Every Panel. One Plan.

Teaching and Learning with Comics

Looking to bring comics into your classroom? Peter Carlson (Green Dot Public Schools) and Susan Kirtley (Portland State University) lead an interactive workshop where educators explore how to teach about, with, and through comics. Through hands-on activities, attendees will learn how to engage all students as superhero readers and writers while designing powerful lessons and thematic units rooted in the comic arts.

Artemis Bridge Simulator

Bring out your inner Trekkie with this networked computer game experience, 6-8 players take control of the spaceship Artemis, assuming various crew jobs: Helm, Weapons, Science, Communications, Engineering, Fighter Pilot, and Captain. The ship’s missions require the crew to work together to overcome challenges such as combat, puzzle-solving, diplomacy, and exploration. Educational (space science) and teambuilding! (Capacity: 8)

Boss Battle

1 Vs 3 Strategy Card Game where one player controls a Boss vs a Party of Heroes (Capacity: 8)

Burn the Wtch: Social Deducton Game

Set against the medieval European witch hunts, Burn the Witch plays like your favorite social deduction games, but with more of what you love and less of what you don’t. Players have multiple lives. All decisions are public (no night phases), and everyone has a voice (no secret missions) (Capacity: 6)

Delegate Dash

Delegate Dash is a round-based card & dice game where all players (the “candidates”) campaign for delegates across the USA in hopes of winning primary elections and ultimately the Presidency(Capacity: 4)

Dweores

Dweores is a competitive area control game that involves bidding and placement. The first player to connect 10 of their tribes icons on the map wins. Additional abilities are available for all players to manipulate the board state and attempt to outwit their opponents (Capacity: 15)

Fun with Gunpla

RX-78 Gundam Workshop kit - Free kit to build and take home! (Capacity: 20)

Gundam Card Game

Experience the Gundam series beloved worldwide as a trading card game - the battlefield is waiting for you! (Capacity: 12)

Haunted Space Hotel Manager

In Haunted Space Hotel: Manager, an intensely competitive strategy tabletop game, you embody a rival Artificial Sentience. Accumulate 24 Snohe to dominate the galactic hospitality market. Use the unique Action Hex system to renovate facilities, navigate six alien factions, and manage spectral hauntings in this deep management sim(Capacity: 12)

Illiterati

Illiterati is a cooperative survival word game. You and your fellow Librarians must work together to save the world from illiteracy by spelling words and binding books, all while surviving the onslaught of the Illiterati. (Capacity: 5)

Mondrian: Color in Motion

Mondrian: Color in Motion, the award-winning game where elegant art meets engaging strategy. Often described as ‘Dominos meets Checkers,’ players artfully stack cards, matching colors to build the vibrant, ever-changing game board as you play. (Capacity: 5)

Regency

Regency is an interactive civilization-themed card game that features 18 different cultures around the world. Players take up the mantle of history’s greatest rulers and compete to be the first to assemble a complete domain consisting of six different types of citizens, including nobles, religious military, merchants, commoners, and brigands(Capacity: 6)

Rival Restaraunts

Rival Restaurants is a chaotic, fast-paced, strategy and negotiating game that pits aspiring restaurant owners against one another as they race to become “The Wiener!” You’ll pick from restaurants with unique play-styles, harness your chef’s zany abilities, and use game-changing action cards to elevate your eatery to gastronomical glory. (Capacity: 8)

Sacred Wars

Sacred Wars is a tactical card war game that can be played entirely as a physical tabletop game or enhanced with the companion app. What makes it stand out is its unique Hybrid experience which plays like a videogame without losing the table. Players take turns drawing cards to summon mythical units, which can battle, equip items and cast spells(Capacity: 6)

Season of Seeds

Welcome to the Woodlands, an enchanted forest populated by Frogs, Fae, Mushrooms, and Water-folk. You play as a Woodland Critter, clashing against your opponents, collecting valuable Seeds and Seasonal Harvests. At the end of the four seasons, the player who blooms the most flowers, wins the game!(Capacity: 4)

Shadow Brume

Trapped together, you must explore Shadow Brume’s rooms, manage dwindling light, and unlock your unique abilities to find the house’s weak point before it consumes you all. (Capacity: 6)

Welcome to the Woodlands

Welcome to the Woodlands, an enchanted forest populated by Frogs, Fae, Mushrooms, and Water-folk. You play as a Woodland Critter, clashing against your opponents, collecting valuable Seeds and Seasonal Harvests. At the end of the four seasons, the player who blooms the most flowers, wins the game!(Capacity: 6)

Wet Blanket

Wet Blanket is a game about spoiling parties with socially awkward situations. Drive as many people away from the main party as you can so that they go to your party instead. (Capacity: 10)

Wrestling Cubes

In Wrestling Cubes, being pushy isn’t just allowed—it’s how you win! Step into the ring and grapple with your opponent, strategically sliding, spinning, and pushing your cubes. Your mission: cleverly outmaneuver and ‘pin’ your opponent’s cubes by engaging them to remove their movement triangles, one by one. (Capacity: 2)

Star Trek:The Original Series Episode “Balance of Terror”

(1966-1969, Created by Gene Roddenberry, starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, George Takei, Walter Koenig, and Majel Barrett; TV-PG)S1.E14. The Enterprise pursues Romulan warbirds after they destroy Federation outposts. Similarities between Romulans and Vulcans spark bigotry against Spock. In 2016, The Washington Post ranked "Balance of Terror" as the third-best episode of the entire Star Trek franchise, noting that it investigates the connection between wars and race, showing both sides of a conflict in deep space.

Smash Bros

A fast-paced crossover fighting game where iconic Nintendo characters battle it out in vibrant arenas. Great for all ages, rated E10+ for cartoon violence.(Capacity: 60)

The Creator's Symposium

Women in Comics Collective International (WinC for short, pronounced "wink") is an artistic and informative initiative. It serves to highlight the merit and craftwork of marginalized voices, especially those of Women and Queer Folx of color, who work in the comics and multimedia industry. They are also the 2024 recipients of the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award. Created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Creator Symposium is an ongoing panel discussion series designed to explore the ways in which creatives working in comics can continue to grow and thrive in an ever-changing industry. Panelists include Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs (Ghost Roast, writers), Joe Illidge (Noir Is the New Black Season 2, writer), Amy Linsamouth (Omens, writer), Morgan Hampton (Green Lantern Corps), Alice Meichi Li (Rebel Moon, cover artist), and Asia Simone (Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur, cover artist). Moderated by Regine L. Sawyer (WinC, founder).

Creating Molds for Prosthetics and Accessories

Lucia Mason (costume educator, designer), Jared Salls (makeup artist), Marc Salls (makeup artist), Rachel Salls (hair/makeup artist), and Daniel Partridge (makeup assistant) discuss the first step to creating a quality custom-cast prosthetic or accessory: making the mold. Learn all about the wide variety of materials and techniques available to make custom molds for all your cosplay needs.

Autograph Session: Janeshia Adams-Ginyard

Held in Autograph Area AA21: Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, actor (South Park: Joining The Panderverse, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

Comic-Con Film School 101: Preproduction and Screenwriting

Comic-Con Film School returns for another four-day nuts-and-bolts course on how to make a movie for very little money using available video hardware and software. Whether the project is a first G.I. Joe fan film or a story about a leather-clad girl who hunts zombies, the course covers the process from script to final product, including how to submit a movie to the CCI: IFF. This first session covers the specifics of low-budget preproduction, including screenwriting, scheduling, location scouting, crewing up, and getting equipment for little or no money. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer and star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (creative producer for V10 Entertainment), Darryl Thomas (writer and director of Dollface the Motion Picture), Ben Hansford (writer and director of Uprising), and Sean Rourke (writer and director of Lucy X Mina).

Autograph Session: Joe Ochman

Held in Autograph Area AA19: Joe Ochman, actor/voice actor (current voice of Disney's Jiminy Cricket, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir)

Space Base

As the commodore of a Space Base, your job is to draft new ships into your fleet to work and patrol the 12 sectors under your watch. Use cargo vessels, mining ships, and deploy carriers to earn profits and expand your influence. Only one Space Base commodore will be promoted to U.E.S. Admiral of the Fleet! (Capacity: 5)

Spotlight

Spotlight is a cooperative hidden-picture board game where 1–5 players use "magic" paper flashlights to scan darkened, quirky scenes for wacky characters. Race against a chasing moon pawn to spot the most items before bedtime, working together to complete the adventure(Capacity: 5)

Autograph Session: Ellen Dubin

Held in Autograph Area AA20: Ellen Dubin , actor/voice actor (Star Wars Resistance, Napoleon Dynamite)

Star Realms

Star Realms is a spaceship combat deck-building game by Magic Hall of Famers Darwin Kastle and Rob Dougherty . It combines the fun of a deck-building game with the speed and interactivity of Trading Card Game style combat.(Capacity: 2)

Bringing Films to Life: Building Professional and Fan-Made Props

Jeanie Croshaw (director) moderates a demonstration on building fan-made props, armor, and droids, featuring actual samples of fan-made and professional props used in films. Panelists Christopher Ting (engineer), Zachary Spencer (engineer), Scott Harvey (prop engineer), Keva Tillem (costume designer), and Amanda Negron (costume designer, she/her) share their process and take questions from the audience.

Droid Builders: How to Build a Droid 101

An introduction to getting started building droids and robots, featuring a panel of droid and robot builders with more than 50 years of combined experience.

Hasbro G.I. Joe Panel

A behind-the-scenes look at what's next with Bmac, Mark, and the new G.I. Joe development team. The panel features new product news, surprise guests, stories, digital character renders, in-hand figure prototypes, and pre-order announcements.

Star Wars Unlimited Scheduled Learn to Play

$10. Love Star Wars? Come learn to play this TCG that is incredibly true to the story. Receive a random Star Wars Unlimited Spotlight deck, yours to keep, and learn to play Star Wars Unlimited in a casual fun group. Promo card for all players.(Capacity: 100)

Star Wars Unlimited SDCC Anytime League

$25 entry fee. All day, every day. Players receive a Star Wars Unlimited Spotlight deck and a Star Wars playmat.(Capacity: 100)

Independent Comics in Action: Building Worlds Outside the System

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.

Levitz & Waid Talk Universes

Both Paul Levitz and Mark Waid have built, rebuilt, and been bewildered by the complex fictional universes in comics. They discuss their experiences and what holds universes together. Panelists are convention special guests Paul Levitz (Legion of Super-Heroes and the upcoming Marvel Explodes: From Bullpen to Big Business) and Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, Justice League).

Meet the New New Media Studio

The entertainment landscape is changing. It can be felt in the water, in the earth, in the air. With studio consolidation, public frustration at A.I. slop, and experienced creatives striking out on their own, a new arts and crafts movement is on the rise. Small indie studios dedicated to creating entertainment aligned to a specific genre or audience across media are emerging, raising the question of whether a handful of passionate artists telling stories across formats can build a viable entertainment business. New media pioneer Felicia Day (Lost Daughter of Sparta, The Guild), Todd Stashwick (VisionQuest, Star Trek: Picard), Matt Medney (Gungnir), Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press), and Anjali Bhimani (Ms. Marvel, Overwatch) discuss their New New Media studios, how they work, and what can be learned from historical indie art movements and the current crowdfunding revolution. Moderated by David Nett (ProgCore Fantasy).

My Hero Academia 10th Anniversary Panel Powered by Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll and panelists Christopher Sabat (voice of All Might), Justin Briner (voice of Izuku Midoriya), Clifford Chapin (voice of Katsuki Bakugo), and David Matranga (voice of Shoto Todoroki) celebrate the 10th anniversary of the award-winning anime series My Hero Academia.

Blabbi

Blabbi, a new party game where players come up with crazy made-up words with wacky definitions based on topic cards, and the other players then vote if the word pitch was convincing! It’s an improv crosswords game where every word has to be entirely made-up on the spot - fun for big groups and great liars, actors, and storytellers.(Capacity: 8)

Boss Battle

1 Vs 3 Strategy Card Game where one player controls a Boss vs a Party of Heroes (Capacity: 8)

3rd Annual From Script to Screen: Behind the Camera of Film and TV

Featuring creatives behind Spider-Noir, Scary Movie 6, My Adventures with Superman, Shringing, and more, this panel goes behind the scenes of some of the most exciting projects in film, television, and animation with the creative talent who help bring them to life. From developing unforgettable characters and stunning visuals to crafting the stories that captivate audiences around the world, this panel offers an insider's look at the collaborative process behind modern entertainment. Artists and storytellers shaping today's biggest productions share firsthand stories and reveal what it takes to turn imagination into an unforgettable on-screen experience. With supervising sound editor and sound designer Andy Sisul (Spider-Noir), costume designer Ariyela Wald-Cohain (Scary Movie 6), composer Daniel Futcher (My Adventures with Superman), supervising sound editor Ethan Beigel, MPSE/CAS (Spider-Noir), composer Greg Nicolett (Dr. Seuss's The Sneetches), and production designer Cabot McMullen (Shrinking, Rooster). Moderated by writer/director Chris Rodriguez (Puffing Iron). Part 2 of Impact24 PR's Panel Superblock.

Art from the Holocaust: Holocaust Stamps: History in Miniature

Gary Gilbert (Seinfeld writer and co-creator of The Stamp Thief), Dan Sturman (Academy Award–winning documentary filmmaker and co-creator of The Stamp Thief), and Sandra Scheller (founder of Remember Us The Holocaust and author) explore Holocaust and World War II stamps as miniature works of art and historical witnesses. The panelists share stories behind these remarkable stamps and present exclusive clips and insights from The Stamp Thief.

Banned in the USA?! Freedom, Comics, and Education

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, so why are books being banned? Censorship is more commonplace in the U.S. than you may think. Writer Regine L. Sawyer (Women in Comics, Represent!), rapper Mazzi (Def Jam Recordings, S.O.U.L. Purpose), writer Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire, DOTA: Dragon's Blood), Kae Winters (Tokyopop), and Rachel Piontak (The Institute for Citizens and Scholars) discuss fighting censorship and how comics can be an effective tool for education, entertainment, enlightenment, and civil discourse. Moderated by comics editor, writer, and scholar Dr. Shamika Mitchell (State University of New York, Rockland Community College/Women in Comics).

Dark Horse Licensed Comics: More from Your Favorite Fandoms!

Dark Horse has the power . . . of fandom. Dark Horse celebrates Masters of the Universe, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Cyberpunk 2077, Tomb Raider, and more, examining what it takes to bring fan-favorite characters and stories from the screen to the page.

Exquisite Corpses: The Game and Beyond

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).

Portfolio Review Session: Harry Otto

Held in Portfolio Review PR 05: Harry Otto is an architect and an ADG Art Director and Set Designer whose work is grounded in a strong architectural foundation. Throughout my career, I have designed environments for feature films and television spanning the 20th century, World War II, futuristic Earth and space settings, as well as the prehistoric world of The Flintstones. As an automotive enthusiast, I have also conceptualized futuristic space vehicles and 1950s-inspired vehicles for The Flintstones. I welcome portfolios focused on production design, set design, environmental design, architectural visualization, transportation design, and concept art. My expertise includes designing human environments, engineering systems, and vehicles, and I am happy to provide feedback on both creative concepts and portfolio presentation.

Portfolio Review Session: Kate Weddle

Held in Portfolio Review PR 06: Kate Weddle, an Art Director, Graphic Artist, Senior Set Designer, with experience in visual storytelling and production design for scripted narrative entertainment. I welcome portfolios focused on art direction, graphic design, set and production design, concept art, visual development, and presentation design for film, television, and other scripted narrative projects. I am happy to provide feedback on portfolio presentation, design communication, and preparing your work for opportunities in the entertainment industry.

Portfolio Review Session: ZRock Comics/Bad Bunker

Held in Portfolio Review PR 02: ZRock Comics/Bad Bunker will review a wide range of portfolios, with an emphasis on artists who are serious about pursuing a career in comics. Portfolios that demonstrates strong storytelling, sequential art skills, and a clear commitment to developing comic-based narratives should stop by.

From Sketch to Stunt: Designing Costumes That Survive the Action

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.

Godzilla Smashes San Diego and the Comic Industry

Godzilla has stomped the competition to become the king of the comic book industry . . . and the monster is just getting started. Toho's Aaron Gregory joins IDW as it declassifies its kaiju-sized plans for Godzilla comics in 2026 and beyond with a killer lineup of creatives, including Tristan Jones, Tim Seeley, Nick Marino, Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan, and Jake Williams.

Great Cartoonists and Comedians We Have Known

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.

Light Before Dawn: The Making of a Global Fantasy Streaming Series

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.

Making Collaborative and Independent Anthologies

Andi Dukleth (graphic illustrator, Accidental Aliens), Attiba Royster (writer/illustrator, co-owner of HG Productions), J.C. Cooksey (author, co-owner of HG Productions), Jesús “El Kartun” Mendez (Earthfall: The Reckoning, Rad Chismo and the 88 Terras), and Jade Lowder (publisher, Lesser Known Comics) discuss getting published by collaborating with other creators, writers, and artists to produce an anthology as a graphic novel. Moderated by Maxwell Scheller (writer/artist, Lesser Known Comics contributor, Miscreant Anthology contributor).

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls: Behind the Battle

Fighting game commentator and streamer Sajam moderates a conversation with Takeshi Yamanaka (game producer, Arc System Works), Amber Seitz (localization director, Arc System Works), Michael Francisco (senior product development, Marvel Games), Mike Deodato (Marvel Comics artist and Knights of Doom illustrator), and Josh Keaton (voice actor, Iron Man and Spider-Man) about the making of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls and the game's place in the Marvel Universe. The panel includes behind-the-scenes looks and surprise announcements.

Mythical Mayhem: New Twists on Beloved Myths

Myths, legends, epics, and oral tales have lasted for centuries—and with good reason. What does it take to put a new spin on a story that's been woven time and time again? Ayana Gray (I, Medusa), Gracie Marsden (Bones of Jade, Flesh Like Ice), Anders Nilsen (Tongues, Volume 1), Chip Pons (Dearly Departed), and Demi Winters (Dawn of the North) discuss how fairy tales, myths, folk tales, and legends can be woven into new narratives to create worlds that feel both new and familiar.

Secret Identities: American Superheroes in International Comics

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.

Tales from the Toy Industry: Navigating the World of Licensed IP

Success often starts with a recognizable intellectual property. But what does it really take to secure a sought-after license, and how do toy makers, large or small, decide which IP is worth the pursuit? Moderator Daniel Pickett (ActionFigureInsider.com, The Toys That Built America) will pull back the curtain on the world of licensing, exploring the tough decisions, unexpected hurdles, and exciting opportunities that shape the toys on our shelves. This panel brings together industry professionals from all corners of the toy world: Jenn Cassidy (VP of business development and licensing, Super7), Steve Forde (founder, GoHero; co-founder, LBO Collective), Josh Izzo (executive VP of franchise development at Lightstorm Entertainment), Marc Mostman (licensing, branding, and marketing executive, Most Management), Bill Murphy (president, BigBadWorkshop), and Blaine Rodenbaugh (brand manager, NECA) will share real stories and advice on how to approach licensors, what retailers are looking for, and how to create products that are both fresh and faithful to beloved brands.

Titan West: A Daggerheart Actual Play

Deep in the dust-choked Drylands, the only safety is found within the massive, wandering mechanical Titans. But a new fear has taken root in the gears when a small onboard frontier town is besieged by a vampire nest. It's up to a posse of hunters armed with iron, grit, and hope to purge the fanged threat before the sun sets on the moving frontier that is the Shadows of the Drylands. GM Kevin Roy (Hunters Entertainment, Play The Table), Kim Wong (actress, Play The Table), Shaun Leonard (tabletop creator, Play The Table), KC Stone (actor), and Sam Lopez (actual play performer, DungeonSamster).

Trials and Triumphs: 40 Years of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Forty years ago, the comics community joined together to reverse the conviction of a comic shop manager in Illinois for selling books now considered classics. As the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund prepares for yet another trial, interim director Jeff Trexler, underground comics legend and CBLDF founder Denis Kitchen, former DC Comics publisher and CBLDF board member Paul Levitz, attorney and former CBLDF board member Louise Nemschoff, and current CBLDF board members Bob Wayne (former VP, DC Comics) and Dale Cendali (partner, Kirkland and Ellis), and others look at the cases the CBLDF has handled since its founding and the central role of comic art in making its work possible.

Weird Al-Gorithm Celebrates 30 Years of Bad Hair Day

The Weird Al-Gorithm Podcast returns to Comic-Con to celebrate and rank the songs on Weird Al Yankovic's landmark album Bad Hair Day. Hosts Matt Kelly and Matthew Milligan are joined by Dave Rossi and Ethan Ullman (Dave & Ethan's 2000s Weird Al Podcast), Jeff Nucera (director of Tight & Nerdy), and author/cartoonist Kelly Philips (author of Weird Me) for an hour of comedy, debate, and celebration.

The Art of Anime and Video Games: Drawing Your Favorite Characters

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.

A Comics Reading Club . . . for Faculty!

What happens when faculty swap journal articles for comic books? This panel explores the creation and impact of a faculty comic book reading club as a space for intellectual play, community building, and interdisciplinary dialogue. Drawing on examples from shared readings across comics genres, the panel shows how a low-stakes, high-engagement reading club can strengthen collegial connections, model lifelong learning, and legitimize comics as serious scholarly and teaching tools while still being fun. San Diego State University's Pamela Jackson (comic arts librarian; co-director, Center for Comics Studies), Beth Pollard (chair of history; co-director, Center for Comics Studies), Conor McLaughlin (staff development manager, Center for Inclusive Excellence), and Van Tarpley (lecturer in history) discuss the program.

A Master Class in Comic Coloring

Brian Haberlin (Spawn, Witchblade), award-winning comic coloring pioneer, will take you behind the scenes on coloring comics. The panel will cover color theory and process, then final production techniques to get your work looking how you want it to in print or on the web, and will explore new methods and techniques.

Crafting Pop Culture Content to Educate

In a world of fast edits and even faster social media virality, crafting educational content has become increasingly important as audiences seek ways to deepen their knowledge. What does it take to create unique, memorable educational content, and how can audience reactions guide more impactful work? Jason Patrick Galit (JPG; pop culture educator and consultant, InterMyth) leads Goldie Chan (branding expert and author, Personal Branding for Introverts), Thomas Craig VIII (host, Sick Burn Podcast), Ronell Crawford (co-creator, 8-Bit Closed Fist), and Sabeen Faheem (press, cosplayer, and entertainment host) in a discussion of research methods, differentiation through marketing and branding, and strategies for pushing back on anti-intellectual comments and bad-faith engagement online.

Creativity Through Fairytale Retellings Writing Workshop

This interactive workshop helps attendees create their own fairytale retellings. Brandie June (author of the Rumpelstiltskin retelling Gold Spun and Magic at the Grand Dragonfly Theatre) discusses how developing characters makes for a more interesting and complex story. Attendees will be provided with several writing prompts to encourage creative thinking as they develop their own fairytale retellings with unique characters and settings. Participants are often surprised at their own hidden creativity and leave the workshop with the beginning of their own retelling and prompts to develop characters in their writing.

Get Yer Jollies!: Creating 'Zines in Your Local Comics Community

Tips and insight from the North County Cartoonists Collective, a group of cartoonists, artists, and writers based in San Diego's northern suburbs. Formed in 2022, the NCCC has been publishing its twice-yearly comics 'zine Jollies since 2024, with Issue No. 5 premiering at Comic-Con. The panel covers publishing a comic, forming a local comics group, and building a presence in your community, for seasoned professionals and DIYers alike. Moderator and NCCC co-founder Mark Habegger (filmmaker/cartoonist) is joined by fellow NCCC members Mary Fleener (artist/writer, Billie the Bee), Rocco Versaci (2025 Eisner judge/English professor), David Clark (San Diego Comic-Con co-founder), Wendy All (1970s Comic-Con committee member), Dean LeCrone (cartoonist/actor), Jack Habegger (cartoonist), and Nick Ivins (artist/illustrator) to discuss what it takes to put out a comics 'zine.

Inside Indie Manga Publishing: Manga Mavericks Books Industry Panel

Have you ever wondered what it's like to start a manga publishing company? Manga Mavericks Books co-founders Varun Gupta (CEO and licensing director, Manga Mavericks) and Siddharth Gupta (COO and operations director, Manga Mavericks), alongside indie publishing professionals Amanda Nanawa (founder and CEO, Curation Entertainment Partners, Inc.) and Harrison Doan (head of partnerships and licensing, Mahjong Pros), discuss the challenges of establishing a manga publisher today and ways to help bring more manga to English-language readers. Announcements, prizes, and surprises are included.

La Llorona Comics: The Latin American Challenge of Creating Comics . . . Before Tapping Out

Raul Valdes (artist), Oscar Amador (writer), Giobany Arevalo (editor), Alex Sinclair (colorist, DC Comics), and Blue Demon Jr. (luchador legend) discuss the difficult task of producing independent comics in Mexico and how the proliferation of A.I. may impact the industry. Moderated by Carlos Joey Moises (host, ComicMania podcast).

Mergers and Acquisitions in Entertainment, Publishing, and Gaming

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.

Monsters and Cryptids in Comics

Che Grayson (Absolute Catwoman, Exquisite Corpses), Chris Condon (Ultimate Wolverine, That Texas Blood), Tate Brombal (Batgirl, Everything Dead & Dying), Soo Lee (Maleficent, Carmilla), and Julio Anta (Blue Beetle, Beast of Boriken) discuss favorite cryptids, creature features, and folk stories that inspired their bone-chilling comics. Moderated by Sami DeMonster.

Power Rangers: The Next Era Begins

Creators Marguerite Bennett (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Gastronomique), Phillip Sevy (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), Kenny Porter (Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow), and Joey Esposito (Power Rangers Unlimited, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Zord Quest) discuss what's in store for the next generation of Power Rangers. Moderated by BOOM! editor-in-chief Andy Schmidt and in conversation with editors Tea Fougner and Ari Yarwood, the panel includes exclusive previews, behind-the-scenes insights, and audience questions about the epic storylines shaping the next era of Power Rangers.

Robservations LIVE

Rob Liefeld (Deadpool, Cable, X-Force, Youngblood) records a live episode of his hit podcast Robservations LIVE in front of the SDCC audience.

Star Trek 60th: Celebrating the Law of the Genesis Trilogy

The Star Trek films Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home all ask the question: How do you define victory in the no-win scenario? Lawyers face that question regularly when representing people in legal jeopardy. A panel of judges and lawyers examine legal issues from the "Genesis Trilogy," including the legality of the Genesis Device; whether the insanity defense applies to someone with a Ceti Alpha V eel wrapped around their cerebral cortex; whether the necessity defense applies to stealing the USS Enterprise; whether it is legal to park a Bird of Prey in Golden Gate Park; and whether you can violate the Marine Mammal Protection Act to save the planet. Featuring U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve Chu (United States District Court for the Southern District of California), U.S. Magistrate Judge Stan Boone (United States District Court for the Eastern District of California), Judge Danna Nichoals (San Diego County Superior Court), Christine Peek (McManis Faulkner), Mark Zaid (Mark S. Zaid, P.C.), and Joshua Gilliland (Best Best & Krieger LLP; co-founder of The Legal Geeks). Moderated by Katrina Wraight (Best Best & Krieger LLP). Organized by The Legal Geeks.

The Future of Collecting

Panelists Shane Walsh (McFarlane Toys Digital), David Yu (VeVe Digital Collectibles), David Steinberger (Neonichiban.com), Brandon Boggus (TRU Media Group), Will Weinraub (Digitoys), James Roach (Muse Ink), and Ben Kendrick (vending.comicbook.com). discuss their respective projects and the expanding world of digital collecting.

Wētā Workshop Building Worlds: Avatar

Building worlds takes both creativity and knowledge. Alien life forms and extraterrestrial cultures seem more real and resonant if they're built on actual scientific principles and lived human experience. In this panel, award-winning artists from Wētā Workshop and IF/THEN scientists explore the evolving world of Pandora and the fiery new territory of the "Ash People" to examine how creativity, art, and science work together to make imaginary worlds a reality. Na'vi costume art director Flo Foxworthy (Wētā Workshop) and costume designer Deborah Scott reveal how every stitch, material, and silhouette in the Na'vi wardrobes is handcrafted, then scaled up for the big screen to reflect culture, ecology, and survival in various ecosystems. Sir Richard Taylor (founder and creative director, Wētā Workshop) shares how the team's decades of world-building, from physical artifacts to social structures, helped bring Pandora and its technologies to life. They are joined by IF/THEN scientists Dr. Liz Engler-Chiurazzi (neuroscientist, Tulane University), Dr. Johanna Varner (ecologist, Colorado Mesa University), Dr. Jaye Gardiner (molecular biologist, Tufts University), Afua Bruce (public interest technologist), and Sydney Hamilton (rocket scientist, See Syd Soar), who unpack how real neurobiology, evolution, and climate science inform concepts like the "Tsaheylu" neural bond, adaptation to ash-choked landscapes, and the historical consequences of both colonization and landscape degradation, demonstrating how Pandora reflects (and refracts) the challenges we face on Earth today.

Autograph Session: Sarah Gailey

Held in Autograph Area AA17: Sarah Gailey, writer (Make Me Better, Neighborhood Watch)

Autograph Session: What Constitues an Ethnic Film Today?

Held in Autograph Area AA05: What Constitutes an Ethnic Film Today? Rich Ting, actor (Chicago Fire, On Call), Simon Rhee, stuntman (Inception, Rush Hour 2),Jackie Dallas, actor (Stranger Things, The Hunting Wives), Teresa Navarro, actor (Sense8, Birth of the Dragon), Andrew Choi, singer/composer (Kpop Demon Hunters, ARTMS: Virtual Angel)

Autograph Session: When The Void Screams Back: The Latest in Sci-Fi Horror

Held in Autograph Area AA06: When The Void Screams Back: The Latest in Sci-Fi Horror Peter Clines, author (God's Junk Drawer, The Broken Room), Jendia Gammon, author (Doomflower, Dungeon Crawl at the Haunted Mall), KC Grifant, author (Monster Gunslingers, Shrouded Horror), Scott Sigler, author (Beasts Beyond the Rivers, Slay: Hatchet Man)

Make a No-Budget Feature Film

Sam Rocco (director, Stegosaurus), Curtis Waugh (producer, Stegosaurus), Huck Walton (producer, Legend of the White Dragon), Jessie McKollum (hair and makeup artist), Kait Cornuelle (writer/director), and Jessica Antenorcruz (writer/narrative designer) discuss what it really takes to make a feature film outside the traditional studio system. From writing a script filmmakers can actually afford to surviving production disasters and getting to a finished film, the panel shares practical lessons learned across all filmmaking disciplines. The discussion offers a realistic understanding of how independent filmmakers can turn an idea into a completed feature without waiting for permission from the industry.

Magma Comix: Pitching Your Vision and Developing IP

Whether you're dreaming of pitching to the Big Two or building your own universe from scratch, this panel pulls back the curtain. Industry veterans John Barber (Marvel, IDW, PUG-W) and Joseph Illidge (DC, Fairsquare Graphics) bring inside knowledge from Marvel and DC. Kristen Simon (editor, Mad Cave) and Tom Waltz (former creative director, IDW) break down exactly what indie publishers want to see from new projects, whether the pitch is original or for a licensed property. And if indie publishing and Kickstarter are calling your name, David Hedgecock (owner, FunTimeGo) and Shannon Denton (Monster Forge, Image, Marvel) have cracked that code and are ready to share it. Moderated by Magma publisher Denton J. Tipton, this panel offers aspiring creators valuable insights.

Neuroscape TCG swift demos

Discover the underside of Night City in this cyberpunk TCG.(Capacity: 100)

Autograph Session: Ellen Dubin

Held in Autograph Area AA20: Ellen Dubin , actor/voice actor (Star Wars Resistance, Napoleon Dynamite)

Autograph Session: Janeshia Adams-Ginyard

Held in Autograph Area AA21: Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, actor (South Park: Joining The Panderverse, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

Autograph Session: Joe Ochman

Held in Autograph Area AA19: Joe Ochman, actor/voice actor (current voice of Disney's Jiminy Cricket, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir)

Autograph Session: Karen Whitfield

Held in Autograph Area AA22: Karen Whitfield, actor/author (Bronze Age Batgirl, Batdriven West)

Autograph Session: Legends of the Realm

Held in Autograph Area AA05: Legends of the Realm Kazumi Evans, voice actor (Sonic Prime, My Little Pony), Deven Mack, voice-actor (Sonic Prime, Lego Ninjago), Vincent Tong, voice-actor (Lego Ninjago, Sonic Prime), Sam Vincent, voice-actor (Ed, Edd n Eddy, Lego Ninjago)

Autograph Session: Patrick Labyorteaux

Held in Autograph Area AA23: Patrick Labyorteaux, actor (Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Little House On The Prairie)

Comic-Con Film School 102: Production

Day 2 of this four-day course on micro-budget moviemaking focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques and low-cost lighting to crew positions that are essential and those that are not, as well as costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer and star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (creative producer for V10 Entertainment), Darryl Thomas (writer and director of Dollface the Motion Picture), Kevin Allen (script supervisor), Ben Hansford (writer and director of Uprising), and Sean Rourke (writer and director of Lucy X Mina).

Portfolio Review Session: Fanatics Collectibles (Topps Trading Cards)

Held in Portfolio Review PR 08: Fanatics Collectibles (Topps Trading Cards) is seeking portfolios that demonstrate strong storytelling, character work, and technical execution across two primary styles for our Disney, Pixar, and Marvel programs, we are especially interested in animation and comic-influenced styles that showcase expressive characters, dynamic posing, and a strong sense of narrative. For our Lucasfilm and sports-related projects, we are looking for artists with a strong foundation in realism, including accurate likeness, anatomy, and the ability to capture authentic moments. Portfolios that highlight versatility, strong composition, and the ability to work within established brand worlds will be particularly compelling.

Bey BladeX Learn to Play

Beyblade X is a fast-paced, competitive battle game where metal-infused tops engage with a special stadium rail to perform high-speed "Xtreme Dashes"(Capacity: 6)

3D Viz and 3D Printing in Medicine, Mummies, and Animals

Investigating the mysteries of ancient mummies, helping injured animals, guiding complex surgeries, and promoting patient empowerment all have one thing in common: 3D. Cutting-edge visualization tools, including extended reality and 3D printing, are changing many facets of medical, forensic, paleontology, and veterinary sciences. Justin Ryan, Ph.D. (3D lab director, Rady Children's) hosts experts from Rady Children's Hospital San Diego and USC Keck Medicine LA: Summer Decker, Ph.D. (3D lab director, USC), Jonathan Ford, Ph.D. (3D lab associate director, USC), V. Salil Upasani, M.D. (orthopedic surgeon, Rady Children's), and Anna Hedberg (innovation engineer, Rady Children's). Panelists share stories ranging from digitally reconstructing mummified remains to planning surgeries for the smallest patients and building custom models for veterinary care. Q&A follows. This STE(A)M-focused panel highlights real-world applications of 3D technologies and how they are reshaping research, medicine, and forensics.

A Day in the Life of a Comics Writer

What do comic book writers do all day? During this fun and candid conversation, writers Melissa F. Olson (Archaic), Meghan Fitzmartin (Mary Sue), Brandon T. Snider (Supergirl's Family Vacation), Tyrone Finch (Batman/Superman: World's Finest), Brandon Hoáng (Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Kyoshi Warriors), and Comic-Con special guest Kelly Sue DeConnick (FML) compare notes on their daily habits, methodology, schedules, and what they do when none of it is working quite right.

Bad Medicine in TV and Film

The physicians of Hi Everybody! A Bad Medicine Podcast return to examine what Hollywood gets right and wrong about medicine, injuries, and how the body works. Spoiler: There's almost never enough blood. Featuring Drs. Ewa Farrelly, Courtney Nicholas, Greg Winter, and Jackson Vane. Moderated by Johnny Kolasinski.

Casting Custom Prosthetics and Accessories

Want to cast your own professional-looking prosthetics or costume embellishments but don't know how to start? Lucia Mason (costume educator, designer), Jared Salls (makeup artist), Marc Salls (makeup artist), Daniel Partridge (makeup assistant), and Rachel Salls (hair/makeup artist) discuss the wide variety of techniques and materials available to cast professional-looking cosplay prosthetics and accessories.

Collector's Call with Lisa Whelchel and MeTV

Lisa Whelchel, best known as Blair on The Facts of Life (1979–1988), brings some of the experts and collectors from her hit MeTV series Collector's Call to talk about the wide world of collecting and share some behind-the-scenes stories from the series, now in its seventh season. Fans will hear what Lisa has found in common among all the distinctly different collectors she's featured. Joining Whelchel will be Collector's Call experts, including professional archivist Rob Klein, screen-used costume historian Lisa Klein, toy collecting authority and comedian Matt Weinhold, and Weigel Broadcasting vice chairman Neal Sabin. Whelchel will also make an exclusive announcement about her next MeTV programming event. Actor/podcaster/collector and Collector's Call guest Ralph Garman moderates, and panel attendees will receive a Comic-Con exclusive Collector's Call lenticular collectible.

D&D Wrestle Royale

Brandon Cutler (AEW wrestler) DMs a group of wrestlers and D&D personalities through a 5e battle royale to the death. Peter Avalon (AEW), Evil Uno (AEW), Johnny Stanton IV (NFL, Sink!), and Ify Nwadiwe (Um, Actually) battle it out to see who the sole survivor is, with additional participants possible.

Portfolio Review Session: James Doh

Held in Portfolio Review PR 02: James Doh is a feature film storyboard artist that works in live action film and most recently completed the biopic Michael. James will review your storyboards and sequential art. Sketchbooks, rough sketch art to finished, color work are all welcome. Let's talk movies and your goals in art and how to improve your storytelling!

Deniz Camp and Friends

Scott Snyder (Iron Man: Noir) moderates a free-wheeling discussion with Deniz Camp (Assorted Crisis Events, Bleeding Hearts, Absolute Martian Manhunter) and his frequent collaborators, Stipan Morian (20th Century Men, Bleeding Hearts) and Eric Zawadzki (Assorted Crisis Events), about the craft of comics, from the micro to the macro: why they make them, why they love them, and how they work.

DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island

The filmmakers and stars of DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island share a look inside the new original film about two lifelong best friends who are transported to a fantastical island filled with magical and mythological creatures.

Eisner Hall of Fame

The 2026 Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards Hall of Fame inductees are honored at this special ceremony. Trophies will be given out to 19 individuals selected by the Eisner Hall of Fame judges, along with four recipients selected by voters. Presentation by Eisner Awards Hall of Fame judges Karen Green, Alonso Nuñez, and Jim Thompson.

The Law of Collecting

There's more to collecting comics, toys, games, and memorabilia than grading condition and what they are worth. What are the legal limits of showing other people what you own? Does owning original art come with any intellectual property rights? What are creators owed when their art is resold? And what can law enforcement do to help when a collection is stolen? The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Jeff Trexler, Bob Wayne, and Dale Cendali, along with attorneys and collectors Mark Zaid and Brian Chase, answer these questions and more.

A Conversation with San Diego Celebrities Gabriel Wisdom and (Shotgun) Tom Kelly

For the first time, San Diego celebrities Gabriel Wisdom and (Shotgun) Tom Kelly come to Comic-Con to share stories from their multi-decade careers in radio and TV. Gabriel was a longtime radio personality and a special part of the early days of the con, as he helped promote it to the San Diego community. He went on to become a prominent figure in the investment sector. In 2025, he published his latest book, Salton Sea Tales. (Shotgun) Tom Kelly is being inducted this year into the Radio Hall of Fame. He currently hosts a program on SiriusXM, and he recently published his book All I Wanna Do Is Play the Hits.

A Galaxy of Star Wars Comics from Mad Cave Studios and Lucasfilm Publishing

Mad Cave Studios and Lucasfilm Publishing make the jump to hyperspace and showcase their Star Wars publishing partnership. Charles Beacham (editor, Mad Cave Studios), Josh Pruett and Scott Peterson (Phineas & Ferb), Delilah S. Dawson (Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu: Danger in the Dark), Soo Lee (Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands), and more guests present news and reveals of new tales coming soon. Fans will hear from the comic creators crafting these tales, enjoy out-of-this-world giveaways, and get a peek inside some of these exciting new projects. Moderated by Michael Siglain (creative director, Lucasfilm Publishing).

Comics Arts Conference Session #6: Cancer-Con: Graphic Medicine Comics from Cancer Patient and Caregiver Cartoonists

Graphic Medicine is taking hold in comics nonfiction and fiction. These stories may be one-page standalones, webcomics, in comic books, in health and medical education teaching tools, academic research, graphic novels, books, and zines. They may be published digitally on social media platforms and cartoonist websites. This panel brings together cartoonists who have had cancer or are cancer patient caregivers to discuss the creative process of making comics through the various phases of cancer—symptoms, screening, diagnostics, treatments, and, hopefully, remission. Panelists Naomi Volain (Plants Go Global), Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press), Chris Fink (Breakthrough: Life on the Brink), Brianna Collins, Federico Muelas Romero (T(H)UMOR, Dear Cancer Diary . . . ), and Matthew Mewhorter (Cancer Owl) consider who benefits from cancer comics and graphic pathographies, how graphic medicine differs from other work, and where their work is seen, published, and promoted.

Common Side Effects Season 2 in Production

Adult Swim's award-winning series Common Side Effects goes behind the scenes as co-creators Joe Bennett and Steve Hely give an in-depth look at season 2, currently in production. This panel explores how the new season is being built, from evolving storylines and character arcs to animation, tone, and the creative challenges of expanding the world after season 1. The conversation includes candid discussion, work-in-progress insights, and a rare glimpse into how Common Side Effects enters its next chapter.

Diversity & Dungeons: Making Your Table Inclusive

Industry leaders Mayanna Berrin (StoryQuest, Dispatch, Dungeon Masters), Jes Wade (TTRPG producer, ChariTTRPGs), Katherine Harris Mojica (TTRPG performer, Venture Forth), Kai Miller (Dice Times, Pick Your Poison Productions), Rebecca Hausman (performer, Venture Forth, Path to Nowhere), and moderator Rodney B. Campbell (TTRPG performer, Venture Forth) share practical strategies for creating truly inclusive gaming spaces. Panelists discuss strategies for showcasing diverse stories, creating safe spaces for performers from all backgrounds, and engaging audiences through inclusive storytelling. They share hard-won insights on navigating sensitive content warnings, moderating chat communities, and amplifying underrepresented voices in the actual play space, along with specific tools for handling challenging moments on-stream, developing inclusive content policies, and fostering a welcoming community.

Doing Comics Differently: Ignition Press Year One and Beyond

Ignition Press co-founders Filip Sablik (publisher), Jamie S. Rich (editor-in-chief), and Jeremy Haun (creative director), along with an all-star panel of comic creators—Cullen Bunn (Ripcord), Olivia Dufault (Prima Apparata), Rob Guillory (Innards), Tini Howard (Sicko), and Christian Ward (The Patron)—reflect on their inaugural year and unlock announcements for their next phase of publishing. Every attendee will receive a secret, exclusive free giveaway.

Drawing Courage: YA Graphic Novels That Speak Up

These stories can't keep quiet any longer. Julie Fiveash (The Froggy Library), Jarrett Dapier (Wake Now in the Fire), Tilly Bridges (Just Another Summer), Susan Bridges (Just Another Summer), R. Sikoryak (Declaration/Emancipation Illustrated), and Rob Reger (Emily the Strange (25th Anniversary Edition)) discuss how graphic novels shape moments of standing up and speaking out to initiate change.

Focus on Stacey McEwan

New York Times bestselling author Stacey McEwan, author of A Forbidden Alchemy and the Glacian Trilogy, talks with fellow bestselling author Kaylie Smith (Phantasma, Enchantra) all about writing simmering romantasy with substance, her position as a BookTok comedy sensation, and her newly released sequel, A Forsaken Prophecy.

HEROTALK: Black Comics' (Old School) Message Board/Independent Creators United

It's taken awhile, but steadily, more and more Black creators are sending shockwaves through the comics and entertainment industries. This notable change is not recent, and many of the creators are not "overnight successes." Many first congregated on a turn-of-the-century website founded by Omar Bilal called The Museum of Black Superheroes and its extremely important message board, HEROTALK. Much of the industry, pros and fans alike, does not know about HEROTALK. This panel highlights the message board's role as a foundational element of Black comics history. Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie moderates a conversation with former HEROTALK colleagues, including Michael "Deac" Daniels, Hannibal Tabu, Robert Roach, and John Jennings, on how the community formed there and how many members moved from semi-anonymous debates to friendships and careers in and beyond comics.

Image Comics: Artists Unleashed

Daniel Warren Johnson (The Moon Is Following Us), Skottie Young (I Hate Fairyland), Ian Bertram (Precious Metal), Caspar Wijngaard (The Power Fantasy), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), and Sean Gordon Murphy (The Last Driver) discuss their work, creative process, and influences. Moderated by Jim Viscardi.

Rolled Table: Improvised D&D Comedy

The cast of the Knights of the Rolled Table podcast perform a completely improvised comedy D&D adventure. Audience members shape the story, make key decisions, and influence the fate of the heroes. Expect fast-paced fantasy, ridiculous characters, terrible puns, and spontaneous chaos from a cast with deep roots in the San Diego improv scene. Family-friendly and designed for adventurers of all ages, no two shows are ever the same. Featuring Carlos Guzman-Verdugo, Jeff Frank, Jennifer Stopper Crespo, Marc Crespo, and Matt Messerman, with Chris Daily (Dungeonheads) as DM.

Spilling the Tea on Animation IP

Siobhan Blanas (literary manager, The Gotham Group) moderates a discussion with Micah Askins (development coordinator, PlayStation Productions), Megan Barnard (director of development, DreamWorks Animation), Curtis Baxter (Predator: Kejime, Storm: Lifedream), Joyce Im (creative executive, Laika), Amanda Muñoz (Maul: Shadow Lord, Star Wars: The Bad Batch), and Nicholas Parker (head of business and legal affairs, The Gotham Group) on adapting books, comics, and games into animation. Panelists examine how to protect, package, and pitch IP for animated TV and film, followed by a Q&A.

Spotlight on Howard Mackie

Comics writer Howard Mackie, whose work spans the darker corners of the Marvel Universe (Ghost Rider) to the genuinely heroic (Spider-Man), is interviewed, cajoled, and ridiculed by fellow Clone Saga writer Terry Kavanagh (Spider-Man, Moon Knight, and more) in a one-on-one chat and Q&A exploring past work together and future projects in the pipeline.

The Catering Crew: Daggerheart

Eberron creator Keith Baker leads a Daggerheart live play in a brand-new setting. In a haunted city, a team of heroes must banish a demon before its power grows. But the fiend is hiding beneath the mansion of the most powerful family in the city, and there's only one way to get in: cater their party. Party Down meets The Exorcist in this wild Daggerheart adventure.

The Pitching Hour

Akela Cooper (writer, M3GAN), Lindsay Rostal (game director, Timberline/Kowloon Nights), Aaron Berger (Chatrone Mgmt), Kevin Avery (Last Week Tonight, The Great North), Kevin Burke and Doc Wyatt (writer/producers, Tales From 85), Fantastic Frankey (digital creator), and possible surprise guests discuss taking an idea from conception through production across media. Topics include creating a pitch document, obtaining agents, and securing a pitch meeting, with hypothetical examples and stories that outline approaches new creators can adapt as they navigate the entertainment industry. Q&A included.

UDON Entertainment Industry Panel 2026

Celebrating another groundbreaking year of publishing the best video game and anime art books and manga from Japan and around the world, UDON chief Erik Ko and director of publishing Matt Moylan share all the new and exciting projects that UDON will offer in the coming months.

Writing Dialogue that Drives Your Scenes

Dialogue is one of the hardest elements to master in writing novels. Why? Because it is more than just conversation. Great dialogue must drive the plot, reveal character depth, and add drama without sounding forced. Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake shares techniques for creating dialogue that feels natural, sharp, and purposeful, showing how effective dialogue can deepen characters and advance a story with every word spoken.

Autograph Session: Background Noise

Held in Autograph Area AA14: Background Noise Lisa Burdige and John Hazard co-creators (Love Letters, Every Day)

Autograph Session: Smallville's Kristin Kreuk: Black Star

Held in Autograph Area AA03: Smallville's Kristin Kreuk: Black Star Kristin Kreuk, actor (Smallville, Reacher, Murder in a Small Town), Peter Mooney, actor (Rookie Blue, Mistletoe Murders), Eric Putzer, writer (Black Star, Volume 1)

Live Voiceover Coaching: Get Paid to Talk

Audience volunteers will perform actual scripts from across the VO spectrum and get live coaching from voiceover luminaries, including Scott Brick (Audible Hall of Fame narrator, the Dune saga, Jurassic Park), TJ Storm (video game VO actor, motion capture for Godzilla, Deadpool), Eric Jason Martin (author/narrator, the New Arcadia series), and Roy Samuelson (audio description performer, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon). Moderated by Suzanne Elise Freeman (Audie Award–winning narrator, Five Nights at Freddy's). The panel will also feature audience Q&A.All of the necessary supplies to participate in this Comic-Con How To session will be provided.

Making the Jump to Video Game Writing

In recent years, the rapidly growing video game industry has drawn creative people from across the media landscape, including writers of all stripes. The path to becoming a game writer is not always clear: Is it better to be a master coder or an expert story breaker? Game writers Tom Casiello (WWE, Gravity Well Games), Heather Woodward (Upright Citizens Brigade, Respawn Entertainment), Manny Hagopian (Off Broadway, Respawn Entertainment), Jordan Morris (Fuse Literary, Respawn Entertainment), and Ashley Reed (Fuse Literary, Respawn Entertainment) discuss where their writing careers started, the paths they took to game writing, and pitfalls to avoid along the way.

Penguin Random House: Buzzy Books 2026

Penguin Random House staff present the buzziest books of the year, from science fiction and fantasy to romance and horror, highlighting upcoming reads they are bringing to shelves.

TRUST

An A.I. agent interrogates a hacker girl, but the girl starts claiming the A.I. agent is her mother. Participating panelists include Tomofumi Inoue (director) and Moka Miura (line producer).

Bad Idea: The Comic-Con Panel

Derek Kolstad (creator of John Wick), David Yarovesky (director of Brightburn), Robert Venditti, Joshua Dysart, and Bad Idea impresarios Dinesh Shamdasani, Peter Stern, Benjamin Simpson, Siena Fallon, and Brockton McKinney discuss Bad Idea's latest slate. The panel features new art from Warbird, It Demands Sacrifice, Lancer, Courier, Hank Howard Pizza Detective, and more. Surprise guests and a convention-exclusive giveaway are also planned.

Cosplay Is a DRAG: The Draggening

Chad Hatter (Queer for Fear, Robot Chicken) sits down with Pam Demic (costume designer, Workaholics; drag performer since 1989) and Broadway diva headliners Claire Voyance (Voyance Productions & Broadway Divas SCFTA), Leeko Rae (headliner at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts), and April Showers (Showers Productions & Late-Night Divas @ Hamburger Mary's), along with Thai Teaze (Miss Hamburger Mary's Ontario 2024 and producer/hostess of Oh Honey, It's Brunch!, as well as the infamous Pokebrunches) to discuss the crossroads where cosplay meets drag, as well as navigating these art forms in the modern world.

Devils and Dreamscapes: How Horror Comics Changed the Way We See the World

Horror comics began as shocking page-turners with twist endings, but they soon became so much more. From ghosts dishing out supernatural punishments for moral crimes to cautionary tales where arrogant and cruel killers suffer the bloody consequences of their misdeeds, the panel will discuss the real-world impact of horror comics and how they have evolved to the present day. Moderated by Eisner nominee and The Atonement Bell writer Jim Ousley, panelists include BJ McDonnel (director, the Foo Fighters' Studio 666 and Slayer's Repentless Trilogy), Bill Field (author/director, horror historian), Seth M. Sherwood (writer, Leatherface and Hell Fest), Gregory Plotkin (editor, Get Out, A Quiet Place: Day One), Phillip Kobylanski (producer, Hell Fest and Lore), Derek McCaw (host of the Fanboy Planet podcast and Monsterverse Comics' Bela Lugosi's Tales from the Grave), and Jordan Barel (graphic novelist, film editor).

Expect More with AHOY Comics!

AHOY Comics has made a name for itself with acclaimed creators, witty satire, and a commitment to bold, risk-taking storytelling, including The Toxic Avenger, Babs, Second Coming, Justice Warriors, Billionaire Island, Ancestral Recall, and more. Matt Bors (The Toxic Avenger, Justice Warriors) and Mark Russell (Second Coming, Billionaire Island) discuss the upcoming The Forgotten Divine graphic novella, more Toxic Avenger comics, and the future of the publisher that asks its readers to expect more. Moderated by Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press).

Focus on Tradd Moore

More than a decade ago, artist and illustrator Tradd Moore made his comics debut with The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, cementing his status as one of the industry's most distinctive sequential storytellers. After a string of visually stunning series, including Silver Surfer: Black, All-New Ghost Rider, and Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise, Moore surveys his career thus far and discusses what's coming next in conversation with Hunter Gorinson (president and publisher, Oni Press).

Hasbro Transformers Panel

The Hasbro Transformers toy development team shares a behind-the-scenes look at the latest character figures across the brand. Time permitting, the session includes a Q&A with trivia and more.

Hello Maggie!: Film Premiere at Comic-Con

Disney legend and Inkpot and Annie Award recipient Willie Ito (producer) presents the true story of the love and friendship between a boy and his pet bird while being interned at a WWII concentration camp for Japanese Americans at Heart Mountain, Wyoming. James Lopez (veteran Disney artist) joins Willie to discuss the production, followed by a Q&A moderated by Mindy Johnson (animation historian and author). Anne Marlborough (associate producer) and Sarah King (photographer) also participate.

J. Michael Straczynski Workshop

J. Michael Straczynski returns for his free, standing-room-only, Q&A-based writing workshop. For anyone interested in writing for television, film, comics, or any other form of writing except poetry (at which he sucks), JMS offers guidance from someone who has worked, and continues to work, full-time in those industries. The format is a freewheeling, take-no-prisoners conversation, with questions encouraged that ideally have utility for other writers as well.

Pow! Bang! Teach! Comic-Con in the Classroom!

Patrick Meehan (ELA teacher, SDUSD), Nancy Burks (social studies teacher, SDUSD), and Maya Bellistri (librarian, SDUSD) discuss how the myriad aspects of Comic-Con can transform the ordinary classroom into a creative, collaborative, and engaging learning environment that complements the needs of today's students and educators. The panel includes handouts and resources for educators, as well as freebies for kids.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: What's New on Batuu?

Like the ever-expanding lore of its movies and TV shows, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland and Walt Disney World has received updates over the past year. From new characters and experiences to fan events, merchandise, food, and more, no two visits to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu are ever the same. Kristine Smith and Martin Smith (Heroes of the Halcyon podcast, Halcy-Con) and Peter Sciretta (Ordinary Adventures on YouTube) discuss 2026's major changes to Galaxy's Edge.

The Collapse of the Billionaire Hero

In today's cultural and economic climate, fascination with the wealthy has shifted toward sharper awareness of inequality, frustration, and scrutiny. Hosts of the Tangential Giants Podcast Kareem Anderson, Patrick Kellenberger, and Ken Rolow, with guests Ray-Anthony Height (comics creator and founder, SKYE-TIGER Studio), Magical Girl Marina (fandom and cosplay content creator), and Justin Quizon (podcast host and comics writer), discuss how money functions as a storytelling tool, the nuance gap in portrayals of wealth, and what characters can look like when wealth is removed from their narratives.

The Simpsons: A World of Collecting

Simpsons collectors of the world, unite! Get a chance to meet and mingle with fellow collectors of Simpsons merchandise from all over. This gathering, hosted by members of the SimpsonsCollectors website, is a great chance to network with other collectors and share your experiences in the hobby. Brian Guthrie, Ken Gartin, Jesse Lankford, Duy Trihn, and Ben Barackman offer tips for collecting everything Simpsons.

Autograph Session: Anjali Bhimani

Held in Autograph Area AA10: Anjali Bhimani, voice actor (Overwatch, Apex Legends)

ArcMate

ArcMate alters chess and bughouse with a deck of rule-modifying cards. Deal one or two; cards are composable, so later cards stack cleanly. Pieces may gain wild moves, zones, or new win conditions. Works with standard or Fischer Random starting positions for fast, table-ready demos.(Capacity: 4)

Yokai Septet

In Yokai Septet is a trick-taking game where you compete to capture valuable Boss Yokai. But beware! Winning too many tricks costs you the game. Read your opponents and time your wins perfectly to claim the most points without tipping into defeat(Capacity: 4)

Predator Badlands

(2025, directed by, starring Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi; PG-13) A young Predator, cast out from his clan, finds an unlikely ally on his journey to seek out the ultimate adversary.

Bey Blade X Tournament (All Ages)

Beyblade X is a fast-paced, competitive battle game where metal-infused tops engage with a special stadium rail to perform high-speed "Xtreme Dashes". This Tournament is available to all ages but is BYOB (Bring Your Own Beyblades), 3v3 First to 4 Points. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 players(Capacity: 32)

Autograph Session: Jamie Costa

Held in Autograph Area AA19: Jamie Costa, actor/writer/producer (Ray Gunn, Bring Him to Me)

Neuroscape Scheduled Learn to Play

$5 entry. Receive a Starter deck, yours to keep, and dive into Neuroscape in a friendly, supportive environment. Bonus prizes for participating!(Capacity: 100)

OverPower Trading Card Game Demos

Quick tutorial on how to play the new OverPower Card Game with characters from the Walking Dead and Invincible.(Capacity: 100)

Paint & Take

Starting every hour, select a miniature and express your creativity. Painting supplies and 1 miniature figure will be provided to every participant. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.(Capacity: 60)

Autograph Session: Janeshia Adams-Ginyard

Held in Autograph Area AA21: Janeshia Adams-Ginyard, actor (South Park: Joining The Panderverse, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)

Party Wanted

Party together with amazing co-op deck building in this DnD like dungeon crawling card game!(Capacity: 9)

A Look Back at Comic-Con's Early Years

A look back at Comic-Con's early years through the memories of those who were there and never-before-seen video. Panelists include Gabriel Wisdom, one of the early Masquerade hosts, and Scott Smith, electronic publicity and creator of Comic-Con CCTV.

Building Sustainable Careers in Comic Art

Members of the Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS) Eddie deAngelini (Collectors Comic, CAPS interim president), Barbara Randall Kesel (writer/editor, Marvel/DC), Don Nguyen (artist, Upper Deck/Topps), and Jose Pimienta (Halfway to Somewhere) discuss how to connect with a professional network that can help build a lasting career in comics across styles, genres, and publishing models. Moderated by Kristen Parraz (Comadres y Comics Podcast).

Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall

When the mysterious behemoth known only as Bane frees Batman's entire rogues gallery from Arkham Asylum, the Caped Crusader is pushed to his mental and physical breaking point. Rick Morales (supervising producer), Jim Krieg (producer), and Michael Mando (voice of Bane), along with other members of the creative team, discuss the multi-part animated event from Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios, and Warner Home Entertainment, bringing to life one of the most iconic sagas in Batman comics. Based on characters from DC and the DC comic book event Batman: Knightfall by Doug Moench, Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, Dennis O'Neil, Peter David, Jo Duffy, Jim Aparo, Graham Nolan, Norm Breyfogle, and Jim Balent.

Autograph Session: Mad Rewind talking about MadTV

Held in Autograph Area AA07: Mad Rewind talking about MadTV Nicole Sullivan, actor/comedian (MadTV, black-ish), Mo Collins, actor/comedian (MadTV, Parks and Recreation), Michael McDonald, actor/comedian (MadTV, Scrubs), Josh Meyer, actor/comedian (MadTV, Quantum Leap), Orlando Jones, actor/comedian (MadTV, Sleepy Hollow) Saturday and Sunday only

Bob's Burgers

Loren Bouchard (creator and executive producer), Bernard Derriman (supervising director), and cast members H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Dan Mintz, and Larry Murphy discuss the latest adventures of the Belcher family, share fan-favorite moments, and tease what is ahead for the Emmy Award–winning series.

Comic Creator Connection All-Stars

The Comic Creator Connection All-Stars celebrates creative teams who met at one of Comic-Con's annual writer/artist networking events and have since published a new project together. Hosts Douglas Neff and Corey Rothermel (authors of Epic Win! The Geek's Guide to the Journey from Fan to Creator) kick off the party with a discussion with each team about how they built a successful creative partnership, from their first handshake to their first draft to their first sale. The panelists dish up their juiciest stories on the real ins and outs of creating comics. This heartfelt panel is packed with practical advice, hard-won wisdom, and plenty of smiles from the industry's newest published creators.

Cultural Appropriation: How It Can Affect Cosplay

Patricia A. Rabago (cosplayer), Rey Benavides (cosplayer), Ingrid Luedtke (cosplayer, actor), Lonnie Khanya Lucas (cosplayer), and Mercedes Silva (cosplayer) discuss cultural appropriation, how it can affect their choices in cosplay, and whether they've run into issues. Moderated by Colleen Kelly Burks (costumer, Cosplay First Aid).

Dark Horse: Star-Powered Storytelling

Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian, actor, and writer Patton Oswalt and fellow actor David Dastmalchian started out playing fan-favorite characters in beloved films and television, but now they have turned to creating the newest fan-favorite characters in their creator-owned comics. Together with showrunner and writer Jordan Blum and their comics co-creators, they discuss building stories like Minor Threats, Witness Point, The Guy in the Chair, Count Crowley, and Kingdom of Earth, what it is like juggling writing duties with their co-creators, what they love most about the medium, and more.

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

Celebrate the best in horror with the anthology comic book series Hello Darkness. Spotlighting both rising stars and legendary talent, BOOM! editors Sebastian Girner and Maya Bollinger talk with creators Tate Brombal (Fall of the House of Slaughter, Everything Dead & Dying), Julio Anta (Frontera, This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story), Tini Howard (Marian Heretic), and Becky Cloonan (The War) about crafting fear, the unique power of anthology storytelling, and why horror remains one of comics' most exciting genres.

Image Comics: Storytelling, Genre, and Crafting Unforgettable Comics

Geoff Johns (Geiger), Jason Fabok (Rook: Exodus), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood), Wes Craig (Kaya), and more discuss genre, storytelling, industry insights, and tricks of the trade. Moderated by Jim Viscardi.

Inside the Writers Room: Re-imagining Television for the New Normal

Television showrunners and writers discuss the state of the industry and how they are navigating dramatic changes in the medium, while sharing insights and stories for the next generation. Moderated by Chris Parnell (executive vice-president, Paramount+), panelists include Ryan Condal (House of the Dragon, Colony), VJ Boyd (Justified, S.W.A.T.), Marc Bernardin (Eyes of Wakanda, Batman: Caped Crusader, Carnival Row), Gabrielle Stanton (Haven, The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Flash), Deric Hughes (Quantum Leap, Arrow, Warehouse 13), Kay Reindl (Shining Vale, Scream), Jeff Yorkes (The Muppets Mayhem), Ashley E. Miller (DOTA: Dragon's Blood, Black Sails), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (The Witcher, Lost), and Mark A. Altman (Pandora, The Librarians, Castle).

Making Fiction Real: The Art of Writing Authentic Characters

We've all been there: You crack open a book, and the characters are so realistic, so enthralling, that they walk off the page. Ashley Poston (Someday Garden), Shirlene Obuobi (Die for Me), Scott Westerfeld and Justine Larbalestier (The Mortons), Elise Kova (Prince of Swords), and Chip Pons (Dearly Departed) discuss their craft and compare character-building techniques across genres. Moderated by Haydee Smith.

MeTV's Svengoolie Returns: Camera Ready

They're baaaack. MeTV's Svengoolie (Rich Koz) and The Sven Squad: Nostalgiaferatoo (Bill Leff), Gwengoolie (Sarah Palmer), and IMP (Scott Gryder) return for their second straight appearance at Comic-Con, but this time they'll be camera-ready in full character costume and makeup. Along with executive producer Jim Roche, the panelists discuss the past, present, and future of horror hosting, and Svengoolie himself will reveal special announcements regarding this October's BOO-Nanza programming. As the last nationally broadcast horror host on the air, Svengoolie represents a unique legacy in television history, blending classic monster movies with comedy and fan engagement to keep this beloved tradition alive since the 1970s and on MeTV since 2011. Two-time Emmy Award–winning producer/writer/comedian Dana Gould (Hanging with Dr. Z, The Simpsons) moderates. Attendees will receive a Comic-Con exclusive Svengoolie and The Sven Squad collectible magnet.