AIPT Comics

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’ve got a full-length interview with Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque all about Absolute Green Arrow, their bold new take that turns Oliver Queen into something far more dangerous. It’s a deep dive into the horror influences, the mystery at the heart of the story, and how the duo is reshaping one of DC’s most iconic heroes.

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!

NEWS

‘DNX’ pits X-Men and Fantastic Four against a virus in 5-issue event, with new blind bags revealed

Marvel’s 'Queen in Black' gets new blind bag covers and bizarre Venomworld Bouncers

Rocket Raccoon gets 50th anniversary special 'Rocket Rewind' #1 for July

Marvel adds even more Doctor Doom to release slate with 'Challenges of Doom' starting July 2026

Spider-Man and Punisher’s first team-up goes off the rails in new series in time for 'Brand New Day'

Marvel layoffs!

Dark Horse brings Marvel Comics villains into focus with new 'Most Villainous' collections

Dark Horse announced even more Marvel Comics horror collections: The Best of Marvel's Vampire Tales

Mike Mignola returns to Hellboy Universe with 'The Foundry: In Peril on the Seas' #1 this August

Ring Magazine and Dark Horse launch boxing comic series 'The Man Who Beat The Man' by Gail Simone

DC Comics solicits July 2026

A hidden traitor and a war from the deep threaten to tear ‘Dark Knights of Steel II’ apart

Lono returns as '100 Bullets' enters its most dangerous chapter yet with 'The US of Anger' #1

DC releases even more 'Absolute Batman' #19 covers with official Absolute Robin designs

First look: DC reveals The Art of Supergirl book bridging comics and the upcoming film

DC unveils noir horror 'Clayface: Celebrity Dirt' focused on Basil Karlo out July 98th



Meet the New Jersey killer who was supposed to be a star in ‘Exquisite Corpses: Rascal Randy’ #1

Dynamite sets July 22th for 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' return

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Absolute Batman #19 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)

Alias: Red Band #2 (Sam Humphries, Geraldo Borges)

Alex:​​

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

The Thing on the Doorstep (Simon Birks, Willi Roberts)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: Magik & Colossus (Ashley Allen, German Peralta)

Dave: Lobo #2 (Jorge Corona, Skottie Young)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

Alex: In Your Skin #1 (Aditya Bidikar, SOM) & Absolute WW #19 (Thompson, Sherman)

Dave: The Amazing Spider-Man #27 (Joe Kelly and Friends) & Spider-Man/Superman #1 (Various)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

Dave: Marc Spector: Moon Knight #3 (Ryan Stegman)

Alex: Sorcerer Supreme #5 1:25 Mingyi Gan Variant

Interview: PORNSAK PICHETSHOTE and RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE - Out May 20 - (FOC April 27) 

For Pornsak Pichetshote: This book leans hard into urban horror and murder mystery. What drew you to reimagining Green Arrow through that lens rather than a more traditional superhero approach?

For Rafael Albuquerque: The visuals carry a lot of mood and unease. How did you approach designing a version of this world that feels grounded but still heightened enough for horror?

Trick arrows, yes or no?

For Pornsak: Dinah Lance is effectively our entry point into this mystery. What made her the right character to lead the story instead of Oliver himself?

For Rafael: This series deals with violence in a more unsettling, investigative way. How do you balance making those moments impactful without overwhelming the reader?

For Pornsak: The suspect list of archers is a clever way to tap into DC history. How did you decide which characters to include, and how do you make each feel distinct within the mystery?

For both: This series is arriving after several Absolute titles have already established the tone and expectations of the line. How did you think about fitting into that larger world while still carving out your own identity?

For Pornsak: There’s a question at the heart of issue #2 about whether the killer is something to stop or understand. How important is moral ambiguity to this version of Green Arrow?

For Rafael: Oliver Queen’s presence looms large even in death. How did you approach visual storytelling around a character who is central but not always physically there?

Fun question for both: If you had to survive in this world and pick one DC archer to have your back, who are you choosing… and who are you absolutely avoiding?

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

Marvel Comics releases all 'Queen in Black' solicits for titles out July 2026

Queen in Black grows with 'Venom Unchained' miniseries

Marvel Comics’ ‘Queen in Black’ Blind Bag gets bigger with ‘True Believers Display Boxes’



Marvel teases a new mystery hero who may outpower Red Hulk in ‘Avengers: Armageddon’

Marvel Comics teases a cryptic new threat: DNX

Marvel’s What If…? returns with multiverse twists for its 50th anniversary

Batman vs. FIVE Robins?! 'Absolute Batman' #20 cover reveal changes everything

Aquaman and Jeff team up now available on Marvel Unlimited

DC and Marvel reveal 'Supergirl/Blade' digital crossover launching April 2026

Top 50 March sales is live

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

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

Uncanny X-Men #26 (Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio)

Chris:​​

Punk'n Heads (Dave Baker and Nicole Goux)

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

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

11:10 Dark Reign war machine 11:45 Fear Itself

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?

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?

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

Hellfire Gala turns deadly: Marvel reveals a murder will change the X-Men forever

Marvel reveals new characters Sightseer and Mogul from ‘Reborn: Ultimate Impact’ series

'Queen in Black' gets 3-part tie-in 'Defenders of Light and Dark' 

And gets 2 one-shots



Marvel sneaks Charlie Cox, Jon Bernthall, and Frank Miller sketches in 'Daredevil' #1 Blind Bags

Marvel and Magic the Gathering collab for free promo card with 'Avengers: Armageddon' #1

Marvel celebrates Rogue One’s 10th anniversary with new one-shots for key characters

‘Nights’ kicks off new story arc this July with #19

James Tynion IV launches new Brooklyn Comics nonprofit with major festival plans

Marvel’s weirdest monsters return in massive 400-page deluxe collection

Mike Mignola's 'Uri Tupka and the Devils' follow up Lands Unknown coming November 2026

Free LEGO Batman comic revealed for Free Comic Book Day with a surprising nod to his very first appearance

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:

MAD About DC #1 (Various)

Lands Unknown: Uri Tupka and the Gods (Mike Mignola)

Chris:​​

Royals #1 (Derek Kirk Kim, Jacob Perez) 

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:

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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

Sam Keith passed away

Claremont returns to tell Gambit's origin in 'Gambit: Wanted' #1

Marvel sheds light on 'Queen in Black' #1 blind bags covers and shares interior pages

Marvel Stormbreakers ‘What If…?’ variant covers celebrate 50 years of alternate marvel stories

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Sai: Dimensional Rivals #3 (Momoko, Mundo, Casagrande, Bengal)

Iron Man #3 (Joshua Williamson, Carmen Carnero)

Alex:​​

Is Ted Ok? #2 (Dave Chisholm)

Absolute Wonder Woman #18 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman) 

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

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?

Can you talk a little about your collaboration with Mark Elijah Rosenberg?

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?

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?

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?

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

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?

Favorite Spawn character?

Where are you at with In Good Hands With Bad Company?

We're Taking Everyone Down With Us



Would you call A Rook Spy Thriller a label under your brand?

Fun / Silly Question

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

Marvel Comics 2026 June solicitations!

Doctor Doom returns and drags Captain America into a new war ahead of ‘Avengers: Armageddon’

'Amazing Spider-Man' #30-31 reveal Spore debut and major twist ahead of issue #1000

Marvel reveals 'Avengers: Armageddon' variants and Comics Giveaway Day preview

‘Jeff the Land Shark: Superstar’ announced by Marvel with Mojo and new X-Men cast

Marvel reveals Wolverine's claws will shatter in June 2026 'Wolverine' series



Marvel’s Swimsuit Special returns this July with new ‘Beach Day’ and must-see pinups

Full June 2026 DC Comics solicitations:

DC just flipped Superman’s origin and threw Supergirl into a nightmare universe

DC announces Summer of Supergirl Special #1 with all-star creative team

DC Pride 2026 reveals 'Justice League: Dream Girls' event starring Galaxy and Dreamer



Every monster imaginable takes over the world in Dark Horse’s new horror series ‘Kingdom of Earth’

The Rocketeer goes undercover in new WWII espionage series 'Infiltrator!'

Image Comics has a Spawn shake-up, as Todd McFarlane & Brett Booth leave early for a new creative team and a time jump

Joshua Williamson turns the Wolf Man into his most brutal and heartbreaking story yet

'The Eye Collector' preview reveals eerie new cosmic horror out June 2026

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Lobo #1 (Skottie Young, Jorge Corona)

Sentry #1 (Paul Jenkins, Christian Rosado)

Alex:​​

Absolute Flash #13 (Lemire, Haining)

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?