Since 2014, Dent the Future has brought some of the brightest minds in science, security, and storytelling to San Diego Comic-Con, exploring where imagination meets innovation.

This year, Dent returns with a robust line-up of programming at the convention center, including three panels that delve into consciousness, espionage, and cybersecurity — all through the lens of today’s most cutting-edge research and technology.

In addition to the panels, they will also be hosting a Reception on Thursday, July 24 from 5pm-8pm, with the location TBA once you have registered and been accepted. This is a rare opportunity to engage with the experts behind this year’s programming, from neuroscience researchers to elite hackers and intelligence professionals. You can find more information on the reception page.

Here’s a look at this year’s panels:

The Science of Severance: Exploring Identity, Memory, Technology, and Beyond
Severance imagines a world where memory and identity can be surgically divided, creating two distinct selves within one body — a concept that resonates strongly with classic themes found in comics like Moon Knight (Marc Spector’s fragmented consciousness), Doom Patrol (Crazy Jane’s compartmentalized personalities), and X-Men (Wolverine’s manipulated memories). In this panel, Dr. Nicole Dudukovic (director of the undergraduate neuroscience program at the University of Oregon), Dr. Allison Komiyama (Ph.D., neuroscience, biology, Stanford University), and Dr. Sean D. Lavine (professor of neurological surgery, Columbia University) will explore the plausibility of memory partitioning, the psychological consequences of identity bifurcation, and the emerging real-world technologies that echo these speculative ideas. We’ll examine the scientific underpinnings of severance-style implants, the parallels to brain-computer interfaces and memory-editing research, and the profound ethical questions raised when corporate interests redefine the boundaries of personhood. Moderated by Fast Company’s Susan Karlin.

Secrets from the Spy Museum: Real-World Espionage Technologies & Techniques
From Agent Carter to Secret Agent X-9, espionage and spies have been integral to comic book storytelling, and the exotic gadgets and weapons they use have been pivotal to the stories being told. The same importance exists with real-world spies, but the technologies relevant today bear little resemblance to spy tech of the past. Moderated by Steve Broback (cofounder, Dent the Future), this session will feature experts and Spy Museum affiliates like Adam Leslie (CEO and cofounder of RealSpyComics), Mark S. Zaid (national security attorney and comic book historian), and Scott Rodriguez (former CIA field contractor/operative) who will discuss what tools and technologies are relevant today, and how storytellers can incorporate spy tools in their art.

Inside the Hacker’s Mind: Cybersecurity, Culture, and the Code Behind the Chaos
From Oracle’s encrypted networks to Sage’s living computer brain, hacking has long shaped comic book storytelling—and today, real-world hackers are reshaping the digital frontier in ways fiction can barely keep pace with. This session features Alethe Denis (award-winning “red team” social engineer) and Jason Blanchard (chief creative officer, REKCAH Publishing), cybersecurity professionals whose real-world exploits rival any spy thriller. Together, they’ll explore how hacking is portrayed across comics, games, and pop culture icons like Mr. Robot and Watch Dogs, and unpack how modern cyber tactics—from social engineering to AI-driven exploits—are influencing both reality and fiction. Whether it’s data breaches, activist movements, or digital deception, the lines between hero, villain, and vigilante are being rewritten every day. Moderated by Steve Broback (cofounder, Dent the Future).