EPISODE · Sep 6, 2026 · 58 MIN
Saladin Ahmed talks Cheetara’s new era and his X-Men corner
from AIPT Comics · host David Brooke
This week, Eisner Award-winning writer Saladin Ahmed joins the AIPT Comics podcast to talk about three very different heroes currently occupying his writing desk: Cheetara, Wolverine, and Bishop.With ThunderCats: Cheetara launching September 9, Ahmed discusses taking one of Third Earth’s most mysterious heroes into her own ongoing series, the troubling visions that challenge what she knows about ThunderCats history, working with artist Andrea Arcari, and the freedom Dynamite has given him to push and reshape the mythology.The conversation also returns to the X-Men universe, where Ahmed’s working on Wolverine and Bishop. We dig into where both characters currently stand, the distinct challenges of writing two veteran mutants, and what Ahmed is building toward in each series.Visit our Patreon page to see the various tiers you can sign up for today to get in on the ground floor of AIPT Patreon. We hope to see you chatting with us on our Discord soon!NEWSIndiana Jones hunts Marvel’s greatest artifacts in new variant coversBatman vs. Absolute Batman: DC reveals its big Batman Day 2026 specialBoom-Boom takes charge as Marvel announces ‘Fugitive X-Force’ #1Curt Pires and Jok unleash time-traveling monsters in ‘Creature Corps’Our Top Books of the Week:Dave:The Legion of Super-Heroes #1 (Joshua Williamson, Hayden Sherman)Superman: The Stranger (Wes Craig)Alex:The Legion of Super-Heroes #1 (Joshua Williamson, Hayden Sherman)Crowbound #1 (Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen)Standout KAPOW moment of the week:Alex: Captain America #15 (Zdarsky, Schiti)Dave: Doom Patrol #1 (Darcy Van Polgeest, Nico Henrichon)TOP BOOKS FOR NEXT WEEKAlex: The Forever Home #1 (Christian Ward, Sami Kivelä)Dave: Six of Us #1 (Tom King, Gabriel Hernández Walta)JUDGING BY THE COVER JR.Dave: Black Cat #14 (Josemaria Casanovas)Alex: The Karman Blade #1 (Ian Bertram)Interview: Saladin Ahmed - ThunderCats: Cheetara (FOC August 10, out September 2)1. Cheetara has always been one of the more mysterious ThunderCats because of her visions. What excited you about making those visions the engine of an ongoing series rather than just a supporting trait?2. The solicitation mentions voices that contradict the Book of Omens and even praise the Mu'Tants. Were you interested in exploring how faith or certainty can be challenged when someone suddenly has conflicting truths?3. One thing I've always liked about Cheetara is that she's often the calmest person in the room while everyone else is reacting emotionally. How did you approach giving her an internal journey that still feels true to that personality?4. This is your first project with Dynamite and your first time writing ThunderCats. What surprised you most once you started digging into the mythology? Was there a corner of the universe you found yourself unexpectedly fascinated by?5. Andrea Ancari is relatively new to American readers. What did you see in his storytelling that made him the right artist for a book balancing action, visions, and psychological mystery?6. ThunderCats has existed across cartoons, comics, and multiple reinterpretations over decades. Were there specific versions of Cheetara you found yourself drawing inspiration from, or did you intentionally try to build your own voice for her?Wolverine / X-Men questions1. One thing I've really enjoyed in your Wolverine run is seeing Logan genuinely vulnerable again. Between the broken claws and now the healing factor failing, what opportunities does a weakened Wolverine create that an invincible Wolverine simply can't?2. Wolverine #21 was almost a bottle episode, with Logan and Nightcrawler just trying to relax before everything goes wrong. How important are those quieter character issues when you're writing someone who's usually defined by violence?3. Julius Ohta has become a fantastic collaborator on the series. Are there moments where his storytelling or acting has changed the way you approached later scripts?Bishop / X-office questionWith both Wolverine and Bishop, you've been working inside a very interconnected X-Men line. How much collaboration happens behind the scenes? Bonus fun questionYou've now written everything from Miles Morales to Wolverine, Daredevil, and now Cheetara. Is there a dream character or franchise that still sits on your bucket list where, if the phone rang tomorrow, you'd immediately say yes?
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This week, Eisner Award-winning writer Saladin Ahmed joins the AIPT Comics podcast to talk about three very different heroes currently occupying his writing desk: Cheetara, Wolverine, and Bishop. With ThunderCats: Cheetara launching September 9, Ahmed discusses taking one of Third Earth’s most mysterious heroes into her own ongoing series, the troubling visions that challenge what she knows about ThunderCats history, working with artist Andrea Arcari, and the freedom Dynamite has given him to push and reshape the mythology. The conversation also returns to the X-Men universe, where Ahmed’s working on Wolverine and Bishop. We dig into where both characters currently stand, the distinct challenges of writing two veteran mutants, and what Ahmed is building toward in each series.
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Saladin Ahmed talks Cheetara’s new era and his X-Men corner
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