With the San Diego Comic-Con coming up on July 23-26, we have news and announcements dropping left and right, so here’s an attempt to keep up with it all. Hit the links for more info.
DC has unveiled its plans for San Diego Comic-Con, which includes a continuation of their decade-long plan to spotlight a different era of the company in their booth, building toward their 100th anniversary in 2035. Last year the spotlight fell on the 1940s, so, given how numbers work, this year will focus on the 1950s — the decade that brought us Supergirl, Legion of Super- Heroes, Barry Allen, Hal Jordan and MAD Magazine.
Their booth will feature a 1950s-style Daily Planet newsstand, and they plan to give away free copies of MAD Magazine #1 facsimile edition, based on the original that debuted in 1952.
Here’s a video DC released spotlighting the comics and characters of that decade:
You can read more about their plans, which include panels, booth signings, exclusive variants, appearances by puppies (yes, for real!) and more, on the DC website.
Fantagraphics heads to SDCC with signings, exclusives and an online sale
Fantagraphics has revealed its plans for San Diego, with creators including Katie Skelly, the Hernandez brothers, Briana Loewinsohn and Carol Tyler appearing for signings throughout the convention. The publisher will also have advance books like the second issue of Roy and Quacky by Jim Woodring.
If you can’t attend the con, Fantagraphics will hold its annual “Not-at-Comic-Con Sale” during the show, offering 25% off nearly everything, including preorders, at Fantagraphics.com. Just place your order July 23-26 and use the code “SDCC” at checkout.
247 Comics Gives Cyber League Its Print Debut at SDCC
247 Comics will debut Cyber League in print with an SDCC-exclusive ashcan available at Booth #1837. Created entirely by Anderson Carman, who handled the writing, art, colors and lettering, the series follows a scrappy baseball team of humans competing in a league dominated by cyborgs.
The convention exclusive features a new cover by Manix Abrera, along with a limited foil trade dress edition. The full series is slated for release through 247 Comics later this year.
Saved & Spoiled Returns to SDCC with New Convention-Exclusive Collection
Independent creator John Yuskaitis is returning to San Diego Comic-Con after selling out his debut collection last year.
Available at Small Press Booth O-13, the new Saved & Spoiled collection features more than 170 full-color comic strips, including the story of how rescue dog Wilson and pedigreed cat Dewey first met. You can catch up with the webcomic before the show at SavedSpoiled.com.
2000 AD Heads to SDCC with New Pins, Figures and Exclusive Merchandise
Rebellion will have a slate of exclusive 2000 AD collectibles at Booth #2121, including limited-edition enamel pins featuring Judge Dredd, Judge Anderson, Judge Death and more. You’ll also be able to see HIYA’s upcoming Rogue Trooper action figure, pre-order a black-and-white Judge Dredd figure arriving in 2027 and shop exclusive convention merchandise ranging from keychains to apparel.
Also, San Diego will be the only opportunity to buy Batman/Judge Dredd: Judgement on Gotham 35th Anniversary Edition in the United States. They’ll have the Simon Bisley/Alan Grant/John Wagner classic for sale at their booth.
Check it all out at the 2000 AD website.
Skybound Gives Universal Monsters: Frankenstein a Black-and-White Remaster
In the lead up to SDCC, Skybound has announced that Michael Walsh’s Universal Monsters: Frankenstein will return this fall in a new black-and-white edition, following in the footsteps of their B&W reprints of their Dracula and Creature from the Black Lagoon comics.
Originally published as a four-issue series, the story has been reformatted into two oversized issues, with the first collecting the original opening chapters. The remastered edition arrives Oct. 14.
Bad Idea and NJPW Team Up for Planet Death Variant
This one isn’t really tied to San Diego, but is still pretty cool … Bad Idea and New Japan Pro-Wrestling are partnering on a venue-exclusive edition of Planet Death #1 to celebrate the opening night of G1 Climax 36 on July 11. If you’re not a wrestling fan or aren’t familiar with the tournament, the G1 Climax is NJPW’s signature annual tournament, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and physically demanding events in professional wrestling. This is the first time since 2019 that tournament matches will occur outside Japan.
“This summer, the best wrestlers in the world will come to Chicago for G1 CLIMAX, the most grueling tournament in all of professional wrestling, to determine the Strongest of the Summer. Like American comics, G1 CLIMAX is driven by larger-than-life personalities, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments. NJPW’s edgy, hard-hitting spirit is a strong match for BAD IDEA’s fearless creative identity, and we look forward to bringing these two fan communities together,” said Hiroshi Tanahashi, president of NJPW
Limited to 1,000 copies, the exclusive variant will only be available at Chicago’s NOW Arena during the event.