AIPT Comics

Owner Floyd and manager Griffin join us to talk about their upcoming expansion into a second-floor space, how they’ve turned their shop into a true community hub, and what it actually takes to run a successful comic store in 2026.

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

Comics legend Gerry Conway passed away at 73

New series 'Regicide' blends dracula and 'Berserk' for August 2026 release

Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are back for the wildest noir yet with 'Unfinished Tales'

DC launches Building Bad Sweepstakes letting fans create a new Batman villain

Marvel assembles Daredevil, Echo, and more for Disability Pride Month story

Marvel pushes blind bags to the limit with 'DNX' #1 and ultra-rare surprise covers

Marvel has revealed 'Avengers: Armageddon' #3 and 'Cap' #14, teasing a major team shakeup ahead

New symbiote Symbie scores new one-shot 'It's Symbie' #1

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Red Roots #1 (Lorenzo De Felici)

Uncanny X-Men #27 (Gail Simone, Luciano Vecchio)

Chris:​​

Is Ted OK? #3 (Dave Chisholm)

Wrestle Heist #5 (Kyle Starks)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Chris: Is Ted OK? #3 (Dave Chisholm)

Dave: Swamp Thing 1989 #1 (Rick Veitch, Michael Zulli)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

Chris: She-Spawn #1 (Gail Simone, Ig Guarra)

Dave: If Destruction Be Our Lot #1 (Matthew Rosenberg, Andy MacDonald)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

Dave: Daredevil #2 (Bill Sienkiewicz Virgin Cover)

Chris: Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1 (David Aja Variant)

Interview: Final Boss Comic Shop, Floyd - Manager / Griffin - New Jersey

1. Expansion & Growth

You’ve been a staple since 2007, and now you’re expanding. What made this the right moment to grow, and what does expansion look like for Final Boss?

2. The “Final Boss Family” Identity

You refer to your community as the “Final Boss Family.” What does that mean in practice, and how have you intentionally built that culture over the years?

3. Competing with Bigger Markets

You’re not in NYC, but your signings can rival shops in major hubs. What’s your approach to events that helps you punch above your weight?

4. The State of the Industry

From your perspective behind the counter, what’s working in comics right now, and what challenges are you seeing for shops like yours?

5. Book Club & Community Engagement

Your monthly book club is a big part of your identity. How does something like that translate into both community building and business sustainability?

6. Curating the Shelves

With so many publishers and titles, how do you decide what to stock, and what kinds of books tend to resonate most with your customers?

7. Lessons from Nearly Two Decades

Since opening in 2007, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about running a successful comic shop?

8. Looking Ahead

With expansion on the horizon, what’s your vision for Final Boss over the next 3–5 years, and what do you hope never changes?

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we interview cartoonist Stephanie Stalvey, diving deep into her graphic memoir Everything in Color. In the conversation, Stalvey opens up about growing up in an evangelical household, unpacking purity culture, and how motherhood reshaped her understanding of faith and identity. It’s an honest, vulnerable discussion about turning lived experience into art, and why telling these stories can resonate far beyond one person’s life.

NEWS

Marvel Solicitations for July 2026

Miles Morales faces his most personal threat yet in new 'Miles Morales: Spider-Man' #1

Red Hulk takes over the Marvel Universe in 'Avengers: Armageddon' and the preview reveals just how bad it gets

'Fantastic Four' #15 sends the team spiraling through time for a wild 65th anniversary story

Doctor Doom takes over 616 Day with Blind Bags, rare comics, and surprise sketch covers

Godzilla teams with Knull to conquer the Marvel Multiverse in explosive finale in Toho/Marvel collab

First look at Marvel’s Pride special as Ultron crashes Wiccan and Hulkling’s anniversary and new Pride covers are revealed

Predator crashes the Planet of the Apes in Marvel’s wild new crossover you didn’t see coming



'Do A Powerbomb' returns to comic shops with 'Black and White' #1

Vault announces weird western ongoing series ‘Dead Acre: Black Badge’

Rob Liefeld expands 'Youngblood' with 'Badrock' solo series

Dark Horse announces Adam Frankenstein origin one-shot set in the Chaos Universe

DC heroes meet NHL icons in final “Secret Identity” card drop from Upper Deck

'Minotaur' comic by Si Spurrier and Mike Dowling launches July 2026 from Ignition Press

Our Top Books of the Week:

Dave:

Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity #1 (Jordan Morris, Joe Kelly, Pere Perez)

Corpse Knight #1 (Michael Chaves, Matthew Roberts, Rico Renzi_

Alex:​​

Absolute Wonder Woman #19 (Thompson, Sherman)

Sorcerer Supreme #5 (Orlando, Bernard Chang)

Standout KAPOW moment of the week:

Alex: Exquisite Corpses #12 (James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh)

Dave: Wolverine #19 (Saladin Ahmed, Martín Coccolo)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

Alex: The Sacrificers #21 (Rick Remender, Max Fiumara) & Is Ted OK? #3 (Dave Chisholm)

Dave: Swamp Thing 1989 #1 (Rick Veitch, Michael Zulli)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

Dave: Feral #22 (Tony Fleecs & Trish Forstner Weapons Homage Cover)

Alex: Wiccan: Witches’ Road #5 (Karen S. Darboe variant)

Interview: Stephanie Stalvey, EVERYTHING IN COLOR out 04/28/2026

Your book explores growing up in an evangelical community where love and obedience were deeply intertwined. When you look back now, how do you understand that relationship differently?

One of the most striking ideas in the book is the notion that “our bodies belong to the authority figure.” How did unpacking that belief shape the emotional core of this memoir?

Everything in Color is deeply personal, especially in how it portrays your relationship with your husband and your child. What was it like sharing drafts with your husband as you were creating the book?

Your journey raises big questions about faith, doubt, and identity. Did you find yourself arriving at answers while making the book, or is it more about learning to live with the questions?

The book touches on major shared moments like 9/11 and the COVID lockdown. How did anchoring your personal story to these larger events help shape the narrative?

There’s a powerful shift in the book where love, especially through motherhood, reframes everything as sacred. When did that realization first begin to take hold for you?

This is a massive and ambitious work. Was it always envisioned at this scale, and how long did it take you to bring it to life?

The title Everything in Color feels like a mission statement for the book. At what point did you know that was the right way to describe this journey?

The artwork blends intimacy with emotional weight throughout. How did you approach pairing your visual storytelling with such vulnerable subject matter?

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?