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)

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re running the full, uncut version of our interview with Kelly, presented exactly as it happened. No segmentation. No topic breaks. Just the entire deep-dive in one sitting.

While the written 7-part series is still ongoing and will continue rolling out over the next two weeks, this episode gives listeners the complete conversation in its original flow. Kelly opens up about the emotional thesis behind his run, building new villains like Plague RX and Kintsugi, pushing Spider-Man into cosmic territory, and how Death Spiral directly sets the stage for Amazing Spider-Man #1000.

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. Cyclops’ team breaks, Storm’s daughter arrives, and Wolverine pays the price in Marvel’s May X-Men reveals
2. Knull and Mary Jane's Venom get new costumes in May and June 2026
3. Abrams ComicArts reveals wide-ranging Fall 2026 lineup spanning history, Marvel, manga, and classics
4. Secret origin of G.I. Joe Risk gets 3-issue arc starting in May 2026
5. DC announces ‘You’re A Superhero!’ lifting up heroes in everyday life
6. DC crowns Supergirl the star of Superman Day with 'Summer of Supergirl' publishing push
7. IDW launches new crime imprint with 3 titles: Seven Wives, Killer Influences, and Fixation

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 (Jed MacKay, Devmalya Pramanik)
2. Absolute Wonder Woman Annual #1 (Kelly Thompson, Mattia de Iulis)

Chris:​​

1. Cyclops #1 (Alex Paknadel, Roge Antonio)
2. Jar Jar #1 (Ahmed Best, Marc Guggenheim, Kieron McKeown, and Laura Braga)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: A Star Called The Sun (Simon Roy)

Dave: Wade Wilson: Deadpool #1 (Ben Percy, Geoff Shaw)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Chris: The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre #1 (Fred Kennedy, James Edward Clark)
• Dave: Absolute Batman #17 (Scott Snyder, Eric Canete)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: The Amazing Spider-Man #22 (Lee Bermejo Amazing Visions Virgin Cover)
• Chris: It’s Jeff Meets Daredevil #1 (Nic Klein Variant)

Interview: Joe Kelly Interview - ASM

1. Across every arc—hallucinations, Hellgate, the clone/mantle complications, and the cosmic crew—you keep returning to identity: who Peter is, who wears the mask, and what Spider-Man means to other people. Was that always the core of your plan, or did the run’s central theme reveal itself as you built each storyline?
2. A big throughline in your early issues is Peter’s youth trauma—middle school rebellion, underage drinking, that “ghost/orphan” feeling. What made you want to excavate that specific era of Peter, and what do you feel it reveals about adult Peter that we don’t always get to see?
3. You’ve got a great handle on Peter’s voice—the anxious humor, the scramble-thinking, the moral compass. What’s your “non-negotiable” for Spider-Man dialogue, especially when he’s scared or outmatched?
4. New villains have to feel dangerous fast. With Plague RX, you paired him with Tombstone and used him to escalate the sense that Peter’s absence is creating openings all over NYC. What is Plague RX’s core concept—what does he represent in the ecosystem of this run?
5. Without spoiling, where does Kintsugi fit into your larger thematic engine? The word implies brokenness repaired into something stronger—how consciously are you using that idea as a lens for Peter (and the other “Spider-Men” threads) in this era?
6. Looking ahead: Death Spiral is looming. From your perspective, what is Spider-Man’s emotional “pressure point” heading into that event—what fear or flaw does the event squeeze that readers might not expect?
7. With the upcoming Death Spiral event on the horizon, a lot of your current themes—identity fractures, moral erosion, escalation—feel like they’re converging.
8. How does Death Spiral build on what you’ve been laying down in Amazing Spider-Man, and what should readers emotionally brace for?
9.  We recently lost Sal Buscema, whose work helped define Spider-Man’s physicality, emotion, and readability for generations.
10. As someone contributing to Spidey’s evolving legacy, what does Sal Buscema’s influence mean to you—either directly or indirectly—as a Spider-Man storyteller?

Angélique Roché’s upcoming graphic novel First Freedom arrives February 10 and tells the powerful story of Dr. Opal Lee and the decades-long fight to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. Ahead of our full written feature next week, we’re sharing something special.

It’s a candid, wide-ranging conversation that explores the creative and emotional core of First Freedom, offering early insight into the themes, challenges, and storytelling choices behind one of the year’s most meaningful graphic novels.

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/Superman' #1 expands with shock creative reveals and legendary backup stories
2. New 10-part 'Doomquest' announced with Dr. Doom reshaping history
3. Marvel just revealed Doom’s ultimate weapon — and it sparks Armageddon in May 2026
4. Spider-Man teams with celebrity chef José Andrés in Marvel’s wildest food-fueled crossover yet
5. DC launches massive Absolute Universe reprint wave as demand continues to surge
6. Kelly Thompson reveals Absolute Suicide Squad designs and new villain details
7. Dynamite releases 'ThunderCats X SilverHawks' checklist and character designs
8. Oni Press levels up with major Penguin Random House deal ahead of big 2026 launches
9. Jason Pearson’s legendary 'Body Bags' returns in massive Artist’s Edition fans won’t want to miss

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Uncanny X-Men (2024) #23 (Gail Simone, David Marquez)
2. The Nice House by the Sea (2024) #7 (James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martinez Bueno)

Chris:​​

1. Knight City #1 (Matt Kindt, David Lapham)
2. Thundarr the Barbarian #1 (Jason Aaron, Kewber Baal)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Knight City #1 (Matt Kindt, David Lapham) EMAILED!

Dave: Wolverine #15 (Saladin Ahmed, Mike Henderson)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Chris: Jar Jar #1 (For Real)
• Dave: Barbarian Behind Bars #1 (Elliott Kalan  Andrea Mutti)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Black Cat #7 (Adam Hughes Virgin Cover)
• Chris: Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 (Baldemar Rivas Variant)

Interview: Angelique Roche Interview (First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth out February 10

1. This is the first-ever graphic novel dedicated to the history and origin of Juneteenth. When you first realized the scope of that responsibility, what felt most important to get right from the very beginning?
2. You’ve spent years helping elevate underrepresented voices through Marvel’s Voices—both the podcast and the comics—creating space for creators to tell stories that might otherwise be sidelined. How did that experience inform the way you approached First Freedom, especially when it came to deciding whose voices and perspectives needed to be centered?
3. The book spans nearly 160 years of history, yet remains deeply personal. How did you decide when to zoom out to the larger historical context and when to stay tightly focused on Dr. Opal Lee’s lived experience?
4. There are moments in First Freedom where the art (Alvin Epps, Bex Glendining, and Millicent Monroe) carries the emotional weight as much as the words. Was there a scene where seeing the visuals for the first time changed or deepened how you felt about the story? P.S. I loved how your team used the mirror in the opening scene.
5. You worked directly with Dr. Opal Lee and her granddaughter, Dione Sims, including extensive in-person interviews. What surprised you most about Dr. Lee once you spent real time with her beyond the public image?
6. This book arrives during Black History Month and as part of a yearlong celebration of Dr. Lee’s 100th year—but it also makes clear that the fight for freedom and recognition is ongoing. What do you hope readers, especially younger readers, take away from that tension?
7. You’ve said this book is about much more than Juneteenth as a holiday—it’s about everyday acts of activism and becoming, as you put it, a “committee of one.” How do you hope this story reframes what activism can look like?
8. As a journalist, producer, and author, you’ve told many real-world stories across different media. What did the graphic novel format allow you to do emotionally or narratively that other formats wouldn’t?

If you’ve already read our in-depth feature on Joshua Williamson’s Iron Man, the conversation doesn’t stop there. On this week’s AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re running the full, uncut version of our interview with Williamson, pulled straight from the complete transcript behind the piece. It’s a deeper, looser, and more candid discussion that digs into his rare position straddling both Marvel and DC, why Iron Man was the one Marvel character he couldn’t pass up, and how revisiting Tony Stark’s origin reframed the entire run for him. The written feature is live now—but this is the long-form version for listeners who want every insight, tangent, and behind-the-scenes detail.

NEWS

1. Sal Buscema’s superpower was clarity
2. Marvel teases the end of the Ultimate Universe, and how it may be "Reborn"
   1. Full announcement
3. Supergirl goes global: DC unites 15 countries for a new anthology
4. Invincible takes over Image Comics: Season 4 sparks a multiverse-wide celebration
5. 'Head Lopper' returns: Andrew MacLean gears cult-favorite for a 10-year anniversary relaunch
6. 'Lost Fantasy' ignites a new era as 'Fireborn' launches April 2026
7. ent
8. Image Comics unveils a twisted new obsession as 'In Your Skin' blends Bollywood, body horror, and fame
9. 'Sex Criminals' is coming to Prime Video and it's about to break time (and TV)
10. SCOOP: Oni Press goes all-in at ComicsPRO with Archie, Matt Kindt, and a wave of 2026 exclusives

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Absolute Batman #16 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)
2. Spirit of the Shadows #1 (Nick Cagnetti)

Alex:​​

1. Absolute Flash #11 (Jeff Lemire, Nick Robles)
2. Malevolent #1 (Justin Jordan, John Bivens)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: Infernal Hulk #3 (Phillip K Johnson, Kev Walker)

Dave: Iron Man #1 (Josh Williamson, Carmen Carnero)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Alex: Magik and Colossus #1 (Ashley Allen, German Peralta), The Nice House by the Sea #7 (James Tynion IV, Álvaro Martínez Bueno)
• Dave: DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 (Various)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Batman #6 (Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Cover)
• Alex: Storm: Earths Mightiest Mutant #1 (Dike Ruan variant)

Interview: Joshua Williamson - Iron Man #1 out January 28th

1. You’ve spent years shaping the DC Universe—long runs, big swings, major characters. What did it feel like emotionally and creatively to finally step into a mainline Marvel ongoing like Iron Man, and did that change how you approached the book?
2. Carmen Carnero is bringing this story to life, and her work has such a strong sense of motion, emotion, and intensity. What did you see in her art that made her the right partner for this specific take on Iron Man?
3. Your tagline, “Tony Stark is the most dangerous weapon in the Marvel Universe,” is a loaded one. In your mind, what makes Tony more dangerous than gods, monsters, or cosmic tyrants?
4. The premise echoes Iron Man’s origin in a powerful way—“Tony built Tony in that cave. What if he had to go in again?” How did you think about revisiting that crucible without just retelling the origin story?
5. Madame Masque is positioned as a central force here, orchestrating the kidnapping of geniuses worldwide. She’s also currently making waves elsewhere in Marvel—especially in Venom. What drew you to her for this story, and how do you view her role in the larger Marvel landscape right now?

We’re thrilled to bring you the full, unedited conversation with Gene Luen Yang, the writer currently steering IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles through one of its most emotional and surprising arcs in years.

If you’ve been reading the book, you know the stakes have never been higher. With the shocking reveal of Ujigami’s true identity and the return of Splinter casting a long shadow over the Turtles, Gene joins us to unpack the heart of the story and why this arc is really about family, fear, and the consequences of overprotection.

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 just took over OREO with the biggest special-edition drop in cookie history
2. Marvel Solicitations April 2026
   1. Marvel revisits its most divisive event with 'Civil War: Unmasked'
   2. Marvel celebrates 50 years of the Eternals with a new character—and a Fall Out Boy creator
   3. Marvel brings back 'Ultimates' #1–6 just in time for the Ultimate Universe’s explosive finale
   4. Deadpool is taking over April Fool’s Day again—and the Marvel Universe might not survive it
   5. 'Alien: King Killer' drops humanity into its darkest nightmare yet
3. The Future Foundation returns in 'Fantastic Four' #11
4. DC Comics solicitations
   1. DC hands the keys to MAD, and lets Chip Zdarsky roast the entire universe
   2. After 35 years, DC restores the lost Swamp Thing epic fans never thought they’d read
5. Exclusive: Valiant’s April 2026 solicitations signal a bold new era with Valiant Beyond
6. Prime Video orders 'Lore Olympus' adult animated series, from WEBTOON and Jim Henson Company
7. From 'Mafia III' to Image Comics: William Harms unleashes a haunting new apocalypse with 'White Sky'
8. Cobra goes silent: Skybound brings back G.I. Joe’s most iconic storytelling, this time for the villains
9. A Murder in the middle: 'Neighborhood Watch' turns a gated community into a powder keg
10. 'Hello Body Horror' #1 brings the most unsettling stories from BOOM! Studios’ 'Hello Darkness'
11. Exclusive: Dark Horse’s 'Did You Hear About Mimi Green?' turns cancel culture into surreal horro

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Assorted Crisis Events (2025) #8 (Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki)
2. X-Men Of Apocalypse (2025) #2 (Jeph Loeb, Simone Di Meo)

Chris:​​

1. Nights #17 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano) 
2. Good As Dead #5 (David and Maria Lapham)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Nights #17 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano) 

Dave: Exquisite Corpses #9 (art by Valentine De Landro with story by Tyler Boss)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Chris: Iron Man #1 (Joshua Williamson, Carmen Carnero)
• Dave: Absolute Wonder Woman #16 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 (Eric Canete Variant)
• Chris: Conan the Barbarian #28 (Gerardo Zaffino Main Cover)

Interview: Gene Luen Yang - TMNT #14 out January 14 

1. Issue #13 drops a massive bombshell with Ujigami’s true identity being Splinter. When you decided to make him the force hunting the Turtles’ enemies, what was the emotional core you wanted readers to feel first — shock, tragedy, or inevitability?

2. Ujigami isn’t just a villain; he’s a moral crisis for the Turtles. Was your goal to make this run less about defeating an enemy and more about redefining what justice means for the team?

3. In #14, the brothers split up to protect their former enemies from Splinter. That’s such a powerful reversal of classic TMNT dynamics — what does this say about how the Turtles have grown since their early days of black-and-white morality?

4. You’ve written a lot about identity and duality in your career. How did that background influence your approach to Splinter becoming Ujigami — a mentor turning into something almost mythic and terrifying?

5. Shinigami’s introduction brings in mysticism from the 2012 animated series. What made this moment in your run feel right for folding her into IDW continuity, and how did you retool her to fit the tone of your story?

6. Your first two issues lean hard into supernatural elements — ninja mythology, death spirits, and destiny. Was that a conscious pivot from recent TMNT runs that focused more on politics and street-level crime?

8. You’ve said the Turtles work in any genre. With Ujigami and Shinigami, you’re clearly leaning into horror and dark fantasy — were there specific myths, folktales, or manga influences that shaped this arc?

9. You and Freddie E. Williams II are creating some striking, eerie imagery in these issues. How did your collaboration evolve once you realized this arc would live in such a darker, more mystical space?

10. With Ujigami revealed and Shinigami now in play, it feels like the table has finally been set for the larger story you and Freddie have planned. Without giving anything away, what should readers be emotionally bracing for as this arc unfolds — heartbreak, redemption, or something even more unexpected?

11. If the Turtles had to explain Ujigami to April in the most “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” way possible — full of bad metaphors and half-accurate summaries — which brother would do the worst job, and what would his explanation sound like?

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’s Ultimate Universe is ending — April 2026 solicits hints how the epic two-year experiment goes out
2. Doom vs. Ultron in 2099! Marvel unleashes a villain showdown fans didn’t see coming
   1. First details revealed for Marvel and DC’s ‘Spider-Man/Superman’ crossover out April 2026
   2. April 2026 solicits reveal Marvel’s ‘Road to Armageddon’ for Captain America and Wolverine
   3. Jubilee takes center stage in a powerful new Marvel one-shot celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
   4. X-23 steps out of Wolverine’s shadow as Marvel teases deadly new Weapon X threats
   5. Marvel unveils April’s massive 2026 X-Men lineup as the Shadows of Tomorrow takes shape
   6. Spider-Man becomes Spider-Carnage — Marvel’s 'Death Spiral' ends with a jaw-dropping twist
   7. Marvel previews April 2026 Spider-Man chaos as 'Death Spiral' hits its final chapters
   8. Norman Osborn trains the Spider-Verse in Marvel’s wild new Spider-Man mini
   9. Star Wars brings the original trilogy to Galaxy’s Edge in major new Marvel comic story
3. From 'The Conjuring' to comics, Michael Chaves unleashes a dark fantasy epic with 'Corpse Knight'
4. Ghost Machine opens the vault with a massive official guide to its growing universe in April 2026
5. DC turns the world upside down with Kevin Smith’s bizarre new origin for 'Bizarro: Year None'
6. DC’s Next Level grows again with new ‘Zatanna’ and ‘Firestorm’ series for 2026
7. DC HAD #1 COMIC STORE MARKET SHARE IN Q4 2025

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

1. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #5 (Patrick Horvath)
2. Logan: Black, White & Blood #1 (Various)

Alex:​​

1. Uncanny X-Men #22 (Simone, David Marquez)
2. Sai: Dimensional Rivals #1 (Momoko, Iban Coello, Stan Sakai)b

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex:  Logan: Black, White & Blood (Larry Hama, Dave Wichter)

Dave: DC K.O. #3 and Transformers #28

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Alex: Power Fantasy #15 (Kieron Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard)
• Dave: Captain America #6 (Chip Zdarsky,  Delio Diaz)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Black Panther: Intergalactic #2 (E.M. Gist Cover) and Witchblade #18 (1:25 Jason Alexander Virgin Cover)
• Alex: Wiccan: Witches' Road #2 (Meghan Hetrick) and I am LEGALLY REQUIRED to also name Travis Moore’s  Nightwing #134

Interview: Jason Aaron - Thundarr - Out Jan 21, 2026 

You’ve called Thundarr the Barbarian a “fundamental component of your DNA as a writer.” What about that world or those characters spoke to you most deeply as a kid — and how has that stayed with you?

This is a property with DNA from comic legends like Jack Kirby, Alex Toth, and Steve Gerber. How do you honor that legacy while still making Thundarr feel like a Jason Aaron story?

You’ve written some of the biggest mythic heroes in comics — Thor, Conan, Avengers. Where does Thundarr fit into that heroic lineage for you?

The original cartoon blended post-apocalyptic sci-fi with sorcery and swordplay in a way that was rare even then. How are you capturing that same balance in the comic — and are you updating it for modern readers in any way?

You’ve said this story will reveal Thundarr’s origin for the first time. What can fans expect from that reveal, and how did you approach filling in a piece of lore that’s been left blank for over 40 years?

You’re collaborating with artist Kewber Baal, who’s got a dynamic and muscular style that fits Thundarr perfectly. What’s the creative chemistry been like between you two so far?

Classic villains like Gemini and Mindok are returning. Did you treat this like a “greatest hits” of Thundarr adversaries, or did you want to expand their mythology too?

Fun/Silly Question: If you had Thundarr’s Sunsword for a day, what’s the first totally irresponsible thing you’d use it for — and what’s the first heroic thing you’d do after?