SDCC 23: Image Comics returning to the show with panels, signings, and more

This year’s Comic Con marks a big return for Image Comics, as one of the biggest indie publishers makes its way back to SDCC.

Hi there

If you’re an Image Comics fan, you’re going to have a heck of a time at Comic Con 2023. The big San Diego show, set to go on this week, will once again play host to the publisher, who’ll have a massive list of happenings for fans to check out.

Those include panels aplenty, tons of signings in the booth (#1915), exclusive items to buy, and even off-site happenings. Some of the guests include Todd McFarlane, Jeff Lemire, Charles Soule, and even Gears of War creator Cliff Bleskinski, who’s launching a new book with Image.

There’s a ton to go over, and plenty to fill even the most die-hard fan’s schedule, so scroll on down and take a peek at what’s in store.

Exclusives

LIMITED* CONVENTION VARIANTS SOLD AT THE IMAGE BOOTH (#1915):
*Quantities will be limited by customer and per day on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask at the Image booth about availability.

• Big Game #1 Convention Exclusive by Mark Millar & Pepe Larraz, cover art by Larraz, $5 + tax
• Eight Billion Genies deluxe edition Vol. 1 Convention Exclusivehardcover by Charles Soule & Ryan Browne, cover art by Browne $39.99 + tax
• Inferno Girl Red Convention Exclusive hardcover by Mat Groom & Erica D’Urso, cover art by D’Urso, $40 + tax
• Night Fever hardcover by Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips with Convention Exclusive dust jacket, cover art by Phillips, $24.99 + tax
• A Righteous Thirst for Vengeance deluxe hardcover by Rick Remender & André Lima Araújo with Convention Exclusive dust jacket, cover art by Araújo, $39.99 + tax
• Paper Girls x Blackwings collab pencils, $25 + tax
• Black Science statue, $100 + tax

AVAILABLE AT THE MAD GHOST PRODUCTIONS BOOTH (#1320):

• Geiger: Ground Zero full color, 8-page Convention Exclusive ashcan

IMAGE COMICS SDCC PANELS:

—THURSDAY, 7/20—

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Image Comics: Spotlight on Bestselling Creator Jeff Lemire
  • Join us for an in-depth conversation with bestselling, multiple award winning, master storyteller Jeff Lemire as he shares details about his new series Fishflies and Tenement as well as his upcoming graphic novel Cosmic Detective and even more in store for his fans. Moderator Ashley V. Robinson of Popverse, Geek History Lessonpodcast. Room: 25ABC

—FRIDAY, 7/21—

• 10:30AM – 11:30AM
  • Image Comics: Spotlight on the Legendary Todd McFarlane
  • Todd McFarlane Spawn and Venom creator, McFarlane Toys’ CEO, and President of Image Comics 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.
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Image Comics: Spotlight on Bestselling Writer Rick Remender
  • Join comics titan Rick Remender for an in-depth conversation about his Giant Generator imprint at Image Comics, his 25 years as one of the primary voices shaping the landscape of creator owned comics with tiles like Fear Agent, Black Science, Low, Deadly Class, and Seven to Eternity, how the industry attitude towards creator rights has changed, the power of DIY thinking, and the inside scoop on his new ongoing series with Max Fiumara, The Sacrificers! All of this and a massive announcement about a new Giant Generator project slated to hit next year! Moderator: Robert Kirkman of Invincible, The Walking Dead. Room: 25ABC
• 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 
  • Syzygy Publishing’s Tales of Syzpense: its recent Past, current Present, and exciting Future
  • Join Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood, the co-founders of Image’s newest imprint, Syzygy, and some of Syz’s key creators for spirited Tales of Syzpense involving what’s come before and what’s coming up next. Panelists include multiple-Eisner nominees and Rain co-creators David M. Booher and Zoe Thorogood! Hitomi writer HS Tak! And Artist Uko Smith! Interesting announcements and great art will be provided, gratis, to all attendees! Room 24ABC
• 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Image Comics: The Future of RADIANT BLACK’s The Massive-Verse
  • Join Massive-Verse superstars Kyle Higgins (Radiant Black, No/One), Brian Buccellato (No/One), Melissa Flores (The Dead Lucky), Ryan Parrott (Rogue Sun), and more special, celebrity surprise guests as the crew unveils exciting new developments and announcements in store for the Massive-verse this year and beyond! Moderator: TBA. Room: 5AB
• 5:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Cliff Bleszinski: Games to Comics
  • Games legend Cliff Bleskinski (Gears of War, Fortnite) discusses the creation of his debut comic Scrapper (Image Comics) with co-writer Alex de Campi (Dracula, Motherf**ker!, Bad Karma, Parasocial), plus a Q&A moderated by John Nee (publisher, Marvel; president Wildstorm). Room 23ABC.
• 6:15 – 7:00 PM
  • Cliff Bleszinski post-panel signing in Autograph Area

—SATURDAY, 7/22—

• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Image Comics: Comics Storytelling, Genre & Craft
  • Join Dustin Nguyen (Little Monsters), Zoe Thorogood (It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth), Daniel Warren Johnson (Do a Powerbomb!), Alex De Campi (Parasocial), Ryan Stegman (The Schlub), and Pornsak Pichetshote (The Good Asian) for a freewheeling conversation amongst some of the top talent in the comics industry as they discuss genre, storytelling, industry secrets, and tricks-of-the-trade. Moderator: Chris Arrant of Popverse. Room: 28DE
• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
  • Spotlight on Alex de Campi, bestselling writer/co-creator of Dracula, Motherf**ker!
  • Cult comics writer Alex de Campi (Dracula, Motherf**ker!, Bad Karma, Parasocial) discusses her career and the three books she has coming out this Autumn. Q&A to follow. Moderator: Khai Krumbhaar of Geekiary & True War Stories. Room 9.
• 1:30 – 2:00 PM
  • Alex de Campi post-panel signing in Autograph Area.

—SUNDAY, 7/23—

• 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Image Comics: Comics characters fans will love or hate—or love to hate!
  • Join Mirka Andolfo (Sweet Paprika), Tony Fleecs (Local Man), Sanford Greene(Bitter Root), David F. Walker (Bitter Root), Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia) and special surprise guests come together for an in-depth discussion of character building that leaps from the page and the secret behind what makes for loveable or unlikable characters for readers. Moderator: Graeme McMillan of Popverse. Room 10

SIGNINGS AT THE IMAGE COMICS BOOTH (#1915):

*All items presented for signing are subject to review and denial by staff. No CGC, CBCS, or other witnessing/grading.

—THURSDAY, 7/20—

1:30 – 2:30 PM

• Dustin Nguyen
• Brett Bean

3:00 – 4:00 PM

• Charles Soule
• John Layman

3:30 – 4:30 PM

• Gerry Duggan, Brian Posehn & Scott Koblish

4:30 – 5:30 PM

• David F. Walker & Sanford Greene

—FRIDAY, 7/21—

10:30 – 11:30 AM

• Zoe Thorogood (no sketches)

11 – 12 PM

• Daniel Warren Johnson

12 – 1 PM

• Jeff Lemire

12:30 – 1:30 PM

• Alex de Campi

1:30 – 2:30 PM

• Rick Remender

2:30 – 3:00 PM

• Shof Coker

4:00 – 5:00 PM

• Massive-Verse group signing

4:30 – 5:30 PM

• Charles Soule & Ryan Browne

—SATURDAY, 7/22—

10:00 – 11:00 AM

• Charles Soule & Ryan Browne
• Fred Kennedy, Allison O’Toole & Nick Marinkovich

11:30 – 12:30 PM

• Zoe Thorogood (no sketches)
• Daniel Warren Johnson

1:00 – 2:00 PM

• Tony Fleecs & Tim Seeley (limited quantity free promotional Local Mantrading cards available to signing attendees, first come, first serve).
• Pornsak Pichetshote

2:30 – 3:30 PM

• Rodney Barnes & Jason Shawn Alexander
• Shof Coker

4:00 – 5:00 PM

• Rick Remender
• Sanford Greene

—SUNDAY, 7/23—

10:00 – 11:00 AM

• Mirka Andolfo

10:30 – 11:30 AM

• Zoe Thorogood (no sketches)

OFF-SITE SDCC PROGRAMMING:

—SATURDAY, 7/22—

• 4:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Creators Assemble: Comics Camaraderie, A Networking Event 
  • Together, creators, publishers, comic shop owners, teachers, and library workers have brought greater acceptance to comics and fan culture. Take a break from hectic convention life to experience “speed dating”style networking with diverse comics enthusiasts from all backgrounds. Guests include: Alex Antone (Skybound Entertainment), Heather Antos (IDW Publishing), Vince Alvendia (Egg Drop Ramen Studios), Matthew Atherton (CSUSM), Moni Barrette (2023 Eisner judge), David M. Booher (Killer Queens), J.M. Brandt (Swamp Dogs: House of Crows), Cherish Chen (Massive-Verse), Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire), Dani Colman (The Unfinished Corner), Barbra Dillon (Fanbase Press), Andi Dukleth(Accidental Aliens), Kyle Higgins (Massive-Verse), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman Historia), Nikita Kannekanti (Legendary Comics), Mathias Lewis (Knowhere Games & Comics), Hannah Rose May (Rogues’ Gallery), Don Nguyen (Zoo Magnet Inc.), Alonso Nunez (Little Fish Comic Book Studio), Morgan Perry(Skybound Entertainment), Jack Phoenix (comics librarian), Jimmy Purcell (A3 Publishing), Chris Ryall (Image Comics/Syzygy), Brian Schirmer (Quests Aside), Erin Snider (Creators Assemble!), and Charlie Stickney (White Ash). Marriott Marquis Marina D