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Friday, July 24
 

10:00am PDT

Regular Show: The Lost Tapes
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
J. G. Quintel (creator and executive producer), Sean Szeles (executive producer), Matt Price (head writer), Bill Salyers (voice of Rigby), and Sam Marin (voice of Pops) provide an inside look at Regular Show: The Lost Tapes, with behind-the-scenes stories and updates on the series.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  1: Programs, Animation, Hilton Programs, Television

10:00am PDT

3D Viz and 3D Printing in Medicine, Mummies, and Animals
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Investigating the mysteries of ancient mummies, helping injured animals, guiding complex surgeries, and promoting patient empowerment all have one thing in common: 3D. Cutting-edge visualization tools, including extended reality and 3D printing, are changing many facets of medical, forensic, paleontology, and veterinary sciences. Justin Ryan, Ph.D. (3D lab director, Rady Children's) hosts experts from Rady Children's Hospital San Diego and USC Keck Medicine LA: Summer Decker, Ph.D. (3D lab director, USC), Jonathan Ford, Ph.D. (3D lab associate director, USC), V. Salil Upasani, M.D. (orthopedic surgeon, Rady Children's), and Anna Hedberg (innovation engineer, Rady Children's). Panelists share stories ranging from digitally reconstructing mummified remains to planning surgeries for the smallest patients and building custom models for veterinary care. Q&A follows. This STE(A)M-focused panel highlights real-world applications of 3D technologies and how they are reshaping research, medicine, and forensics.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Education, Marriott Programs, Technology - Science - STEM

10:00am PDT

A Day in the Life of a Comics Writer
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 4
What do comic book writers do all day? During this fun and candid conversation, writers Melissa F. Olson (Archaic), Meghan Fitzmartin (Mary Sue), Brandon T. Snider (Supergirl's Family Vacation), Tyrone Finch (Batman/Superman: World's Finest), Brandon Hoáng (Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Kyoshi Warriors), and Comic-Con special guest Kelly Sue DeConnick (FML) compare notes on their daily habits, methodology, schedules, and what they do when none of it is working quite right.
Special Guests
avatar for Kelly Sue DeConnick

Kelly Sue DeConnick

Comic-Con Special Guest
Kelly Sue DeConnick is best known for reinventing Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel at Marvel and for the Black Label standard-setting Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons at DC. Her independent comics Bitch Planet and Pretty Deadly (both from Image) have ranked as New York Times be... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Comics, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Bad Medicine in TV and Film
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
The physicians of Hi Everybody! A Bad Medicine Podcast return to examine what Hollywood gets right and wrong about medicine, injuries, and how the body works. Spoiler: There's almost never enough blood. Featuring Drs. Ewa Farrelly, Courtney Nicholas, Greg Winter, and Jackson Vane. Moderated by Johnny Kolasinski.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Books, Education, Fandom, Library Programs, Movies, Podcasts, Technology - Science - STEM, Television

10:00am PDT

Casting Custom Prosthetics and Accessories
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 3
Want to cast your own professional-looking prosthetics or costume embellishments but don't know how to start? Lucia Mason (costume educator, designer), Jared Salls (makeup artist), Marc Salls (makeup artist), Daniel Partridge (makeup assistant), and Rachel Salls (hair/makeup artist) discuss the wide variety of techniques and materials available to cast professional-looking cosplay prosthetics and accessories.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Comic-Con How To, Cosplay, Costuming

10:00am PDT

Deniz Camp and Friends
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 23ABC
Scott Snyder (Iron Man: Noir) moderates a free-wheeling discussion with Deniz Camp (Assorted Crisis Events, Bleeding Hearts, Absolute Martian Manhunter) and his frequent collaborators, Stipan Morian (20th Century Men, Bleeding Hearts) and Eric Zawadzki (Assorted Crisis Events), about the craft of comics, from the micro to the macro: why they make them, why they love them, and how they work.
Special Guests
avatar for Deniz Camp

Deniz Camp

Comic-Con Special Guest
Deniz Camp writes comics. The son of Turkish and Filipina immigrants, born in the Philippines but raised in the American midwest, he’s known for 20th Century Men (Image Comics), Ultimates (Marvel), Absolute Martian Manhunter (DC), Bleeding Hearts (Vertigo), and Assorted Crisis ... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Ballroom 20
The filmmakers and stars of DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island share a look inside the new original film about two lifelong best friends who are transported to a fantastical island filled with magical and mythological creatures.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Ballroom 20
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Humor & Satire, Kids, Movies, Music, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Intro to TV Writing: From First Draft to Getting Staffed
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 28DE
Moderator Spiro Skentzos (Arrow) and and writers/producers Helen Shang (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Deric Hughes and Benjamin Raab (Quantum Leap, The Last Starfighter comic book), along with producer Averie Huffine (Humble Sandwich Productions), and manager Diego Rey (Underground) discuss navigating the TV spec landscape, including common beginner mistakes, what they look for in a writer, and what it takes to write a standout spec. A substantial Q&A segment is included.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Education, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Leap into Action-Filled Graphic Novels
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Adventure awaits. Danielle McKechnie (Otto Normal's Monsterton) and fellow authors Simon Estrada (Otto Normal's Monsterton), Arianna Irwin (Penelope's Escape from the Platypusary and 101 Dalmatians: Penny's Big Splash), Mike Maihack (Spider-Man: Mighty Mayhem! [A Mighty Marvel Team-Up]), Samuel Sattin (Unico Awakening), and Katie Longua (Agent Cupcake) discuss how action-packed stories spring off the page and engage middle-grade readers and teens alike.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Education, Kids, Library Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Love in Every Universe: The Great Romance Trope Debate
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 32AB
Enemies to lovers. Fake dating. Love triangles. These are the tropes fans live for, but which ones still deliver, and which ones are overdue for a breakup? This panel turns romance into a full-on debate as voices from storytelling, publishing, and fandom go head-to-head over the tropes that define favorite love stories, featuring ROSEOAK (WEBTOON creator), Alessandra Ferreri (Wattpad head of content), E. M. Wilson (Wattpad author, Situationship), Becca Erin Title (founder, Meet Cute Bookshop), and more.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Television, Web, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away . . .
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 7AB
Lucasfilm Publishing and Star Wars authors, including Ahmed Best, Kristin Baver, and more, provide behind-the-scenes insights, stories across several eras and frontiers, and, most of all, fresh announcements and reveals that expand the Star Wars saga into books and comics for readers of all ages.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Main Scenario or Side Quests? Balancing Careers and Hobbies
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
Working in games and entertainment can feel like a dream career, but passions don't stop at work. From creative hobbies to community involvement, this panel explores how professionals in the industry balance careers with personal endeavors. Kristina Wong (business operations leader, AAA gaming industry), Emi Nguyen (visual design artist III, Riot Games), Karen Morrison (narrative design at Soda Den), and Mai Dinh (graphic designer, Raw Fury & Fury Studios) have a conversation about time management, burnout, creativity, identity beyond work, and finding fulfillment both inside and outside the industry. This panel is moderated by Rachel Tiu (creative designer, Square Enix America) and is a collaborative effort with the International Game Developers Association San Diego.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Fandom, Omni Programs, Video Games

10:00am PDT

Showcasing Your Culture Through Fandom Cosplaying
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Lucy Capuchino (costume designer, cosplayer), Giraffe (educator, podcaster, cosplayer), Shelly Grace (content creator, cosplayer), John Phung (traveler, budget-friendly cosplayer), and Lonnie Lucas (writer, army veteran, cosplayer) discuss celebrating cultural heritage while overcoming the challenges of cosplaying favorite fandoms, especially given limited representation in pop culture. Moderated by Miguel Capuchino (internationally known cosplayer, content creator).
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, International, Marriott Programs

10:00am PDT

Side Quests and Splash Pages
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 9
Comic books and video games have influenced one another in myriad ways over the last 20 years. Industry experts David M. Booher, Shannon Eric Denton, and Carlos D'Anda talk about their experiences in both industries as fans and professionals. Moderated by TJ Shevlin.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Video Games

10:00am PDT

Spotlight on Briana Loewinsohn
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 29AB
Harvey Award winner and Eisner nominee Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts) and her bestie, Eisner winner Thien Pham (Family Style), have a lively discussion about the life and works of Briana Loewinsohn.
Special Guests
avatar for Briana Loewinsohn

Briana Loewinsohn

Artist Alley HH-16, Comic-Con Special Guest
Briana Loewinsohn is the author of the graphic memoir Ephemera (Fantagraphics, 2023), which was listed as one of the ALA’s top graphic novels of 2023 and was awarded the 2023 Foreword Indies Editors Prize for nonfiction. Her latest book, Raised by Ghosts (Fantagraphics, 2025), won... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

TMNT: Shellebrating 300 Issues of Turtle Power and Last Ronin
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 25ABC
From Technodrome-sized surprises about the blockbuster comics to jaw-dropping reveals about The Last Ronin beyond the panels, IDW's TMNT panel delivers shellshocking surprises for fans. Moderators Comic Book Couples Counseling lead an announcement-filled discussion with Gene Luen Yang, Tom Waltz, Andrew Joustra, Jake Thomas, Sarah Myer, and a surprise guest who will remain in the shadows . . . for now.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Fandom

10:00am PDT

Comic-Con Film School 102: Production
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Day 2 of this four-day course on micro-budget moviemaking focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques and low-cost lighting to crew positions that are essential and those that are not, as well as costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer and star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (creative producer for V10 Entertainment), Darryl Thomas (writer and director of Dollface the Motion Picture), Kevin Allen (script supervisor), Ben Hansford (writer and director of Uprising), and Sean Rourke (writer and director of Lucy X Mina).
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  4: CCI-IFF, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Collector's Call with Lisa Whelchel and MeTV
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 6DE
Lisa Whelchel, best known as Blair on The Facts of Life (1979–1988), brings some of the experts and collectors from her hit MeTV series Collector's Call to talk about the wide world of collecting and share some behind-the-scenes stories from the series, now in its seventh season. Fans will hear what Lisa has found in common among all the distinctly different collectors she's featured. Joining Whelchel will be Collector's Call experts, including professional archivist Rob Klein, screen-used costume historian Jennifer Klein, toy collecting authority and comedian Matt Weinhold, and Weigel Broadcasting vice chairman Neal Sabin. Whelchel will also make an exclusive announcement about her next MeTV programming event. Actor/podcaster/collector and Collector's Call guest Ralph Garman moderates, and panel attendees will receive a Comic-Con exclusive Collector's Call lenticular collectible.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 6DE
  U: Updated, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Fandom, Television |   1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Fandom, Television

10:00am PDT

Eisner Hall of Fame
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Room 29CD
The 2026 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards Hall of Fame inductees are honored at this special ceremony. Trophies will be given out to 19 individuals selected by the Eisner Hall of Fame judges, along with four recipients selected by voters. Presentation by Eisner Awards Hall of Fame judges Karen Green, Alonso Nuñez, and Jim Thompson.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Historical, Tributes

10:00am PDT

Prime Video: Blade Runner 2099 and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Hall H
Dystopian Los Angeles and the epic battle for Middle-earth take center stage as Prime Video presents exclusive looks at the upcoming series Blade Runner 2099 and season three of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Cast and executive producers of the series share behind-the-scenes insights and thrilling surprises.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Hall H
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

10:00am PDT

The Black Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Room 5AB
The 29th annual Black Panel centers on Black women, with panelists discussing what inspires them, which characters ring true, and how and why they do what they do. Participants include Eisner-nominated Stephanie Williams, producer Candy Nicole, and returning panelist Dr. Lando Tosaya, with additional guests and surprises. Produced by Hannibal Tabu, with an introduction and closing by Black Panel founder Michael Davis.
Special Guests
avatar for Stephanie Williams

Stephanie Williams

Artist Alley GG-16, Comic-Con Special Guest
Stephanie Williams is a research scientist turned prolific comics writer. She’s best known for helping to bring Nubia back to relevancy for DC Comics with Nubia and the Amazons and Nubia: Queen of the Amazons. She has worked on such titles as Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Fandom, Movies

10:00am PDT

D&D Wrestle Royale
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
Brandon Cutler (AEW wrestler) DMs a group of wrestlers and D&D personalities through a 5e battle royale to the death. Peter Avalon (AEW), Evil Uno (AEW), Johnny Stanton IV (NFL, Sink!), and Ify Nwadiwe (Um, Actually) battle it out to see who the sole survivor is, with additional participants possible.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Games, Omni Programs, TTRPG

10:15am PDT

Marvel Rivals: Ignite the Summer!
Friday July 24, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Room 6BCF
Creative leaders from NetEase Games and Marvel Games share a behind-the-scenes look at Marvel Rivals, featuring Dino Ma (art director), Weitai Luo (principal environment artist), Zhen Li (principal 3D character artist), Peilin Zhong (lead character concept artist), Yachen Bian (marketing lead for Marvel Rivals), Jinghua Duan (lead narrative designer), and Donger Gan (narrative designer), alongside Marvel Games team members Danny Koo (executive producer), Dakota Maysonet (creative development manager), and Dan LaDuca (senior art director). The panel explores the visual and narrative design behind the game's latest content, including the Hellfire Gala, Summer Special, and more, with creative reveals and new announcements.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Room 6BCF
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Games, Superheroes, Video Games

10:30am PDT

Kyle Higgins: Radiant Black, the Massive-Verse, and More
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 6A
Kyle Higgins (Radiant Black, No/One), Brian Buccellato (No/One), Melissa Flores (The Dead Lucky), Ryan Parrott (Rogue Sun), and others share exciting new developments and announcements in store for the Massive-Verse this year and next.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom

10:30am PDT

Smallville's Kristin Kreuk: Black Star
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 24ABC
Actor Kristin Kreuk (Burden of Truth, Murder in a Small Town) discusses her first comic book, Black Star, a Northern Gothic noir infused with horror and dark humor. Kreuk appears with co-writer Peter Mooney (Rookie Blue, Mistletoe Murders) and screenwriter Eric Putzer to discuss the creative process from concept to page and the eerie world behind the series. Moderated by Andrew Sumner (Forbidden Planet TV). Black Star #1 debuts at the convention with a special exclusive cover available only at the show.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

10:30am PDT

Designing the Future: 60 Years of Star Trek Visual Evolution
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 10
Star Trek's vision of the future has been shaped as much by its design as its storytelling. From the clean optimism of the original Enterprise to the layered realism of modern Trek, this panel explores how artists and designers have defined the look and meaning of the future across six decades. Using rare materials from the Roddenberry Archive, panelists examine how design choices reflect changing ideas about technology and humanity. Panelists include Holly Amos (Roddenberry Archive), James Kerwin (director/writer, Yesterday Was a Lie, Nonlocality), and Liz Kloczkowski (art director, Star Trek: Picard), moderated by John Champion (Roddenberry Podcasts).
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 10
  U: Updated, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television |   1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

10:30am PDT

Comic Book Law School® 202: Show Me the Money!
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 11
Following Thursday's Comic Book Law School® 101 panel on the basics of intellectual property (IP) law, this second session continues to an area of importance for all IP owners and creators—making money off IP capital, and perhaps even using that IP capital as the foundation for earning a living. For writers, illustrators, and all other types of artists and content creators, the process of moving ideas from mere thought to something tangible is only the first step of many. Commercializing creative works is not always smooth, and for those new to the business world, it can be a source of stress. However, with the help of this panel of legal eagles, attendees can get started on the road to the commercial launch and hopefully the success of their IP-based projects. Noted attorney Michael Lovitz (author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book) leads a panel of guests—IP lawyer Chad Tillman and USD School of Law professor Monica Sullivan—for this year's second Comic Book Law School® seminar, tackling some of the more advanced issues that creators, and the businesses they work with, face when seeking to monetize their works. This session provides insights into options and opportunities for generating income from creative endeavors, including understanding key terms in contracts and licenses, from publishing to merchandising to distribution agreements; tips on working with collaborators and co-creators; separating independent contractors from employees; licenses and transfers of rights; and key things to know when Hollywood comes knocking. With the program's interactive format and discussions focusing on the problems and pitfalls that come with generating income through creative efforts, this session offers valuable insights. Please note: The Comic Book Law School® seminars are designed to provide relevant information and insights to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.]
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 11
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Games, Movies, Music, Podcasts, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Video Games, Web, Writers & Writing

10:30am PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #5: Comics and Horror
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 26AB
Horror comics are where gender, politics, history, and cultural anxiety collide. Eilís Nolan (Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology) explores how Homestuck and Homestuck: Beyond Canon subvert gendered violence through metanarrative and audience interaction. Mary Helen Clark (Colorado State University) discusses reproductive horror in The Dark Phoenix Saga and House of M, arguing that Marvel narratives frame amplified female power as something requiring containment or erasure. Christina M. Knopf (State University of New York at Cortland) considers how horror comics revisit the American Revolution through Gothic alternative histories that challenge national myths of heroism, identity, and destiny.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Comics Arts Conference, Education, Historical, Horror and Suspense

10:30am PDT

Creators Assemble: Charisma Check, A Networking Event
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Tabletop role-playing game creators, publishers, performers, game shop owners, teachers, and library workers have brought greater acceptance to TTRPGs and fan culture. Take a break from hectic convention life to experience "speed dating"-style networking with diverse TTRPG and board game enthusiasts from all backgrounds. This year's lineup includes Eddie Doty, Heather O'Neill, Anais Morgan, Ivy B, Cody Heath, Doriam Couto, Sarah Durnesque, Matt Fantastic, Amanda Panda, Daryl Andrews, Momo Meas, Dustin Staats, Ryan Omega, Reuben Bresler, Jenni Powell, Michael Ortiz, Amber Bracamonte, Jacob Way, and Jason Patrick Galit (JPG), along with TTRPG educators and enthusiasts Joel Bakker, Joe Barrette, and Janie Ghinazzi.
Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Cosplay, Education, Fandom, Games, LGBTQIA+, Marriott Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, TTRPG, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

Adventure Time: Side Quests
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Finn the Human and Jake the Dog are back to punch evil's butt across the epic, fantastical land of Ooo. Members of the creative team and voice cast discuss the all-new adventures from the series. Produced by Cartoon Network Studios, Adventure Time: Side Quests is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S. and premieres internationally on Cartoon Network international channels and HBO Max (outside the U.S.) on October 5.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  1: Programs, Animation, Hilton Programs, Television

11:00am PDT

30 Years of Tamagotchi!
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
2026 marks 30 years of Tamagotchi adventures. David Edmundson, Tara Badie, Tanya Sexton, Anita Komatsu, and Monako Kuriiwa reflect on memories over the years and share a few sneak peeks along the way.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries

11:00am PDT

Black Women in Action Filmmaking
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) celebrates the impact of Black women shaping the action genre. This dynamic panel of experts—Christine Swanson (Chicago PD), LaFaye Baker (Family Reunion), and Tiffany Abney (Obi-Wan Kenobi), moderated by Sandrene Mathews (AWD’s Black Directors Advancement Initiative representative)—explores the powerful collaboration between directors and stunt performers and how trust, creativity, and precision bring unforgettable sequences to life. Filmmakers pushing boundaries, navigating challenges, and redefining what action can look like share firsthand insight. Intro provided by Melissa Balint (AWD board representative).
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, Movies, Omni Programs

11:00am PDT

Building Connections with Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
From shared communities to bonds with family and friends, connections help young readers understand themselves in the world. Daniel Sulzberg (Unicons), James Burks (Box Tales: Grow, Strawberries, Grow!), Gale Galligan (The Baby-Sitters Club), Rob Thompson (Feo the Chupacabra), and Sequoia Blankenship (Feo the Chupacabra) share stories centered on empathy, trust, and belonging.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Education, Kids, Library Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

Cosplay 102: Taking It to the Next Level and Beyond
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Catherine M. Fisher (award-winning costumer, panelist, and charity cosplayer), Bob Mogg (expert steampunker, fabricator, blogger, and teacher), the father-and-daughter team of Brendan Prout (charity cosplayer, author, and 501st and Rebel Legion member) and Annika P (young cosplayer and charity volunteer), Ayla Fox (actress and cosplayer), and Nathan Seekerman (armor and prop maker and cosplayer/actor) share insights on taking costuming skills into the big leagues.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Games, Historical, Marriott Programs, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

11:00am PDT

Dreams Come True: Making the Creator-Owned Comic
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
How do you turn your dreams into reality and get them in front of readers? David Avallone (Drawing Blood) and Rylent Grant (Evel Knievel), co-hosts of the award-winning Writers Block podcast, are joined by Charlie Stickney (White Ash), Richard Fairgray (Ex-Wives of Frankenstein), Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Morgana Pendragon), and Arthur Ebuen (©alifornia, Inc.), who have all taken diverse paths toward that common goal. From zines to Kickstarter, from self-publishing to "the Image deal," this panel will cover the ins and outs and the highs and lows of making your own comic.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

JAKKS Pacific and Disguise Costumes Upcoming Releases
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Toy and costume manufacturers JAKKS Pacific and Disguise Costumes host a panel focused on Disguise's costumes from popular brands coming to retail this year, along with JAKKS Pacific's preview of action figures, collectibles, and more from Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog, The Simpsons, and other brands, releasing in the coming months.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Costuming, Video Games

11:00am PDT

Life Drawing on the Go!
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 3
Ray-Anthony Height (Midnight Tiger, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra), Danny Trang (Harley Quinn animated series, Kite Man: Hell Yeah!), Marcus Newsome (Marvel sketch card artist, Lightning Strike), and Don Nguyen (Marvel/DC/Star Wars sketch card artist, Pablo the Gorilla) lead the audience in a life-drawing session featuring stellar cosplayers BecomeAPrime, Tafetta Darling, Jeanie Herger, and Crystal Rose Schaefer. Drawing supplies will be provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their favorite tools, whether digital or analog. All skill levels are welcome. Surprises may be included.
All of the necessary supplies to participate in this Comic-Con How To session will be provided.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con How To, Cosplay, Education

11:00am PDT

Lucasfilm: High End Star Wars Collectibles
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
A galaxy far, far away has a new wave of high-end collectibles. Lucasfilm's Brian Merten shares a look at new items and the craft behind creating pieces that provide an authentic connection to the stories fans love. Who knows—there may be a surprise or two along the way.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Television

11:00am PDT

Pitching Your Comic to Publishers
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 4
It's nearly impossible to know what publishers are looking for at any given moment, so Comics Experience has brought together creators who have worked with nearly every major comics publisher to share their pitching insights. Andy Schmidt (editor-in-chief at BOOM! Studios), Tini Howard (Marian Heretic, X-Men), Rich Douek (Sea of Sorrows), and Chris Ryall (IDW Publishing, former editor-in-chief) share a trove of strategic information that can serve creators for years to come.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

The Rocketeer: Helmets and Rocket Packs
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Jennifer Stevens Bawcum (The Rocketeer Trust), Michael Possert Jr. (Apollo 13, The Shadow), Jana-Marie Bonar (Jingle All the Way, Earth 2), and Michael Stuart (The Abyss, Armageddon) discuss the fabrication of the iconic helmet and rocket pack for The Rocketeer and the challenges of finishing them in time to meet the shooting deadline.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Marriott Programs, Movies, Superheroes

11:00am PDT

Toddlers to Teens: Writing for Kids
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 9
How can an adult writer get in touch with the mindset of their kid audience? What's the difference between chapter books, middle grade, and young adult? Best-selling and award-winning kidlit writers tackle these questions and more, with Marcie Colleen (Love, Triangle, Kitten Ninja), Amber Morrell (The Alchemy of Letting Go), Dan Santat (A Fishboy Named Sashimi, All the Hulk Feels), Leanne Schwartz (A Prayer for Vengeance, To a Darker Shore), Sherri L. Smith (Candace, the Universe, and Everything, Pearl), Joey Spiotto (Max, a Little Axolotl, Grumpy Unicorn), and Greg van Eekhout (COG, Happy Town).
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Books, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

VS Tips for the Aging Nerd
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
As the saying goes, "Father Time is undefeated." That goes for everyone, including nerds. Attiba Royster (artist, podcaster), Adio Royster (writer, podcaster), Vince Alvendia (artist), Robert McKeone (artist and illustrator), and Marion Copeland (former director of accounting, Mad Cave Studios) share advice on how the aging nerd can adapt to the shifting landscapes of pop culture, gaming, and other forms of nerditry.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Fandom, Humor & Satire, Library Programs, Podcasts

11:00am PDT

What If Artists' Alley Never Closed? The Dawn of Digital Remarques
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Neon Ichiban is a new multi-publisher digital comics and manga platform built by Comixology veterans David Steinberger and Chip Mosher. International superstar variant cover artist Tokitotoro and “Fearless” Fred Kennedy (The Florida Hippopotamus Cocaine Massacre), appear for a live Digital Remarques demonstration as they sketch and sign directly onto digital comics, creating a one-of-a-kind collectible edition. The panel explores how technology is opening new ways for fans and creators to connect, collect, and engage in the digital age, and how creators can earn around the clock, anywhere in the world. Moderated by Chris Ross, head of remarques at Neon Ichiban.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Fandom, Technology - Science - STEM, Web

11:00am PDT

Youths Standing on Business
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Tales of princesses and witches are being reimagined for today's young readers. Comic-Con special guest LeUyen Pham, along with Sumayyah Beck (Airrelle of the Maroon Witches), Kim Bussing (Princess Swap), and Jennifer Lee (As I Dream of You), discuss how they are transforming a new generation of readers through fantastical written and visual storytelling. Moderated by Becca Erin Title (Meet Cute).
Special Guests
avatar for LeUyen Pham

LeUyen Pham

Comic-Con Special Guest
LeUyen Pham is the artist of over 120 books for adults and children. Her graphic novels include the multi-Eisner Award–winning Lunar New Year Love Story with Gene Yang, the Eisner Award–nominated Templar, and the bestselling Friends series with Shannon Hale. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Caldecott Honor, The Society of Illustrator’s Bronze Medal, and the Fay B. Kaigler Southern Miss Medallion. She is the creator of the Vampirina book series, which has been... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

11:15am PDT

DC's Gotham City
Friday July 24, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Room 6DE
Top DC creators examine the heroes, villains, and the bad seeds shaping Gotham City's future. The panel includes an early look at what is coming this fall, including a major reveal. Featuring G. Willow Wilson (Poison Ivy), Matt Fraction (Batman), Tom Taylor (Detective Comics), Tate Brombal (Batgirl), Christopher Cantwell (Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham Central), Scott Snyder (Absolute Batman), and others. Moderated by Rob Levin (group editor, DC).

Special Guests
avatar for Matt Fraction

Matt Fraction

Comic-Con Special Guest
Matt Fraction co-created the New York Times bestselling books Sex Criminals and Hawkeye. He co-created and worked as a writer and executive producer on Apple TV's Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and is executive producer on the adaptation of SEX CRIMINALS coming to Amazon Prime next... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Room 6DE
  U: Updated, Art and Illustration, Comics, Fandom, Superheroes |   1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Fandom, Superheroes

11:15am PDT

The Dead & the Undead: CBS Studios: A Ghosts Exclusive Panel and Eternally Yours Premiere Screening
Friday July 24, 2026 11:15am - 12:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20
CBS's Ghosts, TV's #1 comedy series, returns to Comic-Con for its fifth consecutive year. Series stars Utkarsh Ambudkar, Asher Grodman, Román Zaragoza, and executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman discuss the season 5 cliffhanger and tease what's to come in season 6. Following that, CBS's new supernatural comedy series Eternally Yours, from Ghosts showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, screens in an exclusive premiere presentation. The series follows two vampires who have been married for 500 years and their struggles to accept the human who is dating their daughter, starring Ed Weeks (The Mindy Project) and Allegra Edwards (Upload). The screening is followed by a conversation with series stars Ed Weeks, Allegra Edwards, Jaren Lewison, Helen J Shen, Parker Young, and executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman for an exclusive premiere screening and conversation moderated by Collider’s Perri Nemiroff.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:15am - 12:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20
  U: Updated, Humor & Satire, Television |   1: Programs, Humor & Satire, Television

11:30am PDT

Don't Call It a Comeback! Celebrating 40 Years of SLG Publishing
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 10
The independent publisher behind Jhonen Vasquez' Johnny the Homicidal Maniac, Roman Dirge's Lenore, James Turner's Rex Libris, and Serena Valentino and Ted Naifeh's GloomCookie marks 40 years of independent comics publishing and shows no signs of stopping! Too stupid to quit, too mean to die . . . find out the latest and what's ahead with SLG owner/founder/publishing icon Dan Vado and maybe some special guests. Moderated by Joshua Waldrop (founder/publisher, Ultima Comics).
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Books, Comics

11:30am PDT

Dynamite Entertainment 2026 Publisher Spotlight: Warner Bros.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
While the epic ThunderCats X SilverHawks comic book crossover rages on, Dynamite Entertainment and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products look to the future, with the return of Ben 10 to comics, plus Supernatural, Space Ghost, and more exciting new comics. This panel reveals new projects and features a conversation with some of comics' biggest talents, including Steven T. Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, and more.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Comics

11:30am PDT

Genre Mixing and Maxxing
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Genres constantly evolve, and these authors are the Mendels in the garden, mixing and matching tropes to expand the bounds of genre. SDCC special guest Matt Dinniman (The Dungeon Crawler Carl series; Operation Bounce House), Robert Jackson Bennett (A Trade of Blood), Adalyn Grace (Belladonna; The Wretched Divine), Isabel J. Kim (Sublimation), and Veronica Roth (Seek the Traitor's Son; Divergent) discuss what it takes to define—and subvert—genre tropes to create best-selling works. Moderated by Matthew Berge (Mysterious Galaxy).
Special Guests
avatar for Matt Dinniman

Matt Dinniman

Comic-Con Special Guest
Matt Dinniman is a writer and artist from Gig Harbor, Washington. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series, along with several other books about the end of the world. He doesn’t really hate cocker spaniels, and he plays bass in one band... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

11:30am PDT

Marvel Legends Panel with Hasbro
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
Hasbro and Marvel product experts share updates on the Marvel Legends line, including a sneak peek at upcoming, never-before-seen items, followed by a Q&A.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Comics, Superheroes

11:30am PDT

Angry Birds and Palworld: Epic Games with Epic Toys!
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Rovio Entertainment and The Loyal Subjects unveil new toys inspired by the upcoming film The Angry Birds Movie 3 and the world-dominating Palworld game. Toy designer Dina Al Rifai (The Loyal Subjects) shares behind-the-design insights and reveals upcoming M.A.S.K. and The Hunger Games movie toys. Featuring John Cohen (The Angry Birds Movie 3, producer), Heitor Pereira (The Angry Birds Movie 3, composer), Tom Akel (founder, Rocketship Entertainment), Thom Zahler (Angry Birds, artist), Evan Lee (EvanTube), and Ben Mattes (Rovio), the panel highlights new projects and creative processes across film, comics, and collectibles. The program also includes a special Palworld message from game developer Pocketpair and a sneak peek of the next 80's classic toy that The Loyal Subjects will be remaking for 2027.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  U: Updated, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Fandom, Games, Kids, Movies, Music, Television, Video Games |   1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Fandom, Games, Kids, Movies, Music, Television, Video Games

11:45am PDT

The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 (AMC/AMC+)
Friday July 24, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Hall H
Cast and producers from AMC/AMC+'s The Walking Dead: Dead City, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan (executive producer; "Negan"), Lauren Cohan (executive producer; "Maggie"), Jimmi Simpson ("Dillard"), Aimee Garcia ("Renata"), and Seth Hoffman (showrunner and executive producer), discuss the upcoming third season, premiering Sunday, July 26, and reveal exclusive sneak peeks of the premiere episode.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm PDT
Hall H
  1: Programs, Movies, Television

11:45am PDT

Nerd Stuff and Sword Things: Storytelling in the Masters of the Universe Film World
Friday July 24, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
Room 6A
Fabulous secrets will be revealed in this exploration of behind-the-scenes moments and new stories set in the MOTU film world, featuring Chris Butler (screenwriter, MOTU film), Tim Sheridan (writer, Wings of Fate), Mackenzi Lee (author, Teela: Daughter of Eternos), Andy Rogers (editor, Legends of Eternia), and others. Moderated by Nate Atwood (producer, MOTU film), an expert in nerd stuff and sword things.
Friday July 24, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Fandom, Movies, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Common Side Effects Season 2 in Production
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Adult Swim's award-winning series Common Side Effects goes behind the scenes as co-creators Joe Bennett and Steve Hely give an in-depth look at season 2, currently in production. This panel explores how the new season is being built, from evolving storylines and character arcs to animation, tone, and the creative challenges of expanding the world after season 1. The conversation includes candid discussion, work-in-progress insights, and a rare glimpse into how Common Side Effects enters its next chapter.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  1: Programs, Animation, Hilton Programs, Television, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

A Conversation with San Diego Celebrities Gabriel Wisdom and (Shotgun) Tom Kelly
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
For the first time, San Diego celebrities Gabriel Wisdom and (Shotgun) Tom Kelly come to Comic-Con to share stories from their multi-decade careers in radio and TV. Gabriel was a longtime radio personality and a special part of the early days of the con, as he helped promote it to the San Diego community. He went on to become a prominent figure in the investment sector. In 2025, he published his latest book, Salton Sea Tales. (Shotgun) Tom Kelly is being inducted this year into the Radio Hall of Fame. He currently hosts a program on SiriusXM, and he recently published his book All I Wanna Do Is Play the Hits.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Books, Education, Fandom, Historical, Marriott Programs

12:00pm PDT

A Galaxy of Star Wars Comics from Mad Cave Studios and Lucasfilm Publishing
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Mad Cave Studios and Lucasfilm Publishing make the jump to hyperspace and showcase their Star Wars publishing partnership. Charles Beacham (editor, Mad Cave Studios), Josh Pruett and Scott Peterson (Phineas & Ferb), Delilah S. Dawson (Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu: Danger in the Dark), Soo Lee (Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands), and more guests present news and reveals of new tales coming soon. Fans will hear from the comic creators crafting these tales, enjoy out-of-this-world giveaways, and get a peek inside some of these exciting new projects. Moderated by Michael Siglain (creative director, Lucasfilm Publishing).
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Fandom, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #6: Cancer-Con: Graphic Medicine Comics from Cancer Patient and Caregiver Cartoonists
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 26AB
Graphic Medicine is taking hold in comics nonfiction and fiction. These stories may be one-page standalones, webcomics, in comic books, in health and medical education teaching tools, academic research, graphic novels, books, and zines. They may be published digitally on social media platforms and cartoonist websites. This panel brings together cartoonists who have had cancer or are cancer patient caregivers to discuss the creative process of making comics through the various phases of cancer—symptoms, screening, diagnostics, treatments, and, hopefully, remission. Panelists Naomi Volain (Plants Go Global), Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press), Chris Fink (Breakthrough: Life on the Brink), Brianna Collins, Federico Muelas Romero (T(H)UMOR, Dear Cancer Diary . . . ), and Matthew Mewhorter (Cancer Owl) consider who benefits from cancer comics and graphic pathographies, how graphic medicine differs from other work, and where their work is seen, published, and promoted.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Comics Arts Conference, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM

12:00pm PDT

Diversity & Dungeons: Making Your Table Inclusive
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
Industry leaders Mayanna Berrin (StoryQuest, Dispatch, Dungeon Masters), Jes Wade (TTRPG producer, ChariTTRPGs), Katherine Harris Mojica (TTRPG performer, Venture Forth), Kai Miller (Dice Times, Pick Your Poison Productions), Rebecca Hausman (performer, Venture Forth, Path to Nowhere), and moderator Rodney B. Campbell (TTRPG performer, Venture Forth) share practical strategies for creating truly inclusive gaming spaces. Panelists discuss strategies for showcasing diverse stories, creating safe spaces for performers from all backgrounds, and engaging audiences through inclusive storytelling. They share hard-won insights on navigating sensitive content warnings, moderating chat communities, and amplifying underrepresented voices in the actual play space, along with specific tools for handling challenging moments on-stream, developing inclusive content policies, and fostering a welcoming community.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Education, Games, LGBTQIA+, Omni Programs, Podcasts, TTRPG

12:00pm PDT

Doing Comics Differently: Ignition Press Year One and Beyond
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Ignition Press co-founders Filip Sablik (publisher), Jamie S. Rich (editor-in-chief), and Jeremy Haun (creative director), along with an all-star panel of comic creators—Cullen Bunn (Ripcord), Olivia Dufault (Prima Apparata), Rob Guillory (Innards), Tini Howard (Sicko), and Christian Ward (The Patron)—reflect on their inaugural year and unlock announcements for their next phase of publishing. Every attendee will receive a secret, exclusive free giveaway.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Drawing Courage: YA Graphic Novels That Speak Up
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
These stories can't keep quiet any longer. Julie Fiveash (The Froggy Library), Jarrett Dapier (Wake Now in the Fire), Tilly Bridges (Just Another Summer), Susan Bridges (Just Another Summer), R. Sikoryak (Declaration/Emancipation Illustrated), and Rob Reger (Emily the Strange (25th Anniversary Edition)) discuss how graphic novels shape moments of standing up and speaking out to initiate change.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Library Programs, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Focus on Stacey McEwan
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
New York Times bestselling author Stacey McEwan, author of A Forbidden Alchemy and the Glacian Trilogy, talks with fellow bestselling author Kaylie Smith (Phantasma, Enchantra) all about writing simmering romantasy with substance, her position as a BookTok comedy sensation, and her newly released sequel, A Forsaken Prophecy.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Books, Fandom, Marriott Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

HEROTALK: Black Comics' (Old School) Message Board/Independent Creators United
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 4
It's taken awhile, but steadily, more and more Black creators are sending shockwaves through the comics and entertainment industries. This notable change is not recent, and many of the creators are not "overnight successes." Many first congregated on a turn-of-the-century website founded by Omar Bilal called The Museum of Black Superheroes and its extremely important message board, HEROTALK. Much of the industry, pros and fans alike, does not know about HEROTALK. This panel highlights the message board's role as a foundational element of Black comics history. Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie moderates a conversation with former HEROTALK colleagues, including Michael "Deac" Daniels, Hannibal Tabu, Robert Roach, and John Jennings, on how the community formed there and how many members moved from semi-anonymous debates to friendships and careers in and beyond comics.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Image Comics: Artists Unleashed
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Daniel Warren Johnson (The Moon Is Following Us), Skottie Young (I Hate Fairyland), Ian Bertram (Precious Metal), Caspar Wijngaard (The Power Fantasy), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), and Sean Gordon Murphy (The Last Driver) discuss their work, creative process, and influences. Moderated by Jim Viscardi.
Special Guests
avatar for Caspar Wijngaard

Caspar Wijngaard

Comic-Con Special Guest
Caspar Wijngaard is an award-winning, Eisner and Hugo Award–nominated comic artist from the U.K. Best known for his work on the critically acclaimed Image Comics series The Power Fantasy, which he co-creates with writer Kieron Gillen, his other notable creator-owned titles incl... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

12:00pm PDT

Rolled Table: Improvised D&D Comedy
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
The cast of the Knights of the Rolled Table podcast perform a completely improvised comedy D&D adventure. Audience members shape the story, make key decisions, and influence the fate of the heroes. Expect fast-paced fantasy, ridiculous characters, terrible puns, and spontaneous chaos from a cast with deep roots in the San Diego improv scene. Family-friendly and designed for adventurers of all ages, no two shows are ever the same. Featuring Carlos Guzman-Verdugo, Jeff Frank, Jennifer Stopper Crespo, Marc Crespo, and Matt Messerman, with Chris Daily (Dungeonheads) as DM.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Games, Humor & Satire, Library Programs, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, TTRPG

12:00pm PDT

Spilling the Tea on Animation IP
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9
Siobhan Blanas (literary manager, The Gotham Group) moderates a discussion with Micah Askins (development coordinator, PlayStation Productions), Megan Barnard (director of development, DreamWorks Animation), Curtis Baxter (Predator: Kejime, Storm: Lifedream), Joyce Im (creative executive, Laika), Amanda Muñoz (Maul: Shadow Lord, Star Wars: The Bad Batch), and Nicholas Parker (head of business and legal affairs, The Gotham Group) on adapting books, comics, and games into animation. Panelists examine how to protect, package, and pitch IP for animated TV and film, followed by a Q&A.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Movies, Television, Video Games, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Howard Mackie
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Comics writer Howard Mackie, whose work spans the darker corners of the Marvel Universe (Ghost Rider) to the genuinely heroic (Spider-Man), is interviewed, cajoled, and ridiculed by fellow Clone Saga writer Terry Kavanagh (Spider-Man, Moon Knight, and more) in a one-on-one chat and Q&A exploring past work together and future projects in the pipeline.
Special Guests
avatar for Howard Mackie

Howard Mackie

Artist Alley HH-09, Comic-Con Special Guest
Howard Mackie was dragged—kicking and screaming—into writing his first comic book (Iron Man #211) by legendary writer/editor Mark Gruenwald in 1986, and he went on to chronicle the adventures of Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, The X-Men, X-Factor, Mutant-X, Gambit, Wolverine, Batman, and countless others for Marvel, DC, and other publishers. Howard’s most... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

UDON Entertainment Industry Panel 2026
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Celebrating another groundbreaking year of publishing the best video game and anime art books and manga from Japan and around the world, UDON chief Erik Ko and director of publishing Matt Moylan share all the new and exciting projects that UDON will offer in the coming months.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Books, International

12:00pm PDT

Writing Dialogue that Drives Your Scenes
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 3
Dialogue is one of the hardest elements to master in writing novels. Why? Because it is more than just conversation. Great dialogue must drive the plot, reveal character depth, and add drama without sounding forced. Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake shares techniques for creating dialogue that feels natural, sharp, and purposeful, showing how effective dialogue can deepen characters and advance a story with every word spoken.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Books, Comic-Con How To, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

To Film School or Not to Film School, Animation Is the Question!
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Is going to film school for animation worth it? Does not having an animation degree result in career limbo? Tom Sito (USC, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek), Amy Winfrey (UCLA, BoJack Horseman, Making Fiends), Tom Klein (LMU School of Film and Television; chair of animation), Lynn Okimura (UCLA, CSULB; animation director, Secret Plan Studios), and Dawn Yamazi (ArtCenter; assistant chair, illustration and entertainment arts), who are both animation educators and industry professionals, discuss the benefits of structured learning and arts training at an academic institution, whether it is a good fit, and what alternatives exist. Moderated by Natalie Xavier (UCLA).
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs |   1: Programs, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs

12:00pm PDT

The Law of Collecting
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 11
There's more to collecting comics, toys, games, and memorabilia than grading condition and what they are worth. What are the legal limits of showing other people what you own? Does owning original art come with any intellectual property rights? What are creators owed when their art is resold? And what can law enforcement do to help when a collection is stolen? Comic Art Fans CEO and OAX showrunner Kasra Ghanbari, The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Jeff Trexler, Bob Wayne, and Dale Cendali, along with attorneys and collectors Mark Zaid and Brian Chase, answer these questions and more.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 11
  U: Updated, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, CBLDF Events, Comics, Mysteries & Crime Dramas |   1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, CBLDF Events, Comics, Mysteries & Crime Dramas

12:00pm PDT

The Pitching Hour
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Akela Cooper (writer, M3GAN), Lindsay Rostal (game director, Timberline/Kowloon Nights), Aaron Berger (Chatrone Mgmt), Kevin Avery (Last Week Tonight, The Great North), Kevin Burke and Doc Wyatt (writer/producers, Tales From 85), Fantastic Frankey (digital creator), and possible surprise guests along with moderator Dan Evans III (creative executive) discuss taking an idea from conception through production across media. Topics include creating a pitch document, obtaining agents, and securing a pitch meeting, with hypothetical examples and stories that outline approaches new creators can adapt as they navigate the entertainment industry. Q&A included.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  U: Updated, Movies, Technology - Science - STEM, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Movies, Technology - Science - STEM, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

The Catering Crew: Daggerheart
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
Eberron creator Keith Baker leads a Daggerheart live play in a brand-new setting. In a haunted city, a team of heroes must banish a demon before its power grows. But the fiend is hiding beneath the mansion of the most powerful family in the city, and there's only one way to get in: cater their party. Party Down meets The Exorcist in this wild Daggerheart adventure.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Games, Omni Programs, TTRPG

12:30pm PDT

The Vampire Lestat (AMC/AMC+)
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm PDT
Hall H
Cast and producers to be announced discuss the finale of The Vampire Lestat.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:15pm PDT
Hall H
  1: Programs, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

12:30pm PDT

Career Paths into Game Development
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
As the business of video games now surpasses the annual revenues of film and music combined, public interest in pursuing a career in the game industry has increased in recent years. This has led to a wide variety of educational and vocational options for individuals interested in game development, but how does one get the knowledge needed and then find a job in this competitive industry? Veteran game industry professionals discuss what it takes to launch a game development career and the many paths into the industry.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Games, Video Games

12:30pm PDT

Indie Filmmaker's Survival Guide
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Independent films Obsession and Backrooms beat a Star Wars film at the box office, ushering in an indie film revolution. Now it's never been easier to get an indie movie made. Panelists share real-world advice on fundraising, production, marketing, distribution, and the ethical use of A.I. Featuring April Wright (Final Trip), Joseph Kahn (Ick), Jim Agnew (Off the Grid), Chris Gore (Attack of the Doc!), and Christopher Moonlight (The Quantum Terror).
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Animation, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

12:30pm PDT

My Little Pony: A Celebration of Friendship
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
This panel celebrates the enduring impact of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and the continued evolution of the brand. Lauren Faust, creator of Friendship Is Magic, leads a discussion exploring the franchise's legacy, its lasting connection with fans, and what's ahead in Equestria.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Fandom, International, Music, Television

12:30pm PDT

The Groo Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 10
It's 75 percent of the crew that brings you the bumbling adventures of Groo the Wanderer, talking about what they do and why they do it. Stan Sakai talks about how he lettered this comic, and he may talk a little about the one-man show that is Usagi Yojimbo. Carrie Strachan discusses how she colors this comic. Mark Evanier explains whatever the heck he does on this comic to warrant his not being paid. And they may have to phone Groo creator Sergio Aragonés to clue Mark in.
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Writers & Writing

12:30pm PDT

DC's Next Level
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 6DE
DC storytellers explore the Next Level publishing initiative with announcements, fresh looks, and new details from across the DC Universe. Featuring Joshua Williamson (Legion of Super-Heroes), Hayden Sherman (Legion of Super-Heroes), Kyle Higgins (Teen Titans), Michael Walsh, Gerry Duggan (Next Level: One-Shot), and others. Moderated by Brittany Holzherr (senior editor, DC) and Andrew Marino (senior editor, DC).
Friday July 24, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 6DE
  U: Updated, Art and Illustration, Comics, Fandom, Superheroes |   1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Fandom, Superheroes

12:45pm PDT

TV Guide Magazine's Fan Favorites 2026
Friday July 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20
Icons, newbies, and some old friends, oh my. Stars from current and returning shows gather on one stage to talk about the fans who mean so much, share what they are loving right now, and trade behind-the-scenes stories from this annual panel. Moderated by Damian Holbrook (TV Guide Magazine).
Friday July 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20
  1: Programs, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops, Television

12:45pm PDT

The Clash of Clans San Diego Comic-Con Talk Show Hour
Friday July 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Clash Bashing, a leading community content creator, and Tom McGovern (Wolves of Glendale) offer a behind-the-scenes look at how Clash of Clans—the legendary mobile game approaching its 14th anniversary—has grown beyond the phone into a global franchise. Featuring Fletch Moules (showrunner, upcoming Netflix series), Scott Derman (design lead, upcoming Clash toy line), and Ferri and Marco (Clash community team), this fast-paced panel explores the past, present, and future of Clash, with behind-the-scenes stories, unexpected reveals, and a preview of what’s coming next.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  1: Programs, Games, Historical, Television

12:45pm PDT

Mixer for Creatives
Friday July 24, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
An inclusive and fun networking mixer, hosted by Jazzlyn Stone. Industry professionals and potential new creative partners can meet and mingle. All levels of professionals are welcome. Bring your business cards.
Friday July 24, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Marriott Programs, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

President Curtis Premiere Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
From the Rick and Morty universe comes President Curtis, Adult Swim's new animated comedy co-created by Dan Harmon and James Siciliano and starring Keith David as President Andre Curtis. Just ahead of the series premiere, the cast and creative team present a first look at the new series that follows the commander-in-chief and his eccentric staff as they tackle everyday issues such as interdimensional diplomacy, paranormal investigations, and unexplained phenomena.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  1: Programs, Animation, Hilton Programs, Humor & Satire, Television

1:00pm PDT

Art of the Hollywood Backdrop: Masterclass and Q&A
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 3
Scenic art historian and master artist Karen Maness explores the process behind mid-century cinematic illusion. Tailored for illustrators, matte painters, and visual storytellers, this session deconstructs the mechanics and optical techniques used to paint monumental backdrops for The Wizard of Oz, Forbidden Planet, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica. Topics include physical materials, forced-perspective techniques, color theory, and brushwork styles from Hollywood's scenic art studios, with an interactive, technical Q&A on applying classic analog painting principles to modern visual design.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con How To, Movies, Seminars & Workshops

1:00pm PDT

Breaking Ground: Building New Worlds with Caspar Wijngaard
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Caspar Wijngaard (The Power Fantasy, Home Sick Pilots, All Against All) and Jim Viscardi discuss Caspar's career as one of Image Comics' most innovative creators. In this one-on-one interview and Q&A session, they explore the process of crafting original worlds for creator-owned comics and preview the return of The Power Fantasy.
Special Guests
avatar for Caspar Wijngaard

Caspar Wijngaard

Comic-Con Special Guest
Caspar Wijngaard is an award-winning, Eisner and Hugo Award–nominated comic artist from the U.K. Best known for his work on the critically acclaimed Image Comics series The Power Fantasy, which he co-creates with writer Kieron Gillen, his other notable creator-owned titles incl... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Bringing Fantasy High to WEBTOON: Spotlight on Derek V. Song
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Derek V. Song discusses adapting webnovels into webcomics and bringing Dimension 20's Fantasy High to life as a webcomic on WEBTOON. Reed Sights (WEBTOON senior producer) joins the conversation on adapting a beloved D&D campaign into a webcomic with millions of views, as well as Song's career and work on webnovel adaptations, including Paranoid Mage and The Primal Hunter.
Special Guests
avatar for Derek V. Song

Derek V. Song

Comic-Con Special Guest
Derek V. Song is an Asian American writer from Boston. Since debuting in 2023, Derek has amassed millions of readers across various titles on WEBTOON, including The Last Bloodline, The Primal Hunter, Paranoid Mage, and the recent adaptation of Dimension 20’s hit D&D series, Fantasy... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, TTRPG, Web, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Comixology and Superfan Promotions: Origin Stories
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Some of the most prolific creators of the time, including Emmy Award–winning writer/producer Marc Guggenheim (The Whisper War, Leviathan Freedom, Star Wars), colorist Lee Loughridge (The Adequates, Midstate), acclaimed artist Marz Jr. (The Adequates, Transformers), writer Omar Morales (Major Thomás), and writer Michael Conrad (The 99 Legs, Neptune), travel down memory lane to the days of their youth and reminisce about the comics and cartoons they loved as children. Moderated by David Hyde (Superfan Promotions).
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Fandom, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Fantasy, Fantasy, and More Fantasy
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
From cutthroat magical academies and kingdoms where dance is prohibited to rival thieves seeking mystical treasure and baking contests steaming with political intrigue, fantasy is a boundless mirror of the human experience mixed with the power of wild imagination. Melissa de la Cruz (Kingdom of Waves), Petra Lord (Queen of Faces), Anna Mercier (All We Hunger For), and Barbara Perez Marquez (To Dance the Moon and Stars) discuss world-building, swoony romances, and complex magic in their fantasy books. The message is clear: bring on more fantasy. Moderated by Sara Raasch (The Fake Divination Offense).
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

From Fan Art to Careers
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Phil Howell and Charlotte Howell (H.E. Creative, pop culture illustration specialists), Michael Cannavo (content creator, Rexin_Around, Star Wars), Lauren Kurtz (character and merchandise designer, Disney), Vinnie Rupolo (owner of Anxious Youth; brand manager for bands and artists), Mike L. Kinshella (video game writer and marketing creative), and Sarah Palmer (horror host, Svengoolie) discuss how their journeys as artists and content creators in their respective fandoms became real opportunities.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Marriott Programs, Movies, Television, Video Games

1:00pm PDT

Hollywood Location Scouts
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 9
They found Tatooine in Tunisia, Arrakis in Jordan, Middle-earth in New Zealand, and King's Landing in Croatia. Working alongside directors and production designers, location scouts are the visual artists who bring forth every place seen on screen. Five top location scouts discuss the creative and logistical aspects of their jobs, share anecdotes, and answer audience questions. Introduced by Scott Trimble (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Star Trek: Picard). Moderator Harry Medved (host of PBS SoCal's Emmy-nominated Locationland) leads Location Managers Guild International panelists D. Zachary Heine (1923, Love & Death), John Cefalu (The Mandalorian and Grogu, Ahsoka), Jordana Kronen (High Potential, Modern Family), Kelly Harris (Bel-Air, Marvel's Runaways), and Ryan Schaetzle (Peacemaker, Loki).
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Education, International, Movies, Television

1:00pm PDT

McFarlane Toys: Unreleased, Unannounced, Unleashed
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 6A
An exclusive first look at the latest toys and collectibles from McFarlane Toys and Todd McFarlane. The panel explores brands including Fallout, God of War, Poppy Playtime, Marvel, Spawn, DC, and more. The McFarlane Toys team, along with surprise guests, provides an in-depth look at these highly anticipated products, with additional surprises and giveaways.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Comics, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

1:00pm PDT

More Science in Your Fiction with The League of Extraordinary Scientists & Engineers
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
Writers, directors, sci-fi fans, and kids can learn about the real science in their fiction. A group of extraordinary scientists discusses how comics and science fiction push scientists and engineers to rocket past what is possible at any given moment and into an otherwise unimaginable future. Panel guests include Dr. Tom Darlington (Blue Tide Bio), Ben Frable (collection manager of marine vertebrates, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, U.C. San Diego), Dr. Sunny Fugate (founder, Shadow Shield Innovations), Dr. Bethany Kolody (Innovative Genomics Research, U.C. Berkeley), Dr. Lisa Zeigler Allen (marine virologist, Scripps Institution of Oceanography), and Dr. Angela Zoumplis (postdoctoral researcher, Yale University). Moderated by Jeane Wong (founder, LXS and Science-ING Time).
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Omni Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Pham-tastic Cartoonists
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
They're all award-winning cartoonists, and they're all named Pham. Animator John Pham (J & K), children's book illustrator LeUyen Pham (Princess in Black), and graphic novelist Thien Pham (Family Style) discuss the art of visual storytelling, what keeps them motivated, and what it takes to make it in their respective fields. Moderated by Gene Luen Yang (Lunar New Year Love Story).
Special Guests
avatar for LeUyen Pham

LeUyen Pham

Comic-Con Special Guest
LeUyen Pham is the artist of over 120 books for adults and children. Her graphic novels include the multi-Eisner Award–winning Lunar New Year Love Story with Gene Yang, the Eisner Award–nominated Templar, and the bestselling Friends series with Shannon Hale. She is the recipient of several awards, including the Caldecott Honor, The Society of Illustrator’s Bronze Medal, and the Fay B. Kaigler Southern Miss Medallion. She is the creator of the Vampirina book series, which has been... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Kids, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Star Wars Books from Random House Worlds
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
A journey to a galaxy far, far away. Tom Hoeler (editorial director, Random House Worlds), Gabriella Munoz (editor, Random House Worlds), and New York Times bestselling authors Madeleine Roux (Star Wars: Legacy) and Ashley Poston (Star Wars: Eyes Like Stars) discuss Star Wars books from Penguin Random House, highlighting how these and other stories enrich the Star Wars universe and offer fresh perspectives on Star Wars storytelling.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Books, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Sus Stories with Atif Myers
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Comedian Atif Myers (BET and CBS) and fellow comedians Dani Fernandez (Ralph Breaks the Internet, DC Comics), Jeff May (Netflix and Shudder), Adam Tod Brown (You Don't Even Like Podcasts, Cracked), Kazeem Rahman (Netflix; Tough Choice Podcast), and Joe Welkie (Boys Watching Buffy) discuss the weirdest comics they've read and enjoyed and review a current weird comic live.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics, Humor & Satire, Library Programs, Podcasts, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 4
Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie (Ben 10: Alien Force, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Ben 10: Omniverse, and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic), Will J. Watkins (Motherland: Fort Salem; director, DMAD; founder of Chicago's first Black-owned comic book shop, now an online store, Mike's on Mars), Matt Wayne (Shadow Cabinet, The World Needs Heroes), Kevin Rubio (Star Wars: Tag & Bink, Green Lantern: The Animated Series), host Phil LaMarr (Static Shock, Justice League Unlimited), and keynote speaker J. August Richards (Angel, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) celebrate the life and work of legendary animation and comics writer, producer, and creator Dwayne McDuffie (Milestone, Justice League Unlimited) and the prestigious award in his name.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Animation, BIPOC, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Visual Literacy for Early Readers
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Creators Julio Anta (Speak Up, Santiago!; Sol Goes for the Goal), Stephen Shaskan (author/illustrator, Pizza and Taco), Trisha Speed Shaskan (author, Itty Bitty Witch), and Dora Wang (author/illustrator, Pocket Peaches) and creator-educators Chris Pearce (cartoonist, Big Fat Notebook study guides) and Jana Tropper (Animal Rescue Friends; speech-language pathologist) discuss how they scaffold early visual literacy skills. From overall story construction to artistic choices within a single panel, understanding visual images—including identifying literal and nonliteral meanings, making predictions, and connecting images with background knowledge and other media—is a critical skill for young readers. Creators share examples from their work, educators discuss classroom use, and time is reserved for Q&A.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Kids, Library Programs, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Women in Comics: Horror Edition
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Horror is hot, hot, hot, but are women reaping the rewards in this space? Writers Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire, D&D Ravenloft), Rideback Rise fellow Melody Cooper, and Heidi MacDonald (Comics Beat) discuss the recent inroads women have made in comics and other narrative spaces. Moderated by award-winning author, historian, and lecturer Tananarive Due (The Reformatory).
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Marriott Programs, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

Anime, Manga, and K-Comics Censorship
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 11
From a surge in restrictions at schools and libraries to import prohibitions, cross-border content restrictions, widespread debanking, and a new wave of arrests, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has faced a number of challenges to anime, manga, and K-comics. In this panel, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Jeff Trexler, manga expert and senior manga/webtoons/anime editor for Comics Beat and K-Comics Beat Deb Aoki, writer and managing editor of K-Comics Beat Kalai Chik, researcher and USC Annenberg doctoral student Samantha Tecson, and research and UCLA MLIS student Tony Hernandez discuss the latest trends in censorship affecting these immensely popular works and the extent to which the First Amendment can protect them.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 11
  U: Updated, Anime & Manga, CBLDF Events, Comics, International |   1: Programs, Anime & Manga, CBLDF Events, Comics, International

1:00pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #7: Storyworlds and Survival: The Balance of Storytelling and Resilience
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Comics and graphic novels offer uniquely structured narrative environments in which readers engage both visually and cognitively through sequential art. This panel brings together three clinical psychologists to examine how comics storytelling supports resilience across diverse populations. Drawing on works such as Maus, Watchmen, The Sandman, Ms. Marvel, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, and The Walking Dead, these psychologists explore how serialized arcs, visual metaphor, and panel pacing contribute to metacognition, attention regulation, identity formation, and trauma integration. Francisco Rojas (Defense Health Agency) analyzes morally complex narratives and antihero arcs as frameworks for reflective meaning-making, particularly among veterans navigating moral injury. Christie Pickel (Psychology Specialists of Maine) examines how the segmentation and pacing of sequential art support executive functioning and sustained engagement. Sita-Marie Pillay (Hanna Center) explores representation and visual embodiment in comics as sites of multicultural identity negotiation and intergenerational trauma processing. By centering the mechanics of graphic storytelling, this panel reframes comics as structured spaces in which resilience is constructed, revised, and practiced.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Comics Arts Conference, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM

1:30pm PDT

25 Years of Pearls Before Swine: Stephan Pastis and Bill Amend
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine) sits down with fellow cartoonist Bill Amend (FoxTrot) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his popular comic strip, Pearls Before Swine. The panel features a one-on-one interview and Q&A session.
Special Guests
avatar for Stephan Pastis

Stephan Pastis

Comic-Con Special Guest
Stephan Pastis is the creator of the syndicated comic strip Pearls Before Swine, which appears in over 900 newspapers. There have been more than 40 Pearls book collections published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. In 2003, 2006, and 2014, the National Cartoonists Society named Pea... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Humor & Satire

1:30pm PDT

Artist's Editions and More: What's Next at Act 4?
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Act 4 Publishing's Scott Dunbier and Amanda Dunbier talk about their remaining books coming out this year and reveal, for the first time, a number of Artist's Editions coming next year. As usual, there will be a presentation of glorious original art, as well as a Q&A session. There will also be some trivia questions (with a prize) and a raffle, with two recent Artist's Editions given away in a snazzy new Act 4 Publishing tote bag.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Historical, Superheroes

1:30pm PDT

BOOM! Comics for You: Behind the Scenes
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
What does it take to turn a deliciously twisted comic concept into a book readers can't put down? Writer Marguerite Bennett (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Gastronomique) offers an inside look at the comic-publishing process, featuring the upcoming queer, erotic horror series Gastronomique. From editorial development and creative collaboration to marketing, sales, and distribution, if you've ever wondered how bold, boundary-pushing comics get made, this is your chance to hear directly from the people who help bring them to life, including editors Elizabeth Brei and Maya Bollinger, senior designer Madison Goyette, special projects design manager Crystal White, operations associate manager Nicholas Romeo, and marketing manager Alya Kronsberg.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Mysteries & Crime Dramas

1:30pm PDT

Focus on Jenny Blake Isabella
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 10
This year's in-person recipient of the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing used to be known as Tony Isabella, famous for Black Lightning and many, many comics for Marvel (like The Champions, Tigra, Luke Cage, It, the Living Colossus, and more) and other publishers. These days, she's Jenny Blake, who tonight will be presented with an award she so richly deserves. For this hour, she will be interviewed about her life and times by her longtime friend, Mark Evanier (administrator of the Bill Finger Award).
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

Lanterns
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Hall H
Step into the world of the Green Lantern Corps as Kyle Chandler (Hal Jordan) and Aaron Pierre (John Stewart) unite with Garret Dillahunt (William Macon), Poorna Jagannathan (Zoe), and co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King for a first look at the highly anticipated new series, with never-before-seen clips and behind-the-scenes insights. Based on DC characters, Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery with cosmic ties as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Hall H
  1: Programs, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Television, Writers & Writing

1:45pm PDT

Enter The Vale: World Premiere of a New Fantasy Universe
Friday July 24, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Room 6DE
See the exclusive world premiere of the hybrid live-action and animated short film starring 3x Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga, Robert Palmer Watkins (The Walking Dead), and Egan Xander, and launching a bold new fantasy universe. Following the screening, New York Times best-selling novelist/writer/director Abigail Hing Wen (Love in Taipei) is joined by Emmy-winning animation director John Aoshima (Ultraman: Rising; Hello Kitty), breakthrough talent Andromeda Wen (Carnegie Hall–premiered composer), and Efrem Bonetti (actor/producer), along with others. Moderated by actor Dante Basco (Avatar: The Last Airbender, Hook), the panel discusses the adaptation of the New York Times best-selling novel The Vale into a multiplatform universe and the innovative pipeline across live-action, animation, and a Roblox game, hear from special guests/Egan's parents Janet Hsieh (Fun Taiwan, Love in Taipei) and George Young (Falling for Christmas), concluding with Bonetti unveiling a sneak peek at a highly anticipated upcoming project, followed by premium giveaways.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Room 6DE
  1: Programs, Animation, International, Movies

1:45pm PDT

Roadside Attractions and Saban Films: Buddy, Everyone's Favorite Orange Unicorn, from the Deranged Mind of Casper Kelly
Friday July 24, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Ballroom 20
Remember Buddy? the bright orange unicorn and beloved costumed star of morning TV who brought joy, laughter, and life lessons into your living room? From the producers of Barbarian, Friendship, and Weapons, and Adult Swim visionary Casper Kelly (Too Many Cooks), comes Buddy—the fantastically twisted Sundance Film Festival Midnight sensation that turns childhood nostalgia into nightmare. What begins as a playful throwback to 1990s kids' programming spirals into a surreal, grisly descent into terror when a group of children realizes they are trapped in a television show that will not let them leave. Director and co-writer Casper Kelly joins producers J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, alongside cast member Delaney Quinn, and award-winning puppeteer Devon Ludlow for a first look at Buddy and its playmates. Produced by BoulderLight Pictures and Low Spark Films, in association with Sipur Studios and Substance, the film will be released by Roadside Attractions and Saban Films on August 28, 2026.
Friday July 24, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm PDT
Ballroom 20
  1: Programs, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

2:00pm PDT

My Adventures with Superman Season 3
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
The next chapter of My Adventures with Superman brings the cast and creative team to the Comic-Con stage to talk season 3 of Adult Swim's acclaimed animated series. From Clark and Lois's evolving partnership to higher stakes in Metropolis and beyond, the panel explores how the show continues to reimagine the world's most iconic hero with heart, humor, and action, plus behind-the-scenes insights and special surprises for fans.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Hilton Programs, Superheroes, Television

2:00pm PDT

Backyard Sports Returns
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 6BCF
The beloved Backyard Sports franchise is back and bigger than ever. Lindsay Barnett (chief executive officer, Playground Productions; voice of Vinnie the Gooch and the Webber Twins), Chris Waters (showrunner and chief product officer, Playground Productions), Ashleigh Crystal Hairston (voice of Sunny Day), Vincent Tong (voice of Kenny Kawaguchi), Mega Ran (musician and game composer), Will Neff (streamer and host; voice of Mr. Clanky), and El Camacho 24 (content creator; voice of Chico Papas) offer a behind-the-scenes look at the return of one of gaming's most iconic kid sports brands. The panel includes exclusive footage from the upcoming animated series, a preview of never-before-seen game content and upcoming merchandise, and behind-the-scenes stories from the cast, creators, and community voices helping build a new sports universe around beloved characters like Pablo Sanchez, Sunny Day, Kenny Kawaguchi, and more.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  1: Programs, Games, Television, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Breaking into Comics and Staying In
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 11
You've got stories to tell and characters to introduce to the world, but how do you get gigs writing and drawing comics with established publishers? Andy Schmidt (editor-in-chief at BOOM! Studios), Ray Anthony-Height (Midnight Tiger), Heather Antos (IDW Publishing), and Reilly Brown (Deadpool) share insights and advice on what to do (and what not to do) to get a foot in the door, make a great impression, and get that second and third gig going, too.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 11
  1: Programs, Comics, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Creating and Maintaining Your Comics Community
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Besties Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese), Julia Wertz (Bury Me Already, It's Nice Down Here), Thien Pham (Family Style), and Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts) discuss lives of friendship and comics.
Special Guests
avatar for Briana Loewinsohn

Briana Loewinsohn

Artist Alley HH-16, Comic-Con Special Guest
Briana Loewinsohn is the author of the graphic memoir Ephemera (Fantagraphics, 2023), which was listed as one of the ALA’s top graphic novels of 2023 and was awarded the 2023 Foreword Indies Editors Prize for nonfiction. Her latest book, Raised by Ghosts (Fantagraphics, 2025), won... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Education, Humor & Satire, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Female Comic CEOs: Women Making Comics
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Women in leadership roles across pop culture help build the businesses that create the stories comic fans love. Panelists Waverly Lim (Kwento Comics), Cecilia Lim (Kwento Comics), Hilarie Schmalke (Midnight Factory), and Janet Wade (Toshigawa Universe) discuss their work building comics companies and bringing projects to readers. The session includes a recorded message from Paula Garces (Aluna; On My Block).
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Fandom, Marriott Programs

2:00pm PDT

From Burnout to Brainstorm
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 9
Comic-Con special guest Huda Fahmy (Huda F Cares, Huda F Would Love You?, she/her) along with Amanda Meadows (comic book editor, Andrews McMeel Publishing, she/her), James F. Wright (writer, Attrition, Godzilla: Rivals: Rodan versus Ebirah, he/him), and MLOU the Artist (zine maker, "Explaining My Gender in Tagalog," they/them) discuss what's good in what's real: the value in practice and process, showing up for each other, naming truths and preserving histories, and why it's vital to participate in the defense of reality and the most vulnerable among us. Moderated by Christine Pasalo Norland (writer, founder, Hello Barkada, she/her).
Special Guests
avatar for Huda Fahmy

Huda Fahmy

Comic-Con Special Guest
Huda Fahmy was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She is the author and illustrator of the webcomic series Yes, I’m Hot in This, the graphic memoir That Can Be Arranged, and the widely popular Huda F graphic novel series. Her book Huda F Cares? was a 2023 finalist for the National... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Get Your Story into Comics or Animation
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
A book, short story, treatment, or work-in-progress script can become a comic or animated project without relying on traditional gatekeepers. Indie creators and producers discuss current pathways for adaptation and production, including building creator-led pipelines and reaching audiences through newer distribution channels. Panelists S. G. Blaise (founder/CCO, Lilac Grove Entertainment), Kris Longo (CEO/publisher, PANICK Publishing), Lesley Worton (president/head of production, Tongal Productions), David Derks (TV executive, cartoonist, and pop culture commentator), Eric Elder (founder/executive producer, OW! Entertainment), and Heidi MacDonald (editor-in-chief, Comics Beat) share practical guidance on developing, packaging, and positioning projects for comics and animation. Moderated by James David Powell (writer and producer, BlerdHive).
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Marriott Programs, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Hasbro Star Wars Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Members of the Hasbro marketing and design teams discuss Star Wars product lines, including The Black Series, The Vintage Collection, and Retro, with an in-depth look at the latest action figure offerings from across the saga. Word on the Holonet is there may also be a few surprises. May the Force be with you.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Fandom, Movies

2:00pm PDT

How to Use Mixed Media in Comics and Illustration
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 3
Brian Haberlin, award-winning artist, demonstrates multiple techniques for giving work a more artistic approach and look. From transfers to watercolors, he explores both new and twisted traditional approaches.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con How To, Comics, Seminars & Workshops

2:00pm PDT

Laughing Through the Quest: Humor in Fantasy and LitRPG
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl), Becca Lee Gardner (Adventure Cats: A Choose Your Cat Adventure), Aaron N. Hall (The Legend of Uh), and Kenny Gould (The Castle of 1000 Doors) discuss the ins and outs of crafting humorous fiction. Moderated by Jonathan Bacon-Liu (host of the All the Time We Have podcast).
Special Guests
avatar for Matt Dinniman

Matt Dinniman

Comic-Con Special Guest
Matt Dinniman is a writer and artist from Gig Harbor, Washington. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series, along with several other books about the end of the world. He doesn’t really hate cocker spaniels, and he plays bass in one band... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Making Manga with VIZ
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Aspiring mangaka can learn from the editors and creators behind VIZ Originals and One-Shots in a workshop on publishing manga with VIZ. The session walks through the development process and offers guidance on what editors look for in a series pitch or one-shot submission.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Education, Seminars & Workshops

2:00pm PDT

Original Comic Art: An Open Discussion with the Insiders
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Moderated by Mickey Finnegan (host of The Ungraded Truth Podcast and founder of Swagglehaus Ent), panelists Brett Bean (creator, D'Orc; artist, Dungeon Crawler Carl: Crocodile, I Hate Fairyland), Dinesh Shamdasani (former CEO and CCO of Valiant Comics and current CEO and CCO of Bad Idea), Michael Hansen (founder of SNIKT.com), Patrick A. Reed (curator, Inventing America, Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing, and Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity), Carl Choi (publisher of 247 Comics), and a surprise guest discuss all things original art, including current trends in comic art collecting. They will provide methods and tips for entering the hobby, spill the tea on past art deals, and answer audience questions. There will even be a public viewing of carefully curated, world-class original artwork. Plus: original art giveaways.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Superheroes

2:00pm PDT

Super Teachers Unite! Engaging Students with Comics in the Classroom
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Educators discuss how incorporating comics into the curriculum can increase engagement and access for students while building literacy skills. Panelists Erica Aguirre Tan (history/ethnic studies teacher, ABC Unified), Jaime Diego Chavez (school counselor, San Diego USD), Scott Nielsen (mild/moderate special education teacher, Grossmont UHSD), Ella "Dizzy" Rogosin (history teacher, Sweetwater UHSD), Lorran Garrison (school psychologist, Little Brainstorm), Sue Bourrillion (para educator, San Diego USD), and Mike Cruz (elementary teacher, Temecula Valley USD) share classroom strategies, resources, and tools, along with how the Comic-Con Educator Book Club connects teachers across the region. Moderated by Jewyl Alderson (San Diego County Office of Education).
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Historical, Library Programs

2:00pm PDT

The Scribe Awards and Media Tie-in Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Each year, the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers presents the Scribe Awards to celebrate outstanding works tied to popular licenses, such as novelizations of movies and TV shows, as well as numerous original works set in the worlds of Star Wars, the MCU, the DCU, video games, popular TV shows, and more. The awards event at SDCC includes a lively panel discussion with current nominees and past winners. Jonathan Maberry, the president of the IAMTW (author and comic book writer, Joe Ledger series, NecroTek, Punisher) moderates a panel featuring Stacia Deutsch (author, Ninjago, Smurfs), David Avallone (author and actor, Elvira, Red Sonja Noir), Scott Sigler (author, Aliens: Phalanx, Beasts Beyond the River), Debbie Daughetee (author, Kolchak, Murder, She Wrote), Gini Koch (author, Alien series), and Jennifer Brody (author, Star Wars, Disney).
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Awards Ceremonies, Books, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, International, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Writing for Indie Comics
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
Whether self-publishing or working for an independent publisher, writing indie comics presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities to share a creative vision with the world. Writers Dave Baker (Mary Tyler Moorehawk), Edward Davis (Finish Line Comics), Johnny Parker II (Broken), and Madeleine Holly-Rosing (Morgana Pendragon) share tricks and tips of the trade. Hosted by David Lucarelli (Tinseltown). Free comics are available for anyone who asks a question.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Omni Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

Silver Lake Shorts: Championing Independent Animation Through Community Organization
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Jared Corwin and Benjamin Sharpe (co-executive directors) discuss building Silver Lake Shorts as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit championing independent filmmakers, animators, comedians, and comic artists in Los Angeles through free monthly screenings and a fellowship program. They are joined by animators Arius Ziaee and Kat Messing, recipients of the 2025 Silver Lake Shorts fellowship. Trailers for their fellowship films Wolpie of the Woods and Hot Drop: Lil Gibbos will screen alongside a half-hour block of eclectic animated shorts from the Silver Lake Shorts community. All four participate in a Q&A moderated by Mikey Heller (comics artist and writer of Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears and head writer of We Baby Bears). Sam Grinberg (comic artist and The Simpsons character designer) will make a special announcement about Silver Lake Comics at the end.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  4: CCI-IFF, Animation, Art and Illustration, CCI-IFF and Film School, Comics, Marriott Programs |   1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, CCI-IFF and Film School, Comics, Marriott Programs

2:00pm PDT

LGBTQIA+ Activism in Comics
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 4
In a time of polarization when politics has seeped into every corner of popular culture, what is the role of comics creators? How do comic books and pop art comment on the current social and political climates . . . or should they at all? Prism Comics, moderator David Reddish (political journalist, anchor for Occupy Democrats, and host of The David Reddish Show), and panelists Tara Madison Avery (We're Still Here; publisher, Stacked Deck Press), Marc Andreyko (Torso, Love Is Love), David M. Booher (Canto, Ghostbusters, Killer Queens), Sarah Gailey (Upright Women Wanted, Eat the Rich), and William O. Tyler (We Belong, Theater of Terror: Revenge of the Queers) discuss how the Trump era has affected the popular genre of comics and how queer artists use their voices to inspire the public and be catalysts for change and empathy.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 4
  U: Updated, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast: The Year of Mothra
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Jessica Tseang (co-host of The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast) and Chris Eaton (co-host of The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast) along with Darnell Isom (lead designer, Legacy Effects: Mothra of MonsterVerse) discuss the 65th anniversary of Mothra, the Queen of the Monsters. The panel looks at her presence in the Monsterverse and her future in both the American and Japanese Godzilla franchises.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  U: Updated, Comics, Library Programs, Podcasts, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Comics, Library Programs, Podcasts, Writers & Writing

2:00pm PDT

ProgCore Fantasy Live: Escape the ColdLands
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
ProgCore Fantasy presents a short live play in its Dark Age of Theer fantasy setting. When a group of heroes find the lost sailors they have been seeking in the frozen region just north of the Tempest, returning home becomes the true challenge. Featuring Todd Stashwick (VisionQuest, Star Trek: Picard), Drea Letamendi, Ph.D. (media psychologist; The Arkham Sessions), Anjali Bhimani (Ms. Marvel, Overwatch), Brian Ward (The Arkham Sessions), and Brea Grant (GRIND, Mary), this adventure offers an introduction to the ProgCore Fantasy play style. Run under a modified D&D 5e ruleset by game master David Nett (ProgCore Fantasy: Dark Age of Theer).
Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Games, Omni Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, TTRPG

2:15pm PDT

Marvel Comics to Screen: X-Men '97
Friday July 24, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Room 6A
To me, my X-Fans! The creative team behind Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97, along with special guests, discusses X-Men ’97 Season 2. Featuring insider insights, special anecdotes, and hints of what is to come, this panel offers something for every Marvel fan, including a special giveaway comic at the end of the presentation.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Comics, Superheroes, Television

2:30pm PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #8: Focus on Shawn Martinbrough: Graphic Novel Storytelling, From Art to Words
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Comic-Con special guest Shawn Martinbrough (Thief of Thieves, Anansi Boys) is an Eisner Award– and NAACP Image Award–nominated artist whose career spans genres, publishers, and markets. His projects range from comics series for the Big Two, to original graphic novels, to best-selling children's books. Martinbrough explores his journey of becoming a professional illustrator working with some of the best writers in the comic book industry, to writing stories of his own in various genres for DC Comics, Megascope/Abrams ComicArts, Ignition Press, Dark Horse Comics, and Simon & Schuster. Ringo Award-winning Sina Grace (Iceman, Ghosted in LA) moderates.
Special Guests
avatar for Shawn Martinbrough

Shawn Martinbrough

Comic-Con Special Guest
Shawn Martinbrough is an Eisner Award–nominated artist whose comic book projects include Batman: Detective Comics, Luke Cage Noir, The Black Panther, Hellboy, Thief of Thieves, Promethee 13:13, Anansi Boys, and the NAACP Image Award–nominated, bestselling kid's book Like Lav... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Comics Arts Conference, Education, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

2:30pm PDT

John Cusack Showcases the Surreal World of Momo
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
John Cusack (Say Anything, Grosse Pointe Blank) discusses his first graphic novel, Momo, with fellow actor and comics creator David Dastmalchian (Count Crowley, Through). John and David discuss the inspiration behind Momo and what it has been like to cross media between film and comics.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Humor & Satire, International, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

2:30pm PDT

SteelBook Unlocked: Collector's Corner
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
A peek behind the curtain with Aaron Gershman (Lionsgate, SVP of creative), Barron Postmus (SDS, VP of retail marketing), Leslie Bland (Crunchyroll, VP of global commerce strategy and development), and Devon Downs (Alliance Entertainment, director of creative services). Moderated by Matt Marone (Scanavo, business development manager), the panel discusses the exciting future of SteelBook, holds a Q&A, and offers exclusive first looks at what studio partners have coming soon.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Fandom, International

2:30pm PDT

Two Marks Explain Everything
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 10
If you want to know anything about comic books—how they're made, who did what, why your favorite comic was canceled, anything—this is the panel for you. If longtime comic book writers Mark Waid and Mark Evanier don't know it, there's a good chance no one does. Questions are welcome. And be prepared to learn the secrets behind the comics.
Special Guests
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →
avatar for Mark Waid

Mark Waid

Comic-Con Special Guest
Over the course of his four decades in the comic book industry, New York Times bestselling author Mark Waid has developed characters and written stories for Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The Avengers, X-Men, Archie, Star Wars, The Incredibles, Fantastic Four, Wonder Woman, Daredevil, Captain America, and almost every other franchise currently enjoying success... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Writers & Writing

2:30pm PDT

Creature Feature Reboot: Monsters of Horror
Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
Monsters: can't live with 'em, and can't bear to read books without 'em. A creature-feature conversation with Max Brooks (World War Z), Peter Brett (The Demon King), Shane Hawk (Never Whistle at Night), TJ Payne (Intercepts: A Horror Novel), and Marshall J. Moore (The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing). From zombies to tentacled nightmares and beyond, the panel explores the important questions, including "Is it really a monster if you want to be its friend?", "If you make a regular animal REALLY big, does that make it a horror icon?", and "Why are creatures frequently so gooey?" (Please note: relative gooeyness may or may not be discussed in detail.) Moderated by Cheryl Eddy (senior editor, io9).

Friday July 24, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  U: Updated, Books, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Books, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

2:45pm PDT

NBC100: Grimm 15th Anniversary Reunion
Friday July 24, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT
Hall H
As part of its 100th birthday celebration, NBC reunites the cast and creators of its beloved fantasy crime drama Grimm for an exclusive 15th-anniversary panel. The panel looks back at the mysteries, mythology, and unforgettable characters that captivated audiences for six seasons through personal behind-the-scenes stories, fan-favorite moments, and a look at how Grimm became a lasting genre-bending hit.
Friday July 24, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm PDT
Hall H
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy

3:00pm PDT

Rick and Morty Season 9
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
The multiverse crashes Comic-Con as the entire voice cast of Adult Swim's Rick and Morty join executive producers Dan Harmon and Scott Marder for a look at season 9 of Adult Swim's Emmy-winning animated hit. Behind-the-scenes stories, creative insights, and interdimensional chaos are on the table as the team discusses what's next for Rick and Morty and all of the Smith family.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  1: Programs, Animation, Hilton Programs, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

3:00pm PDT

Black Women in Conversation: Pink Riot Comic Show and Stephanie Williams
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
The hosts of the Pink Riot Comic Show are in conversation with comic writer Stephanie Williams as they discuss her journey from scientist to Eisner Award–nominated, prolific comic writer. Williams (Roots of Madness and Temporal), Bri, and Keisha will take questions in an interview and Q&A session.
Special Guests
avatar for Stephanie Williams

Stephanie Williams

Artist Alley GG-16, Comic-Con Special Guest
Stephanie Williams is a research scientist turned prolific comics writer. She’s best known for helping to bring Nubia back to relevancy for DC Comics with Nubia and the Amazons and Nubia: Queen of the Amazons. She has worked on such titles as Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Podcasts, Technology - Science - STEM, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Collider's Showrunners on Showrunning
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Ballroom 20
The showrunner is the creative engine, problem,solver, tone,setter, final decision,maker, and occasional crisis manager behind your favorite series. In this candid Comic-Con conversation, Greg Daniels (The Office, Parks and Recreation, King of the Hill), Widow's Bay creator Katie Dippold, and Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen, The Leftovers) discuss what it takes to create and run a TV show from the ground up. They'll share stories from the writers' room, the set, and everywhere in between, exploring breaking stories and how shows evolve, casting characters, setting the tone, protecting creative voices, what happens when the plan meets the realities of production, and steering a series from idea to screen. Whether they're building iconic comedies, eerie new worlds, or unforgettable characters, these creators know that running a show means having a vision—and being ready for everything to go sideways. Moderated by Steven Weintraub (editor-in-chief, Collider).
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Ballroom 20
  1: Programs, Comics, Television, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Comic-Con Goes Plop!
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 4
DC's "new magazine of weird humor" went Plop! 50 years ago, but fans have never forgotten those Wolverton covers, the Sergio Aragones cartoons, the art of giants like Wrightson, Wood, Toth, and Ditko, and the genius of Joe Orlando. Plop! contributing writer/artist Lee Marrs (cartoonist, animator; 2026 Eisner Hall of Fame), Plop! editor Paul Levitz (former DC president), superfan Charles Kochman (editorial director, Abrams ComicArts), and moderator Jim Thompson (co-chair, Eisner Hall of Fame judges) share memories of Plop! and its creators.
Special Guests
avatar for Paul Levitz

Paul Levitz

Comic-Con Special Guest
Paul Levitz has been a comics fan (The Comic Reader), editor (Batman), writer (Legion of Super-Heroes), executive (decades at DC Comics, ending as president & publisher), historian (Will Eisner: Champion of the Graphic Novel) and now teacher of subjects related to comics and tra... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing, Tributes

3:00pm PDT

Frightening and Fantastic Worlds of James Tynion
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
From Something Is Killing the Children to Exquisite Corpses and beyond, multi-award-winning writer James Tynion IV discusses the ever-expanding worlds of Tiny Onion with collaborators Martin Simmonds (The Department of Truth), Werther Dell'Edera (Something Is Killing the Children), and Michael Walsh (Exquisite Corpses). Moderated by Sami DeMonster (Tiny Onion community manager).
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Comics, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

From Ordinary to Dynamic: Reimagining Everyday Scenes
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 3
Dong Ho Kim shares a creative process for turning observation into imagination, showing how familiar environments can become unique, story-driven illustrations. By developing this skill, the places seen and experienced every day can be reimagined into one-of-a-kind visual narratives.
All of the necessary supplies to participate in this Comic-Con How To session will be provided.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con How To, Comics

3:00pm PDT

Hermes Press Celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Dark Shadows with a New Art Book and Graphic Novel
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Hermes Press celebrates the 60th anniversary of Dark Shadows, the gothic romance/vampire television show, with a Comic-Con premiere of Dark Shadows Noir,a new deluxe art book featuring many never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photographs, a graphic novel, and an exact re-creation of Gold Key Comics' issue #1 of the title. The panel will begin with a brief video of planned Dark Shadows projects and show off the new art book and graphic novel. Daniel Herman (publisher of Hermes Press) will talk about comic book and comic strip tie-ins and the series of paperback library novels that have been reprinted, as well as plans for additional reprints. He will be joined by John Logan (screenwriter of Skyfall, Spectre, and Gladiator, creator of Penny Dreadful, and an authority on all things Dark Shadows), Kathryn Leigh Scott (a star of the classic TV show, as well as the author, with Logan, of a new history of the show), Jim Pierson (expert on all things Dark Shadows). Craig Hurd-McKinney (writer of the graphic novel), and Jok (artist on the title).
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Books, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Television

3:00pm PDT

Pitching Animation in 2026: What Buyers Actually Want Now
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
Pitching an animated series or film has never been more challenging. Talent manager Sam Goff and a selection of her clients—Malia Dawkins-Jennings (Iyanu, Charlotte and Buckingham Park), Patrick Stout (Sentinel 6, Bad High Tech), Bill Drastal (Maxxie LaWow), David Trumble (The Twits, Wendell & Wild), and John Rauschelbach (Outerscouts)—break down what it takes to pitch successfully in today's industry. The panel explores which trends buyers are prioritizing now and the rise of indie animation, along with practical insight into building relationships with executives and development teams, crafting a compelling pitch bible and visual deck, and the role of representation in the process. The session includes live pitch examples and real-world experience from the panelists.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Animation, Education, Movies, Omni Programs, Television

3:00pm PDT

Seeing the World Through Comics Memoir
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Some of the most popular graphic novels of the past decade are memoirs, and their authors excel at the genre. Lisa Hanawalt (I Can't Stop Thinking About Horses and Sex), Shay Mirk (Making Nonfiction Comics), Mimi Pond (Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me), and Sophie Yanow (The Contradictions) talk with Rob Salkowitz about their books. Whether it's a story about a queer college student hitchhiking Europe, coming to terms with your desire in middle age, or reinventing yourself as you work at a greasy spoon, the chance to see the world through new eyes is endlessly fascinating.
Special Guests
avatar for Mimi Pond

Mimi Pond

Comic-Con Special Guest
Mimi Pond is an American cartoonist, humorist, and writer. In 1982, her book The Valley Girls Guide to Life (Dell) became a bestseller and launched her career. Her works include humor books such as Secrets of the Powder Room (1983) and Splitting Hairs (1998) as well as acclaimed... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics

3:00pm PDT

So You Want to Be a Retailer?
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
If you've ever thought about owning your own comics shop, this panel highlights information that veteran store owners wish they had known before they started their own stores. Sponsored by ComicsPRO, the trade organization for storefront comic retailers, the panel features four to five panelists sharing their experiences. Moderated by ComicsPRO board member and co-owner of Samurai Comics Moryha Banks.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom, Seminars & Workshops

3:00pm PDT

Star Wars Memories: The Early Days of Star Wars, SDCC, and Fandom
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Craig Miller (Lucasfilm's original director of fan relations) presents a slideshow on the early association between Star Wars, San Diego Comic-Con, and fandom, including how the film was first publicized and promoted at SDCC in 1976 and how fans got involved even before the film came out.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies

3:00pm PDT

The Characters We Deserve: Youth Talk Gender and Orientation in Popular Arts
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Youth across a range of gender expression and sexual orientation discuss how well popular media keeps up with culture. Have they seen themselves accurately represented? In what ways is pop culture still behind the times? What kind of characters would they like to see? How has media representation of sexuality and gender helped them understand themselves? Gender and sexuality experts Dr. Heather Berberet and Dr. Stacy Watnick facilitate the conversation as Terra Hardesty (age 13), Mars Watson (age 16), and Mikayla Buhbe (age 23) speak from the heart, with audience questions and experiences included.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, LGBTQIA+, Marriott Programs

3:00pm PDT

What Now?! Comics Censorship in Schools and Libraries
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Comic books are under attack in schools and libraries across the country. This panel covers the latest threats, what is being done, what to know, and ways to help protect the freedom to read comics. Featuring Jeff Trexler (interim director, CBLDF), Gamal Hennessy (comic book attorney), Moni Barrette (comics librarian), and Mary Ellen Stout (lecturer, SDSU), with a surprise guest creator.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Historical, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Library Programs

3:00pm PDT

Yen Press Industry Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 9
For over a decade, Yen Press has been one of the biggest publishers of manga, releasing titles such as Black Butler, Fruits Basket, and Toilet-bound Hanako-kun. Yen Press has also given a home to fan-favorite categories such as light novels, audiobooks, and manhwa. The panel includes new announcements and a Q&A.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Comics, Fandom

3:00pm PDT

International Comics from Around the World
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Jessica Tseang (The Comics Voyager, Eisner judge 2022) discusses with comic book creators from Taiwan (artists PAJI, Kane, and Fish Wang), Mexico (creator Fers), Afghanistan and Switzerland (creator Selai Balkhi) about popular titles in their country, their works, culture, and comic book museums to visit in their home countries. The panel also explores comics from Korea, Mongolia, and Chile.

Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  U: Updated, Books, Comics, International, Marriott Programs |   1: Programs, Books, Comics, International, Marriott Programs

3:00pm PDT

No Capes Required: Women Powering Pop Culture
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 6DE
You don't need a cape to be a hero in storytelling. Moderator Janet Hsieh (Fun Taiwan) leads a lively panel with AJ Mendez (WWE pro wrestler), Anjali Bhimani (Ms. Marvel), Carolina Ravassa (Overwatch), Helen Shang (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), and Silenn Thomas (CEO, Frank Miller Ink), women who are making their mark across comics, gaming, sports, television, and film. Expect candid stories, industry insights, and a celebration of the voices driving today's most exciting and inclusive pop culture moments.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 6DE
  U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Animation, BIPOC, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, TTRPG, Video Games, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, BIPOC, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, TTRPG, Video Games, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Roll for Romance: An Interactive Rom-Com Decided by Dice
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 11
Romance authors across genres put character chemistry to the test in a live dating-game format where storytelling meets chance, guided by audience prompts and the roll of the dice. Featuring Kristy Boyce (Rolls and Rivalry), Barbara Perez Marquez (To Dance the Moon and Stars), Anna Mercier (All We Hunger For), and Ashley Poston (Star Wars: Eyes Like Stars). Moderated by Kim Bussing.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 11
  U: Updated, Books, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire, TTRPG, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Books, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire, TTRPG, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Taskmaster LA: SDCC 2 Electric Boogaloo
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Taskmaster Ryan Omega (PlayChase, Darkness Emergent) and his assistant Reuben Bresler (Magic Mics, PlayChase) challenge five nerdy, high-profile competitors with a series of fun and chaotic lateral-thinking tasks inspired by the hit British comedy series. Featuring Kyle Shire, Anastasia Washington, Ki'i Kellerman, Aislynn Lowenberg, and an additional surprise panelist.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  U: Updated, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire, Library Programs |   1: Programs, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire, Library Programs

3:00pm PDT

Gaming Creator Connection
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
The Gaming Creator Connection is an opportunity for game developers—whether currently working in the industry or aspiring to do so—to receive valuable advice, insights, and mentoring from seasoned veterans of the game industry representing diverse professional backgrounds. The GCC is a perfect opportunity to seek expert guidance in art/design, narrative, and business. Participants will have around 10 minutes to speak with a mentor and will be able to rotate between mentors in their field of interest in order to maximize the amount of feedback.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Education, Games, Gaming Creator Connection, Marriott Programs, Video Games

3:15pm PDT

10 Years of Watch Dogs 2
Friday July 24, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Mia Ginaé (Riot Games) celebrates the game's anniversary with a panel discussion on how Watch Dogs 2 predicted the state of A.I., surveillance, privacy, and digital resistance in today's world, featuring Ruffin Prentiss (Elsbeth, The Blacklist), Shawn Baichoo (Hell is Us, The Marvelous Misfortunes of My Marvelous Master), Dave Maass (Electronic Frontier Foundation), Timmy Fisher (MK12 Studios), and Hudson Mohawke (Warp Records). With support from Malwarebytes.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  1: Programs, Fandom, Games, Technology - Science - STEM, Tributes, Video Games

3:30pm PDT

BOOM! Comics for You: Owning Your Story
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
Exclusive reveals. Exciting new project announcements. Behind-the-scenes looks. Moderated by BOOM! editor-in-chief Andy Schmidt, with VP imprint sales director Josh Hayes, VP business development and special projects Bryce Carlson, and editors Tea Fougner and Ari Yarwood, writers and artists behind BOOM!'s upcoming series share the creative process behind bringing original stories to life. Featuring Jeff Lemire (Minor Arcana, Sweet Tooth), Julio Anta (Frontera, This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story), Jacoby Salcedo (Frontera, This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story), Sarah Gailey (Eat the Rich, Neighborhood Watch), and Tini Howard (Marian Heretic).
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Television, Writers & Writing

3:30pm PDT

Marvel Comics: Next Big Thing
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 6A
This panel features some of the world’s leading comics creators examining the future of Marvel Comics. From Amazing Spider-Man #1000 to Infernal Hulk, DNX to Queen in Black, the Marvel Universe has never been busier—or more dangerous—for its heroes. Learn what else is coming down the line in this can’t-miss panel. Attendees who remain until the end will receive a special giveaway.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Superheroes

3:30pm PDT

Modern Fanatic: Crowdfandom: The Future of Pop Culture in the Hands of Fans
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
In recent years, platforms like Kickstarter and Zoop have emerged to help define future franchises from the bedroom to the boardroom. Whether major publishers, celebrity-driven campaigns, or an indie game birthed in a basement, this method of publishing is shaping the latest, greatest, and next chapter in pop culture. Modern Fanatic's Jeremy Atkins, ZOOP co-founder Jordan Plosky, Kickstarter's Sean Edgar and Oriana Leckert, Stranger Comics publisher Sebastian Jones, MTG legend Brian David Marshall, filmmaker and writer David K. Wilson, and Michael Walsh (CEO and games director, Wayves Creative Co.), along with publishers who have found an audience online, discuss how crowdfandom is carrying projects to shelves, screens, and beyond.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Fandom, Games, Movies

3:30pm PDT

The Pitt and Heated Rivalry: Fandom in Entertainment Journalism/Criticism: When Is It Too Much?
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Rachel Leishman (editor-in-chief, The Mary Sue) leads a conversation with journalists Rachel Tolleson, Bobbi Miller, and Hope Sloop about fandom in entertainment journalism and criticism and where the line is when covering the stories you love. The panel discusses coverage and community response around Interview with the Vampire, The Pitt, Heated Rivalry, and other fandoms.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Fandom, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

3:30pm PDT

Walt Kelly and Pogo
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 10
Cartoonist Walt Kelly gave the world many great cartoons and characters, but the most enduring and beloved are the inhabitants of the Okefenokee Swamp—Pogo Possum, Albert the Alligator, Churchy LaFemme, and all the rest. Fantagraphics Books is now reprinting Pogo in its entirety, and Kelly's work will be discussed on this panel by Maggie Thompson, writer Paul Dini, cartoonist Jeff Smith (Bone), Kelly archivist Jane Plunkett, and moderator Mark Evanier.
Special Guests
avatar for Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith

Comic-Con Special Guest
Jeff Smith is the writer and artist of such comics and graphic novels as BONE, RASL, TUKI, SHAZAM: The Monster Society of Evil and Little Mouse Gets Ready! Both BONE and RASL were self-published (Cartoon Books) and are New York Times bestsellers. BONE began the current YA graphic novel popularity explosion by launching Scholastic Books’ Graphix imprint, and it has won 52 national and international awards, including 11 Eisner Awards and 11 Harvey Awards, and has been published in 33 countries. CXC, the Columbus comics festival... Read More →
avatar for Maggie Thompson

Maggie Thompson

Comic-Con Special Guest
The first ongoing comics fanzines were published in 1961. That was 65 years ago—when Maggie and Don Thompson published the first issue of Comic Art. Five years later in New York City, they attended the first multi-day comics convention. In 1976—two decades after Comic Art #1... Read More →
avatar for Mark Evanier

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest
Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, International, Writers & Writing

3:30pm PDT

You're Wrong Again, Leonard Maltin
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Once again, this lively panel offers a chance to match wits with one of America's most recognized film experts and critics, Leonard Maltin. Opinions about movies both new and old, as expressed in his long-running Movie Guide, online, and on the Maltin on Movies podcast he hosts with his daughter Jessie Maltin, can be debated, with Jessie serving as referee and interlocutor. The Marquis of Queensberry rules will apply.
Friday July 24, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Movies, Podcasts

4:00pm PDT

King of the Hill
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Fresh off the premiere of its latest season on Hulu, co-creators and executive producers Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, showrunner and executive producer Saladin Patterson, and cast members Stephen Root, Lauren Tom, Toby Huss, and Ashley Gardner share an inside look at the new era of King of the Hill and what's new for Arlen's favorite residents.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  U: Updated, Animation, Hilton Programs, Television |   1: Programs, Animation, Hilton Programs, Television

4:00pm PDT

Australian Comic Creators Collaborating with the World
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Gerry Huntman (managing director, IPI Comics), Peter J. Lawson (artist, The Human Fly), Stephen Kok (letterer, The Human Fly), Jim Krueger (legendary comic writer, including The Human Fly), David Bowles (best-selling author and scriptwriter, notably The Matron), and Drew Edwards (creator of Halloween Man and co-writer of The Matron) discuss the wealth of Australian talent being exposed to the international scene and how an Australian publisher collaborates with international teams. The panel includes a Q&A session moderated by Derek McCaw (Fanboy Planet).
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Comics, International, Marriott Programs, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Comics in the Classroom: The Benefits of a Comics-Based Curriculum
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Bryant Dillon (president, Fanbase Press) leads comics creators, librarians, and educators, including John Jennings (professor, UC Riverside), Ryan Claytor (Elephant Eater Comics; self-publisher, artist, and professor), Dr. Katlin Marisol Sweeney-Romero Pack (assistant professor, UC Davis), Jack Phoenix (comics librarian), and Shane Portman (writer, Shrub), in a discussion of why comics serve as valuable classroom resources and approaches for selecting and integrating comics into curriculum.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Library Programs

4:00pm PDT

Comixology: For the Love of Fiction
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Actor Thomas Jane (The Lycan, Star Trek, The Punisher), celebrity baker and comics writer Kim-Joy (Turtle Bread, Ordinary Joy), TV writer Marc Bernardin (Adora and the Distance, Star Wars: Mace Windu, Star Trek: Picard, Eyes of Wakanda), writer Michael Conrad (The 99 Legs, Neptune), and writer Frank Barbiere (Zero Instance, Astonishing Times) discuss their newest comics, their creative inspirations, their favorite stories, and why they love fiction. Moderated by Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press).
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Expressive Color Design for All Entertainment Art
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 11
Artist Ron Lemen (MTG, Marvel Snap, Lemenaid) discusses how color functions as one of the most influential tools available to visual storytellers across comics, animation, games, film, and illustration. Through an exploration of color theory, visual psychology, and practical industry techniques, the session examines how expressive color design can create stronger mood, clearer communication, and more compelling entertainment art.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 11
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Finance for Creatives
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Do you dream about quitting your day job to pursue your passion of being an artist, writer, or professional in the industry? Are you already in the business and need help figuring out how to budget between paid contracts, deal with taxes, or determine the best way to raise and save cash for future projects? Perhaps you just want to be a financial superhero for yourself and your family and invest in your future. Panelists discuss current financial, tax, credit, and other issues that creatives are experiencing, including financial updates and resources on where to turn for help and support. Panelists include Patty Bribiesca (Dawson Wealth Management), Matt Medeiros (Clelland & Company, Inc.), Neil Narvaez (owner, Nerdy Finance & Professional Tax Services, LLC), Eric Atilano (Resident Lending), Fran Pillersdorf (client services, Alvino & Associates), Chris Neuhahn (five-time Emmy Award–winning producer and animator), and Alonso Nuñez (founder and art director, Little Fish Comic Book Studio). Moderated by Karen Martin (The Princess Project).
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Marriott Programs, Movies

4:00pm PDT

Graphix Unboxed: The Next Big Graphic Novels for Kids
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 9
Scholastic Graphix previews upcoming graphic novels, with bestselling creators sharing sneak peeks, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories. Featuring Sara Amini (Mixed Feelings), Gale Galligan (The Baby-Sitters Club), Joey Spiotto (Max, a Little Axolotl), and Raina Telgemeier (The Baby-Sitters Club).
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Kids

4:00pm PDT

Let's Make a Game!
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
For kids: Participants make a board or card game in less than an hour. For parents: Creating an analog game is fun and educational, teaching game systems, the iterative process, teamwork, time and resource management, research, critical analysis, and even science, history, math, and language development. This workshop guides attendees through rapid prototyping, with the basics of a new board or card game as a takeaway. Facilitated by Aaron Vanek, an elementary and middle-school instructor who has taught analog game design to middle-school students for more than ten years.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Education, Games, Kids, Omni Programs, Seminars & Workshops

4:00pm PDT

Making of Star Wars: The Experience
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Ashley Eckstein (actor; voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars animation) moderates a panel with the creative team behind the official immersive experience celebrating 50 years of Star Wars, opening in 2027 at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia in collaboration with Lucasfilm and Disney Consumer Products. Panelists Matt Martin (senior creative executive, franchise content and strategy, Lucasfilm), Portia Fontes (manager of physical assets, Lucasfilm), Abby Bysshe (chief experience and strategy officer, The Franklin Institute), Dan Picard (owner and chief creative officer, MDSX Creative), and David Edmonds (art director, MDSX Creative) discuss balancing cinematic authenticity with exhibition design, the visual identity of the experience, screen-used archival pieces, and what it means to celebrate 50 years of Star Wars in a way that feels as epic, emotional, and immersive as the saga itself. Attendees receive a first reveal of renderings, key art, and more, with giveaways available only at Comic-Con.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Technology - Science - STEM

4:00pm PDT

Reviving Native American Languages, Song, and Sequential Art Through Comics
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 4
Can comics help revive Native American languages, song, and sequential art by providing a platform for cultural bearers and knowledge keepers to share customs and traditions? Panelists explore that question through the upcoming Kumeyaay-language comic Iipay + Tiipay Aa—The People's Voice: How Language Connects Our People and Shuuluk Wechuwvi—Where Lightning Was Born, which uses the Kumeyaay creation story to support revitalization of the Tijuana River Valley through a trinational lens. The discussion considers how Indigenous knowledge can carry forward the languages, songs, and sequential art of Turtle Island, long vital forms of communication in Native communities. Featuring Dr. Zulema Reynoso (comic artivist and educator), Johnny Bear Contreras (Kumeyaay sculptor, culture bearer, and founder, the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation), Nicholas Smith (Kumeyaay; founder, 'Iipay Aa Language Preservation Project), Laurie Gonzalez (Payomkawichum/Luiseno; Rincon Tribal Council), Priscilla Ortiz-LaChappa ('Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel; 2022–2023 Miss Kumeyaay Nation), Matthew Alvarado (Kumeyaay; founder, Nu Ancients), and Eugene Braverock (Canadian Blackfoot actor and stuntman, Wonder Woman, Dark Winds; founder, the Oki Language Project).
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Comics, Education

4:00pm PDT

So You Want to Start a Comic Book/Entertainment YouTube Channel
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Efrain Laguardia (Passpoint Comics), Ian Nicolas (Hoodrat Podcast), and Paul Santos (Paul in the 619) share how and why they each started a YouTube channel. Their channels celebrate everything that makes comics great: the storytelling, the art, the iconic characters, and even the hidden gems that deserve more attention. They discuss their passion for comic books and share personal experiences and practical advice to equip attendees with the knowledge and inspiration to launch a comic book YouTube channel. Sometimes you just have to press Record. Efrain, Ian, and Paul participate in a Q&A session moderated by Robert Moreno (Momocomics 80).
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Comics, Fandom, Library Programs, Movies, Podcasts, Superheroes, Television

4:00pm PDT

Spaceballs: The Comic-Con Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Hall H
The cast and filmmakers from the upcoming film Spaceballs: The New One offer a behind-the-Schwartz look at the sequel to the 1987 Mel Brooks cult classic. Between the reboots, legacy sequels, and cinematic universes competing for nostalgic attention this weekend, this is the one prepared to say exactly what it is doing. Buckle up. Ludicrous speed ahead.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Hall H
  1: Programs, Comics, Historical, Movies

4:00pm PDT

Terry Moore Talks Comics and the Future
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise, Rachel Rising, Motor Girl) discusses what he has been up to since finishing his most recent series, Parker Girls, in 2024, including what is next after four successful Kickstarters and how Dark Horse is playing an important role in his future. Q&A included.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Comics

4:00pm PDT

The Return of Cute!
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 3
Round and square, jagged and smooth, shapes have a language all their own. Shape language gives characters personality at first glance. Guin Thompson (Archaia/BOOM!) and Durwin Talon (DC Comics, TwoMorrows Publishing) demonstrate that sometimes the best designs rely on impactful shapes and that clarity may be the quickest way to elicit emotion. Attendees can draw along and create their own cute characters.
All of the necessary supplies to participate in this Comic-Con How To session will be provided.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Books, Comic-Con How To, Comics, Superheroes

4:00pm PDT

Badass on a Budget: Timeless Tips for Making Your Zero-Budget Action Film
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Eric Jacobus (God of War, Rope-A-Dope), Mike Cheslik (Hundreds of Beavers), and Brian Le (The Furious) share timeless tips for getting a zero-budget indie action film off the ground. Q&A and signings follow.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  4: CCI-IFF, Action/Adventure, CCI-IFF and Film School, Marriott Programs, Movies, Seminars & Workshops |   1: Programs, Action/Adventure, CCI-IFF and Film School, Marriott Programs, Movies, Seminars & Workshops

4:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Javier Fernández
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Javier Fernández (DC K.O., Batman and Robin, King Spawn) has become synonymous with high-energy storytelling. His work has appeared across Marvel, DC, and Image, and he appears in a one-on-one interview and Q&A session.
Special Guests
avatar for Javier Fernández

Javier Fernández

Booth #4901, Comic-Con Special Guest
Javier (Javi) Fernández is a comic book artist from Granada, Spain, best known for his interiorart and covers for DC Comics. He began working for Marvel Comics in 2011, on Captain America and then a series of Magneto issues in 2014. He has been a regular on such DC titles as B... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  U: Updated, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, International, Superheroes |   1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, International, Superheroes

4:00pm PDT

Tarzan and John Carter of Mars Live!
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Writer-showrunner Michael Kogge (Star Wars) and a surprise Academy Award–winning guest discuss their vision for the animated TV series John Carter of Mars in development, followed by updates on the upcoming John Carter of Mars audio drama, with Wasé Chief (Horizon: An American Saga) discussing her voice work as Dejah Thoris. Both efforts are authorized by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. Andrew Sumner (Titan Books, Titan Comics) shares a new announcement, while Tom Akel of Rocketship Entertainment shares updates on the upcoming massive Russ Manning’s Tarzan project and Matías Timarchi of Alien Books discusses a new take on the Lord of the Jungle in Tarzan Beyond. The session concludes with Wolf Larson (writer/producer; former Tarzan TV star; VP of entertainment, ERB, Inc.) on what's ahead in the ERB Universe for film, TV, and publishing.

Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  U: Updated, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Fandom, Historical, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

That's, Like, Seriously Funny!
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Can the serious be turned into the seriously funny? Moderator Sina Grace jokes with Comic-Con special guests Huda Fahmy, Howard Mackie, Stephan Pastis, and Mimi Pond, along with Tom Toro, about the highs and lows of creating funny books.
Special Guests
avatar for Stephan Pastis

Stephan Pastis

Comic-Con Special Guest
Stephan Pastis is the creator of the syndicated comic strip Pearls Before Swine, which appears in over 900 newspapers. There have been more than 40 Pearls book collections published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. In 2003, 2006, and 2014, the National Cartoonists Society named Pea... Read More →
avatar for Mimi Pond

Mimi Pond

Comic-Con Special Guest
Mimi Pond is an American cartoonist, humorist, and writer. In 1982, her book The Valley Girls Guide to Life (Dell) became a bestseller and launched her career. Her works include humor books such as Secrets of the Powder Room (1983) and Splitting Hairs (1998) as well as acclaimed... Read More →
avatar for Huda Fahmy

Huda Fahmy

Comic-Con Special Guest
Huda Fahmy was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She is the author and illustrator of the webcomic series Yes, I’m Hot in This, the graphic memoir That Can Be Arranged, and the widely popular Huda F graphic novel series. Her book Huda F Cares? was a 2023 finalist for the National... Read More →
avatar for Howard Mackie

Howard Mackie

Artist Alley HH-09, Comic-Con Special Guest
Howard Mackie was dragged—kicking and screaming—into writing his first comic book (Iron Man #211) by legendary writer/editor Mark Gruenwald in 1986, and he went on to chronicle the adventures of Danny Ketch: Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, The X-Men, X-Factor, Mutant-X, Gambit, Wolverine, Batman, and countless others for Marvel, DC, and other publishers. Howard’s most... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  U: Updated, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Humor & Satire, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Humor & Satire, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

A Strange Friday
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
How are you gonna fight a demogorgon on your day off? The cast of Alt-Haven's Blackness & Dragons plays Kids on Bikes 2E in a prequel one-shot featuring the parents of their classic Inglewood Crew: DM A Jordan Lambert (TTRPG pro and writer), Krishne Chelliah (Smells Like Teen Angst), Moe Jerome (Human), Jeff Thompson (The Goldbergs, iCarly), and Abadonna Killbride IV (BlacBox Radio). The game asks whether they can defeat the demogorgon, get their bikes back, and keep their jobs.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Games, Omni Programs, TTRPG

4:15pm PDT

Fire, Earth, Water, Air: Continuing the Avatar Legacy
Friday July 24, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 6DE
Abrams Books, Dark Horse Comics, WEBTOON, Magpie Games, and more present a panel worthy of Avatar. Publishing creators and writers of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra explore the beloved world.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 6DE
  1: Programs, Comics, Historical, Writers & Writing

4:15pm PDT

Kirkman, McFarlane, Liefeld, Silvestri, Stephenson: Image Comics Legends Together on One Stage
Friday July 24, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20
Image Comics founders and partners Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri, Robert Kirkman, and Eric Stephenson discuss how they revolutionized the comic book industry. The panel explores the risks that sent shockwaves through the comic world and forever changed the landscape of the industry.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Art and Illustration, Comics, Fandom, Music, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

4:30pm PDT

Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project: Year Two
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
As the war between magic and science for control of immortality reaches a fever pitch, Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson appears with interior artist John Devilman (Werewolgrantulafrankenstein), cover artist Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra Assassin, The New Mutants), and Rantz A. Hoseley (editor-in-chief) to share details with Ryan J. Downey (MTV News) about the revelations that have rocked Necropolis' world in The Mandrake Project: Year Two, along with updates on Year Three and Dickinson's upcoming solo album, Vigor Mortis.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Music

4:30pm PDT

Comics One-on-One: Pornsak Pichetshote and Jock
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
Pornsak Pichetshote (Absolute Green Arrow) and Jock (Absolute Batman) began their working relationship over two decades ago. Their individual career paths have spanned creator-owned comics (Pichetshote's The Good Asian; Jock's Wytches), work in other media, and overlapping stints in different corners of DC's red-hot Absolute Universe. A one-on-one interview is followed by a Q&A.
Special Guests
avatar for Pornsak Pichetshote

Pornsak Pichetshote

Booth #4901, Comic-Con Special Guest
Pornsak Pichetshote is an award-winning Thai American writer of comics and television. Beginning as an editor for DC's Vertigo imprint, he then oversaw DC Entertainment’s TV's department, spearheading The CW’s Arrowverse. As a comics writer, he is known for Infidel, which was... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Superheroes

4:30pm PDT

Dispatch: Off the Clock with the Z-Team
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Voice actors Laura Bailey (Critical Role, The Last of Us II), Travis Willingham (Critical Role, Marvel's Avengers), Seán McLoughlin (aka Jacksepticeye; Sonic Prime, Bendy and the Ink Machine), Alanah Pearce (Cyberpunk 2077, V/H/S Beyond), THOT SQUAD, Yung Gravy, Joel Haver, Mayanna Berrin, Lance Cantstopolis, and a "virtual" MoistCr1TiKaL join Erin Yvette (Hades II, The Wolf Among Us) to discuss what it takes to bring the characters of the award-winning video game Dispatch to life.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  1: Programs, Animation, Fandom, Games, Humor & Satire, Superheroes

4:30pm PDT

Love (& Rockets) and Hate
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
As far as independent comics series go, Love & Rockets and Hate are about as iconic as they get. Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez (Love & Rockets) have been chronicling the exploits of the residents of Palomar and Hoppers since 1982, while Peter Bagge (Hate) has created an enduring chronicle of Seattle's 1990s grunge milieu. Gilbert, Jaime, and Peter discuss their long-running series with Gary Groth (Fantagraphics co-founder, editor).
Special Guests
avatar for Peter Bagge

Peter Bagge

Artist Alley II-09, Comic-Con Special Guest
Peter Bagge is an American cartoonist specializing in alternative comics, best known for his satirical series Neat Stuff (1985–1991) and Hate (1990–1998), which featured exaggerated depictions of dysfunctional suburban families and grunge-era youth through characters like Bud... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics

4:30pm PDT

Pro Writers AMA: Ask Me (Almost) Anything!
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Dreaming of a career as a professional writer? Whether your goal is screenwriting, animation, video games, comics, graphic novels, or prose fiction, this panel of industry veterans offers an honest look at the realities of building a career with words. From breaking into the business and finding representation to indie publishing, branding, marketing, crowdfunding, and convention sales, no topic is off the table. Should you pursue traditional publishing or go independent? Do you need an agent? Is Amazon an opportunity, a challenge, or a trap? This interactive Q&A features practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and insights from the front lines of today's publishing and entertainment industries. Panelists include Neo Edmund (Power Rangers, Red Riding Alpha Huntress Chronicles), Brian Freyermuth (Fallout, Epic Micky 2), Melissa Flores (Power Rangers, Spider-Gwen: Smash), Doc Harry Kloor (Star Trek, Quantum Quest), Francesca Lia Block (House of Hearts, Weetzie Bat), and Amy Linsamouth (The Savior, Spirit House). Moderated by Prof. Adira Edmund (Terra Tarot, Red Riding Alpha Huntress Chronicles).
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Comics, Education, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Video Games, Writers & Writing

4:30pm PDT

The Avant-Garde Edition: Inside the Making of a Fine Art Comic
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 10
Marko Matijašević (founder, Argent Comics) breaks down how the world-first fine art comic was made, from paper and printing to binding and casework. Argent's debut, Batman: The Killing Joke, comes in two editions: a giclée-printed Avant-Garde Edition and a letterpress-printed Noir Edition. Copies of both will be present, and the Noir Edition will be unveiled publicly for the first time, followed by Q&A.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Mysteries & Crime Dramas

4:45pm PDT

Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror: Tenth Anniversary Edition
Friday July 24, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm PDT
Room 6A
Going bolder than ever for our tenth anniversary featuring Mubi, Shudder, AMC, Magnolia, and more. Loved Obsession? Backrooms? Hokum? The Substance? In a Violent Nature? Late Night with the Devil? Barbarian? Bodies Bodies Bodies? Midsommar? The Witch? The directors and stars behind some of the most anticipated and exciting horror films and series explore the current state of indie and studio genre filmmaking. The panel features exclusive footage from upcoming releases and standout Cannes titles, including Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma and Victorian Psycho, alongside a lively conversation with some of the most exciting talent working in horror today, including Dan Stevens (AMC's The Terror), Deborah Ann Woll (Shudder's The Cycle), director Zachary Wigon (Bleecker Street's Victorian Psycho), director Dave Boyle (SXSW Audience Award Winner Never After Dark), and others. Moderated by Michael Lerman (co-founder, Overlook Film Festival; director of film programming). Exclusive giveaways from Camp Miasma and Victorian Psycho will be available for all attendees.
Friday July 24, 2026 4:45pm - 5:45pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, International, Movies, Television

5:00pm PDT

Bad Idea: The Comic-Con Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Derek Kolstad (creator of John Wick), David Yarovesky (director of Brightburn), Robert Venditti, Joshua Dysart, and Bad Idea impresarios Dinesh Shamdasani, Peter Stern, Benjamin Simpson, Siena Fallon, and Brockton McKinney discuss Bad Idea's latest slate. The panel features new art from Warbird, It Demands Sacrifice, Lancer, Courier, Hank Howard Pizza Detective, and more. Surprise guests and a convention-exclusive giveaway are also planned.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Comics

5:00pm PDT

Cosplay Is a DRAG: The Draggening
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Chad Hatter (Queer for Fear, Robot Chicken) sits down with Pam Demic (costume designer, Workaholics; drag performer since 1989) and Broadway diva headliners Claire Voyance (Voyance Productions & Broadway Divas SCFTA), Leeko Rae (headliner at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts), and April Showers (Showers Productions & Late-Night Divas @ Hamburger Mary's), along with Thai Teaze (Miss Hamburger Mary's Ontario 2024 and producer/hostess of Oh Honey, It's Brunch!, as well as the infamous Pokebrunches) to discuss the crossroads where cosplay meets drag, as well as navigating these art forms in the modern world.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Marriott Programs, Superheroes, Television, Video Games

5:00pm PDT

Devils and Dreamscapes: How Horror Comics Changed the Way We See the World
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 9
Horror comics began as shocking page-turners with twist endings, but they soon became so much more. From ghosts dishing out supernatural punishments for moral crimes to cautionary tales where arrogant and cruel killers suffer the bloody consequences of their misdeeds, the panel will discuss the real-world impact of horror comics and how they have evolved to the present day. Moderated by Eisner nominee and The Atonement Bell writer Jim Ousley, panelists include BJ McDonnel (director, the Foo Fighters' Studio 666 and Slayer's Repentless Trilogy), Bill Field (author/director, horror historian), Seth M. Sherwood (writer, Leatherface and Hell Fest), Gregory Plotkin (editor, Get Out, A Quiet Place: Day One), Phillip Kobylanski (producer, Hell Fest and Lore), Derek McCaw (host of the Fanboy Planet podcast and Monsterverse Comics' Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave), and Jordan Barel (graphic novelist, film editor).
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Comics, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Tributes

5:00pm PDT

Expect More with AHOY Comics!
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
AHOY Comics has made a name for itself with acclaimed creators, witty satire, and a commitment to bold, risk-taking storytelling, including The Toxic Avenger, Babs, Second Coming, Justice Warriors, Billionaire Island, Ancestral Recall, and more. Matt Bors (The Toxic Avenger, Justice Warriors) and Mark Russell (Second Coming, Billionaire Island) discuss the upcoming The Forgotten Divine graphic novella, more Toxic Avenger comics, and the future of the publisher that asks its readers to expect more. Moderated by Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press).
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Focus on Tradd Moore
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
More than a decade ago, artist and illustrator Tradd Moore made his comics debut with The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, cementing his status as one of the industry's most distinctive sequential storytellers. After a string of visually stunning series, including Silver Surfer: Black, All-New Ghost Rider, and Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise, Moore surveys his career thus far and discusses what's coming next in conversation with Hunter Gorinson (president and publisher, Oni Press).
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Television, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Hasbro Transformers Panel
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
The Hasbro Transformers toy development team shares a behind-the-scenes look at the latest character figures across the brand. Time permitting, the session includes a Q&A with trivia and more.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Comics, Fandom

5:00pm PDT

Hello Maggie!: Film Premiere at Comic-Con
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 4
Disney legend and Inkpot and Annie Award recipient Willie Ito (producer) presents the true story of the love and friendship between a boy and his pet bird while being interned at a WWII concentration camp for Japanese Americans at Heart Mountain, Wyoming. James Lopez (veteran Disney artist) joins Willie to discuss the production, followed by a Q&A moderated by Mindy Johnson (animation historian and author). Anne Marlborough (associate producer) and Sarah King (photographer) also participate.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Education, Historical, International, Kids

5:00pm PDT

J. Michael Straczynski Workshop
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 11
J. Michael Straczynski returns for his free, standing-room-only, Q&A-based writing workshop. For anyone interested in writing for television, film, comics, or any other form of writing except poetry (at which he sucks), JMS offers guidance from someone who has worked, and continues to work, full-time in those industries. The format is a freewheeling, take-no-prisoners conversation, with questions encouraged that ideally have utility for other writers as well.
Special Guests
avatar for J. Michael Straczynski

J. Michael Straczynski

Comic-Con Special Guest
J. Michael Straczynski created Babylon 5, co-created Sense8, wrote the Clint Eastwood film Changeling, and worked on Thor (movie and comic), World War Z, and the upcoming films One Second After and Liminal. He has written over 300 comics for Marvel, DC, Image, and Dark Horse, p... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 11
  1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Education, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Making the Jump to Video Game Writing
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
In recent years, the rapidly growing video game industry has drawn creative people from across the media landscape, including writers of all stripes. The path to becoming a game writer is not always clear: Is it better to be a master coder or an expert story breaker? Game writers Tom Casiello (WWE, Gravity Well Games), Heather Woodward (Upright Citizens Brigade, Respawn Entertainment), Manny Hagopian (Off Broadway, Respawn Entertainment), Jordan Morris (Marvel Comics, Iron Galaxy Studios), and Ashley Reed (Fuse Literary, Respawn Entertainment) discuss where their writing careers started, the paths they took to game writing, and pitfalls to avoid along the way.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, Omni Programs, Video Games, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Penguin Random House: Buzzy Books 2026
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Penguin Random House staff present the buzziest books of the year, from science fiction and fantasy to romance and horror, highlighting upcoming reads they are bringing to shelves.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Books

5:00pm PDT

Pow! Bang! Teach! Comic-Con in the Classroom!
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
Patrick Meehan (ELA teacher, SDUSD), Nancy Burks (social studies teacher, SDUSD), and Maya Bellistri (librarian, SDUSD) discuss how the myriad aspects of Comic-Con can transform the ordinary classroom into a creative, collaborative, and engaging learning environment that complements the needs of today's students and educators. The panel includes handouts and resources for educators, as well as freebies for kids.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Kids, Library Programs

5:00pm PDT

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: What's New on Batuu?
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Like the ever-expanding lore of its movies and TV shows, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World has received updates over the past year. From new characters and experiences to fan events, merchandise, food, and more, no two visits to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu are ever the same. Kristine Smith and Martin Smith (Heroes of the Halcyon podcast, Halcy-Con) and Peter Sciretta (Ordinary Adventures on YouTube) discuss 2026's major changes to Galaxy's Edge.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Cosplay, Fandom, Movies

5:00pm PDT

The Collapse of the Billionaire Hero
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
In today's cultural and economic climate, fascination with the wealthy has shifted toward sharper awareness of inequality, frustration, and scrutiny. Hosts of the Tangential Giants Podcast Kareem Anderson, Patrick Kellenberger, and Ken Rolow, with guests Ray-Anthony Height (comics creator and founder, SKYE-TIGER Studio), Magical Girl Marina (fandom and cosplay content creator), and Justin Quizon (podcast host and comics writer), discuss how money functions as a storytelling tool, the nuance gap in portrayals of wealth, and what characters can look like when wealth is removed from their narratives.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, Humor & Satire, Library Programs, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Web

5:00pm PDT

The Simpsons: A World of Collecting
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Simpsons collectors of the world, unite! Get a chance to meet and mingle with fellow collectors of Simpsons merchandise from all over. This gathering, hosted by members of the SimpsonsCollectors website, is a great chance to network with other collectors and share your experiences in the hobby. Brian Guthrie, Ken Gartin, Jesse Lankford, Duy Trihn, and Ben Barackman offer tips for collecting everything Simpsons.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Fandom, International, Marriott Programs

5:00pm PDT

Live Voiceover Coaching: Get Paid to Talk
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 3
Audience volunteers will perform actual scripts from across the VO spectrum and get live coaching from voiceover luminaries, including Scott Brick (Audible Hall of Fame narrator, the Dune saga, Jurassic Park), TJ Storm (video game VO actor, motion capture for Godzilla, Deadpool), Eric Jason Martin (author/narrator, the New Arcadia series), and Roy Samuelson (audio description performer, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon). Moderated by Suzanne Elise Freeman (Audie Award–winning narrator, Five Nights at Freddy's). The panel will also feature audience Q&A.
All of the necessary supplies to participate in this Comic-Con How To session will be provided.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Comic-Con How To, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Video Games

5:15pm PDT

Cineverse: Return of a Masterpiece: The 20th Anniversary of Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth
Friday July 24, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Hall H
It's been twenty years since Comic-Con fans met the iconic Pale Man, ageless Faun, and young Ofelia, who undertakes a quest to reclaim her rightful place as princess of an enchanted world. Academy Award–winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, actors Doug Jones (Pale Man, Faun) and Ivana Baquero (Ofelia), alongside Oscar-winning Cinematographer Guillermo Navarro, take fans through an exclusive behind-the-scenes event celebrating the film's stunning craft, timeless legacy, and cultural impact. Ahead of a triumphant theatrical re-release in stunning 3D 4K in October, the panel includes never-before-seen interviews with del Toro and some of today's top filmmakers, exclusive giveaways, and new insights into the film's making and legacy.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Hall H
  1: Programs, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, International, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

5:15pm PDT

Comic Pitch Review
Friday July 24, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
What is a pitch? A pitch is simply a way to present yourself or your project to others. It is usually a brief speech designed to persuade your listener into supporting what you're doing or what you've made. Most creators have no trouble coming up with great ideas for new comics, but they often struggle to speak clearly and concisely about those ideas to other people. Giving a good pitch is a vital skill in bringing a project to life. Fortunately, it's also a skill that can be learned and improved with practice, and Pitch Review is a great place to do that. Creators who want to get better at pitching their work, especially writers or artists attending the Comic Creator Connection immediately after this event, will have the chance to practice giving their pitch and get invaluable help from a professional writer and speaker coach. Pitch reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, a professional speechwriter, speaker coach, and host of the Comic Creator Connection. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and everyone is welcome to watch and learn from the sessions.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:15pm - 6:15pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education, Marriott Programs, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

Breaking into Comics Without a Publisher: Stop Asking for Permission
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 10
When you are ready to break into comics, you don't need a publisher—you need a system. Find your audience. Build your team. Build the distribution and sales system that is right for you. To learn why "Previews & Pray" failed and how to avoid today's pitfalls, this panel brings together experts in every aspect of today's comics publishing. Featuring Atom Freeman (COMICS! The Magazine), Adriano Ariganello (Pesto Comics), Brent Sands (Impound Comics), and more, the panel comes straight from the front lines of getting indie comics discovered, ordered, and sold.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Fandom, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

Dark Horse: Three Worlds/Three Moons
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
Jonathan Hickman (East of West, X-Men), Nick Spencer (Amazing Spider-Man, The Fix), and other creators discuss collaboration, worldbuilding, and more, exploring the sci-fi mythology of Three Worlds/Three Moons. The next great comics universe starts here.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

From Failure to Success: The Business of Art
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
Making art is hard, and making a living in art is even harder. Chris Kawagiwa (senior illustrator, ADG 800; creator of The Pawsmonauts, Sunless Circus, and Kit n' Rivet), Ralph Miranda (senior illustrator, ADG 800; co-creator of Oh, Bubba Lu!), Dino Espinosa (co-owner of Foundry LA), and Franco Te (owner of Tee No Evil) share their experiences surviving the world of art. Whether attendees are seasoned professionals or new artists, the panel offers stories about how to find and bill clients, save money, build a business, and avoid scams. Moderated by Brian Luhmann, Psy.D. (faculty, Hope International University; owner/therapist, The New Normal Mental Health Services).
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, International, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

Indigenous Comics and Nature's Advocacy
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Comics creators Dale Ray DeForest (Dine), Tokala Tatum (Yakama/Rosebud Sioux), and Deshheum (Nooksack/Shxwhay Village First Nation) are joined by Kumeyaay/Ipai artists Nayah and Chanthavy Alvarado to explore how Indigenous art and stories convey ancestral links and unique responsibilities to a people's homeland. Moderated by comics creator Chag Lowry (Yurok/Maidu/Pit River).
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics, Education, Historical, Kids, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

5:30pm PDT

The Toy That Changed Everything: How Captain Action Helped Launch Customization Culture
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Sixty years ago, Captain Action and Ideal revolutionized toys and play patterns by putting customization ahead of standard approaches. Kids were challenged to create their own backstories and adventures, pulling characters from a wide range of rights holders and IP owners. Michael Polis (Atomic Toybox), Cody Fultz (ThreeZero), and Steve Forde (LBO) discuss their collaborations, what makes them work, and what doesn't. Moderated by Ed Catto (Captain Action).
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Kids

5:30pm PDT

Divine Design for Demigods: Creating the Costumes for Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 6DE
Catherine Adair (costume designer, Local 892; Perry Mason season 2, The Mysterious Benedict Society season 1) shares behind-the-scenes details on creating costumes for iconic characters, alongside her costume team: David Matwijkow (assistant costume designer, Local 892; Perry Mason season 2), Daniel Mahler Landman (key costumer, Local 705; Star Trek: Picard season 3), Tannis Hegan (specialty costumer; Tron: Ares, Peacemaker), and Zoe Neary (producer; co-producer, The Old Man season 2).
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 6DE
  U: Updated, Action/Adventure, BIPOC, Comics, Fandom, Kids, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television |   1: Programs, Action/Adventure, BIPOC, Comics, Fandom, Kids, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

5:30pm PDT

God of War Laufey: Forging God of War's Next Heroes
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20
Ariel Lawrence (game director, God of War Laufey) and Cory Barlog (head of creative, Santa Monica Studio) lead a conversation with the cast including Deborah Ann Woll (Laufey), Christopher Judge (Kratos), Jack Quaid (Phranque), and Perlina Lau (Rue) for the first time since the game's reveal. Panelists share new details about the heroes of God of War Laufey, including behind-the-scenes insights from development and the performance capture that brings each character to life.
Friday July 24, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20
  U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Video Games |   1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Video Games

5:45pm PDT

Spotlight on Jim Cummings
Friday July 24, 2026 5:45pm - 6:45pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Legendary voice actor Jim Cummings discusses his 40-plus-year career as the auditory talent behind so many landmark animated characters, including Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, and Star Wars' Hondo Ohnaka, as well as providing the singing voice of Scar in The Lion King. Cummings has given life to more than 1,500 different animated characters across nearly 200 films, 134 television series (2,500-plus episodes), 175 video games, and 25 animated shorts. Cummings' spotlight is also more timely than ever as 2026 celebrates the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh, a role so closely associated with Cummings that he recently stood alongside the Queen of England to hail the Silly Ol' Bear's centennial. A two-time Annie Award winner and recipient of the prestigious Winsor McCay Award, and host of the popular Toon'd In! with Jim Cummings podcast, Cummings will be joined by moderator Gary Miereanu.
Special Guests
avatar for Jim Cummings

Jim Cummings

Comic-Con Special Guest
Legendary voice actor Jim Cummings’ award-winning career spans more than four decades as the auditory talent behind such landmark animated characters as Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck, and Star Wars’ Hondo Ohnaka, as well as providing the singing voice of Scar in The ... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 5:45pm - 6:45pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  1: Programs, Animation, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Kids, Movies, Podcasts, Television, Video Games

6:00pm PDT

Art (and Life) Without Stress
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 11
Cutter Hays discusses why the obstacle to making great art is rarely the art itself. The session offers practical tools for restoring fun and delight to creative work, even when the training is demanding. If art feels grueling, never good enough, or easy to avoid instead of pursue, Cutter explores ways to reconnect with the process and keep moving toward creative goals.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 11
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Education, Seminars & Workshops

6:00pm PDT

Best and Worst Manga of 2026
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 4
There is a great deal of manga available in English now, but what is really worth reading? A panel of opinionated manga bloggers and comics critics discusses favorite manga, disappointments from the past year, anticipated releases for fall 2026 and beyond, and underappreciated manga gems. Panelists include Shaenon Garrity (Otaku USA, Publishers Weekly), Laura Neuzeth (YouTube and TikTok vlogger; social media influencer), Leslie Flynn (Austin Public Library), Luke Berger (San Diego Public Library), and Deb Aoki (Mangasplaining).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Comics, Web

6:00pm PDT

Challenge Everything: The Future of Wrestling and Culture
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 6A
Wrestling doesn't just reflect culture; it shapes it. Stars of All Elite Wrestling discuss how professional wrestling has evolved from spectacle to cultural force, influencing sports, music, gaming, and beyond. From global fandom to viral moments to the stories only pro wrestling can tell, the conversation considers what comes next when performers refuse to follow the old playbook and challenge everything.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Cosplay, Fandom, Music, Television, Video Games

6:00pm PDT

Fiction in the Time of Fascism
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Barbra Dillon (editor-in-chief, Fanbase Press) leads comics creators and educators, including Phillip Kennedy Johnson (writer, Superman, Action Comics), Desiree Proctor (writer, Nuclear Power), Corinna Bechko (writer, Invisible Republic), Henry Barajas (writer, La Voz de M.A.Y.O. Tata Rambo), and Arthur N. Ebuen (writer, ©alifornia, Inc.), in a discussion of why dystopian comics offer accessible ways to process a challenging world and what can be learned from stories in which characters and societies face profound injustice.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Comics, Education, Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes

6:00pm PDT

How to Build Cosplay Armor and Props with Anvil Station
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Want to build cosplay armor and props, but not sure where to start among the many options? With more than a decade of Halo cosplay and beyond, the Anvil Station team covers common techniques for constructing armor, props, and costumes, including 3D printing, casting and molding, foam construction, laser cutting, microcontroller programming, and more. Panelists include Cary Gunnar Lee (Legacy Effects), JP Polilo (Legacy Effects), Chris Loomis (CrazedOneCosplay), Matt Hendricks (MatterHackers), Tyler Perfect, and James Hall. Moderated by Austin Verburg (DairyBoy117).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Marriott Programs

6:00pm PDT

LitRPG: Dungeon Crawler Carl and Beyond
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
More and more people are reading LitRPG. Learn about the booming subgenre from popular authors Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl), Shirtaloon (He Who Fights with Monsters), S.M. Boyce (Blood Reaper), Seth Ring (Battle Mage Farmer), Eric Ugland (One More Last Time), and Shawn Wilson (Ultimate Level 1). Moderated by Henry Herz (Combat Monsters).
Special Guests
avatar for Matt Dinniman

Matt Dinniman

Comic-Con Special Guest
Matt Dinniman is a writer and artist from Gig Harbor, Washington. He is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series, along with several other books about the end of the world. He doesn’t really hate cocker spaniels, and he plays bass in one band... Read More →
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Humor & Satire, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, TTRPG, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Star Wars Tourism: Visiting the Galaxy Far, Far Away on Earth
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
From the deserts of Tunisia and California in the original trilogy to the palaces of Italy and Spain in the prequels to the newest sites from Andor and The Mandalorian, Star Wars filming locations are on many fans' travel bucket lists. A panel of globetrotters shares where to go, how to get there, and how to make the most of the experience with fellow fans, from England to Madeira Island to the Imperial Valley. Featuring James Floyd (Star Wars Insider, Star Wars Crossword Puzzles), Charla Teeters-Stewart (Imperial Valley Film Commission), Melissa Miller (Star Wars Insider), and Jake Rowlett (SDSU geography and film lecturer).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

6:00pm PDT

Unmasking Cultura: Latino Legends in Cosplay
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Cosplay, comics, and popular cultura have become powerful spaces for cultural expression. For Latinos, the journey often involves building opportunities where none exist, navigating creative industries that may not always reflect direct experiences, and finding ways to turn passion into meaningful community impact via lucha libre, premieres, car shows, charity events, workshops, art shows, and more. So what does it take to create cosplay, curate art, mentor the next generation, and build lasting relationships as Latinos? Learn how to integrate education, clinical data, and functional cosplay with Michael Alberto Garcia (professor); design and implement red-carpet-worthy cosplay with Nancy Gonzalez (mixed media artist); photograph and tell the story with Nohemi Ramos Uriostegui (industry photographer); experiment with thermoplastics, electronics, and other materials with Bruce Salas (award-winning cosplayer); and lead and coordinate charity events and administration with Ricky Gutierrez (founder of Cosplay4Kids). Moderated by Mark "Funky" Garcia (curator and LCS manager). Q&A to follow.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, International, Kids, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Music, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television, Tributes

6:00pm PDT

William Morris Endeavor (WME): The Role of a Talent Agency in an Evolving Entertainment World
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Agents from WME Eric Reid (motion picture department), Cori Wellins (TV literary department), Austin Vaziri (TV literary department), and Olivia Burgher (literary packaging department) discuss the role of a talent agency in an evolving entertainment world.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Books, Comics, International, Movies, Television

6:00pm PDT

Your Next Book Obsession: Tor Publishing Group
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Tor Publishing Group publishes some of the greatest sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and horror books today. The Tor teams share a preview of exciting upcoming titles from Tor, Tordotcom Publishing, Nightfire, Bramble, and the newest imprint, Wildthorn, with picks to add to TBR lists. Featuring Lauren Abesames (publicity), Libby Collins (publicity manager), Lauren Moye (associate marketing manager), and Tiana Tolbert (senior marketing manager).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Books, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Storytelling in Animation: How the Pros Build Characters and Worlds for TV & Film
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Acclaimed artists Heidi Jo Gilbert (2016 Annie nominee, The Wild Robot, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish), Chris Amick (Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts), Jake Wyatt (My Adventures with Superman, upcoming My Adventures with Green Lantern), and Max Narciso (2024 Oscar-winning character designer, Luck, War Is Over) cover how professionals develop expressive characters, create immersive visual worlds, and use story and design to increase emotional impact. Moderated by Kevin Holmgren (WritingCards.com).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  U: Updated, Art and Illustration, Marriott Programs, Television, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Marriott Programs, Television, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

Diversity in Fantasy
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 9
John Wells III (The Kalib Andrews Chronicles), Leon Langford (StarLion), Bennie Walker (To Shatter a Mountain), Lilly Lu (Death Wish), Pamuelah Hallilwell (Grieving Still), Vince Alvendia (Horrorgasm comic anthology, Dark Agents: Violet and the Trial of Trauma), Kaj Kunstmann (Warhead), and Dalila Caryn (The Forgotten Sister Series) discuss diversity in fantasy and what diverse authors owe their own cultures when writing diverse characters. Moderated by Tiffie Starchild (content creator).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 9
  U: Updated, Kids, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing |   1: Programs, Kids, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

6:00pm PDT

The Case of the Curious Convention: Kids on Bikes Live
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
5 GMs in a Trenchcoat season 5 stops at SDCC for a canon episode. Something is amiss at the convention, and Zeke finds himself in the middle of the mystery. Players Darby Pak (Geeky Teas and Games), Jesse Espinoza (5 GMs in a Trenchcoat), Queon Story (Role D5, The Veil of Athium), Sachiko Morita (The Veil of Athium, Forgotten Paths), and Skyler Seymour (Fears & Fortunes), with game master Adam Gonzales (5 GMs in a Trenchcoat), play Kids on Bikes 2E.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:00pm - 7:45pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Omni Programs, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, TTRPG

6:30pm PDT

Cosplay and Photography 101: Building Stories and Relationships
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 3
Photographers Pat Loika (author, Four Color Realities, Photo Works) and Jim Donnelly (published photographer) discuss how to become better storytellers by building relationships with collaborators. They are joined by cosplayers Amanda Lynne (published cosplay model, X-Men), Captain Britt Cosplay (cosplayer, builder), Sara Moni (published cosplay model), Ashe Frost (cosplayer, builder), and Megan Random (published cosplay model).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Comic-Con How To, Cosplay, Costuming, Education

6:30pm PDT

From Paradise Hills to Comic-Con: The San Diego Roots and Creative Journeys of Bobby Rubio & Keithan Jones
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Bobby Rubio (director of Float, creator of Neighborhood Legend) and Keithan Jones (founder of Black Comix Day, creator of The Power Knights, 2021 and 2022 Eisner Award judge) take an intimate look at how their shared hometown and childhood friendship shaped their paths from aspiring local artists to industry leaders. Together, they discuss the importance of local representation, the evolution of their creator-owned projects like Rubio's Alcatraz High and Neighborhood Legend and Jones's The Power Knights, and how the San Diego community and their experiences at Comic-Con throughout the years continue to inspire their mission to bring diverse, homegrown stories to the global stage. Moderated by Aaron Nabus (host of the Hall H Show podcast, founder of FilAm CreatorCon).
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, BIPOC, Comics

6:30pm PDT

Monstrous Rebellion: Building Monster Stories Beyond the Studio System
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
When the old studio system shrinks, monsters rise. Kevin Grevioux (Underworld), Dirk Blackman (Savager), Bill Murphy (Monster Force), Hans Rodionoff (Halloween), Thomas Healy (Spawn), and Shannon Eric Denton (Monster Forge) discuss how original monster and horror IP is being built, expanded, and monetized across comics, film, toys, games, publishing, and more. The panel examines the realities of surviving and thriving outside traditional Hollywood, with practical insight into creating transmedia worlds, retaining ownership, and bringing creatures to life across multiple platforms. Behind-the-scenes stories, practical strategies, and industry insight focus on developing and exploiting original intellectual property in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Games, Horror and Suspense, Movies

6:30pm PDT

Queer Horror
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 10
The horror genre has always attempted to bring audiences to the threshold of their fears and use a dark lens of the fantastic to force them to come face-to-face with issues the mainstream may otherwise dare not address. For those in the LGBTQIA+ community, this sense of otherness within the genre is not only terrifying and titillating, but it is often relatable. The queer community has had a long history with the horror genre, from the sapphic subtext of Gothic literature to modern fare such as Summoning Sylvia, T-Blockers, and The Boulet Brothers' Dragula. Does a queer horror genre exist, and, if so, what makes it different from mainstream horror? Furthermore, how does the current political climate alter the lens through which people celebrate and connect to the macabre? Prism Comics, moderator/screenwriter Michael Varrati (There's a Zombie Outside, The Midnight Mass Podcast), and panelists Drusilla Adeline (Bloodhaus Podcast, Sister Hyde Design), C.J. Arellano (Dry January, Griffica), Casey Gilly (Return to Sleepy Hollow, Buffy the Last Vampire Slayer), Daniel Montgomery (The Jessica Cabin), William O. Tyler (We Belong, Four Seasons of Fear), and Vander Von Odd (The Boulet Brothers Dragula, Scorch Marks) explore the current realms of queer horror.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Horror and Suspense, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

6:30pm PDT

SpongeBob: Before It Was Iconic
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
30 years ago, Stephen Hillenburg began developing a strange little cartoon about an optimistic sponge living at the bottom of the ocean. Long before the movies, merchandise, memes, and worldwide phenomenon, SpongeBob SquarePants was simply a sketch, a voice, a storyboard, and a small group of artists trying to make each other laugh. Voice actor Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob SquarePants) and writer, director, and producer Derek Drymon, one of the key creative architects of the series, join moderator Brian A. Miller (former general manager, Cartoon Network Studios) for a behind-the-scenes conversation. Through rare stories, early artwork, live demonstrations, and never-before-heard memories, the panel explores the creation of Bikini Bottom, the creative genius of Stephen Hillenburg, and the moment before anyone knew they were making television history. Before SpongeBob became an icon, he was just an idea. This is the story of how that idea changed animation forever.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Movies, Television

6:30pm PDT

Trans Masculine Representation in Entertainment
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Avi Roque (The Owl House, Cemetery Boys), Simon Lucas Howe (Rick and Morty, Big Mouth), Theo Tiedemann (Transparent, Our Flag Means Death), Maze Felix (Apple TV's Give Me an A, Mascvmasc), Leo Sfeir (Abysse, Carter Ray: Bittersweet), Petey Gibson (Alert, Grace and Frankie), and Yas Modares Ghasiri (Sylvester Stallone's MVP, Babysplitters) bring the real talk on trans masculine representation in film and TV. The panel features behind-the-scenes stories, industry tea, and a candid conversation on visibility, creativity, and taking up space.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

6:45pm PDT

Mega64 Panel in Large Format 70mm Ticket Upcharge
Friday July 24, 2026 6:45pm - 7:45pm PDT
Room 6DE
The cast and crew of Mega64, the long-running internet video collective creating comedic and eccentric gaming media from San Diego, return again for their favorite hometown event. They'll show new and unseen videos, answer questions, and maybe even show something they weren't supposed to.
Friday July 24, 2026 6:45pm - 7:45pm PDT
Room 6DE
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Games, Humor & Satire, Podcasts, Web

7:00pm PDT

Black Heroes Matter: Icons and Identity
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Carl Varnado (Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Relooted) moderates a discussion with Kadeem Hardison (A Different World, Static Shock), J. August Richards (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Angel), producer Denee Busby (The Cookout; Hyperlens Studios), Ryan Benjamin (Batman Beyond, Star Wars), Sanford Greene (Wolverine, Bitter Root), Jessica Murrey (World Reborn), and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Rob Edwards (The Princess and the Frog) on the evolution of Black representation across diverse media. Panelists explore the behind-the-scenes craft, capital strategy, and narrative ownership involved in modernizing and expanding legacy characters for film, network television, independent media, comics, and interactive gaming ecosystems.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Movies, Superheroes

7:00pm PDT

Bringing Together Pop Culture and Cooking
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Cookbook authors share how they transform beloved movies, games, and other fandoms into creative, delicious recipes.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Books, Writers & Writing

7:00pm PDT

How to Feng Shui like a Jedi
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 11
An introduction to the energy that powers the earth and popular movies and series. The panel explores how balance, flow, and spatial energy shape daily life and how that same energy can be harnessed at home, like a Jedi or an Avatar.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 11
  1: Programs, Education

7:00pm PDT

Inside the Hacker's Mind: Cybersecurity, Culture, and the Code Behind the Chaos
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
REKCAH Comics, the comics publishing line of Black Hills Information Security, makes its Comic-Con International debut with John Strand (founder and owner, Black Hills Information Security), Alethe Denis (award-winning "red team" social engineer), Adam Cecchetti (world-recognized expert in information security), and Jennifer Isacoff (DEF CON Black Badge winner) discussing how hacking is portrayed across comics, games, and pop culture touchstones like Mr. Robot and Watch Dogs, and how modern cyber tactics, from social engineering to A.I.-driven exploits, are influencing both reality and fiction. Moderated by Joseph Keatinge (editor, REKCAH Comics).
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Comics, Education, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM

7:00pm PDT

Making the World of Fallout at the Atomic Museum
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 9
A look at a collaboration between Bethesda Game Studios and the Atomic Museum in Las Vegas, and the museum's newest exhibit, "The World of Fallout," which highlights parallels between the fictional post-nuclear setting of the award-winning video game and the reality of the Cold War. Michelle Helms (director of communications, the Atomic Museum) moderates a discussion with Scott Wade (author and vice chairman, the Atomic Museum), Matt Malinowski (director of exhibits and engagement, the Atomic Museum), Matt Clinkscales (assistant vice president of global marketing, Bethesda Game Studios), Jessica Finster (senior director of community, Bethesda Game Studios), and Michael Genova (director, UNLV Entertainment Engineering and Design), on the journey from apocalyptic wasteland to exhibit design. An exclusive preview of a major exhibit expansion planned for late 2026 is included, along with additional surprises.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Historical, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Television, Video Games

7:00pm PDT

Manga Recommendations for Non-Manga Readers
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 4
Manga is more popular in the U.S. than ever, but for some readers the massive world of manga can seem confusing, intimidating, or just "not for them." Publishing pros and manga experts, including Ben Applegate (director, publishing services, Penguin Random House) and Cayley Last (editor, Kodansha), and others, dispel misconceptions about the medium, discuss its rise in pop culture, and offer suggestions on how to get started. Whether a reader is 16 or 60, into superheroes, indie comics, autobiographical works, romance, or something else entirely, there is manga out there for everyone. Moderated by Ivan Salazar (senior marketing director, Kodansha).
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 4
  1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Books, Comics

7:00pm PDT

The 501st Legion: Star Wars Villainous Costuming
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
An introduction to the creation of fan-made villain costumes from Star Wars films and beyond. Legion members Jamie Tobitt, Linds Cepak, Dean Amstutz, Kevin Weir, Sarah Wetmore, Milan Nguyen, David Neth, and Todd Mullin from the Imperial Sands and Southern California Garrisons provide an overview of the creative process that brings Stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders, Din Djarin, and Kylo Ren from the screen into reality. The panel covers membership, from initial interest through final approval, as well as working with armor parts, small props, soft-costume construction, and 3D modeling and printing. Q&A follows.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Cosplay, Costuming, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

7:00pm PDT

The Law of Spider-Noir
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Lawyers take on the Amazon series Spider-Noir. What are the rules for private eyes fighting organized crime? What war crimes are committed by performing experiments on prisoners of war? Which crime carries the more stringent penalty: vigilantism or violating Prohibition? A panel of judges and attorneys examines the web of legal issues in Spider-Noir, taking on the black-and-white questions of the law. Featuring Judge Carol Najera (Los Angeles County Superior Court), Kathy Steinman (San Diego deputy city attorney), Michael Dennis, Stephen Tollafield, Vana Palacio (Greenberg Traurig, LLP), and Michael Skeen. Moderated by Kate Bridal (Now It's Ruined Podcast). Presented by The Legal Geeks.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Podcasts, Superheroes, Television

7:00pm PDT

Why We Make Comics: The Urge, the Obsession, the Necessity
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Behind every comic is a deeper story . . . one that goes beyond craft, technique, or industry know-how. Rylend Grant and David Avallone (hosts of the Telly Award–winning WRITERS BLOCK podcast) bring together a panel of acclaimed creators—Chris Mancini (Alpha Cat), Melissa Flores (Power Rangers), R.E. Nelson (Shroud), and Benjamin Frandsen (Pros & Cons Anthology)—to dig into the real reason they make comics: the personal drives, emotional compulsions, and life experiences that make storytelling not just a career, but a necessity. From catharsis to chaos, therapy to obsession, this candid conversation explores what fuels the creative fire and why, for some, making comics isn't a choice at all.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Marriott Programs, Writers & Writing

7:00pm PDT

Breaking into Voice Acting for Games and Animation
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
A team of award-winning veterans from the voiceover industry discuss their experiences and how they started their careers. Deneen Melody (Sandrone in Genshin Impact, Gammamon in Digimon Ghost Game), Isaac Robinson-Smith (Bishop in X-Men '97, Mushu in Disney Dreamlight Valley), Darius Marquis Johnson (Barkimedes and Teez in Monster High, Sanosuke Sagara in Rurouni Kenshin), Stephanie Southerland (Jean in Genshin Impact, Tess Bailey in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6), Joe Hernandez (Daruk/Yunobo in Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Asat Pramad in Honkai: Star Rail), and Heather Gonzalez (Fortnite, Persona 3 Reload) share stories and give advice for those interested in voice acting. Moderated by Shawn Strider.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  U: Updated, Animation, Anime & Manga, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Television, Video Games |   1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Television, Video Games

7:00pm PDT

Get Rec'd with Straw Hat Goofy
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Juju Green, aka Straw Hat Goofy (Get Rec'd with Straw Hat Goofy), a 2026 TIME100 Creator of the Year, hosts a special live edition of his iHeartRadio podcast, Get Rec'd with Straw Hat Goofy. The episode features a candid conversation with Grammy-winning artist Shaboozey, who will discuss his debut comic book, The Outlaw Cherie Lee, the first issue in a three-part Western series that expands the story of his highly anticipated album of the same name, releasing July 31, 2026.

Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  U: Updated, Fandom, Movies, Television |   1: Programs, Fandom, Movies, Television

7:00pm PDT

Seeking Out New Life and New Civilizations: Star Trek and Real-Life Astronomy
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
When the Captain of the Enterprise states that the mission is "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before"—what is the real-world translation of such a statement? Science fiction powerhouse Roddenberry Entertainment has brought together some of the preeminent scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and experts in astronomy to break down what making contact with alien civilizations might entail and how we are working to make this science fiction fantasy into a concrete reality. Additionally, exclusive never-before-seen interview footage of Star Trek: First Contact actor James Cromwell (Zephram Cochrane) will be featured to spark the panel discussion on the science-fiction "realities" of making first contact with alien species. Panelists include Rekha Sharma (Ellen Landry, Star Trek: Discovery; Tory Foster, Battlestar Galactica), James Tuttle Keane (co-investigator for the NASA Discovery Io Volcano Observer mission proposal; NASA New Frontiers New Horizons mission science team member), and Jordan Ticktin (aerospace systems engineer), with moderator Tamara Krinsky (Marvel Live; Does it Fly?).
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  U: Updated, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Television |   1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Television

7:00pm PDT

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender: Special Fan Screening
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Ballroom 20
An exclusive screening of Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender before it premieres on Paramount+. In this new story in the Avatar universe, Aang and friends race against time to secure an ancient power before it falls into the wrong hands, threatening to upend the peace they sacrificed everything to achieve.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Ballroom 20
  1: Programs, Fandom, Movies, Television

7:00pm PDT

Comic Creator Connection
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Are you a writer with a great idea for a comic book series, but you can't draw? Or maybe you're an artist looking to illustrate an incredible story, but you can't write. Where do you go to meet other creators? How is that done? Comic-Con is proud to once again host the Comic Creator Connection, a fast-paced networking event that brings writers and artists together to help them meet new creative partners. Here's how it works: In this two-hour event, writers and artists sit down across from each other at a table. By artists, that means pencillers, inkers, colorists, and more; all are welcome. Then, in five-minute sessions, they talk one-on-one with each other about their ideas and skills. At the end of each five-minute period, participants get up and move on to the next person. If both are interested in furthering the conversation, they exchange contact information. If not, they move on. Think of it as speed dating, but for writers and artists. Pro tip: The room often fills up, so arrive early for the best chance at getting in. Seating begins at 6:45.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic Creator Connection, Comics, Education, Marriott Programs, Seminars & Workshops, Writers & Writing

7:15pm PDT

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence
Friday July 24, 2026 7:15pm - 8:15pm PDT
Room 6A
Just when you thought it was safe to order a salad, the world's most notorious produce returns home to San Diego in a new feature film. Director David Ferino, producer and moderator Michael Polis (Yo Gabba Gabba!), original creator Costa Dillon, and cast members Dan Bakkedahl (Veep), Catherine Corcoran (Terrifier), Myrna Velasco (Star Wars Resistance), Zachary Roozen (Romeo and Juliet Killers), Samantha Bailey (Just Add Magic), and Noor Razooky (The Old Man) discuss the making of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence. The panel includes the world debut of the official trailer, exclusive footage, a Q&A, and a special appearance by Norman, the Killer Tomato puppet star of the film.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:15pm - 8:15pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Animation, Comics, Games, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Podcasts, Television

7:30pm PDT

Bombshells: The Art and Business of Pin-Up
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 10
What does it take to build a career as a pin-up artist in today's market? How do you work with models and references to create your paintings? What's changed since the days of print magazines, and how are artists sustaining themselves now? Working pin-up painters talk about their processes, their craft, and the business side of making it work. Featuring Lorenzo Sperlonga (Heavy Metal) and Carla Wyzgala (Skull Masquerade), moderated by Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You've Ever Seen in Your Life).
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics

7:30pm PDT

Deaf Representation in Popular Culture, Year V
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 3
Yvonne Hunt returns with another panel featuring CJ Jones (creative, Avatar: Fire and Ash), Jon Mowl (CEO, ASL app creator), Jevon Whetter (director, The Flash Before the Bang), Jon Savage (artist, gallery work), and Jonathan Kovacs (actor, Little House on the Prairie). The conversation is moderated by Brandon Carmedy (moderator extraordinaire) and Jojo Savea (creative, Disney Animation's Songs in Sign Language [2026]).
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 3
  1: Programs, Comic-Con How To, Movies, Music, Writers & Writing

7:30pm PDT

HerStory of Animation: Mary Blair and Beyond
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Award-winning author and historian Mindy Johnson (Ink & Paint, Tinker Bell, and more) reveals newly discovered trailblazing women animators and artists from the dawn of the industry. The panel offers a sneak peek at Johnson's curated exhibition, HerStory of Animation, and forthcoming book, The "Only" Woman Animator, featuring rare imagery, artistry, and all-new stories about the leading heroines of animation history.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Education, Historical, International

7:30pm PDT

Making A Living Being Creative
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
Star Wars and indie comic artist Lee Kohse (Kindergoth, Ghost Machine), showrunner and producer A.C. Bradley (Marvel's What If?), and freelance artist Vincenzo Graveheart (Grave Heart Design) discuss how to break into the creative industry, adjust to the changing creative market, and be ready with a project when a lucky break comes. Is it all about who you know? The panel explores self-promotion and networking and includes a Q&A for remaining questions. Moderated by Johnny Kolasinski (Hi Everybody: A Bad Medicine Podcast).
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

7:30pm PDT

Metalocalypse: 20 Years of Dethklok
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
Brendon Small (creator, writer, voice artist, and musician for Metalocalypse and Home Movies) and panelists celebrate the 20th anniversary of the critically acclaimed musical animated series on Adult Swim, as well as their latest feature film, Army of the Doomstar.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Anniversaries, Movies, Music, Television

7:30pm PDT

San Diego Kids to Hollywood Artists!
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
A panel of native San Diegans who have made it big in publishing and Hollywood discusses their paths, the skills they learned along the way, and what it takes to make it today. Everyone starts out as a kid with a sketchbook and a pencil, and their stories highlight what it takes to chase art and animation dreams. Jeff Ranjo (Warner Bros.), Ricky Nierva (Pixar), Esther Tejano (Netflix Animation), and Justin Parpan (Disney) participate. Moderated by Tom Racine.
Friday July 24, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
  U: Updated, Animation, Art and Illustration, Comics, Kids, Movies, Television |   1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Comics, Kids, Movies, Television

8:00pm PDT

Action Figure Horror Stories
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Matt Weinhold, Shawn Sheridan, Larry Strothe, and James Gonis (hosts of the award-winning podcast Monster Party) dissect true toy-collecting nightmares: sticky plastic, canceled toy lines, accessory issues, the Star Wars Early Bird Certificate debacle, and more. Working through post-figure trauma, the group also discusses toy lines that got it right. Well, mostly. Moderated by comedian Dana Gould.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
  1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Action/Adventure, Horror and Suspense, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

Bang Zoom!: Voice Over for Video Games
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
Bang Zoom! Studios, a leading localization studio for games and anime, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how memorable video game performances are created. Learn how the team collaborates with developers and publishers through casting, voice direction, recording, and performance capture to bring characters to life. The panel shares insights and stories from the production team and special industry guests, including experiences working on globally recognized titles.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Anime & Manga, Games, Seminars & Workshops, Video Games, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

Bat in the Sun: Legend of the White Dragon and Super Power Beat Down
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 6DE
The Bat in the Sun team unveils a major Beat Down surprise and offers an exclusive look at Legend of the White Dragon ahead of its August 28 theatrical release. A live Q&A follows, along with a discussion of creating YouTube content, building a global fanbase, and bringing an independent feature film to life.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 6DE
  1: Programs, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Web, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

Blind Date with a Book, Chapter 5: Revenge of the Fifth
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
The librarians are back at Comic-Con to help find your forever read, dating-game style, in this fifth annual librarian-powered literary spectacle. San Diego Public Library librarians Vanessa Gempis, Melissa Barbour, Christina Wainwright, and Maureen Meadows, along with host Scott Ehrig-Burgess of The Library Shop, help three lucky audience members fall in love with a book.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Books, Education, Games, Marriott Programs, Writers & Writing, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

Bridging The Expanse: United by War/Divided by Peace!
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Carl von Clausewitz famously wrote, "War is a mere continuation of policy by other means." This principle echoes into the distant future of The Expanse. Across the solar system, the three major powers—Earth, Mars, and the Belt—wield their militaries not just as instruments of defense, but as tools of political leverage, coercion, and survival. Moderator Michael Pea (senior writer, Friends of Comic Con), Krys Blackwood (principal designer, NASA JPL), Lt. Col. Matthew Frebert (Department of War), Julius Francisco (Southern CA School of Writing 2.0), Dr. Benjamin Taitz (clinical and forensic psychologist), and Jordan Ticktin (aerospace systems engineer) examine this conflict. Who will win? What is the cost?
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Books, Fandom, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

By Creed, Not Blood
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Mandalorians are defined by creed, not by blood. The Mando Mercs Costume Club discusses found family, adaptive armor building, and the local communities that make Mandalorian costuming a space for creativity, support, and belonging.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, BIPOC, Cosplay, Costuming, Education, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

First in Fright with FANGORIA
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Since 1979, FANGORIA has been the definitive blood-spattered bible for horror fans, chronicling the genre across print, film, and digital media. FANGORIA and a few guests take a tour through the brand's house of horrors, with sneak peeks, scoops, and surprises surrounding this year's FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

Is Your Cat a Dragon in Disguise? Writing Fantasy That Feels Magical
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 11
From hidden worlds and legendary creatures to mystery and emotional depth, this panel explores the craft of creating immersive stories that captivate the imagination and awaken a lasting sense of wonder. S.G. Blaise (The Last Lumenian, True Teryn), Jimmy Diggs (Star Trek: Voyager, Alkebulan), James Ganiere (Rekindling Christmas, Space Command), and Neal Hallford (Betrayal at Krondor, Dungeon Siege) discuss fantasy that feels magical. Moderated by Mark O'Bannon (Whiskers, Aia the Barbarian).
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 11
  1: Programs, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

The Psychology of Minions
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
From Harley Quinn to Kronk, Mr. Smee to the minions Bob (and Kevin and Stuart), Iago in Aladdin to Mario Bros' Goombas, minions have long held a special place in fans' hearts. They fight, they follow, they support villains (often with humor), but they are far more than just second fiddle. From comic books and fantasy epics to superhero films and animated series, minions are the hardworking henchpeople of some of the most beloved and hated villains. Dr. Keith W. Beard (professor, Marshall University), Dr. Britani Black (assistant professor, Marshall University), and Dr. April Fugett (professor, Marshall University), along with their graduate student minions Addison Guilliams, Hannah Estep, and Mallory Stanley, explore psychological themes that help explain why fans feel a connection to characters who sometimes even "steal" the show (see what they did there). There will probably most definitely not be a blueprint for how to encourage your own minions.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  1: Programs, Animation, Books, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Education, Fandom, LGBTQIA+, Marriott Programs, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

Halloween Man and Making Comics as Therapy
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Drew Edwards, Ringo-nominated author and creator of the cult comic Halloween Man, discusses his decades-long journey with the series and how it helped him navigate dissociative identity disorder, suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress, and survivor's guilt. Along the way, he became a notable voice in small-press comics, horror, and award-winning storytelling. April Guadiana and John Hazard join the conversation to reflect on the comic's legacy and impact. Moderated by Moni Barrette. Q&A follows.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  U: Updated, Comics, Television, Writers & Writing, After Dark |   1: Programs, Comics, Television, Writers & Writing, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

The Science of Severance: Exploring Identity, Memory, Technology, and Beyond
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 9
Severance imagines a world where memory and identity can be surgically divided, creating two distinct selves within one body, a concept that resonates strongly with classic themes found in comics like Moon Knight (Marc Spector's fragmented consciousness), Doom Patrol (Crazy Jane's compartmentalized personalities), and X-Men (Wolverine's manipulated memories). Dr. Takaki Komiyama (professor of neurobiology at UC, San Diego), Dr. Allison Komiyama (Ph.D., neuroscience, biology, Stanford University), Dr. Sean D. Lavine (professor of neurological surgery, Columbia University), and Dr. Reed Levine (board-certified neurologist and chairperson, Synovation Medical Group) explore the plausibility of memory partitioning, the psychological consequences of identity bifurcation, and the emerging real-world technologies that echo these speculative ideas. The panel examines the scientific underpinnings of severance-style implants, the parallels to brain-computer interfaces and memory-editing research, and the profound ethical questions raised when corporate interests redefine the boundaries of personhood. Moderated by Susan Karlin (Fast Company).

Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 9
  U: Updated, Education, International, Technology - Science - STEM, After Dark |   1: Programs, Education, International, Technology - Science - STEM, After Dark

8:00pm PDT

Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 11:00pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
It's the 38th annual Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards, the "Oscars" of the comics industry. Celebrity presenters will give out awards for 2025 works in 32 categories, from Best Continuing Series and Best Graphic Album–New to Best Writer and Best Publication for Kids. The ceremony is open to anyone with a four-day or Friday badge. A list of this year's nominees can be found on the Comic-Con website, and many of these creators will be in attendance. Hosted by actor/voice actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Samurai Jack, Justice League) and film/TV writer, director, and actor Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Night at the Museum, Balls of Fury).
Friday July 24, 2026 8:00pm - 11:00pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  1: Programs, Awards Ceremonies, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Hilton Programs, After Dark

8:15pm PDT

LUMPIA POP! Unwrapping Contemporary Filipino American Pop Culture
Friday July 24, 2026 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Kid Heroes Productions, creators of the award-winning Lumpia film and comic book series, discuss collaborations past and present with Apl.de.Ap (Black Eyed Peas), AJ Rafael (Red Roses), Doug Marcaida (Forged in Fire, Lineage), Patricio Ginelsa (writer/director), Patrick Ballesteros (artist), and Lauren Lola (writer). Their new comic book, Red Roses High, honors 15 years since AJ Rafael's debut album, while Apl.de.Ap premieres the newly remastered Bebot: Generation One music video for its 20th anniversary. Moderated by Winston Emano (mano Y mano Media). Free print giveaway.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT
Room 6BCF
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, BIPOC, Comics, Fandom, Historical, International, Music, After Dark

8:30pm PDT

The Fortress of Solitude and the Batcave: Exploring the Archival Records of Superman and Batman
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 10
While generations of fans have thrilled to the adventures of Superman and Batman in comic books, animated cartoons, television, and movies, professional historians are only now beginning to unearth and examine their archival records. Dr. Andrew Fogel (visiting scholar, Center for Jewish History) and Dr. Blake Scott Ball (associate professor of history, University of North Alabama), with Dr. Bradford Wright (professor of history, Imperial Valley College) moderating, provide a behind-the-curtain look at original handwritten and typed documents, material objects, comic artwork, and periodicals preserved in private collections and libraries nationwide. This never-before-seen evidence offers new and fascinating histories of the Man of Steel, the Dark Knight, their caretakers and publisher, and the place they occupy in the broader sweep of American history.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 10
  1: Programs, Comics, Costuming, Education, Historical, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing, After Dark

8:30pm PDT

The Psychological Journey of The Lord of the Rings
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
The Lord of the Rings is an epic, high-fantasy tale that centers on fellowship, bravery, and good against evil. How does Frodo's resilience speak to our own capacity to persist when faced with despair? What does the One Ring symbolize? When did Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness? How and why does fantasy storytelling improve mental health? Media psychologist Drea Letamendi, Ph.D. (The Arkham Sessions, UCLA), Miranda (host, Tolkien Tuesdays), and Todd Stashwick (actor, Marvel's VisionQuest; co-founder, ProgCore Fantasy) explore and explain the psychology of Middle-earth's riveting and unforgettable characters, both from the page and on screen. Moderated by Brian Ward (The Arkham Sessions).
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 29CD
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Anniversaries, Books, Education, Fandom, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, After Dark

8:30pm PDT

Christian Comic Arts Society Mixer
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 26AB
Presented by the Christian Comic Arts Society and Geeky Guys/Gals 4 God, this is the 18th annual mixer where Christian professionals in the pop culture community come together to discuss their faith and interact with attendees. Featuring Luis Serrano (Samson), Joe Queen (Geeky Guys/Gals 4 God), Christina Todd (Geeky Guys/Gals 4 God OC), Eric Jansen (God and Country Graphics), and Scott A. Shuford (FrontGate Media/moderator). There will be time for people to network and the always-popular geek quiz, with prizes. Guests, networking, and prize opportunities will be featured.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 26AB
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics, Education, Fandom, Games, Kids, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, After Dark

8:30pm PDT

Dr. Horrible Screening and Karaoke
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 6A
Join in this sing-along screening of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, followed by karaoke featuring songs from the web series. Individuals and small groups can sign up for karaoke at the California Browncoats booth before 7:00 p.m. on Friday and in the screening room just prior to the screening. Space and time are limited.
Friday July 24, 2026 8:30pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 6A
  1: Programs, Movies, Television, Web, After Dark

9:00pm PDT

Fourth Annual Ghostface's Killer Trivia
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
For the fourth year in a row, fans can match wits against Roger Jackson, the actual voice of Ghostface from the Scream franchise, as he shreds the crowd with horror trivia. Participants will need to be sharp as a knife to survive this year's contest and win prizes. As always, Matt Corrigan and Aaron McLane of the Launchpad Podcast will be on hand to hide under the table and make jokes.
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
  1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Cosplay, Fandom, Games, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Podcasts, After Dark

9:00pm PDT

Great Geek Debate
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 9
From holiday movie controversies (Die Hard?) to fandom-defining rivalries (Star Wars versus Star Trek), GG4G Superfan panelists Brian Slape, Peyton Slape, Jason Wilkerson, Robert Lanuza, and Joe Queen lead a fast-paced, lighthearted, interactive debate tackling pop culture's most hotly contested questions. Panelists and audience weigh in to challenge each other's logic, with the emphasis on what makes fandom fun.
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 9
  1: Programs, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, After Dark

9:00pm PDT

Recurring Themes and Patterns in Sci-Fi and Fantasy
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Mensans Leif Gantvoort (actor, producer), Ray Brown (lawyer, comics super nerd), Nevin Millan (actor, producer), Dr. Jenny G. Rankin (professor, writer), and LaRae Bakerink (former chair of American Mensa) spot subtle sci-fi/fantasy nods and discuss why enduring archetypes, from the hero's journey to deeper echoes, keep returning and elevate stories to iconic status. Moderated by LaRae Bakerink.
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
  1: Programs, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing, After Dark

9:00pm PDT

Star Wars Trivia Party
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Teams compete in spirited rounds of Star Wars trivia, from the movies and TV series to charades. Hosts Richard Woloski and Sarah Woloski (Skywalking Through Neverland podcast; authors of So You Think You Know Star Wars: 50 Years of Trivia & Fun Facts) facilitate the fast-paced fun in the fourth annual "competition of chaos." No trivia expertise is required, and plenty of new Star Wars fun facts are likely to emerge along the way. Prizes.
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
  1: Programs, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, After Dark

9:00pm PDT

The Boys vs. Supernatural
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
How well do you know Eric Kripke's two biggest hits: Supernatural and The Boys? Can you name all the shared actors between the two shows? Did you catch every clever homage shared between the shows? Do you think one pulled off its finale better than the other? Host Sadie Witkowski (host of In Defense of Fandom podcast) pits Geekscape podcasters Matt Kelly (Weird Al-gorithm and One Hit Thunder podcasts), Eric Conner (Marvel Movie Talk podcast), and Joe Fejeran (Fright School and San Diego Pride podcasts) as "Team The Boys" against "SPN Family" members Meghan Fitzmartin (Supernatural season 15 writer), Berly Land (host of Denim-Wrapped Nightmares podcast), and Irena Chernova (self-described fanfic writer and meta dabbler) to see who knows these shows the best. Audience participation is highly encouraged, with cheers determining who wins each round.
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
  1: Programs, Fandom, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, After Dark

9:00pm PDT

Friday Hall H and Ballroom 20 Panel Playback
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:30pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Didn't get into either Hall H or Ballroom 20 today? The pain is real. Do you like stuff? Of course you do! Motorcycle enthusiast Tommy Goldbach (programming coordinator for Comic-Con) hosts this block in which Comic-Con will rebroadcast some of the day's popular panels from those two giant rooms. Best of all, those in attendance will get to vote in a show of applause on what they want to see. It's democracy at its finest, and it's a second chance to see these panels. These things always run smoothly and flawlessly . . . (Please note: These playbacks will include only the panel discussions. No trailers or clips from films or TV shows will be shown.)
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 10:30pm PDT
Room 23ABC
  1: Programs, Fandom, Humor & Satire, Movies, Television, After Dark

9:00pm PDT

Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm PDT
Room 5AB
Spike Decker (co-founder, Spike & Mike's Festival of Animation) and Trevor Barber (co-creator, Curseborn, Digital Lizards of Doom) bring this adult animation showcase back to its spiritual home. Born in 1990 at UC Berkeley, Sick & Twisted helped establish the adult animation market, giving Beavis and Butt-Head and South Park early theatrical 35 mm screenings and introducing audiences to the work of Matt Stone and Trey Parker (South Park), Rich Moore (Snookles, Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph), and Bill Plympton (Your Face). Adult animated series on television today owe a debt to Craig Decker and Mike Gribble, who pushed for cartoons that were not for kids. No family content, no apologies, and the shorts that broke every rule remain central to the program.
Friday July 24, 2026 9:00pm - 11:00pm PDT
Room 5AB
  1: Programs, Animation, Humor & Satire, After Dark

10:00pm PDT

Special Sneak Preview of Dark Matter Season 2
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm PDT
Room 6DE
Apple TV and Den of Geek present an exclusive fan screening of the first episode of Dark Matter season 2. Participating guests include Joel Edgerton (cast member and executive producer), Dayo Okeniyi (cast member), Blake Crouch (author of the novel; creator and executive producer), Jacquelyn Ben-Zekry (writer and executive producer), and Matt Tolmach (executive producer).
Friday July 24, 2026 10:00pm - 11:00pm PDT
Room 6DE
  1: Programs, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing, After Dark
 

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Wednesday, July 22
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Ballroom 20
Del Mar Room, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 1, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 2, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 3, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 4, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 5, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Hall H
Harbor Ballroom, Manchester Grand Hyatt
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom ABC, 4th Floor
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor
Pacific 18, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Pacific 20, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Pacific 21, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Room 10
Room 11
Room 12 (Mezzanine)
Room 14AB (Mezzanine)
Room 15AB (Mezzanine)
Room 16AB (Mezzanine)
Room 17A (Mezzanine)
Room 17B (Mezzanine)
Room 18 (Mezzanine)
Room 19 (Mezzanine)
Room 23ABC
Room 24ABC
Room 25ABC
Room 26AB
Room 28DE
Room 29AB
Room 29CD
Room 3
Room 32AB
Room 4
Room 5AB
Room 6A
Room 6BCF
Room 6DE
Room 7AB
Room 9
Sails Pavilion - Autographs
Sails Pavilion - Portfolio Review
Sala 28DE
Santa Rosa Room, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
West Mezzanine Terrace
  • 1: Programs
  • 2: Anime
  • 3: Autographs
  • 4: CCI-IFF
  • 5: Children's Films
  • 6: Games
  • 7: Portfolio Review
  • 8: Films
  • N: New
  • P: Programs
  • U: Updated
  • X: Cancelled
  • Company
  • #SaveStargate Campaign
  • 1289 Ottinger
  • AEG
  • Armchair Generals
  • Artemis SBS Fan Development Community
  • Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles. America
  • Bandwagon Games
  • Barrel Aged Games
  • Binary Cocoa
  • Blabbi Games
  • Boiling Point Games
  • Boss Battle
  • Brotherwise Games
  • Build
  • Cascade Games
  • Comic-Con International Games Department
  • Darrington Press
  • Dice Throne
  • Dire Wolf Games
  • Dragons Tear Tavern
  • Flooded Basement Games
  • Friendly Bee Games
  • Gallery Games
  • Gap Closer Games
  • Glass Cannon Unplugged
  • GM Atari
  • Golden State Gaming Network
  • Haunted Space Hotel
  • HMGS PSW
  • Ibis Tea Games
  • Inc
  • Indie Game Alliance
  • Kingdom of Terre
  • KingsWood Games
  • Koalatie Games
  • Kraken Games
  • LLC
  • Looney Labs
  • Naughty Jester Games
  • Ninja Star Games
  • No Limit Games
  • Odd Family Games
  • Off The Shelf Games
  • Paint
  • Pathfinder Society
  • Pique Games
  • PK Entertainment
  • Play
  • PopCulture USA
  • Renegade Game Studios
  • Rio Grande Games
  • Safe Haven Games
  • San Diego Game Designers and Playtesters
  • San Diego LAN
  • Season of Seeds
  • Slugfest Games
  • Society for Creative Anachronism
  • Starfinder Society
  • Steve Jackson Games
  • Studio Maximus
  • Sunrise Tornado
  • Tavern Crawl Games
  • The Upper Deck Company
  • Top Trumps USA
  • West Coast Adventurers Guild