AIPT Comics

NEWS

• BRZRKR now getting Kickstarted for graphic novel lovers and making a ton of cash
• Batman Day festivities revealed
• Wonder Women announced
• Harvey Awards 2020 nominees announced
• The McElroys, First Second respond to THE ADVENTURE ZONE payment controversy
• Tristen Jones reveals his art may have been swiped by Greg Land
• Vault starting young adult imprint Wonderbound
• Random House Graphic Preview: New books coming in 2020 and 2021
• IDW joins BOOM! Gives full returnability through 2020 to LCS’
  • Announces Nachie Marsham as new publisher
• Sales early look at August (tweet)
• X-Men Monday #75 - X of Swords edition plug
• Our Empyre State of Mynd  column wraps up next week!

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. The Dreaming: Waking Hours (2020) #2 (W: G. Willow Wilson, A: Nick Robles)
2. Alien: The Original Screenplay #2 (W: Cristiano Seixas, A: Guilherme Balbi)

Chris:

1. Cable #4 - Gerry Duggan, Phil Noto
2. New Mutants #12 - Ed Brisson, Marco Failla

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Empyre Aftermath: Avengers #1 (W: Al Ewing, A: Valerio Schiti) 
• Chris: Marauders #12 - Gerry Duggan, Matteo Lolli, Russell Dauterman

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Dark Nights: Death Metal: Trinity Crisis #1 (Francis Manapul)
• Chris: Rise of Ultraman #1 (Classic Photo Variant)

Segment - Interview - Christopher Cantwell about Iron Man (out September 16nd), Doctor Doom, and more.

Off Topic Top Shelf - Christopher Cantwell - Watching Unsolved Mysteries and his children.

NEWS

• Chadwick Boseman has passed away
• Some DC FanDome news came out
• Dark Horse teaming up with ComiXology to print Comixology titles
• Mike Mignola Quarantine Sketchbook coming March 2021
• LightboxExpo Online announced
• Ringo Awards 2020 nominees announced
• Marvel and Fortnite team up
• Marvel turns 81 this week - celebrates with the hashtag
• X-Men Monday is Cyclops Day - Tomorrow

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Wynd (2020) #3 (W: James Tynion, A:  Michael Dialynas)
2. Suicide Squad (2019) #8 (W: Tom Taylor, A: Daniel Sampere)

Forrest:

1. That Texas Blood #3 (Chris Condon, Jacob Phillips)
2. Hellions #3 (W: Zeb Wells, A: Stephen Segovia)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: We Only Find Them When They're Dead #1 (W: Al Ewing, A: Simone Di Meo)
• Forrest: King of Nowhere #5 (W: Maxwell Prince, A: Tyler Jenkins)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Wolverine #5 (Adam Kubert)
• Forrest: Lost Soldiers #2 (Luca Casalanguida, Heather Moore)

Segment - Interview - Zac Thompson about Lonely Receiver (out September 2nd)

NEWS

• Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel launch ‘Nocternal Collector’s Edition’ Kickstarter
• Marvel Solicitations are here
  • Marvel announces ‘Wolverine: Black, White & Blood’ for November 2020
  • Taskmaster and Widowmakers...does this mean BW is coming soon?!
  • Eternals #1 coming
  • Indigenous Voices
• Marvel will release Alien Omnibuses containing original stories
• DC will publish Alan Moore’s original ‘Twilight of the Superheroes’ outline
• Fantagraphics gets new logo and name
• Locke & Key and Sandman universe crossing over
• BOOM! Extends returnability
• Jim Lee gets in on The Batman logo
  • DC FanDome: Explore the Multiverse coming September 12
• Resident Alien returns this November.
• Gideon Falls is ending with 80-page giant

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Dark Nights: Death Metal: Death Metal Guidebook #1 (W: Snyder, Tynion, Williamson, Ayala, Zdarsky, Priest, Cloonan, A: Mahnke, Panosian, Risso, Cloonan, Randolph)
2. Voyage to the Stars #1 (W: James Asmus, A: Connie Daidone)

Forrest:

1. Spawn #1 (1992) (W/A: Todd McFarlane)
2. Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #9 (W/A: Joe Quinones)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Sleeping Beauties #3 (W: Rio Youers, A: Alison Sampson)
• Forrest: Mega Man Fully Charged #1 (W: AJ Marchisello, Marcus Rineheart, A: Stefano Simeone)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Fantastic Four: Antithesis (Stegman Cover)
• Forrest: Mega Man Fully Charged #1 (Toni Infante)

Segment - Interview - Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel talk Nocternal Kickstarter and new Best Jackett Press label.

NEWS

• DC layoffs rock the comics community
  • DC cancels Teen Titans, Young Justice, (actually just ending) Suicide Squad, Hawkman, and more
  • DC Comics shrinks monthly line as Jim Lee addresses concerns
• NYCC canceled
• Valiant restructuring
• X-O Manowar returning in November
• Undone by Blood gets a second act
• Sweet Tooth: The Return starts November 3
• Doom Metal coming this September and it gets eXXXtreme in November.
• The Other History of the DC Universe gets re-announced
• The Phoenix Force is coming
• Marvel teases 5th path to X of Swords art, also all the covers in November

Segment: The Best Comics of the Year - So far!

• Dave: Superman Smashes the Klan, Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy, X-Men
• Forrest: King of Nowhere, Undone by Blood, That Texas Blood

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Alienated #5 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Chris Wildgoose)
2. Seven Secrets #1 (W: Tom Taylor, A: Daniele Di Nicuolo)

Forrest:

1. Undone By Blood #5 (W: Zac Thompson, Lonnie Nadler, A: Sami Kivela)
2. Alienated #5 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Chris Wildgoose)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Voyage to the Stars #1 (W: James Asmus, A: Connie Daidone)
• Forrest: Cycle of the Red Moon TPB #1 (W: Jose Antonio Cortina, A: Fiona Hsieh) 

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Captain America #22 (Alex Ross)
• Forrest: The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage #4 (Andrea Sorrentino) 

Off TOPIC TOP SHELF - Forrest - Family

NEWS

• Injustice: Year Zero drops on Tuesday.
• Marvel surprise cancels Doctor Strange and Black Cat delay
• A wedding issue is coming for Wiccan and Hulkling plus issue #4 gets 2nd printing
• Check out the next 4 Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red creatives
• Tales from the Dark Multiverse returns this November
• Brubaker and Phillips launching graphic novel series with Reckless starting December
• BOOM! Studios launching Slaughterhouse-Five graphic novel
• Black Widow #1 gets new on-sale date after pandemic delay
  • U.S. Agent coming soon
• DC FanDome (August 22) gets a guest lineup list
• Bad Idea shares art by Villalobos...who doesn’t have a project set up there (jk)
• Dark Horse says Predator adaptation won’t be released due to shifting rights

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Fire Power #1 (W: Robert Kirkman, A: Chris Samnee)
2. The Dreaming: Waking Hours (2020) #1 (W: G. Willow Wilson, A: Nick Robles)

Forrest:

1. King of Nowhere #4 (W: W. Maxwell Prince, A: Tyler Jenkins)
2. Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #7 (Erica Henderson)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Wonder Woman #760 (W: Mariko Tamaki, A: Mikel Janin)
• Forrest: Strange Skies Over East Berlin TPB (W: Jeff Loveness, A: Lisandro Estherren)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Marauders #11 (Rodriguez Days Of Future Past Cover) 
• Forrest: Papaya Salad (Elisa Macellari)

Segment: Interview: Tom Taylor & Daniele Di Nicuolo talk Seven Secrets interview

1. Are you good at keeping secrets?
2. There's a fan out there who needs Seven Secrets, can you describe that comic book fan?
3. How did develop the relationship between Eva and Sigurd in the first issue, it feels so natural, is there a back and forth in the building to make it feel so real?
4. I was impressed with the details in weapons, vehicles and costuming in the first issue. When writing and drawing a script with so many specific looking guns, vehicles, and garb, how much is in the script and how much is the artists choice?
5. When crafting an action scene, how do you know how many panels and pages you need to get it right?
6. Again, the book feels so cinematic, were there any films that inspire you or inspired this work?
7. Do you have any rituals you go through before putting pen to paper?
8. What comics are you reading now?

NEWS

• Dynamite issues statement
• Tom King publicly apologizes to Jae Lee
• IDW Publisher put on admin leave
• X-Men nominated for design award
• Will you click Bad Idea’s Button?
• Tom Taylor is teasing again and again and then it leaks
• Scott Snyder moving away from DC's central line in 2021
• Razorblades, new horror anthology releases in pay-what-you-want format
• Sina Grace writes a letter about marginalized creators

Segment: TKO Corner - What TKO are you reading this week and what did ya think?!

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Pulp (W: Ed Brubaker, A: Sean Phillips)
2. Sleeping Beauties #2 (W: Rio Youers, A: Alison Sampson)

Nathan:

1. Pulp (W: Ed Brubaker, A: Sean Phillips)
2. Hellblazer #8 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Aaron Campbell)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Dave: Giant-Size X-Men Fantomex #1 (Hickman and Rod Reis)
2. Nathan: Coffin Bound #5 (W: Dan Watters, A: Dani)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

1. Dave: The Goddamned: Virgin Brides #2 (R.M. Guera)
2. Nathan: Giant-Size X-Men Fantomex #1 (Rod Reis)

Off TOPIC TOP SHELF - Nathan's been binge watching familiar shows/comfort food TV

NEWS

• Tom King calls out Jae Lee, then clears the air
• Dynamite cuts ties with CG related campaign
• Marvel Solicitations and early looks for October 2020 releases
• DC Solicitations are out too
• Com2uS, Skybound/Image Comics team up for ‘Summoners War: Legacy’
• Marvel hypes Knull/Empyre prelude, and also hypes X of Swords in Cable and Excalibur
• Marvel Launching Marvel’s Storyboards on YouTube - Hugh Jackman kicks it off
• IDW President, COO, and Publisher steps down and IDW names replacements
• SDCC:
  1. Cates announces Crossover
  2. Oscar Isaac teams up with comic creators to create a graphic novel
  3. Eisner Winners Announced
  4. She-Hulk to go through “green door”?
  5. Tini Howard says X of Swords is weird
  6. Marvel’s 616 actually looks good
  7. Endless Winter coming December 2020

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Empyre: X-Men #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, Tini Howard, Artist: Matteo Buffagni)
2. Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #5 (By Riley Rossmo)

Forrest:

1. Wynd #2 (W: James Tynion IV, A: Michael Dialynas)
2. Hellions #2 (W: Zeb Wells, A: Stephen Segovia)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Hedra (by Jesse Lonergan)
• Forrest: Lost Soldiers #1 (W: Ales Kot, A: Luca Casalanguida, Heather Moore)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: DC's Cybernetic Summer #1: Dan Mora
• Forrest: Plunge #5: Jeremy Wilson

Segment: Interview:  Jill Carter Comicazi Manager - 2017 Eisner Award Winner

407 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

1. First, could you talk a little bit about the store, what you offer, and what it takes to win an Eisner haha?
2. Somerville officially closed non-essential businesses March 20, did you anticipate this would happen and if so how did you prepare?
3. During the pandemic do you continue to sell comics and do curbside pickup, how does that seem to be going? 
4. Reopening started in June, is that right? How did you guys open, what was foot traffic like?
5. The pandemic has been accentuated by a change in the direct distribution world too, can you tell us your thoughts on DC’s move away from Diamond and what it means for LCSs like yourself?
6. In that same vein, Bad Idea is a positing a world where comics are exclusive to LCSs, and even limited there. Do you think a kind of forced exclusivity model is good for comic shops, or does broader promotion and availability bring people in?
7. What’s the biggest win you’ve had during this very weird year, and what do you wish you could have done differently?
8. Have you noticed any difference in sales for a certain publisher during these pandemic times?
9. With Comic-Con@Home, have you tuned in at all? What function does the convention scene serve for a comic store manager?
10. What comics are you reading right now? How do you discover new things to recommend to customers?
11. If you weren’t managing a comic shop, what would you do and why?

Off TOPIC TOP SHELF - Jill Carter - Cheesy Horror Movies

NEWS

• Warren Ellis accusers launch website detailing victim experiences, resources
• Marvel and ReedPOP launch ‘Marvel Made’ high-end collectible store
• Kirkman says he has no plans for more Walking Dead or Negan comics
• New Rorschach comic on the way from Tom King
• Marvel reveals Dark Ages for Fall 2020
• Second Coming sequel coming
• NBCUniversal launches comics company, with Grant Morrison on first title
• Yojimbo CG show in the works at Netflix
• Marvel posts X of Swords “chapter” covers throughout Thursday then teases Swordbearers of Arakko
• BOOM! Studios launch sci-fi epic ‘Origins’ a new limited series for November 2020
• BOOM! Studios unleashing Keanu Reeves-written BRZRKR #1 in October 2020
• Comic review and news websites lead call to drop Dynamite coverage after the company advertises a Comics Gate product 

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Dark Nights: Death Metal #2 (W: Scott Snyder, A: Greg Capullo)
2. Virtually Yours (W: Jeremy Holt, A: Elizabeth Beals)

Forrest:

1. Undone By Blood #4 (W: Zac Thompson, Lonnie Nadler A: Sami Kivela)
2. Giant-Size X-Men: Magneto #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Ramon Perez)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Lords Of Empyre Emperor Hulking #1 (W: Anthony Oliveira, Chip Zdarsky, A: Manuel Garcia)
• Forrest: Chu #1 (W: John Layman, A: Dan Boultwood)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Wolverine #3 (Adam Kubert & Greg Hildebrandt)
• Forrest: New Mutants #11 (Flaviano) 

Segment: Interview: Discussing Virtually Yours with creators Jeremy Holt and Elizabeth Beals.

1. How did this project come together, and how long has the project been in the works?

2. How did Virtually Yours end up at Comixology? What made them feel like the right fit for this story?

3. How does the artistic and creative process differ when you know a story is going to be delivered digitally if at all?

4. Is the idea behind Virtually Yours based on any real experiences with dating apps? 

5. How did you approach bringing elements of modernity into the traditional meet cute romance story? Did you start with the characters and then build out the app, or vice versa?

6. What if Virtually Yours gets its own Netflix series - what will the streaming service be called in the real Netflix show?

7. What other media: books, movies, television, etc. informed the making of Virtually Yours?

8. Having been in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship before, I connected with Max, and there are elements of each character that seem so real, too. When crafting a character like these are they amalgams of people you know, or parts of yourself you put into the character?

9. Do you have any ideas for expanding the world of Virtually Yours? What might a sequel look like?

10. What did you want to be when you were little?

11. What comics are you reading now?

Off TOPIC TOP SHELF - Elizabeth Beals: TV show Gentleman Jack and Jeremy Holt: Devs - Animal Crossing

NEWS

• Marvel’s Comic-Con@Home schedule announced
• Marvel and Scholastic teaming up to make OGN series for middle-graders
• Robert Kirkman says he was “treated like crap” at Marvel Comics
• Marvel’s King in Black coming December 2020
• Marvel’s digital-only...digital-only no more!
• Eve L. Ewing & Simone De Meo’s CHAMPIONS is back on Marvel’s schedule for October
• Dragoncon Cancelled
• Humble Bundle from Image Comics generates 140K to help LCS’
  • Full list: http://ppprecipients.com/
• BOOM! Keeps locking in artists for long deals...hmmm
• Gary Larson returns with new Far Side comics 
• DC delivering 2 horror anthologies
• Comic and graphic novel sales reach $1.2 billion in 2019

Segment: TKO Corner - What TKO are you reading this week and what did ya think?!

Pound For Pound - Natalie Chaidez, Andy Belanger, Daniela Miwa

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Empyre #0 Fantastic Four (W: Dan Slott, A: Sean Izaakse, R. B. Silva)
2. Justice League #48 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Aaron Lopresti)

Forrest:

1. Alienated #4 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Chris Wildgoose)
2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Willow #1 (W: Mariko Tamaki, A: Natacha Bustos)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

1. Dave: Spider-Woman #2 (W: Karla Pacheco, A: Pere Perez)
2. Forrest: Giant Size X-Men: Magneto #1 (W: Jonathan Hickman, A: Ramon K. Perez)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

1. Dave: DARK NIGHTS: DEATH METAL #2 1:25 DOUG MAHNKE VARIANT
2. Forrest: Amazing Spider-Man #44 (Carlos E. Gomez)

Off TOPIC TOP SHELF - David picks Marvel Legends action figures, specifically Beast and Sentinel

NEWS

• Steve Geppi announces he is reassuming role of prez for his enterprise
  • Diamond Comic Distributors charging customers increased shipping rates
• 21 Empyre Tie-ins are no more
• Scott Lobdell stepping away from Red Hood, others share Geoff Johns, Joss Whedon, Jim Lee experiences
• Judge Dredd getting a live experience in the UK
• Mandalorian comics on the way
• Disney+ adds “A look inside the 616” to comic-con@home lineup
• Alien and Predator comics head to Marvel 
• A Hamilton comic was once on the way.

Segment: What's your favorite webcomic or zine?

Our Top Books of the Week

Dave:

1. Devil’s Highway #1 (W: Benjamin Percy, A: Brent Schoonover)
2. Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red (2020) #2 (W/A: Mirka Andolfo)

Forrest:

1. King of Nowhere #3 (W: W. Maxwell Prince, A: Tyler Jenkins, Hillary Jenkins)
2. Harley Quinn: Black + White + Red #2 (W/A: Mirka Andolfo)

TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK

• Dave: Strange Academy #2 (W: Skottie Young, A: Humberto Ramos)
• Forrest: Alienated #4 (W: Si Spurrier, A: Chris Wildgoose)

JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.

• Dave: Detective Comics #1024 (Brad Walker)
• Forrest: The Sky Is Blue With A Single Cloud (Kuniko Tsurita)

Off TOPIC TOP SHELF - GeoGuessr