Comic-Con 2026

Comic-Con 2026

10:00am PDT

Animation History with Jerry and Mark

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

This panel features two guys who know a lot about cartoons answering questions from the audience about cartoons. Jerry Beck is one of the foremost experts on animation history, and he even teaches classes about it. Mark Evanier has seen a lot of cartoons, written a lot of cartoons, and worked in the industry for 50 years. Bring your questions, and they'll give you answers, maybe even the right ones.

Special Guests

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest

Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Animation, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Fandom, Historical

11:00am PDT

Tales From My Spinner Rack LIVE!

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

In 1975, after five incredibly creative—and frustrating—years at DC, writer-artist Jack Kirby returned to Marvel. Over the next few years, he would create titles such as The Eternals and Devil Dinosaur, while also working on Captain America and Black Panther, two characters he co-created. This is the beginning of the final years of the King of Comics' 50+ year career, which also saw him work in animation in Hollywood and introduce brand-new characters for companies like Pacific Comics and Topps. Moderator Gary Sassaman (former director of programming and publications for Comic-Con) talks to Kirby experts Mark Evanier (author, Kirby: King of Comics) and John Morrow (editor-publisher, Jack Kirby Collector) about the final years of the King, including details on Morrow's new book, Marvelmation: Jack Kirby's Final Act in Comics & Animation. Free Tales from My Spinner Rack! bookmark and set of collector's cards to the first 100 attendees.

Special Guests

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest

Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Superheroes

12:00pm PDT

Great Cartoonists and Comedians We Have Known

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Film expert Leonard Maltin and writer Mark Evanier have thousands of years of showbiz between them and have met, and sometimes even worked with, some of the cleverest, funniest men and women. They share their experiences with people like Groucho Marx, Chuck Jones, Bob Clampett, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, and as many others as they can squeeze into the time they have.

Special Guests

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest

Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Anniversaries, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Humor & Satire

1:00pm PDT

Good Grief! The Enduring Legacy of Peanuts, Snoopy, and Charles M. Schulz

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

An all-star panel of Peanuts experts, historians, and editors celebrates Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the enduring legacy of Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip. Mark Evanier (The Essential Peanuts), Chip Kidd (Only What's Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts), and Charles Kochman (editor-in-chief of Abrams ComicArts) explore the past, present, and future of Peanuts, from classic comics and publishing projects to the characters' lasting impact on popular culture, with video and images from the archives. Moderated by Alexis E. Fajardo (editorial director at the Charles M. Schulz Studio). Plus, be among the first to hear a special Peanuts announcement.

Special Guests

Mark Evanier

Comic-Con Special Guest

Mark Evanier attended his first San Diego Comic-Con in 1970 and has been to every one of these annual events ever since. He was then an assistant to the great Jack Kirby, whom he wrote about in his book Kirby, King of Comics. Mark has also written for live-action TV shows, animat... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Anniversaries, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Historical, Tributes

2:00pm PDT

Myths, Monsters, and Dumpster Fires: Coloring Outside the Lines with Camilla d'Errico and Truck Torrence

Thursday July 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Acclaimed artists Camilla d'Errico (Pop Manga Myths and Monsters Coloring Book) and Truck Torrence (The Official Dumpster Fire Coloring Book) lead a coloring workshop while discussing their artistic styles, inspirations, and the joy of bringing bold, imaginative worlds to life one page at a time. Attendees receive pages from their newest coloring books and can color along using complimentary colored pencils provided by Holbein Artist Materials. Tim Hopper (executive vice president, Holbein) moderates, with time for Q&A.

Thursday July 23, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Anime & Manga, Art and Illustration, Books, Seminars & Workshops

3:00pm PDT

Jada Toys: Taking Collecting to the Next Level

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

A sneak peek at what's next for Invincible, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Scooby-Doo, and other fan-favorite brands, with upcoming action figures and die-cast releases, announcements and exclusive reveals, and behind-the-scenes insight into the product development process from Juhn Lim (vice president of product development) and Darryl Li (director of brand management). Moderated by Brian Sun (senior marketing manager).

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Fandom, Movies

4:00pm PDT

Transgender and Nonbinary Creators Stay Relevant and Proud

Thursday July 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Trans and nonbinary people have faced political setbacks as hard-won rights are challenged across the country. However, trans creators are still speaking up, sharing their experiences, and making a difference in the fight for equality. How can trans and nonbinary artists use their work to support the community? How can trans stories reach broader audiences? What can trans and nonbinary creators bring that popular culture desperately needs? Prism Comics, moderator Tara Madison Avery (We're Still Here, Stacked Deck Press), and panelists Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You've Ever Seen in Your Life, J.K. Rowling and the Ungrateful Fans), Simon Jane Robrock (Blue Hare Comix, MADE U LOOK), Margeaux Pepoy (The Adventures of Simone & Ajax, Betty & Veronica), Mac Maclean (Opting Out, Death Saves, 3rd Edition), Jenny Blake Isabella (Black Lightning, Ghost Rider), Yas Modares Ghasiri (They Said They Said, Their Story: The In-Between), and Liam Coballes (Shifter, The Out Side) discuss these and other questions.

Thursday July 23, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Anime & Manga, BIPOC, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+

5:00pm PDT

Mergers and Acquisitions in Entertainment, Publishing, and Gaming

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

This panel discusses M&A, or the buying and selling of companies, in the entertainment, publishing, and gaming industries. Topics include why companies engage in M&A transactions and broader industry trends. Panelists include investment banker Matt Wang (senior managing director, Evercore), Joe Brusha (founder and CEO, Zenescope Entertainment), Bruce Fenton and Todd Boylan (partners, Troutman Pepper Locke), and Gio Hunt (video game executive; former roles at Meta, Blizzard, and AOL). CLE (continuing legal education) credit will be offered for attorneys.

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Books, Games, Video Games

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

1: Programs, Art and Illustration, Comics, International

7:00pm PDT

Fight the Future! Resistance in Comics

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

Comics have always been political, and in the modern age, those stories are needed more than ever. How can comics inspire readers to take the future into their own hands? Kelly Sue DeConnick (FML), Matt Kindt (MIND MGMT), and Henry Barajas (Death to Pachuco) discuss comics, politics, satire, and revolution with moderator Graeme McMillan (PopVerse).

Special Guests

Kelly Sue DeConnick

Comic-Con Special Guest

Kelly Sue DeConnick is best known for reinventing Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel at Marvel and for the Black Label standard-setting Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons at DC. Her independent comics Bitch Planet and Pretty Deadly (both from Image) have ranked as New York Times be... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances, Comics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

8:00pm PDT

Black Vampires in Comics and Popular Culture

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

John Jennings (professor of media and cultural studies, UC Riverside), Dr. Ebony Toussaint (writer and creative director, Scary Black Folk), Stacey Robinson (associate professor of graphic design and studio, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Dr. Christian Hines (assistant professor of literacy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), and Dr. Stanford Carpenter (cultural anthropologist) discuss Black vampires across comic books and popular culture, including works like Sinners and Blade.

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Comics, Education, Horror and Suspense

9:00pm PDT

Dracula and Frankenstein Turn 95!

Thursday July 23, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT

Julian David Stone (author of the novel It's Alive!) and Antonia Carlotta (host of the Universally Me web series) celebrate the 95th anniversary of Dracula and Frankenstein with a presentation and discussion on the making of and the remarkable influence of the first two Universal Monster films.

Thursday July 23, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 9

1: Programs, Anniversaries, Books, Historical, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Tributes

10:00am PDT

San Diego International Children’s Film Festival - Program 1

Sunday July 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Program #1

International Collection

Sunday July 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 9

5: Children's Films, Animation, Kids, Movies

11:00am PDT

San Diego International Children’s Film Festival - Program 2

Sunday July 26, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Program #2

Take 2 Chloe LaGrone (L)
Dear Redondo Beach Hailey Johnston (D)
The Session Ben Richardson (L)
The Jungle Bunch David Alaux/Eric Tosti/Jean-Francois Tosti (A)
Cutie Pie Celebrates Halloween Christopher Berry (A)
Shanley Beau McCombs (A)
Our Song Stephanie Glover (A)

Sunday July 26, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 9

5: Children's Films, Animation, Kids, Movies

12:00pm PDT

San Diego International Children’s Film Festival - Program 3

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

Program #3

Hisako Film Lab: Short Student Films from Maui

Sunday July 26, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9

5: Children's Films, Animation, Kids, Movies

1:00pm PDT

San Diego International Children’s Film Festival - Program 4

Sunday July 26, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Program #4

UCLA Animation Workshop Showcase

Bobble Hat Christine Cui (A)
Cat and Mouse Kaya Glasner (A)
Noodle Fight Claudia Liu (A)
The Heroine with A Thousand Faces Louise Liu (A)

BirdhShoot Your Shotouse Waverly Wang (A)
What Remains Above Zora Xu (A)

Sunday July 26, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 9

5: Children's Films, Animation, Kids, Movies

2:00pm PDT

San Diego International Children’s Film Festival - Program 5

Sunday July 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Program #5

Dani Bowman Showcase

Sunday July 26, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 9

5: Children's Films, Animation, Kids, Movies

3:00pm PDT

San Diego International Children’s Film Festival - Program 6

Sunday July 26, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Program #6

Brother's Day Out Chris Mejia (A)
Cookie in the Sky with Balloons Chris Mejia (A)

Festival Favorites
2005-2025 (A/L/D)

Sunday July 26, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 9

5: Children's Films, Animation, Kids, Movies