Finding the Fugitoid: Andrew Joustra on writing TMNT across animation & comics

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?

Best Single IssueDave: 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 NovelDave: DromeAlex: Young Men in Love: New RomanceChris: Trumpets of DeathBest WriterDave: Deniz CampAlex: Kieron GillenChris: Zac Thompson Best ArtistDave: Hayden ShermanAlex: Evan CagleChris: 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 AnthologyDave: Monkey Meat: The Summer BatchAlex: DC Pride 2025Chris: Hello DarknessBest LettererDave: Lucas GattoniAlex: Adiyta BidikarChris: Clayton CowlesBest ColorsDave: Jordie BellaireAlex: Javier Rodriguez (Absolute MM)Chris: Mike SpicerBest Comics film or TV?Dave: ThunderboltsAlex: Marvel ZombiesChris: SupermanBest Comics Event?Dave: DC K.O.Alex: Ugh…. noneChris: Ultimate EndgameBest HorrorDave: 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 StinkerDave: RevelationAlex: 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 UniverseChris: Batman “dies” in DC K.O. Best coupleDave: Gambit and RogueAlex: Mister Miracle and Big BardaChris: Melvin and June Waring (Ancestral Recall)Best Reboot/RelaunchDave: Punisher: Red BandAlex: Resurrection Man: Quantum KarmaChris: Toxic CrusadersBest Plot TwistDave: Batman/Deadpool - Grant Morrison writes themselves into the storyAlex: Etienne dyingChris: Doom’s Death/Return (In, like, four weeks time)Most Anticipated Series of Next YearDave: Death SpiralAlex: Mushroom Knight Vol. 3 (Oliver Bly)Chris: Is Ted OK?

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?

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”? 😄)

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?

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! NEWSDani Moonstar finally gets her first solo series, and it’s packed with magic, monsters, and a terrifying new foeMarvel set to blow up the X-Men status quo and rebuild it into the wildest mutant school everMarvel finally does the impossible: Fantastic Four crash into Planet of the Apes in a crossover 50 years in the making!Archie meets Evil Dead?! Riverdale goes full Deadite in the wildest crossover of 2026Image/Top Cow resurrects a terrifying Lovecraft classic, but with a twist fans won’t see comingOur Top Books of the Week:Dave:The Infernal Hulk #1 (Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Nic Klein)Escape #4 (Rick Remender, Daniel Acuna)Chris:​​Devil on My Shoulder #1 (Kyle Starks and Piotr Kowalski)DC K.O. #2 (Joshua Williamson, Javier Ferndandez, Scott Snyder, Xermanico, et al.)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Chris: Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #4 (Zac Thompson and Daniel Irizarri)Dave: Absolute Batman #14 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKChris: The Voice Said Kill #4 (Si Spurrier and Vanesa R. Del Rey)Dave: The Terminator: Santa Claus is Coming to Town #1 (PAULINA GANUCHEAU and KENDALL GOODE)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Wiccan: Witches' Road #1 (Luciano Vecchio)Chris: DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1 (Jorge Corona and Sarah Stern)Interview: Christos Gage Battleworld chat (#3 out this week)Returning to BattleworldThis is the first time Battleworld has been explored since Secret Wars (2015)—what excited you most about revisiting that concept, and how did you want your version to feel distinct?From CrossGen to Star Brand, you’re pulling characters and worlds readers haven’t seen in years. How do you balance fan-service deep cuts with making the story accessible to newer readers?Hank Pym at the CenterIn the first issue, Hank Pym feels like the central character. What drew you to spotlight him, and what does his perspective bring to a chaotic mashup world like this?The Korvac FactorKorvac looms behind it all—what made him the right choice as the architect (or manipulator) of Battleworld, and how did you approach his voice and menace?Marcus To’s ArtMarcus To brings a sleek, kinetic energy to the book. What’s your collaboration like—were there moments where his art surprised you or even changed how you wrote a scene?The “Surprising Costume Reveal”Solicits tease the most surprising costume reveal in 40 years. Without spoiling, how did you approach delivering something that lives up to that kind of hype?The Larger Marvel TapestryDo you see Battleworld as a self-contained throwback, or does it intentionally connect to current Marvel continuity and the broader multiverse storytelling happening now?Fun QuestionIf you yourself were thrown onto Battleworld, what obscure Marvel power set or artifact would you grab to survive? Fabian Stankowitz 

1. 🧠 The Smart Buy (Best Value for Money)Items that deliver the most substance for their cost — thick trades, box sets, digital bundles, or multi-use gear. (Example: an Omnibus Edition, Marvel Unlimited, or a good pair of Bluetooth headphones for audiobook listening.)Dave:The Transformers Compendium Vol. 1 (Order here: $38 on Amazon for 44 issues!)Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1 (Order here: 2025 Edition)Alex: Marvel Unlimited ($69/year) & DC Universe ($74.99)X-Men Fatal Attractions Omnibus (Order here: 47% off on Amazon!)2. 🖼️ Shelf Candy (Best Display or Design Piece)Books, collectibles, or art prints that look incredible on a shelf. Could include deluxe hardcovers, vinyl soundtracks, statues, or even minimalist poster series.Dave:The Fantastic Four: First Steps Poster (more info)McFarlane Toys - Marvel Venom 1:6th Scale Collectible with Scene & Comic (Order here: more info)Alex:Jumbo Size Funko SupermanMondo X-Men ‘97 Storm Figure3. 💥 The Hype Pick (What Everyone’s Talking About)This year’s buzziest thing — a trending comic, toy line, show, or crossover event. Great for conversation starters and “must-have” energy.Dave: All the Absolute comics! Absolute Batman (link), Absolute Wonder Woman (link), Absolute Superman (link), Absolute Martian Manhunter (link), Absolute Green Lantern (link). Alex: Ultimate Universe Box Set: 1,000 pages, $84.99, from a cover price of $120. (Order here: Discounted on Amazon)4. 🕹️ The Experience Buy (Immersive or Interactive Purchases)Games, tabletop sets, or hobby kits that offer hours of engagement. Could include LEGO kits, or VR titles — anything that rewards time spent.Dave:The Mortal Coil Shuffle (more info)Arkham Asylum Lego (more info)Alex:Tickets to Emerald City Comic ConRolife book nooks5. 🎁 The Perfect Gift (Universal Crowd-Pleasers)Accessible, fun items that make ideal gifts for fans or newcomers alike — art books, indie trades, collectible card sets, or streaming subscriptions.Dave:JLA Earth 2 Deluxe Edition (more info) Alex Ross Marvel Super Villains Mural 2025 Oversized Wall Calendar (more info)Alex: Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1, gift card to MyComicShop.com6. 🔥 The Deep Cut (For Hardcore Collectors)Rare editions, imports, signed items, or niche merchandise that appeals to completists and superfans. Dave: Jim Aparo's DC Classics Artist's Edition (or any Artist’s Edition for that matter!)Alex: Taschen X-Men edition (more info)7. 🎧 The Rich Friend Buy (Stuff That Most Can’t Afford)Nuff said.Dave: Wolverine: Weapon X statue (more info), or if you really wanna splurge. Alex: X-Men Danger Room and all Stephen King Marvel Omnibus collected.8. 🌀 The Wild CardAnything offbeat, surprising, or delightfully weird — a novelty figure, indie zine, retro collectible, or something you didn’t expect to love but now can’t stop recommending.Dave: The End Times (Info here) and PeePee PooPoo #100,000 (more info)Alex: Any comic from Silver Sprocket, like Of Thunder & Lightning and the Chromatic Fantasy, also, just go to your LCS and look for vintage figures!And that's a wrap on our gift guide. We hope you enjoy the podcast explanations for why we picked them, and we'll be back on our regular scheduled weekly basis a week after next!

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'Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon' by Chip Zdarsky and Luca Maresca, a lead-in series to next summer's 'Armageddon' event, arrives in February 2026.The Iron Fist reborn: Lin Lie leads Marvel’s greatest martial artists in 'Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun' #1!S.H.I.E.L.D. returns in the next chapter of Chip Zdarsky and Valerio Schiti's 'Captain America'Moonstar solo comic coming January 2026BOOM! Studios saddles up for new ‘My Little Pony’ adventuresRob Liefeld’s 'Youngblood' returns — and It’s already sold outVault Comics and Matt Dinniman’s 'Dungeon Crawler Carl: Crocodile' smashes crowdfunding recordsOctober 2025 sales figures are inOur Top Books of the WeekDave:Ice Cream Man: The Mortal Coil (W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo)Alien vs. Captain America (2025) #1 (Frank Tieri, Stefano Raffaele)Alex:​​Poison Ivy #38 (Wilson, Takara)Amazing Spider-Man #15 (Joe Kelley, Emilio Laiso, Marte Garcia)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex:  Binary #2 (Giada Belviso)Dave: Amazing Spider-Man #15 (Joe Kelley, Emilio Laiso, Marte Garcia)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: DIE: Loaded #1 (Kieron Gillen, Stephanie Hans) & Predator: Badlands #1 (Ethan Sacks, Elvin Ching, Oren Junior)Dave: We're Taking Everyone Down with Us #6 (Matthew Rosenberg, Stefano Landini)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Sinister's Six #2 (Ivan Shavrin Variant)Alex: Batman: Dark Patterns #12 (Hayden Sherman)Interview: Paul Pope talks his career and Total THB out November 11, 20251. Total THB has always felt like a living piece of your imagination—something that evolved alongside you. Now that you’re returning to it after thirty years, what does it mean to finally see it presented as the definitive version you always envisioned?7. In your introduction, you mention artists like Bruegel, Motherwell, and Rodin alongside Kirby, Moebius, and Miyazaki. That’s a fascinating cross-section of influences—how do you see Total THB sitting at the intersection of those worlds now?2. In your introduction, you talk about the seed idea—“small things exploding into big things.” How has that core concept shaped your storytelling and visual philosophy across your entire career, and how does it feel to return to it now with decades of experience behind you?8. Total THB is set on a divided Mars, a world of art versus bureaucracy, chaos versus control. Given how global politics and culture have evolved since the ’90s, do you see new relevance—or new warnings—in the story’s setting and themes?5. The relationship between HR and THB—the sheltered daughter and her enigmatic bodyguard—feels both intimate and mythic. How do you see their dynamic now, and what new layers do you hope readers discover in this remastered edition?6. You’ve described superheroes before as modern myths — figures that blend pulp with poetry. Having moved between corporate superhero universes and your own creator-owned worlds, what do you think mainstream superhero comics could still learn from the spirit of self-publishing that birthed THB*?*

NEWSWanda Maximoff ascends as Marvel’s new Sorcerer Supreme in December 2025Marvel teases “ARMAGEDDON” — Chip Zdarsky’s universe-shattering eventFrank Castle returns in Benjamin Percy and José Luis’ new ongoing 'Punisher' seriesMarvel’s Ultraman saga reaches its epic finale in 'The Fall of Ultraman' in February 2026‘Spread’ creators reunite for new horror-sci-fi series ‘Malevolent’Grant Morrison announces new ‘Sebastian O’ Vertigo adventureDynamite and Warner Bros. reveal $100 mystery blind bags packed with rare comic goldICV2 market share info releasedOur Top Books of the WeekDave:Absolute Batman Annual #1 (Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren)Barbaric: The Black Knight (Michael Moreci, Gui Balbi)Chris:​​Nights #16 (Wyatt Kennedy, Luigi Formisano)Cult of The Lamb: Schism Special #1 (Alex Paknadel, Troy Little)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Chris:  Absolute Batman Annual #1 (Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren) Dave: Robowolf #2 (Jake Smith)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKChris: DC K.O.: Knightfight #1 (Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora)Dave: Alien vs. Captain America #1 (Frank Tieri,  Stefano Raffaele)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Amazing X-Men #2 (Stephanie Hans Variant)Chris: Harley and Ivy: Life and Crimes #1 (Erica Henderson Main)Interview Questions – Grant Sandground / Skybox Metal Universe Batman - Upper Deck VP of Product Development out 11/51. Batman has an 85-year legacy filled with reinvention. What made now the right time to bring the Dark Knight into the Skybox Metal Universe, and why was he chosen as the first DC hero to headline this line?2. Metal Universe is known for its cutting-edge printing innovations — from etched foil to die-cuts and lenticular cards. Can you walk us through the technology that makes these cards stand out physically in-hand and how that translates to the Gotham aesthetic?3. Each Metal Universe line has its own visual identity, whether cosmic, heroic, or elemental. How did your team translate Batman’s world — all shadow, grit, and neon — into the visual language of the brand?4. This set spans decades of Gotham history. What was the process for selecting which eras, storylines, and character designs to include, and how did you balance nostalgia with innovation?5. The set features signatures from legendary creators like Gail Simone and Marv Wolfman. What does it mean to have the actual architects of Gotham’s mythology participate in this project, and how do their cards fit into the collector experience?6. How do you feel about people selling these on ebay?7. How do you pick out art?8. Your thoughts on the use of a.i. art?8. Can you tease any product on the way?9. (Fun one!) If you were designing your own “Grant Sandground” insert card for the set, what kind of foil finish or chase rarity would it have — and which Gotham character would you want to share a dual card with?

NEWSIndies dominate and fan favorites surprise at the 2025 Ringo Awards'Rick and Morty: The End' #1 goes “Blind Bag-Less” — because who needs plastic when you have chaos?‘Something is Killing the Children’ is coming to life: Blumhouse secures film and TV rights to James Tynion IV’s horror hitMarvel Solicitations January 2026Peach Momoko expands her universe with 'SAI: Dimensional Rivals'Marvel celebrates 'Avengers' #800 with Jed MacKay’s explosive finale and a star-studded lineup of legendsMarvel’s K-pop superhero returns! Luna Snow battles a sinister new idol in 'World Tour' #1Knullified covers, which is your favorite CJ?!DC Comics solicitations January 2026Our Top Books of the WeekDave:Absolute Wonder Woman #13 (Kelly Thompson, Matias Bergara)Escape #3 (Rick Remender, Daniel Acuna) CJ:​​The Ultimates #17 (Deniz Camp, Phil Noto)Immortal Legend Batman #3 (Kyle Higgins, Mat Groom, Erica D’Urso, Daniel Bayliss & Dan Mora - what a team!)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:CJ: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12 (Juan Ferreyra)Dave: Marvel Zombies Red Band 2 (Jan Bazaldua)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKCJ: Black Cat #3 (G. Willow Wilson, Gleb Melnikov)Dave: Absolute Batman Annual #1 (Daniel Warren Johnson AND “Sanctuary” by James Harren, Dave Stewart and Cowles; “Let’s Learn About Bats!” by Meredith McClarenJUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: DISNEY VILLAINS: MALEFICENT VOL. 2 #1 (Paulina Ganucheau)CJ: RADIANT BLACK #38 (Marcelo Costa)Interview: Boulet Brothers: Dragula Titans Season 2 (Mondays at midnight et), comics, and more:Callback to comics: Back on the AIPT Comics Podcast (Episode 141 October 2021), I feel like we bonded over Scarlet Witch and your love of darker comic storylines. If Titans Season 2 were a comic book arc, what title or event would it resemble?As horror experts reinventing what horror means to so many, and horror being more prevalent with the return of EC Comics at Oni, and even Marvel going deeper into gore with polybagged Red Band comics, do you feel like Dragula is part of that same movement of pushing boundaries — treating horror as a living, evolving genre rather than a fixed set of tropes?Evolution of tone: You once described earlier Dragula seasons as DIY, campy, or serious horror. With Titans Season 2 blending those flavors, how would you describe the “recipe” of this new season?With Steve Orlando and Todd McFarlane judging on Titans Season 2 I feel like there more comic book representation on TV than ever, why were they important to weave into your show?Fright Feats twist: The extermination challenges are gone, replaced by mandatory Fright Feats. Why did you feel now was the right time to evolve that part of the competition, and how do you expect it to push the competitors differently?The first challenge is rooted in a spooky staple: reinventing classic Halloween costumes with a return of the Halloween house party. Not to give anything away, but do you have a favorite challenge of the season, and might you say which episodes #’s they are?Making comics is nothing new for you with your Heavy Metal Magazine takeover back in 2021, and a story in DC Horror Presents #1 and Hello Darkness #10! Do you see future opportunities where Dragula and comics collide again — perhaps a Dragula: Titansgraphic novel?