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Articles by Nathan Simmons
‘Predator vs. Spider-Man’ is a violent crossover that doesn’t quite hit the mark
Rocketing to Earth from the creative team of Benjamin Percy, Marcelo Ferreira, and Frank D’Armata, Predator vs. Spider-Man is an interesting beast. In some ways it offers readers healthy doses of the elements that fans of both franchises expect and enjoy, but it also ends up being a weird mish-mash of tones. The right ingredients are all there, but the final product feels a bit rushed and unfocused in a number of areas. For one thing, this is easily the most violent Spider-Man comic I’ve ever read.
'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla' #1 delivers a mean green kaiju-fighting machine • AIPT
Tim Seeley and Ferro Pe’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Godzilla is off to a rollicking, fun start, and a huge part of that is that it’s clear this creative team has a lot of love for both properties. They’ve embraced the whole of both universes, sprinkling nods to different eras of each character to give us a wildly entertaining confection.
‘Gotham Academy: First Year’ #1 review: Sympathy for the devil
It’s been a long time since we checked in on Olive Silverlock and her friends. Aside from some brief appearances here and there, eight years have passed without a proper Gotham Academy book on the shelves to continue their adventures. The original run meant a great deal to me, its launch coinciding with the time I started getting back into regularly reading comic books (heck, I even named my cat Olive!).
‘Escape’ #2 review: A love worth dying for
After the blood and fire of Rick Remender and Daniel Acuña’s first issue, Escape #2 takes a step back to show us the relative calm before the storm. Trapped behind enemy lines and certain that his job has become a suicide mission, Milton remembers the woman he left behind and the ways in which she inspired him to be something greater.
‘Quick Stops Vol. 3’ #2 is a touching tribute to a story that ended too soon
Kevin Smith gets personal in the new issue of Quick Stops, in which the filmmaker himself appears to tell us a story about his friendship with the late Shannen Doherty and the genesis of his cult classic Clerks followup, Mallrats. Along the way, Smith and artist Ryan Gajda offer fans a glimpse into an alternate reality, one in which Smith’s long-gestating “Twilight of the Mallrats” was filmed and Doherty was able to reprise her role of Rene alongside Jason Lee’s Brodie.
‘Artificial’ #1 review: Do androids dream of swiping right?
Much like the creator’s previous work, Crave, the first issue of Maria Llovet’s Artificial sets up a kind of lonely hearts app straight out of Black Mirror, albeit one that feels pretty close to reality. Users can order an ideal android date that’s programmed with their favorite personality traits, values, and even select kinks. Of course, things take a turn by the end of this first issue — and I’m already totally sucked in.
‘Blood Honey’ #1 review: Love is a burning thing
Vanessa De La Mora and Edgar St. Claire are the most popular students at their school, but their relationship with one another is in a rut. Both of them are looking for a fresh start, but feel in their souls that this can only happen if the other is dead. Cue the fireworks.
‘Spider-Man ’94’ #1 reanimates a fan-favorite series
J.M. DeMatteis and Jim Towe’s Spider-Man ’94 is a big deal. Based on the animated series that ran on Fox Kids from 1994-1998, this miniseries picks up where the original cartoon left off — kind of.
‘Escape’ #1 is a dogfight like none other
In the original announcement solicits for Escape, author Rick Remender boldly referred to the work as “a perfect comic book.” After reading the first issue, I’m inclined to agree with him. Escape is a war comic unlike any we’ve seen in quite some time, as it forces us to not only reckon with the inhumanities visited upon innocent people during wartime, but it does so with an instantly captivating cast of dogs, cats, and other anthropomorphic animals.
Quick Stops Vol. 3 #1 review: Chasing (and losing) Amy
Like many folks around my age, Chasing Amy is a movie that occupies a special place in my heart. Not every element of the film has aged perfectly well (very few comedies of the era have), but there’s still so much to love about Kevin Smith’s tale of a man and a woman realizing that there’s more to their friendship than they realized.
‘Blink and You’ll Miss It’ #1 is like a beautiful bad dream
Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan have a real knack for getting at primal, almost childlike fears. This is a talent they deployed to great effect in last year’s Kill Your Darlings, and I had a feeling their newest work would hit a similar spooky sweet spot as soon as it was announced — and I was absolutely correct.
‘The War’ #1 review: The feel-bad comic of the decade
I think about endings a lot. I lost my home about six years ago, shortly before a whole hell of a lot of people were killed by a pandemic. The last few years have taught me a lot about how quickly we can lose everything, and the world has only gotten uglier in the interim. Now that I’m a father, even more fears have been introduced to me. I don’t wanna lose any of it. So, yeah, I think about endings a lot, and the fact that there is something beautiful and terrifying about the impermanence of things.
‘Catacomb of Torment’ #1 offers a few gruesome thrills
I’m typically an easy mark for an anthology series. When you add in the EC Comics label, you especially have my interest. Unfortunately, the debut issue of Oni’s latest horror anthology is a pretty uneven affair, but it’s not without a few gruesome thrills. Things get off to a rocky start with “What’s the Deal With Voodoo?” by John Arcudi, Patrick Piazzalunga, and Alessandro Santoro, which pits an exaggeratedly “woke” couple against an offensive standup comic who is more than he appears to be.
‘Zatanna’ #2 review: The Mistress of Magic calls in reinforcements
The first issue of Zatanna did a great job of setting up the title character’s new tour and immediately throwing her into a wild and wacky mystical adventure. Here, Jamal Campbell deepens the mystery and gives us some incredible illustrations to go along with it. Once again, the visuals are the reason for the season here, and while Campbell isn’t taking us on a tour of Old Hollywood in this issue, the book is still full of inventive set pieces.
Fantastic Five: Best comics of the week of March 12, 2025
Welcome back to another edition of Fantastic Five, where we shout out the best comics of the week! This week was all about Image Comics, between the anticipated Assorted Crisis Events and the next edition of Snotgirl. Let’s get to the books! Best comics of the week: March 12, 2025 Overall, this is an excellent start to this latest endeavor from the Minor Threats umbrella.
‘From the World of Minor Threats: Welcome to Twilight’ #1 is an excellent character study in a bizarre world
From the World of Minor Threats: Welcome to Twilight is a new anthology series set in the same chaotic universe as Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt’s Minor Threats, giving us new stories from rotating teams of top creators. This issue comes out the gate swinging with a wild tale from Matt Fraction, Jordan Blum, Patton Oswalt, Nate Piekos, Michael Allred, and Laura Allred.
‘Moon Man’ #7 hits a bit of turbulence
Last month, the team of Scott Mescudi, Joe Clark, Kyle Higgins, and Federico Bertoni finally got into the origins of Moon Man, delivering my favorite issue since the first. After last issue’s time-bending psychedelic trip through Ramon’s backstory, Moon Man #7 deals with the immediate aftermath of the crew’s encounter with an unexplained cosmic force.
‘The Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank’ is a stone cold classic
After a much-derided series in which the Punisher was given angelic powers, Marvel assembled the team of Garth Ennis, Steve Dillion, and Jimmy Palmiotti to bring the character back to his hardboiled roots — and the results have stood the test of time. A solid argument could be made — and I’m certainly not the first one to make it — for Welcome Back, Frank being the single strongest overall run in the Punisher’s history.
‘Godzilla vs. America: Chicago’ is a delightfully strange first stop on Godzilla’s tour
The premise of Godzilla vs. America is that each issue will feature Godzilla stories set in and around a beloved American city, allowing storytellers who hail from that city the opportunity to tell their own unique tales. This first issue is already fulfilling the promise that this will be a Godzilla series unlike any other, as each creator imbues the King of the Monsters with a fresh perspective. Let’s take a look at each one, shall we?
Fantastic Five: Best comics of the week of February 19, 2025
Welcome back to Fantastic Five, our Friday roundup of the best comics of the week! This week, Marvel and DC both had perfect continuations and stellar first issues, while Dark Horse came out swinging with a devilishly good debut. Best comics of the week: February 19, 2025 High strangeness, historical fiction, and compelling family drama collide in one of the most exciting debut issues of the year thus far.
‘Zatanna’ #1 is a magical thrill ride
Writer/artist Jamal Campbell and letterer Ariana Maher take Zatanna on tour for an all-new six-issue series, and it’s every bit as fun as that sounds! I mentioned a little while back on the AIPT Comics Podcast that this was perhaps my most-anticipated comic of 2025, and this first issue does not disappoint. Campbell brings an elegantly chaotic energy to the book that makes it feel like we’re watching a magic show unfold before our very eyes.
‘Let This One Be A Devil’ #1 is an urban legend that feels terrifyingly grounded
Let This One Be A Devil — from the exceptional team of James Tynion IV, Steve Foxe, Piotr Kowalski, Brad Simpson, and Tom Napolitano — is off to a bewitching start. The book sits in a fascinating intersection of high strangeness, rural myth, and historical fiction. Tynion and Foxe have clearly done their research, digging into the origins of the Jersey Devil legend and some of the eyewitness stories of purported encounters with the creature.
‘The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe’ TPB review: Everybody gets punished
The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe is more than just a reprint of the 1995 Garth Ennis/Doug Braithwaite one-shot of the same name. It also includes the four-issue miniseries Marvel Universe vs. The Punisher, released in 2010 from the team of Jonathan Mayberry and Goran Parlov.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 314: ‘One World Under Doom’: Ryan North takes on Marvel’s ultimate villain
This week, we have Ryan North join the show to unpack One World Under Doom, with the series out next week! Dave and Nathan also unpack the biggest news of the week, make our picks for best comic, and more! In some sad news, this will be Nathan’s final show as a regular co-host! Stay tuned for who might take over in future weeks! You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 313: Unpacking the Massive-Verse ‘Rebuild’ era with Kyle Higgins and Ryan Parrott
The AIPT Comics podcast is back with your recap of the week in comics, plus special guests Kyle Higgins and Ryan Parrott join the show to talk about their new ‘rebuild‘ era for the Massive-Verse! They unpack why now is a great jumping-on point for Radiant Black and Rogue Sun, what to expect with the new series coming soon, and more! Want to catch up on the Massive-Verse?
‘Alien: Paradiso’ #2 review: Trouble in paradise
In the second issue of Alien: Paradiso, all hell has broken loose, and now we get to see how the 1% (and the resort’s unprepared staff) attempt to deal with it. This issue also delves a bit further into the backstory of one of the characters in the criminal cast, in the process revealing a surprising connection to Alien franchise lore. I won’t spoil the reveal here, but I must say that I commend writer Steve Foxe on how casually it’s played.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 309: Inside Charles Soule and Ryan Browne’s ‘The Lucky Devils’
Welcome back to the AIPT Comics podcast, with our 309th episode recapping news, reviewing comics, and more! This week, writer Charles Soule and artist Ryan Browne join the show to unpack their new series The Lucky Devils. Having created an incredibly original series before, what are we in store for with this demonic and hellish series?
‘Moon Man’ #6 turns the origin story on its head
The latest issue of Moon Man really digs into the series’ backstory, finally showing us the ill-fated mission that resulted in seven minutes being expunged from the flight’s official records and our hero of the story being imbued with superpowers. Beyond that, the book zooms out to show us several vignettes from Ramon’s life, giving us a few more pieces of the puzzle that make up who he is.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 304: A book from the heart: A book from the heart: Vita Ayala and Skylar Patridge talk ‘Finders / Keepers’
The AIPT Comics podcast returns to its regular schedule, recapping the week in comics, reviewing the best comics, and interviewing comics creators. This week, Vita Ayala and Skylar Patridge join the show to discuss FINDERS / KEEPERS, which will be released on January 15th, 2025 (FOC December 9). We discuss their approach to The Horizon Experiment, how they approach a story with sensitive subjects, and where the series may go if given an ongoing run.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 303: Juan Ferreyra talks redefining Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Jason Aaron
The AIPT Comics podcast is back with insights into the comics industry as we recap the news and pick the best comics of the week. This week, artist Juan Ferreyra joins the show for the second time to unpack his upcoming six-issue run on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Jason Aaron.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 302: Tom King and Daniel Sampere on Wonder Woman’s Legacy and Trinity
The AIPT Comics podcast returns each Sunday to recap the news, review our favorite comics, and more! This week, we host special guests Tom King and Daniel Sampere to discuss Wonder Woman and her daughter Trinity. With just a few days away from the next issue, we dig into their contributions to Wonder Woman’s legacy. You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Fantastic Five: The best comics of the week of November 13, 2024
Welcome back to another edition of Fantastic Five, where we shout out the best comics of the week! This week sees a new creative team for Amazing Spider-Man, two brand-new #1s, and more. Let’s get to the books! The best comics of the week: November 14, 2024 Power Rangers Prime #1 delivers a truly unique take on the Power Rangers Universe in the vein of Ultimate Spider-Man and Absolute Superman.
‘G.I. Joe’ #1 review: Absolute American Heroes
Right when we need them most, the Real American Heroes have banded together in a new series from Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, Jordie Bellaire, and Rus Wooton! Who can be trusted as G.I. Joe and Cobra inch closer to all-out war? Even after multiple miniseries laying the groundwork for this team book, this first issue must rise to the unenviable task of being someone’s first G.I. Joe comic, as well as a handy primer for the Energon Universe as a whole.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 301: Jason Aaron reveals bold new vision for ‘Absolute Superman’
The AIPT Comics podcast returns with a regular episode featuring reviews, news, and more! This week, writer Jason Aaron joins the show to discuss Absolute Superman, his approach, working with Rafa Sandoval, and so much more! You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 300: Creator Spotlight: Ryan North unpacks Star Trek, Fantastic Four, and more
The AIPT Comics podcast reaches 300 episodes this week, and writer Ryan North is joining us! We unpack his recently released Star Trek: Lower Decks choose-your-own-adventure graphic novel, the upcoming ongoing series, his amazing Fantastic Four, and his 2025 year of Dr. Doom! That includes what it takes to “mastermind” the “One World Under Doom” story.
Fantastic Five: The best comics of the week of October 30, 2024
Welcome to a post-Halloween edition of Fantastic Five, where we shout out the best comics of the week! This week saw a perfect 10 from Image, an incredible team-up from DC, and more. Let’s take a look at the books! The best comics of the week of October 30, 2024 As with all great meta stories worth a damn, Uncanny Valley is doing it the right way — with ample heart and personality.
‘Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Trees’ #1 review: A bittersweet harvest
Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Trees plays perfectly as a one-and-done horror story, complete with a cold open that would function nicely as a “pre-credits” scare, if this were a classic creature feature. Readers don’t have to be caught up on the current goings-on with either Poison Ivy or Swamp Thing to appreciate the main plot and the poignant character interactions throughout.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 299: David Dastmalchian dishes on Creature Commandos, favorite monsters, and more
The AIPT Comics podcast returns to recap your week in comics news, reviews, and more! This week, actor and writer David Dastmalchian joins the show to discuss his horror comics at DC Comics, including DC Horror: Creature Commandos. We dig into his spooky season picks, monsters, and more! You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
‘Nullhunter’ #1 is a heavy metal labor of love
Inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Hercules, Nullhunter is the type of story that can only be told be someone who loves stories. The craft of mythmaking clearly matters to Michael Walsh and Gustaffo Vargas, and that comes through in every panel of this first issue. As I mentioned on a recent episode of the AIPT Comics Podcast (with Michael Walsh as our special guest), I was a bit obsessed with Greek mythology when I was younger, with the Twelve Labors of Hercules being a particular favorite.
‘DC Horror Presents…’ #1 brings Creepshow flavor to Gotham and Themyscira
DC Horror Presents… is a title I have greatly anticipated ever since it was first announced. As I’ve mentioned before on the AIPT Comics Podcast, I’m a huge fan of anthologies, and I’ve greatly enjoyed the output of the DC Horror line, going back to the release of The Conjuring: The Lover in 2021.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 297: Ryan Parrott goes below the surface with sci-fi series ‘Vicarious’
Join Dave and Nathan as they unpack the week in comics news, review their favorite comics, and more! This week, writer Ryan Parrott joins the show for the fourth time to discuss Vicarious. It’s a new series launching next week with art by Eleonora Carlini. We dig into the sci-fi nature of the series.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 296: Absolute Batman chat: Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta reveal all
The AIPT Comics podcast returns to recap the news, review our favorite comics, and host special guests. This week, Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta joined the show to unpack Absolute Batman, which launches next week! Get an inside look at what they’re doing to bring a new vision to Batman. You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 295: Creator Spotlight: Michael Walsh on Nullhunter, Frankenstein and Stripping down to the essential
Michael Walsh joins the show as our latest Creator Spotlight! We dig into upcoming series Nullhunter #1 (of 12) (out on Oct 23), Horizon Experiment Sacred Damned ( Out on Oct 23), Universal Monsters Frankenstein (#2 out on Sep 25, 2024) and more! Get to know Walsh in our rapid-fire round of questions, and don’t miss the creative process on a number of series. You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 294: Declan Shalvey on Mystique to Terminator and everything in between
This week, writer and artist Declan Shalvey updates us on his recent and upcoming projects, including the new X-Men series Mystique, the upcoming Terminator series at Dynamite, and so much more! You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 292: Hannah Rose May takes horror to the White House in ‘The Exorcism at 1600 Penn’
Join the AIPT Comics podcast and writer Hannah Rose May for an interview about her upcoming series The Exorcism at 1600 Penn! We unpack the new horror, which features Vanesa R. Del Rey and Jordie Bellaire art and is out October 16th. What went into this unique horror story that happens to be dropping near the actual election of the president of the United States?
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 289: Writer Zack Kaplan on writing horror, sci-fi and working with The Midnight
We’re back to recap the week in comics news, reviews, and more! This week, writer Zack Kaplan joins the show to unpack upcoming projects, including The Dark Empty Void #1, out September 11, Kill all Immortals #3, out September 25, Beyond Real tpb, out September 10, and Midnight Shadows, out October 2! We dig into these various projects, like what it was like working with The Midnight band, how deep he went into crafting the backstory for the immortals, and so much more! You can stream the...
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 288: MCU recap, and Pornsak Pichetshote talks The Horizon Experiment Original
The AIPT Comics podcast returns to recap the news, review our favorite comics, and more! This week, Pornsak Pichetshote joins the show for the third time to discuss The Horizon Experiment. A series of one-shots curated by Pichetshote and Will Dennis, Pichetshote unpacks the project’s goals and details the one-shot he’s writing with art by Terry Dodson. You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 286: SDCC news recap and Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson preview ‘Justice Warriors: Vote Harder’ Original
The AIPT Comics podcast is back, ensuring you aren’t let down as SDCC 2024 news comes in fast and hot! We recap all the news to keep you up-to-date and connected. Plus, creators Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson join the show to discuss Justice Warriors: Vote Harder, a sequel graphic novel to their AHOY Comics series.
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 285: Jordan Morris unpacks YA horror comedy ‘Youth Group’ Original
The AIPT Comics podcast is back to recap the week in comics news, review comics, and host special guest Jordan Morris. He details what went into making the YA horror comedy Youth Group, which was released in comic shops and bookstores this week! For more from Jordan Morris, don’t miss our chat about Bubble from 2021. You can stream the AIPT Comics podcast below or find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. Want to take our relationship to the next level?
AIPT Comics Podcast Episode 284: Kyle Higgins unpacks C.O.W.L. 1964, the Massive-Verse, and more Original
Welcome back to the AIPT Comics podcast, a weekly show that recaps the news, reviews comics, and hosts special guests! Big ticket news items include SDCC 2024 schedules, BOOM! Studios is getting purchased, and more! This week, writer Kyle Higgins joins the show to talk about C.O.W.L. 1964, with the first issue coming out on August 7th.
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