Comic-Con 2026

Independent publishing is where original characters are being created, owned, and brought directly to audiences without traditional gatekeepers. Michael Stradford (Gizmoe Press),writer David F. Walker, designer Jason Medley, and Milestone Media's co-founder Denys Cowan offer a working look at how independent comics are actually being developed, financed, and released today. Moderated by Michael Polis, the panel spotlights Gizmoe Press projects including Grindhouse Comics Presents, an anthology built around original characters rooted in 1970s genre cinema; Fargo: Panama Gold, the next installment in the long-running western series; and an in-progress book on the career of artist Butch Guice. The discussion also covers integrating legacy characters like Fargo and Damballa into new stories, building an audience before launch, and using crowdfunding as a primary publishing model.

Exquisite Corpses: The Game makes its debut as the heads of the Corpse Crew explore the dark and twisted world of Exquisite Corpses and demonstrate gameplay. Co-creators James Tynion IV and Michael Walsh discuss the game's inception, their creative process, and what's next for Exquisite Corpses. Moderated by Jazzlyn Stone (Tiny Onion director of communications).

Horror history takes center stage with Night of the Living Dead: The Official Story of the Film, from Titan Books. Judith O'Dea (original cast member) and Jim Cirronella (Image Ten) share behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the 1968 classic, from its independent production outside the Hollywood system to its lasting cultural and social impact. Moderated by Andrew Sumner (Forbidden Planet TV).

San Diego appears on screen in everything from the Top Gun films to TV series like Veronica Mars and even this year's Best Picture, One Battle After Another, with filming locations across the city and county playing a role. The panel covers historical context, logistics, and the economic impact of filming in San Diego with Beth Accomando (KPBS Cinema Junkie host; founder, Film Geeks SD), Tonya Mantooth (CEO and artistic director, the San Diego International Film Festival), Greg Sowizdrzal (president, IATSE Local 122; leader, the San Diego County Film Initiative), Jake Rowlett (SDSU researcher in media and tourism geographies), and J. Stephen Peace and Costa Dillon, who co-created, co-wrote, and acted in the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes franchise from 1978 through the 2026 release Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence. Moderated by Melissa T. Miller.

A celebration of the films of 1986, including Big Trouble in Little China, Top Gun, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Little Shop of Horrors, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and more. Hosts of The 4:30 Movie podcast Mark A. Altman (producer, 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever, Best Christmas Movies Ever) and Ashley E. Miller (writer, Thor, X-Men: First Class), co-hosts of The Kids Stay In The Podcast Isaac M. Altman and Caden Miller, and Robert Meyer Burnett (host, Robservations) discuss favorite (and least favorite) films of 1986.

Hosts of the Star Trek podcast Inglorious Treksperts Mark A. Altman (writer/producer, Free Enterprise; author, The Fifty-Year Mission) and Ashley E. Miller (showrunner, DOTA: Dragon's Blood, Fringe) discuss the 60th anniversary of science fiction's first franchise and its enduring appeal, alongside special Trek guests.

UDON artists Edwin Huang and Reiq, along with renowned video game design legend Shinkiro, lead an art demonstration on how to draw your favorite anime and video game characters.

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.

Making its 21st annual appearance at Comic-Con, esteemed animation historian Jerry Beck (CartoonResearch.com, MeTV Toons) and ASIFA-Hollywood once again present a selection of the most terribly written, ugliest drawn, and unintentionally funniest animated films ever made. Cartoons include con favorites Mighty Mr. Titan (the physical-fitness superhero in a form-fitting costume, a little too tight for comfort) and Chris Welkin (the worst sci-fi comic strip adaptation ever). All real. All horrifying. Don't say you weren't warned.

In a new fandom play, the crew of the IKV Stranglehold faces a distress call from a Klingon ship that may be the nefarious plan of an old foe. Will the crew survive? Find out in the 33rd installment of Klingon Lifestyles. All life forms are welcome.