Fantagraphics has announced its programming slate for San Diego Comic-Con 2026, featuring creators Katie Skelly, Jaime Hernandez, Gilbert Hernandez, Natalie Hernandez, and more. The publisher has also announced its convention exclusives, which will be available at booth #1721 throughout the show.
Here are the details of Fantagraphics’ SDCC ’26 appearance.
Fantagraphics SDCC ’26 exclusives
Fantagraphics will have early copies of its upcoming books at SDCC ’26 booth #1721, as well as exclusive merch and giveaways. In addition to the titles below, the publisher will debut:
- A Whoa, Nellie! t-shirt featuring art by Jaime Hernandez
- A Frank enamel pin featuring Jim Woodring’s “generic anthropomorph”
- 50th anniversary tote (navy and cream)
These will be available on the Fantagraphics website sometime after the convention. Additionally, SDCC ’26 attendees can pick up a FREE copy of “50 Things I Love About Fantagraphics,” a special issue of the Eisner-nominated Canon zine. One per person, while supplies last.
Now, for the early books!
Bimbo Agitprop by Raquelle Jac
On sale August 4
Pre-order
In the tradition of Aline Kominsky-Crumb and Phoebe Gloeckner, a remarkable debut graphic novel that wields art like a knife to organize, agitate, and dismantle the predatory systems that immiserate us all.
Bimbo Agitprop captures the reality of growing up in West Texas in the early 21st century, through Satanic Panics, Y2K, a recession, abusive parents, shitty men, identity-centric politics, and woke/anti-woke pendulum swings. Reflective of the author’s era (born in the late 1990s) of hyperindividualist over-sharing of late 2010s internet, while being firmly grounded in the unfiltered, handmade, radically anti-establishment art of the 1960s underground comix, Raquelle Jac keeps her wounds fresh and open to both remember the past and protect herself in the future. At turns explicit, hilarious, profane, and defiant, Bimbo Agitprop is both an act of self-preservation and a call to arms.
Jac boldly embraces frivolity, “bimboism,” comedy, memory, and storytelling to interrogate reality in the 2020s, ping-ponging among relationships, psychedelic trips, good sex, bad sex, romance, and trauma. Her dense, obsessive pages read like a manifesto, announcing the arrival of a remarkable new voice in comics.
Quacky by Jim Woodring
On sale August 11
Pre-order
Jim Woodring pays homage to the classic Big Little Book format to put his silent signature character through his most transformative adventure ever.
Jim Woodring has been drawing the otherworldly, allegorical adventures of his cartoon Everycreature, Frank, for three and a half decades. These stories are a singular rarity in the comics form — both bone-chillingly physical in their depictions of Frank’s travails and profoundly metaphysical at the same time. Not since George Herriman’s Krazy Kat has the comics language been so exquisitely distilled into pure, revelatory aesthetic expression.
With Quacky, Woodring adopts the format of 1930s Big Little Books to deliver a text story with illustrations, in which the typically nonplussed Frank’s reactions are told to us explicitly, through narration and his own thoughts. Frank is buffeted by generosity, anguished to see how loving friends perceive him, distraught by the process of aging and physical transformation in a beloved pet, delighted by nature and physical experiences shared with others, and ultimately sees a path toward radical acceptance in the face of trauma.
Frank cast regulars Pupshaw, Pushpaw and Manhog are here, along with new entries to Frank’s world of the Unifactor. And, in a backup feature, we meet a cast of toontown pigs in a story that undercuts the kiddie book format: “Hoggy Goes Hogwild.” Cunningham, the clever pig who helps all his friends, and his confirmed fiancée, Porceline, are called on to assist local pal Hoggy – who turns out to have gone on a violent crime spree, presaging a possible psychotic break.
Jim Woodring is back, and no two worlds wouldn’t be the same without him.
Lovers of the Empire, Vol. 1 by Yudori
On sale August 18
Pre-order
Set in the atmospheric Korean capital in the 1920s, this dynamic manhwa period piece follows two teenagers from different social strata thrown together—and their unlikely connection leads to comedic, emotional, and eye-opening experiences of discovery.
South Korea, 1929. Arisa Jo, the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is the most eligible bachelorette in all of Gyeongsung (the capital city). With her Western dresses, movie star hairstyle, and assertive attitude, she embodies bold “Modern” values. Meet her opposite, Jun Seomoon, a young man from the countryside deeply rooted in tradition. When Jun is charged by Arisa’s father to be her escort in the big city, these opposing forces create sparks. Through this unlikely connection, these teenagers open their eyes to new perspectives amidst the rapidly changing world they find themselves in.
Coming off the heels of her acclaimed Raging Clouds, Lovers of the Empire proves Yudori to be a comic artist at the height of her creative powers. On the surface a sweet and funny will they, won’t they romance, this story garners depth from its depiction of Korea at a crossroads: a city occupied by Japan, molded by Western influences, and facing a modernity that stirs inner conflicts within its citizens. Rendered in gorgeous full color, this period piece portrays a fascinating city in a tumultuous time, with two winsome characters at its heart.
Roy #2 by Gilbert Hernandez & Natalia Hernandez
On sale August 19
Pre-order
Roy is haunted by nightmares of the Froat, so he gets up and goes for a stroll and runs into Tom-Jim-Jack Clown—battling a generic Froat for control of each other’s life force! In “Captain Cockatiel & Rudy,” the duo sail the high seas and discover an island of scaredy cats! Plus, Roy reveals his secrets of Christmas shopping!
Fantagraphics SDCC ’26 panels
All times are in PST.
Thursday, July 23
Finding the Funny in Six Panels or Less
1:30-2:30 p.m., Room 24ABC
Is there anything better than a six-panel page? What about it lends itself so well to setting up a joke and landing a punchline? The funniest people in comics, Peter Bagge (Hate), Nathan Gelgud (No Concessions!), Mimi Pond (Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me), Marc Torices (Cornelius), and Julia Wertz (Bury Me Already (It’s Nice Down Here)), talk with Tom Devlin (Drawn & Quarterly) about finding the funny everywhere they can.
Spotlight on Katie Skelly
2-3 p.m., Room 29AB
Cartoonist Katie Skelly (Heaven) discusses her distinctive art style, as seen in My Pretty Vampire, Maids, Nurse Nurse, The Agency, and her newest book Heaven, and her influences in conversation with Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts). Q&A follows.
San Diego Comic-Con Oral History Panel
2-3 p.m., Offsite at Bards & Cards in the Gaslamp
This “oral history alternapanel” promises a rare opportunity to hear directly from some of the surviving originators of the con, sharing firsthand stories about how Comic-Con came to life and evolved into the global pop culture powerhouse it is today. The panel is being organized by Mathew Klickstein, whose book See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con compiles stories from the creators, artists, and fans who built the convention from the ground up, including Roger Freedman (1970s committee member), Wendy All (1970s committee member), Scott Smith (Director of Electronic Publicity), Clayton Moore (1970s committee member), Gus Krueger (son of co-founder Ken Krueger), Barry Short (1980s Program Director), and Dave Clark (co-originator).
Spotlight on Peter Bagge
3-4 p.m., Room 4
Peter Bagge (Hate), one of the primary architects of the alternative comics scene that exploded in the 1980s and 1990s, discusses his enduring chronicle of the grunge era with Colin Blanchette (Canon Zine).
Carousel: Comics Performances
4-5 p.m., Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
The long-running live comics-reading series returns to SDCC, featuring a mix of independent, established, and emerging authors and artists, including Melissa Chan (You Must Take Part in Revolution; Street Noise Books), Maelle Doliveux (I Will Live Forever; Beehive Books), Peter Kuper (Insectopolis; W. W. Norton), Katie Skelly (Heaven; Fantagraphics), Marc Torices (Cornelius: The Merry Life of a Wretched Dog; Drawn & Quarterly), and Sophie Yanow (The Contradictions; Drawn & Quarterly) participate. Hosted by R. Sikoryak (Declaration/Emancipation Illustrated; Drawn & Quarterly).
Friday, July 24
Spotlight on Briana Loewinsohn
10-11 a.m., Room 29AB
Harvey Award winner and Eisner nominee Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts) and her bestie, Eisner winner Thien Pham (Family Style), have a lively discussion about the life and works of Briana Loewinsohn.
Pham-tastic Cartoonists
1-2 p.m., Room 28DE
They’re all award-winning cartoonists, and they’re all named Pham. Animator John Pham (J & K), children’s book illustrator LeUyen Pham (Princess in Black), and graphic novelist Thien Pham (Family Style) discuss the art of visual storytelling, what keeps them motivated, and what it takes to make it in their respective fields. Moderated by Gene Luen Yang (Lunar New Year Love Story).
Creating and Maintaining Your Comics Community
2-3 p.m., Room 28DE
Besties Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese), Julia Wertz (Bury Me Already (It’s Nice Down Here)), Thien Pham (Family Style), and Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts) discuss lives of friendship and comics.
Love (& Rockets) and Hate
4:30-5:30 p.m., Room 26AB
As far as independent comics series go, Love & Rockets and Hate are about as iconic as they get. Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez (Love & Rockets) have been chronicling the exploits of the residents of Palomar and Hoppers since 1982, while Peter Bagge (Hate) has created an enduring chronicle of Seattle’s 1990s grunge milieu. Gilbert, Jaime, and Peter discuss their long-running series with Gary Groth (Fantagraphics co-founder, editor).
Saturday, July 25
How to Pitch Your Story for Comics, Graphic Novels, Film, and Animation
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Room 10
Do you have an idea for the next great story? Gene Luen Yang (American-Born Chinese), Julia Wertz (Impossible People), Sara Phoebe Miller (BOOM! Studios), Jordan Morris (Teen Titans Go!), and Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts) discuss what you need to know to pitch your idea for graphic novels, comics, animation, TV, and film. Moderated by Thien Pham (Family Style).
Last Man Standing
2-3 p.m., Room 23ABC
Former industry leaders Paul Levitz (DC Comics), Mike Richardson (Dark Horse), Ross Richie (BOOM! Studios), Terry Nantier (NBM), Dean Mullaney (Eclipse), and maybe some surprise guests discuss what it’s like to run a comic company and to reflect on it after getting up from that desk. Moderated by one of the last men standing running a comics publisher for decades, Gary Groth (Fantagraphics).
Fantagraphics at 50: (Still) Publishing the World’s Greatest Cartoonists
3-4 p.m., Room 29AB
Gary Groth (co-founder and president of Fantagraphics) and Conrad Groth (editor at Fantagraphics) discuss the storied history of Fantagraphics. Moderated by fellow traveler and BAO publisher Michele Foschini, the panel reflects on five decades of groundbreaking comics publishing and what lies ahead.
O.P.P.: Writing Other People’s (Intellectual) Property
3:30-4:30 p.m., Room 29CD
Working with beloved cultural icons can be both a dream and a nightmare. Longtime industry professionals Jennifer Lee (Frozen), Amy Chu (Borderlands), Jordan Morris (Teen Titans Go!), Thien Pham (Baby Garfield’s Firsts), Melissa Flores (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers), and Gene Luen Yang (Avatar: The Last Airbender) share how they navigate the tricky task of writing IP. Moderated by Comic-Con special guest Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts).
Beyond the Mainstream: Literary Manga, Manhwa, and Manhua
4-5 p.m., Room 23ABC
Editors and publishers from Kana (Abrams), Takumigraphics (Fantagraphics), Drawn & Quarterly, and Kazé (HarperCollins) discuss the growing audience for literary manga, manhwa, and manhua. The panel explores how publishers discover new projects, work with creators and translators, and connect acclaimed Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, and Chinese manhua with English-language readers. Panelists also discuss how these works fit within the broader comics landscape and why they continue to reach new audiences.
Sunday, July 26
Life in Comics: Graphic Nonfiction
12-1 p.m., Room 4
Graphic memoirists Briana Loewinsohn (Raised by Ghosts), Thien Pham (Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam), and R. Sikoryak (Declaration/Emancipation Illustrated) discuss their art, process, and research with Rocco Versaci (professor at Palomar College).
No One Gets Out Alive: Creators Look Back at a Lifetime in Comics
1-2 p.m., Room 32AB
Danny Fingeroth (Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin), Barbara “Willy” Mendes (Queen of Cosmos Comix Trilogy), Barbara Randall Kesel (Crossgen Chronicles), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), and Comic-Con special guest Mimi Pond (Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me) discuss their careers in comics. Moderated by Jon “Bean” Hastings.
Fantagraphics SDCC ’26 creator signings
All times are in PST. All signings will take place at Fantagraphics booth #1721 unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, July 23
- 12-1 p.m.: Mathew Klickstein (See You At San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture)
- 102 p.m.: Briana Loewinsohn (Raised By Ghosts) & Gilbert Hernandez (Love & Rockets)
- 2-3 p.m.: Gilbert Hernandez & Natalia Hernandez (Roy #2)
- 3-4 p.m.: Katie Skelly (Heaven) & Jaime Hernandez (Love & Rockets)
- 4-5 p.m.: Jaime Hernandez (Love & Rockets)
Friday, July 24
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Jaime Hernandez (Love & Rockets) & Gilbert Hernandez (Love & Rockets) & Natalia Hernandez (Roy #2)
- 1-2 p.m.: Carol Tyler (The Ephemerata: Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief) & Mathew Klickstein (See You At San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture)
- 2-3 p.m.: John Pham (J + K) & Katie Skelly (Heaven)
- 3-4 p.m.: Christopher Fink (Breakthrough: Life On the Brink)
- 4-5 p.m.: Briana Loewinsohn (Raised By Ghosts) & Peter Kuper (Wish We Weren’t Here)
Saturday, July 25
- 12-1 p.m.: Mathew Klickstein (See You At San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture)
- 2-3 p.m.: Briana Loewinsohn (Raised By Ghosts) & Carol Tyler (The Ephemerata: Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief)
Sunday, July 26
- 2-3 p.m.: Briana Loewinsohn (Raised By Ghosts)
- 3-4 p.m.: Barbara “Willy” Mendes
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ’26.
