The Baltimore Comic-Con is coming to the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center September 25-27, 2026. Tickets are available online to purchase and avoid ticket counter lines!

For anyone who has ever walked through Artist Alley and thought, “I have a story I’d love to turn into a comic,” Metal Ninja Studios is bringing several ways to take that idea further at this year’s Baltimore Comic-Con. As the 2026 Artist Alley Sponsor, Metal Ninja Studios will anchor its largest Baltimore Comic-Con presence yet with an expanded 10’x20′ booth at the edge of Artist Alley.

Metal Ninja Studios is the creator-first production studio behind Concept to Comic, an end-to-end production system designed to guide creators through the complicated journey from an initial idea or script to a professionally finished, print-ready comic. Writing, editing, artwork, lettering, production, and project coordination are brought together through one guided process, allowing creators to focus on their stories while retaining ownership of their IP.

This year, Baltimore attendees will have an opportunity to experience that process themselves. The Concept to Comic Giveaway returns for 2026, co-sponsored by Metal Ninja Studios, Legends Publishing, and Baltimore Comic-Con, giving another aspiring creator the opportunity to have their story professionally developed into a comic.

And attendees won’t have to imagine where that opportunity can lead. Wren, winner of the 2025 Concept to Comic Giveaway, returns to Baltimore Comic-Con this year with a completed comic, including a special Baltimore Comic-Con exclusive cover. Fans will be able to see the finished result of the journey that this year’s winner will be beginning.

Creators who want to understand what goes into making a comic can also attend two MNS-hosted panels. “How to Make a Comic: The Questions You Didn’t Know to Ask” will cover practical considerations including budgeting, format, scripting, assembling a creative team, managing production, preparing for print, and avoiding common mistakes. “Becoming a Comic Creator: Five Stories from Idea to Debut” will feature six first-time creators representing five original projects, sharing the surprises, challenges, and lessons they encountered while bringing their own stories to life.

Attendees can see even more of that process at Metal Ninja Studios’ expanded 10’x20′ booth at the edge of Artist Alley. The space will feature a Concept to Comic showcase, completed projects, approximately five new comic debuts, comics available for purchase, the Baltimore Comic-Con exclusive Wren variant, and opportunities to meet creators during signings.

Metal Ninja Studios will extend its presence into Artist Alley through two additional satellite locations identified by Metal Ninja Studios table runners: SeerNova Comics, where attendees can meet MNS CMO and SeerNova co-owner Dillon Mysliwiec, and Lone Wolf Comics, featuring MNS Campaign & Community Lead Rob Multari.

In addition to serving as the Artist Alley Sponsor, Metal Ninja Studios is increasing its support of the Ringo Awards from Silver-level sponsorship in 2025 to Gold-level sponsorship in 2026.

Whether someone comes to Baltimore with a story they want to create, questions about how comics get made, or simply an interest in discovering new independent books and the creators behind them, this year’s Metal Ninja Studios presence gives them multiple ways to learn, connect, and get involved.