Fantastic Four: First Foes' one-shot
3. Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara makes Marvel Comics writing debut in Pride special
4. Marvel reveals 'X-Men ’97: Season Two' prelude, continuing the animated series’ shocking cliffhanger
5. TOP 50 COMICS - FEBRUARY 2026

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Sirens: Love Hurts #2 (Tini Howard, Babs Tarr)
2. Absolute Batman #18 (Scott Snyder, Eric Canete)

Chris:​​

1. Die: Loaded #5 (Kieron Gillen, Stephanie Hans)
2. X-Men United #1 (Eve Ewing, Tiago Palma)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #1 (Phil Hester, Ryan Kelly) 

Dave: Sirens: Love Hurts #2 (Tini Howard, Babs Tarr)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Chris: Lobo #1 (Skottie Young, Jorge Corona)
• Dave: Sentry #1 (Paul Jenkins, Christian Rosado)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: X-Men #27 (Gerald Parel Cover)
• Chris: Dead Teenagers #1 (Caitlin Yarsky's Variant)

Interview: Christian Ward - FOC Mar 16th - Out - Apr 22, 2026

1. You’re returning to the world of Event Horizon after Dark Descent. At what point did you know you had the green light to continue this story, and was Inferno always part of your long-term plan, or did it grow out of the response to the first series?

2. The solicitation pitches this as “Aliens meets Dante’s Inferno.” That’s a big swing. How consciously are you leaning into the structure or themes of Dante’s Inferno, and does this story descend through its own version of circles of Hell?

3. Setting the story two hundred years after the original incident gives you a massive time jump. What does that distance allow you to explore that you could not in Dark Descent?

5.5. You have a compelling mix of characters working for the billionaire. How do you balance their personalities and backstories? Do you flesh out a cast, then go, “hmmm i’m mixing X”?

4. The idea of a billionaire assembling a private star fleet to plunder the wreckage feels very modern in its cynicism. Were you intentionally tapping into contemporary anxieties about unchecked wealth and corporate ambition?

6. The gravity drive has always been the heart of the horror in Event Horizon. In Inferno, does the focus shift more toward the metaphysical implications of interdimensional travel, or are we going even harder into physical, visceral terror?

7. Rob Carey joins you on art for this series. What does he bring visually that makes this version of Event Horizon feel distinct from Dark Descent?

7.5. Love the suits these characters wear. How do you design something that’s new, but also as cool as something we’ve seen in a sci-fi movie before?

8. After revisiting this universe twice now, how do you personally define what “Hell” is in  Event Horizon? Is it a place, an entity, a force of nature, or something humanity carries with it into the stars?

We talk all things Infernal Hulk, from why this era of Hulk is finally colliding with the wider Marvel Universe to how Johnson has reshaped Bruce Banner’s world into a Southern Gothic monster epic rooted in Marvel lore. Along the way, we get into the X-Men crossover, the Living City, Dungeons of Doom, his new Marvel exclusive deal, and the bigger plans quietly building beneath the surface of his Hulk run. If you’ve been following Incredible Hulk or wondering where this whole infernal saga is heading, this is the conversation you’ll want to hear.

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

1. Spider-Man, Hulk, and Punisher collide in Jonathan Hickman’s new Marvel event series
2. Bishop scores new solo miniseries starting June 2026
3. Marvel reveals new ‘Spider-Man/Superman’ #1 covers and interior art too
4. Venom Unleashed news!
5. Exclusive: Read the full first issue of 'The Untamed' as Stranger Comics reveals Emerald City Comic Con exclusives

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Amazing Spider-Man #23 (Joe Kelly, Ed McGuinness)
2. Lands Unknown: The Skinless Man #1 (Ben Stenbeck)

Chris:​​

1. Cult of the Lamb: Last Sacrament Special #1 (Alex Paknadel, Troy Little)
2. Narco #1 (Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Cult of the Lamb: Last Sacrament Special #1 (Alex Paknadel, Troy Little)

Dave: DC K.O. #5 (Scott Snyder, Javier Fernandez)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Chris: Tigress Island #1 (Patrick Kindlon, EPHK)
• Dave: Assorted Crisis Events #9 (Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Absolute Batman #18 (TONS of retailer covers but going with Dexter Soy)
• Chris: Logan: Black, White & Blood #3 (Chris Campana Variant)

Interview: Phillip Kennedy Johnson

1. On Horror as Hulk’s Natural State
With Infernal Hulk, you’ve fully repositioned Hulk as a horror icon rather than just a force of destruction. What makes horror such a natural lens for this character, and what aspects of Bruce and Hulk feel newly unlocked for you in that genre?

2. On Marvel Exclusivity & Timing

You’re now officially Marvel exclusive while also wrapping up Book of El at DC. Creatively, what does this moment represent for you? Does going exclusive feel like narrowing your focus, or opening up the sandbox in a bigger way?

3. On Bruce Without the Monster
One of the smartest pivots in this run has been stripping Bruce away from the Hulk and forcing him to watch the consequences. What fascinates you most about Bruce when he’s powerless and confronted with what the Hulk becomes without him?

4. On Writing Other Heroes Judging Bruce
You’ve written the wider Marvel Universe reacting to Bruce in a way that feels tense, even cruel at times. Why was it important that the heroes not simply rally around him?

6. On the Living City Concept
The Living City feels mythic, grotesque, and operatic all at once. What inspired that setting, and how important is it that Hulk’s world now feels almost biblical in scope?

7. On INFERNAL HULK #7 and the X-Men
In issue #7, Hulk exerts mysterious control over mutantkind and draws them into the Living City. That’s a bold escalation. What makes the X-Men the right foil for this version of Hulk, and how does their connection to identity and mutation complicate what Eldest is doing?

7. You and Ben Percy are both playing in Marvel’s darker corners right now, and “Dungeons of Doom” has that same horror-forward energy we’re seeing in Infernal Hulk. What’s it been like working alongside Ben in shaping that space, and how do you make sure your vision of horror and mythic stakes complements rather than overlaps with what he’s building?

8. Fun Silly Question
If Eldest decided to build the perfect army out of Marvel characters purely based on vibes, who would absolutely make the cut… and who would Eldest reject immediately for being “bad monster material”?

9. Any other projects you’d like to plug?

Steve Orlando is one of the busiest writers in comics right now, and this week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re running our full, uncut conversation with him. Earlier this week, we published a written feature focused on his Scarlet Witch run, but this episode expands far beyond that, covering everything from Deadweight with Bobby Lee to Valiant Beyond: X-O Manowar, DC x AEW, his chance to judge on Dragula Titans season 2, Tarzan Beyond, X-Men Infinity, and even a teased return to Midnighter!

If you wanted the complete Orlando download, this is it.

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

1. ‘Sonic vs. Godzilla’ is finally happening, and it’s bigger than you think
2. See new Origin Box characters Hostilicus and Wonder Man from 'Reborn: Ultimate Impact'
3. Marvel’s WHAT IF? returns with wild twists for its 50th anniversary
4. Marvel brings 'Magic: The Gathering Spider-Man' art to new variant covers
5. 'JLA/Avengers' is coming back to comic shops this summer 2026
6. Oni Press unveils bold fall 2026 graphic novel lineup

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Infernal Hulk #4 (Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Nic Klein)
2. The Mighty Thor #7 (Al Ewing, Pasqel Ferry)

Alex:​​

1. Power Fantasy #16 (Gillen, Wijnegaard)
2. Absolute Wonder Woman #17 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: Sorcerer Supreme #3 (Bernard Chang, Ruth Redmond)

Dave: Hulk Smash Everything #3 (Ryan North, Vincenzo Carratu)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Alex: Moonstar #1 (Ashley Allen, Edoardo Audino) & Narco #1 (Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard)
• Dave: Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #6 (Horvath Cover)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: The Amazing Spider-Man #23 (Taurin Clarke Cover) Or Maybe
• Alex: X-Men #26 (Gurihiru Marvel Monster Variant)

Interview: Steve Orlando

Deadweight (GUNGNIR Publishing) (with Bobby Lee & Matthew Medney)

1. Deadweight sounds completely unhinged in the best way, blending martial arts chaos, horror, and absurdist comedy. When you’re co-writing something that springs so directly from Bobby Lee’s comedic voice, how do you balance honoring that raw unpredictability while still building a story with emotional stakes and structure?

Valiant Beyond: X-O Manowar (out Feb 18)

1. In Valiant Beyond: X-O Manowar, Aric joins the PunX after millennia of isolation, and suddenly honor is tied to community rather than conquest. How has it been carving out your own corner of the Valiant universe?

Good Bones

1. Good Bones gathers your horror work into a single anthology, and many of the stories explore queer identity through transformation, secrecy, and bodily autonomy. When you write horror rooted in identity, are you consciously using the genre as metaphor, or does that symbolism emerge naturally through character?

Dragula (with Todd McFarlane)

1. You co-judged Dragula alongside Todd McFarlane, which feels like a collision of comics horror and performance art. Did that experience teach you anything about spectacle and theatricality, or inspire you when you’re comics work?

DC AEW

1. DC and AEW both thrive on spectacle, but they also rely heavily on character-driven drama and long-term storytelling. When writing DC x AEW #1, how did you balance the over-the-top, live-event energy with making sure the character pairings felt emotionally and thematically right, rather than just fun visual mashups?

Scarlet Witch

1. Can you talk about or tease the status of Wanda and Vision's relationship as of now?
2. Agatha Harkness is your main antagonist in Sorcerer Supreme, what makes her fun to write?
3. Agatha is the Vishanti's chosen sorcerer supreme, I was curious if you're drawing from any personal life experience having someone be picked over you when writing this story arc?
4. Your run on Scarlet Witch has been released via miniseries, are there advantages (and disadvantages) to this format?
5. Wanda Maximoff has worn a lot of labels over the years—Avenger, sorceress, reality shaper, occasional cosmic wildcard. How do you personally view her place in that ecosystem?

Additional General Questions

1. Your bibliography moves fluidly between superhero epics, indie horror, licensed work, and now chaotic comedy with Deadweight. How do you recalibrate your voice between projects without losing what makes a story feel unmistakably yours?

It’s one of the biggest news weeks of the year as ComicsPRO explodes with announcements, reveals, and long-term publishing plans from every major publisher in the industry. We’re breaking it all down in a super-sized news segment that covers the headlines shaping 2026 and beyond.

Marvel dropped its May 2026 solicitations, teased the beginning of the end in Avengers: Armageddon, confirmed Hulk War for 2027, revealed Infernal Hulk vs. the X-Men, and somehow still found time for Knull vs. Hela, a Spider-Man and Iron Man team-up, and Doctor Doom taking over OREO. Yes, really.

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

1. Marvel Solicitations May 2026
   1. Infernal Hulk declares war on the X-Men in explosive issue #7 reveal - EXCLUSIVE
   2. Marvel reveals a Spider-Man and Iron Man team up coming in issue #6
   3. Marvel teases “With Great Power…” as “Armageddon Assembles” this June
   4. Ultron crashes Wiccan and Hulkling’s anniversary in Marvel’s explosive Pride special
   5. Marvel teases 'The origin of the end' starts in 'Avengers: Armageddon' #1
   6. It's Knull vs. Hela in 'Hel on Earth' Marvel Comics event
      1. JULY: Queen in Black!
2. Doctor Doom takes over OREO in wild final Marvel Comics cookie collab
3. Marvel announces new series 'X-Men: Outback' revisiting the iconic Outback Era
4. Hulk War is coming: Marvel confirms Infernal Hulk finale in 2027
5. IDW is taking Godzilla back to 1954 and making it absolutely terrifying
6. 'Star Trek' #1 launches a bold new era as IDW unveils massive 60th anniversary comic plans
7. 'TMNT' #300 unleashes a massive new era, blind bag covers, and new 'Last Ronin’
8. DC Solicits May 2026
   1. DC Is going all-in on 'The Dark Knight Returns' for its 40th anniversary all year long
   2. DC and Sonic reunite for ‘Metal Legion’ this May 2026
9. DC unveils major 2026 publishing plans at ComicsPro: Vertigo, new Absolute titles, and more
10. Zorro and Tarzan are storming back to comics and we’ve got the exclusive first look
11. Gail Simone is entering the Spawn universe with a brutal new 'She-Spawn' series
12. New Image sci-fi series 'If Destruction Be Our Lot' features robo Abraham Lincoln finding purpose
13. Skybound announces ‘DC Silver Age Covers and Stories’ Artist Edition
14. M.A.S.K. joins the Energon Universe in explosive new series from Dan Watters and Pye Parr
15. Robert Kirkman returns to superheroes with 'Terminal' joined by Kubert, Finch, and Arthur Adams
16. James Tynion IV takes on white supremacy and Norse gods in brutal new 9-part horror, 'Odin'
17. 'The Cutting Garden' explores companionship, legacy, and sacrifice
18. Ghost Machine just revealed 'The Unbelievables' and its first massive crossover
19. EXCLUSIVE: Zack Kaplan unleashes three new Dark Horse series in 2026
20. Skateboarding is outlawed in new series 'Skate Ali' out June 2026
21. Jonathan Hickman’s ‘Three Worlds/Three Moons’ comes to Dark Horse this July
22. Archie is going compact with new Oni Press collections starting in September 2026
23. 'Ben 10' returns to comics this May with a new series from the original creators
24. Oni Press unleashes 'Super Mondo Mega Mutts' #1 this July
25. Oni Press announces Joe Palmer’s dystopian thriller 'Destination Kill' #1

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Absolute Batman #17  (Scott Snyder, Eric Canete)
2. Uncanny X-Men #24 (Gail Simone, David Marquez)

Alex:​​

1. Exquisite Corpses #10 (Jordie Bellaire, Marianna Ignazzi)
2. Dungeons of Doom #2 (PHILLIP KENNEDY JOHNSON & BENJAMIN PERCY)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: Uncanny X-Men #24 (Gail Simone, David Marquez)

Dave: Ultimate Spider-Man #24 (March Checchetto, Hickman)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Alex: Infernal Hulk #4 (Phillip KJ, Nic Klein) & Absolute Wonder Woman #17 (K Thompson, H Sherman)
• Dave: The Peril of the Brutal Dark #1 (Chris Condon, Jacob Phillips) but also Hulk Smash Everything #3

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Predator: Bloodshed #1 (Dan Panosian Virgin Cover)
• Alex: Power Fantasy #16 (Morgan Beem variant)