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SDCC 2026: S.G. Blaise returns with Hollow Healer signings and multiple panels

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Graphic Policy Team Leave a comment

Award-winning fantasy author S.G. Blaise, creator of The Last Lumenian series and the Hollow Healer animated short film, returns to San Diego Comic-Con 2026. Featuring artist signings of the Hollow Healer comic book, exclusive merch, daily booth giveaways, Blaise’s presence at SDCC will be an unmissable destination for fans of sci-fi, fantasy, and comic books.

Inside the Booth: Hollow Healer Comes to Life Booth 2635 | July 22–26, 2026
S.G. Blaise and Lilac Grove Entertainment unveil the Hollow Healer comic, the highly anticipated springboard prequel that launches fans into the very beginning of the Era Wars—marking a pivotal origin point in the Seven Galaxies universe. This Comic-Con debut sets the stage for a bold new era of storytelling and fan discovery. S.G. Blaise (author), and three of the comic artists will be on hand for signings.

Attendees can shop the new line of merch—including limited-edition T-shirts, enamel pins, mini posters, stickers, and copies of the Hollow Healer comic.

Cosplayers portraying the Seven Galaxies’ characters will be available for photos, and an interactive giveaway wheel full of fun items will delight fans of all ages.

Official Announcement of the Bloody Berserker Angel comic from S.G. Blaise & PANICK Comics
In addition, they have announced that, in collaboration with PANICK Entertainment, a bold new chapter of the Seven Galaxies Chronicles comes to life with the creation of The Bloody Berserk Angel, a new comic series currently in development. S.G. Blaise, Adam Schlagman (editor), and Kris Longo of PANICK Comics will be revealing exclusive storylines at their panel on Saturday, July 25th.

Official Appearances & Media Highlights

Signing: Hollow Healer Comic Book Signing
Thursday, July 23 | 1:00–3:00 PM Booth 2635
Join Gordon Purcell, Jessica Court, Mariano Nicieza and author S.G. Blaise, as they sign copies of the Hollow Healer comic book.
Panel: “Get Your Story Into Comics or Animation!”
Friday, July 24 | 2:00–3:00 PM
Marriott Marquis Grand 12/13
A book, short story, treatment, or work-in-progress script can become a comic or animated project without relying on traditional gatekeepers. Indie creators and producers discuss current pathways for adaptation and production, including building creator-led pipelines and reaching audiences through newer distribution channels. Panelists S. G. Blaise (founder/CCO, Lilac Grove Entertainment), Kris Longo (CEO/publisher, PANICK Publishing), Lesley Worton (president/head of production, Tongal Productions), David Derks (TV executive, cartoonist, and pop culture commentator), Eric Elder (founder/executive producer, OW! Entertainment), Heidi MacDonald (editor-in-chief, Comics Beat), and James David Powell (writer and producer, BlerdHive) share practical guidance on developing, packaging, and positioning projects for comics and animation. Moderated by Yael Tygiel (host, producer, Fanversations).
Panel: “Is Your Cat a Dragon in Disguise? Writing Fantasy That Feels Magical”
Friday, July 24 | 8:00–9:00 PM
Room 11
From hidden worlds and legendary creatures to mystery and emotional depth, this panel explores the craft of creating immersive stories that captivate the imagination and awaken a lasting sense of wonder. S.G. Blaise (The Last Lumenian, True Teryn), Jimmy Diggs (Star Trek: Voyager, Alkebulan), James Ganiere (Rekindling Christmas, Space Command), and Neal Hallford (Betrayal at Krondor, Dungeon Siege) discuss fantasy that feels magical. Moderated by Mark O’Bannon (Whiskers, Aia the Barbarian).
Panel: “Fangoris & PANICK: Horror Now: Echoes of Fear in Comics and Beyond”
Saturday, July 25 | 7:00–8:00 PM
Room 25ABC
What makes horror hit today? PANICK’s Kris Longo and Kit Caoagas lead a conversation with some of the genre’s most compelling voices, exploring the evolving landscape of fear across comics, film, and beyond. The panel explores craft, trends, and the stories pushing horror forward. Panelists include SG Blaise, Shannon Denton, Dirk Blackman, Rodney Barnes, and more to be announced.

SDCC 2024: New comic publisher Panick Entertainment debuts!

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Brett

After a lot of teasing and hints, Panick Entertainment makes its debut at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. The new publisher is “dedicated to modernizing horror and sci-fi comics for readers and rattling the status quo of genre comic storytelling.”

Panick is headed by Kris Longo, the former publisher of Heavy Metal Magazine and is the CEO. Adam Schlagman, the former DC film exec is the head of studio, and Doug Pasko is COO. Charles Christopher Chiang is the company’s CFO and Mark McCann is the chief creative officer. Chris Ryall is serving as a chief advisor.

Actor/writer David Dastmalchian is launching a new horror title through the publisher with longtime associate Leah Kilpatrick. The comic is a five-issue mini-series.

You can get a first look and find out more details at a San Diego Comic-Con panel taking place this Thursday, 7/25 at 4pm to 5pm in Room 29AB. Check out the description of the panel below:

PANICK Entertainment is a new publisher dedicated to modernizing horror and sci-fi comics for readers and rattling the status quo of genre comic storytelling. Join industry veterans and co-founders

Kris Longo (Heavy Metal, DC Comics), Adam Schlagman (DC Comics; executive producer, Shazam!),

Doug Pasko (executive producer, The Outpost, Mythica 1- 5), and Chief Advisor Chris Ryall (Syzygy/Image) for the first look anywhere at their launch slate of books and projects for late 2024 and 2025, including works from Special Guests Shannon Eric Denton (founder, Monster Forge Productions), Dirk Blackman (writer, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans), Brendan Columbus (writer, Savage Circus), and Tehani Farr (artist, Conan). The first 100 people to arrive will receive a free SDCC exclusive print from PANICK and artist Christopher Lair (artist, Never Never)! And who knows, perhaps a special guest or two may drop in! GET NERVOUS!

Comic Industry Vets Launch Endpaper Entertainment

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Brett

A group of vets in the pop culture industry has formed to launch Endpaper Entertainment. The company is focused on developing new content for novels, comics, graphic novels, film, TV, podcasts, SVOD, audiobooks, and merchandise.

The new venture began to form a year ago and was co-founded by CEO Rich Johnson. Johnson is a former executive at Lion Forge and DC Comics and co-founder of Yen Press. Syndee Barwick is the other co-founder and president of the company. Barwick was the founder of Mythic Media Management and also a former DC executive.

Rounding out the team are chief creative officer Jonathon Gilbreath, a producer and director of immersive theater and VR; chief content development officer James Killen, longtime Barnes & Noble buyer for graphic novels, sci-fi, and fantasy; and chief business development officer Kris Longo, formerly with DC and founder of Geek Riot Media.

Content will produced through partnerships with freelance creators, book packagers, and media production houses.

In the announcement, the most interesting aspect was a focus on finding the right platform for the story. The company won’t just place stories in any and every format available, instead things will be tailored for where they work best.

Heavy Metal Promotes Joseph Illidge to Executive Editor and adds Kris Longo as Chief Sales Officer

Posted on June 29, 2020 by Graphic Policy Team

Following a series of announcements on new publishing initiatives, Heavy Metal is continuing to build up executive staff with the promotion of Joseph Illidge to Executive Editor and the addition of Kris Longo as Chief Sales Officer.

Illidge’s remarkable career in comics spans 27 years and a host of accomplishments with various publishers, including serving as Executive Editor for Valiant Entertainment, Senior Editor for Lion Forge Comics, Editor for the Batman line of titles for DC Comics, and editor for both Milestone Media and Archaia. His new Heavy Metal responsibilities will have him working in collaboration with CEO Matthew Medney and Publisher David Erwin, developing new content and creator relationships for Heavy Metal’s flagship magazine and intellectual properties, including the “Taarna” and “Cold Dead War” characters from the seminal 1981 Heavy Metal animated film.

Longo’s addition as Chief Sales Officer will bring new, revenue-generating projects to the Heavy Metal fold, with an eye on the development of a robust advertising, marketing and promotion strategy, custom publishing, co-publishing partnerships with similarly-spirited content providers, licensing programs, and more. Prior to joining Heavy Metal, Longo spent 13 years in DC Comics’ advertising and custom solutions group, served as VP of Business Development for Bonfire Agency and in 2014 founded the advertising and marketing firm Geek Riot Media, which he will continue to independently own and operate moving forward.