Convention - SDCC 2026 : Dark Horse Comics Unveils Massive Thursday and Friday Signing Schedule

By Mulder, 14 july 2026

As anticipation will continue to build for San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Dark Horse Comics will officially unveil an extensive signing schedule for the first two days of the convention, once again transforming its booth into one of the must-visit destinations on the show floor. Located at Booth #2615 in the center of the exhibit hall, the publisher will welcome dozens of acclaimed comic book creators, bestselling writers, actors, and artists for free autograph sessions throughout Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24. The publisher has also confirmed that fans visiting its booth will be able to pick up complimentary comics, exclusive poster prints, promotional items, and convention giveaways while supplies last, alongside convention exclusives available for purchase. Adding to the experience, Middle-earth Enterprises, Zing Toys, and Absurd Ventures will each host dedicated displays and activations within the Dark Horse booth, making it one of the busiest attractions during this year's convention.

Founded in 1986, Dark Horse Comics has spent four decades building a reputation as one of the industry's premier independent comic publishers. The company has consistently balanced critically acclaimed creator-owned series with prestigious licensed properties, publishing landmark titles including Hellboy, Sin City, The Umbrella Academy, and Black Hammer, while also becoming synonymous with premium adaptations of major entertainment franchises such as Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Witcher, Critical Role, Cyberpunk 2077, The Last of Us, and Dungeons & Dragons. Dark Horse also played a pioneering role in bringing Japanese manga to North American audiences through editions of Lone Wolf and Cub, Berserk, Trigun, and Blade of the Immortal. Since joining Embracer Group AB in 2022, the publisher has continued expanding its publishing slate while maintaining its creator-first philosophy that has defined the company for forty years.

Thursday's schedule will immediately demonstrate the diversity of Dark Horse's publishing catalog. The day will open with legendary artist Geof Darrow, whose highly detailed artwork has earned worldwide recognition through Shaolin Cowboy and collaborations with filmmakers Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski on The Matrix. He will be joined by Alice Darrow and Hugo Blanc to celebrate Tramps of the Apocalypse. Shortly afterward, comic book pioneers Wendy Pini and Richard Pini will return to Comic-Con for an ElfQuest signing, celebrating one of fantasy comics' most influential independent series. Their appearance is expected to attract longtime readers eager to meet the creators whose groundbreaking work helped redefine creator-owned comics decades before the current boom.

The afternoon will continue with a strong emphasis on fantasy and horror. Eisner Award-winning creator Eric Powell will sign copies of Dr. Werthless, Four Gathered on Christmas Eve, and Hillbilly: The Treason of Twelve-Toe Maggie, accompanied by acclaimed writer and artist Becky Cloonan, whose contributions to horror comics and work for major publishers have established her as one of the industry's leading creative voices. Fans of tabletop gaming and fantasy storytelling will then have an opportunity to meet an impressive lineup of creators working across the ever-expanding Dungeons & Dragons universe, including Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly, Amy Chu, Jody Houser, Eric Campbell, and David M. Booher. Their signing will also highlight several recent Dark Horse projects inspired by the legendary role-playing franchise, alongside Michael Conrad, who will be signing Magic: The Gathering: Untold Stories—Jace. Together, these creators will represent Dark Horse's growing commitment to expanding beloved gaming universes through original comic storytelling.

Comic readers looking for acclaimed creator-owned work will also have opportunities to meet David M. Booher and artist Drew Zucker for Canto: The Clockwork Chronicles, before the spotlight will turn to one of Dark Horse's flagship superhero universes. Jeff Lemire, one of modern comics' most celebrated writers, will reunite with legendary artist Mark Buckingham for a special Black Hammer signing celebrating the acclaimed series' tenth anniversary. Since its debut, Black Hammer has become one of Dark Horse's defining creator-owned properties, earning multiple Eisner Awards while expanding into numerous spin-offs that have reimagined superhero mythology through deeply personal storytelling.

Later that afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to meet actor Utkarsh Ambudkar and co-creator Hannah Rose May for The Guy in the Chair. Due to anticipated demand, this signing will require a wristband, with attendees also being able to participate in posed photography when presenting copies of the book. The day will conclude with another highly anticipated appearance as comics legend Stan Sakai signs Usagi Yojimbo alongside Zack Rosenberg and Jared Cullum, who will also promote Usagi Yojimbo: Kaito '84. Sakai's appearances at Comic-Con have long been among the convention's highlights, and this session will once again feature strict limitations, including no posed photography, no witnessed signatures, and limits on the number of signed items to ensure as many fans as possible can participate.

Friday's lineup will be equally impressive and will begin with one of the convention's most anticipated guests. Dan Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar Games and principal creative force behind the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises, will appear to promote American Caper. Since founding Absurd Ventures, Houser has expanded into original storytelling across multiple media, making this signing one of the weekend's biggest draws. Due to expected demand, the session will require wristbands and will feature strict signing limitations.

Television and film fans will then have the opportunity to meet Nathan Fillion, whose extensive career includes starring roles in Firefly, Castle, The Rookie, and most recently Guy Gardner in James Gunn's DC Universe, as he joins writer Heath Corson and artist Soo Lee for Witness Point. Their appearance is also expected to attract one of the convention's largest crowds and will operate under wristband restrictions similar to those of Houser's session.

The afternoon will continue with another high-profile event centered on Kingdom of Earth, featuring actor and writer David Dastmalchian, co-creator Leah Kilpatrick, and artist Soo Lee. Over the past several years, Dastmalchian has successfully established himself not only through memorable performances in films including The Suicide Squad, Late Night with the Devil, Dune, Oppenheimer, and Marvel's Ant-Man series, but also as an increasingly respected comic book writer whose collaborations with Dark Horse continue to grow. Fans attending this signing will be limited to Dark Horse-published material, reinforcing the publisher's emphasis on showcasing its original releases.

Science-fiction enthusiasts will then be treated to one of Dark Horse's most ambitious publishing initiatives as superstar writers Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer appear together to promote Three Worlds / Three Moons. The expansive shared science-fiction universe has quickly become one of the publisher's flagship creator-owned projects, with both creators discussing its continuing evolution through comics and future multimedia storytelling. Their signing will also require wristbands due to anticipated popularity.

Friday afternoon will also celebrate the enduring legacy of Masters of the Universe, with Tiffany Smith, Tim Seeley, Tim Sheridan, Reilly Brown, Rich Douek, and Gavin Smith participating in a dedicated signing highlighting Dark Horse's expanding partnership with Mattel's iconic franchise. Later sessions will spotlight Daniel Freedman discussing The Witcher: Bloodstone and Doug Wagner promoting Cyberpunk 2077: Chrome, reinforcing Dark Horse's reputation as one of the industry's premier publishers of licensed comics based on globally recognized gaming franchises. The day will conclude with acclaimed independent creator Terry Moore, celebrating Strangers in Paradise, before David M. Booher, Amy Chu, and Brandon Hoang close Friday with a signing dedicated to Avatar Legends, another franchise that continues to thrive through Dark Horse's publishing partnership with Paramount and Avatar Studios.

Throughout both days, all Dark Horse booth signings will remain free of charge, with complimentary prints or signing cards available while supplies last. Attendees will also be able to bring personal items for signatures or purchase convention exclusives directly at the booth, although individual creators may impose restrictions on the number or type of items signed. Wristbands for designated events will be distributed through drawings beginning once the exhibit hall officially opens, with Dark Horse reminding attendees that exhibitors are not permitted to join the queue before the general public. Lines may also be closed early because of crowd capacity or scheduling constraints, underscoring the tremendous popularity of the publisher's Comic-Con programming.

Dark Horse Comics Thursday and Friday Signing Schedule at San Diego Comic-Con 2026.
Where: Dark Horse Comics Booth #2615, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California.
When: Thursday, July 23, and Friday, July 24, 2026.
Highlights: Appearances by Dan Houser, Nathan Fillion, David Dastmalchian, Jonathan Hickman, Nick Spencer, Jeff Lemire, Mark Buckingham, Stan Sakai, Wendy Pini, Richard Pini, Eric Powell, Becky Cloonan, Terry Moore, Tim Seeley, Tim Sheridan, Amy Chu, David M. Booher, Doug Wagner, Daniel Freedman, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Rose May, Geof Darrow, and many more, alongside free signings, convention exclusives, promotional giveaways, and special booth activations from Middle-earth Enterprises, Zing Toys, and Absurd Ventures.

(Source : press release)