Under the Tents 2025: Panel Confirmations, Martin Hsu, BB-CRE.8, Val Hochberg, Chris Maze, BeKyoot

We hope you had a great holiday weekend! Now, buckle up, because Comic-Con season kicks into high-gear from here on out. To prove it, we’ve got some exciting news, including that San Diego Comic-Con panel confirmations officially went out over the holiday — plus plenty of artist updates, exclusive variant comics, and more.

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

Our friends BB-CRE.8 are rolling into the con with a brand new round of San Diego Comic-Con exclusives, and just like last year’s (inter)stellar pins, they look to be inspired by San Diego. We’re suckers for anything themed around actual SDCC.

We can’t wait to show off all of artist Chris Maze’s San Diego Comic-Con debuts for 2025 (and trust us, you’re going to love them) — but for now, you can guess that might be represented with his emoji tease.

#SDCC is just around the corner, which means I’m getting close to revealing the new work debuting at this year’s show. But first, keeping with tradition, here’s this year’s emoji tease. Each emoji represents one new piece. Can you guess what they are? pic.twitter.com/6ISU76Abos

— Chris Maze: Design + Illustration (@MAZEhimself) May 24, 2025

Artist Martin Hsu is letting the cats out of the bag for SDCC 2025 with two purr-fectly delightful projects. First up is a Ted Lasso Cats art book, inspired by his art series, where the entire Richmond team gets the feline treatment.

Nice to revisit this #TedLassoCats art book for #SDCC! 👨🏻⚽️🐱

For those who commissioned a ‘Ted and You (as cats)’ piece from me last year, please expect an email from me soon! pic.twitter.com/pdoHj9UAoF

— Martin Hsu 徐 👨🏻‍🎨 (@MartinHsu) May 25, 2025

He’s also teasing a new commission idea for the con where your Severance “outie” becomes a cat, reimagining you (or your alter ego) in full kitty glory. The whiskers are mysterious and important.

Here’s a strange and funny #SDCC #Severance thought- what if we’re all innies…

… and our outies are actually CATS? 😂 pic.twitter.com/FXyIDfjjgl

— Martin Hsu 徐 👨🏻‍🎨 (@MartinHsu) May 26, 2025

Choosing colors is hard — especially without coffee. Luckily, you can help BeKyoot decide which colors look best on her new “Evil Coffee Hour” pin heading to San Diego Comic-Con, and then you can carry your love of coffee everywhere.

Still working on pins for SDCC, and I'm torn again between gold and silver! Or should I do black? I don't think rose gold/copper would be the best, but I could see the black metal finish as more cartoony! What do you think? 🙂 Let me know in the comments! #dailypaint 3524 pic.twitter.com/e7yWB7VJ0Q

— BeKyoot (@bekyoot) May 25, 2025

There’s more BeKyoot where that came from though, as they showed off new snack kitty pins also potentially heading to San Diego Comic-Con. Be sure to let them know which is your favorite.

Another three designs potentially for SDCC! I'm going to have trouble picking the final set! I really love the floof in the CHEEPS (chip) bag. #dailypaint 3525 pic.twitter.com/oUaPjWTFTD

— BeKyoot (@bekyoot) May 26, 2025

Comic writer and letterer John Layman (Chew, Chu, Outer Darkness, Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness) doesn’t have many American cons on his list for 2025 — but luckily, San Diego Comic-Con made the cut.

Hey, I’m doing my first U.S. con of the year. (Other than SDCC, it’s also likely my only U.S.con of the year.) Phoenix Fan Fusion.

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— Layman (@themightylayman.bsky.social) May 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM

Mega64, the content creators of popular video game parody YouTube videos and a podcast, recently confirmed to a fan that they’ll be bringing their PAX DVD to San Diego Comic-Con, as well as Anime Expo.

Nope, it was a convention exclusive – but we plan to bring that DVD to Anime Expo and San Diego Comic Con and other shows

— Mega64 (@mega64) May 26, 2025

Panel confirmations went out on the holiday, and we’ve got plenty of early news on panels, including:
- Writer and cartoonist Andrew Farago confirmed he’ll be moderating two panels
- Clear Spot Comics will be hosting a panel on publishing comics through KDP print-on-demand
- Digital creator Stephen Burns will be hosting the panel “From Concept To Creation An Integration of Blender 3D & Unreal Engine” on Thursday night of SDCC, with panelists Lee Kohse, Lee Staton, Jayson Mondala, Sean Glumace, John Eaves, and Aaron Houston.
- The MADtv podcast, MAD Rewind, will be getting a panel with Brandee Stilwell
- The “Metal Librarian” confirmed he will be on three panels this year, including one Comics Arts Conference panel
- Craig Anthony Knitt’s “Comic Making for Kids and Teachers” workshop is returning to SDCC on Friday, July 25 from 4pm-5pm in the Shiley Special Events Suite in the San Diego Central Library
- No details yet, but Fanboy Planet’s panel was also approved
- With a few more details, Neal Hallford’s panel was also confirmed, and he teased it has something to do with his “scribbling and a big anniversary or something”
- Writer and author Neo Edmund confirmed some of his panels were also approved
- Horror film writer and producer Timothy Chizmar is heading to the con and will be on a “few” panels

Award-winning creative director and producer Amit Tishler (The Last Wardens, Edenfrost) confirmed he’ll be at San Diego Comic-Con this July, for panels, signings, and more.

Happy to announce that this year I'll be I'm attending both @ALAConferences & @Comic_Con for panels, signings, & lotsa bad food 😁

Whether it's for additional panels, press, or just a casual meetups – don't hesitate to hit me up! 🫵#comics #ala2025 #ALAAC25 #sdcc #sdcc2025 pic.twitter.com/teq228TFDW

— Amit Tishler (@WrathOfTish) May 26, 2025

Jaycen Wise showed off an early sneak peek of Morien Vol. 1. The full book will be dropping at San Diego Comic-con, but you can check out the first two chapters right now.

Val Hochberg is heading to the Citadel — er, San Diego Comic-Con — with a brand-new Mass Effect-inspired sticker set. You’ll want to level up your sticker collection, because this set features the full squad of your favorite companions (and maybe a bonus Hanar).

This is my favorite sticker sheet on the Citadel!
I hope that you like this brand new sticker sheet I made! I’ll have it with me at PHXFF and SDCC! And it’ll make its way to the website sometime in the near future! 💖🤗💖
(Now I really want to play through all the games again 🥲) pic.twitter.com/Gjmg3mUo9D

— Val Hochberg 💖 (@kickgirl) May 26, 2025

Writer B. Dave Walters (Dungeons & Dragons for IDW Publishing, Vampire: The Masquerade: L.A. By Night) is heading to San Diego Comic-Con this July, though we’ll have to wait to see exactly what he’s up to.

Folks I'll be returning to SDCC @Comic_Con, @Gen_Con, and attending my very FIRST @DragonCon!

If you see me, say what's up; and if you need me, hit me in my DMs! pic.twitter.com/ZNySPGbJgb

— Non-Ironically T.V.'s B. Dave Walters – EVERYWHERE (@BDaveWalters) May 26, 2025

Comics creator and musician Michael Sweater is debuting a book at San Diego Comic-Con, so stop by his booth to learn more.

Debuting a book at San Diego Comic-con. Come say hi, try to talk about comics, and get trapped in a conversation about Randy Travis.

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— Michael Sweater (@michaelsweater.bsky.social) May 25, 2025 at 7:42 PM

Artist Lenny Romero showed off new cover art for the upcoming KaeiSei-era Godzilla from IDW Publishing. The black and white San Diego Comic-Con exclusive variant cover will be available via Rated Comics at Booth #607.

Bic Cory will debut Blue Moon, part two of a Shades of Blue triptych, at the SDCC Art Show. Featuring moonlit fish and celestial calm, it explores the harmony between earth and sky. And best of all, there’s no badge needed to attend to view it in person.