Convention - SDCC 2026 : 18th Annual Behind the Music Panel to Spotlight the Composers Behind Today's Biggest Films, Television Series and Video Games

By Mulder, 10 july 2026

While blockbuster announcements, exclusive footage and celebrity appearances often dominate the headlines during San Diego Comic-Con, one of the convention's longest-running traditions continues to shine a light on the creative artists whose work is heard as much as it is felt. Returning for its 18th edition, the annual Behind the Music panel will once again celebrate the composers responsible for the scores that define some of today's most popular television series, films and video games. Presented by Rhapsody PR, this year's edition, titled SUPERSONIC, is scheduled for Thursday, July 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 29CD of the San Diego Convention Center, during the opening day of San Diego Comic-Con 2026, which runs from July 23 to July 26 following Preview Night on July 22. As in previous years, the panel is expected to offer fans a rare opportunity to discover how music is conceived, developed and ultimately integrated into the stories that captivate millions of viewers and players around the world.

The 2026 lineup brings together an impressive cross-section of composers whose work spans nearly every corner of contemporary entertainment. Representing television, streaming platforms and interactive media alike, the panel will feature Jeff Russo, composer for FX's eagerly anticipated Alien: Earth; Chris Bacon, whose work can currently be heard in Netflix's global hit Wednesday; Joanne Higginbottom, composer of Genndy Tartakovsky's critically acclaimed Adult Swim animated series Primal; Gavin Brivik, who provides the music for HBO Max's medical drama The Pitt; Leo Birenberg, composer of Netflix's martial arts phenomenon Cobra Kai; and Stephen Lukach, representing Ubisoft's upcoming Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced. Bringing these composers together promises to illustrate the remarkable diversity of modern scoring, where artists frequently move between science fiction, drama, animation, action and video games while adapting their musical language to each medium's unique storytelling demands.

Among the featured guests, Jeff Russo arrives at Comic-Con with one of the year's most closely watched projects. An Emmy Award-winning composer whose résumé includes acclaimed scores for Fargo, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard and For All Mankind, Russo now takes on one of science fiction's most celebrated franchises with Alien: Earth. Developed by Noah Hawley, the FX series marks the first live-action television production set within the iconic Alien universe, making its musical identity one of the production's most anticipated creative elements. Fans attending the panel will undoubtedly be eager to hear how Russo approached balancing the franchise's established sonic heritage with the demands of a completely new story.

Netflix will be represented by two composers whose recent work has reached audiences across the globe. Chris Bacon has helped define the distinctive gothic atmosphere of Wednesday, where orchestral writing, dark humor and supernatural tension combine to support one of the streaming platform's biggest successes. Meanwhile, Leo Birenberg has become closely associated with Cobra Kai, skillfully blending nostalgic musical references to The Karate Kid films with fresh themes that have accompanied the series throughout its successful run. Their participation reflects how streaming services have become major platforms for ambitious musical storytelling, giving composers opportunities to create memorable thematic identities across multiple seasons.

Animation and prestige television will also be strongly represented. Joanne Higginbottom's work on Primal presents an especially fascinating case study, as the dialogue-free series relies heavily on music and sound design to communicate emotion and narrative. Few modern productions place such responsibility on their score, making the composer's creative process particularly intriguing for both fans and aspiring musicians. Gavin Brivik, meanwhile, will bring insight into the musical approach behind HBO Max's The Pitt, one of the platform's newest dramas, demonstrating how contemporary television scoring often emphasizes emotional subtlety and realism rather than overt thematic statements.

Video games continue to occupy an increasingly prominent place within Comic-Con programming, and the inclusion of Stephen Lukach highlights the growing importance of interactive music in modern entertainment. Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise has long been celebrated for its rich musical identity, and Assassin's Creed Black Flag remains one of the series' most beloved installments thanks to its memorable blend of orchestral adventure, maritime influences and historical atmosphere. With Assassin's Creed Black Flag: Resynced on the horizon, attendees may gain valuable insight into the creative considerations involved in revisiting and expanding the musical world of a fan-favorite title.

Guiding the conversation will be voice actor Aaron LaPlante, whose acclaimed performance in Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal makes him an ideal moderator for a discussion centered on storytelling through sound. Having worked closely alongside composers and sound designers, LaPlante is well positioned to explore the collaborative relationship between directors, performers, editors and musicians, offering attendees a broader understanding of how a score evolves from initial concepts to the finished production.

For nearly two decades, the annual Behind the Music panels have carved out a unique place within the Comic-Con schedule by celebrating creators who rarely stand in the spotlight despite their enormous contribution to modern entertainment. Whether discussing orchestral recording sessions, electronic sound design, thematic development or the challenges of composing for interactive experiences, these conversations have consistently highlighted music as one of the essential building blocks of cinematic and interactive storytelling. The 2026 edition of SUPERSONIC appears set to continue that tradition, offering Comic-Con audiences an opportunity to hear directly from some of the industry's most accomplished composers while exploring the creative processes that help transform memorable stories into unforgettable experiences.

18th Annual Behind the Music: SUPERSONIC
Panel will be moderated by Voice Actor Aaron LaPlante (Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal on Adult Swim).
When: Thursday July 23rd, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Where: San Diego Convention Center - Room 29CD

(Source : press release)