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Thursday, July 23
 

10:00am PDT

Comics, Spanish, Library Magic!
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Graphic novels aren't just fun; they're secret weapons for learning and community connection. Robert Lanuza, Claudia Apodaca, and Lea Hernandez of the San Diego Public Library discuss how graphic novels can support Spanish-language learning at any age. This lively discussion focuses on how comics, bilingual storytelling, and Spanish conversation programs are helping kids build confidence, improve literacy skills, and fall in love with reading. Moderated by Rebecca Wright (St. Paul's Hollywood Library in S.C.).
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

10:15am PDT

MAYA: From Mexico to the World . . . in Animation
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Mexican director Ricardo Arnaiz (La Leyenda de la Nahuala) and co-director Mike Kunkel (Disney's Tarzan and Hercules) join Raul García (animation director) and actor Roy Verdiguel (Heroes) as this animated movie, which shows the rich Mayan culture of Mexico and has waited 25 years to be produced from a script by Bruno Bichir and Arnaiz, gets ready for a worldwide release in early 2028.
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Room 6DE

10:30am PDT

Gundam Showcase 2026: Unveil the Next Gundam
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
A special panel showcasing the latest updates on the Gundam series for 2026, featuring an exciting lineup of guest speakers. From insights into upcoming titles, including new releases and continuing series, to the latest developments in North America, this session covers the present and future of Gundam with special panelists all the way from Japan.
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 6BCF

11:00am PDT

Comics: Where Do We Draw the Line?
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
What defines a comic? Disagreements are widespread and often controversial. Some feel the definition should be limited to "illustrated narratives on printed pages," but where is the fun in that? Could comics also include The New Yorker covers and kid lit? Or medieval tapestries and Tarot cards? And what about the realms of graphic design, or even fine art? Three highly opinionated speakers who enjoy thinking outside the panel borders—Jim Thompson (founder, A People's History of Comics), Michael Dooley (comics history professor, ArtCenter College of Design), and Rob Salkowitz (faculty member, University of Washington communication leadership graduate program)—mix it up onstage in a lively discussion, with Alonso Nuñez (executive director, Little Fish Comic Book Studio) serving as moderator and referee.
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor

11:15am PDT

Bite Me: Calling All Vampires
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
The Dark Moon franchise extends beyond its webtoon and anime productions of vampire romance into a broader vampiric discourse. Global K-pop group ENHYPEN along with Catherine Hardwicke (movie director, Twilight) and other guest creators from vampire-related works explore how they bring vampire characters to life. The panel will be moderated by Damian Holbrook (senior writer, TV Guide) and conclude with an audience Q&A.
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20

11:15am PDT

Wondla: A Musical Journey with Composer Joy Ngiaw
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
A trip through the world of Wondla with composer Joy Ngiaw, tracing the musical themes of the series and culminating with a focus on her Emmy Award–winning episode, "Heart." The session also highlights Ngiaw's distinction as the first Malaysian to win an Emmy Award. Moderated by Matt Ryan.
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

11:30am PDT

The Jewish Experience in Comics: Characters and Creators
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Danny Fingeroth (former Marvel editor and writer; author of Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero), Dr. Andrew Fogel (historian of popular culture; author of Superman's Jaw), and Mark S. Zaid, Esq (Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide advisor, comic book historian, author of GI's Rabbi) present a PowerPoint lecture exploring how the Jewish identities of iconic comic creators and characters influenced storylines. The panel traces the origins of characters like the Thing, Magneto, and Superman, examines the personal backstories of Golden and Silver Age creators, and considers whether cultural identities were intentionally woven into their work. Discussion also includes how publishers addressed sensitive topics such as the Holocaust and the public response, as well as the influence of Art Spiegelman's Maus and Will Eisner's graphic novels on Jewish storytelling in comics.
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 10

11:30am PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #2: How Comics Work
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm PDT
This session explores how comics construct meaning through serial storytelling, reinterpretation, race, and political memory. Paul Young (Dartmouth College) shows how early Hulk comics helped shape Marvel's serialized universe-building through cyclical transformation narratives and crossovers. Francisco Sáez de Adana (University of Alcalá) reinterprets Vitaliti's contemporary artistic reworking of El Eternauta, focusing on how a classic comic work can be reinterpreted to extract meanings that underlie the original as well as to build new ones. Johnathan Flowers (California State University, Northridge) investigates the act of racebending as a form of counter-narrative that exposes systemic racism and white supremacy embedded in superhero culture and fandom. Daniel Ambord considers how comics confront misinformation and "toxic nostalgia," proposing an anti-fascist interpretive framework for engaging classic characters and stories.
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm PDT
Room 26AB

12:00pm PDT

From Sketch to Stunt: Designing Costumes That Survive the Action
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Superhero landings, wire fights, explosions—costumes don't just look good; they have to perform. ISBCD costume designers Gersha Phillips (Captain America), Trayce Gigi Field (Spider-Noir), Charlese Antoinette (Children of Blood and Bone), Antoinette Messam (The Bluff), Dominique Dawson (HIM), Tiffany Hasbourne (Shadow Force), and Jennifer Bryan (The Acolyte) break down how garments are engineered for extreme action, from stretch fabrics and hidden reinforcements to quick-change duplicates and stunt doubles. The panel shares stories of costumes that ripped, burned, or had to be rebuilt overnight, and how teams saved the day.
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 32AB

12:00pm PDT

Light Before Dawn: The Making of a Global Fantasy Streaming Series
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
As demand grows for independent, creator-driven storytelling, new models of global collaboration are emerging. Sohaib Awan (creator of IDW Publishing's Jinnrise) leads a discussion with author Sarah Mughal Rana (Dawn of the Firebird), director Usman Riaz (The Glassworker), and Mustafa Davis (Mustafa Davis Studios) on developing Light Before Dawn, a fantasy live-action prequel series to Dawn of the Firebird. The panel shares how the international team is developing the project and how creators can produce ambitious multimedia while retaining ownership of their work.
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 28DE

12:00pm PDT

Secret Identities: American Superheroes in International Comics
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
N. Scott Robinson (Ph.D., SD Mesa College) with moderator Alex Grand (author), discuss how American superheroes from Marvel and DC were changed in comics published in Arab, Asian, Latin American, and European areas.
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

1:00pm PDT

Canadian Price Variant Comics: Rarity & Demand
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Kevin Polidano (CEO, The Comic Doctor Inc.) and Angelo Virone (cpvpriceguide.com, CPV historian) discuss the history, rarity, and growing popularity of Canadian Price Variant (CPV) comic books, including how scarcity and collector demand have made CPVs one of the hobby's most exciting market segments. A Q&A follows, moderated by Robert Meyer Burnett (filmmaker and host of the Burnettwork YouTube channel).
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

2:00pm PDT

Teaching Afghan Girls Through Comics!
Thursday July 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Afghan girls are reclaiming their past through a comic about famous Afghan women. Selai Balkhi (Afghan-Swiss emigre) and 18-year-old Afghan illustrator "SN" introduce Detective Sanazu and the Magic Vest and its lead character, Sanazu, a young Afghan American who discovers a magic vest that transports her into the past to meet some of the most important women in Afghan history. Also featured are student teachers from Flowers for the Future (a peer-to-peer global school for underserved girls), who present their program to teach Afghan girls so they can graduate from high school online.
Thursday July 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

3:00pm PDT

Teaching on Genocide and Totalitarianism Using Comics
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Krystal Williamson (San Diego Public Library, library assistant III) presents on the United Nations' legal qualifications of genocide, how to identify a genocidal government, and how graphic novels can be used to increase students' empathetic engagement with historical lessons on genocide. This lecture includes instruction on teaching genocide studies through a comparative framework and a suggested reading list by grade level for teachers in K–12 and undergraduate studies.
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

3:15pm PDT

Academy Award–Winning VFX Studio DNEG: Namit Malhotra's Ramayana: The Epic Begins
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
In an age of gods and kings, the fate of worlds hangs in the balance. Rama, a prince bound by duty, sacrifice, and the greater good, must face Ravana, an immortal ruler driven by pride and vengeance, powerful enough to shatter the cosmos. Namit Malhotra, filmmaker, creative visionary, founder of Prime Focus, and global CEO of the Academy Award–winning visual effects powerhouse DNEG, is joined by international superstars Ranbir Kapoor (Rama), Yash (Ravana), and acclaimed director Nitesh Tiwari for an exclusive first look at the largest cinematic undertaking in Indian film history and a sweeping new retelling of one of the world's oldest and most enduring epics. The panel includes never-before-seen footage, exclusive reveals, live performances, and special giveaways.
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20

4:00pm PDT

Teaching With Comics in Latin America: A Silly Idea or a Brilliant One?
Thursday July 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Dr. Arturo Ferrer (biotechnology researcher and educator with experience using comics to teach), Fers (creator of the YouTube channel Echando Trazos and creator of Soulkeepers, the best-selling comic in Mexico), and Jose Juan Macias (entrepreneur and collector), moderated by Robert Cuadra (owner of a comic book and toy store in Mexico), discuss the potential and challenges of using comics to educate on various topics. For some, comics are a powerful tool; for others, they are inefficient. It is time to find out the truth.
Thursday July 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library

4:30pm PDT

NEON's Sci-Fi-Action Epic: HOPE
Thursday July 23, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
From visionary South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin (The Wailing, The Chaser) comes Hope, one of the most talked-about films from this year's Cannes Film Festival. In the remote village of Hope Harbor, a mysterious creature has wreaked havoc on the community. Police and local hunters set out to track the beast, only to find themselves hunted instead. But not all is as it seems. As panic spreads and reality unravels, the village faces something far beyond imagination. "Pure, unfiltered blockbuster adrenaline" (Justin Chang, The New Yorker), the film is a bold, action-packed spectacle infused with Na Hong-jin's signature mix of genre-blending suspense and dark humor. Following a special introduction by Korean breakout star Hoyeon (Squid Game), Na Hong-jin takes part in an in-depth conversation and presents exclusive footage from Hope that has not been shown anywhere else.
Thursday July 23, 2026 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20

5:30pm PDT

Afrofuturism: Black to the Future IX: Afro-Anime
Thursday July 23, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Everyone is familiar with what happens when Asian and Pan-African creative forces collide. K-Pop is sweeping the world. Before that, it was the Japanese City Pop hits of the 1980s, like "Plastic Love" and "Stay with Me." Now, the creative mashups are flowing in the other direction. Black content creators are exploring anime from a fresh Afrocentric perspective. Panelists discuss the creative and collaborative possibilities with groundbreaking experts in film, television, and education. Featuring Kevin Grevioux (director, producer, and writer, Underworld, I, Frankenstein), Anissa Ocansey (Emmy Award–winning journalist and producer, Emmy-nominated host, published writer, comedian, featured on Hulu and ABC), Matt Ford (U.S. history and Black aesthetics professor at University of San Diego and English professor at Grossmont College), Jimmy Diggs (panel creator, moderator, producer, and screenwriter, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and Dr. Camille Jones, Ph.D., M.P.H. (creator, Middle of Everything animated series).
Thursday July 23, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 29CD

6:00pm PDT

Aniplex of America Industry Panel
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Aniplex of America has brought a wide variety of shows that have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Staff members Shelby Tozier and Anthony Foronda celebrate the company's past, present, and future with a jam-packed anime industry panel.
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 7AB

6:00pm PDT

Build Your Own World and Intellectual Property
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
John Jennings (Eisner Award winner), Quinn McGowan (Eisner nominee), Mark Nazal (Emmy Award winner), Tara Madison Avery (Ignatz Award winner), and Britton Payne (entertainment attorney) discuss creating original comics and turning them into lasting intellectual property. Practical strategies for worldbuilding, publishing, marketing, protecting your work, and growing your audience while building a comics career on your own terms will be covered. Whether just starting out or expanding an existing project, attendees will leave with tools to create, launch, and sustain their own comics IP. Moderated by Lorran Garrison (school psychologist, Little Brainstorm).
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 3

6:00pm PDT

Keenspot Power Hour: Maids, Monsters, and Pooh Bears, Oh My!
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
At the 26th annual Comic-Con panel of pioneering comics conglomerate Keenspot, lucky audience members will win ultra-rare variant covers and other mystery prizes. Panelists include the mastermind behind the Ex Posse Universe, film producer Sean E. DeMott (co-creator of Maid Cafe), who is joined by writers Aimee DeLong and Kazue Watanabe, with cover artist Naomi Griffin, to discuss their top-selling grindhouse slasher manga Maid Cafe. Next, The Crying Boy creator, Niall O'Rourke (Squish & Squash), has updates on the in-the-works film and television adaptations of his two Ringo-nominated comics with director Mitchell Altieri (The Hamiltons), and then breaks down the process of making comics for an all-ages audience with the writer of the kids comics phenomenon Pooh Bear Adventures, Matt Cole (The Glopple), alongside Michael Adams (Hero Hiro, Kung Fu Legume) and Rob "Potsy" Potchak (Junior High Horrors, ZOR). There will also be surprise guests and announcements on Keenspot's comics, film, and television projects. Please note: The first half of this panel will discuss comics for mature readers, while the latter half will be devoted to Keenspot's all-ages comics. If bringing children, please arrive at 6:25.
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 5AB

6:00pm PDT

Publishing a Comic in Mexico: An Impossible Task?
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Fers (creator of Soulkeepers, the best-selling comic in Mexico), Dr. Arturo Ferrer (biotechnology researcher and educator with experience using comics), and Robert Cuadra (owner of a comic book and toy store in Mexico), moderated by Jose Juan Macias (entrepreneur and collector), discuss the difficult task of publishing an independent comic in Mexico, from the challenges involved to practical advice for making this seemingly impossible task possible.
Thursday July 23, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 9

7:30pm PDT

Japanese Queer Media
Thursday July 23, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Panelists Jimmy Sherfy (San Diego's King of Cosplay), Melissa Gene Meyer (Girl at the Con), and Elle Luevanos (illustrator) discuss the history and future of Japanese queer media.
Thursday July 23, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 26AB

8:00pm PDT

The 29th Annual Superhero Kung Fu Extravaganza
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00pm - 10:30pm PDT
Martial arts movie consultant Ric Meyers (Films of Fury), commentary beast Frank Djeng (Bruce Li and I), and That Phat Samurai Guy Preston Downey (Movie Dojo Podcast) and their awesome Extravagang are back with a whole new slew of the best fight scenes, sneak peeks, world premieres, surprise guests, and more.
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00pm - 10:30pm PDT
Room 6A
 

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