San Diego Comic-Con 2023: What are the big panels at this year's show?

While it’s a week or so until we’re going to find out the full line-up of panels for San Diego Comic-Con 2023, some publishers and companies have started to announce their schedules early, and Popverse is keeping track of the big panels so that you don’t have to. For everyone planning to head on down to San Diego between July 19 and July 23, here are some dates and times that you might want to note down on your day planners.

[This post will be updated as new information becomes available, so bookmark this page and come back to see what’s been released.]

Wednesday

• Warner Bros. Television Screenings: Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue our annual Preview Night tradition featuring the world premiere of the highly anticipated series Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, alongside all-new episodes of Riverdale and Teen Titans Go!, and screenings of Mrs. Davis and Superpowered: The DC Story. (6:00pm-9:30pm, Ballroom 20)

Thursday

• Libraries and the Challenges They Face in 2023: Think working in a library is easy? The truth is libraries are facing unprecedented upheavals in 2023 including an astronomical rise in challenges to books and programs, threats to staff and patron safety, calls from legislators to pull library funding, and much more, mostly in an effort to prevent libraries from representing marginalized communities. Moderator Betsy Gomez (Office of Intellectual Freedom) will provide ripped-from-headlines topics for panelists Moni Barrette (president, GNCRT; co-founder, Creators Assemble!), Mychal Threets (supervising librarian, Solano County Library), Xaime Aceves Equihua (associate therapist), and Jack Phoenix (collection development manager, Cuyahoga Falls Library; author, Maximizing the Impact of Comics in Your Library) to discuss what is happening, why, how library workers can protect the freedom to read, and how the public can help.(10am-11am, Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library)
• Vault Comics: Stranger Than (Science) Fiction — Outer World and Other Voices in Comics: When independent upstart publisher Vault Comics arrived on the scene in 2017, the mission was simple: to publish the best in science fiction comics. Since that time, the company has established new voices in the genre as well as worked with some of the best-known names in fiction, graphic or otherwise. To celebrate the company’s now firmly established place in the industry, Vault creators and friends discuss how these creators are pushing the genre to the furthest reaches of the universe and back again. Panelists include Rodney Barnes (Monarch), Christopher Yost (Unnatural Order), Ram V (Radio Apocalypse, These Savage Shores), and Zack Kaplan (Mindset). (10:15am-11:15am, Room 6DE)
• Oni Press: Counterculture for Comics Culture: For 25 years, Oni Press has been publishing daring, provocative comics that resonate with fans and readers around the world—and they're just getting started! Publisher Hunter Gorinson and editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn, alongside creators Nick Cagnetti (Pink Lemonade), Zander Cannon (Kaijumax), Melissa Flores (XINO), Joe Harris (Ghost Projekt), LySandra Vuong (Covenant), and 2023 Eisner Award–nominated creators Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine (Chef’s Kiss), discuss Oni's upcoming slate of creator-owned comics and graphic novels. (11:00am-12:00pm, Room 28DE)
• Paramount Pictures: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: Paramount Pictures brings a panel discussion and footage presentation with filmmakers. (11:30am-12:30pm, Hall H)
• Pokémon: Bringing Iconic Animation to Global Audiences: The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) takes a behind-the-scenes look at how the beloved Pokémon animated series is localized from its original Japanese version to one of the most popular series enjoyed by international audiences. In a panel moderated by streamer and comic book writer Meghan Camarena (also known as Strawburry17), TPCi's Taito Okiura (vice president of marketing and business development), Andy Gose (senior director of media production), and Hilary Thomas (senior producer) will discuss optimizing the series for global viewers, provide fans with a sneak peek at the special collection of episodes that will conclude Ash and his Pikachu's 25-season storied journey in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, and share new behind-the-scenes insights regarding the highly anticipated Pokémon Horizons: The Series coming soon to fans around the world. (11:4am-12:45pm, Room 6BCF)
• Star Trek: More Bold Than Ever Before: Never before has Star Trek been bigger (or bloodier)! IDW Group Editor Heather Antos and writers Chris Cantwell, Collin Kelly, and Jackson Lanzing give an inside look into Star Trek: Day of Blood, the first ever Star Trek comics crossover event. Plus: Marc Guggenheim, Sam Maggs, Malachi Ward, Chirs Sequiera, and Liana Kangas share all the exciting things happening across IDW’s line of Star Trek comics. (12:00pm-1:00pm, Room 28DE)
• Gotham City: Whether it’s in the past, present, or future, Gotham City has been the backdrop for some of the greatest stories in DC history featuring Batman, his allies and his foes. Join DC storytellers Tom King, Tini Howard, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Ram V, Belén Ortega and a surprise guest or two to find out what’s to come for The Dark Knight and the other Super Heroes and Super-Villains that make Gotham City the place to be in the DCU! (12:45pm-1:45pm, Room 6DE)
• Defending Comics Today: How You Can Help Save Comics: Responding to graphic novel and manga challenges is not just a job for lawyers; everyone can make a difference in their local communities and beyond. In this panel, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund will share practical strategies for us all to work together to protect the comic arts. (1:00pm-2:00pm, Room 11)
• Kodansha USA’s Manga Roundup: Kodansha USA, purveyor of some of the most exciting manga published today, including Vinland Saga, Blue Lock, MF Ghost, and Attack on Titan, invites manga fans to a first look at new print and digital manga series coming soon to a bookshelf or device near you. Manga experts Misaki Kido (Kodansha USA), Ivan Salazar (Kodansha USA), and Ben Applegate (Penguin Random House) take a look at new licenses, make recommendations for what to read next, and even offer some giveaways. (2:00pm-3:00pm, Room 9)
• Crunchyroll Industry Panel: Hear about all the latest and greatest anime coming out of Crunchyroll straight from the source! Hosted by Lauren Moore and Tim Lyu. (3pm, Room 6A)

Additionally, Popverse editor-in-chief, head honcho, and 1990s Marvel UK apologist Chris Arrant will be on both the Best of 2000 AD: Bringing Britain’s Finest Stateside and Comics Journalism: Looking at Panels Beyond the Page panels (2:00pm-3:00pm, Room 23ABC for 2000 AD, 4:30pm -5:30pm, Room 24ABC for Comics Journalism). The 2000 AD panel is full of Popverse, in fact; it's moderated by staff writer Graeme McMillan and also features contributor Chloe Maveal.

Friday

• A Golden Age for Women in Comics: Jamila Rowser (Wash Day Diaries), Rachel Smythe (Lore Olympus), CM Ramsburg (CBR), Instantmiso (Eaternal Nocturnal), CRC Payne (Batman: Wayne Family Adventures), and moderator Rosie Knight (Den of Geek) discuss how women are revolutionizing comics storytelling. Hear from a panel of powerhouse women who are building global fandoms, transforming genres, and shaping the future of the industry. (10:00am-11:00am, Room 9)
• Spotlight on Todd McFarlane: Spawn and Venom creator, McFarlane Toys’ CEO, and president of Image Comics Todd McFarlane takes fans on a behind-the-scenes look at Spawnmania. McFarlane offers fans a sneak peek into the future of upcoming toys, what’s ahead for the Spawn Universe, and all the exciting developments on the horizon. (10:30am-11:30am, Room 6A)
• Dawn of DC: With epic new storylines, over 20 exciting new titles, superstar creative teams, and villains that have pushed the heroes beyond their limits in bold adventures, the Dawn of DC has been in full swing all year. Hear directly from some of the superstar writers and artists behind your favorite stories, including Ram V (Detective Comics), Joshua Williamson (Batman & Robin), Nicola Scott (Titans), Tom King (Wonder Woman), Joanne Starer (Fire and Ice), Josh Trujilo (Blue Beetle), and Tom Taylor (Titans). (12:30pm - 1:30pm, Room 6DE)
• The Walking Dead Universe (AMC/AMC+): Fans will get exclusive, first-look access to all things The Walking Dead Universe. (1:00pm - 3:30pm, Hall H)
• IDW Publishing: 2023 and Beyond: IDW Publishing's co-publishers Mark Doyle and Tara McCrillis, along with EIC Jamie S. Rich and Top Shelf’s Chris Staros, discuss the exciting new direction of IDW’s future. From fan-favorite titles like TMNT, Star Trek, Sonic the Hedgehog, Godzilla, My Little Pony, and Cosmoknights, plus IDW Originals like Scott Snyder’s Dark Spaces, IDW has something for everyone. Here’s your chance to hear about the work being done by talents like Snyder, Hannah Templer, Jeremy Lambert, Sam Maggs, Frank Tieri, Scott Bryan Wilson, and Che Grayson. (1:30pm - 2:30pm, Room 10)
• Marvel: Heroes, Hulks, and Super-Soldiers: Marvel editor-in-chief C. B. Cebulski leads a panel featuring Marvel’s solo Super Hero series. J. Michael Straczynski takes Captain America to the streets of Manhattan, while Moon Knight roams the roads of Egyptian lore in David Pepose’s Moon Knight: City of the Dead. Meanwhile, the Hulk takes control of Bruce Banner as Phillip Kennedy Johnson continues his new Hulk run, and the hits coming in across the rest of the action-packed Marvel Universe. Be sure to stay until the end to find out what other heroes will be joining their ranks in their own new titles! (3:00pm -4:00pm, Room 6DE)
• Peacock’s The Continental:From the World of John Wick: The cast and executive producers Basil Iwanyk and Albert Hughes of Peacock’s three-part event The Continental: From the World of John Wick take an exclusive first look at the series. A prequel to the blockbuster action franchise, the series will explore the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centerpiece of the John Wick universe through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott, as he’s dragged into the Hell-scape of 1970s New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. (3:00pm - 4:00pm, Ballroom 20)
• Best and Worst Manga of 2023: There's a lot of manga available in English now, but what's really worth reading? A panel of opinionated manga bloggers and comics curmudgeons share their picks for the best new manga that hit the shelves in the past year. In rapid-fire rounds, see them rave about their favorite continuing series! Watch them rant about the excruciatingly mediocre manga that they were forced to read (so you won't have to)! Find out what Brigid Alverson (SmashPages, School Library Journal), Jillian Rudes (Japanese culture and manga special collections librarian, New York City Department of Education, MangainLibraries.com), Siddharth Gupta (LumRanmaYasha, podcaster, MangaMavericks.com and LumSquad podcasts), Laura Neuzeth (YouTube and TikTok vlogger, social media influencer), Varun Gupta (VLordGTZ, podcaster/writer, Demon Slayer Podcast and Manga Mavericks), and Deb Aoki (Mangasplaining.com) loved and loathed to read in the past year, hear about their picks for the most anticipated upcoming releases for Fall 2023 and beyond, and discover their favorite underappreciated manga gems that are worth picking up. (6:00pm - 7:00pm, Room 4)
• Jim Lee & Friends: Jim Lee (DC president, publisher, and chief creative officer) is on hand to bring out a few of his friends for discussions and reveals that will have everyone talking long after the Comic-Con is over! (6:00pm - 7:00pm, Room 6A)
• Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards: The 35th annual Eisner Awards (the “Oscars” of the comics industry) honor comics creators and works in 32 categories. The gala ceremony features celebrity presenters and a multimedia extravaganza. Other prestigious awards to be given out include the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comics Writing, and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. (Starts 8:00pm, Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront)

Saturday

• The World of Metropolis: Superman isn’t the only force to be reckoned with in Metropolis. The top comic book writers and artists working on stories in the City of Tomorrow, including Joshua Williamson (Superman), Sina Grace (Superman: The Harvests of Youth), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Action Comics) and a few more surprise guests, provide exclusive details on what fans can expect in some of the most action-packed comics. (12:30pm-1:30pm, Room 6DE)
• How a Greek Myth Became the World’s Biggest Comic: A Fireside Chat with Rachel Smythe: Expected to appear: Rachel Smythe (Lore Olympus). (1pm, Room 7AB)

Unscheduled but announced: Critical Role: Fireside Chat & Cast Q&A (Ballroom 20) and Critical Role: Making Candela Obscura (Room 6A).

Sunday

• DC Books for Young Readers: DC showcases some of the creators behind the publisher’s popular middle-grade and young adult graphic novels, with exciting announcements about titles arriving soon! Star writers and artists will be discussing their projects, including Nicole Maines (Bad Dream: A Dreamer Story), Sina Grace (Superman: The Harvests of Youth), Penelope and Jerry Gaylord (Diana and the Hero’s Journey; Clark & Lex), Jeffrey Brown (Batman and Robin and Howard), and Jim Benton (Fann Club: Batman Squad), with a surprise guest. (11:15pm-12:15pm, Room 6DE)

San Diego Comic-Con runs July 19 through July 23 at the San Diego Convention Center. Popverse will be there for the whole thing, sharing everything from the very start of the show until the very end.

Wondering what to expect from this year’s SDCC? We’ve got some answers for you.