SDCC 23: Celebrate 20 years of The Walking Dead and Invincible, and lots more with Skybound

There’s a full slate of happenings scheduled for San Diego next week, courtesy of Skybound, including 20 years of TWD and Invincible.

“Dead” it isn’t

It might be tough to picture, but both The Walking Dead and Invincible have been around for two decades at this point. Robert Kirkman’s post-apocalyptic epic in particular, has become a cultural mainstay, moving past comics to incorporate what’s really turned into a TV-cinematic universe.

It’s a theme that’s going to factor into publisher Skybound’s SDCC plans in a very big way. But stay with us, because there’s a heck of a lot more to get psyched about at the booth. Skybound, if you don’t know, is picking up the Transformers and G.I. Joe licenses, and will be bringing fans a shared universe of action starting this very year with The Energon Universe.

But wait, there’s even more as there’ll be plenty of Invincible to see as well, plus the retro-grappling video game RPG Wrestlequest, an appearance by Katee Sackhoff, exclusive merch, and tons more.

Here’s your full slate of Comic Con International action:

Wednesday, July 19

• Fans can join Skybound at their two story booth for the company’s first ever appearance on the SDCC show floor. Preview night will kick things off with a special celebration of the recently announced partnership between Skybound and toy and game company Hasbro. A live session of Travel by Trolley, the hit board game with a brand-new vacation expansion pack, will also be running. 
• The merchandise booth will be open for business starting tonight, premiering exclusive SDCC gear including comics, games, apparel, limited edition collectibles and more across fan-favorite Skybound properties. 
• Headlining the merchandise booth will be custom The Walking Dead skate decks by rising star artist Bear Walker, all-new The Walking Dead and Invincible AR-enabled pins by Pinfinity, and the official Burger Mart Box, which features exclusive Invincible merchandise alongside all-new Slabs comic cover trading cards produced by Yesterdays, with 1:10 chance of securing a Robert Kirkman signed Slab.
• Each day of the convention will also see a special variant cover of Invincible comics available for fans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the best superhero comic in the universe, published by Image Comics. Skybound has recruited some of the best talent in comics–Greg Capullo, Tradd Moore, Andy Kubert, Justine Florentino and Rose Besch–to showcase favorite characters Invincible, Omni-Man, Atom Eve and Battle Beast. 

Thursday, July 20

• WrestleQuest: The Wrestlefication of an RPG
  • 4:15-5:15 PM, Room 6A 
  • Join Mega Cat Studios team members alongside surprise legendary wrestlers, as they break down bringing traditional JRPG mechanics to the wrestling ring. Peak behind the scenes with case studies, lessons learned, and feedback from fans, professional wrestlers, and RPG superfans. Panelists include wrestling legends Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Sgt. Slaughter, Jeff Jarrett along with James Deighan and Zack Manko of Mega Cat Studios.
• At the Skybound booth:
  • Travis Beacham, creator of the hit Audible original Impact Winter, will do a signing (3:30-4:30pm*) and be joined by Skybound Chairman Robert Kirkman in conversation live. Greg Nicotero and artist Becky Cloonan of the Skybound anthology comic series Creepshow (10:00-11:00am*), published by Image Comics, will be making special appearances and signing. Wrestling legends Jeff Jarret, Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Sgt. Slaughter will be making an appearance and signing, as the development team from Mega Cat Studios shows off the latest gameplay from the highly anticipated WrestleQuest (12:30-1:30pm*).
• Offsite Activation:
  • Impact Winter themed activations include wrapped trolleys transporting SDCC attendees throughout the Gaslamp and an exclusive, VIP-only immersive dinner featuring thrilling audio and tantalizing provisions called “The Feast.”

Friday, July 21

• Invincible 20th Anniversary Panel
  • 4:30PM – 5:30 PM, Room 6BCF
  • The Best Superhero Comic Book In The Universe celebrates its 20th anniversary, since it first debuted at Image Comics, with a look back at the franchise and a look forward at what’s to come in the worlds of comics, animation, video games, tabletop games, and more! Join Invincible creators Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley along with Marge Dean (Head of Studio, Skybound Animation) and Mike Rogers (Creative Director, Skybound). 
• A Q&A with the Cast and Creator of Prime Video’s Invincible
  • 5:45 – 6:45 PM, Room 6BCF
  • Join executive producer Robert Kirkman and members of the cast and crew as they break news and discuss key storylines from the upcoming and highly anticipated second season of Prime Video’s hit animated series Invincible, based on the groundbreaking comic book by Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley. The story revolves around 18-year-old Mark Grayson, who’s just like every other guy his age—except his father is (or was) the most powerful superhero on the planet. Starring Steven Yeun, with Sandra Oh, Zazie Beetz, Grey Griffin, Chris Diamantopoulos, Walton Goggins, Gillian Jacobs, Jason Mantzoukas, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Kevin Michael Richardson, Seth Rogen, and J.K. Simmons. Executive producers are Kirkman, Catherine Winder, David Alpert, Simon Racioppa, Margaret M. Dean, Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, and co-executive producers are Helen Leigh and Walker.
• This is NOT an Invincible Season Two Special Screening
  • 10:00 – 11:00 PM, Room 6A
• At the Skybound booth: 
  • Wrestling legends will be making an appearance and signing, as the development team from Mega Cat Studios shows off the latest gameplay from the highly anticipated WrestleQuest (1:30-2:30pm*). Skybound Animation’s Marge Dean will be on hand to discuss bringing Invincible from comics to the screen (10:00-11:00am*).

Saturday, July 22

• Transformers & G.I. Joe Return in The Energon Universe
  • 4:15-5:15 PM, Room 6A
  • The Transformers and G.I. Joe are back at Skybound, kicking off THE ENERGON UNIVERSE! Superstars Robert Kirkman (Void Rivals), Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers), Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander) and Sean Mackiewicz (SVP/Publisher, Skybound) reveal the secrets behind Image/Skybound’s most anticipated comics of 2023. Moderated by James Viscardi (ComicBook.com). 
• At the Skybound booth: 
  • Iconic actress Katee Sackhoff will be making an appearance on the broadcast livestream to talk about her new podcast, Blah Blah Blah with Katee Sackhoff (1:30-2:00pm*). Artist Bear Walker will be hosting a signing and debuting his all-new The Walking Dead skate deck (12:00-1:00pm*). Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers) and Joshua Williamson (Duke, Cobra Commander) will also be hosting an Energon Universe signing (6:00-7:00pm*). 

Sunday, July 23

• At the Skybound booth: 
  • Impact Winter creator Travis Beacham will do a signing (3:00-4:00pm*). An exclusive look at the upcoming new tabletop game Kiss the Goblin played live on the Skybound stage (12:00-1:30pm*). Fans can participate in a cosplay contest for exclusive prizes (2:30-3:00pm*). Skybound CEO David Alpert will host a special session on giving fans the unique opportunity to own a part of Skybound (1:30-2:00pm*). 

All Week

Throughout the show at the Skybound booth fans will be able to preview and play the following highly anticipated audio series and video and tabletop games:

• Impact Winter: The Skybound booth will come complete with individual sound bays where fans can listen to Season 1 highlights and Season 2 previews of the best selling Audible original series. The second season of the epic post-apocalyptic drama from Audible, Skybound and Anonymous Content debuts exclusively on Audible on July 13. 
• WrestleQuest: an upcoming RPG adventure featuring a licensed roster of iconic wrestling legends scheduled for worldwide release on August 8. Players assume the role of a young wrestling hopeful, on their quest to become one of the all-time greats by powerbombing, slamming, and suplexing their way to the top. As our hero progresses through their quest, they’ll note homages to “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Booker T, Andre The Giant, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Diamond Dallas Page, Jeff Jarrett, and many more.
• Invincible and The Walking Dead Dice Games: Play the two new card-and-dice games set to launch in Q4 2023 in time for Season 2 of the highly anticipated Invincible series on Amazon Prime. Both games are designed to be easy to learn and packed with iconic art from Skybound’s flagship comic universes, clever mechanics, and exciting push-your-luck gameplay.

• Exclusive Merchandise including:
  • Bear Walker Skate Deck – $225
  • The Walking Dead Backpack – $64.99
  • Pinfinity The Walking Dead Blind Box Pins – $14.99
  • The Walking Dead Bloody Clementine “Clem” Hat – $24.99
  • Lucille Ballpoint Pen – $9.99
  • Pinfinity Invincible Pin Set – $39.99
  • Burger Mart Box with Invincible Slabs Comic Cover Trading Cards – $49.99
  • Mantic The Walking Dead Dice Game – $19.99
  • Mantic Invincible Dice Game – $19.99
  • Impact Winter Vinyl Soundtrack – $24.99
  • Trial by Trolley Core Deck – $24.99
  • Trial by Trolley Vacation Expansion – $17.99
  • Mr. Lovenstein Presents: No Context – $24.99
    
• Exclusive Comics including:
  • Invincible #1 Greg Capullo Variant – $25.00 – available Wednesday only
  • Invincible #11 Tradd Moore Variant – $20.00 – available Thursday only 
  • Invincible #19 Andy Kubert Variant – $20.00 – available Friday only 
  • Invincible #2 Rose Besch Variant – $20.00 – available Saturday only 
  • Invincible #2 Justine Florentino Variant – $20.00 – available Sunday only 
  • Void Rivals #1 Daniel Warren Johnson Variant – $20.00
  • Transformers #1 Ashcan – $20.00
  • Creepshow Volume 2 #1 Ashcan – $10.00

*Note: All Skybound booth activity times are subject to change. All signings will be limited to three items per person. All items presented for signing are subject to review and denial by staff. No CGC, CBCS, or other witnessing/grading.