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Under the Tents 2026: Magic: The Gathering, Icon Heroes, Scott C., Wētā Workshop, Don Nguyen, False Idol

I’m not sure where you are at as you are reading this, but as I type, there is a raging thunderstorm outside. The wind is blowing the rain sideways and I’m expecting to hear the tornado sirens any minute.

Full disclosure though, it’s also raining INSIDE, but it’s raining San Diego Comic-Con news, and that is a storm that I can handle. Droplets of announcements, drips of exclusives, and a fierce wind whipping up some booth updates.

Live shot of the writer, basking in the SDCC storm of news.

Ahem. Now then, let’s get down to business [Editor’s Note: to defeat the Huns!], nobody has time for my useless chime-ins when there is much SDCC news to be had:

  • You ready to tap that? I mean, tap that LAND. As in your mana. As in Magic: The Gathering, which conveniently let us know that SDCC will be one of the places to snag new Marvel promo cards for the upcoming #MTGxMarvel Super Heroes set.

  • Faithful UTT readers already know Don Nguyen as the Man With Many Friends™ but did you also know that he’s done loads of work on trading cards from both Upper Deck and Topps? While his sketch cards are (possibly) used as currency in some countries, he’ll be offering sticker sheets featuring some of the sketches, free with a $100 original art purchase.

  • Japanese figure maker Kaiyodo is taking up residence at San Diego Comic-Con in 2026. You’ll be able to find them over at Booth #2948, which, if my cartography is correct, should be north of where LEGO usually is and just around the corner from our friends at Factory Entertainment. Kaiyodo has not mentioned if they will have any exclusives, but I’ve provided some images of their products down below just to give you a little idea of what we have to look forward to.

  • It’s “LAST CALL” for Mary “Zorilita” Bellamy, who let My Little Pony fans know that San Diego Comic-Con will be one of the very last places to pick up the IDW-published issues featuring her artwork.

  • Here comes BB.CRE-8 with another tease about their SDCC exclusives. I’m picking up some real “Droids Peeping From the Deck of the Midway” vibes from this one, how about you?

  • Are you one of those lucky ducks who is arriving in San Diego early (or perhaps reside there!) and would you like to keep tabs on the World Cup? Several Gaslamp establishments will be hosting viewing parties, and offering some tasty drink specials as well. Might I suggest my personal favorite, GARAGE Kitchen & Bar, on 4th Avenue?

  • You can also, technically, file this one under “T” for “tease.” Arcana Studio, maker of comics as well as feature films in both animation and live action, posted on Twitter that they will be at San Diego Comic-Con and that “something” is about to “take flight.” We don’t think this just means they are flying into San Diego from their home base in Canada, but we’ll have to wait and see.

  • You won’t find artist Amy Mebberson on our SDCC Commissions List…at least not YET. Over on Blue Sky Mebberson announced that if time allows (DEADLINES!) she will open up pre-show spots. But if not (because DEADLINES!) she will be taking commission requests at the show.

  • Ever the workhorse, as well as a teaser, Patrick Ballesteros thought he got away with posting this work in progress on Instagram yesterday. Well, I’m here to tell you, Patrick, that you didn’t. I saw your post, and now EVERYONE is going to see your post. You might be bringing back something “old school” for SDCC, but I’m here to school you that your clever disappearing posts are no match for the UBlog team. NO MATCH!

  • If you love tiki culture, secret tiki bars and fancy cocktails in even fancier vessels, pay attention to this next Instagram post from Beeline Creative, otherwise known as Geeki Tiki. They will once again be partnering with False Idol for an SDCC party (or two) to celebrate their 10th Anniversary.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Beeline Creative (@beelinecreative)

  • Let’s put some COMICS into this Comic-Con post, shall we? The swell folks over at Unknown Comic Books will have some very special variant covers for some very “Well Known Comic Books” including several from Absolute Batman. They will be at Booth #1001 (just inside door B1) during the show, but pre-orders are also available now on their site.

  • Having recently received an order of stickers from José Pulido, I am 99.99% sure that I know what at least one of these mystery SDCC pins is. I would bet my lucky WICKET, if I had one. But let’s not start any WARS, my little STAR. We can just all E-WOK to his booth on Preview Night and see for ourselves. Note: this is just 4 of nine new pins we can expect to find at San Diego Comic-Con from the Mis Nopales creator.

  • Member of the Next Comic Art collective, JP Cuison, has just begun work on this impressive recreation of Marvel’s Secret Wars #1 in his own signature style.  He recently posted on Threads with the caption that it’s intended for SDCC.

  • Oh no…I think I just got a case of the Kermit Flails ™ when I saw this post on Instagram by one of my favorite artists and all-around swell human beings, Scott C. According to the caption, he’s sketching up something magical that will be at SDCC, and according to me personally, something Henson-riffic. Basically, Scott C. has already won SDCC, to me.
Live shot of this writer thinking about this Scott C. work in progress.
  • I am very addicted to Threads, but I don’t love them for San Diego Comic-Con announcements because they don’t allow us to embed posts here on WordPress. That means we have to screenshot and upload them. That’s not so bad, but sometimes the posts have great gifs attached, gifs that make all the difference in the post. FOR EXAMPLE (because of COURSE this was a segue); New York Times Bestselling Author Katee Robert announced using a pithy gif that she will be will be at SDCC, with panel and signing details to come. The post is better with the gif, right?!?!

  • Tucked deep within the caption of this Instagram post from Bryan Konietzko, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender, is a promise that official news is coming soon, as soon as San Diego Comic-Con, where he hopes to see you.

 

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A post shared by Bryan Konietzko (@bryankonietzko)

  • When you’re Icon Heroes, and you’re talking about San Diego Comic-Con, you follow the adage that bigger is better. And follow it, they have. Check out the design specs for their new, larger booth, the biggest they have ever had. Remind you of anything? Yes, that’s right, this 20″ x 30″ booth is inspired by KB Toys, one of the meccas of the malls from the bygone days. Kids, ask your folks. Folks, school your kids. We can’t wait to see what sort of exclusives Icon Heroes has planned for this space, located at #4344 in the exhibit hall.

  • The creative partnership with the freshest hermit crab mascot, Hyde Hermit Studios, is deep in the planning stages for their many summer events, San Diego Comic-Con included. Prepare to dip your toes in the sand with whatever fun things they have planned.

  • And lastly today, we mentioned earlier this week that beloved New Zealand collectible company Wētā Workshop would be returning to SDCC with their special blend of fantasy and realism. One of the (many) things you’ll find on display at their booth (#3613) is the resin cast of Middle-Earthing Númenórean Soldier.

  • Stern Pinball is urging San Diego Comic-Con attendees to get ready to rock….or at least get your flipper fingers warmed up. They seem to be planning on bringing a Transformers themed machine to the recently announced concert. Flipper fingers crossed that they will also bring one to the show floor. 🤞

Anything we missed? Let us know by dropping us a line, or tweet us at @SD_Comic_Con.

Still need a badge for San Diego Comic-Con? Sorry. We can’t help.

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!

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