The always unpredictable showcase of ethnic talent returns for its 28th year, featuring new faces, a new format, and a fresh perspective. Since 1997, this annual event at Comic-Con International at San Diego has been both a triumph and a mystery with unexpected panelists galore. With a possible surprise guest host, this year’s panelists include: 

• Aisha Porter-Christie (Daredevil: Born Again, Gen V)
• Kevin Grevioux (Underworld, The Blue Marvel creator)
• Comedian Mr. Jay Washington (Netflix Is A Joke, American Gigolo)
• Artist Quinn McGowan (Project: Wildfire, Little Rock Files)
• Writer Hannibal Tabu (MPLS Sound, War Medicine, Fathom Sourcebook), also the panel’s co-producer
• Cartoonist Keithan Jones (The Power Knights, Black Comix Day)
• Writer MD Marie (Top Cow’s Vindication)
• TTRPG performer Rodney Campbell (Venture Forth)
• Comics anthropologist Dr. Stanford Carpenter (School of the Art Institute of Chicago, BCAF)

Davis — a co-founder of Milestone Comics and co-creator of the characters that became Static Shock — was unable to attend in 2024, leading to a “takeover” of the panel by luminaries such as screenwriter Akela Cooper, actors Malcolm Barrett, Eugene Byrd, and Damion Poitier, hosted by executive Dan Evans. Given that and the chaotic nature of this annual panel, many are curious what might even happen this year! 

The Black Panel takes place Friday, July 25th at 10 AM in the San Diego Convention Center’s Room 5AB as part of San Diego Comic-Con International. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis for all valid badge-holding attendees of the convention.