Comic-Con 2026: Full Schedule

arrow_back View All Dates

10:00am PDT

Student Activism vs. Student Participation

Saturday July 25, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

In an ever-changing future that uses pop culture, comics, gaming, and more as essential learning tools, what is the best way for students to be involved? Does traditional education still work? How important is hands-on learning? There's a difference between having a seat and having a voice. Showing up is necessary, but is it sufficient? Educators who use comics, pop culture, and gaming in classrooms—including Dr. Chris Wildrick (Syracuse University), Dr. Christina Knopf (SUNY Cortland), Dr. Billy Obenauer (University of Maine), Krista Rozanski (Syracuse Libraries), Darlynne Overbaugh (First Congregational Church), and Bailey Day (Ithaca College)—discuss the challenges of teaching for an ever-changing future. Moderated by Ed Catto (Ithaca College).

Saturday July 25, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Games, Library Programs

11:00am PDT

Teaching with Comics to Celebrate Immigrant Stories

Saturday July 25, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

Anna Osborn (Jefferson Middle School), Philip Belcastro (Hill Freedman World Academy), and Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools), members of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Teaching Comics Initiative, showcase classroom-ready strategies built around the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Great Immigrants, Great Americans comic series. Moderated by Sarah Miller (NCTE).

Saturday July 25, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

1: Programs, Comics, Education, Library Programs, Television

12:00pm PDT

From Playlists to Panels: Pop Culture in the ELA Classroom

Saturday July 25, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

Austin Bruns (Ánimo Leadership Charter High School) shares how he transforms students' existing engagement with pop culture into rigorous, purposeful learning. From song lyrics to graphic novels, he leverages cultural relevance and student interest as a gateway to critical thinking, close reading, meaningful analysis, and creative production.

Saturday July 25, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

1: Programs, Books, Education, Fandom, Library Programs

1:00pm PDT

Wired to Read: Comics and the Science of Literacy

Saturday July 25, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

Leondria Brown (Green Dot Public Schools) examines how the features of comics align with the science of how all learners acquire language and literacy. Comics are not a supplement to rigorous instruction but a vehicle for it, lowering affective barriers and creating equitable entry points for diverse learners. Moderated by Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools).

Saturday July 25, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

1: Programs, Comics, Education, Library Programs, Technology - Science - STEM

2:00pm PDT

Science in Middle-Grade Sci-Fi

Saturday July 25, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

Panelists discuss the role of science in middle-grade science fiction, including how scientific accuracy can support (or complicate) storytelling and how well-portrayed science can inspire young readers to pursue science fiction and STEM pathways. Authors Greg Van Eekhout (Voyage of the Dogs), Becca Lee Gardner (Bleep Blurp Murder), and Delilah Dawson (Ride or Die) appear with scientists Lisa Will (resident astronomer, Fleet Science Center) and Ronald Coleman (Ph.D. in regenerative medicine). Moderated by Jonathan Bacon-Liu (host, All the Time We Have Podcast).

Saturday July 25, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

U: Updated, Books, Kids, Library Programs, Technology - Science - STEM | 1: Programs, Books, Kids, Library Programs, Technology - Science - STEM

3:00pm PDT

Start a D&D Club

Saturday July 25, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

Teachers Lisa Harrison, Nichole Santangelo, and Heather Thompson, along with students Henry Masi and Charlie Masi, break down how to launch a Dungeons & Dragons club from the ground up—no gold, no experience, no problem. Panelists share materials needed to get started, how to create player characters, and where to find free adventures . . . everything needed to turn a group of curious beginners into a thriving party of adventurers. From first quest to long-running campaign, this session highlights practical strategies for building an engaging, inclusive club that keeps players coming back for the next roll of the dice.

Saturday July 25, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

1: Programs, Games, Library Programs, Seminars & Workshops, TTRPG

4:00pm PDT

The Future of Libraries 2036

Saturday July 25, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

Libraries have always been more than buildings full of books. They are civic infrastructure, trusted knowledge systems, community memory, digital access points, and refuges for curiosity. But what will they become by 2036? Daniel W. Rasmus (Listening to the Future, University of Washington) will lead an engaging look at the forces reshaping libraries, from A.I. and misinformation to public space, intellectual freedom, community resilience, and the future of work and learning. Through the lens of scenario planning, attendees will explore how libraries can prepare for multiple futures rather than betting on a single forecast. The library is imagined not as a place trying to survive disruption, but as one of the institutions best positioned to help communities make sense of it.

Saturday July 25, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

1: Programs, Education, Library Programs, Technology - Science - STEM

5:00pm PDT

What Comics Teach Us: How Professional Educators Are Using Comics in Schools

Saturday July 25, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

Award-winning educators Drs. Michael Dando (So You Think You Know Blue Beetle, St. Cloud State University), Karis Jones (Fandoms in the Classroom: A Social Justice Approach to Transforming Literacy Learning, Baylor), and David Low (Transgressive Humor in Classrooms, California State University, Fresno) discuss the ways popular culture has influenced their approaches to teaching, learning, and education research and provide practical insights for the K–12 classroom. Presentations are followed by an informal Q&A moderated by Lauren L. Kelly (Teaching with Hip Hop in the 7–12 Grade Classroom: A Guide to Supporting Students' Critical Development Through Popular Texts, Rutgers).

Saturday July 25, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

1: Programs, Comics, Education, Library Programs, Seminars & Workshops

Comic-Con 2026

10:00am PDT

11:00am PDT

12:00pm PDT

1:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

3:00pm PDT

4:00pm PDT

5:00pm PDT

Get help with the event