AIPT Comics

Angélique Roché’s upcoming graphic novel First Freedom arrives February 10 and tells the powerful story of Dr. Opal Lee and the decades-long fight to establish Juneteenth as a national holiday. Ahead of our full written feature next week, we’re sharing something special.
It’s a candid, wide-ranging conversation that explores the creative and emotional core of First Freedom, offering early insight into the themes, challenges, and storytelling choices behind one of the year’s most meaningful graphic novels.
Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! 
NEWS
'Spider-Man/Superman' #1 expands with shock creative reveals and legendary backup stories
New 10-part 'Doomquest' announced with Dr. Doom reshaping history
Marvel just revealed Doom’s ultimate weapon — and it sparks Armageddon in May 2026
Spider-Man teams with celebrity chef José Andrés in Marvel’s wildest food-fueled crossover yet
DC launches massive Absolute Universe reprint wave as demand continues to surge
Kelly Thompson reveals Absolute Suicide Squad designs and new villain details
Dynamite releases 'ThunderCats X SilverHawks' checklist and character designs
Oni Press levels up with major Penguin Random House deal ahead of big 2026 launches
Jason Pearson’s legendary 'Body Bags' returns in massive Artist’s Edition fans won’t want to miss
Our Top Books of the Week:
Dave:
Uncanny X-Men (2024) #23 (Gail Simone, David Marquez)
The Nice House by the Sea (2024) #7 (James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martinez Bueno)
Chris:​​
Knight City #1 (Matt Kindt, David Lapham)
Thundarr the Barbarian #1 (Jason Aaron, Kewber Baal)
Standout KAPOW moment of the week:
Chris: Knight City #1 (Matt Kindt, David Lapham) EMAILED!
Dave: Wolverine #15 (Saladin Ahmed, Mike Henderson)
TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK
Chris: Jar Jar #1 (For Real)
Dave: Barbarian Behind Bars #1 (Elliott Kalan  Andrea Mutti)
JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.
Dave: Black Cat #7 (Adam Hughes Virgin Cover)
Chris: Marc Spector: Moon Knight #1 (Baldemar Rivas Variant)
Interview: Angelique Roche Interview (First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth out February 10
This is the first-ever graphic novel dedicated to the history and origin of Juneteenth. When you first realized the scope of that responsibility, what felt most important to get right from the very beginning?
You’ve spent years helping elevate underrepresented voices through Marvel’s Voices—both the podcast and the comics—creating space for creators to tell stories that might otherwise be sidelined. How did that experience inform the way you approached First Freedom, especially when it came to deciding whose voices and perspectives needed to be centered?
The book spans nearly 160 years of history, yet remains deeply personal. How did you decide when to zoom out to the larger historical context and when to stay tightly focused on Dr. Opal Lee’s lived experience?
There are moments in First Freedom where the art (Alvin Epps, Bex Glendining, and Millicent Monroe) carries the emotional weight as much as the words. Was there a scene where seeing the visuals for the first time changed or deepened how you felt about the story? P.S. I loved how your team used the mirror in the opening scene.
You worked directly with Dr. Opal Lee and her granddaughter, Dione Sims, including extensive in-person interviews. What surprised you most about Dr. Lee once you spent real time with her beyond the public image?
This book arrives during Black History Month and as part of a yearlong celebration of Dr. Lee’s 100th year—but it also makes clear that the fight for freedom and recognition is ongoing. What do you hope readers, especially younger readers, take away from that tension?
You’ve said this book is about much more than Juneteenth as a holiday—it’s about everyday acts of activism and becoming, as you put it, a “committee of one.” How do you hope this story reframes what activism can look like?
As a journalist, producer, and author, you’ve told many real-world stories across different media. What did the graphic novel format allow you to do emotionally or narratively that other formats wouldn’t?

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

Supergirl goes global: DC unites 15 countries for a new anthology
Invincible takes over Image Comics: Season 4 sparks a multiverse-wide celebration
'Head Lopper' returns: Andrew MacLean gears cult-favorite for a 10-year anniversary relaunch
'Lost Fantasy' ignites a new era as 'Fireborn' launches April 2026
ent
Image Comics unveils a twisted new obsession as 'In Your Skin' blends Bollywood, body horror, and fame
'Sex Criminals' is coming to Prime Video and it's about to break time (and TV)
SCOOP: Oni Press goes all-in at ComicsPRO with Archie, Matt Kindt, and a wave of 2026 exclusives
Our Top Books of the Week:
Dave:
Absolute Batman #16 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)
Spirit of the Shadows #1 (Nick Cagnetti)
Alex:​​
Absolute Flash #11 (Jeff Lemire, Nick Robles)
Malevolent #1 (Justin Jordan, John Bivens)
Standout KAPOW moment of the week:
Alex: Infernal Hulk #3 (Phillip K Johnson, Kev Walker)
Dave: Iron Man #1 (Josh Williamson, Carmen Carnero)
TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK
Alex: Magik and Colossus #1 (Ashley Allen, German Peralta), The Nice House by the Sea #7 (James Tynion IV, Álvaro Martínez Bueno)
Dave: DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 (Various)
JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.
Dave: Batman #6 (Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Cover)
Alex: Storm: Earths Mightiest Mutant #1 (Dike Ruan variant)
Interview: Joshua Williamson - Iron Man #1 out January 28th
You’ve spent years shaping the DC Universe—long runs, big swings, major characters. What did it feel like emotionally and creatively to finally step into a mainline Marvel ongoing like Iron Man, and did that change how you approached the book?
Carmen Carnero is bringing this story to life, and her work has such a strong sense of motion, emotion, and intensity. What did you see in her art that made her the right partner for this specific take on Iron Man?
Your tagline, “Tony Stark is the most dangerous weapon in the Marvel Universe,” is a loaded one. In your mind, what makes Tony more dangerous than gods, monsters, or cosmic tyrants?
The premise echoes Iron Man’s origin in a powerful way—“Tony built Tony in that cave. What if he had to go in again?” How did you think about revisiting that crucible without just retelling the origin story?
Madame Masque is positioned as a central force here, orchestrating the kidnapping of geniuses worldwide. She’s also currently making waves elsewhere in Marvel—especially in Venom. What drew you to her for this story, and how do you view her role in the larger Marvel landscape right now?

We’re thrilled to bring you the full, unedited conversation with Gene Luen Yang, the writer currently steering IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles through one of its most emotional and surprising arcs in years.
If you’ve been reading the book, you know the stakes have never been higher. With the shocking reveal of Ujigami’s true identity and the return of Splinter casting a long shadow over the Turtles, Gene joins us to unpack the heart of the story and why this arc is really about family, fear, and the consequences of overprotection.
Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! 
NEWS
Marvel just took over OREO with the biggest special-edition drop in cookie history
Marvel 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 creator
Marvel brings back 'Ultimates' #1–6 just in time for the Ultimate Universe’s explosive finale
Deadpool 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 yet

The Future Foundation returns in 'Fantastic Four' #11
DC Comics solicitationsDC hands the keys to MAD, and lets Chip Zdarsky roast the entire universe
After 35 years, DC restores the lost Swamp Thing epic fans never thought they’d read

Exclusive: Valiant’s April 2026 solicitations signal a bold new era with Valiant Beyond
Prime Video orders 'Lore Olympus' adult animated series, from WEBTOON and Jim Henson Company
From '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 villains
A 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 horro
Our 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 WEEK
Chris: Iron Man #1 (Joshua Williamson, Carmen Carnero)
Dave: Absolute Wonder Woman #16 (Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman)
JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.
Dave: Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 (Eric Canete Variant)
Chris: Conan the Barbarian #28 (Gerardo Zaffino Main Cover)
Interview: Gene Luen Yang - TMNT #14 out January 14 
1. Issue #13 drops a massive bombshell with Ujigami’s true identity being Splinter. When you decided to make him the force hunting the Turtles’ enemies, what was the emotional core you wanted readers to feel first — shock, tragedy, or inevitability?
2. Ujigami isn’t just a villain; he’s a moral crisis for the Turtles. Was your goal to make this run less about defeating an enemy and more about redefining what justice means for the team?
3. In #14, the brothers split up to protect their former enemies from Splinter. That’s such a powerful reversal of classic TMNT dynamics — what does this say about how the Turtles have grown since their early days of black-and-white morality?
4. You’ve written a lot about identity and duality in your career. How did that background influence your approach to Splinter becoming Ujigami — a mentor turning into something almost mythic and terrifying?
5. Shinigami’s introduction brings in mysticism from the 2012 animated series. What made this moment in your run feel right for folding her into IDW continuity, and how did you retool her to fit the tone of your story?
6. Your first two issues lean hard into supernatural elements — ninja mythology, death spirits, and destiny. Was that a conscious pivot from recent TMNT runs that focused more on politics and street-level crime?
8. You’ve said the Turtles work in any genre. With Ujigami and Shinigami, you’re clearly leaning into horror and dark fantasy — were there specific myths, folktales, or manga influences that shaped this arc?
9. You and Freddie E. Williams II are creating some striking, eerie imagery in these issues. How did your collaboration evolve once you realized this arc would live in such a darker, more mystical space?
10. With Ujigami revealed and Shinigami now in play, it feels like the table has finally been set for the larger story you and Freddie have planned. Without giving anything away, what should readers be emotionally bracing for as this arc unfolds — heartbreak, redemption, or something even more unexpected?
11. If the Turtles had to explain Ujigami to April in the most “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” way possible — full of bad metaphors and half-accurate summaries — which brother would do the worst job, and what would his explanation sound like?

Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon! 
NEWS
Marvel’s Ultimate Universe is ending — April 2026 solicits hints how the epic two-year experiment goes out
Doom 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 2026
April 2026 solicits reveal Marvel’s ‘Road to Armageddon’ for Captain America and Wolverine
Jubilee takes center stage in a powerful new Marvel one-shot celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
X-23 steps out of Wolverine’s shadow as Marvel teases deadly new Weapon X threats
Marvel unveils April’s massive 2026 X-Men lineup as the Shadows of Tomorrow takes shape
Spider-Man becomes Spider-Carnage — Marvel’s 'Death Spiral' ends with a jaw-dropping twist
Marvel previews April 2026 Spider-Man chaos as 'Death Spiral' hits its final chapters
Norman Osborn trains the Spider-Verse in Marvel’s wild new Spider-Man mini
Star Wars brings the original trilogy to Galaxy’s Edge in major new Marvel comic story

From '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 2026
DC 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 2026
DC HAD #1 COMIC STORE MARKET SHARE IN Q4 2025
Our 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)b
Standout KAPOW moment of the week:
Alex:  Logan: Black, White & Blood (Larry Hama, Dave Wichter)
Dave: DC K.O. #3 and Transformers #28
TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK
Alex: Power Fantasy #15 (Kieron Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard)
Dave: Captain America #6 (Chip Zdarsky,  Delio Diaz)
JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.
Dave: Black Panther: Intergalactic #2 (E.M. Gist Cover) and Witchblade #18 (1:25 Jason Alexander Virgin Cover)
Alex: Wiccan: Witches' Road #2 (Meghan Hetrick) and I am LEGALLY REQUIRED to also name Travis Moore’s  Nightwing #134
Interview: Jason Aaron - Thundarr - Out Jan 21, 2026 
You’ve called Thundarr the Barbarian a “fundamental component of your DNA as a writer.” What about that world or those characters spoke to you most deeply as a kid — and how has that stayed with you?
This is a property with DNA from comic legends like Jack Kirby, Alex Toth, and Steve Gerber. How do you honor that legacy while still making Thundarr feel like a Jason Aaron story?
You’ve written some of the biggest mythic heroes in comics — Thor, Conan, Avengers. Where does Thundarr fit into that heroic lineage for you?
The original cartoon blended post-apocalyptic sci-fi with sorcery and swordplay in a way that was rare even then. How are you capturing that same balance in the comic — and are you updating it for modern readers in any way?
You’ve said this story will reveal Thundarr’s origin for the first time. What can fans expect from that reveal, and how did you approach filling in a piece of lore that’s been left blank for over 40 years?
You’re collaborating with artist Kewber Baal, who’s got a dynamic and muscular style that fits Thundarr perfectly. What’s the creative chemistry been like between you two so far?
Classic villains like Gemini and Mindok are returning. Did you treat this like a “greatest hits” of Thundarr adversaries, or did you want to expand their mythology too?
Fun/Silly Question: If you had Thundarr’s Sunsword for a day, what’s the first totally irresponsible thing you’d use it for — and what’s the first heroic thing you’d do after?

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 reveals who’s still standing in 'Ultimate Endgame' #5, plus new covers & interior art for issue #2
Ryan Stegman reveals he's done with X-Men, save for one last project
DC stacks Free Comic Book Day 2026 with Next Level debuts, Sonic crossover, and horror hits
Skybound and Hasbro announce Energon Universe Special 2026 for Free Comic Book Day
Ram 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 year
Exclusive: 'Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Artist’s Edition' reveal
Our 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 WEEK
Coplan: 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 dive into both MJ's and the symbiotes relationship with Eddie, but Flash Thompson also played a big role in both these people's lives. Can we expect a similar delve into how he helped shape the symbiote into what it is today?