Under the Tents 2025: Unknown Comics, Nan Hockin, Diablo, Jacki Jing, Heels and Faces

In less than a week, we’ll be able to say that there are fewer than 100 days until San Diego Comic-Con — and if that doesn’t simultaneously strike both fear and excitement in your heart, well, you’re a better person than me. With WonderCon now having wrapped with another successful year, all eyes turn to SDCC — and there have been plenty of updates over the last few weeks, including gaming, X-Men ’97 actors, artists, and beyond.

Let’s take a look at the news you might have missed:

Dent the Future, a curated community and annual conferencing celebrating leaders and innovators in the technology space, a Dent Dinner and reception during San Diego Comic-Con, with more details to come. The organization has partnered with Comic-Con to offer science and tech panels throughout the con.

You have my bow. And my axe. And my washi tape. Travel there and back again to Sara Kipin’s booth at San Diego Comic-Con to pick up this The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring washi tape, and you might even still have time for Second Breakfast.

New Fellowship of the Ring washi tape for SDCC! 🌱🌙🏔️☁️ #lordoftherings

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— 🌜Sara Kipin🌛 (@sarakipin.bsky.social) April 7, 2025 at 5:08 PM

Artist Nan Hockin is always a favorite here at the UBlog, and the artist has been busy whipping up plenty of art ahead of the con. If you’re interested in one of her adorable commissions, those will be opening in May — so be sure to follow along (and to follow her) to stay updated.

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Get X-cited, because Unknown Comics is putting the band back together. And by band, we mean assembling voice actors and creators from X-Men ’97 again at the con to appear for signings and selfies. While San Diego Comic-Con’s roster is still TBA, based on last year, we know it’s going to be X-ceptional.

X-Men fans assemble! 📢

Meet voice actors & creators from the animated series & X-Men '97 at conventions near you: C2E2, Motor City, Heroes, SDCC, NYCC! #XMenExperience #XMen97 #ComicCon pic.twitter.com/meCPMnDzgN

— Unknown Comic Books (@Unknown_Comics) April 9, 2025

Well, shiver me timbers, because James Silvani has offered up some nuggets of information about his upcoming Pirates: A Graphic History. Bucaneers (and attendees) won’t have to wait too long to get their hands on this treasure, and it will be making its way to SDCC. Will Silvani finish in time, or have to walk the plank? As of publication, he has 14 pages left to finish — so we think he’ll hoist the colors and deliver a swashbucklin’ debut.

Deadline is the end of April to finish PIRATES: A GRAPHIC HISTORY so I can get it off to the printers in time for fulfillment this summer and have books for SDCC. That’s 46 days to ink 41 pages, edit, have them colored and set up to print. To keep me on schedule, this thread will count it down. 1/41

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— James Silvani (@silvaniart.bsky.social) March 15, 2025 at 8:58 PM

GreenLight Collectibles, an officially licensed retailer of die-cast replicas, is set to bring some of its rarest and most exclusive items to San Diego Comic-Con 2025, including limited edition die-cast cars and action figures. Fans can find them at Booth #834.

As reported by BlizPlanet Diablo, Glass Cannon Unplugged and Blizzard Entertainment’s upcoming Diablo® tabletop RPG is now slated for a 2025 release — and according to a recent update on Discord, play sessions will be available at San Diego Comic-Con (as well as Gen Con). So get ready to gather your party, sharpen your blades, and descend into the depths of Sanctuary — darkness awaits.

Diwata Komiks is set to debut their New Icons anthology at San Diego Comic-Con, following a strong showing at WonderCon. The anthology — celebrating Filipino-American identity and multicultural storytelling — features powerful new characters, introduced during AAPI Heritage Month. The anthology features cover art by Don Aguillo and stories rooted in the lived experiences of their creators.

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Zombie Sailor’s Toys is stepping into the ring at San Diego Comic-Con with the return of the Heels and Faces Orange Card Series, featuring Nelson Frazier in all his glory. Whether you knew him as the King, the World’s Largest Love Machine, or the menace in the Ministry, the figure will be available at the con.

San Diego LAN is once again leveling up San Diego Comic-Con with the return of the Digital Game Room, hosted in the Marriott Marquis, Pacific Ballroom 18B. The action kicks off Wednesday night at 6PM with a dedicated Smash Bros. session, and continues through Sunday with a packed schedule of tournaments and community games including Rocket League, Halo CE, Tekken, Street Fighter, COD 4, Guilty Gear, Rainbow Six: Siege, and late-night rounds of Jackbox Party Pack (internet willing). With daily mystery games and prizes up for grabs, the Digital Game Room is the perfect way to recharge, compete, and connect with fellow gamers throughout the con. You can find the full schedule on their Facebook event page.

Wondering just which exhibitors you’ll be seeing at the con this year? We’ve had several confirmations over the last few weeks, including artist Alex Ahad.

Ah, I wish I was! I wasn't able to get a table this year, but I'll be at WonderCon and SDCC, and I'll try AX next year again of course~ (maybe AX chibi, will see where things are at that time ~)

— o_8 Alex Ahad @ Wondercon D-15 (@o___8) March 8, 2025

Arielle Jovellanos, an artist on comics like Black Star, Evil Thing, and Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story, also confirmed her first stop at San Diego this July.

Eisner Award-winning artist and writer Andrew Pepoy (The Simpsons, Fables, The Adventures of Simone & Ajax) also confirmed that he will be attending SDCC this year. will be attending San Diego Comic-Con 2025.

Actor and host Jacki Jing (best known for her work on The Circle and Is She The Wolf?) confirmed her appearance at SDCC as well, though exact details are still TBA.

Con season has begun for me! Finally arriving at GDC & here’s my con 2025 schedule so far!

Sakuracon – April 18

DreamHack Dallas May 23 – May 25

Summer Games Fest +
Anaheim Gaming Expo – June 6

Anime Expo – July 3 – July 6

SDCC – July 24

Anime NYC – Aug 21

NYCC – Oct 9 pic.twitter.com/ftjPrrDQkl

— Jacki Jing (@JackiJing) March 20, 2025

And finally for today, while not an outright confirmation, artist and creator Dan Panosian said he will “most likely” be at the con. Hey, it’s not a no!