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. Street Sharks is coming to IDW
2. The Unchosen is coming to Image Comics (and more detail)
3. Image Comics celebrates 10, 20, 30 year milestones with facsimile issues
4. 'The Man Who Dreamt the Impossible' honors Jack Kirby in August 2025
5. Jason Aaron returns for ‘Uncle Scrooge: Earth’s Mightiest Duck’ #1
6. Marvel dishes new details on ‘Marvel Swimsuit Special’ out July 9
7. Marvel announces new 2025 Stormbreakers class
8. Top 50 Comics May 2025

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma #3 (Ram V, Butch Guice)
2. Amazing Spider-Man #5 (Joe Kelly, Pepe Larraz)

Chris:​​

1. The Moon Is Following Us #10 (DWJ, Riley Rossmo)
2. Jumpscare #4 (Cullen Bunn and Danny Luckert)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris - The Moon Is Following Us #10 (DWJ, Riley Rossmo)

Dave - Ghost Rider vs. Galactus #1(J. Michael Straczynski, Juan Ferreyra)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Chris: Batman: Dark Patterns #7 (Dan Watters, Hayden Sherman)
2. Dave: Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Various)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

1. Dave: Eddie Brock: Carnage #5 (Juan Ferrerya)
2. Chris: Death of the Silver Surfer #1 (Tradd Moore Variant)

Interview: Sam Humphries Interview about New Avengers #1 (June 11):

1. Let’s start with the surprising MCU connection, titled New Avengers it was originally solicited as Thunderbolts, does this mean you were in on the MCU connection from the start?
2. This team lineup—Winter Soldier, Black Widow, Carnage, Hulk, Namor, Clea, and Wolverine—reads like a powder keg. What’s the dynamic like between these “loners,” and how do you keep them from exploding on each other before they can even face a threat?
3. Can you walk us through the creation of the Killuminati? What makes these Illuminati clones more dangerous—or more unhinged—than the originals?
4. You've worked with teams and antiheroes before. What unique storytelling opportunities does this specific mix of personalities and power sets offer that you haven't tackled before?
5. You mentioned in the announcement there are many surprises ahead—can you tease one upcoming twist, without giving the game away?
6. Fans are always down for romance, how hot and heavy are we getting with this new team?
7. Ton Lima’s art brings serious energy to the series. What was it like collaborating with him, and how do his visuals shape the tone of New Avengers?

1. Which team member surprised you the most once you started writing them in this group dynamic?
2. Did any of them take on a larger role than you expected?
   Fun/Silly Question
3. Let’s say the New Avengers are forced to compete in a bake-off against the Killuminati. Who burns their cookies, who makes a mean soufflé, and who tries to assassinate the judges?
   

NEWS

1. Writer Peter David has died
2. 'Deadpool/Batman' and 'Batman/Deadpool coming late 2025
3. Mark Millar's ‘Psychic Sam’ comic and movie announced
4. 'Skullkickers' returns with Oni Press Compact Attack Editions in 2026
5. 'Nightmare Before Christmas' novel gets graphic novel in June 2025
6. Toxic Crusaders #1 announced
7. Dark Horse celebrates Jack Kirby with ‘The Art of Fantastic Four’ out September 2025
8. ‘Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws’ announced for September 2025

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Absolute Martian Manhunter #3 (Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez)
2. The Power Fantasy #9 (Kieron Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard)

Chris:​​

1. Feral #13 (Tony Fleecs, Tone Rodriguez, Trish Forstner)
2. Green Arrow #24 (Chris Condon, Montos)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris - Absolute Martian Manhunter #3 (Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez)

Dave - Absolute Wonder Woman #8 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Chris: The Moon Is Following Us #10 (Daniel Warren Johnson, Riley Rossmo)
2. Dave: DC Pride 2025 #1 (Various)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

1. Dave: Amazing Spider-Man #5 (Pepe Larraz)
2. Chris: Imperial #1 (Javier Garron Connecting Variant)

Interview: Co-writer Adrian Wassel and artist Nathan Gooden about Big Rig #1 July 9 - FOC June 9

1. What was the spark that lit the fire for Big Rig?
   How did this story evolve from Post Malone’s original idea into the medieval demon-slaying road trip we see in Chapter 1?
2. How did the collaboration with Post Malone work on a day-to-day level?
   Was he sending notes from the studio? Storyboarding demon fights on tour?
3. The idea of an 18-wheeler crashing into medieval Europe is wild in the best way.
   How did you work to ground that concept emotionally and thematically?
4. What makes her essential to the story, and how does she play off Trucker?
5. What kind of research or inspiration shaped the design of The Rig itself?
   Did you draw from real-life trucking culture, heavy metal, religious iconography, or all of the above?
6. This book is described as Evil Dead meets Fury Road.
   What’s your approach to balancing horror, action, and dark comedy on the page?
7. Nathan, your art often feels like it’s in motion even when the panels are still.
   What visual challenges or opportunities did Big Rig present compared to something like Barbaric?
8. What was most important to you both in setting the tone for this first chapter?

Purpose: A rapid-fire segment where they say whether the following elements are "loaded" onto The Rig (i.e., present in the series) or "left behind" (not part of the story). This lets you transition into a worldbuilding breakdown in a fun way.

You say the element, they say "Load It" or "Leave It" — and optionally expand briefly.

Examples:

• Romance
• Chainsaws
• Holy relics
• Time travel
• Interdimensional truck stops
• Talking weapons
• Demon puke
• Flashbacks
• Post Malone cameos
• God

Wrap up the segment by picking one they said “Load It” on and asking them to expand:
“Okay, you said ‘Load It’ to talking weapons. Tell us more.”

1. (Fun one) If Trucker had a mixtape in the Rig’s cab, what three songs would be on it — and does Post have to be on there at least once?

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. New 'Black Cat' ongoing series launching August 2025
2. Age of Apocalypse returns! Teaser, details for 'The X-Men of Apocalypse'
3. 'Wolverine by Chris Claremont' #1 announced
4. Chandler Poling - Uncanny Experience
5. Marvel mimics the MCU retitling 'Thunderbolts*' to 'New Avengers'
6. Marvel celebrates America's 250th anniversary with homage variant covers
7. New villain group Killuminati revealed in 'New Avengers' variant covers
8. 'Giant-Size Spider-Man' #1 reveals preview with new hero Rapid
9. IDW announces 'Event Horizon: Dark Descent' prequel for August 2025
10. New heist series 'Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League' announced
11. ‘All-Star Superman’ scores audiobook with full cast
12. Top 50 comics of April 2025

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma #2 (Ram V, Butch Galice, Anand Radhakrishnan)
2. Absolute Superman #7 (Jason Aaron, Carmine Di Giandomenico)

Chris:​​

1. Jumpscare #3 (Cullen Bunn, Danny Luckert)
2. Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma #2 (Ram V, Butch Galice, Anand Radhakrishnan)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris - The Amazing Spider-Man 3 (Joe Kelly and Pepe Larraz), Spidey and Itsy Bitsy Bridge Scene

Dave - All-New Venom #6 (Al Ewing, Carlos Gomez)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Chris: Supergirl #1 (Sophie Campbell, Tamra Bonvillain)
2. Dave: Exquisite Corpses #1 (James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

1. Dave: Phoenix #11 (Lucas Werneck)
2. Chris: Daredevil #21 (John Romita, Jr., Scott Hanna, and Marcio Menyz)

Interview: Scott Snyder talks Absolute Batman!

If readers were to read Absolute Batman alongside your original Black Mirror arc, what emotional or thematic throughline do you think would emerge? Is there a hidden continuity of self that ties those works together?

You've mentioned that Absolute Batman aims to confront contemporary fears. How do you balance integrating real-world issues like mass violence into a superhero narrative without it becoming overwhelming for readers?

This version of Bane is described as having a “true form” that’s finally revealed. Was there a moment early on in this series—or in your own Batman run—where you first imagined this version of Bane, or did he evolve uniquely within the Absolute Batman framework

Ark m in Absolute Batman seems less like a building and more like a state of consciousness. How did you want to reinvent the idea of 'asylum' in this story?

This series has played with identity, memory, and repressed trauma—common Snyder themes—but how has fatherhood and your recent creator-owned work influenced how you're writing Batman now, years after your first run?

You’ve said in past interviews that Batman is a character who builds. Does this arc tear him down in a way that still honors that core idea—or are you challenging that philosophy head-on?

With the Absolute line reimagining iconic characters, what can readers anticipate in future installments, and how do you envision the evolution of this universe?

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. Superman gets a U.S. Coin—Batman and more coming soon
2. DC Comics adds new 'DC Pride 2025' story and shares details
3. TMNT Tuesday #13: TMNT: Shredder series announced
4. New 'Criminal' graphic novel announced for August 2025: 'The Knives'
5. Even more IDW comics coming to Webtoon with weekly release schedule
6. Get hype: Marvel releases new 'Imperial' #1 teaser
7. 'Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands' horror series arrives September 2025
8. Diamond finds a home
9. James Tynion IV sets 'Exquisite Corpses' 2025 tour

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Ultimate Spider-Man #16 (Jonathan Hickman, Marco Checcheto)
2. Heavy Metal Magazine #1 (Various)

Chris:​​

1. We're Taking Everyone Down with Us #2 (Matthew Rosenberg, Stefano Landini)
2. Nights #15 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris - Joker "Hammer Scene" from Batman/Superman World's Finest 2025 Annual #1

Dave - Godzilla vs. Los Angeles - Gabriel Hardman

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Chris: Absolute Green Lantern #2 (Al Ewing, Jahnoy Lindsay)
2. Dave: Absolute Superman #7 (Jason Aaron, Carmine Di Giandomenico)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

1. Dave: Red Sonja Attacks Mars #2 (Joseph Michael Linsner)
2. Chris: Captain Planet #1 (Mark Spears Main Cover)

Interview: Al Ewing talks Detective Comics 2025 Annual #1 - Out April 30

1. You stepped in for Tom Taylor on this annual—can you walk us through how that came about? Was this a story you had to write quickly, or did you have some room to breathe and make it your own?

2. The story kicks off with a classic locked-room mystery—an impossible murder in a high-tech safe room. What drew you to that kind of puzzle, and how did you approach building a detective narrative worthy of Batman?

3. There’s a moment where Batman’s costume subtly shifts from black to blue once he’s in London. Is that just a visual cue, or is there something more symbolic going on there?

4. What’s your take on the annual format? Do you see it as a chance to tell something self-contained and weird, or a pressure cooker to do a lot in a single oversized issue?

5. You’re working with a trio of incredible artists—Stefano Raffaele, John McCrea, and Fico Ossio. How did you decide who handled which parts of the story, and what did each artist bring to the table stylistically?

6. This annual flirts with the idea of Batman not just solving crimes but confronting the nature of reality. How far is too far for Batman, in your mind, when it comes to stories that push past the physical world?

7. UK mythology and angels? John Dee’s magic - Elizabethan

8. Maybe the most important question of them all, what is Batman’s favorite tea and how does he take it?