NEWS

• DC Comics announces new slate of digitally available comics 7 days a week
  • First week of titles
  • DC Comics releases Daphne Byrne #4, Batman Giant #4, The Dreaming #20
• Diamond refutes DC’s claim about canceled orders
• Jim Lee debuts 20th sketch on AIPT in his 60 days of 60 sketches to benefit comic shops.
• No new marvel comics next week
• Kodansha signs on with InkyPen app, adding Attack on Titan, Parasyte, others to Nintendo Switch Reading
• Bill Sienkiewicz shares risque reference photo, artists take it and run with #billsbuttchallenge

AIPT BOOKCLUB: Swamp Thing by Writer: Alan Moore Artist: John Totleben 1982 (SAGA OF THE SWAMP THING BOOK ONE collects issues #20-27)

The Story So Far: 
What Works: 
What Doesn’t: 
Favorite Artistic Moment:
Favorite Narrative Moment:
Where We Think This is Going:

OFF TOPIC TOP SHELF: Forrest -  Nvidia Shield TV

NEWS

• DC Announces new distribution model 
  • Batman #93 shipping in June
• Marvel continues to announce no new books on Mondays
• Diamond targets mid-May to start regular shipping
• San Diego Comic Con cancelled
• New Vault series Giga announced
• BOOM! and Netflix kissing in a tree, K.I.S.S…..
• TODD McFARLANE Calls for Unity, Crossovers, DIGITAL To Combat Coronavirus Comics Downturn
• New Writer/Artist Takes Over IDW's SONIC THE HEDGEHOG - But Without Saying When
• Jim Lee is on day 19 drawing 60 sketches for 60 days
• Ed Brubaker, Marcos Martin, and Muntsa Vicente release new post-YA horror series released on Wednesday

AIPT BOOKCLUB: Black Hammer/Justice League: Hammer of Justice! By Jeff Lemire and Michael Walsh (released in collected format April 8)

The Story So Far: 
What Works: 
What Doesn’t: 
Favorite Artistic Moment: 
Favorite Narrative Moment: 
Where We Think This is Going:

Segment: Interview with Mark Russell Billionaire Island, Captain America: Marvels Snapshot #1, Flintstones, Wonder Twins, and Second Coming.

1. I was incredibly excited to read Captain America Marvel Spotlight this month, hopefully we get it sooner or later, can you talk a bit about how that project got off the ground with Kurt Busiek curating? 
2. Since we can’t actually see the book can you talk a bit about what RAMÓN PÉREZ is doing with the art? What is your relationship like on the project?
3. How are things going with comics currently on hold, are you working on anything, or is it pencils down right now?
4. Mark, I simply loved your DC Year of the Villain one-shots, they always seemed to go a subvert the idea that many of the one-shots brought and took a different course like with Harley Quinn being a commentary on award shows, how Riddler didn’t get powered up by Lex, and Sinestro’s story feeling like an incredible sci-fi story not needing the even itself to work. When developing these three wildly different stories did you pitch all 3, were there any that weren’t picked up?
5. It seems like every day we’re learning about the US government enriching the rich, helping them with back channel bills and what not, which makes Billionaire Island even more important and poignant. Issue #1 is out, can you tell us a little bit about that series’ creation and whether or not the current pandemic is inspiring the series to change as you script future issues?
6. You’ve written across pretty much every facet of the comics industry including for the big two, the indies, etc. How does your process differ when writing for established properties versus indie? Do you prefer one over the other? 
7. What did you want to be when you were little?
8. You’ve probably been asked this a thousand times but...Flintstones was an inspiration of a series. Would you ever want to take on another property and put your spin on it in a 12 issue series?
9. What one artist that you haven’t worked before do you most want to work with?

OFF TOPIC TOP SHELF: Mark Russell: Stoicism 

NEWS

• Diamond To Resume Paying Publishers With Partial Payments, Deferrals
• Humanoids shifts books to September and fall
• Marvel still releasing collections digitally
• DAN DIDIO's Biggest DC Regret is Not Spending Enough Time Developing the NEW 52
• SDCC Announcement Coming Soon On This Year's Event due to Coronavirus Pandemic
• KEVIN EASTMAN Hosting Online Hangout to Celebrate TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #1's Anniversary (36 years since they got the books from the printer)
• Nominate your favorite comics for the 2020 Ringo Awards now

AIPT BOOKCLUB: All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison/Frank Quitely

• The Story So Far: 
• What Works: 
• What Doesn’t: 
• Favorite Artistic Moment: 
• Favorite Narrative Moment: 
• Where We Think This is Going:

Segment: OFF TOPIC TOP SHELF: Tales From the Loop - Amazon

NEWS

• Diamond stops paying vendors
• Marvel pauses work and publishing on 1/3rd of May and June releases
• Meanwhile, DC donates $250,000 to retailer charity
• Boom! Halts physical and digital single issues, will release trades
• DC releasing books digitally, exploring “multi-distributor” deal
• Marvel to halt digital release of new comics...for now
• Publishers have worked out temporary distribution method with ComicHub
• Nevermind about that ComicHub thing actually
• Bad Idea postpones launch
• LION FORGE LABS Closed, All Employees Laid Off

AIPT BOOKCLUB: Venom by Donny Cates/Stegman. We break down the ongoing run with these categories:

The Story So Far: 
What Works: 
What Doesn’t: 
Favorite Artistic Moment: 
Favorite Narrative Moment: 
Where We Think This is Going:

Segment: Frank Gogol Interview: Coming in June, NO HEROINE #1 Ringo Award-nominated writer Frank Gogol (Dead End Kids), father-daughter art team Criss Madd and colorist Shawna Madd, with letters by Sean Rinehart, and cover by Ahmed Raafat. (Gogol also wrote GRIEF, and Dead End Kids)

1. No Heroine is a story about addiction, a protagonist with a checkered past, and vampires, how did you get to this developed story and how long has it been in development?
2. It seems like American history has had a few different periods where vampires were hugely important in pop culture. Do you think it’s time for a another streak? Why?
3. We’ve seen vampire hunters take out the bloodsuckers in a variety of ways and No Heroine #1 offers up a few new ones. What goes into creative kills?
4. Frank, you seem to hustle a lot to get the word out on comics. What are some things you learned when it comes to getting the word out on your comics?
5. Talk about a unique time to be in the comics industry, how’s it looking out there from your perspective?
6. How impacted are you with conventions closing due to the pandemic?
7.  What is it about small town america that appeals to you in your stories? I understand Dead End Kids and now No Heroine seem to be set there.
8.  When you were little, what did you think you’d be when you grew up?

OFF TOPIC TOP SHELF: Gogol makes his picks which include Resident Evil, James Bond, and more.

NEWS

• Diamond Comics Distributor to halt all comics and product shipments until further notice
  • AWA moving comics online during Diamond delay
  • DC writes letter to freelancers
    • DC will ship Gotham High to book stores
  • Marvel working on “Larger scale plan” 
  • Dark Horse reducing line, offering returnability, Vows Not to Release New Comic Books Digitally Until Print Distribution Resumes
  • Valiant engaging readers with Valiant Hero of the Week
  • TKO offering 50% profits to LCS’
• Manga publisher Viz still shipping via Simon and Schuster, others
  • Kodansha Comics & VERTICAL Debut on izneo Online Platform
• Abrams Spider-Man book delayed - 20 weeks overdue
• KUBERT SCHOOL Opens To Students Worldwide with New Online Program

SEGMENT: Anniversary Issues: While Nancy Drew celebrates the legendary character by killing her -- What is our ideal anniversary/milestone issue?

TOP BOOKS OF LAST WEEK

Dave

1. Hellions: (W: Zeb Wells, A: Stephen Segovia)
2. Justice League Dark #21 (W: Ram V, James Tynion IV, A: Alvaro Martinez)

Forrest

1. No One’s Rose #1 (W: Zac Thompson, Emily Horn A: Alberto Jimenez-Alburquerque)
2. Hellions #1 (W: Zeb Wells, A: Stephen Segovia)

ComicBookRoundUp

1. Critic: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (IDW, 9.5)
2. Fan: Immortal Hulk #33 (Marvel, 9.7)

INTERVIEW: STEVE ORLANDO (Wonder Woman, Darkhold, Martian Manhunter, Kill a Man from AfterShock)

• Can you give us a brief introduction to Kill a Man (on sale June 3) and why AfterShock felt like the right publisher for this specific story?
• How does your writing process differ working for the big 2 versus indie publishers? Do you prefer one over the other?
• You were the main writer on Wonder Woman when her big #750 anniversary issue hit, can you tell us a bit about spearheading that project and what you hoped to accomplish for the character?
• When you introduce the “Invisible Starfighter” in Wonder Woman #754 as you called it in a recent tweet, do you need to dig into the long boxes to see if it has been done before?
• Kill A Man focuses on the careers and relationships of two boxers, but according to your Twitter you’re also a pretty big professional wrestling fan. Which wrestler would you most want to write a comic for?
• There seems to be a reoccurring theme in your work, recently you mentioned in an interview with screenrant, “villains also work when they are dark reflections of a hero” and Darkhold’s solicit reads, “To save them all, the Scarlet Witch must gather the world’s greatest heroes...and unleash their inner darkness.” What is it about inner darkness that appeals to you?
• Darkhold is your first book at Marvel, what are some of your favorite Dr. Doom stories?
• Your Martian Manhunter series with Riley Rossmo was a deep dive on one of the most overlooked quote unquote main characters at DC. What Marvel character would you like to do the same for?
• When you were little, what did you think you’d be when you grew up?
• Coming off Wonder Woman #754 this week and only a week ago announced you'll be writing at Marvel Comics series I can only imagine your point of view on comics right at this moment is unique. There's a lot to capture all at once! How are you coping and what is your thoughts on the current state of affairs?

Segment: Off Topic Top Shelf: Ni No Kuni, Castlevania, Carb Smart Tortillas

NEWS

• Image announces measures to help retailers during pandemic
  • Publishers are postponing certain comics
  • Marvel
• Weird Enough Productions, national comics non-profit, makes materials free
• Diamond coordinating retail/publisher Coronavirus response
• Free Comic Book Day Postponed
• Vampire: The Masquerade returns to comics at Vault
• New details on New Warriors
• James Tynion fed up with social media creates own message board
• Marvel June solicitations, any surprises?

TOP BOOKS OF LAST WEEK

Dave

1. Plunge #2 (W: Joe Hill, A: Stuart Immonen)
2. Spider-Woman #1 (W: Karla Pacheco, A: Pere Pérez)

Forrest

1. Alienated #2 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Chris Wildgoose)
2. BANG! #2 (W: Matt Kindt, A: Wilfredo Torres)

ComicBookRoundUp

• Critic: The Resistance #1 (AWA, 9.8)
• Fan: The Resistance #1 (AWA, 9.2)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: X-O Manowar #1 (W: Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum, A: Emilio Laiso)
• Forrest: Batman: Creature of the Night (W: Kurt Busiek, A: John Paul Leon)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: X-Men #9 (Leinil Francis Yu)
• Forrest: Killing Red Sonja #1 (Christian Ward) 

SEGMENT: Interview - John Allison Giant Days writer has Wicked Things #1 out this week from BOOM! Studios

1. Everyone loves a good who-done-it, what are some of your favorite detective stories and were there any you read or watched to prepare for Wicked Things?
2. If you had to pitch Wicked Things to 18 or 19 year olds, how would you describe it? 
3. The plot of Wicked Things #1 revolves around an awards ceremony for detectives. Having won an Eisner, did you approach this issue from your own experience with that award show, or maybe others you’ve attended?
4. The lead character, Charlotte "Lottie" Grote, was first introduced (if I’m not mistaken) in Scary Go Round in the story the Estate January 28, 2009, and while the character is 19 in Wicked Things she’s technically 11 in real people years. That’s a long time for the character to live inside your head and while we’ve seen her in Giant Days and elsewhere, how has she changed--or maybe she hasn’t-- in those 11 years?
5. When crafting a murder mystery detective story are there storytelling elements that take a back seat to the mystery itself? Worldbuilding, for instance, seems a touch harder when the audience is focusing on the detective and their work.
6. I love the little details in Wicked Things #1, from the text on a magazine cover to the name of Charlotte’s gummy bears, are these things right in the script, or do they evolve when making the book?
7. The Tackleverse, or Bobbinsverse as I’ve seen it written, is an incredible thing. You’ve built an entire universe of characters. Are there any inherent pros and cons of building a universe? Might we see you create an entirely new one someday?
8. Originating as a webcomic creator, are there elements of webcomic creation you miss, and things you are happy to leave behind?
9. When you were little, what did you think you’d be when you grew up?
10. What do you hope to see in the comics industry in the future?
11. What comics are you reading right now?

Off Topic Top Shelf: John Allison’s pick - Horror Stories: A Memoir: Liz Phair, Bakuman, The Sopranos

NEWS

• Bad Idea starts rolling out which stores will carry their books.
• Mariko Tamaki is the new Wonder Woman ongoing writer
• Steve Orlando is going to Marvel
• Coronavirus cancels Kansas City's PLANET COMICON, Wondercon, Boston ACE Comic Con, NYC MOCCA, Diamond Publisher conference
• Comics direct market expected to take a COVID-19 hit, publishers encourage visiting your LCS
• PAJAMACON, Funko Virtual Con, others taking the place of ECCC - ECCC rescheduled for August
• Superman Vs. the KKK podcast in the form of old radio shows incoming
• Shang-Chi #1 coming this June
• February sales are in!

SEGMENT: What comics are on your self-quarantine catch-up list?
Dave: Chrononauts Vol. 2, TKO books: Sara and The Banks
Nate: The Sandman Universe, MMPR/TMNT

TOP BOOKS OF LAST WEEK

Dave

1. Marvels Snapshot: Sub-Mariner #1 (W: Alan Brennert, Kurt Busiek, A: Jerry Ordway)
2. Thor #4 (W: Donny Cates, A: Nic Klein)

Nathan

1. Decorum #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Mike Huddleston)
2. Cable #1 (W: Gerry Duggan, A: Phil Noto)

ComicBookRoundUp

• Critic: Hawkeye: Freefall #4
• Fan: The Dollhouse Family #5

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Plunge #2 (W: Joe Hill, A: Stuart Immonen) (Alienated #2...too? Si Spurrier, Chris Wildgoose)
• Nathan: X-Ray Robot #1 (Mike Allred, Laura Allred)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Batman #91 (Jorge Jimenez)
• Nathan: Robin 80th Anniversary Spectacular (Yasmine Putri cover)

SEGMENT: Elsa Charretier (char-tee-air) artist on November, The Unstoppable Wasp, writer AND artist on Infinite Loop, and More

1. You just had a successful Kickstarter get funded back in November (with your artbook shipping in February, congratz!) and also have an Etsy store where you sell comics. What has the journey been like to move away from traditional comic book publishing to a digital approach on platforms like Kickstarter and Etsy?
2. What would you say are the essential things a creator must know or commit to before launching a Kickstarter?
3. Would you say launching a Kickstarter changed the relationship you have with fans? How so?
4. How do you approach working on creator-owned projects versus work for the big two?
5. Do you generally find it easier to illustrate your own projects or projects in collaboration with another writer? How does your creative process shift for the difference between writing and art?
6. Can you tell us a little about your Star Wars work for IDW? How did the project come about, and what’s your approach to working with characters that have such far reach and recognition?
7. November Book Two Vol. 2 comes out this May, what can fans expect from this sequel series by you and Matt Fraction?
8. What do you hope to see in the industry in the future?
9. Infinite Loop got a sequel starting in 2017, might we see a trilogy some day?
10. What comics are you reading right now?

Off Topic Top Shelf: Elsa Charretier’s pick - Reading plays, Good Omens, and more

NEWS

1. EMPYRE gets a column, by us! EMPYRE STATE OF MYND
2. Multiple publishers, creators drop out of ECCC
3. C2E2 news!
   1. Jim Lee talks Didio!
   2. DC story details and notes
   3. Venom villain named Virus - NOT a symbiote
4. Sean Gordon Murphyverse?
5. Iron Cat incoming!
6. Neil Gaiman will narrate new Sandman Audible series for Amazon
7. Former DC Executive Creative Director, David Ewing named publisher of Heavy Metal

SEGMENT: Polygon asks DC and Marvel creators about the past, and next decades in comics. 

TOP BOOKS OF LAST WEEK

Dave

1. Strange Academy (2020) #1 (W: Skottie Young, A: Humberto Ramos)
2. Aster and the Accidental Magic #1 (W: Thom Pico, A: Karensac)

Forrest

1. King of Nowhere #1 (W: W. Maxwell Prince, A: Tyler Jenkins)
2. Spider-Man Noir #1 (W: Margaret Stohl, A: Juan Ferreyra)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Decorum #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Mike Huddleston)
• Forrest: Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #1 (W: Ethan Sacks, A: Paolo Villanelli)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Decorum #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Mike Huddleston)
• Forrest: New Mutants # 9 

Off Topic Top Shelf: Dave is getting into Devs

NEWS

• More details on Dan Didio’s departure
  • DC Cancels C2E2 'Meet The Publishers' Panel Following DIDIO Exit
• Bad Idea expanding launch in comic shops from 20 to 50
• Coronavirus concerns hit con season
• C2E2 latest news: 
  • Silk is back!
  • 'X of Swords' announced at C2E2 X-Men panel
  • Ultraman cover reveal
  • Thor vs. Galactus (Thor goes blind?) and more
  • FCBD revealed: Venom gets attacked by “War Machine” yellow symbol and Vulture fights Black Cat and Spider-Man
  • Mike Del Mundo dazzles with Threshing Place interior art
  • Empyre - Marvel universe goes to war plus gladiator fights?
  • Ari Bard covering the con for AIPT, yahoo!

TOP BOOKS OF LAST WEEK

Dave

1. Grimm Noir #1 (W: Gerry Duggan, A: Ron Garney)
2. Far Sector #4 (W: N.K. Jemisin, A: Jamal Campbell)

Forrest

1. Grimm Noir #1 (W: Gerry Duggan, A: Ron Garney)
2. X-Men #7 (W: Johnathan Hickman, A: Leinil Francis Yu)

ComicBookRoundUp

• Critic: Invisible Kingdom #10 (Dark Horse, 9.4)
• Fan: John Constantine: Hellblazer #4 (DC, 9.7)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Strange Adventures (W: Tom King, A: Mitch Gerads, Doc Shaner)
• Forrest: Strange Academy #1 (W: Skottie Young, A: Humberto Ramos)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. 

• Dave: Daredevil #19 (Del Mundo Spider-Woman Cover)
• Forrest: Harley Quinn #71 (Guillem March)

SEGMENT: Co-writers Zac Thompson & Emily Horn on their new Vault series No One’s Rose “every rose has a thorn!” March 25 Vault Comics

Off Topic Top Shelf: No One’s Rose team: Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener + Crash by JG Ballard

News

• Dan Didio out as DC publisher
• DC will reveal ‘hidden history’ with Generation(s) comics
• Dark Horse Comics producing “original” Predator comic
• Humanoids announce Mark Waid as publisher and new push for classic titles
• Sandman universe expands with The Dreaming: Waking Hours
• Locke and Key joins the Sandman universe
• DC Cancels Supergirl at issue 42
• Joker’s new sidekick, Punchline, is a hit
• Marvel Comics May 2020 solicitation surprises?

TOP BOOKS OF LAST WEEK

Dave

1. Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy #3 (W: Jeff Lemire, A: Tonci Zonjic)
2. Plunge #1 (W: Joe Hill, A: Stuart Immonen)

Forrest

1. BANG! #1 (W: Matt Kindt, A: Wilfredo Torres)
2. Skulldigger and Skeleton boy #3 (W: Jeff Lemire, A: Tonci Zonjic)

ComicBookRoundUp

1. Critic: Superman Smashes the Klan #3 (DC, 9.7)
2. Fan: Daredevil #18 (Marvel, 9.2)

SEGMENT: January 2020 Sales - how are pubs starting off the new year?

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Dave: Tomorrow #1 (W: Peter Milligan, A: Jesus Hervas)
2. Forrest: Fantastic Four: Grimm Noir #1 (W: Gerry Duggan, A: Ron Garney)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR. 

1. Dave: Giant Size X-Men: Jean Grey & Emma Frost #1 (Russell Dauterman)
2. Forrest: Avengers #31 (Gerardo Zaffino)

SEGMENT: Chris Hassan on Jean + Emma week 

SEGMENT: Superfight - Jean vs. Emma - The Quiet Game

Off Topic Top Shelf: Forrest - Professional Wrestling