Hello, and welcome to “Panic Station”. From here you can transfer to either “OMG, Please Hurry Up And Get Here” Station or to “No, No, No, I Am Nowhere Near Ready” Station. Please take a transfer ticket, you’ll need a transfer to reboard.
Wherever you are on your SDCC planning journey, we have more news regarding, meet-ups, exclusives, book tours, and vendors who will charm you with whimsy and kawaii.
Let’s take a look at the important news:
- Southern California convention attendees might recognize the enchanting and delightful work of Paola Bascom, who regularly brings her charming wares to events all year long. SDCC attendees can count on her being there again in 2026, according to her current schedule on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
- One of the more popular books offered for the 2026 Free Comic Book Day was from Dark Horse Comics, the first chapter in the Dungeons & Dragons: Magefall tale. If you missed out on getting a copy, never fear, there is a free digital version available on D&D Beyond, along with a note that more information regarding the whole Magefall story will be revealed at San Diego Comic-Con.
- If you’re still in the throes of Labubu fever it might help to know that the viral collectible shop Labu’Tique Shop, based in Anaheim, will be returning to San Diego Comic-Con with another offsite shop near PetCo Park.
View this post on Instagram
- Comic creator Ken Penders showed off a proof copy of his long-awaited Sonic book, The Shadow Files, on Twitter. When asked by a fan if there would be copies available at SDCC, Penders answered in the affirmative.
My proof copies of THE SHADOW FILES arrived less than an hour ago, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I’ll be announcing shipping details soon. In the meantime, I have copies available for pre-order here:https://t.co/Lq7fWR1YGU pic.twitter.com/uRQJKcCf7k
— Ken Penders (@KenPenders) May 11, 2026
- Dragons Trading is a much-loved vendor at conventions all across the country. Their very full schedule includes San Diego Comic-Con for 2026. If you are interested in volunteering to help them at the show, you’ll want to get in touch. All details are on their website.
- Independent production team Surreal Art Studios will be pairing up with diversity-based FilAm-founded Diwata Komiks again to bring their independent fantasy tales to San Diego Comic-Con. We look forward to seeing how they have grown since last year.
View this post on Instagram
- FINALLY! Someone is dedicated to bringing the silliness to San Diego Comic-Con. We could ALL use more silliness. This dose of silly will be brought to us by Faheema from Unicorn Crafts, who just finished up the design for their SDCC exclusive pin. We await the silly reveal with bated breath.
- New York Times bestselling author Elise Kova announced on Instagram that the book tour for her upcoming novel, Prince of Swords, will lead her straight through San Diego Comic-Con. The book will be released on July 21 and Kova lists her SDCC appearance as as Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. You’ll want to keep an eye on the schedules for the Del Rey booth, and Kova’s social media accounts (as well as our site!) for all the details.
View this post on Instagram
- Masters of the teasing post, BB-CRE.8 aren’t giving us much to go on with this new work-in-progress shot. According to the post, it’s a peek at one of two San Diego City Sabers exclusive designs, with hashtags indicating an SDCC release.
Still a work in progress but here’s a sneaky peaky of ONE of 2 SD City Sabers exclusive designs we’re working on… preview of the other one coming later.
We’re so excited to show you what else we’ve been working on too! #sdcc2026 #sdcc pic.twitter.com/hciXN6zZqp
— BB-CRE.8 🔜 FAN EXPO DENVER (BOOTH 1160) (@bb_cre8) May 15, 2026
- Cool Lines Art, one of the largest and most reputable dealers of original art and collectibles in the country, will have a massive setup at SDCC, with a total of four booth spaces. Last year, they hosted legendary creator Bob Burden, so we look forward to hearing their 2026 plans.
- Expert yarn artist and gifted scientist, Nifty Neuron, revealed on Twitter that they are planning a series of crochet drops for SDCC. These “finders keepers” drops are especially popular and competitive, so be sure to stretch and hydrate before trying to participate. Oh yes, and follow them on social media for alerts!
PS: SDCC crochet drops are coming! Stay tuned!
— Nifty Neuron 🧶 (@niftyneuron) May 15, 2026
- If you’re here looking for more whimsy, then you’re in luck. Here’s another creator who has dedicated their life to serving up nostalgic, heartwarming, and cute merchandise. Kofuku Art Studio, helmed by illustrator and trained jiu-jitsu practitioner, Nini, melds Asian culture with an aesthetic that feels like a sweet treat. See you in San Diego, Nini!
View this post on Instagram
- Graphic novel publisher Tj Sterling of Rae Comics, a Black-owned media company, is on the move around the convention circuit, and all roads will lead them to San Diego Comic-Con in July.
View this post on Instagram
- San Diego + July + cool vinyl toys? The math is mathing and it sure seems like Handmade By Robots is indicating a presence at Comic-Con. Better get the robots working overtime!
View this post on Instagram
- The San Diego Comic-Con Art show is a great place to pick up a work (or two, or three) of original art. Over at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, this open-to-the-public event, does not require a badge to attend. A few of the pieces you’ll see there include these from Guy Gilchrist, of which the proceeds will be going towards the Charity Wings organization.
View this post on Instagram
- Absolutely filthy ne’er-do-well Eric Powell, creator of the vile and loathsome comic book, The Goon, will be gracing us with his abhorrent presence once again at San Diego Comic-Con. Apparently, no place, nor any human, is safe from his depraved creations, as he is planning on releasing a plague upon the masses in the form of a new “sketch book”. May God have mercy on our souls. [Editor’s Note: Obviously, we love Eric]
- If the words “Do do do do do de do do do do do do do do do Mahna Mahna” mean anything to you, then pencil this fan-run Muppets Meet-Up into your San Diego Comic-Con schedule. Muppet fans from around the globe will be gathering near the Hilton Bayfront lawn (near Sweet Things) on Friday, July 24 at 3pm to trade trinkets, show off their puppets and cosplay, and maybe even make a rainbow connection or two.
View this post on Instagram
Anything we missed? Let us know by dropping us a line, or tweet us at @SD_Comic_Con.
If you missed our previous Under the Tents posts, you can find them HERE.
Looking for a commission? We’ve got a post for that!
