AIPT Comics

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we're joined by Scott Snyder for one of our favorite conversations of the year. We dive deep into Absolute Batman, the newly announced animated series, why he believes monthly comics need to embrace what makes the medium unique, and the creative philosophy driving one of comics' biggest successes. It's a candid, wide-ranging discussion on storytelling, the future of superhero comics, and why taking big swings matters more than ever.

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

Judge Dredd and Biker Mice From Mars collide in new comic crossover and collectibles partnership

Daniel Warren Johnson reveals new project 'Chainkata' for November 2026

Details



Michael Walsh's 'Universal Monsters: Frankenstein' returns in remastered black-and-white edition

Tradd Moore's first creator-owned solo comic, 'Touch Me Someplace Nowhere' announced

Mike Mignola's new art book 'Circus of Bones' showcases over 145 original works

Lara Croft joins G.I. Joe in first-ever 'G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero' crossover

Rocketship Entertainment partners with Moulin Rouge for graphic novels, manga, and tabletop games

Meet the players of ‘Zero Instance’ where a video game boss invades the real world

DC reveals packed San Diego Comic-Con 2026 lineup

Skybound unveils San Diego Comic-Con 2026 plans and exclusive collectibles

Marvel reveals full San Diego Comic-Con 2026 plans with Hall H, Midnight Universe, and X-Men '97 panels

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Witness Point #1 (Nathan Fillion, Heath Corson, Soo Lee)

Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 (Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Fran Galán)

Chris:​​

Twilight Zone #9 (Juni Ba)

Dispatched #1  (B. Clay Moore, Daniel Gete)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Did You Hear About Mimi Green? #2 (Connor Goldsmith, Josh Cornillon)

Dave: Operation: Iron Coffin #1 (Kenny Porter, Tyrell Cannon)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

Chris: Minotaur #1 (Si Spurrier, Michael Dowling)

Dave: Sonic the Hedgehog x Godzilla #1 (Nick Marino, Jack Lawrence)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

Dave: A Mischief of Magpies #1 (Bilquis Evely)

Chris: Nightwing #140 (Jorge Fornes Main)

Interview: Interview: Scott Snyder

1. Manga storytelling influence

Joe Kelly recently mentioned how manga like One Piece can devote entire chapters to a single action sequence, something that's harder to replicate in American comics because of page counts and production realities. Is manga storytelling an influence on your work, and do you find yourself thinking about how to capture that same sense of scale and rhythm within Western comics?

2. Marvel and DC

I recently spoke with Josh Williamson about writing Iron Man, and it was fascinating hearing how he's consulting on DC projects while also becoming part of Marvel's plans. Seeing creators move more freely between publishers these days, does that ever make you want to jump back into Marvel for another major project?

3. Harley Quinn and Joker

The revelation that Joker is Harley's father completely reframes both characters. What made that the right relationship for the Absolute Universe, and what storytelling opportunities does it create that couldn't exist with their traditional dynamic

4. Designing Gotham's monsters

Body horror and transformation have become defining visual elements of Absolute Batman. What are your guiding principles when reinventing characters like Poison Ivy, Clayface, and others while still making them instantly recognizable?

8. Absolute Batman animated series

You're serving as showrunner on the newly announced Absolute Batman animated series. How does that creative role differ from making comics, and what has surprised you most about translating this version of Batman to animation?

10. Court of Owls

Finally, the Court of Owls has entered the picture. Without spoiling anything, what can readers expect from your take on one of the most important Batman concepts you've ever created?

Dave, Alex, and Chris are back for a mid-year review of the best comics of the year so far. Like any art, it's subjective as we pick our three favorite comics, biggest surprise, weirdest comic, best graphic novel, and more!

Best comics of the year….SO FAR

Alex:

Pick 3 series:

Is Ted Ok? (Dave Chisholm)

Fireborn (Franklin Jonas, Curt Pires, Patrick Mulholland)

Sai: Dimensional Rivals (Peach Momoko, et al.)

Pick a graphic novel or collection: Pig Wife (Abbey Luck)

Biggest Surprise of the Year: Poison Ivy being elected Mayor of Gotham (G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara)

The "Please Never End" Award: The Power Fantasy - Kieron Gillan Caspar Wijngaard

Weirdest Comic: The Eye Collector (GMB Chomichuk, Jonathan Ball), shoutout to High Strangeness #5 from Daniel Noah/Christian Ward

Dave:

Pick 3 series:

Absolute Batman

Infernal Hulk

Escape

Pick a graphic novel or collection: 

Memories of Giselle

Biggest Surprise of the Year:

Absolute Green Arrow

The "Please Never End" Award:

Exquisite Corpses

Weirdest Comic:

Red Roots

Chris: 

Pick 3 series:

The Deadman

Lobo

White Sky

Pick a graphic novel or collection: Gigs 

Biggest Surprise of the Year: Death Fight Forever

The "Please Never End" Award: Toxic Avenger Comics

Weirdest Comic: The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, writer Mark Russell joins the show to discuss The Forgotten Divine, his new graphic novel from Ahoy Comics, now available to back via Kickstarter. Russell digs into the inspirations behind the story, why he wanted to explore the appeal of cults from the inside out, and how the project ultimately became one of his most personal works yet. We also discuss creativity as a form of belief, and the challenges of telling a complete story in one sitting.

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

'Absolute Batman' is getting an animated series, with Scott Snyder serving as showrunner

Marvel clears up confusion over 'Amazing Spider-Man' #1000's two main covers

'Daredevil' is a hit, gets #1-3 reprints with new 'Daredevil: Born Again' variant covers

Eliot Rahal and Mattia Monaco launch buddy-crime comic 'Crimes Against Nature' at Image

Who is Fox Mask Killer? New Exquisite Corpses series promises answers

'That Texas Blood' returns with new story arc 'Hell Comes to Allison Ranch' this September

IDW Dark announces horror mystery 'You'll Never Leave This Place Alive' for October

Vault announces time-traveling cryptid adventure ‘Project Perseus’ launching this September

EXCLUSIVE: David Dastmalchian's 'The Accessories' gives horror's forgotten sidekicks their own story

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Escape #8 (Rick Remender, Daniel Acuna)

Venom #259 (Al Ewing, Carlos Gomez)

Alex:​​

Is Ted OK? #5 (Dave Chisholm)

Captain America #12 (Zdarsky, Schiti)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: In Your Skin #3 (Aditya Bidikar)

Dave: The Eye Collector #1 (Jonathan Ball, GMB Chomichuk)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

Alex: Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 (Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez)

Dave: What If...? Secret Wars #1 (Alex Paknadel, CAFU)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

Dave: Iron Man #7 (1:25 Dave Rapoza Variant)

Alex: The Deadman #2 (Alex Eckman-Lawn variant) & The Mortal Thor #12 (Alex Ross)

Interview: Mark Russell - The Forgotten Divine Ahoy Kickstarter Link. 

The Forgotten Divine digs into why people are drawn to cults and belief systems. What was the starting point for you, and what did you want to understand or say about that impulse?

Rodney feels like a very grounded, human entry point into a story that quickly spirals into something much bigger. How did you approach building him so readers stay with him even as things get more extreme?

There’s a real balance here between empathy and critique. You can understand why these characters believe what they do, even as things go off the rails. How do you walk that line without judging them or letting them off the hook?

The preview pages have some striking bits of philosophy, like “the secret to happiness is low expectations.” How do those ideas emerge for you, and are they things you believe or more reflections of the characters’ mindset?

The idea that “where you are is who you are” feels especially loaded, almost like a commentary on class, fate, and identity. Was that always baked into the concept, or did it grow as you developed the story?

When we glimpse the alien world, it feels almost overwhelming, with that massive eye and the intense color palette. What were your conversations like with Russ Braun in shaping how that world should feel versus how the “real” world reads?

You’ve done a lot of satire, but this feels like it leans harder into psychological and emotional territory. Did this project push you in new directions as a writer?

AHOY has built a reputation on smart, risk-taking books, and this is their first Kickstarter. How does that format change how you think about the book, if at all?

The story seems to ask whether there’s something real behind the visions or if belief itself is the point. How important was it to keep that tension alive rather than give clear answers?

Fun one to close: If you started having Rodney’s dreams tonight, what’s the first sign you’d think, “Okay, I might actually be starting a cult”?

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

DC Solicitations September 2026

‘Batman: Bad Seeds’ livestream reveals new titles, solicitations, and Jim Lee art giveaway

DC announces new Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans, and Doom Patrol ongoing series

DC reveals 'The Wonder War' Act 2 with 'Wonder Woman' #37 and Matriarch special

DC unveils spring 2027 graphic novels and launches Compact Comics Adventures line

Wes Craig returns Superman to his Golden Age roots in new DC Black Label series



Marvel's Midnight Universe gets unified launch as all three titles arrive on October 7, and only those titles

Marvel Solicits for September 2026

The Muppets make history in first ever Marvel Comics anniversary one-shot

Marvel teases Deadpool vs. Punisher project with cryptic announcement

Bullseye battles Nova, Star-Lord, and Jack of Hearts in 'Marvel Gold' '76 #1

Steve Orlando's 'Gambit: Gone' brings two Remy LeBeaus together this September

Doctor Doom wages war on Hell in Marvel's 50-page splash-page epic

Black Panther and Namor journey into Hell in new 'Doomed!' limited series

Dan Panosian writes and draws 'Wolverine: Paradise' for Marvel this October 2026

Marvel's X-Men battle Xenomorphs in new 'Alien vs. X-Men' crossover

Marvel launches 'Infernal Hulk vs. Wolverine' ahead of Hulk War event

Marvel reveals new 'Avengers #1' covers and True Believers Blind Bag exclusives

Marvel reveals new 'Amazing Spider-Man' #1000 covers and story details



USA TODAY PLAY partners with Marvel for exclusive weekly Spider-Man comic series

Patrick Horvath invites top creators into Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees for Halloween special

IDW Dark announces new Smile and A Quiet Place comic book series

Todd McFarlane's original 1977 Spawn design finally arrives in 'Spawn 77'

Guillem March returns with creator-owned romantic thriller 'Ofiusa' this September

Steve Skroce launches superhero meta-adventure Tales of Wonder at Skybound this September

Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen launch dark fantasy series 'Crowbound' this September

Christian Ward and Sami Kivelä explore the end of the world in Oni Press' new sci-fi thriller 'The Forever Home'

Dark Horse announces 'Minor Threats: Welcome to Twilight—Villains and Vignettes' anthology series

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Absolute Green Arrow #2 (Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque)

Memories of Giselle #1 (Katia Vecchio)

Chris:​​

Gigs (Mark Mosedale, Si Smith)

Lobo #4 (Skottie Young and Jorge Corona)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Gigs (Mark Mosedale, Si Smith)

Dave: Absolute Batman #21 (Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

Chris: Narco #4 (Doug Wagner, Daniel Hillyard)

Dave: Blüdwire #1 (Paul Allor, Ermitis Blanco)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

Dave: Superman #39 (Dan Mora) & Doomquest #2 (Alex Ross)

Chris: Universal Monsters: Blood of the Wolf Man #1 (Maria Wolf variant)

Interview: Joshua Williamson Creator Spotlight, plus we talk Iron Man, Wolf Man, Superman, and more!

Career / Process

You broke in around 2006, and you’re now pushing close to two decades in comics. How has your approach to storytelling changed from those early years to now?

You’ve been at this for nearly 20 years at this point. What’s something you understand about comics today that you wish you knew when you started?

You’re writing across multiple major franchises right now. How do you shift your voice between something like Superman, Iron Man, and G.I. Joe?

On top of all this, you wrote a story in Creepshow Vol. 4 #5 titled Artificial Ignorance. Was that a story you had in a drawer, or…how did that come to be?

Superman / Superboy-Prime

Superboy-Prime has always been a volatile character, but here he feels almost desperate to prove himself. How do you balance his edge with making him someone readers want to follow?

With Manchester Black entering the picture, what excites you about putting those two characters in conflict specifically?

Any Superman elements/tropes you want to touch?

Iron Man

You’ve said Tony Stark is one of your favorite characters. What’s something about Tony that you feel hasn’t been explored enough in past runs?

Madame Masque and A.I.M. feel like they’re operating at a higher level here. What makes them the right villains for this phase of the story?

Universal Monsters: Blood of the Wolf Man

Do you have a favorite Universal Monsters adaptation?

Do you have any favorite werewolf stories?

This feels like a very grounded, almost psychological take on the Wolf Man. What drew you to that angle?

Is the when of this story important to the overall experience?

What makes the Wolf Man a character worth revisiting right now?

Rapid Fire Question Round (Stolen from Stephen Colbert so that a guest is “known”):

Best sandwich?

What's one thing you own that you really should throw out?

Apples or oranges?

What is the scariest animal?

Have you ever asked someone for their autograph?

What do you think happens when we die?

Favorite action movie?

Favorite smell?

Least favorite smell?

Flat or sparkling?

Most used app on your phone?

If you could have dinner with any three characters you’ve written before, who would they be and why?

You get one song to listen to for the rest of your life: what is it?

Depeche 

Describe the rest of your life in 5 words?

When Skybound announced M.A.S.K. would be joining the Energon Universe, fans immediately had questions. How would Matt Trakker and Miles Mayhem fit alongside Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Void Rivals? Out this week, we sat down with writer Dan Watters and artist Pye Parr to discuss updating the classic property, designing its iconic vehicles, and why M.A.S.K. offers a unique perspective within the larger Energon Universe.

We're running the full uncut interview, featuring even more discussion on cool cars, character dynamics, action sequences, and what readers can expect from the series moving forward.

Plus, we recap the biggest comics news of the week, share our favorite new releases, and much more.

NEWS

Absolute Catwoman #1 heads back to press as DC announces 'Absolute Cassandra Cain' one-shot

MAD celebrates 600 issues with new material, classic favorites, and Sergio Aragonés cover

Batman, Superman, and "Weird Al" Yankovic unite for DC's strangest team-up yet

Marvel launches 'Amazing Venom' starring Boomerang's symbiote-powered comeback

Marvel returns to the Mangaverse with five-part 25th anniversary event this September

Marvel Zombies returns this September with Punisher leading a desperate fight for survival

Spider-Woman's 50th anniversary special launches a darker new chapter for Jessica Drew

The Rolling Stones team up with Marvel for exclusive ‘Foreign Tongues’ vinyl collector series

David Colton's growing power takes center stage in new look at 'Avengers: Armageddon' #4 and 'Cap'

Dark Horse launches new oversized Marvel Black & White line with Barry Windsor-Smith's landmark Weapon X

Daniel Warren Johnson's 'Beta Ray Bill' gets oversized Artist's Edition in 2027

ROM joins the Energon Universe in surprise comic hidden inside 'M.A.S.K.' #1 blind bags

Mike Mignola returns to Hell with new two-issue Hellboy story alongside Cyrille Pomès

Shredder gets extended!

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Skate Ali #1 (Sam Humphries, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Natacha Bustos)

The Nice House by the Sea #10 (James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martinez Bueno)

Chris:​​

Tigress Island #4 (Patrick Kindlon, EPHK)

M.A.S.K. #1 (Dan Watters, Pye Parr)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: D’Orc #5 (Brett Bean) 

Dave: Jay & Silent Bob: Jays of Future Past #1 (Kevin Smith, Giuseppe Camuncoli)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

Chris: Concrete: Stars Over Sand #1 (Paul Chadwick)

Dave: The Amazing Spider-Man #31 (Joe Kelly, Patrick Gleason)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

Dave: X-Men United #4 (Kris Anka Cover)

Chris: Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day #2 (Phil Jimenez and Alex Sinclair Main)

Dan Watters Pye Parr - MASK #1 out June 10th 

M.A.S.K. has always had a unique place in Hasbro history, sitting somewhere between G.I. Joe, Transformers, and its own thing. What aspects of the original property were most important to preserve, and where did you see opportunities to reinvent it for the Energon Universe?

Matt Trakker's introduction is fascinating because he's being hunted by the military, yet it quickly becomes clear he wants to be captured. Why was that the right way to introduce him, and what does it reveal about who he is in this version of M.A.S.K.?

Miles Mayhem comes across as both calculating and completely unhinged. His fear of Transformers and extraterrestrial threats gives him a very different motivation than a typical villain. What interested you about making him someone who might see himself as humanity's last line of defense?

One of the most exciting ideas in M.A.S.K. has always been vehicles transforming into weapons and armor systems. Pye, what was the challenge of updating those iconic transformations for modern audiences while still capturing the toyetic fun fans expect?

Dan, after writing Destro, what was appealing about tackling another corner of the Energon Universe? Did your experience with Destro help shape how you approached M.A.S.K., or did you want this book to have a completely different flavor?

The first issue hints at a larger arms race involving technology and weapons that may not even originate on Earth. How much of M.A.S.K. is a spy thriller versus a science-fiction story, and where does it fit tonally alongside Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Void Rivals?

Bruce Sato and Gloria Baker are positioned as key new recruits. What qualities do they bring to M.A.S.K. that complement or challenge Matt Trakker's leadership style?

The original M.A.S.K. comic debuted in 1987 and had a very different view of global threats and military organizations. Were there any specific elements from that era that you deliberately updated to reflect modern anxieties and geopolitics?

Fun question: If you could each claim one M.A.S.K. vehicle and mask from the entire franchise to use in real life for a week, which would you pick and what completely irresponsible thing would you do with it?