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Under the Tents 2026: Patrick Ballesteros, Monkey Minion Press, Martin Hsu, JYK All Day, Jeff Lemire

Happy Survivor 50 finale day to those that celebrate! If you’re anything like me or about 80% of the fans of the show you’re probably disappointed your favorite isn’t at the end; ugh Ozzy and Cirie *cries*, but, you’re still going to begrudgingly tune in to see who is ultimately crowned sole survivor.

While reality TV doesn’t necessarily scream Comic Con, I think there is an argument to be made that we could bring some of these huge names from various different reality shows for a panel, and they’d easily fill a room. Maybe that’s just me though? But, I digress, whether you’re tuning into Survivor, or watching the hopefully unspoiled finale episode of The Boys, there’s plenty of other things to get excited for.

Here’s a look at the news you may have missed recently:

  • Artist Patrick Ballesteros has been busy teasing some San Diego Comic-Con previews over on his Instagram stories, including this “I Am Flipino Enough” text, and what looks to be Gizmoduck. Color us intrigued.
  • As an avid lover of all animals, and a fellow rescue of many stray cats, this is delightful news. The comic Saved and Spoiled by John Yuskaitis about a rescue dog and a pedigree cat confirmed in an Instagram post that they will be back this year at Small Press #O-13. Stop by the table, say hello, and share your own stories about your animals, because it’s no secret that us animal people could yap all day about our pets.

  • Dragon Ball-Z is always a huge hit at the Con in any form that it may appear, so I know that this print that Illustrator acecore2kx shared will be no exception. Featuring all your favorite characters from the Frieza Saga in a Limited Edition poster. Hopefully more details will come out soon on how you will be able to get your hands on one for yourself or the Dragon Ball-Z fan in your life.

  • Are you a Dungeon Master who has dreamt of running RPG events and one-shots at one of the most famous conventions in the world? Then boy do I have a job for you! Golden State Gaming Network is looking for volunteers to help them out with all things RPG. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned vet, if you have the ability to teach others and are enthusiastic about giving others an awesome experience, then send a DM to let them know that you’re interested and you just might get the opportunity to live out your dream!

    • Furry Feline Creatives gave us a look at the last of the Mewjira evolutions. This smoke edition has a translucent charcoal body, and it joins the Ruby and Emerald versions that have previously been announced.

  • Tommy Stella, comic writer and editorial assistant at IDW announced that he will be at the show this year. No details yet in what capacity, but I’m sure we will learn more in the coming weeks.

  • VeeFriends announced that even though they won’t have a booth this year, they will be around in conjunction with PSA for a collaborative comic, and they will be making surprise drops throughout the con. Make sure to follow their socials for all the details when they drop.

  • Jeff Gomez co-creator of the comic Deep Down, shared that DREN Prestige has started a Kickstarter for a Comic-Con special edition black and white cover variant. While it hasn’t officially launched yet, stay tuned for more information on this crime thriller, which takes place in the subways of NYC.

    • In an almost blink and you’d miss it post, Stranger Comics announced that they would be there this year, just inside of Hall C.

  • Our favorite keeper of Borbs, Monkey Minion Press, released their upcoming con schedule, with a return to San Diego at Booth 2007. I’m looking forward to seeing what sorts of things they will have for us all this year!

 

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A post shared by Dane Ault (@monkeyminionpress)

  • Do you love mermaids? Do you love cats? Then you’ll love these prints from Martin Hsu featuring the lovable Mercats, or is it Purrmaids? Either way, we’re sure they’ll make a splash this summer!

  • It’s a bird, it’s a plane, oh wait… no it’s just a killer tomato! Bull Airs Cult and Atomic Toybox teased that there would be something coming to SDCC, tomatoes blazing. Fun fact: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is a home-grown San Diego property, filmed here on a budget of less than $100,000.

  • Bored with your old books? Need something new? Enjoy historical fantasy novels? Kathleen Schwab shared that her debut book, titled Queenswood, will have a special edition just for SDCC. Limited to just 250 pieces, it will have sprayed edges and signed tip-in pages.

 

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A post shared by Kathleen Schwab (@writerkmschwab)

  • Narrow Bridge Films announced that for the first time, they finally have been selected for the SDCC Film Festival for their movie The Monitor. It follows parents away from their baby for the first time, when they notice someone, or something rather, in the room with their baby via the baby monitor. More details on the screening coming soon.

 

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A post shared by Sam Platizky (@splatizky)

  • Yay for more cute animals! Shifter School: One Shot will be released this summer at Anthrocon and San Diego Comic-Con. It follows the Midnight Pact as they go cryptid hunting in Shifter Shores.

  • In even more Film Festival news, Long Away, a trans sci-fi short film set in a comic shop, is an official selection for the festival and will have a screening and panel following. More details to come in the future.

  • The Gundam community is huge, so I know there will definitely be people interested in this sneak peak from JYK All Day, featuring The Gouf. If the base draft is this good, the finished product will be stellar.

 

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A post shared by Jin Yung Kim (@jyk_allday)

  • In what I’m sure to be among many things relating to Dungeon Crawler Carl that we will see at the con this year, Shawn Kirkham aka bigclutch shared a variant cover paying homage to Invincible that is going to be available at the con.

 

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A post shared by Shawn Kirkham (@bigclutch)

  • This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Jeff Lemire’s Black Hammer comic. He shared that during the convention there will be a big announcement about the next phase of the series. For now, all we know so far is that it will be written by Lemire, and illustrated by an artist he has admired for a long time. They will both be on hand to announce the next chapter, and to sign a limited edition print. In addition to the Black Hammer news, he will also be signing a limited preview Ashcan of Crowbound #1 with Dustin Nguyen.

  • Lenore Zann (voice actress for Rogue in most things X-Men and most recently as a part of Marvel Rivals) shared on her Instagram that she was excited to see her “boyz” and creatives at the convention this summer. Sounds like we’re likely getting the whole Marvel Rivals gang together this July in San Diego.

 

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A post shared by Lenore Zann (@lenorezann)

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.

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