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Category Archives: Conventions

Indigi-Con Showcasing Indigenous Comic Creators Comes to Harrahs Resort This Coming Weekend

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Graphic Policy Team

Indigenous comics are part of continuing rich traditions of Native storytelling. The Indigi-Con Creator’s Symposium features Indigenous comic authors and artists and showcase their work. It takes place Saturday, February 7, on tribal lands of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians near San Diego, at Harrahs Resort Southern California, 777 Harrahs Rincon Way, Funner CA 92082.

The event is free and open to the public, and family-friendly. Registration is required. You can register and view the complete program and list of presenters online.

Indigi-Con is presented by the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation and Original Voices, in collaboration with Indigenous Futures Institute – UC San Diego, Preby’s Foundation, and The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians.

Mike Towry, co-founder of San Diego Comic-Con, the world’s largest convention of its kind, is among the featured creators presenting at 2026 Indigi-Con.

At Indigi-Con, the Eyaay Ahuuyn Foundation will unveil its comic Shuuluk Wechuwvi – Where Lightening Was Born which depicts the revitalization of the Tijuana Estuary.

Conventions

Baltimore Comic-Con 2026 announces its First Guests: Frank Cho, Colleen Doran, Larry Hama, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, and Mark Waid

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Graphic Policy Team

This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will take place on September 25-27, 2026 at the Inner Harbor’s Baltimore Convention Center. To open the guest announcements for 2026, the Baltimore Comic-Con adds Frank Cho, Colleen Doran, Larry Hama, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, and Mark Waid to the 2026 event! You can purchase tickets to this year’s event now!

Ringo Award winner and Harvey and Eisner Award nominee Frank Cho launched his career as a comic strip artist at the University of Maryland-College Park student newspaper, penning University2, which was the predecessor of his creator-owned syndicated strip and comic series, Liberty Meadows. His body of work also includes Marvel Comics’ New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Shanna the She-Devil, New Ultimates, and X-Men: Schism, as well as Jungle Girl for Dynamite Entertainment. His recent work can be seen on covers from DC’s Harley Quinn.

Colleen Doran is a New York Times bestselling cartoonist. From her first work on The Sandman, she also adapted the short stories Troll Bridge, Snow Glass Apples, and Chivalry, winning two Eisners, The Bram Stoker, Locus, and Ringo Awards, and nominations for Best Penciler/Inker Eisners, Reubens, the Excelsior, Rondo, and Tripwire Awards.

Other works include American Gods, Norse Mythology, and the adaptation of Good Omens with Terry Pratchett, at that time, the most successful comics crowdfund in Kickstarter history at over $3.1 million.

She taught Syrian refugees for the US Embassy and the Athens, Greece National Library, and contributed to Comics for Ukraine: Sunflower Seeds to benefit Ukrainian refugees. The project is an Eisner winner.

She’s illustrated works by Alan Moore, Margaret Atwood, Anne Rice, J Michael Straczynski, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Amazing Fantastic Incredible Stan Lee, and graphic novels for The Doors, Blondie, Melissa Etheridge, and Tori Amos. In Balmain Dreams 10R, she created an original story for the French fashion house Balmain for designer Oliver Rousteing.

She’s had multiple solo shows at the Society of Illustrators, The Museum of Cartoon Art, and the San Diego Comic Con Museum. She’s also exhibited at shows in Milan, Rome, Portugal, and Germany.

Other credits: Action Comics, Conan, Detective Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, Captain America, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jessica Jones for Netflix, Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Vampire Diaries, and Wonder Woman.

Larry Hama is an Eisner Hall of Fame writer/artist/editor/actor who is best known as the writer of Marvel’s GI Joe and Wolverine comics in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Larry created and scripted Bucky O’Hare, which was a comic, an animated show, and toy line from Hasbro. He has also written, edited, or drawn for Avengers, Conan, Batman, Wonder Woman, X-Men, Spider-Man, and dozens more. His illustrations and cartoons have appeared in National Lampoon, Esquire, New York, and Rolling Stone. His most recent novel is The Death of Captain America, which was also released as an audio book. In comics, he has recently scripted Iron Fist/Heart of the Dragon for Marvel and Spy Hunter/Paper Boy for DC. He has also done layouts for Deathstroke, Damage, and Michael Cray at DC. He is currently writing GI Joe: A Real American Hero for Skybound. He is also an Inkpot Award winner, and an inductee in the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame.

As an actor, he has appeared on TV in M.A.S.H., SNL, and Another World. He originated the characters of Lord of the South and Lt. Williams in the 1976 B’Way production of Stephen Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures, and has done commercials and voice-overs.

Louise Simonson has, like her husband Walter, contributed significantly to the comic book industry. “Weezie”, as she is known, began her comics career as an editor at Warren Publishing before leaving for Marvel to edit titles including X-Men, New Mutants, and Star Wars. Departing the editorial role in favor of writing, Weezie has contributed to storylines in Marvel’s Marvel Team-Up, Web of Spider-Man, and Red Sonja, and was responsible for the introduction of Apocalypse in X-Factor as well as the launch of Power Pack. At DC Comics, she worked on Superman: The Man of Steel and The Adventures of Superman.

Walter Simonson has made vast contributions to comics publishing, as a writer, an artist, and even in founding publishing imprints. He was recognized in 2012 at the Harvey Awards in Special Award for Excellence in Production/Presentation and Best Domestic Reprint Project for Walt Simonson’s The Mighty Thor, Artist’s Edition from IDW, and in 2013 for Alien: The Illustrated Story from Titan Books for Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Work. He also received the Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 at the Harvey Awards. Walt’s career began in the 1970s at DC Comics, where he worked on titles such as Weird War Tales, Manhunter, Metal Men, Orion, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, Vigilante, and Hercules Unbound. Over at Marvel Comics, Simonson has had numerous noteworthy runs, including The Rampaging Hulk magazine, X-Factor, Fantastic Four, and Thor, on which he was responsible for the introduction of Beta Ray Bill and Thor as a frog.

The multiple Ringo, Harvey, and Eisner Award-winning Mark Waid has been the voice behind dozens of series that have resonated throughout comics fandom and the creative community alike. His more acclaimed runs include DC Comics’ The Flash, Kingdom Come, JLA: Year One, JLA, Legion of Super-Heroes, and Superman: Birthright, Marvel Comics’ Captain America, Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, The Indestructible Hulk, and Daredevil, BOOM! Studios’ Incorruptible and Irredeemable, Archie Comics’ Archie, and his creator-owned works Empire and Potter’s Field. He previously served as Publisher (U.S.) at Humanoids.

This year’s confirmed guests for the show include: Jason Aaron (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Jim Calafiore (NED, Lord of the Pit), Howard Chaykin (Time Squared), Jo Chen (Runaways), Cliff Chiang (Paper Girls), Frank Cho (Harley Quinn), Steve Conley (The Middle Age), Olivia Cuartero-Briggs (The College Try), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Colleen Doran (The Sandman), Trish Forstner (Feral), Gene Ha (Mae), Larry Hama (GI Joe: A Real American Hero), Tony Harris (The Whistling Skull), Dan Jurgens (Action Comics), Mike Kunkel (Herobear and the Kid), Jae Lee (Inhumans), Jose Marzen Jr. (Y: The Last Man), Mike McKone (Teen Titans), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Adriana Melo (Fantastic Four), Pop Mhan (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe), Al Milgrom (Spectacular Spider-Man), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), Bill Morrison (The Simpsons), Sarah Myer (TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures), Kevin Nowlan (Batman: Sword of Azrael), Patrick Olliffe (Untold Tales of Spider-Man), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Tom Raney (Incredible Hulk), Craig Rousseau (The Perhapanauts), Louise Simonson (The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special), Walter Simonson (Thor), Matthew Dow Smith (DC’s Misfits of Magic), Scott Snyder (DC K.O.), Mark Waid (Action Comics), Matt Wieringo (Stagrate Atlantis: Gateways), and Thom Zahler (Long Distance),

Conventions

Drama over the future of Angoulême with a Lawsuit launched on the first day of Grand Off

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Brett

Today is the first day of Grand Off, the festival launched to replace this year’s Angoulême. After threats of boycotts, a pulling of funding, and general distrust of the organizers, the 2026 edition of the Angoulême Comics Festival was cancelled in early December 2025. In its place is a different festival, Grand Off, and a proposed launch of a comic festival in 2027. But with all of that, more drama with a lawsuit.

The Angoulême International Comics Festival (FIBD), along 9e Art+ festival manager Franck Bondoux have announced they are suing the Development of Comics in Angoulême (ADBDA). The ADBDA was tasked with replacing Angoulême in 2027. FIBD and Bondoux accuse ADBDA of “unfair competition and parasitic behavior.”

In January 2026, ADBDA sent out a request to find an organizer for a new festival. It would push to the side FIBD and 9e Art+ and move on from recent scandal. Bondoux in statements is saying this new festival is building off of the work he has done building up the reputation of Angoulême.

The lawsuit requests that the proposed convention be cancelled and “prohibit any act that would aim to organize a comic book festival in Angoulême in the first quarter of each year.”

FIBD wrote on Facebook:

The specifications drawn up by the ADBDA thus constitute a clear and deliberate appropriation of the Festival, while claiming to change its name. This crude subterfuge, a simple semantic artifice, cannot mask the reality: it is clearly an attempt to reproduce the FIBD as it has been built, structured, and developed for more than fifty years, and particularly during the most recent editions.

Even more seriously, the ADBDA claims in the same document full ownership of this future event, thus confirming an attempt at dispossession, a pure and simple spoliation of the FIBD Association, its history, its work, its volunteers, and its rights.

Deliberately marginalized and then excluded by the public authorities from this entire process, excluded from any consultation, deprived of its founding event, the FIBD Association, the target of extremely violent remarks from certain elected officials whose sole aim was to delegitimize it, is now forced, reluctantly but resolutely, to take legal action and seek the protection of the courts.

Faced with this unjustifiable appropriation, legal action is now the only possible way to uphold the law and reaffirm the fundamental principles that govern associative and cultural life. Consequently, the FIBD Association, in conjunction with 9ème art+, has initially decided to take lega

ReedPop Attempts to Clarify its dealings with ICE

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Brett

Earlier this week, we reported that ReedPop was under pressure due to its parent company’s connection to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ReedPop manages numerous high profile conventions like New York Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration, PAX, and more.

ReedPop is owned by RELX which also owns LexisNexis which provides services to ICE. LexisNexis is an online system used by many that features various databases including case law, articles, publications, court documents, market intelligence, and more.

LexisNexis has been scrutinized for years over it providing data to ICE that includes addresses, phone numbers, relatives’ names, and more, and used in its actions. In 2019, legal scholars and human rights activists called on the data platform to cease working with ICE due to its use in deporting undocumented immigrants.

Calls have been raised to clarify any use of ReedPop’s data in that deal as well as others calling for boycotts of conventions ReedPop manages. Multiple petitions have been launched concerning the issue asking those who have ReedPop managing their conventions to cut ties with the company. Others have outright said they will not be attending their conventions.

ReedPop has released a statement clarifying it is not them who sell information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and ICE. It emphasizes that they operate independently.

The statement, which you can read below, was met with mixed reactions. While some accepted it at face value, others pointed out the loopholes in the statement, such as ReedPop not directly selling data/information but what it collects could rollup to its parent company then trickle down through other related companies such as LexisNexis.

In fact, the statement links to ReedPop’s privacy language which states:

Depending on the Service provided, we share personal information with:

Our affiliates, trading names and divisions within the Reed Exhibitions group of companies worldwide (for a list, click here) and certain RELX companies that provide technology, customer service and other shared services functions; and/or

Our service providers, suppliers, agents and representatives, including but not limited to, payment processors, venue providers, onsite event contractors, customer support, email service providers, IT service providers, mailing houses and shipping agents, to process the information as necessary to provide the Service, complete a transaction, fulfil your request, or otherwise on our behalf based on our instructions and in compliance with this privacy policy and any other appropriate confidentiality and security measures.

The statement doesn’t address the fact that by attending a ReedPop convention, attendees, creators, exhibitors are also helping its parent company profit. By boycotting all of RELX’s companies, pressure could be applied to cut all ties by RELX’s companies with ICE.

The statement also does not condemn recent actions by ICE, like the murder of American citizens, or state that it would protect attendees at various conventions.

Check out the full statement below:

We hear you and want to correct some false information that has been circulating on social media.

We at ReedPop do not sell customer information to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
ReedPop/RX operates entirely at arm’s length and independently. None of our data is shared for marketing or commercial use by any other entity within our parent company.

We remain committed to creating safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments. Our community is made up of people from different backgrounds and identities. We stand by our principles of inclusion and belonging. We see you, we hear you, and all are welcome here.

If you want more information on how we collect, use, and protect personal data, please see the RX/ReedPop Privacy Policy at privacy.rxglobal.com.

Conventions

ReedPop’s Parent Company Under Pressure for ICE Cooperation

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Brett

ReedPop might be known for running events such as ECCC, C2E2, Star Wars Celebration, New York Comic Con, PAX and more, but concerns are being raised over the company’s parent company RELX and its association with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

RELX is a massive multinational corporation whose divisions include ReedPop, scientific journals, and LexisNexis. While the RELX has had years of controversy over many issues, it’s LexisNexis that’s putting it, and ReedPop, back into the spotlight.

LexisNexis is an online system used by many, I used it during my time in the United States Senate (for what, I don’t remember), that features various databases including case law, articles, publications, court documents, market intelligence, and more.

With the recent further militarization of ICE, the federal agency’s occupation of American cities, and murder of numerous individuals including US citizens, scrutiny has increased and that includes its sister company ReedPop. ICE has not hidden the fact that it uses data and tech tools to aid in their criminal actions.

By supporting ReedPop and its sister news site Popverse, individuals are allowing LexisNexis’ parent company RELX to further profit. Economic boycotts and pressure is being increasingly used in defiance of the fascist takeover of the United States and the complicity of corporations in it. It’s part of the debate and difficult subject of ethical consumption/consumer activism/political consumerism and limited support of corporations, businesses, and individuals who have negative impact or show lack of support for communities.

Emerald City Comic Con, an early in the year major event for ReedPop, takes place March 5-8 in Seattle.

19 announced for the 2026 Eisner Hall of Fame

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Brett

Comic-Con has posted on social media that 19 individuals have been selected to be inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Awards Hall of Fame for 2026. These inductees include 8 deceased comics pioneers and 11 living persons.

The Hall of Fame trophies will be presented in a special ceremony at the San Diego Convention Center on the morning of July 24. The Eisner Awards in 30+ other categories will be presented in the traditional Friday evening ceremony at the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.

The 19 are:

Edwina Dumm
Oliver Harrington
Don Heck
Abe Kanegson
Paul S. Newman
Hector German Osterheld
Tom Palmer Sr.
Jimmy Swinnerton
Bob Bolling
Gerry Conway
Denys Cowan
Mike Freidrich
Lee Marrs
Go Nagai
Bud Plant
Mike Royer
Dave Sim
Carol Tyler
Rick Veitch

Congrats to all!

Emerald City Comic Con 2026 Unveils its Panel, Artist Alley, Exhibitor & Writers Block Lineups

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Graphic Policy Team

ReedPop has revealed a first look at Emerald City Comic Con’s (ECCC) programming slate and the roster of incredible Artists, Writers, and Exhibitors heading to this year’s convention. Returning to the Seattle Convention Center on March 5-8, 2026, fans will experience the best of pop culture with a must-see lineup of special guests, panelists, exhibitors, comic artists, anime voice actors, their favorite celebrities, and more, all while celebrating fandoms and discovering unique artwork and exclusive merchandise.

This news comes on the heels of yesterday’s announcement that the cast of The Boys, including Karl Urban and Laz Alonso, is heading to ECCC 2026 for Photo Ops and Autographs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the event weekend. Their appearance comes just ahead of the series’ season 5 premiere in April. The Boyscast members joins a star-studded lineup of celebrity guests, including Star Wars’ Hayden Christensen, Star Trek’s William Shatner, David Tennant (Doctor Who, Good Omens), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks, Fallout), Sophie Nélisse (Yellowjackets, Heated Rivalry), Courtney Eaton (Yellowjackets), cast members from Regular Show, Critical Role, Guardians of the Galaxy, Robocop, and more.

With offerings for every corner of pop culture fandom, panel programming highlights for this year’s ECCC include:

Allons-y! A Conversation with David Tennant

Join David Tennant for an entertaining and wide-ranging panel at Emerald City Comic Con. Best known to many fans as the Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who, Tennant’s career spans an incredible range of roles, from Good Omens and Broadchurch to Jessica Jones, Staged, and acclaimed stage work. David will share stories from across his career, talk about stepping into iconic roles, and reflect on the characters that have meant the most to him and to audiences around the world. Expect humor, thoughtful insight, and plenty of memorable moments as he looks back on a career defined by versatility and imagination.
Friday, March 6 at 11:00 AM, Main Stage

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Panel
Friday, March 6 at 1:30 PM, Pine Stage

Make Your Mark: Telling Your Story With WEBTOON CANVAS
If you have a story to tell, there’s never been a better time to tell it. WEBTOON CANVAS is where anyone can publish a comic, build an audience, and grow at their own pace. Hear from successful CANVAS creators on how they got their start, lessons they’ve learned publishing indie comics, and how they cultivate creativity over years of storytelling. You’ll hear practical tips, creative lessons, and honest reflections on growing a readership, experimenting with your voice, and turning passion projects into something bigger. You’ll also learn how WEBTOON supports CANVAS creators — from platform tools to monetization opportunities — so you can create on your terms and reach millions of readers around the world.
Friday, March 6 at 2:45 PM, Room 346

Curiosity Is Poison: A The Apothecary Diaries Panel
Step into the inner court for an engaging conversation with Kaiji Tang and Emi Lo, the English voice actors from The Apothecary Diaries. From Maomao’s sharp intellect and love of poisons to Jinshi’s carefully curated charm, these performances helped bring one of anime’s most intriguing recent series to life. Join the cast as they discuss character development, memorable moments, and what it takes to balance mystery, humor, and court intrigue behind the microphone. Along the way, expect fun stories from the recording booth and insight into why The Apothecary Diaries has captured the curiosity of fans around the world.
Saturday, March 7 at 12:30 PM, Pine Stage

Hooked on a Feeling: A Guardians of the Galaxy Cast Panel
Get ready for laughs, heart, and a little cosmic chaos as Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, and Pom Klementieff take the stage for a Guardians of the Galaxy panel at Emerald City Comic Con. From Yondu’s legendary whistle to Kraglin’s evolution and Mantis’ unique perspective on the universe, these fan-favorite characters helped define one of the most beloved franchises in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Join the cast as they share behind-the-scenes stories from the set, memorable moments from across the trilogy, and reflections on what made the Guardians such a special team of misfits. Expect humor, insight, and plenty of surprises in a panel that celebrates the heart and fun of the galaxy’s most unlikely heroes.
Saturday, March 7 at 2:30 PM, Main Stage

Your Origin Story: Building Your Dream Job in Comics with WEBTOON
Every creator has an origin story and yours could start here! Whether you’re sketching between classes, posting comics after work, or just dreaming about what a life in comics could look like, this panel is for you. Have you ever dreamed of building a career in comics? You’re not alone! The rise of the Creator Economy has changed the game, giving artists and storytellers more freedom than ever to turn their passion into a career. Join WEBTOON creators, artists, and staff to learn how to make the leap from hobbyist to pro — and how WEBTOON teams support creators at all stages of their career.
Saturday, March 7 at 6:45 PM, Room 345

Adventures in Exandria: Live with Critical Role
Step into the world of Exandria with the legendary cast of Critical Role! From epic battles to unforgettable character moments, these storytellers have captivated fans with their wit, creativity, and the unforgettable journeys of their characters. Join the cast as they share behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on their most memorable adventures, and discuss what it takes to bring Dungeons & Dragons to life for millions of fans around the world. Expect laughs, surprises, and plenty of insight into the campaigns, characters, and camaraderie that have made Critical Role a phenomenon.
Sunday, March 8 at 11:00 AM, Main Stage

Heroes of S.H.I.E.L.D.: A Panel with Clark Gregg & Ming-Na Wen
Join Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson) and Ming-Na Wen (Melinda May) for an action-packed conversation celebrating Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. From high-stakes missions and thrilling battles to the behind-the-scenes stories that brought the Marvel universe to life, these fan-favorite actors share what it was like to step into some of television’s most iconic roles. Hear about the challenges, triumphs, and unforgettable moments of portraying heroes in the world of S.H.I.E.L.D. Enjoy anecdotes, surprises, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Sunday, March 8 at 12:45 PM, Main Stage

This year’s event will also offer fans a range of captivating performances and themed parties to keep the fun going into the night, including:

The Forbidden Realm: High Fantasy Burlesque
Join your host, the handsome and dashing Christian Rock for a Burlesque show in The Tavern. Featuring the whimsical cast of High Fantasy and beats by DJ Blake Ward, there will be scary monsters, nice sprites, raucous rogues, delightful damsels, and more. You might even see a few of your favorite fantasy characters come to life!

The late night version of The Tavern Stage features live art and set design by The Medici Gallery worthy of your photoshoots, and the cast of High Fantasy sets the stage for an unforgettable night of 21+ themed fun you won’t want to miss. We hope you’ll join us for this sultry after dark experience in The Tavern After Dark presented in partnership with KRMA.
Thursday, March 5 at 7:00 PM, The Tavern Stage

Fables After Dark Party: The Tavern Awakens
Come dressed like it’s 1399, but prepare to dance like it’s 2099! This is no ordinary fantasy ball, but we still want you to waltz in the door. Come dressed in your favorite fantasy garb for the occasion. Whether you’re a tiefling with a fiery heart, a princess looking to let down their hair, a dragon rider up to some mischief, or an ogre from the swamp, you’re welcome in this Tavern!

Hosted by High Fantasy Events and presented by Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire, this late night party brings the energy of the legendary Knight Club straight to Emerald City Comic Con. Expect a packed dance floor with beats by DJ Blake Ward with breaks for Burlesque, Drag, Dancers, and more! Enter to win a pair of weekend camping packages to the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire this July and August. Get ready to feast, toast, and dance like you have a spell to break!
Friday, March 6 at 8:00 PM, The Tavern Stage

ECCC x The End present Taking Back ECCC: A Pop Punk After Party
Join 107.7 The End x ECCC for a throwback party packed with live music from Seattle’s own Hannah Duckworth plus DJs spinning the emo and alt hits of the 2000s. All-black outfit optional (but highly encouraged). 18+ to party, 21+ to drink. Entrance to party is included with all badges valid for ECCC Saturday attendance.
Saturday, March 7 at 8 PM, The Tavern Stage

Jacques ze Whipper returns to ECCC!
Guinness World Record-holder Jacques ze Whipper brings his nationally renowned act to Emerald City Comic Con. A mix of classic circus and standup comedy, it’s an act guaranteed to crack you up in more ways than one!
Performing Thursday, March 5, Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8

Tiny Girl Big Show! presented by Leah Orleans!
Quick wit and circus tricks! Pushing the limits of capability, independence and charm, this original one-woman extravaganza is a rollercoaster ride of smarts, skill and sparkle. Trained in acrobatics and contortion by coaches from Ringling Brothers, Cirque du Soleil, and Broadway, she blends classical technique with modern humor

“Tiny Girl Big Show!” is filled with…

Empowering and poignant humor

Trick-bullwhipping while riding the ~unicycle of instability~

Sassy fire juggling

Jaw-dropping feats of physical strength and flexibility

“Hilarious!” – Broadway World

Prepare yourself for a collision of two art forms rarely seen together: stand-up comedy and high-danger circus at The Tavern Stage.
Performing Friday, March 6 and Sunday, March 8

Mornyng Knight: Solo Swordfight
Unlike any Knight you’ve seen, Mornyng owns the stage as an outlaw who defies convention. They wink at the audience— a comedic force, weaving humor through each daring stunt.

The show builds to a roaring finale: a Solo Sword Duel! With each thrilling strike, Mornyng Knight defeats the audience’s shared fears, transforming the battle into a triumphant celebration of courage and self-discovery. With each thrilling strike, Actress and stunt coordinator Chloe Baldwin’s original one-person show defeats the audience’s shared fears and transforms the battle into a triumphant celebration of courage and self-discovery!
Performing Thursday, March 5, Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8

At this year’s ECCC, fans will have the chance to connect with award-winning comic creators, anime voice actors, authors, and beloved celebrities while reveling in the best pop culture has to offer and discovering unique merchandise. Fans can explore the Show Floor, attend a variety of panels, stop by Artist Alley to discover favorite and new creators, and meet their favorite on-screen talent in real life. The ECCC 2026 Show Floor features 360 Exhibitors offering a broad selection of merchandise, comics, and more, including Dark Horse, Calico Critters, CGC, Kaleidos Creative, and Penguin Random House.

ECCC’s thrilling Artist Alley roster includes renowned creators Colleen Doran (Good Omens, Snow Glass Apples, Sandman), Gurihiru (It’s Jeff!, Superman Smashes the Klan, Unico: Awakening), Arthur Adams (The Marvel Art of Arthur Adams, Godzilla, X-Men), Jeph Loeb (Batman The Last Halloween, Hush 2, X-Men of Apocalypse), Denys Cowan (Black Panther, The Question, Batman), Kyle Starks (Peacemaker: Tries Hard, End of Life, Wrestle Heist), and many more. Book lovers will not want to miss this year’s Writers Block lineupfeaturing SenLinYu (Alchemised), Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler, Operation Bounce House, and Kaiju: Battlefield Surgeon), Julia Quinn (Bridgerton), Marie Lu (Legend, The Young Elites, and Warcross), and Chuck Tingle (Camp Damascus, Bury Your Gays), alongside other fan-favorite authors.

Tickets are on sale for the general public for ECCC 2026, with multi-day and single-day options available. ECCC Superfan Memberships are also available, granting premium access to Select Autographing sessions, Photo Ops, and exclusive merchandise, fast pass lines for Photo Ops and Autographing, and first access to Artist Alley at ECCC, in addition to perks at other ReedPop events throughout the year, for $105 annually. Fans interested in attending any Main Stage events at ECCC can learn more about making a reservation in the near future.

Conventions

Floating World Comics announces a Vanishing Point Release Party this January

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Graphic Policy Team

Award-winning writer Mark Russell and some of the comics industry’s most talented artists deliver a universe full of shocking sci-fi horror tales in this new anthology series! Join creators Russell and Ryan Alexander-Tanner on Saturday January 24 to celebrate the release of their terrifying new graphic novel, Vanishing Point.

The brainchild of critically-acclaimed writer Mark Russell, Vanishing Point is an anthology of short stories that are part science fiction and part existential horror. These are stories with a twist in which the twist is not the point of the story, but a beginning point from which to ask what it means to be alive. Russell is joined by artists Ryan Alexander-Tanner, Juan Doe and Alberto Ponticelli on six terrifying tales that will leave readers mystified.

WHO: Mark Russell and Ryan Alexander-Tanner
WHAT: Vanishing Point release party and book signing
WHEN: Saturday, January 24, 5-7pm
WHERE: Floating World Comics, 1223 Lloyd Center

Mark Russell is an author, comic book writer, and cartoonist living and toiling in Portland, Oregon. The works he is known for include God Is Disappointed in You, a modern re-telling of the Bible, The Flintstones, Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles (Winner of the 2019 GLAAD Award for Outstanding Comic), Not All Robots (Winner of the 2022 Eisner Award for Best Humor Comic), and Superman: Space Age, which tells the story of Superman and his loved ones, living against the backdrop of Cold War America. As far as he knows, all his books are still in print.

Ryan Alexander-Tanner is an illustrator/comics artist and educator, raised in Oakland, California, living in Portland, Oregon. He collaborates with individuals and organizations to adapt specialized content into illustrated narratives that are accessible and appealing to a broad audience. Each image is hand drawn and inked with brush on paper—human stories crafted with a human hand. Clients include The New York Times, Columbia University’s Teacher’s College Press, Buzzfeed, UC San Diego, The Nib, The Washington Post, Talking Points Memo, Intel, Planned Parenthood, The Portland Mercury, The Willamette Week and many more.

Conventions

Update: San Diego Comic-Con Quietly Updates its Art Show AI Policy Reversing Course

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Brett

San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is gearing up and had a bit of a dust-up already when it comes to AI’s presence at this year’s convention. Policies and more were released concerning the art show at the convention, which initially allowed “material produced by Artificial Intelligence (AI).” As you can imagine, with a convention built on artists that went over exactly like a turd in a pool.

Less than 24 hours after the issue was raised, the convention quietly updated the policy reversing the decision:

(3) Material created by Artificial Intelligence (AI) either partially or wholly, is not allowed in the art show. If there are questions, the Art Show Coordinator will be the sole judge of acceptability.

We imagine extra scrutiny will be given towards every policy, presentation, exhibitor, when it comes to this year’s convention after this and speaking up can create positive outcomes.

Also, fuck AI.

Update: Glen Wooten, the individual in charge of the art show, gives much more context of the situation, explaining that the language has been that way for years but flew under the radar due to the fact the use of AI wasn’t as much of a thing. But, with the issue front and center, it needed to be updated instead of discouraging, outright banning its use. A check of the Wayback Machine has the language present in 2024.

The Eisner Awards names its 2026 Judges

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Brett

San Diego Comic-Con has named the five judges that will decide the nominees for the 2026 Eisner awards. This year’s judges include Tiffany Babb, Jerry Dear, Dr. Randy Duncan, Katie Pryde, and Regine L Sawyer.

The judges are chosen by the Comic-Con awards subcommittee made up of individuals from the board of direcors, staff, and various departments. Judges represent a cross section of the industry including creators, retailers, librarians, academics/historians, and journalists/reviewers.

There are 30 categories in this year’s award nominations. After the nominations are announced, they are voted on by industry professionals and the ceremony is held in July during San Diego Comic-Con.

Tiffany Babb writes and edits articles about comics, baseball, and pop culture. She is the editor of the comics criticism journal The Comics Courier and baseball website The Fan Files, and she has previously served as deputy editor at Popverse and as co-editor of the Eisner Award–winning PanelxPanel Magazine.

Jerry Dear works as a serials librarian at the San Francisco Public Library and also teaches the art of honing research skills at City College of San Francisco. A lifetime member of the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, he has served on and chaired literature award committees in the adult fiction, young adult, children’s, and picture book categories. He writes articles and reviews for library newsletters, The Horn Book Magazine, and the No Flying No Tights graphic novel review site, and he is also a contributor to the metadata community of practice for the youth literature Diverse BookFinder database.

Dr. Randy Duncan is distinguished professor emeritus at Henderson State University and former director of the Center for Comics Studies. He is co-author of the widely used textbook The Power of Comics and Graphic Novels: Culture, Form and Context (Bloomsbury 2009, 2015, 2023) and of Creating Comics as Journalism, Memoir and Nonfiction (Routledge 2015). He is co-editor of Critical Approaches to Comics: Theories and Methods (Routledge 2011), The Secret Origins of Comics Studies (Routledge 2017), and More Critical Approaches to Comics: Theories and Methods (Routledge 2019). Duncan is co-founder of the Comics Arts Conference, held each summer at Comic-Con, and is currently chief operating officer of Delphi Creative/Consulting LLC.

Katie Pryde owns Books with Pictures in Portland, Oregon, whose slogan is “Comics for Everyone.” Opened in 2016, Books with Pictures prides itself on its warm, kid-friendly space, curated inventory, strong ties to Portland’s comics creative community, and expert staff who can match any shopper with their next favorite read. She is also a partner in sister store Books with Pictures Eugene, established in 2020, and is on the board of ComicsPro, the trade organization for brick and mortar comic book stores. In 2022, Books with Pictures won the Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award.

Regine L Sawyer is a comic book writer, essayist, and editor working for companies such as DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Oni Press, Z2 Comics, Comic Book Resources, Time magazine, and more. She is also the coordinator and founder of the Women in Comics Collective International (WinC for short), an organization that supports women and gender expansive people of color working in the comic book and multimedia industries. From 2014 to 2016 Regine served as a Glyph Award judge and has been an adjudication moderator for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (2022–2026). In addition, Regine, along with WinC, received the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award at the 2024 Eisner Awards Ceremony for their humanitarian work in the Comic Book industry.

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