Come learn at the 2025 Baltimore Comic-Con on October 17-19 at the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center. Baltimore Comic-Con is pleased to shine a spotlight on programming with a focus on educational content. Tickets are available now online.
This year’s schedule includes panels and events run by comics and art educators from The School of Visual Arts, The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, and The Maryland Institute College of Art. The show also features programming on the craft of creating comics, as well as panels that discuss publishing comics, grading comics, and cosplay. Here’s a look at the educational programming lineup:
FRIDAY
Room 338
2 – 2:45 – Worldbuilding 101
Environment is a vital element of storytelling that can tell readers a lot about a story, but balancing the details of the world with character and plot can be tricky. Come hear panelists Carla Speed McNeil (Finder, Queen & Country), Jamal Igle (Molly Danger, The Wrong Earth), Sean Von Gorman (The Pedestrian, Toe Tag Riot), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), and Becky Cloonan (Southern Cross, By Chance or Providence) talk about how they approach worldbuilding in science fiction, fantasy, or real-life tales. Moderated by Emily Whitten.
5 – 5:45 – Artist Portfolio Review
Come have your art portfolio reviewed by Brittany Holzherr, DC Comics Senior Editor, who will provide feedback for aspiring artists. Please note: We cannot accept portfolio review submissions using AI technology. Only the first 20 people to sign up will be reviewed.
6:00 – 6:45 – From Script to Print: Drawing Stories with Adam Kubert
After 35 years of working on some of the most notable titles in comics and teaching narrative art for 20 years at the Kubert School, Adam Kubert has a unique perspective as both an instructor and craftsman. Adam will provide insight into his process using examples from some of his most popular books. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how he breaks down a script, thumbnails ideas, and uses common narrative techniques to pull a story together.
Rooms 343 – 344
2 – 2:45 – Crowdfunding Update 2025
Crowdfunding remains one of the best—and maybe trickiest—ways to get your own projects into print. Learn what’s changed and what’s coming in this crowdfunding update with Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook, Billy Dogma), Dan Goldman (Red Light Properties, Shooting War), Andrew Pepoy (The Adventures of Simone & Ajax, The Simpsons), and Mike Hawthorne (Deadpool, Happiness Will Follow), with moderator Brandon Troy.
Ballrooms 3-4
4 – 4:45 – Finding your Confidence in Cosplay
Do you face a lack of confidence in cosplay? Join cosplay judges Vinnie Sirna, Harry Crosland, Crystal Trezza, and Wendell Smith to learn what causes self-doubt and self-questioning, why we feel that way in the current cosplay landscape, and how to deal with those thoughts so you can gain the self-confidence you deserve!
SATURDAY
Room 337
1 – 1:45 – Hit the Ground Running: Comics 101
Do you love comics? Want to create comics but don’t know where to start? Join Inkpot Award-winning writer/artist Jamal Igle (Supergirl, Molly Danger, Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine, The Wrong Earth) as he introduces you to the world of comics storytelling straight from his Comics 101 class at the New York City’s School of Visual Arts, with moderator Paul Storrie.
3 – 3:45 – Cover Story
What goes into crafting a successful comic book cover in 2025? Come see what has worked in the past and how that is changing with a fantastic list of artists who know how to get it done, including Mark Chiarello (Batman: Black & White, Wednesday Comics), Dani (Sensational Wonder Woman, Coffin Bound), Tula Lotay (SOMNA, Groupies), Joshua Middleton (Aquaman, Batgirl), and Amy Reeder (Amethyst, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), and host Bob Harrison.
Room 338
1 – 1:45 – Tools of the Trade
You know these award-winning cartoonists for their amazing work on projects you love—but what are they tools they employ to get the job done? Find out from cartoonists including David Petersen (Mouse Guard, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL), and Zoe Thorogood (It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth, Creepshow), with moderator Greg Matiasevich.
5 – 5:45 – Artist Portfolio Review
Come have your art portfolio reviewed by Filip Sablik, Publisher, Ignition Press, who will provide art portfolio reviews for aspiring artists. Please note: We cannot accept portfolio review submissions using AI technology. Only the first 20 people to sign up will be reviewed.
Rooms 343 – 344
6 – 6:45 – Passion to Profession: Turning Comics, Games, and Animation into Creative Careers
How do comics become games, and how does fandom turn into a career? Join faculty from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) as they showcase how students in MICA’s new Creative Media Production BFA bring stories to life across comics, animation, and interactive media. Hear from the team behind Batara—a game design and illustration project launched at MICA that recently won major venture funding. The students went from creators to emerging studio founders. If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion into a profession, this panel will show you how.
Ballrooms 3-4
1 – 1:45 – Creating Diversity in Cosplay: Representation, Inclusion, and Community
Cosplay is for everyone — no matter your race, size, gender, disability, or background. This panel, featuring cosplay Jessica Crouse, Marisa Ditkoff, Wendell Smith, and Evelyn Lewis, dives into the importance of diversity in cosplay and how the community can become more inclusive and supportive. Join a group of cosplayers from a variety of identities and experiences as they discuss challenges, breakthroughs, and what representation means to them. This panel is a welcoming space to listen, learn, and share.
SUNDAY
Room 337
11 – 11:45 – How to Make a Comic: The Questions You Didn’t Know to Ask—Presented by Concept to Comic™
You’ve got a novel, a game, or an original story you’d love to see in comic form—but how do you get from first idea to finished pages? Most creators don’t know what questions to ask until they’re already knee-deep in confusion. This panel answers those questions—and ones you may not have thought of yet. Using Metal Ninja Studios’ proprietary Concept to Comic™ system, this panel will explore the full comic production process. If you’re serious about building a world that can grow beyond a single comic, this session gives you the road-map—and the strategic foundation—to make it happen. Presented by the Ringo Award-nominated Metal Ninja Studios team.
12 – 12:45 – Comics Newsletters: Keeping Your Fans Informed
The rules have changed. How are comics professionals changing their marketing and information sharing strategies? What platforms work, and how often should you contact your audience? The answer to these and other questions will be revealed in this discussion with Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook, Billy Dogma), Dan Goldman (Red Light Properties, Shooting War), José Marzan Jr. (Y: The Last Man, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur), and Charlie McElvy (Spider-Squirrel, Trash Panda). Hosted by Bob Harrison.
Rooms 339 – 342
12 – 12:45 – From Digital to Print with Global Comix and Comics Wellspring
In an era where creators juggle pixels and print, Global Comix and Comix Wellspring have joined forces to redefine indie comics. Learn how our end-to-end partnership empowers you to launch digital-first projects on Global Comix and seamlessly transition to working with CWS with print-on-demand physical editions. This panel features Kinsey Matthews and Will Graves from Global Comix, plus Dan Hills and Mark Bernal from Comix Wellspring, with moderator Brandon Bloxdorf, Comics Wellspring’s Brand and Community Director.
1 – 1:45 – Comic Book Grading 101 with CGC Comics
Join CGC Comics’ President Matt Nelson as he walks you through the steps on how CGC grades a comic book. Matt will look at pressing, restoration, general defects to look out for, and more. Whether you’re new to collecting or a seasoned pro, this session is your chance to sharpen your eye and grade along with the best in the business. See you there!
Ballrooms 3 – 4
11 – 11:45 – Common Cosplay Mistakes—And How to Fix Them
This panel details common mistakes made by beginners (and even more experienced crafters) that can result in a damaged or wonky-looking costume — or even serious injury. For example, did you know that super-glue can react to natural fabrics and cause a fire? Most topics covered in this panel don’t result in accidental arson but are still crucial to keeping your costume in good shape and making sure your outfit doesn’t fall apart on stage. With cosplay judges Marisa Ditkoff, Gina John-Crosland, Vinnie Sirna, and Crystal Trezza.
1 – 1:45 – Passing Judgment: What Cosplay Judges Look for at Each Skill Level
If you’ve been to a competition, you probably know there are skill levels. But what do they mean? And how do judges determine the scores for each competition level? Join cosplay judges Crystal Trezza, Jessica Crouse, Vinnie Sirna, and Harry Crosland as they walk you through what divides the different skill levels and what is being assessed when determining which cosplay will come out on top!
