This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re stepping into the snow-dusted shadows of Christmas Town for a full, in-depth conversation with Torunn Grønbekk, the writer behind Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town. In this interview, Grønbekk digs into the challenge of expanding such an iconic world, balancing spooky whimsy with heartfelt emotion, and finding new ways to tell stories that feel true to the spirit of The Nightmare Before Christmas. From character-driven moments to honoring Burton’s unmistakable tone, it’s a thoughtful, fun, and deeply nerdy conversation about writing within a beloved legacy.

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we're joined once again by Benjamin Percy, returning for his fourth appearance—and this one’s a big one. We run the gamut in this interview, first talking about one of the most fascinating projects Percy has ever worked on: The End Times. We also unpack his Punisher Red Band series, and what's to come in 2026 for Punisher!

We're joined once again by New Avengers writer Sam Humphries, who returns to dig into the second story arc kicking off with issue #6. We talk about building a team of “bastards,” why Clea has quietly taken over the book, the horny horror of Guru Strange, and how the Killuminati twist classic Illuminati icons like Captain Britain and Medusa into Lord Britain and Rapunzel. Sam also gets into Bucky stepping aside for Natasha, the book’s Fast & Furious “family” vibes, and just how far he could take this series if he had unlimited runway.

We’re going full craft-nerd with a deep-dive interview you will not want to miss: Christos Gage joins us to unpack the making of Battleworld. We get into how the project came together (“Hank Pym and Marcus To” were basically the magic words), what it’s like playing with timelines instead of planets, how he balances deep-cut fan service (Starbrand! New Universe! CrossGen!) with accessibility, and why he built those text-heavy “tech pages” as a love letter to Marvel history.

Looking to treat yourself (or your favorite nerd) before the year wraps? We’ve put together a no-nonsense, highly clickable guide to the best comics, collectibles, and experiences you can buy right now or preorder for 2025. Every pick below is either already out in 2025 or available to lock in this year, so you won’t be chasing ghosts—or last year’s stock. We’ve split our recommendations into eight easy buckets—from Smart Buys that stretch your dollar (think chunky omnibuses and killer subs) to Shelf Candy that looks unreal on display, Hype Picks everyone’s buzzing about, and even a Rich Friend Buy for when money’s no object. You’ll also find deep-cut grails for collectors, interactive Experience Buys that deliver hours of engagement, perfect gifts for civilians, and a Wild Card section for the gloriously weird.

We’re bringing you the full, uncut interview with legendary cartoonist Paul Pope—the visionary creator behind Batman: Year 100 and Total THB. Pope joins us to talk about returning to Total THB after 30 years, how his early ideas about “small things exploding into big things” shaped his storytelling philosophy, and what readers can expect from the definitive edition hitting shelves on November 11. If you caught our written interview, you’ll want to tune in for this one—the podcast includes extended discussion about his creative process, artistic influences, and the craft of making comics that didn’t make it to print.

This week, we’re joined by Upper Deck VP of Product Development Grant Sandground, who breaks down how Batman is soaring into the SkyBox Metal Universe. From precious metal gems to glow-in-the-dark Riddler cards and autographs from comic legends like Paul Dini and Gail Simone, Sandground gives us an insider look at how Upper Deck is reshaping DC’s trading card future, and what’s coming next for collectors.

We’re celebrating spooky season in style with the Boulet Brothers, joining us for an extended, uncut interview about Dragula Titans Season 2, their love of comics, and how monsters and superheroes share more DNA than you might think. It's the second time they've joined the show, don't miss our chat (with Scarlet Witch opinions) here. It’s the perfect mix of horror, glam, and geekdom for Halloween week!

This week marks a major milestone: The 350th episode of the AIPT Comics Podcast, and we’re celebrating in style with one of comics’ most beloved voices: Gail Simone. From redefining Birds of Prey to reshaping Wonder Woman and Batgirl, Simone’s career has been nothing short of legendary. Now, she’s bringing that same emotional power and wit to Marvel’s mutant universe with her acclaimed runs on Uncanny X-Men and Unbreakable X-Men. In this special conversation, Gail opens up about her creative process, the heart behind her take on the X-Men, and what it means to write characters who have always stood for survival, community, and hope. She talks about working with artist David Marquez, making readers feel, not just react, and why she wanted Unbreakable X-Men to be a story about “the light at the end of the tunnel.” It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and unbreakably honest, an episode worthy of number 350.

New York Comic Con may be wrapping up, but the news is still exploding! This week, Dave and Alex break down all the biggest reveals from Marvel and DC and more! Then stick around for our featured interview with legendary cartoonist Patrick McDonnell, creator of MUTTS and The Gift of Nothing, as he joins us to discuss his brand-new picture book, The Gift of Everything, out October 7. We talk about the heart behind his holiday storytelling, the joy of rhyme, gratitude in uncertain times, and what Mooch and Earl might bring to a real-life gift exchange. It’s cozy, uplifting, and full of creative wisdom — the perfect conversation to kick off the holiday season.

This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re joined by Ronda Rousey to talk about her very first graphic novel, Expecting the Unexpected. From the influence of martial arts films like The Raid and Kill Bill to her collaboration with artist Mike Deodato Jr., Rousey shares how the project grew from a personal story about motherhood into a high-octane action comic. We also break down the biggest comics news of the week, including the debut of the Invincible Woman in Ryan North’s Fantastic Four #6, the extension of the DC/Marvel crossover through 2026, Oni Press’ star-studded NYCC 2025 lineup, Comixology’s wild convention giveaways, and Marvel’s tease of a Knull vs. Queen in Black showdown.

This week we’re loaded with wild news and year-end shake-ups, but the main event is our conversation with Taboo and B. Earl about their Ultimate Hawkeye one-shot. They open up about giving Charli Ramsey their first solo spotlight, reimagining Ronan for the Ultimate line, weaving in dangerous “Eyes Wide Shut–meets–Most Dangerous Game” vibes, and dedicating the issue to their late friend and collaborator Jeffrey Veregge. It’s heartfelt, bold, and full of craft talk; don’t miss it.

Welcome back to the AIPT Comics Podcast! This week, we’re going full throttle with a very special interview — Kelly Knievel and Rylend Grant join us to talk about The Last Gladiator, the brand-new comic that brings Evel Knievel’s legendary life and daredevil legacy to the page for the very first time. Soon to be live on Kickstarter, we dig into legacy and what the comic will be about. From the iconic Caesars Palace jump to his influence on pop culture, we dive deep into what makes Evel’s story perfect for comics and how this Kickstarter is keeping his spirit alive.

We’re joined by Jacob Phillips and Tate Brombal to talk about their brand-new series Everything Dead & Dying #1, out September 3 from Image Comics. It’s their first collaboration together, and we dive into how they blended western grit, horror tension, and raw emotional drama into a five-issue story that’s already being called The Last of Us meets Yellowstone. From undead metaphors to variant covers and Image Comics' freedom, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Check out our exclusive interview with the Eisner Award-winning artist Mike del Mundo, who joins us to talk about his career, creative process, and his upcoming art book The Marvel Art of Mike del Mundo from Clover Press and Marvel. From his breakthrough on X-Men Legacy to his surreal, concept-driven covers, Mike opens up about his artistic evolution, his iconic designs, and what fans can expect from this high-end celebration of his work. You still have a few days to back this project!

We are your weekly recap in comics news and reviews, plus stick around for our interview with Soo Lee, who’s bringing the Wizard of Oz back to comics with a brand-new Kickstarter launching this month. We’ll talk about the 85th anniversary of the classic film, digging into the archives, balancing writing and art, and how she’s putting her own creative spin on one of the most beloved stories of all time.

We sit down with writer Chris Condon for a wide-ranging conversation that spans his razor-sharp take on Ultimate Wolverine, the grounded grit of Green Arrow, and the eerie, black-and-white beauty of his creator-owned series News From The Fallout. From balancing humor and horror to threading his personal storytelling voice through wildly different genres, Condon takes us deep into his process and the stories that are defining his 2025.

This week, we’ve got a news lineup that’s as stacked as a summer event checklist! Marvel Knights is back with Jimmy Palmiotti leading a new Daredevil/Punisher series, Marvel’s unleashing a wave of eye-popping InHyuk Lee “Street-Verse” variant covers, and there’s fresh intel on 1776 #1 just in time for America’s 250th anniversary. Plus, we’ve got Hayden Sherman’s teases for the Absolute Universe from FAN EXPO Boston, a Danger Girl Artist’s Edition Kickstarter, the return of Die with Die: Loaded, and Maleficent making a dark comeback from Dynamite. And stick around, because in our feature interview, writer Benjamin Percy joins us to talk about the brutality and heart of Predator Kills the Marvel Universe, the evolution of Frank Castle in Punisher: Red Band, and his growing corner of hyper-violent Marvel storytelling.

Welcome to AIPT Comics Podcast episode 340, your weekly fix for comic book news, reviews, and creator interviews! We’re back from SDCC and diving headfirst into a multiverse of reveals, exclusives, and symbiotes galore. Stick around for a can't-miss interview with comics powerhouse Cullen Bunn, who joins us to talk about his upcoming horror series Deluge, launching October 8, 2025.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 may be wrapping up today, but the reveals, surprises, and sneak peeks are still echoing across the multiverse, and we’re breaking it all down! This week on the AIPT Comics Podcast, we’re recapping the biggest moments from SDCC: from jaw-dropping trailers and panel reveals to surprise creator announcements and massive crossover teases. But that’s not all, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of the comeback. We’re diving into the return of beloved properties like Buffy, Angel, Swat Kats, and Supernatural, as well as a bold new era of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II. Plus: Vault’s surprise retailer giveaway, Barbaric's brutal one-shot, a terrifying new tech-horror anthology from Mad Cave, and Rob Liefeld’s Youngblood flexing its way back into the spotlight.