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, which you can order here, a serialized horror story told entirely through a physical newspaper. Percy walks us through how the idea came together, why he insisted it had to be a newspaper instead of a traditional novel, and how the story follows a survivor named Mary Poole as she rebuilds community—and uncovers something much darker—in a post-apocalyptic world.
Along the way, Percy opens up about collaborating with Stephen King, how King became actively involved in the project, and how the legendary author writes under the in-universe byline Claudia Bachman, reviving the spirit of his Richard Bachman era. We talk about small-town journalism, misinformation, physical media, serialized storytelling, and why The End Times is ultimately a story about hope, community, and the power of the press—even at the end of the world.
Don’t miss our chat about 2026’s Punisher, as Percy breaks down what’s coming next in his new Punisher ongoing launching in February. Building directly out of Punisher: Red Band, Percy explains why that brutal miniseries works as a prologue, how Jigsaw becomes the perfect villain to reflect Frank Castle’s fractured psyche, and why his take on the character leans hard into ’70s noir crime, psychological horror, and a version of New York City that’s as filthy and broken as Frank sees the world.
If you’re a fan of Punisher, Stephen King, experimental storytelling, or just hearing a creator thoughtfully unpack how and why they take creative risks, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
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 Top Books of the Week:
Dave:
- Amazing Spider-Man #17 (Pepe Larraz, Joe Kelly)
- The End 2099 #1 (Steve Orlando, Ibraim Roberson)
Alex:
- Absolute Batman #15 (Scott Snyder, Jock)
- Our Soot Stained Heart #1 (Joni Hägg, Stipan Morian)
Standout KAPOW moment of the week:
Alex: Ultimate Wolverine #12 (Condon, Cappuccio)
Dave: Absolute Batman #15 (Scott Snyder, Jock)
In our Judging by the Cover segment, Dave loves Ivan Shavrin’s Book of Revelation #3 cover, while Alex talks up Dustin Nguyen’s Nightwing #133 cover. Check out both below!
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