San Diego Comic-Con

[Drunk Monk]

Chuck Tingle!!!!

I had to look him up. Not in my wheelhouse.

[Drunk Monk]

San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Panel Swag and Giveaways Guide and Schedule

• Johnny Du
  
• July 13, 2026
  
• 3:38 pm
  

Welcome to our San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Panel Swag and Giveaways Guide and Schedule!
Once you’ve spent hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on a badge, lodging, transportation, parking, food, etc. to attend San Diego Comic-Con, “free” stuff might not actually feel all that free. Still, walking away with something extra just for attending a panel is a long-standing SDCC tradition and one of the better feelings attendees can experience.
To help you in your quest, we’ve gone over every description in the entire SDCC 2026 panel schedule – SO MANY WORDS – to compile a panel schedule that promise freebies (or a chance at them). Some descriptions are more specific than others, so we work with what we have.
The announced panel swag and giveaways so far for San Diego Comic-Con 2026 include a Gundam swag bag, a 5×7 bust commission, a malware 1-year subscription (sure!), plus the usual assortment of comics, books, pins, prints/posters and, of course, chocolate. Panels bringing promises of goodies include those from: Bad Idea, ENHYPEN, Gundam, Ignition Press, Keenspot, Kodansha, Legendary Comics, McFarlane Toys, Meow Wolf, Mondo, Pan’s Labyrinth, Ramayana, Simon & Schuster, Svengoolie, Tamashii Nations, and Top Cow.
[Quick aside: Obviously, this schedule doesn’t include panels with unannounced surprise swag, like the glorious Facehugger mask pictured here from 2024’s Alien: Romulus panel.]
If nothing has changed from 2025 in terms of procedure or pick-up location, then swag and giveaways for 2026 are handed out (1) directly in the room or (2) via a ticket to be redeemed at the Panel Premiums Room (aka fulfillment room) in Grand Hall B at the Manchester Grand Hyatt (entering from the Seaport Village/water/southside of the hotel). The map below comes from the official 2025 Events Quick Guide, as the 2026 one has not been released:

Panel Premiums Room hours for 2026 have not been officially announced. but are typically posted in the Quick Guide (which can be picked up in the Sails Pavilion; more info here) and on the screens in rooms in between panels. For reference: in 2025, the Room’s hours were 10am-8pm on Thursday-Saturday and 10am-6pm on Sunday (and we’d expect the same for 2026).
The panel swag and giveaway schedule below includes days, times, titles, rooms, along with any available details or panel description excerpts. Where available, we’ve linked to additional sources for information not provided in the panel descriptions.
Click on the individual panel titles for the full panel description and to add it to your own Sched schedule.
As we move closer to San Diego Comic-Con 2026, this page will be updated frequently with any new information or news that we find. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often.
As mentioned earlier, there were a lot of words to sift through on the schedule and we’re not perfect, so drop us a line or tweet us at @SD_Comic_Con if we overlooked anything!
Thursday, July 23

• 10:30am–11:30am – Gundam Showcase 2026: Unveil the Next Gundam – Room 6BCF
  • Source (w/ image!): “While supplies last, attendees will also receive a novelty nag packed with: “Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway The Sorcery of Nymph Circe” Mini Poster, T-shirt, Gundam Card Game GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT Promotional Card (EXBP-029 EX Base), Inflatable Beam Saber, 1/144 RX-78-2 GUNDAM workshop Kit Ver., Gunpla shopping bag, Gundam Headband, and Gundam Introduction Booklet.”
    
• 11am–12pm – Star Trek: The Collector Frontier – Room 5AB
  • Panel description: “A celebration… featuring… prize giveaways.”
    
• 11am–12pm – Tales From My Spinner Rack LIVE! – Room 9
  • Panel description: “Free Tales from My Spinner Rack! bookmark and set of collector’s cards to the first 100 attendees.”
    
• 11:15am-12:15pm – Bite Me: Calling All Vampires (aka the ENHYPEN panel) – Ballroom 20
  • Source: “Special gifts will be provided to all attendees!”
    
• 11:30am–12:30pm – Success in Creativity Mixer: Meet Other Creatives and Get Time with the Experts – Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  • Panel description: “Each attendee will receive three postcards covering topics and solutions from past panels.”
    
• 1:30pm–2:30pm – Main Character Energy: Black Female Storytellers – Room 10
  • Panel description: “One lucky audience member will have the opportunity to win a commissioned 5×7 bust illustration.”
    
• 1:45pm–2:45pm – Marvel Comics: Avengers: Armageddon – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “Attendees who stay until the end will receive an exclusive copy of Avengers: Armageddon #2 with a secret new cover by Chip Zdarsky, teasing the future of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.”
    
• 2pm–3pm – 10th Anniversary of Hero Within – Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  • Panel description: “Limited anniversary exclusives and giveaways are planned for attendees, while supplies last.”
    
• 2pm–3pm – Mondo Toy Talk – Room 7AB
  • Panel description: “A giveaway is scheduled for attendees, while supplies last.”
    
• 2pm–3pm – Myths, Monsters, and Dumpster Fires: Coloring Outside the Lines with Camilla d’Errico and Truck Torrence – Room 9
  • Panel description: “Attendees receive pages from their newest coloring books and can color along using complimentary colored pencils provided by Holbein Artist Materials.”
    
• 2pm–3pm – The Human Fly vs. Dracula: Amazing Artwork and Edgy Stories – Omni Grand Ballroom DE, Omni San Diego Hotel
  • Panel description: “Comics and graphic novel giveaway contest.”
    
• 3pm–4pm – Ultraduck: Soaring into a New Era of Superhero Cinema: Exclusive First Look – Room 32AB
  • Panel description: “All attendees will receive a free exclusive Ultraduck collectible pin to commemorate the experience.”
    
• 3:15pm–4:15pm – Academy Award–Winning VFX Studio DNEG: Namit Malhotra’s Ramayana: The Epic Begins – Ballroom 20
  • Panel description: “The panel includes… special giveaways.”
    
• 3:15pm–4:15pm – The Year of Jack Kirby: A Star-Studded Celebration! – Room 6DE
  • Panel description: “An SDCC 2026 panel-exclusive Marvel comic will be distributed to attendees.”
    
• 4pm–5pm – Weirder Together: Meow Wolf + Titmouse – Room 25ABC
  • Panel description: “The session includes… exclusive giveaways.”
    
• 5pm–6pm – Inside Indie Manga Publishing: Manga Mavericks Books Industry Panel – Room 29AB
  • Panel description: “Announcements, prizes, and surprises are included.”
    
• 6pm–7pm – Keenspot Power Hour: Maids, Monsters, and Pooh Bears, Oh My! – Room 5AB
  • Panel description: “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.”
    
• 6pm–7pm – What’s the Scoop with Simon & Schuster – Room 4
  • Panel description: “All attendees receive a surprise gift.”
    
• 7:15pm–8:15pm – Hollywood’s Love Affair with Fencing – Room 6BCF
  • Panel description: “Gary Miereanu moderates and gives away a few exclusive prizes for the best questions from the audience.”
    
• 8pm–9pm – StreetPass OC: Nintendo Quizbowl XII: Rise of the Quiz – Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  • Panel description: “Kiet Pham, Ryan Lu, and Adam Shere host a competition for an opportunity to win prizes.”
    
• 8pm–9pm – Trivia for Chocolate – Room 28DE
  • Panel description: “The first audience member to call out the correct answer wins a small piece of chocolate. At the end, the person with the most small chocolates receives a really big (more than 1 pound) piece of chocolate, and runners-up receive quality chocolate bars. Everyone keeps any small chocolates they have won.”
    

Friday, July 24

• 10am–11am – Collector’s Call with Lisa Whelchel and MeTV – Room 6DE
  • Panel description: “…panel attendees will receive a Comic-Con exclusive Collector’s Call lenticular collectible.”
    
• 12pm–1pm – A Galaxy of Star Wars Comics from Mad Cave Studios and Lucasfilm Publishing – Room 7AB
  • Panel description: “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.”
    
• 12pm–1pm – Doing Comics Differently: Ignition Press Year One and Beyond – Room 23ABC
  • Panel description: “Every attendee will receive a secret, exclusive free giveaway.”
    
• 1pm–2pm – McFarlane Toys: Unreleased, Unannounced, Unleashed – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “The McFarlane Toys team, along with surprise guests, provides an in-depth look at these highly anticipated products, with additional surprises and giveaways.”
    
• 1:30pm–2:30pm – Artist’s Editions and More: What’s Next at Act 4? – Room 24ABC
  • Panel description: “There will also be some trivia questions (with a prize) and a raffle, with two recent Artist’s Editions given away in a snazzy new Act 4 Publishing tote bag.”
    
• 1:45pm–2:45pm – Enter The Vale: World Premiere of a New Fantasy Universe – Room 6DE
  • Panel description: “… followed by premium giveaways.”
    
• 2pm–3pm – Original Comic Art: An Open Discussion with the Insiders – Room 23ABC
  • Panel description: “Plus: original art giveaways.”
    
• 2pm–3pm – Writing for Indie Comics – Omni Grand Ballroom DE, Omni San Diego Hotel
  • Panel description: “Free comics are available for anyone who asks a question.”
    
• 2:15pm–3:15pm – Marvel Comics to Screen: X-Men ’97 – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “Featuring… a special giveaway comic at the end of the presentation.”
    
• 3:15pm-4:15pm – 10 Years of Watch Dogs 2 – Room 6BCF
  • Source: “Attendees will receive a 1 year Malwarebytes Premium license plus exclusive Malwarebytes × Watch Dogs 2-inspired swag you don’t want to miss!”
    
• 3:30pm–4:30pm – Marvel Comics: Next Big Thing – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “Attendees who remain until the end will receive a special giveaway.”
    
• 4pm–5pm – Making of Star Wars: The Experience – Room 7AB
  • Panel description: “Attendees receive a first reveal of renderings, key art, and more, with giveaways available only at Comic-Con.”
    
• 4:45pm–5:45pm – Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror: Tenth Anniversary Edition – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “Exclusive giveaways from Camp Miasma and Victorian Psycho will be available for all attendees.”
    
• 5pm–6pm – Bad Idea: The Comic-Con Panel – Room 32AB
  • Source: “To celebrate the upcoming launch of WARBIRD #1, all panel attendees will receive a special edition of the explosive, zero issue special — WARBIRD #0, double-signed by writers Derek Kolstad & Robert Venditti!”
    
• 5pm–6pm – Pow! Bang! Teach! Comic-Con in the Classroom! – Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
  • Panel description: The panel includes handouts and resources for educators, as well as freebies for kids.
    
• 5pm–6pm – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: What’s New on Batuu? – Room 7AB
  • Source (w/ image!): Panel attendees will receive a free 11×17 con-exclusive Galaxy’s Edge print featuring original trilogy in-park characters.
    
• 5:15pm–6:15pm – Cineverse: Return of a Masterpiece: The 20th Anniversary of Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth – Hall H
  • Panel description: “the panel includes… exclusive giveaways…”
    
• 8:15pm–9:15pm – LUMPIA POP! Unwrapping Contemporary Filipino American Pop Culture – Room 6BCF
  • Panel description: “Free print giveaway.”
    
• 8:30pm–10pm – Christian Comic Arts Society Mixer – Room 26AB
  • Panel description: “There will be time for people to network and the always-popular geek quiz, with prizes. Guests, networking, and prize opportunities will be featured.”
    
• 9pm–10pm – Fourth Annual Ghostface’s Killer Trivia – Room 25ABC
  • Panel description: “Participants will need to be sharp as a knife to survive this year’s contest and win prizes.”
    
• 9pm–10pm – Star Wars Trivia Party – Room 7AB
  • Panel description: “Prizes.”
    

Saturday, July 25

• 10am–11am – MeTV’s Svengoolie Returns: Camera Ready – Room 6DE
  • Panel description: “Attendees will receive a Comic-Con exclusive Svengoolie and The Sven Squad collectible magnet.”
    
• 11am–12pm – New and Upcoming Kodansha Manga Revealed – Room 9
  • Panel description: “Q&A and surprise giveaways.”
    
• 11am–12pm – Top Cow: 2026 and Beyond – Room 4
  • Panel description: “Attendees will receive a free custom print with autograph lines for several creators who will be signing at the booth right after the panel.”
    
• 11:15am–12:15pm – Avatar Origins: ATLA Legacy and Future – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “Programming includes… a cosplay contest with prizes…”
    
• 12pm–1pm – From 1999 to EverQuest Legends – Room 28DE
  • Source: “Panel attendees will be able to grab an exclusive EverQuest Legends San Diego Comic-Con poster and a collectable pin featuring the Froglok, EQL’s froggy fan-favorite.”
    
• 1pm–2pm – Legendary Comics: Street Fighter, Dune, Godzilla/Kong, and More – Room 4
  • Panel description: “A special giveaway is planned.”
    
• 1pm–2pm – Tamashii Nations Unveiled: S.H.Figuarts Exclusive Panel – Room 7AB
  • Panel description: “…a special giveaway item is planned.”
    
• 1:45pm–2:45pm – Marvel Comics: Midnight Universe – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “Attendees who remain until the end will receive an exclusive black-and-white ashcan edition preview of the Midnight Universe.”
    
• 3pm–4pm – Marvel Fanfare – Room 6A
  • Panel description: “Attendees who remain until the end will receive an exclusive giveaway comic book.”
    
• 4pm–5pm – Parillo and Cohen Live: From Aftermarket Demand to Career-Defining Covers with CovrPrice – Room 29AB
  • Panel description: “Attendees receive a free, exclusive Parrillo & Cohen lanyard (limited to 300).”
    
• 4:30pm–5:30pm – From Raw to Slab: The CGC Grading Experience – Room 26AB
  • Panel description: “The panel… puts attendees’ skills to the test with “Guess the Grade” for prizes.”
    
• 5pm–6pm – Documentary Preview: Bill Sienkiewicz: That Polish Guy – Room 25ABC
  • Panel description: “All attendees will receive a limited-edition promotional poster.”
    
• 5pm–6pm – Dread the Hall H 2026: More (Fictional) Comic Convention Horror Stories – Room 23ABC
  • Panel description: “Attendees receive a free, one-of-a-kind Dread the Hall H enamel pin.”
    
• 5pm–6pm – Ever-Expanding Worlds: Comics and Games Collide! – Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
  • Panel description: ” Attendees receive a copy of Summoner Wars #1 and an exclusive playable card unavailable anywhere else.”
    
• 6:45pm–7:45pm – The Tiny Chef Show Rides Again – Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
  • Panel description: “Moderated by Gary Miereanu, the panel will also feature audience Q&A and limited-edition prizes for the best questions.”
    
• 9pm–10pm – Trivia for the Rest of Us: Let’s Play! – Room 29AB
  • Panel description: “Winners receive prizes.”
    

Sunday, July 26

• 10am–11am – Emily the Strange Panel Experience – Room 32AB
  • Panel description: “As always, audience participation will be encouraged, with rewards for being strange.”
    
• 11am–12pm – 40 Years of James A. Owen Awesomeness at Comic-Con! – Room 29CD
  • Panel description: “The first 132 guests receive a copy of Pryderi Terra Book One: Awakening.”
    
• 12pm–1:30pm – How to Make a Minicomic out of One Sheet of Paper – Room 3
  • Panel description: “A Q&A follows, along with a giveaway minicomic featuring instructions on how to photocopy, cut, and fold the finished work.”
    
• 12:30pm–1:30pm – Artist Brand Collaborations: The Other Side of Merchandise Licensing – Room 6DE
  • Panel description: “…live Q&A and giveaways throughout the panel.”
    
• 1pm–2pm – The Best Pop Culture Vacation Destinations – Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
  • Panel description: “Audience participation is encouraged and rewarded throughout the debate.”
    
• 4pm–5pm – It Came from the Black Lagoon: Universal’s 3-D Movies of the 1950s – Room 28DE
  • Panel description: “Red/cyan 3D glasses are provided to attendees.”
    
• 4pm–5pm – Success in Creativity Talks About Making the Best of Your Resources – Room 24ABC
  • Panel description: “Attendees will receive a postcard with useful tips and wisdom made from information collected from the panelists.”
    

[Greg]

Chuck Tingle became a thing in SF circles maybe ten years back when a group tried to disrupt the Hugo Awards by block voting and getting his novels on the ballot. It was a bunch of Cis men who felt the Hugos had gone too woke and wanted to make a point. The joke was on them because Mr. Tingle, at that time mostly wrote gay porn of all sorts of interesting varieties, including dinosaur gay porn.

Since then, Mr. Tingle has had a lot of main stream success, especially in the horror genre. I mostly follow him to see what he will do next.

[Drunk Monk]

I was wondering why you knew him after I read about the gay porn stuff…

---

BRUCE DICKINSON (IRON MAIDEN), MIKE McCREADY (PEARL JAM), MARC MARON (WTF PODCAST), DAVID DASTMALCHIAN (STREET FIGHTER), CHARLIE BENANTE (ANTHRAX), SPENCER CHARNAS (ICE NINE KILLS), WILD WING (THE ANAHEIM DUCKS) AND MORE JOIN Z2 FOR PANELS, SIGNINGS, INTERVIEWS + MORE AT 2026 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

Photo courtesy of Z2

 

SAN DIEGO, CA (June 23, 2026) — Z2 returns to San Diego Comic-Con with an all-star lineup of musicians, actors, authors, and creators to Booth #1529 for an unforgettable week of live interviews, appearances, and signings. This year’s featured guests include Marc Maron(WTF Podcast), Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), David Dastmalchian (Street Fighter, Suicide Squad), Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Pantera), Spencer Charnas (Ice Nine Kills), DANCE GAVIN DANCE, TX2, Wild Wing (The Anaheim Ducks), and much more. In addition to celebrated fan events at the booth, McCready, Dickinson, and Maron will headline featured panels celebrating their upcoming books, while Dastmalchian, Benante, Carla Harvey, the producers of …And Out Comes the Wolf, and Cage Claypool will join Z2 for special discussions about upcoming projects. In addition to signings, panel programming details and schedules can be found below:
 
Z2 PANEL SCHEDULE:
THURSDAY, July 23, 12:30PM - 1:30PM
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
FAREWELL TO SEASONS - MIKE McCREADY’S ALTERNATIVE HISTORY OF
GRUNGE
As a founding member of Pearl Jam, Mad Season & Temple of the Dog, guitarist Mike McCready saw first-hand the human impact on Seattle’s music scene as Grunge exploded in the 1990s. Now, Mike is joined by co-writer Mark Sable (Unthinkable, Supergirl), artist Sebastián Piriz (Speed Racer), Z2 President Josh Bernstein, and editor-in-chief Rantz A. Hoseley to discuss the glory and the heartbreak of that era, captured in the pages of Mike’s new graphic novel FAREWELL TO SEASONS, along with the challenges of bringing a seminal moment in music history to life on the comic book page.
 
THURSDAY, July 23, 1:45PM - 2:45PM
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
BETWEEN THE PAGES OF MARC MARON’S WTF IS A PODCAST
Marc Maron’s WTF podcast established the gold standard for podcasting, as it helped define the lexicon of a new form of entertainment. In celebration of the full history of WTF, and the release of the official graphic novel history from Z2; WTF IS A PODCAST, Marc is joined by his longtime partner-in-podcasting-crime Brendan McDonald and New York Times best-selling cartoonist Brian Box Brown (André the Giant, The He-Man Effect) as Z2 President Josh Bernstein talks with them about encapsulating almost 20 years of podcast and personal history into the pages of one graphic novel.
 
FRIDAY, July 24, 4:30PM - 5:30PM
Room 5AB
BRUCE DICKINSON’S THE MANDRAKE PROJECT – YEAR TWO
As the war between magic and science for the control of immortality reaches a fever pitch, Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson arrives in San Diego, joined by interior artist John Devilman
(werewolftarantulafrankenstein), and Z2 editor-in-chief Rantz A. Hoseley to spill all the juicy details to Ryan J. Downey (MTV News) about the revelations that have rocked Necropolis’ world in THE MANDRAKE PROJECT: YEAR TWO, as well as dropping secrets about YEAR THREE and Bruce’s upcoming new solo album, Vigor Mortis!
 
SATURDAY, July 25, 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Room 7AB
Z2: Where Comics and Culture Collide
Over the last five years, Z2 has firmly established itself as the publisher for graphic novels that authentically and powerfully bring the entertainment worlds of music, film and comedy to life within Comics. For this special panel, Z2 welcomes creators Cage Claypool (Frizzle Fry), Charlie Benante (Anthrax, Pantera), Carla Harvey (Lords of Acid), and David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil), with Z2 editor Jasminne Saravia, to talk with Ryan J. Downey (MTV News) about establishing the Rock and Roll Standard in comics, as well as what fans can expect from Z2’s 2026 and 2027 lineup of
books!
 
Z2 BOOTH #1529 SIGNING SCHEDULE: (ALL TIMES PST)
Thursday, July 23rd

• Noon - 1pm: Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait
  

• 1pm - 2pm: Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills
  

• 4pm - 5pm: Mike McCready of Pearl Jam with Marc Sable and Sebastián Piriz
  

Friday, July 24th

• 11am - Noon: Marc Maron, Brendan McDonald of WTF with Brian “Box Brown
  

• Noon - 1pm: Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills
  

• 1pm - 1:30pm: Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait
  

• 1:30pm - 2:00pm: Charlie Benante of Anthrax/Pantera and Carla Harvey of Lords of Acid
  

• 3pm - 4pm: Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden with artist John Devilman
  

Saturday, July 25th

• 11am - Noon: Danny Peykoff, Jamie Neese and Jason Neese the Director/Producer/Writers of …And Out Comes The Wolf
  

• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: David Dastmalchian, David Mack and Cat Staggs
  

• 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Charlie Benante of Anthrax/Pantera and Carla Harvey of Lords of Acid
  

Sunday, July 26th

• 1pm - 2pm:  Dance Gavin Dance
  

"San Diego Comic-Con is supposed to feel larger than life, and that's exactly what we're bringing this year," Josh Bernstein, President of Z2 adds, and continues, "when you have Marc Maron, Bruce Dickinson, Mike McCready and David Dastmalchian all appearing as part of your weekend, you're not just putting together a convention schedule—you're creating moments fans will be talking about for years to come. Everything about this year’s Con feels bigger, louder, and more ambitious than anything Z2 has done before."
 
Among the highlights of Z2’s San Diego Comic-Con lineup are several major publishing premieres and exclusive releases. Fans will get their first look at Marc Maron’s WTF IS A PODCAST, Les Claypool’s Frizzle Fry, the next chapter of Bruce Dickinson’s acclaimed The Mandrake Project: YEAR TWO, and Mike McCready’s Farewell to Seasons, an alternative history of Seattle’s groundbreaking 1990s music scene. Z2 will also debut new collector’s editions of fan-favorite titles created in partnership with Ice Nine Kills and “Weird Al” Yankovic, further expanding its catalog of music-driven graphic storytelling and collectibles.

I think I'm already double booked for Dickerson's talk time. Starting to feel like everything this year is happening at the same times...

[Drunk Monk]

Hi! Prime Video announced that fan-favorite series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will be returning to SDCC this year!

We will be hosting a roundtable press room on Friday, July 24, between 1-2pm PT at the Hilton Bayfront. We will have the showrunners and multiple cast members available for interviews. 

I'm including more info on the series below. Would you like to participate? You would be able to record video by placing a camera or phone on the table (please just note in your RSVP if you will plan to use video). 

Please let us know ASAP if you'd like to put in a request for approval.

Thank you!

***

Prime Video confirmed that the eagerly awaited third season of epic fantasy series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, will premiere on November 11, 2026. The globally successful and award-winning series, which has attracted over 185 million viewers worldwide, continues to be one of Amazon’s strongest drivers for new Prime membership sign-ups.

“From the very beginning, this series has embodied the scale, ambition, and cinematic storytelling that define Prime Video’s biggest global series,” said Peter Friedlander, Head of Global Television, Amazon MGM Studios. “The extraordinary response from millions of fans around the world has made it clear that this journey through Middle-earth continues to resonate, and that momentum has only grown heading into Season Three.”

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is one of the highest performing and most-viewed titles ever on Prime Video, with a broad, highly engaged, global fan base. Critics have praised the series for its epic scope and production values, and Seasons One and Two are Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Through their respective 91 day post premiere launch windows and ranked by viewers, Season One remains the biggest TV series premiere in the history of Prime Video, and Season Two is among the Top 5 most-watched returning seasons ever. Season Two debuted as the #1 Original Series on Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10 Chart and remained in the top 4 throughout its entire run.

The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, and takes viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. The series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains to the majestic forests of the elf capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
Jumping forward several years from the events of Season Two, Season Three takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, as the Dark Lord seeks to craft the One Ring that will give him the edge he needs to win the war, bind all peoples to his will – and at last rule all Middle-earth.
Season Three of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is produced by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay. They are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Justin Doble, Kate Hazell, and executive producer-director Charlotte Brandstrom. Matthew Penry-Davey is producer and Ally O’Leary, Tim Keene, and Andrew Lee are co-producers.  The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
All episodes of the first two seasons of the series are available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories in multiple languages.

This would be tempting if I still watched the show but I gave up after season 1...

[Greg]

More for the dance card. I'm beginning to think this Comic-Con is kind of popular. (Back in the 90s a fencer said that is where he was going after the tournament and all I could think was why you would want to go to a convention for comic books)

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

If you talk to Bruce, tell him one of yer pals knocked him outta a big SoCal tournament.

[Greg]

If you talk to Bruce, tell him one of yer pals knocked him outta a big SoCal tournament.

In Epee? That is the double sting.

[Drunk Monk]

I mentioned Bruce earlier - https://www.brotherhoodofdoom.com/doomFo...3#pid85283. I also am connected to Rich Ting, who starred in Warrior, one of the TV shows that paid my rent for a month or so. Right now, the plan is to go straight from the airport to my hotel, drop my luggage, hop the shuttle to the convention center to get my badge, hopefully meet up with my cousin from LA who is only there on Thursday, then head to this fencing panel. That's Thursday.

I'm still sorting the following days. Getting hammered with press invites. So distracting. Here's a few more I cherry picked for your amusement (and my reminders)

Reaching out to make you aware that Roddenberry Entertainment will be hosting the below panels at San Diego ComicCon. The panels will be taking place on Thursday and Friday and additional details can be found below!

San Diego ComicCon Panels Hosted by Roddenberry Entertainment

Experience live panels exploring Star Trek and paying homage to 60 years

PANEL DESCRIPTIONS:

Thursday, July 23th, 12:30pm, Room 24ABC
Star Trek’s Family Tree
For Star Trek's 60th anniversary, this panel explores the creative lineage that shaped the final frontier and the legacy it created in return. From early influences like Forbidden Planet and mid-century science fiction, to the groundbreaking ideas explored by Gene Roddenberry, and the countless films and series inspired by Trek, we map the franchise’s place in pop culture history. Featuring creators, historians, and special guests, this conversation highlights the ideas, ethics, and imagination that continue to define Star Trek across generations.

Friday, July 24th, 10:30am, Room 10
Designing the Future: 60 Years of Star Trek Visual Evolution
Star Trek’s vision of the future has been shaped as much by its design as its storytelling. From the clean optimism of the original Enterprise to the layered realism of modern Trek, this panel explores how artists and designers have defined the look and meaning of the future across six decades. Using rare materials from the Roddenberry Archive, we examine how design choices reflect changing ideas about technology and humanity.

Friday, July 24th, 7:00pm, Room 23ABC
Out New Life and New Civilizations: Star Trek and Real-Life Astronomy
When Jean-Luc Picard says the Enterprise’s mission is “to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before”—what does that mean? Science fiction powerhouse Roddenberry Entertainment has come together some of the preeminent scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and experts in astronomy to break down what making contact with alien civilizations might entail and how we are working to make this science fiction fantasy into a concrete reality. 


About Roddenberry Entertainment
Roddenberry Entertainment is a science fiction leader, passionately providing thought-provoking, quality genre entertainment that sustains the legacy of our founder, Gene Roddenberry. The company is devoted to producing viewer-centric entertainment that actively recognizes the integral role audiences play in the creation of any franchise, as well as the role substantive entertainment can play in bettering society. Roddenberry Entertainment’s productions promote experience over observation; encouraging audiences to think, question and challenge the status quo of the world in which we live. As stewards of Star Trek, its most recent productions include: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Star Trek: Lower Decks among others. 

NEON’S “HOPE” BUZZES INTO SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON WITH A SPECIAL PANEL WITH KOREAN ACTION MAESTRO NA HONG-JIN 

 

 

July 15, 2026 - Celebrated South Korean director Na Hong-Jin is set to make his San Diego Comic Con debut with a panel celebrating his latest film “Hope” which premiered in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and will be released by Neon in the US this Summer. The special panel will feature an exclusive introduction from Korean breakout star Hoyeon (Squid Game) and an in-depth conversation with director Na Hong-Jin. Attendees will also get an exclusive look at never before seen footage from the film. 

 

Set in the remote village of Hope Harbor, a mysterious creature has wreaked havoc on the village. Police and local hunters set out to track the beast and find themselves hunted instead. But not all is as it seems. As panic spreads and reality begins to unravel, the village finds itself facing something far beyond imagination. Hailed as a monster sci-fi epic of the grandest proportions, the film was one of the most talked about premieres at Cannes. Neon will release theatrically this September. 

 

"It is an honor to join the legendary list of panelists at Comic Con, there's nowhere else quite like it. I’m excited to share my work and introduce one of the greatest audiences in the world to our new film HOPE, a passion project ten years in the making. I hope you’ll join me before it arrives in U.S. theaters in September. See you in San Diego!” said Na Hong-Jin in a statement. 

 

The film will have its much anticipated North American premiere as the centerpiece film at the New York Asian Film Festival where director Na Hong-Jin will also receive NYAFF’s Daniel A. Craft Award for Excellence in Action Cinema. 

Na Hong-Jin has established himself as one of Korean cinema’s most distinctive contemporary filmmakers, renowned for crafting genre-defying stories that blend psychological suspense, action, and horror with his signature dark humor. Director Na’s debut feature, The Chaser (2008), premiered Out of Competition at the 61st Cannes Film Festival and became both a critical and commercial success, earning numerous Korean film award recognitions, and concluding its run as South Korea’s third-highest grossing film that year.

His next two feature films, The Yellow Sea (2010) and The Wailing (2016), continued his streak of widespread critical acclaim and selection for Cannes Film Festival premieres. With action-thriller The Yellow Sea, Director Na made history as the film became the first Korean picture to receive a direct investment by a major Hollywood studio.

Greetings--
Please consider this free, family-friendly event for your upcoming calendar listings.
WildBrain, in partnership with The Animal Pad, is hosting a Strawberry Shortcake-themed pet adoption event during San Diego Comic-Con weekend. Families and animal lovers are invited to enjoy a sweet day of activities while helping rescue dogs find their "furever" homes.
Event: Strawberry Shortcake Pet Adoption Event
Date: Sunday, July 26
Time: 12 p.m.–3 p.m. Note: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (exclusive media preview) 
Location: Malibu Farm San Diego, Seaport Village
Cost: Free and open to the public

Kia ora (hello) from New Zealand!

We are so thrilled to be back at San Diego Comic-Con, and thought you might be interested in some of the talent we'll have on booth with us this year.

We will have:

• Actor John Rhys-Davies, beloved for his portrayal of the Dwarf warrior Gimli in The Lord of the Rings films, will join the team at the booth. Plus, there are whispers of another special guest from Middle-earth possibly joining the Fellowship.
  Appearance timings will be shared on @wetaworkshop social channels on the day.
  
  
• Wētā Workshop is proud to present genuine costumes from the Avatar films up close. Award-winning Costume Designer Deborah Scott will be on-stand alongside Wētā Workshop Na’vi Costume Art Director Flo Floxworthy.
  

    Deborah Scott will be appearing on-stand from 2:00–4:00 pm on Friday 24 July, and 11:00 am–1:00 pm on Saturday 25 July.

This is alongside our Co-founder Sir Richard Taylor who will be on booth engaging with fans throughout the event.

We're on booth #3613 and have a very special exclusive reveal of our new Master Jewellwer's collection preview night, we hope to see you there 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, our full release is below:

MEDIA RELEASE 

9 July 2026 

 

Wētā Workshop returns to San Diego Comic-Con 2026, bringing legendary talent, exclusive reveals and world-class craftsmanship

Wētā Workshop, the multi-Academy Award-winning creative studio, is set to make an impact at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2026, taking place 23–26 July at the San Diego Convention Center. Fans and collectors can find Wētā Workshop at Booth #3613, where an extraordinary line-up of talent, exclusive product reveals and fan activations await.

Wētā Workshop's co-founder and creative lead Richard Taylor will be at the booth, offering fans a rare chance to connect with one of the most celebrated figures in film craft. “Comic-Con is a massive event for us,” he says. “We get to showcase our craft and creativity and share it with our type of people — other pop culture enthusiasts from around the world — and what I love most is that I get to interact with friends and fans – just like me.”

“We also have some very special guests and friends joining us this year, including Academy Award-winning Costume Designer Deborah Scott, a longtime collaborator on Avatar.”

Fans will also enjoy a rare opportunity to see authentic costumes from Avatar: Fire and Ash throughout the event. Deborah Scott will join Wētā Workshop at the booth, sharing her expertise and insights into the extraordinary craft behind these iconic pieces.

“It’s so important to us to always bring something really special,” he adds. “Last year, we revealed our Masters Collection: The Fellowship of the Ring™ piece. This year, we will be revealing our first Master Jeweller’s Collection by Jasmine Watson, the official jeweller from The Lord of the Rings.” 

This year, the team is thrilled to welcome Agoro as their premium partner at the booth, bringing with them an exceptional range of The Lord of the Rings collectibles in pure silver and gold, as well as drops from Marvel, DC and more. This exciting partnership brings together two New Zealand champions of collector culture. 

On-stand highlights include:

• Agoro will present new The Lord of the Rings precious metal collectible blind boxes, featuring pure silver and gold foil versions of the Fellowship’s iconic heroes — including Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and Boromir. Every box contains a pure silver foil, with a 9% chance of uncovering a fully engraved variant, and an ultra-rare 1% chance of finding a pure gold version inside.  
  
• Legendary On-Screen Talent: Actor John Rhys-Davies, beloved for his portrayal of the Dwarf warrior Gimli in The Lord of the Rings films, will join the team at the booth. Plus, there are whispers of another special guest from Middle-earth possibly joining the Fellowship. Appearance timings will be shared on @wetaworkshop social channels on the day.
  
• Avatar Film Costumes and Award-Winning Costume Design: Wētā Workshop is proud to present genuine costumes from the Avatar films up close. Award-winning Costume Designer Deborah Scott will be on-stand alongside Wētā Workshop Na’vi Costume Art Director Flo Floxworthy. Deborah Scott will be appearing on-stand from 2:00–4:00 pm on Friday 24 July, and 11:00 am–1:00 pm on Saturday 25 July.
  
• Master Jeweller’s Collection — Exclusive Reveal: Wētā Workshop will be making an exciting announcement at Preview Night with the reveal of its new Master Jeweller’s Collection, designed by master jeweller Jasmine Watson. Further details will be announced at the show.
  
• Jules German — Live Painting: Wētā Workshop's Creative Director for Consumer Products, Jules German, will be demonstrating his artistic flair, giving visitors an authentic behind-the-scenes look at the artistry that defines Wētā Workshop's collectibles.
  
• Jerry Vanderstelt — Live Painting: Acclaimed artist Jerry Vanderstelt of Vanderstelt Studios will be stopping by and creating original works live at the booth. Renowned for his painterly, light-drenched fantasy illustrations, Jerry's presence offers fans a rare chance to watch a master at work.
  

In addition to the stand, Wētā Workshop’s Richard Taylor, Flo Floxworthy and Avatar Costume Designer Deborah Scott will be taking part in the IF/THEN panels on Thursday 23 July at the Omni Hotel. Topics include “Building Creatures and Ecosystems” and Avatar. For full panel details, visit www.comic-con.org.

Visit Wētā Workshop at SDCC 2026

Thursday 23–Sunday 26 July 2026

San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California

Booth: #3613

For the latest schedule updates and appearance timings, visit wetaworkshop.com or follow @wetaworkshop on social channels for live updates.

Visiting Comic-Con? Be in to Win!

Fans visiting the booth are encouraged to sign up to the Wētā Workshop email list for their chance to win the ultimate Ringbearer’s Bundle. One Grand Prize Winner takes home: 

• The One Ring – Gold-Plated Tungsten
  
• Chain of Frodo – Sterling Silver
  
• Elven Leaf Brooch – Sterling Silver
  
• 500 Wētā Dollars
  
• Frodo's Journey Special Edition Signed Pure Gold Foil
  

Don't miss out — head to Booth #3613 and sign up. We'll see you at Comic-Con!

GRAMMY®-WINNING SINGER-SONGWRITER SHABOOZEY MAKES HIS SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON DEBUT WITH DEBUT COMIC THE OUTLAW CHERIE LEE FOR PANEL AND EXCLUSIVE SIGNING
Shaboozey’s highly-anticipated fourth LP The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales out 7/31 via American Dogwood 

ASSETS DOWNLOADABLE HERE
GRAMMY®-winning, record-breaking singer-songwriter Shaboozey is headed to San Diego Comic-Con to celebrate the arrival of his debut comic book, The Outlaw Cherie Lee, the first issue in a three-part western series from Range Comics (the comic and graphic novel imprint of Range Literary Publishing, the publishing division of Range Media Partners), that expands the story of his highly anticipated new album of the same name, releasing July 31, 2026. The comic's official publication date is August 18, 2026, but Comic-Con attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to get their hands on it before its public release.
Shaboozey will exclusively appear for a special live episode of Get Rec'd With Straw Hat Goofy, hosted by 2026 TIME100 Digital Creator JuJu Green, for a conversation about the comic, the new album, and offer a look at the new trailer narrated by Jamie Foxx. 
Panel:
Get Rec'd With Straw Hat Goofy (LIVE) with Special Guest Shaboozey
Friday, July 24th 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Room 6BCF
Join Juju Green, aka Straw Hat Goofy (Get Rec'd With Straw Hat Goofy), a 2026 TIME100 Creator of the Year, for a special LIVE version of his iHeartRadio podcast, Get Rec'd With Straw Hat Goofy. The special episode will feature a conversation with Grammy-winning artist Shaboozey, who will discuss his debut comic book, The Outlaw Cherie Lee, the first issue in a three-part western series that expands the story of his highly anticipated new album of the same name, releasing July 31, 2026.
In addition, Shaboozey will sign copies of The Outlaw Cherie Lee, available exclusively at Comic-Con ahead of its nationwide release at the Funko Booth on the show floor on Friday June 24th, from 5:30 PM
Signing:
Funko Booth #5341 – San Diego Comic-Con Show Floor
Friday July 24th 2026
5:30 PM


THE OUTLAW CHERIE LEE #1
Story/created by: Collins "Shaboozey" Chibueze and Xaivia Inniss

• Comic Script and story adaptation: Robert Jeffrey II
  
• Pencils/inks and Cover Art: Sean Damien Hill
  
• Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
  
• Letters: Taylor Esposito of Ghost Glyph Studios
  
• Edited by: Sarah Schonian Speich
  
• Design: Matt Harding
  

Photo Credit: Hunter Moreno
About Shaboozey
GRAMMY® winning singer-songwriter Shaboozey is building his own world, carving his lane in the alternative country and hip-hop space. Born to parents of Nigerian descent and raised in the small town of Woodbridge, VA, the multi-faceted artist grew up on an eclectic mix of music encompassing classic hip-hop and R&B, country and blues icons like Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Garth Brooks, and Lead Belly, to master lyricists, such as Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. A true crossover artist, he began his epic rise to stardom with two standout features on Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER—the only artist with multiple appearances on the album. His latest body of work, the critically acclaimed masterpiece Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going, debuted in the top five of the Billboard 200 and was praised by The New York Times for “bring[ing] hip-hop grit to country” and by Rolling Stone for “honoring country tradition and moving it forward.” The album’s breakthrough anthem, the RIAA-Diamond certified “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” broke the record for the longest-leading Hot 100 No. 1 while also topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay Chart, and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts. The single has accumulated over two billion streams across DSPs and made history, making Shaboozey the first Black male artist to simultaneously top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Hot 100. In conjunction with the release, Shaboozey received major critical recognition and a wide array of nominations at the GRAMMY Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards, along with wins at the Billboard Music Awards and People’s Choice Country Awards, and recognition from ASCAP as their 2025 Country Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year. An 8X GRAMMY® nominee, Shaboozey won his first Grammy Award in 2026 for “Best Country/Duo Group Performance” for his collaboration with Jelly Roll, “Amen.” Continuing to raise the bar with each release, his follow-up single “Good News” earned Shaboozey his second #1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart. Most recently, his GRAMMY-winning collaboration with Jelly Roll, “Amen,” also topped Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart with a rare multi-week No. 1. Staying true to his Virginian roots, Shaboozey strives to continue the region’s long-standing tradition of prolific creativity, this time by expanding the scope of contemporary hip-hop and introducing modern Americana to a global audience. His 2024 debut headline Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going tour sold out in every market and he played arenas nationwide as part of Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken tour this past winter. His highly successful 2025 The Great American Roadshow tour wrapped this past fall. He’s currently in the studio working on new music, gearing up for an even more momentous 2026.

Hi there!

On behalf of Cineverse and Guillermo del Toro, we would love to invite you to celebrate the 20th anniversary and upcoming 3D and HDR re-release of his Academy Award winning masterpiece, Pan's Labyrinth, at San Diego Comic Con.
The festivities will take place at Parq Nightclub on Friday, July 24 starting at 7pm. Please let us know if you're interested in coming and note that RSVPing doesn't guarantee entrance, and admittance will be based on capacity.
Hope to see you there!
Best,
Noah

[Greg]

Definitely Shaboozey.

[Dr. Ivor Yeti]

Re: Bruce D: Foil, of course.

---

Also: Dr. Chuck Tingle!!!!

He also writes horror and is quite good

"Love is Real!"

[Greg]

Re: Bruce D: Foil, of course.

---

Also: Dr. Chuck Tingle!!!!


"Love is Real!"

Foil, of course.

Love is totally real.

[Drunk Monk]

Not doing Shaboozey or Tingle. Outside my wheelhouse.

Here's one I would've loved to have done but it's a pre-sdcc event (and I would've had to make the trek to La Jolla)

SHREDDING THE MULTIVERSE Brings the Music of Cobra Kai, The Penguin, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Skeleton Crew, and More to the Stage


[La Jolla, CA] An all-star concert celebrating some of today’s most exciting television scores arrives at UC San Diego’s Epstein Family Amphitheater on July 21.

Just before fans from around the world gather for San Diego Comic-Con, audiences will have the opportunity to experience the music behind some of their favorite shows in an incredible live performance. Shredding the Multiverse is a one night only event dedicated to celebrating the music behind several hit television series, featuring Emmy award-winning Mick Giacchino (The Penguin, Muppet Mayhem, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) and acclaimed composing duo Zach Robinson andLeo Birenberg (Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Cobra Kai) and an all-star ensemble of Southern California studio musicians.

Known for defining the sound of some of the decade’s most acclaimed genre storytelling, Giacchino, Robinson, and Birenberg have collectively crafted scores for superheroes, Jedis, and countless other iconic characters. Shredding the Multiverse brings those musical worlds together for a high-energy and immersive experience to highlight the creativity, collaboration, and musicianship behind modern screen scoring. 
Giacchino is one of Hollywood's rising composing talents, earning an Emmy Award for his acclaimed score to HBO/DC's The Penguin. His work also includes Disney+'s Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Disney's The Muppets Mayhem, Zootopia+, and Netflix's Extinct. Marvel Television's highly anticipated Vision Quest is among his upcoming projects.
Birenberg and Robinson have emerged as one of the industry's most sought-after composing teams, earning an Emmy Award for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and a Grammy nomination for its soundtrack. Their work spans hit series including Netflix's Cobra Kai, Marvel Animation's Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Super Troopers 3, The Breadwinner, Bottoms, Pen15, Matlock, Florida Man, and Die Hart, earning acclaim for their genre-blending scores.
Timed to kick off Comic-Con week, Shredding the Multiverse offers fans of film, television, animation, gaming, and live music a unique opportunity to celebrate the composers whose work has become an essential part of today’s pop culture landscape.

[Drunk Monk]

This one struck me as funny...


My only Hall H play will be for Star Trek, like the past few years..

DREAD THE HALL H 2026
On Sale Next Week from Image Comics/Syzygy Publishing


Cover A:  Maria The Wolf

This Convention Season: The Lines Are Longer, The Panels Are Wilder... Even the Ads Might Try to Kill You.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
JULY 17, 2026 (PORTLAND, OR) — Con-goers, grab your badges; DREAD THE HALL H is back!
The beloved annual spin-off of the best-selling Dread the Halls returns with 48 pages of convention horror, satire, and glorious chaos from Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated writer Jordan Hart (Ripple Effects) and Syzygy Publishing founder Chris Ryall (Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis), arriving in comic shops July 22, 2026, from Image/Syzygy.
Featuring interior art by Luana Vecchio, C.P. Wilson III, Marianna Ignazzi, and Tom Williams, the oversized one-shot transforms convention spectacle into something far stranger. From collectors pushed past the brink to fandom spiraling into obsession, every story captures the excitement, anxiety, and beautiful absurdity of convention culture as the show floor slowly comes apart.
Collectors will also find plenty to hunt down with a stacked lineup of covers by Maria The Wolf, Luana Vecchio, and Jordan Hart, alongside a 1:10 sketch photo variant by Tony Fleecs and a 1:20 variant by Zach Howard, who incorporates all seven of Hall of Fame editor Carmine Infantino's legendary "7 Things Guaranteed to Sell a Comic"—gorillas, motorcycles, dinosaurs, cities on fire, purple skies, time rifts, and "cryin' and dyin'"—into one wonderfully over-the-top convention keepsake.



And the experience doesn't end with the final page. Included in the back of the issue is CONLAND, a Candyland-inspired board game illustrated by Chris Anderson (American Caper) that hilariously reimagines the endurance test of convention lines. The issue also features faux product comics inspired by classic '70s Hostess ads, delivering the kind of strange bonus material that feels like it was unearthed from an old convention program rather than intentionally included.


Fans attending San Diego Comic-Con can also celebrate the release at the Dread the Hall H 2026: More (Fictional) Comic Convention Horror Storiespanel on Saturday, July 25, from 5:00–6:00 PM PDT in Room 23ABC.
Everyone has experienced the joy and anguish of trying to get into an oversold panel, and the comic spotlighting those highlights and horrors returns for its annual celebration of both. Chris Ryall and Jordan Hart, joined by cover artist Maria The Wolf and interior artist Chris Anderson, will share spirited convention stories—both real and fictional—in celebration of comic conventions and the new anthology.
Every attendee will receive a free, one-of-a-kind Dread the Hall H enamel pin while supplies last.

(W) Jordan Hart, Chris Ryall (A) Luana Vecchio, C.P. Wilson III, Marianna Ignazzi, Tom Williams (L) Jordan Hart (CA) Maria The Wolf, Luana Vecchio Jordan Hart, Tony Fleecs,Zach Howard, Carmine Infantino

It’s summer convention season again, and Dread the Hall H is back with your VIP pass to 48 pages of convention-related horror stories! Attending this show are Chris Ryall, CP Wilson III, and Tom Williams, who tell connected panel-breaking tales of the con-variant craze gone amok; along with Jordan Hart and Luana Vecchio, who reveal the true terror of A-List actors getting their on-screen characters’ powers; and Hart and Marianna Ignazzi, who introduce the world to the super-powered protector of all con-goers—the CONcluder!

Request a Review Copy of DREAD THE HALL H 2026

Equal parts horror anthology, convention satire, and love letter to fandom, Dread the Hall H 2026 is for anyone who's camped out for a panel, chased an exclusive, or watched convention excitement teeter into complete madness. Fans of Ice Cream Man and The Department of Truth won't want to miss it.
Dread the Hall H 2026, a 48-page, full-color one-shot from Syzygy Publishing/Image Comics, arrives in comic shops next Wednesday, and will be available at San Diego Comic-Con (July 23-26) at the Image Booth #1915.

[Greg]

Get it!