It’s almost May — which means we’re inching ever closer to San Diego Comic-Con 2019, and it’s almost unofficially “con season”. Today, we’ve got updates for you on everything from commission lists from some of your favorite artists, to Kevin Smith, and more.

Here’s a look at what you might have missed:

• What would San Diego Comic-Con be without a Kevin Smith panel? It appears that you won’t have to find out in 2019, at least, as Smith mentioned on his Fatman Beyond podcast that attendees should be getting some kind of look at his upcoming film, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. “By Comic-Con, which is only like three months away, I’m sure I’ll be ready to be like, ‘Here, I want to show you something,” he said. Each year, Smith takes over Hall H to present the An Evening with Kevin Smith panel, where he talks about anything and everything — so expect some of that time to be focused on the new film.

• There are few artists out there who are more prolific than Patrick Ballesteros — and he’s hard at work creating 100 (yes, you read that right) mini-originals for San Diego Comic-Con. They will be available for $45 each at Artists Alley DD-08, with a few released each day of the convention, on a first come/first served basis.

• Speaking of Ballesteros, he’ll also have this Avengers: Endgame Black Widow magnet available at the convention.

• It’s that time of year! Many of your favorite artists are opening their pre-convention commission lists, including artist and colorist Tony Washington. He’s offering 11×17 or 24×36 penciled, inked, or fully colored commissions to be picked up at Artists Alley FF-22 or mailed after the convention.

• DC Comics artist Norm Rapmund will also be taking a pre-convention commission list, though details are scarce at the moment.

• Our friend LEGO artist Dan Veesenmeyer has also opened up his pre-convention commission list, with prices starting at just $80 for a 9×11 or comic sketch cover half figure (inked and color marker sketch). You can pick it up from the convention at Artists Alley HH-23 — and as the proud owners of our own Veesenmeyer commission, let us promise you that he does good work.

• You can find one of our favorite artists, Camilla d’Errico, at Booth #4723 this July.

• If you still need a badge to San Diego Comic-Con, one of the best ways to make that happen is to volunteer to work for a booth. The folks at Beast Kingdom are currently looking for volunteers between 16-50, with preference given to those who understand Mandarin. In return, they’ll provide you with access to the convention, cover one lunch per day, and even give you a Beast Kingdom exclusive collectible. Let them know if you’re interested.

• It’s bad news bears for fans of Marvel writer Dan Slott — as he revealed that he’s pulling back on the number of conventions he attends, including San Diego Comic-Con.

• On that same note, GLAAD nominated comic writer Tee Franklin also told a fan that unfortunately, she won’t be heading to the convention either.

https://twitter.com/MizTeeFranklin/status/1121093758831951872

• Enough sad news! Murder Falcon and Extremity artist Daniel Warren Johnson confirmed that he is heading to San Diego Comic-Con 2019.

• As did co-creator of Fairlady, Brian Schirmer.