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Under the Tents 2026: Malcolm Barrett, Chris Maze, Steven E. Gordon, Bruce Dickinson

Welcome to a Saturday edition of Under the Tents 2026. Hopefully, your boss didn’t pull a Lumberg and make you come into work today, unless you were already scheduled for it, then you’d better get going. Before you do, though, we have some awesome San Diego Comic-Con 2026 news for you to read first. Don’t worry about being late; we’ll write you a note.

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

  • He might have to sleep on the sidewalk (or in the Hall H line), but artist and illustrator Mark Alvarado is still contemplating opening his SDCC 2026 commissions. And you can bet that when he does, we’ll add it to our Commissions post.

  • You’ll be aMAZEd at this announcement. Well, it’s more of a tease, but we like it anyway. One of our favorite artists, Chris Maze, proves that there are no bad ideas when it comes to SDCC art by resurrecting an idea he’s been marinating for the past two years as a print for Comic-Con this year.

I finished a new print for #SDCC today. It was an idea from 2 years ago. Happy that I stuck with it since I almost scrapped it in the beginning because I wasn’t all in on the idea when I started. It came out great though and I think a certain fandom will enjoy it (I hope). ❌♥️

— Chris Maze (@chrismaze.com) 2026-04-20T21:30:44.992Z

  • We’ve got more aMAZE-ing news for you. Chris Maze is not just working on SDCC 2026 art; he’s achieving his personal goals while he’s at it. He’s kind of inspiring, when you think about it. At least, I’ve always been inspired by his 3″x3″ Collection, and that’s why we’re so excited he has 50 new pieces heading to SDCC.

  • We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but fans of fantasy/sci-fi author Robin Hobb will not see her at SDCC this year due to a major schedule change.

I have had a major change to my 2026 schedule. I greatly regret that I will be unable to attend SDCC (comic-com international) this year. I still hope to be at Worldcon and World Fantasy Con.

— Robin Hobb (@robinhobb.bsky.social) 2026-04-20T04:04:15.225Z

  • Comic art reps Essential Sequential are still adding some big names to the list of legendary artists you’ll find at Booth #4601 during SDCC this year, such as Eric Canete and Paul Dini. Keep an eye on our Commissions post to see if/when they’ll be opening theirs.

  • If you can’t make it to Kodansha Anime’s Kodansha House’s pop-up from July 2-12 in Los Angeles, fret thee not, for they are also bringing some Kodansha House satellite booths and activities to SDCC this year as well.

  • Is it really Comic-Con without crochet? If you’d asked me that ten years ago, I would’ve looked at you like you were insane for the mere suggestion. Now, I see they go together like David Spade and Chris Farley (ask your parents, kids).
    • I am Groot. For those of you who don’t speak Groot, that means “Crochet artist Heather from Painted World Fiber Arts is also working on an adorable Baby Groot critter she wants you to find at SDCC 2026.”

    • It wouldn’t be crochet without the Queen of Crochet herself, the Geeky Hooker, not only announcing her Doctor Doom critter for SDCC 2026 but also reminding us of his backstory (he’s not just another example of a super villain with an advanced degree).

  • Animator/story artist/character designer Steven E. Gordon is going super old-school and designing some flip books to bring with him to Comic-Con this year. They’re still works in progress, but he seems to feel pretty good about them.

  • ICv2 reported that comics professional retail organization ComicsPRO is expanding their SDCC 2026 programming with Retailer Day. To be held on Friday, July 24, 2026 in Room 31AB, they’ll be offering eight hours’ worth of programming for retailers, including a continental breakfast and boxed lunch.

  • Comic-Con 2026? I can do this all day, and so can artist Jin Yung Kim (a.k.a.: JYK All Day), especially when he’s working on a new Zaku I piece for the convention.

  • Actor Malcolm Barrett (Timeless, Preacher, The Boys) announced he’ll be back at SDCC 2026 with his wildly fun “Malcolm and Friends” panel, and he’s bringing some Average Joe Season 2 treats with him. Let’s see if Phil LaMarr can make it into the room this year.

  • The newly-constructed Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista will host DC-themed Super Hero Summer from June 20 through August 16, 2026. And since Comic-Con is smack dab in the middle of that timeframe, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll have activations (activities?) just for the occasion. So if you don’t mind staying a bit further out, or are heading to town early/late, this could be the perfect place to stay.
  • UBloggers Erin and Robert are surely watching this one very closely (and I’m not calling them “Shirley”). Pro wrestling retailers Ringside Collectibles asked the million-dollar question on social media: Will Mattel’s DANHAUSEN figure be ready in time for Comic-Con this year?

  • Producer and Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson announced that he will be back at SDCC this year to promote Book 2 of his Mandrake Project comic trilogy.

  • Dungeon Crawler Carl fans and cosplayers can level-up together at SDCC 2026 when they join the Dungeon Crawler Carl Cosplay Photo Meetup in front of the Marriott Marquis on Friday, July 24 from 2:00pm-2:45pm PT.

 

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!

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