On the last day of New York Comic Con this past year, we did something we've never done before: hosted a panel but didn't tell anyone what it was about, or who besides Popverse would show up. We didn't know if fans would show up - but they did, to the point that 10 minutes before we were to start, the room was at capacity. You came for Popverse. And we appreciate that.

Over the course of 2025, the number of people reading and watching Popverse on any average day doubled. We did this by listening to you: what you reacted to, how you reacted to, and what you decided to read and watch (and what you didn't!). Through that, we doubled down on coverage of Critical Role, we laser-focused on the comics you care about, hosted even more panels and interviews with celebrities than ever before, and at conventions, we found ways to meet as many of you as possible and get your direct input on what we should do.

in 2026, we are going to continue doing what brought you to that panel and what brings you here every day, and add to that. By doing what you are showing us you want more of, responding to things you tell us you want us to take chances on, and listening to our instincts and covering things we hope you'll love. Here are some of the things you can look forward to.

The Popverse 2026 Convention Schedule

Speaking of conventions, we have an ambitious road schedule for 2026 with 17 shows planned - and a couple more we're looking into. At New York Comic Con, C2E2, Emerald City Comic Con, and Florida Supercon we will also be filming (and in most cases livestreaming!) the biggest panels in addition to our reporting, interviewing, and general shenanigans. 

Here's where you can look forward to seeing us:

• ComicsPRO Annual Meeting (February 19 - 21 in Glendale, California)
• Emerald City Comic Con (March 5 - 8 in Seattle, Washington)
• MegaCon (March 19 - 22 in Orlando, Florida)
• PAX East (March 26 - 29 in Boston, Massachusetts)
• C2E2 (March 27 - 29 in Chicago, Illinois)
• WonderCon (March 27 - 29 in Anaheim, California)
• BookCon (April 18 & 19 in New York City, New York)
• MagicCon: Las Vegas (May 1 - 3 in Las Vegas, Nevada)
• MCM Comic Con (May 22 - 24 in London, England)
• SpaceCon San Antonio (June 12 - 14 in San Antonio, Texas)
• Florida Supercon (July 10 - 12 in Miami Beach, Florida)
• Comic-Con International: San Diego (July 22 - 26 in San Diego, California)
• D23 Expo (August 14 - 16 in Anaheim, California)
• Dragon Con (September 3 - 7 in Atlanta, Georgia)
• PAX West (September 4 - 7 in Seattle, Washington)
• New York Comic Con (October 8 - 11 in New York City, New York)
• MCM Comic Con (October 23 - 25 in London, England)
• MagicCon Atlanta (November 13 - 15 in Atlanta, Georgia)
• PAX Unplugged (December 4 - 6 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

We will also be bringing our Pop Spot video interview suite to several events, including Emerald City Comic Con, C2E2, and New York Comic Con to talk to actors, directors, writers, comic creators, cosplay superstars, and more - and perhaps get them to play some fun games with us as well.

As we said, this isn't the final list as we're prone to add more once we know more about the conventions coming this year. See our constantly updated list of upcoming comic conventions here.

Popverse ❤️ Comics

While we cover a wide array of things, including movies, TV, comics, prose fiction, gaming, and conventions, if you've been paying attention, you know we have a special love and understanding for the world of comics and manga. In 2025, we really honed in on what you showed us you wanted us to create articles and videos about regarding comics and manga, and focused more on that and less on what you showed us you didn't want as much of. In 2026, we'll be continuing to listen to what you respond to, while also leaning into what you think you'll want just as voraciously but don't know it yet.

A case in point is that we'll be attending this spring's ComicsPRO Annual Meeting for the first time. While it might seem a bit wonky, we love wonky - but also love translating that so that everyone from the working comics pro to the casual fan can understand what's coming, why things are happening, and getting a better sense of what' the hell is going on, which I think we can all agree we need more of everywhere.

Testing new Popverse member benefits

In 2025, Popverse tested new Popverse member benefits at select events, including a 'Fast Pass' lane for celebrities, a private Popverse Superfan lounge, and surprise giveaways at the shows. In 2026 we'll be doing more of that, as well as testing our even more new benefits to see where we can do more for our biggest supporters (the Popverse Superfans) at conventions, and also more we can do for you year-round.

How-tos and WTFs

When Popverse was launched in 2022, one of our core goals was to be your tour guide through the pop culture multiverse. We've done that, and in 2026, we're going to push harder into that: with expert-level 'How To's and 'Why the F---'s on your favorite characters, franchises, celebrities, and authors. With these, we're going to push to explain not just what happened, but also why it matters, and how it came to be.

Popverse is your field guide to your favorite things

Wherever you're going in 2026, you'll need Popverse. Whether it's getting ready for your next favorite thing, understanding and appreciating your favorite things more, or getting inside the heads of your favorite celebs, Popverse is going there. As you've shown us here for the past 3+ years and shown me for over 20, you love it when we can give you the news you need, the analysis you trust, and the energy to make it enticing. This year we're going to double down on the things you've shown you appreciate from us most, and super-charge what we do without losing our soul - in fact, by giving it more soul.

We're glad to have made it to 2026 with you. Tell us in the comments what you want us to do in this new year.