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Under the Tents 2026: Pudgy Penguins, Daniel Warren Johnson, BB-CRE.8, Rose Besch, Panel Confirmations

San Diego Comic-Con news season is definitely really starting to heat up. Already this week, we got news of both a movie (Super Troopers 3) and a TV show (Stuart Fails to Save the Universe) getting panels at the con! A sweet new pop-up in the form of Hasbro and Bucket Listers’ Candy Land Cafe, inspired by the popular board game! Thrilljoy tickets went on sale and sold out! And it’s only May 22! It’s as if we’ve teleported back to the year 2014, when companies announced things early!

All signs point to this being a truly great year at the con, as any time this many companies are so excited about announcing things that they just can’t keep it in until mid-June, you know that everyone is bringing their A-game. There are more signs of exactly that below in today’s “Under the Tents”, with big news about Pudgy Penguins’ many plans at the con, Bat Family art, the return of comics legends-in-the-making, panel confirmations (!), and more.

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

  • Yes, that is the Bat Signal calling you to Booth #DD-10 in Artist Alley, where artist Eunisyn will be setup with all of your Bat Family favorites, like this print featuring Tim Drake and Jason Todd.

  • Our friends at BB-CRE.8 are stomping into San Diego Comic-Con with more exclusives (and more teases) — this time for a very nuclear Godzilla. Maybe this will finally be the year he comes out of the San Diego bay, as the prophecies long foretold…

  • Are you a fan of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise and planning to cosplay as your favorite character at the con? Be sure to let Comfy Events know on their interest form, as they’re planning a meet-up for SDCC and want your feedback for timing, group activities, and more.

 

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  • It’s been ten years since artist Martin Hsu first brought his very personal character of Dragon Boy to life, at a San Diego Comic-Con in 2016. He’s debating bringing some original inks this year, so if interested, drop him a line on Twitter.

  • One thing that you can definitely count on Martin for, though, is the return of his online pre-orders! Starting now, you can order his prints, originals, and more for free pick-up at the con with code SDCC2026PICKUP. But there will be plenty of additional exclusives and debuts to come, so stay tuned…

 

  • Pudgy Penguins is waddling back into San Diego Comic-Con, where they’ll be setting up nest at Booth #4215. Here, fans will find photo ops with mascots Paxton Pengu and Polly inside their igloo, SDCC exclusives, new merch and blind boxes, the first-ever Pudgy Penguins comic books, and more. You can sign up on their site for their text and email list to stay updated about all things Pudgy Penguins.
  • While definitely not confirmation yet, Indian Bollywood publisher Mid-day Entertainment reported that Ramayana, is in “advanced talks” to make an appearance at san Diego Comic-Con. The fantasy drama follows a young prince and princess whose marriage and subsequent exile mark the beginning of a legendary journey.

  • The legendary Daniel Warren Johnson will be heading to SDCC this summer (that guy, I think he’s going places!), courtesy of Felix Comic Art. You’re going to want to hop on his commission list when it opens, so be sure to keep your eyes and ears peeled.

 

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One of the surest signs for our team that San Diego Comic-Con is getting near is when official panel confirmations go out — and here at the UBlog, we don’t just care about the Hollywood panels. Although we’ve gotten some of this as well, including Stuart Fails to Save the Universe and what seems like a Super Troopers 3 panel. But no, we care about every panel. So with that said, let’s dive into the panels announced so far.

  • Comic artist and writer Ken Penders confirmed he’ll be doing a panel at the con on Sonic Days (as well as Floating Island Productions and the Mobian Adventure Series), with illustrator Scott Shaw!, artist/colorist Patrick Spaziante, and colorist Ethan Alvarée.

  • Although details are currently scarce, Mikey Cruz confirmed that he’ll be moderating a panel for the first time. We can’t wait to hear more, Mikey.

  • AI is the hot-button topic everywhere, including at San Diego Comic-Con. The Glaze Project will be discussing the ongoing legal, legislateive, and technological efforts to protect artists from the onslaught of AI in the “AI and the Creative Industries: Where We Stand” panel on Sunday, July 26 at 2pm in Room 32AB.

Happy to announce that I (Ben) will be part of a AI and Creativity panel at San Diego Comic-con in July! We will discuss ongoing legal, legislative and technological efforts to protect artists.

AI and the Creative Industries: Where We Stand,
Sunday, 7/26 2026, 2:00PM – 3:00PM, Room: 32AB

— The Glaze Project (UChicago SAND Lab) (@theglazeproject.bsky.social) May 22, 2026 at 12:17 AM

  • And of course, we also still have folks announcing their Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival screenings, including Sean the Baby, a stylized 3D animated musical short by Jee Suk Kim, inspired by life’s everyday moments.

  • SABER, a documentary which follows a passionate group of LED saber combat athletes training for the Saber Legion World Championships in Las Vegas, will also be screening at the con. Director Matthew Wiatt and cast members of the film will also be on hand for a Q&A following the screening in Ballroom 6 of the Marriott Marquis.

  • Moving back to the show floor, Aphamau’s Mini-Mart is heading to San Diego Comic-Con, where their booth will be filled with new exclusive merch.

 

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  • Extra, extra, read all about it! Top Shelf will be hosting a meet-up at the con, “probably” on Friday, July 24 — though they’re planning on it being further out from the convention, possibly in Mission Valley. Stay tuned for more details.

  • And finally, in last place (both in this post and my cold, dead heart), if you didn’t hear, Sideshow is back at the con this year, after making a very public exit (and they are, to my knowledge of 15+ years covering this con, the only company to ever put out a press release to say they weren’t going to the con). But the grass of online-only cons isn’t as green as they’d hoped, so yes, they’re back. Anyway, they want to know what you want from them this year, so you can tell them if you’re so inclined.

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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