Comic-Con 2026: Full Schedule

7:00pm PDT

Fleischer Cartoons: Greatest Hits Vol. 1

Thursday July 23, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

Learn about the history and influence of the Fleischer Studios cartoons with Max Fleischer's granddaughter, Jane Fleischer Reid who will showcase the new Blu-ray alongside producer Mauricio Alvarado. Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman, Koko the Clown, and more will be highlighted.

Thursday July 23, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 28DE

U: Updated, Animation, Art and Illustration, Education, Humor & Satire, Kids, Movies, Television | 1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Education, Humor & Satire, Kids, Movies, Television

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

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

10:00am PDT

A Look Back at Comic-Con's Early Years

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

Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A look back at Comic-Con's early years through the memories of those who were there and never-before-seen video. Panelists include moderator and host Scott Smith (electronic publicist; creator of Comic-Con CCTV), co-moderator Anthony Keith, Clayton Moore (original on-air host for Comic-Con TV), Gabriel Wisdom (early Masquerade host, local radio personality), and David Clark (founding member). The panel will feature video from an early Masquerade, including Brinke Stevens' "Funeral for a Friend" performance, The Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens, George Clayton Johnson, Joe Kubert, filmmaker George Pal, and June Foray, along with stories from the original creators of the Con TV experience.

Saturday July 25, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

U: Updated, Anniversaries, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Marriott Programs, Television, Tributes | 1: Programs, Anniversaries, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Marriott Programs, Television, Tributes

11:30am PDT

Comics Arts Conference Session #10: An Oddly Compelling Conversation about Denis Kitchen

Saturday July 25, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Room 26AB

As a publisher, cartoonist, author, curator, and founder of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Denis Kitchen's career has spanned decades from the underground comix of the 1960s to the present, working with legends like R. Crumb, Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and Trina Robbins along the way. This panel brings together contributors to Conversations with Denis Kitchen, published by the University Press of Mississippi, with Kitchen’s friends and colleagues who have known him for decades. Karen Green (Columbia University), Danny Fingeroth (Superman on the Couch), Rob Salkowitz (University of Washington), and Michael Dooley (Pasadena’s Art Center College of Design) join Conversations editor Kim Munson (Comic Art in Museums) for a discussion of Kitchen's enduring commitment to creative freedom, his battles against censorship, his recent projects in curation and art, underground comix, and his relationship with Will Eisner. A special clip from the new documentary Oddly Compelling: The Denis Kitchen Story will be shown.

Saturday July 25, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 26AB

U: Updated, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Comics Arts Conference, Education, Historical, Tributes | 1: Programs, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, Comics Arts Conference, Education, Historical, Tributes

1:30pm PDT

How to Draw an Octopus . . . Returns!

Saturday July 25, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Room 3

Pop culture is full of cephalopod characters, from Squidward to Doc Ock, but how accurate is their anatomy? SS Julian (Octopolis), Danna Staaf, Ph.D. (Monarchs of the Sea, The Lady and the Octopus), and Kassandra Cruz (Puppy Knights) share the art of drawing octopods. The panel explores why cephalopods fascinate us, how to combine true anatomy with engaging character design, and practical techniques for committing these elusive invertebrates to ink while avoiding the abyss of artificially hallucinated reference material. Drawing supplies will be provided, but attendees may also bring their own.
All of the necessary supplies to participate in this Comic-Con How To session will be provided.

Saturday July 25, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 3

3:00pm PDT

From Short Films to Sinners: How Hollywood Creates Virtual Worlds . . . and You Can Too

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

Room 25ABC

Comic books helped define world-building. Dungeons & Dragons and LARP made it possible to step inside those worlds. The internet transformed character sheets into code and networked identities. VR gave those identities a body by allowing users to exist as avatars. Now, virtual production and real-time engines are allowing performers to inhabit those worlds, blurring the line between actor and avatar, set and simulation, and story and lived experience. Using scenes from the upcoming short film VERSE (Tribeca 2026) and the 2025 hit Sinners, this panel explores the emerging language of virtual production, from real-time workflows and motion capture to hybrid staging and avatar-driven performance, and how these tools are opening new ways to explore identity, trauma, and connection. Panelists Noam Argov and Sappir Argov (filmmakers and game designers), Eric Leonardis (neuroscientist), Michael Ralla (Oscar-nominated VFX supervisor, Sinners, Avengers), Nicole Pacent (Criminal Minds, Mystique in the upcoming Marvel's Wolverine video game), and PHIA (The Virtual Reality Show) discuss how these technologies are used in major studio films and how creators can apply them to their own work. Moderated by Beth Accomando (KPBS Cinema Junkie host; founder, Film Geeks SD).

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

U: Updated, Education, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Video Games | 1: Programs, Education, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Video Games

6:30pm PDT

The Unsung Heroes of Superhero Films

Saturday July 25, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT

Room 29CD

Behind every epic battle and breathtaking moment is a team of creative powerhouses and unsung heroes bringing superhero worlds to life. Costumer Gaby Acosta (Captain Marvel), composer Christopher Young (Spider-Man 3, Deadpool VR), stunt coordinator Thom Khoury Williams (Doom Patrol, The Punisher), sound mixers Ryan Collins and Nick Offord (Spider-Noir), stunt coordinator Chelsea Bruland (Descendants: The Rise of Red, Black Widoow), composer Roger Suen (Daredevil, Krypton), and stunt coordinator Cory DeMeyers (Venom, Project Power) share how their craft transforms imagination into cinematic impact, building worlds, shaping action, and giving every punch, explosion, and emotional beat its power. Moderated by Lumos PR CEO Stephanie Pfingsten.

Saturday July 25, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 29CD

12:00pm PDT

Autism in Comic Books

Sunday July 26, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Representation matters, but it comes with complications. Moderator Britton Payne (animation attorney; executive director, The Autism Scene) details the sometimes troubling history of autistic characters in comic books and how comics as a medium can foster a modern understanding of autism among its readership. Multiple-Eisner award nominee Deniz Camp will discuss the development of the autism storyline he wrote in the smash hit comic book Absolute Martian Manhunter. Fourth grader and inclusion advocate Eleanor Payne discusses YA books featuring autistic characters. Panelist Rebecca Burgess (YA graphic novel Speak Up!) also discusses their experiences as an autistic comic book creator and the process of creating autistic comic book characters, including an autistic main character navigating her way through high school.

Special Guests

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 →

Sunday July 26, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

U: Updated, Anime & Manga, Comics, Education, Historical, Kids, Marriott Programs, Superheroes, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Comics, Education, Historical, Kids, Marriott Programs, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

12:15pm PDT

Ask an Astronaut: Q&A with NASA Astronaut (and Everest Climber) Scott Parazynski

Sunday July 26, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

Room 5AB

Scott E. Parazynski is a physician, astronaut, and explorer. Trained as an ER doctor, he is a veteran of five Space Shuttle flights and seven spacewalks, including the one dubbed the "Apollo 13 moment" of the shuttle era. He is the first person to have both flown in space and summited Mount Everest. He was also Senator John Glenn's personal space physician during Glenn's historic return to orbit in 1998 and completed the first U.S.-Russian spacewalk. In addition, he is an active volcano explorer, scuba diver, commercial-rated pilot, former Olympic coach, technology inventor, serial entrepreneur, and author of the bestseller The Sky Below: A True Story of Summits, Space and Speed. An extended Q&A is included. Moderated by Susan Karlin (Fast Company).

Sunday July 26, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
Room 5AB

1:30pm PDT

Development to Distribution: Thinking Outside the Box

Sunday July 26, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Room 25ABC

Angela Oh (actor/writer, UDriveMe on Tubi, Castle, Scream Queens), Dawn Higginbotham (filmmaker, UDriveMe, Night of the Templar, Morning Person Pictures; author), Kumari Bakhru (postproduction producer, UDrive Me, AFI, and NYFA, author), Susan Spohr (postproduction supervisor, associate producer, author), and Valerie Lettera-Spletzer (DreamWorks Animation; teacher), with moderator Renee O'Connor (filmmaker, ROC Pictures; actor, Xena: Warrior Princess), discuss creatively navigating the workflow from development and previs through new media and film production to marketing, deliverables, and distribution for independent films.

Sunday July 26, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 25ABC

3:15pm PDT

The Official Disneybound Panel: Styling for Fandom Fashion

Sunday July 26, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT

Room 5AB

In the 15 years since The Disneybound Blog became a viral sensation, it has brought together a global community sharing their love of Disney fandom and creative fashion expression by incorporating both into their daily styling. Disneybounding pros Dimitri Beauchamp, Kaz Tarshis, Erika Kurzawa, Logan Allison, and Tiffany Sutton offer tools to bring whimsy and favorite fandoms to the wardrobe. Moderated by Kelsey Walmer.

Sunday July 26, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
Room 5AB

U: Updated, Animation, Education, Fandom, Movies, Television | 1: Programs, Animation, Education, Fandom, Movies, Television

Comic-Con 2026

7:00pm PDT

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11:30am PDT

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6:30pm PDT

12:00pm PDT

Deniz Camp

12:15pm PDT

1:30pm PDT

3:15pm PDT

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