Comic-Con 2026

From the spark of an initial idea to the final edits, some of today's favorite authors discuss how they navigate the challenges of writing compelling books across genres. Science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romantasy writers share tips, tactics, and behind-the-scenes insight into how they spin tales that keep pages turning and may inspire the next story. Authors include Isabel J. Kim (Sublimation), Naomi Kritzer (Obstetrix), Rebecca Thorne (Moss'd in Space), and Mathilda Zeller (It Looks Like You in the Dark). Moderated by Julia Vee (The Phoenix Hoard series).

A behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating the scores and sounds for some of today's most popular TV series, films, and video games. Featured panelists include Jeff Russo (composer, Alien: Earth), Chris Bacon (composer, Wednesday), Joanne Higginbottom (composer, Primal), Leo Birenberg (composer, Cobra Kai), Stephen Lukach (composer, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced), and Gavin Brivik (composer, The Pitt).

Moderator Jazzlyn Stone talks to Comic-Con special guests Kelly Sue DeConnick, Nicole Goux, John J. Pearson, Pornsak Pichetshote, and V.E. Schwab about the horrors of everyday life and how that translates into creative inspiration.

What happens when the people who build Hollywood worlds decide to tell their own stories—without permission? This panel focuses on creative independence and why these authors chose self-publishing. Visual effects experts Scott Kilburn (Life of Pi; author of Summoning a Lost Fey), Jim Hillin (Beauty and the Beast; author of Somnicreolist), and Eric Wilson (The Matrix; author of The Murder Algorithm) discuss shifting from working on major movies, TV, and games to writing science fiction and fantasy. Moderated by Theresa Halvorsen (No Bad Books Press).

Tara Madison Avery (Stacked Deck Press), Giovanni N. Dortch (LUNA: Unleashed), Dr. Elizabeth 방실 Han (psychologist), Stefanie Solomon Bautista (special projects manager, Los Angeles Schools) and Dr. Brittani Oliver Sillas Navarro (psychologist) discuss how comics can be used to teach conflict resolution, empathy, communication, and social-emotional learning. Panelists will share practical examples and strategies for using visual storytelling to help students explore challenging situations, build perspective-taking skills, and strengthen problem solving. Moderated by Lorran Garrison (school psychologist).

Stories have always been one of society's most powerful tools for challenging assumptions, questioning authority, and exposing uncomfortable truths. But in an era shaped by misinformation, algorithmic outrage, performative activism, and competing realities, what role does storytelling play in helping audiences navigate the noise? Can satire, speculative fiction, and graphic novels still provoke meaningful conversation in a culture increasingly divided by competing narratives? Artist, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and The A.R.C. creator Tim Disney, writer of The A.R.C. and creative director JC Lacek, publisher Matthew Medney (GUNGNIR), Lalo Alcaraz (Pulitzer-nominated artist, RFK Journalism Prize winner), Deric A. Hughes (The Flash, Arrow, Quantum Leap, The Last Starfighter), and Ben Raab (Green Lantern, Warehouse 13, Quantum Leap, The Last Starfighter) discuss subversive storytelling, political satire, and the responsibility of creators in a rapidly changing media landscape. Drawing from projects that challenge convention and blur the lines between entertainment, commentary, and cultural critique, the panel will explore how creators use fiction to interrogate truth, confront power, and imagine alternative futures. Whether through comics, film, prose, or emerging media, these creators examine how stories can entertain, unsettle, inspire, and ultimately help audiences make sense of an increasingly complicated world. Moderated by writer and host Chris Killen (ComicBook.com).

Actor, director, and co-founder of Brooklyn Quarter Danielle Beckmann hosts Gillian Bohrer (producer/studio executive, Twilight, Warm Bodies, La La Land), Dara Resnik (showrunner, Home Before Dark, Daredevil), Amanda Mortlock (writer/producer, Tracker, Strange Bedfellows), and Tawny Platis (voice actor for commercials, animation, Bluetooth devices, and automation) as they share how they have blazed their own paths in film, television, animation, and entertainment.

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).

Matt Page (Future Day Saints) and Chris Hoffman (Salt City Strangers) share their approach to writing and drawing unique Latter-day Saint characters. They will examine what distinguishes Mormon characters in comics, including their sense of identity, connection to community, and the cultural barriers they face, and explore how these qualities fit into the stories Matt and Chris aim to tell. Moderated by Trevor Alvord (curator at the BYU Library).

Simon & Schuster's Saga Press is the award-winning publisher behind many fan-favorite fantasy, sci-fi, and horror books. The panel offers an exclusive look at highly anticipated fall releases, direct conversation with bestselling authors, and insight into the state of genre publishing from Saga staff Joe Monti (vice president, associate publisher, editorial director), Theresa DeLucci (director of marketing and publicity), Christine Calella (publicity manager), Amara Hoshijo (executive editor), and Karintha Parker (publicist).

While many superhero stories focus on the thrill of the fight, Invincible stands out for its unflinching look at the emotional and psychological toll of wearing the mask. This panel brings together mental health experts Sara Roldan (Our Oasis Community Podcast), Marc Davis, LMHC-D, RN (Alchemy Counseling), Asher Johnson (Superhero Redemption Therapy), and Benjamin Taitz (The Fleet: Star Trek Costuming and Charity Fan Group) to explore the complex dynamics of the Grayson family, the trauma of legacy, and how Mark navigates a world where being "invincible" doesn't mean you can't be broken. The panel explores the series' portrayal of resilience and the deep-seated human need for connection in the face of intergalactic betrayal. Moderated by Aaron Weinstein, M.A. (NerdNite OC).