AIPT Comics Punisher goes noir as Stephen King enters 'The End Times'
Dec 14, 2025
Benjamin Percy, a talented novelist and comics writer, joins the discussion to delve into his latest works, including The End Times, a collaboration with Stephen King. He explores the unique serialized newspaper format and its ties to King’s Bachman lore. Percy also shares insights on his gritty take on the Punisher, influenced by Garth Ennis, where he aims to avoid superhero clichés. The conversation highlights the themes of misinformation and hope within his narratives, alongside the innovative twists awaiting readers.
01:28:46
Newspaper As Serial Novel
- The End Times is a serialized short novel presented as a monthly newspaper blending fiction and community reporting.
- Benjamin Percy uses the format to slow consumption and build clues across issues for reader engagement.
How Percy Met Stephen King
- Stephen King first noticed Benjamin Percy's work by tweeting about Percy's book Red Moon, which led to direct email contact.
- King then blurbed Percy's books and corresponded periodically, forming a mentor-like relationship.
Small Press Meets Big Name
- Bad Hand Books offered grassroots newspaper distribution and local newspaper resources, enabling a physical, small‑town production model.
- King's involvement scaled the print run from a limited collector idea to an open subscription model.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Guest Benjamin Percy & The End Times Teaser
02:00 • 2min
Superman/Spider-Man One-Shot Reveal
03:37 • 2min
Listener Reactions to The End Times
05:23 • 6min
Marvel X‑Men March Lineup
11:05 • 3min
Darth Maul & Star Wars Comics
14:21 • 1min
Marvel's Armageddon Push
15:49 • 3min
Ultimate Endgame Preview
19:18 • 2min
DC Vertigo March Slate
21:23 • 2min
Indie Highlights: Battle Beast & Event Horizon
23:25 • 2min
WEBTOON Creator Overhaul
25:43 • 2min
Masters of the Universe Becomes Ongoing
28:05 • 44sec
Top Books of the Week
28:48 • 12min
Standout Kapow Moments
40:34 • 5min
Anticipated Next Week Picks
45:13 • 3min
Judging By The Cover: Favorites
48:06 • 5min
Interview: Origin of The End Times Concept
53:27 • 3min
How Percy Reached Stephen King
56:28 • 3min
Bad Hand Books & Physical Distribution
59:41 • 2min
Small‑Town Newspapers & Community Role
01:01:53 • 2min
King's Byline as Claudia Bachman
01:03:54 • 4min
Collaboration Workflow with King
01:07:52 • 2min
Serialization, Outlines, and Flexibility
01:10:10 • 2min
Physical Format, Future Hardcover Plans
01:12:05 • 43sec
Subscription Details & Charity Tie‑In
01:12:48 • 1min
Easter Eggs, Clues, and Serialized Twists
01:13:57 • 2min
Bachman Tone and The End Times' Hopeful Arc
01:15:29 • 3min
Punisher: From Red Band to Ongoing
01:18:18 • 4min
Jigsaw as Thematic Antagonist
01:21:50 • 1min
New Artist Jose Luis Suarez's Gritty Look
01:23:19 • 2min
Punisher's Dark Tradition & Tone Choices
01:24:52 • 2min
Tone Across Percy’s Marvel Work
01:26:48 • 2min
Outro
01:28:42 • 2sec
#
Red moon
Benjamin Percy
#1244
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
The Stand
Stephen King
The Stand tells the story of a world devastated by a rapidly mutating flu virus known as Captain Tripps, which kills over 99% of the population.
The survivors are drawn to two opposing forces: Mother Abagail, a 108-year-old woman who represents good, and Randall Flagg, a supernatural entity embodying evil.
The novel explores themes of rebuilding society, the persistence of evil, and the necessity of standing against it.
The Complete & Uncut Edition, released in 1990, includes material that was originally cut from the 1978 publication, providing a more comprehensive and detailed narrative.
#24388
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Thinner
Stephen King
In 'Thinner', Stephen King tells the story of Billy Halleck, a successful but overweight lawyer whose life unravels after he kills an old Romani woman in a car accident.
Despite being acquitted, Billy is cursed by the woman's father, leading to an uncontrollable and terrifying weight loss.
Desperate to lift the curse, Billy embarks on a perilous journey to confront the gypsies and restore his health.
The novel explores themes of guilt, responsibility, and the supernatural.
#1615
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
The Running Man
ben benson
#7198
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The Green Mile
Stephen King
The Green Mile is a serial novel by Stephen King that tells the story of Paul Edgecombe, the supervisor of the death row block at Cold Mountain Penitentiary, known as 'The Green Mile' due to the green linoleum floor.
The narrative switches between Paul's time as an old man in a nursing home in 1996 and his experiences in 1932.
The story centers around John Coffey, a giant of a man convicted of raping and murdering two young girls, who possesses inexplicable healing and empathetic abilities.
As the story unfolds, Paul and the other guards discover the truth about John's gift, which challenges their beliefs and leads to a series of dramatic and tragic events.
The novel explores themes of compassion, justice, and the supernatural, and is an example of magical realism.
#
Black house
Stephen King
Peter Straub
Stephen King's "Black House" is a sequel to "The Talisman," revisiting the parallel worlds and characters from the original novel.
Years after his adventures in the Territories, Jack Sawyer finds himself drawn back into the mystical conflict between good and evil.
The novel delves deeper into the mythology of the two worlds, exploring themes of destiny, sacrifice, and the enduring power of friendship.
It's a complex and richly detailed story that expands upon the original's themes and characters.
The book offers a satisfying conclusion to the saga.
#1684
• Mentioned in 21 episodes
The long walk
Christobel Mattingley
While detailed plot information is not available, Christobel Mattingley's works often focused on themes relevant to children, such as personal growth, social issues, and environmental concerns.
'The Long Walk' likely follows this pattern, offering a story that resonates with young readers.
#3221
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
The Gunslinger
Stephen King
The Gunslinger is a dark-fantasy novel that blends elements of Western fiction, science fiction, and horror.
It tells the story of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, who is on a quest to catch the man in black, a sorcerous figure.
The novel is set in a world similar to the Old West but in an alternate timeframe or parallel universe.
Roland's journey involves encounters with various characters, including a boy named Jake, and flashbacks that reveal his past and his brutal training as a gunslinger.
The story is inspired by Robert Browning's poem 'Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came' and other influences such as Milton's 'Paradise Lost' and the Western films of Sergio Leone.
#12660
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The talisman
Stephen King
Peter Straub
Stephen King and Peter Straub's "The Talisman" follows 12-year-old Jack Sawyer's journey across two parallel worlds to save his dying mother.
Jack must navigate treacherous landscapes and confront supernatural forces in both worlds.
The novel blends fantasy, horror, and adventure, exploring themes of good versus evil, friendship, and the power of belief.
The story's intricate plot and compelling characters have made it a fan favorite.
The book's unique blend of genres and its exploration of parallel worlds have cemented its place in fantasy literature.
#5742
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Rage
Stephen King
Published in 1977, 'Rage' is the first novel Stephen King wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman.
The story follows Charlie Decker, a troubled high school student in Maine, who kills his algebra teacher and takes his class hostage.
During the standoff, Charlie forces his classmates to reveal their deepest secrets, creating a tense and introspective atmosphere.
The novel delves into themes of bullying, social isolation, and the complex emotional struggles of adolescence.
Due to its association with real-life school shootings, King allowed the book to fall out of print in the late 1990s.
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NEWS
- 'Superman/Spider-Man' #1 gets full creative team reveal and first cover look
- Marvel’s X-Men enter a dangerous new era as Shadows of Tomorrow' begins: March 2026 covers & launches revealed
- Darth Maul returns in a brutal new era, and Marvel’s prequel series reveals his darkest plan yet
- Marvel’s next huge event is already underway and Wolverine & Captain America hold the keys to ARMAGEDDON
- Ultimate Universe shocker: Hickman opens up as Marvel debuts ‘Endgame’ preview + 9 never-seen sketch covers
- DC Vertigo unveils first 2026 trailer—plus exclusive new Covers for March titles
- The Viltrumites are coming for Battle Beast in a blood-soaked new arc in March 2026
- Event Horizon is back from hell: Prequel sells out, sequel comic set 200 years later
- WEBTOON just changed everything for creators: Massive 2026 overhaul announced!
- Skeletor just leveled up: Masters of the Universe becomes an ongoing series in 2026
Our 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)
TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEK
- Alex: The Power Fantasy #14 (Gillen, Wijngaard) & DIE: Loaded #2 (Gillen, Hans)
- Dave: Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 (W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo)
JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.
- Dave: Book of Revelation #3 (Ivan Shavrin but also Fabrizio De Tommaso)
- Alex: Nightwing #133 (Dustin Nguyen variant)
Interview: Ben Percy talks The End Times and Punisher in 2026 (out in February)
- Origin of the Project:
Last we spoke we talked a bit about The End Times, but now the project sees the revival of Stephen King’s Bachman universe through Bad Hand Books, how’d that come to be? - Expanding the Bachman Lore:
Claudia Inez Bachman has always been a shadowy figure in King’s mythos — how did it feel to help bring her to life as a writerly voice in her own right? - Collaboration with Stephen King:
What was the collaboration process like with King himself? Did you two discuss tone, continuity, or the meta-narrative of Bachman’s legacy? - Post-Apocalyptic Themes:
You’ve described this world as “the world has ended and it’s rebuilding.” What emotional or thematic space did you want to explore in that aftermath, compared to the usual “apocalypse in progress” stories? - Social Commentary:
The project examines misinformation and the role of local journalism — how do those themes mirror our current media landscape, and what kind of response are you hoping to evoke from readers? - Physical vs. Digital Experience:
With both a newspaper edition and a digital version available, what do you hope readers gain from physically holding this story in their hands versus reading it online? - Continuing the Bachman Tradition:
Bachman’s work was often darker and more cynical than King’s mainline fiction. Does The End Times lean into that same spirit of anger and disillusionment? - (Fun / Silly Question):If The End Times really were the last surviving newspaper on Earth, what headline would you want your byline to appear under? (“Local Writer Saves Humanity”? “Coffee Shortage Ends Civilization”? 😄)