Episodes

  • From father to hunter: Gene Luen Yang on redefining Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

    From father to hunter: Gene Luen Yang on redefining Splinter in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    Jan 25 2026
    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! NEWSMarvel just took over OREO with the biggest special-edition drop in cookie historyMarvel Solicitations April 2026Marvel revisits its most divisive event with 'Civil War: Unmasked'Marvel celebrates 50 years of the Eternals with a new character—and a Fall Out Boy creatorMarvel brings back 'Ultimates' #1–6 just in time for the Ultimate Universe’s explosive finaleDeadpool is taking over April Fool’s Day again—and the Marvel Universe might not survive it'Alien: King Killer' drops humanity into its darkest nightmare yetThe Future Foundation returns in 'Fantastic Four' #11DC Comics solicitationsDC hands the keys to MAD, and lets Chip Zdarsky roast the entire universeAfter 35 years, DC restores the lost Swamp Thing epic fans never thought they’d readExclusive: Valiant’s April 2026 solicitations signal a bold new era with Valiant BeyondPrime Video orders 'Lore Olympus' adult animated series, from WEBTOON and Jim Henson CompanyFrom 'Mafia III' to Image Comics: William Harms unleashes a haunting new apocalypse with 'White Sky'Cobra goes silent: Skybound brings back G.I. Joe’s most iconic storytelling, this time for the villainsA Murder in the middle: 'Neighborhood Watch' turns a gated community into a powder keg'Hello Body Horror' #1 brings the most unsettling stories from BOOM! Studios’ 'Hello Darkness'Exclusive: Dark Horse’s 'Did You Hear About Mimi Green?' turns cancel culture into surreal horroOur Top Books of the Week:Dave:Assorted Crisis Events (2025) #8 (Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadzki)X-Men Of Apocalypse (2025) #2 (Jeph Loeb, Simone Di Meo)Chris:​​Nights #17 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano) 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 WEEKChris: 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 ...
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Jason Aaron returns to unleash 'Thundarr the Barbarian' on comics

    Jason Aaron returns to unleash 'Thundarr the Barbarian' on comics
    Jan 18 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! NEWSMarvel’s Ultimate Universe is ending — April 2026 solicits hints how the epic two-year experiment goes outDoom vs. Ultron in 2099! Marvel unleashes a villain showdown fans didn’t see comingFirst details revealed for Marvel and DC’s ‘Spider-Man/Superman’ crossover out April 2026April 2026 solicits reveal Marvel’s ‘Road to Armageddon’ for Captain America and WolverineJubilee takes center stage in a powerful new Marvel one-shot celebrating AAPI Heritage MonthX-23 steps out of Wolverine’s shadow as Marvel teases deadly new Weapon X threatsMarvel unveils April’s massive 2026 X-Men lineup as the Shadows of Tomorrow takes shapeSpider-Man becomes Spider-Carnage — Marvel’s 'Death Spiral' ends with a jaw-dropping twistMarvel previews April 2026 Spider-Man chaos as 'Death Spiral' hits its final chaptersNorman Osborn trains the Spider-Verse in Marvel’s wild new Spider-Man miniStar Wars brings the original trilogy to Galaxy’s Edge in major new Marvel comic storyFrom 'The Conjuring' to comics, Michael Chaves unleashes a dark fantasy epic with 'Corpse Knight'Ghost Machine opens the vault with a massive official guide to its growing universe in April 2026DC turns the world upside down with Kevin Smith’s bizarre new origin for 'Bizarro: Year None'DC’s Next Level grows again with new ‘Zatanna’ and ‘Firestorm’ series for 2026DC HAD #1 COMIC STORE MARKET SHARE IN Q4 2025Our Top Books of the Week:Dave:Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #5 (Patrick Horvath)Logan: Black, White & Blood #1 (Various)Alex:​​Uncanny X-Men #22 (Simone, David Marquez)Sai: Dimensional Rivals #1 (Momoko, Iban Coello, Stan Sakai)bStandout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex: Logan: Black, White & Blood (Larry Hama, Dave Wichter)Dave: DC K.O. #3 and Transformers #28TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: 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 #134Interview: 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?
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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • Jordan D. White — Venom Unleashed (Uncut)

    Jordan D. White — Venom Unleashed (Uncut)
    Jan 11 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! NEWSMarvel reveals who’s still standing in 'Ultimate Endgame' #5, plus new covers & interior art for issue #2Ryan Stegman reveals he's done with X-Men, save for one last projectDC stacks Free Comic Book Day 2026 with Next Level debuts, Sonic crossover, and horror hitsSkybound and Hasbro announce Energon Universe Special 2026 for Free Comic Book DayRam V, Anand Radhakrishnan, and Evan Cagle sign massive global deal for new graphic novel series with Morgen'Baby Garfield' is here — and it’s the cutest new comic you’ll read all yearExclusive: 'Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Artist’s Edition' revealOur Top Books of the Week:Dave:Absolute Superman #15 (Jason Aaron, Juan Ferreyra)Marvel: Black, White & Blood and Guts (2025) #4 (Various)Coplan:​​Ultimate Wolverine #13 (Chris Condon, Domenico Carbone, Bryan Valenza)Absolute Batman: Ark M Special #1 (Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, Josh Hixson, etc.)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Coplan: Ultimate Wolverine #13 (Chris Condon, Domenico Carbone, Bryan Valenza) Dave: Venom #253 (Al Ewing, Carlos Gomez)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKCoplan: Alice Forever After #1 (Dan Panosian, Giorgio Spalletta)Dave: Pig Wife (Abbey Luck)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Space Ghost #7 (Michael Cho)Coplan: DC K.O. #3 (DWJ Variant)Interview: Jordan D. White - Venom Unleashed #15 uncut!Let’s dig into our two poll questions. The first was:Jordan hinted that one moment in Death Spiral has been locked in since the very beginning of planning the event. What are you most excited to see when that moment arrives?A whopping 40% said they’d like to see a major MJ’s symbiote relationship (30.8% said a big Eddie vs. Carnage throwdown). Given how strongly readers responded to the idea of Mary Jane’s symbiote journey, what was it about pairing MJ with a symbiote that felt essential to Death Spiral, and how early did that relationship start shaping the story?AIPT: For the second poll, we asked:Jordan suggests MJ might be shifting from “anti-hero” to something else entirely. What do YOU think her 2026 role will look like?Over 50% of the answers said they want something they haven’t even guessed yet (second place was a full street-level hero arc with 32%). Might they be on the right track? AIPT: Venom #253 is out now (January 7th), and with it’s a whole new ballgame with AIM. Madame Masque is a character not often used, at least in the last decade. Might you have a favorite story she’s kicked butt in?AIPT: And for our monthly gotcha question: What’s a better TV show, Buddies or Friends?Onto fan questions:Spencer asks: What can you tell us about Torment?One more about Torment from Patrick: Was the name of Death Spiral's villain, Torment, inspired by the Todd McFarlane story, or is it a coincidence that the name has a history with Spider-Man?Ol’ Monster-Face asks: Last time you got asked about taking the story in a space opera direction… What about a Wild West theme? "Death Spiral" does look like it could set up a classic "The Good The Bad And The Ugly" standoff…Barrett asks: With two big Spider / Symbiote events coming up very soon will the main ASM book and Venom books both be tie-ins for the foreseeable future?Anonomous asks: Will Dylan and Sleeper be an important role in Death Spiral? They are related to both Eddie and the Venom symbiote after all.Murphy asks: Did you look at any prior stories when writing the Rick Jones and Toxin bond? It reminds me of the relationship he had with Genis, especially when he went off the rails.Garlador asks: As a repository of host memories, Venom is uniquely aware of many characters current conflicted feelings - Peter, MJ, Eddie, Dylan, Flash, etc. That’s been an off-limits locked box issue with MJ, but can we expect to see Venom share more of prior hosts’ buried feelings with her soon, or is that too messy for now?RadiantBlue asks: Which Venom host is your favorite?Midnighter82 asks: Symbie, Spider-Man's symbiote companion in his galactic adventure, is he bound to a host or not? Jimmy has a food and calories question: So, what is it like for Mary Jane in her daily life? The symbiote probably weighs at least twice her weight and leaves a bunch of goop all over after fights, so presumably that would be lots more food than she would be used to having.Anonomous asks: Its kinda frustrating seeing VENOM everywhere and no Carnage. If you could would you tackle a carnageverse? Besides the Anne Lethal Protector universe, are there worlds where carnage is an anti-hero? Jeduwin asks: As a fan of Eventuality, how much is it kept in mind when you're writing Eddie Brock? Its existence seems like it shifts where Eddie's stories are headed, since all roads lead to the King in Black.Another Flash question from Symbiobro: In All-New Venom #10, we got to see a deep ...
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Finding the Fugitoid: Andrew Joustra on writing TMNT across animation & comics

    Finding the Fugitoid: Andrew Joustra on writing TMNT across animation & comics
    Jan 4 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! NEWSMarvel’s 'Ultimate Endgame' Blind Bags went from collectible to straight-up lottery ticketScott Snyder reveals Jonah Hex on the way:But now to have it be like a load bearing book at DC, or a book that generates excitement and money for them in a way that allows us more creative latitude on other books, the things that it’s engendered for Next Level—I can’t wait for you to see these books. I mean, all of them are really creator forward. They’re real big swings, Lobo and Deathstroke. They’re big over the top epic books. Batwoman, real, real great swing by Greg Rucka and Dani. Zatanna really levels Zatanna up. Firestorm and Shadow of the Bat. I mean, there are just so many good ones. There really are. Legion of Superheroes and Jonah Hex and there’s just a ton coming that we can’t wait for you to see. And they’re all passion projects. And a lot of that is born out of you guys supporting things that are riskier, that are different, that hopefully feel yours. And it’s the best time I’ve ever had in superhero comics. I’m so, so grateful to you guys and so proud of what we’re able to do right now at DC. So first, let me start this end of year thing by just saying thank you.Our Top Books of the Week:Dave:Punisher: Red Band #4 (Ben Percy, Julius Ohta)Escape #5 (Rick Remender, Daniel Acuna)Coplan:​​Ultimate Endgame #1 (Deniz Camp, Jonas Scharf)Lost Fantasy #6 (Curt Pires, Maxi Dallo)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Coplan: Ultimate Endgame #1 (Deniz Camp, Jonas Scharf)Dave: Ultimate Endgame #1 (Deniz Camp, Jonas Scharf)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKCoplan: Toxic Avenger Comics #6 (Matt Bors, Fred Harper)Dave: X-Men #23 (Jed MacKay, Tony Daniel)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: The Amazing Spider-Man #19 (Sara Pichelli Variant)Coplan: Twilight Zone #3 (James Stokoe Main)Interview: Andrew Joustra - Tales of TMNT #4 (out Mar 18, 2026, FOC Feb 9th)Recently he wrote the theatrical animated short Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Chrome Alone 2 - Lost in New Jersey for Paramount and is currently writing the Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book series for IDW Publishing.Andrew has dwelled in the sewer for a while now, having been the script & recording coordinator for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and currently working as the script supervisor for its sequel.1. Andrew’s comics debutAndrew, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 marks your comic-writing debut and kicks off a three-issue arc. What did it feel like to finally see your name on a TMNT comic page after working in animation for so long?2. Transition from screen to pageYou’ve worked as Script Coordinator and Script Manager on Mutant Mayhem and its sequel—what muscles did you have to retrain (or unlearn) when shifting from screenwriting to writing comics?3. Working with Louie JoyceCan you talk about collaborating with Louie Joyce on this arc? How did your scripts leave room for visual storytelling, especially with action and emotion?4. Fugitoid’s debut in TalesThis arc introduces Fugitoid into the Tales of the TMNT universe. What made him the right character to bring into this specific corner of TMNT, and what excites you most about using him in this format?5. Anti-AI themes and “Chrome Alone 2”Andrew, you recently wrote the animated short Chrome Alone 2, which has a clear anti-AI message. Without getting into anything off-limits, how important is it for you to sneak big ideas and values into genre storytelling?6. Franchise stewardshipWhat’s exciting about Tales of the TMNT specifically as a space for experimentation and tone shifts within the brand?7. Entry point for new readersFor readers who might be jumping into Tales of the TMNT for the first time, what do you think makes this arc—between your voice, Louie’s art, and Fugitoid’s arrival—a great onboarding point?8. Fun / silly closer: Last one: If the Turtles were brutally honest, which one would give the worst notes on your script—and why would it definitely be Michelangelo?
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Best Comics of 2025

    Best Comics of 2025
    Dec 28 2025

    Best Single Issue

    Dave: Assorted Crisis Events #1 (Deniz Camp, Eric Zawadki)

    Alex: The Power Fantasy #13 (Kieron Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard)

    Chris: The Voice Said Kill #4 (Si Spurrier, Vanesa R. Del Rey)

    Best Graphic Novel

    Dave: Drome

    Alex: Young Men in Love: New Romance

    Chris: Trumpets of Death

    Best Writer

    Dave: Deniz Camp

    Alex: Kieron Gillen

    Chris: Zac Thompson

    Best Artist

    Dave: Hayden Sherman

    Alex: Evan Cagle

    Chris: Dani

    Best Series

    Dave: Absolute Batman (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)

    Alex: Absolute Wonder Woman (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, Mattia De Iulis)

    Chris: The Amazing Spider-Man (2025)

    Best Anthology

    Dave: Monkey Meat: The Summer Batch

    Alex: DC Pride 2025

    Chris: Hello Darkness

    Best Letterer

    Dave: Lucas Gattoni

    Alex: Adiyta Bidikar

    Chris: Clayton Cowles

    Best Colors

    Dave: Jordie Bellaire

    Alex: Javier Rodriguez (Absolute MM)

    Chris: Mike Spicer

    Best Comics film or TV?

    Dave: Thunderbolts

    Alex: Marvel Zombies

    Chris: Superman

    Best Comics Event?

    Dave: DC K.O.

    Alex: Ugh…. none

    Chris: Ultimate Endgame

    Best Horror
    Dave: Event Horizon: Dark Descent (2025) (Christian Ward, Tristan Jones)

    Alex: Exquisite Corpses (Tynion, Walsh)

    Chris: Exorcism Island (Jordan Thomas, Chris Matthews)

    Wild card options:

    Biggest Stinker

    Dave: Revelation

    Alex: Every Revelation tie-in (especially Laura Kinney and Iron & Frost)

    Chris: I, Tyrant

    Most gruesome death

    Dave: The alien killer in Cruel Universe 2 #2 (Riley Rossmo, David Wielgosz)

    Alex: Most of the kills in Predator vs Marvel Universe

    Chris: Batman “dies” in DC K.O.

    Best couple

    Dave: Gambit and Rogue

    Alex: Mister Miracle and Big Barda

    Chris: Melvin and June Waring (Ancestral Recall)

    Best Reboot/Relaunch

    Dave: Punisher: Red Band

    Alex: Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma

    Chris: Toxic Crusaders

    Best Plot Twist

    Dave: Batman/Deadpool - Grant Morrison writes themselves into the story

    Alex: Etienne dying

    Chris: Doom’s Death/Return (In, like, four weeks time)

    Most Anticipated Series of Next Year

    Dave: Death Spiral

    Alex: Mushroom Knight Vol. 3 (Oliver Bly)

    Chris: Is Ted OK?
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • “A New Shiver for Christmas Town”: Torunn Grønbekk on writing in Tim Burton’s iconic world

    “A New Shiver for Christmas Town”: Torunn Grønbekk on writing in Tim Burton’s iconic world
    Dec 21 2025
    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! NEWSFull Marvel Solicits March 2026 (Tuesday!)Marvel reveals March 2025 covers and solicits as the Ultimate Universe heads toward its EndgameJessica Jones returns in Marvel’s darkest, bloodiest 'Alias' story yetCarnage knows Spider-Man’s secret, and Peter learns Mary Jane is Venom in the March 2026 solictsWonder Man heads back to Hollywood, and his past is ready for a comeback of its ownMarvel brings the Sentry home as creator Paul Jenkins returns for a high-stakes new seriesMarvel goes all-out for 2026 with Comics Giveaway Day, teasing 'Amazing Spider-Man' #1000, & moreMarvel turns ‘Daredevil’ #1 into a Blind-Bag gamble with rare variants and secret sketch coversMarvel’s most thunderous art gets the deluxe treatment in a massive new Thor bookDC solicits March 2026'DC K.O.' was just the warm-up: DC ALL IN goes NEXT LEVEL with Lobo, Batwoman, Deathstroke & MoreDC Next Level begins in March 2026 with Wonder War and Superboys RisingImage Comics announces 'Tigress Island' a pulp-fueled fever dreamArchie gets a radical relaunch as Oni Press reimagines Riverdale for a new eraTarzan swings back into comics, and he’s older, wiser, and facing pirates who want immortalityOur Top Books of the Week:Dave:Star Trek: The Last Starship #3 (Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Adrin Bonilla)The Bat-Man: Second Knight #2 (Dan Jurgens, Mike Perkins)Alex:​​Die: Loaded #2 (Gillen, Hans)Power Fantasy #14 (Gillen, Wijngaard)Honorable Mentions: Author Immortal, 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun, Exquisite CorpsesStandout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex: Rogue Storm #3 (Murewa Ayodele, Roland Boschi)Dave: Alien vs. Captain America (2025) #2 (Frank Tieri, Stefano Raffaele)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: Absolute Wonder Woman #15 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman) & Event Horizon #4 (Christian Ward, Tristan Jones)Dave: The Will of Doom #1 (Chip Zdarsky, Cafu)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Hello Darkness #17 (1:10 Full Art Puebla Cover)Alex: DC K.O.: The Joker vs. Red Hood #1 (Dustin Nguyen Variant)Interview: Torunn Grønbekk - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town - Out Jan 7, 20261. Expanding the WorldWhat’s it like contributing to a Tim Burton universe project?What excited you most about the chance to tell a new story within The Nightmare Before Christmas universe, and how did you approach capturing that distinct mix of spooky and sweet?2. Character FocusSally takes center stage in this series. What aspects of her character did you want to explore or expand on that fans haven’t seen before?3. The New CreationDr. Finkelstein’s latest creation, Shiver, sounds like a charming new addition to Halloween Town. What inspired this character, and what role does Shiver play in the story’s themes?4. Trick-or-Treat Trio TroubleLock, Shock, and Barrel are fan favorites for their chaotic energy. How was it writing for those three troublemakers, especially as they head off to Christmas Town?5. Visual CollaborationEdu Menna’s art brings a lot of gothic personality to the book. How did you two work together to strike the balance between Burton-esque atmosphere and the fun of a family-friendly adventure?6. Tone and AudienceThe series is described as “perfect for all ages.” How did you balance writing something that works for longtime fans of the film and younger readers discovering Nightmare Before Christmas for the first time?7. Franchise LegacyThe Shiver of Christmas Town follows Long Live the Pumpkin Queen: The Graphic Novel. How does this story build on that ongoing relationship between Dynamite and Disney’s Nightmare Before Christmas world?8. The Magic of Halloween (and Christmas)Without giving too much away, what do you hope readers take away from this story about the magic—or mischief—of the holiday spirit?9. Character and Tone Your work often blends grit and introspection—how are you approaching Selina Kyle’s duality as both a thief and protector in your Catwoman run, and what new sides of her character are you most excited to explore?
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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Punisher goes noir as Stephen King enters 'The End Times'

    Punisher goes noir as Stephen King enters 'The End Times'
    Dec 14 2025
    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'Superman/Spider-Man' #1 gets full creative team reveal and first cover lookMarvel’s X-Men enter a dangerous new era as Shadows of Tomorrow' begins: March 2026 covers & launches revealedDarth Maul returns in a brutal new era, and Marvel’s prequel series reveals his darkest plan yetMarvel’s next huge event is already underway and Wolverine & Captain America hold the keys to ARMAGEDDONUltimate Universe shocker: Hickman opens up as Marvel debuts ‘Endgame’ preview + 9 never-seen sketch coversDC Vertigo unveils first 2026 trailer—plus exclusive new Covers for March titlesThe Viltrumites are coming for Battle Beast in a blood-soaked new arc in March 2026Event Horizon is back from hell: Prequel sells out, sequel comic set 200 years laterWEBTOON just changed everything for creators: Massive 2026 overhaul announced!Skeletor just leveled up: Masters of the Universe becomes an ongoing series in 2026Our Top Books of the Week:Dave:Amazing Spider-Man #17 (Pepe Larraz, Joe Kelly)The End 2099 #1 (Steve Orlando, Ibraim Roberson)Alex:​​Absolute Batman #15 (Scott Snyder, Jock)Our Soot Stained Heart #1 (Joni Hägg, Stipan Morian)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex: Ultimate Wolverine #12 (Condon, Cappuccio)Dave: Absolute Batman #15 (Scott Snyder, Jock)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: The Power Fantasy #14 (Gillen, Wijngaard) & DIE: Loaded #2 (Gillen, Hans)Dave: Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 (W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Book of Revelation #3 (Ivan Shavrin but also Fabrizio De Tommaso)Alex: Nightwing #133 (Dustin Nguyen variant)Interview: Ben Percy talks The End Times and Punisher in 2026 (out in February)Origin of the Project:Last we spoke we talked a bit about The End Times, but now the project sees the revival of Stephen King’s Bachman universe through Bad Hand Books, how’d that come to be?Expanding the Bachman Lore:Claudia Inez Bachman has always been a shadowy figure in King’s mythos — how did it feel to help bring her to life as a writerly voice in her own right?Collaboration with Stephen King:What was the collaboration process like with King himself? Did you two discuss tone, continuity, or the meta-narrative of Bachman’s legacy?Post-Apocalyptic Themes:You’ve described this world as “the world has ended and it’s rebuilding.” What emotional or thematic space did you want to explore in that aftermath, compared to the usual “apocalypse in progress” stories?Social Commentary:The project examines misinformation and the role of local journalism — how do those themes mirror our current media landscape, and what kind of response are you hoping to evoke from readers?Physical vs. Digital Experience:With both a newspaper edition and a digital version available, what do you hope readers gain from physically holding this story in their hands versus reading it online?Continuing the Bachman Tradition:Bachman’s work was often darker and more cynical than King’s mainline fiction. Does The End Times lean into that same spirit of anger and disillusionment?(Fun / Silly Question):If The End Times really were the last surviving newspaper on Earth, what headline would you want your byline to appear under? (“Local Writer Saves Humanity”? “Coffee Shortage Ends Civilization”? 😄)
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Sam Humphries returns! 'New Avengers' gets wilder, weirder, and more dangerous

    Sam Humphries returns! 'New Avengers' gets wilder, weirder, and more dangerous
    Dec 7 2025
    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! NEWSDC just unlocked 35,000+ comics for millions of new readersJeff the Land Shark crashes into Hell’s Kitchen, and Daredevil will never be the sameMarvel unleashes a new Guardians team, and they’re more Dangerous Than Anything in SpaceDC RUSHES BACK TO PRESS: 'Absolute Batman' hits 10th printing as 'DC K.O.' tie-ins sell out!Top 50 comics of NovemberOur Top Books of the Week:Dave:Fantastic Four #6 (Ryan North, Humberto Ramos)Duck Avenger (Nicolas Pothier, Luc “Batme” Collin) Chris:​​The Voice Said Kill #4 (Si Spurrier, Vanesa R. Del Rey)Briar: Night’s Terror #1 (Chris Cantwell, Alex Lins)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Chris: DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1 (Joshua Williamson, Sean Izaakse, Trish Mulvihill, Hi-Fi) Dave: Hulk Smash Everything #1 (Ryan North, Vincenzo Carratu)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKChris: Our Soot Stained Heart #1 (Joni Hagg, Stipan Morian)Dave: Absolute Batman #15 (Scott Snyder, Jock)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Absolute Batman #15 (Tyler Kirkham)Chris: It Killed Everyone But Me #4 (Josh Hixson Main Cover)Interview: Sam Humphries - New Avengers #7 out Dec 10One of my favorite parts of issue #6 is the way Clea bounces off the rest of the team — she’s arrogant, dangerous, hilarious, and weirdly pragmatic. How important is Clea as a tone-setter for this team, and did you always intend for her to have this much presence, or did she just start taking over scenes once you started writing her?In issue #6 you’ve still got Carnage on the board, even though Eddie Brock: Carnage is wrapping up soon. You told me before you basically had to negotiate for every character. How are you keeping Carnage meaningfully involved long-term — not just as shock value, but as an actual team member — without breaking what Charles Soule did with him in his own corner?By issue #6, it feels like New Avengers is fully embracing chaos — you’ve got Bucky trying to lead a team of killers, liars, and literal monsters, while the line between heroism and survival keeps getting blurrier. How much of this book is about what it really means to be an Avenger when the ideals that title stands for just don’t work anymore?We see Iron Apex actively working to bust out more members of the Kiluminati — Lord Britain and Rapunzel — while the team is still trying to figure out how to survive Evil Doctor Strange. How big is the Kiluminati conspiracy compared to what we’ve seen so far? Are we still at the “first wave,” or are you already building toward something closer to a war between their dark Illuminati and Bucky’s crew?Guru Strange in issue #6 is… a lot. He’s powerful, unhinged, and kind of grossly horny in a way that makes him instantly memorable. How did you find the voice for these twisted “duplicates”? Are you treating each Kiluminati member like a dark-mirror riff, or are you building them as full-on new villains with their own agendas beyond “evil version of X”?You’ve already said you wanted these New Avengers to feel like a Fast & Furious family — volatile, high-powered, kind of toxic, but ride-or-die when it counts. At this point in the story, do you see them actually becoming a “family,” or are they only ever going to be a barely-controlled disaster pointed at bigger disasters?The book’s really leaning into sex and intimacy — especially with Black Widow and Winter Soldier in issue #6 — but it doesn’t feel like empty heat. It feels messy and fragile and dangerous. Is Bucky/Nat the emotional core of this book going forward, and how hard are you planning to break them to test that core?Sensitivity coordinatorYou’ve talked about how continuity on this book is basically “Marvel Universe on steroids,” with characters being borrowed from multiple offices. Now that you’re this deep — Hulk, Carnage, Clea, Bucky, etc. — what’s the biggest creative win from that shared custody? Has any other office (or creator) dropped something in your lap that made you go, “Oh, that just unlocked the next arc”?Leadership in New Avengers feels like a losing battle — what would Cap say about Bucky’s job so far as team leader?Extremely serious journalism question to close: If the New Avengers and the Kiluminati had to compete on a Bravo-style dating show where everyone is forced to live in one mansion and hook up or strategize, who (A) immediately starts sleeping with the enemy, (B) is secretly there just to stab someone, and (C) wins the whole thing without anyone realizing they were playing?
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    1 hr and 22 mins