Tag: comic-con

Artists, livestreams, creativity at Ignition Pavilion!

Ignition Press, the Los Angeles based publisher of comic books and graphic novels, has returned to San Diego Comic-Con with their Ignition Pavilion! You can find the two-story pavilion on MLK Promenade among many other activations.

As the Ignition Press website explains: The creator-driven company exclusively publishes original series including Murder Podcast, Voyeur, Roots of Madness, Deluge, NO Place, Arcadia, and Bloodland. Current film and television adaptations of Ignition Press series include The Beauty (FX/Hulu) and Extraction (Netflix).

Comic-Con goers don’t want to miss this. In addition to buying a wide range of comics and graphic novels, fans have the opportunity to speak at length with writers and artists, all of whom are very friendly and eager to discuss their work. (You might purchase something, too!)

I noticed that downstairs you can watch the “Revenge Of” podcast. Not familiar to me.

Upstairs, there is a coffee bar (you get one free), and eBay Live which you can watch in action.

The very best part of being upstairs, however, were the awesome creators behind tables with their books.

Here are Jim McCann and Joe Eisma. They’ve created individually and in collaboration with each other. Jim McCann has written for Marvel, including the series Hawkeye & Mockingbird. You can see their cool stuff at their table inside the coffee bar.

This is Ande Parks. He has created Bad Thoughts, a dark psychological thriller. As an artist he is best known for his work on Green Arrow. The art on his table immediately reminded me of work by Mike Grell. He liked my Neal Adams Superman t-shirt!

Lots of great creators to meet!

Dave Wielgosz is another cool creator I met. He wrote 2021’s Man-Bat and contributed stories to comic book anthologies including Batman: The Brave & The Bold and Superman: Man of Tomorrow. His first creator-owned project is Showdown..

Walking over to check out the eBay Live lounge area…

Pretty cool, huh?

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Ebenezer Scrooge won’t come out!

It was widely understood that Johnny Depp would step again out of the Ebenezer activation at Comic-Con 2026. In costume as Scrooge, he’d briefly address the large gathered crowd. He had done so earlier in the afternoon.

We waited. A clock tolled the hour. It snowed. The snow fringed office of Scrooge and Marley appeared haunted at times. Shutters suddenly flapped open and shut. A spooky raven perched nearby moved. The hands of the clock suddenly turned wildly. Curtains moved as if Scrooge was peeking out at the surplus population at his doorstep.

A loud ghostly voice came suddenly from somewhere, with a warning to Scrooge.

Nothing then happened.

We expected the front door to open at any time. It didn’t.

Actors in Victorian garb kept the crowd entertained and expectant. They sang Christmas carols. Never getting out of character, they interacted with the audience.

We waited for the appearance of Ebenezer Scrooge.

The curtains moved.

The burly bodyguards joined forces shoulder to shoulder near the door and had us move forward for the encounter. We were ready after such a long, long wait!

A couple minutes later, we were informed Scrooge wouldn’t come out.

Fans who’d waited well over an hour were very disappointed.

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Meeting the unexpected at San Diego Comic-Con!

Perhaps the best part of San Diego Comic-Con?

Suddenly meeting the unexpected!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Visiting the Petco Interactive Zone at Comic-Con!

Walking around outside during Comic-Con 2026? Is it lunchtime? Why not head over to the Interactive Zone at Petco Park where you’ll find several themed food trucks and plenty of tables.

You’ll also find a few activations. The big one is miniature golf, an activity under a shady roof. Its purpose is to promote Magic: The Gathering | Marvel Super Heroes. Leave a comment if you played.

Advice! Don’t wait forever in line before the Petco Interactive Zone opens each morning. Not long after the gate opens, the line goes away.

Labu’Tique Farmers Market…

KAYOU Walls of Fandom…

Food!

Diarra From Detroit.

Hello Kitty Cafe Truck.

Magic: The Gathering mini golf.

Maruchan’s MaruMart.

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

One Piece cosplay photos at Comic-Con 2026!

A cool photoshoot was held today of One Piece character cosplay. The participants gathered in front of the Marriott Marquis in San Diego, on this first day of Comic-Con 2026.

It was funny how a few cosplayers from different fandoms were present as everyone gathered. Then the dedicated One Piece characters were wrangled into place and posed as one in their big group photo.

Who do you recognize?

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Comic-Con cosplay photos on Thursday morning!

Enjoy this collection of cosplay photos taken Thursday morning outside Comic-Con 2026.

The first two photos were actually taken yesterday, Wednesday, so I lied. Sorry.

Up above is Red Guardian.

Next is Wolverine and Deadpool creating havoc on the streets of San Diego.

Up next is Discotek. (I saw this cosplay yesterday, too.)

Daredevil.

Barf, from Spaceballs.

Cobra Kai family!

Bepo from One Piece.

KinitoPET.

I didn’t know the Green Lanterns had a baseball team!

Riddler.

Captain Kirk.

Not cosplay, but cool. Anzellan droidsmith.

Green Lantern Kyle Rayner… I think? (I stand corrected. It’s Peacemaker as a Green Lantern!)

Castle Crashers.

Stormtrooper.

Roz from Monsters, Inc.

Chefs from Hell’s Kitchen!

El Chapulín Colorado.

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Thursday morning walk outside Comic-Con 2026!

The first full day of Comic-Con 2026 and it’s just as wild and wonderful as ever!

People everywhere. Lines everywhere. Cosplay appearing more often. Excitement at a fever pitch!

The offsites are mostly ready. Two exceptions I noted are Nickelodeon and Apple TV’s silo.

Here we go! I took these photographs Thursday morning…

Donut Bar donuts are ready in the Gaslamp outside the Pendry. Eat a superhero, anime or Pokémon treat!

I was wondering about this Victorian, snow fringed offsite. It’s the office of Scrooge and Marley! Looks like the ghost of Marley has appeared on the doorknob…

Yikes! A xenomorph! Don’t let it attach to your face!

Swag awaits passengers at the 12th and Imperial trolley station pop-up…

Yes. Lots of people…

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Sharks invade a San Diego city park!

Beware! If you plan to walk through Children’s Park in downtown San Diego during Comic-Con 2026, look out for hungry sharks!

Several sharks have invaded the pool near the fountain, and are threatening people walking through the park!

Seriously?

No. It’s just a fun activation outside the convention center that promotes Shark Week on the Discovery Channel!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Command legendary starship Enterprise at Comic-Con!

Would you like to sit in the captain’s chair of the Federation starship Enterprise?

You can during Comic-Con 2026 in San Diego! Simply make your way over to the Marriott Marquis hotel to enjoy the free photo op while the Star Trek activation is open, Thursday to Saturday 9:30 am to 7 pm, and Sunday 9:40 to 5.

You can check out a cool LEGO model of the Enterprise and see an example of a Star Trek card from Magic: The Gathering, too!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Extraordinary art, artists at Chuck Jones Gallery during SDCC!

During Comic-Con 2026 in San Diego, the public has a very special opportunity to experience extraordinary art and artists!

The Chuck Jones Gallery in Seaport Village has daily free activities you don’t want to miss.

Today, Wednesday, I got to speak with Craig Kausen, grandson of legendary animator and director Chuck Jones. (That’s Craig in the above photograph.) I was also privileged to see original works by Chuck Jones from the family archives, including pieces that have been exhibited in museums around the world.

Craig Kausen was so generous with his time, speaking enthusiastically about the life and work of Chuck Jones, showing me works of original art from different eras, different projects.

Some of these original works will remain on display through the course of Comic-Con.

Craig spoke about the creative process, how Chuck Jones paid special attention to detail, even in his most simple drawings. Every line and curve convey subtle but exact feeling, just as carefully chosen words convey a specific meaning when writing.

I loved it when he explained how his Chuck Jones Center for Creativity has inspired countless kids to be more creative and appreciate art. His business card reads “Exercise Your Genius!”

I’m not exaggerating when I say he was truly amazing.

Here’s a sign in front of the Chuck Jones Gallery with the San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Line Up. Expand the image to read it…

I was also super lucky to meet and speak with artist Stephen Reis. That’s him in the next photo:

What a cool guy! What a dynamic personality! He an artist on The Simpsons who does mostly storyboards. Some of his original art is on display in the gallery and available for purchase. With his art he has generously helped raise funds for the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity.

Did you know it takes about 8 months for a single The Simpsons episode to become fully developed and completed? That’s one of many things I learned.

I also enjoyed looking at shoes he has hand painted based on Looney Tunes characters, such as Marvin the Martian. If you come by on Saturday when he’s presenting “From Sketch to Screen” at the Chuck Jones Gallery, he’ll no doubt show you, too!

Now tell me: would you like to meet some important artists and see fantastic art? You know where to go!

Stopping by the gallery today made my day. Thank you!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!