The post Comic of the Week: “Dungeons & Dragons” #1 appeared first on G33K-HQ.
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The “Dungeons & Dragons” comic is written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, with art by Ibrain Roberson and Arabson Oliveira, colors by Daniel Brown, and lettering by Haley Rose-Lyon. These are familiar names for comic readers, so it’s got an all-star cast. Let’s see how they did… (oh, and there will be some spoilers. This is your spoiler warning)
Many D&D comics focus on an original party, so readers have a fresh slate to start with and can watch the new heroes grow, maybe with a cameo of a recognizable character here and there. Lanzing and Kelly decided to go in the opposite direction and make the central character Mordenkainen, one of the most famous and powerful wizards in D&D.
But they didn’t stop there, as they built a party with equally famous characters, including Volothamp “Volo” Geddarm (who Baldur’s Gate 3 players will undoubtedly recognize from the many times they had to rescue him), Tasha the Witch Queen, and the famous renegade drow, Drizzt Do’Urden.
For those unfamiliar with D&D lore, believe me when I say this is a party of some of the biggest names in the game. This is the D&D equivalent of The Avengers… if one of them was Volo.
At the same time, if the cast were entirely level 20 adventurers, there would be no risk or sense of danger, so the writers also balanced it out by bringing the party down a peg. The very start of the comic features Mordenkainen getting stripped of his magic, which kicks off the story and gives him his goal. As such, there are stakes for the characters and real threats awaiting them.
The first issue serves as the setup, with the inciting incident and Mordenkainen gathering his party. It’s also where we get to know our cast, and Lanzing and Kelly do a great job bringing them to life. It’s a dialogue-heavy issue, but that’s in the comic’s favor, as it sets the tone and establishes the voices, personalities, and histories of the characters. The characters all speak with the “high fantasy” level of dramatic proclamations and poetic flourishes, but it all feels natural for them; Mordenkainen and Tasha are legendary wizards, Volo is a writer, and Drizzt, well, Drizzt has always had his own drama to him.
At the same time, the story moves along nicely, carrying the characters (and readers) from one scene to the next at a steady pace. There’s some good humor (mostly from Volo) to lighten things up, with the occasional action break.
What about the lore? Dungeons & Dragons has a long history, especially the Forgotten Realms, and this comic focuses on some big-name characters, so it has a lot to get right. But the creative team clearly did their research, as the comic weaves in both classic and modern lore.
For instance, when we meet Volo, he’s got a stack of books next to him, including “Volo’s Guide to the Sword Coast” (published in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition) and “Volo’s Guide to Monsters” (from D&D 5e). Tasha’s role as the Archfey of Prismeer (as established in the adventure “The Wild Beyond the Witchlight”) remains and is an important part of her character. Even the Moonshae Isles are dealing with the Rusting, a more recent addition to the lore.
So yes, the lore checks out.
Now let’s talk about the art. “Dungeons & Dragons” is illustrated by Ibraim Roberson, inked by Arabson Oliveira, and colored by Dan Brown. The artists do an excellent job bringing the Forgotten Realms to life, right from the very first page, where we see a massive metallic dragon blast Mordenkainen.
Roberson’s artwork captures the medieval fantasy style of the Realms nicely, filled with detail on the characters and scenery that makes them feel worn from years of adventure. The magical elements are equally impressive, such as Tasha’s introduction as she towers over the others.
The character designs also work very well. Roberson keeps the characters true to their classic designs, give or take some artistic liberties that work nicely (Drizzt looks good without sleeves and his piwafwi cloak).
Mordenkainen carries himself with all the confidence and arrogance we’ve come to expect from him, complete with flowing robes and his iconic facial hair. Volo, similarly, is built more like his classic design rather than the skinnier version of him from Baldur’s Gate 3, but everything about his design, from his clothing to his beard to the way he holds his pipe, tells us all we need to know about the character.
When we see a younger version of Tasha, for instance, there are clear differences in how she dresses, holds herself, and looks compared to her older self. But both are still recognizably Iggwilv, AKA Tasha the Witch Queen, AKA Zybilna, Archfey of Prismeer.
The scenery is equally engaging, like when we see the Moonshae Isles overrun with rust, or Tasha’s study filled with potions and green flames. There’s so much detail put into every page, which is accentuated even more with Oliveira’s inking and Brown’s colors.
Speaking of which, the color work is more on the subdued side, which gives everything a more natural, lifelike tone. At the same time, there’s a wonderful variety of colors throughout, which helps make the world feel more alive and gives the characters more distinct identities. The colors also pop and glow nicely when magic is afoot, causing the spells to leap off the page and illuminate the world.
Going back to the lore, little touches in the art really help bring the Forgotten Realms to life on the page. For instance, the comic doesn’t need to tell us when the characters are at the Yawning Portal, but we can see the entrance to the underground dungeon in the background, clearly establishing the location for anyone familiar with the setting. (And making one of Volo’s books “Volo’s Guide to Getting Extremely Drunk in Dangerous Places” is a nice comedic detail.)
Dungeons & Dragons fans have had no shortage of excellent comics to enjoy recently. “The Fallbacks” is still in recent memory, “Total Party Killers” has an issue left, and we’re only halfway through the “Ravenloft” comics. (Heck, we’ve got some “Baldur’s Gate” comics coming soon as well, which will almost certainly get a review here once the first issue comes out.) But “Dungeons & Dragons” #1 is another treat for D&D fans, overflowing with lore, love for the game, and the promise of an epic tale.
If you’re a fan of D&D, you’ll love this comic. If you’re new to the world, it serves as a great introduction. And if you just want a good fantasy story to check out, it’s a story not to be missed.
The creative team clearly rolled a Natural 20, because “Dungeons & Dragons” is a critical hit.
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]]>The post Clockwork Alchemy 2026 Celebrates Steampunk Creativity and Community appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>This year’s Clockwork Alchemy had a “Rogue Makers & Air Pirates” theme, celebrating “the spirit of independence” with crafting and creativity. The convention ran from October 16-18, so let’s take a look and see what it had to offer.
Steampunk
Clockwork Alchemy is a steampunk convention, which gives it a unique atmosphere compared to other conventions in the area. While larger comic cons may focus on guests of honor, and anime cons may be more shopping and cosplay-centric, Clockwork Alchemy was more focused on crafts, creators, and community.
The sense of fandom and community was strong from the moment attendees arrived, with many wearing handmade gear or outfits they’d bought at previous conventions and greeting longtime friends. All around, people wore their fanciest gear-covered outfits, displaying their steampunk style and individuality with impressive feats of fashion.
For attendees lacking steampunk garments, there was the Garb Giveaway on Friday, and plenty of hand-crafted costume pieces for sale at the con.
Rather than a dealer’s hall filled with vendors selling plastic figurines and prop weapons (not that there’s anything wrong with that), it had a bazaar filled with handmade wares, with everything from steampunk outfits and jewelry to incense and headphones. The bazaar also hosted several guest writers who could sell their books, including a variety of genres, styles, and comics and novels alike.
Clockwork Alchemy also had an Artists Gallery and Exhibition, where local creators could show off their works. This included steampunk crafts, paintings, costumes, and even large pieces of origami.
In short: Clockwork Alchemy embraces steampunk and all the creativity that goes into it.
Guests of Honor
Clockwork Alchemy is known for bringing in multiple guests from among the community’s makers, writers, musicians, and more. 2026 was no exception, with plenty of Featured Guests and Guests of Honor to celebrate.
Among the authors, Clockwork Alchemy’s featured guests were David L. Drake and Katherine L. Morse, creators of “The Adventures of Drake and McTrowell,” alongside Featured Author Gail Carriger, author of “The Parasol Protectorate,” “The Supernatural Society,” and more.
Fashion Guests of Honor Kathe and Philip Gust brought their costuming expertise to the con, alongside Bazaar Featured Artist Elizabeth McComb. Clockwork Alchemy also included Featured Lecturer Andrei Pischalnikoff, also known as “Doctor R. Snick,” a storyteller and researcher who provided insightful presentations about his many topics of expertise, and EmCee Jaime Jessup to entertain the crowds.
Clockwork Alchemy is also known for bringing in multiple musical guests for its shows, and 2026 was no exception. This year featured many familiar faces among the musical guests, including Unwoman, Avalon Rising, Field of Embers, and The Forgetmenauts, who provided musical entertainment throughout the weekend.
Events and Activities
Clockwork Alchemy was filled with things to do, from panels to games to unique activities no other con has. The itinerary featured panels and presentations covering a range of unique topics, including “What’s Taking Us So Long to Get Time Travel?” “Rogue Makers in Victorian Science Fiction and Steampunk,” and “Victorian Occultism,” where presenters discussed their subjects of expertise with insights not seen anywhere else.
Along with the panels, attendees could join crafting workshops, where they could learn to create wearable pins with LED circuits, craft vacuum tube brooches, or fold some origami. Many of these crafting workshops did have an additional fee, but it was in order to pay for the materials so they had something to take home after the con.
Let’s not forget the gaming. Clockwork Alchemy had a game room where attendees could sit down for some tabletop games, including Dungeons & Dragons, board games, card games, and more. For those who prefer less dice and more weapons, the War Room provided training in a variety of weapons and martial arts throughout the weekend.
This year, Clockwork Alchemy added an interactive activity for attendees to enjoy. The convention guide included a mystery on the back, guiding attendees to get stamps at various rooms across the convention and find telegrams with clues to decipher. Not only did this add another fun activity to the con, but it helped guide attendees around the convention so they could gain a wider experience of the con.
Clockwork Alchemy is also known for its Teapot Racing, where competitors would drive remote-controlled teapots around a track. The competitive tea events didn’t end there, with Tea Dueling pitting competitors against each other in a game of Chicken, where they’d dip biscuits in hot tea and try to outlast their opponent.
Or, if you prefer your tea without the competition, the Alchemist Tea Parlour let attendees rest their feet with a nice cuppa.
Music
As mentioned, Clockwork Alchemy had plenty of musical guests, which meant they needed musical activities to go with them. The convention featured the Aural Alchemy concert on Friday night, where the musical guests could perform before an adoring crowd, as well as the Saturday Night Ball for dancing and festivities.
Don’t know how to dance? That’s okay; they also had dance lessons throughout the weekend.
Even if one couldn’t make it to the concert or ball, there was still plenty of opportunities to listen to music, with performances scheduled around the weekend. Even just wandering around the halls, one could sit down and listen to Nathaniel Johnstone of Field of Embers perform, or attend a songwriting workshop with Unwoman.
Or, for the attendees with the energy to stay up singing past midnight, there was Late Night Karaoke, featuring no shortage of songs from Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss.
Overall
Clockwork Alchemy is a staple event for the steampunk community in the Bay Area and beyond, and it’s no wonder why. The sense of community was clear, and there was an undeniable joy among the attendees. The convention featured panels, presentations, and performances other conventions wouldn’t even think to include, making it a unique experience for congoers.
Steampunk conventions are a different beast than your typical comic con, anime con, or even tabletop gaming convention. But for steampunk fans, that’s just how they like their cons to be, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
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]]>The post BART Anime Festival 2026 appeared first on G33K-HQ.
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Much like how government and commercial entities in Japan create anime mascots to represent themselves, BART created their own group of four mascots (who’s merch would appear across a few conventions). From there a convention of their own formed in 2025. They return again this year, even bigger. As a free event, this took place at a Bart station itself in Fremont.
The event was primarily made of merch tables, itasha cars, and three small stages. The tables act as the majority of the content, with the artist alley being the biggest area in total. With a few scatterings of tables for other conventions, and a very large booth for BART merch itself (it had a very long line that stretched from one end of the event to the other).
The stages present were the main stage (which primarily played music from DJs), the Neon Stage (which held the cosplay contest and presentation), and Concert stage (which had live band performances).
When it comes to more interactive content, it was sparse but still present. Such as the trinket trade station (a little table where attendees could leave and take small items), a stamp rally, and the manga mobile (a vehicle with books inside, and chairs next to the vehicle where you could sit and read).
All in all, this was quick event that was mostly for hanging out with people. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering it was only five hours long , free , and was based around the ease of transportation via the BART system. Unlike Fanime or Anime Los Angeles, this was more so an excuse to spend the day outside and a form of outreach for BART. Let see where BART takes us in future iterations of this event.
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]]>The post Comic of the Week: “The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe” appeared first on G33K-HQ.
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“The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe” is a collection of stories contributed by different writers and artists. They vary in length, but the longest one is “The Greatest Show (Not) On Earth,” written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Pete Woods. This is the big team-up, where the Muppets must get the help of the Avengers (and other Marvel heroes) to rescue one of their cast from Mojo and his sinister streaming service, Mojo+.
One of the most important elements of this story is how well the characters from both universes interact, and what elements from Marvel and Muppets mesh. I’m happy to say that “The Greatest Show (Not) On Earth” absolutely nails it. As soon as Dr. Bunsen Honeydew brings his fellow Muppets to “The Interdimensional Council of Bunsens” (a clear reference to Marvel’s Interdimensional Council of Reeds), the crossover elements fall into place perfectly.
Chip Zdarsky finds excellent combinations of Marvel and Muppet characters to meet and interact with to give us the best gags and character moments alike. Howard the Duck creates a smooth transition from the Muppet animals to Marvel heroes, after which everyone finds a good counterpart. We get Fozzie Bear and Spider-Man teaming up for the wisecracks, Deadpool and Gonzo bonding over their shared weirdness, and Emma Frost finding a kindred spirit in Miss Piggy.
All the while, Zdarsky maintains strong voices for all of the characters, Muppet and Marvel alike, making their interactions feel natural and not making one outshine the other. Characters like Statler and Waldorf get to heckle, Sam the Eagle embraces Captain America’s patriotic attire, and even Iron Man and Rowlf get a good little heart-to-heart. The comic even has a good blend of Muppet Show comedy and Marvel Comics action, seamlessly transitioning without making either feel like an afterthought.
So yes, it is quite funny.
Pete Woods does a fantastic job with the artwork as well, making the Muppets fit in with the Marvel Universe without losing their distinct designs. While the Muppet characters maintain their puppet appearances, their body language and the way they’re framed in the panels make them properly emote and mesh with the Marvel superheroes. Of course, Woods also does a great job with the Marvel characters, capturing their iconic designs with a style that has just enough detail and color to make them stand out without contrasting their Muppet counterparts.
One of the best elements of Woods’ art style comes through in how he frames the characters within the panels and the angles he draws them from. Important moments can stand out more with nicely angled shots, like when we see Rowlf expertly play the piano from a slightly tilted view from above. Other moments receive equal thought and care, like the upward angle when we’re introduced to the Council of Bunsens that adds weight to the moment, or the splash panel where the Avengers burst through the Muppet Show banner.
Throughout the story, the colors are bright and clean, which helps bring the disparate character designs together and makes every page visually engaging. The Muppets, in their greens and pinks and blues, fit in naturally with the Avengers and their respective shades. When the colors shift, such as the darker corners in the Mojoverse, it helps subtly shift the mood and control the atmosphere to make key moments stand out all the more.
However, “The Greatest Show (Not) On Earth” is only part of “The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe,” so you might be wondering: do the other parts work just as well?
The other stories in “The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe” are shorter, coming in at five pages each. These provide opportunities to focus on individual characters meeting up, like Rocket and Groot meeting “Pigs in Space,” or Bruce Banner and Hank Pym making an appearance at Muppet Labs with Bunsen and Beaker.
Well, I’m happy to say that each of these stories is just as entertaining. While they’re more bite-sized stories, the writers and artists do a lot with the five pages they have.
“A Terrible Invention” (written by Kyle Starks, illustrated by Mike Henderson, and colored by Yen Nitro) brings the science sides of both worlds together, as doctors Banner and Pym discuss Bunsen’s disregard for both lab safety and Beaker’s personal safety. It’s filled with amusing dialogue from the exasperated scientists and ends with a great gag, including a fantastic full-page panel of… well, I won’t spoil it, but it works wonderfully.
“Pigs of the Galaxy” (written by MacKenzie Cadenhead, illustrated by David Baldeon, and colored by Yen Nitro) has the feel of a classic “Pigs in Space” sketch, complete with dramatic narration, bickering between the characters, and special guest stars Rocket and Groot. It’s pitch-perfect in story, pacing, and voice, making it feel like it was pulled straight from an episode of “The Muppet Show.”
“Bad Man” (written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, illustrated by Athila Fabbio, and colored by Mike Atiyeh) is perhaps the most unique of the stories, featuring a nearly dialogue-free story where Wolverine meets Doctor Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band. The lack of dialogue means the art has to do a lot to convey the narrative and control the pacing, but Fabbio’s artwork handles it nicely. This also has the most distinct art, leaning a little more to the cartoonish side than the others, but in doing so makes the characters more expressive in their faces and body language, so it sells the story all the better.
“Just What the Chef Ordered” has the largest creative team, with Ashley Allen and Chef Paul Carmichael on the story (but just Ashley credited for the script), Paco Medina as the artist, and Yen Nitro back on colors. This story has Doctor Strange trying to get a soup to help Clea recover from a sickness from the Dark Dimension, but the only person capable of cooking such a soup is the Swedish Chef. This is a comedic story that embraces the wackiness of the Chef and Marvel’s multiverse, filled with bright colors and strong lighting.
Finally, “Muppets Assemble!” (written by Adam F. Goldberg and illustrated by E.J. Su) is a short story with a simple but fun concept: what if the Muppets auditioned to be Avengers? This gives a chance for a few characters who didn’t get a chance to appear in earlier stories to appear, such as Lew Zealand and Pepe the King Prawn, as well as get a few more gags out of popular characters.
“The Muppets Take the Marvel Universe” is fun and full of love for both “The Muppet Show” and the Marvel Universe. The characters work together better than anyone could have expected, thanks to the top-tier work of the writers and art teams. Each story had its fair share of laugh out loud moments, and it’s clear from the detail that went into every element that the comic is a work of love from everyone on it.
Here’s to another 50 years of Muppets and Marvels alike.
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]]>The post Comic of the Week: “Batman/Superman/Weird Al: World’s Weirdest” appeared first on G33K-HQ.
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“Batman/Superman/Weird Al: World’s Weirdest” is written by Mark Waid and Tyrone Finch, with Dan Schoening and Fico Ossio on the art, Luis Antonio Delgado on the colors, and Steve Wands as the letterer. That’s an all-star team already, and they bring their A-game. (Weird Al himself is included in the credit for “vibes,” which is pretty fair.)
Comics with celebrity crossovers can often be hit-or-miss. While the best seamlessly integrate the guest star into the plot without feeling out of place, others have a random celebrity show up to save the day while the superhero the comic is about mostly provides commentary. “World’s Weirdest” may put Weird Al on an equal level with Batman and Superman, but it does so in an entertaining way that makes sense narratively.
“World’s Weirdest” is an appropriate name for the comic (as well as a play on “World’s Finest,” but you already knew that), as it’s a tribute to, well, being weird. Comics have plenty of weirdness that we can all enjoy, but even beyond the pages, it’s important to enjoy the goofier things in life (like the music of “Weird Al” Yankovic). The comic highlights this message by showing us the greatest threat to weirdness and comics alike: mundanity.
So, what’s the plot? Without spoilers, “World’s Weirdest” kicks off as a plague of normality infects one of the weirdest parts of the DC universe: the 5th Dimension, home of interdimensional imp Mr. Mxyzptlk. He turns to Batman and Superman for help, but they quickly discover that only one man is weird enough to be immune: “Weird Al” Yankovic.
That covers the basics. The rest is a fun, comedic adventure where the heroes (including Al) have to figure out what’s going on and save the day, filled with entertaining character interactions and a great tribute to being weird. (Also an accordion-themed homage to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” of course.)
Mark Waid and Tyrone Finch keep the comic running at a good pace, with engaging and entertaining dialogue throughout. A personal favorite is Batman telling Weird Al that Robin loves his albums, and Batman tolerates them, but Al himself gets plenty of good lines. The writers not only have the voices and personalities down for DC characters like Batman and Mr. Mxyzptlk, but they also capture Al’s nicely.
Most notably, Weird Al fans will notice more than a few references to Al’s songs and recurring gags, from Harvey the Wonder Hamster to his taste for Twinkie wiener sandwiches to getting “the room next to the noisy ice machine for all eternity” (from the song “Everything You Know is Wrong”).
As it’s just one issue, “World’s Weirdest” only has so many pages to tell a complete story, but it doesn’t feel rushed. There’s enough time to set the stakes, bring the characters in, and carry the plot through to a satisfying ending while staying consistently entertaining across each page. Without spoilers, the antagonist behind the plot is a great choice, avoiding the usual go-to baddies Batman and Superman face and using a thematically appropriate foe with enough power to be a proper threat.
Above all else, “World’s Weirdest” is a story about embracing the things that make us weird. When Weird Al talks about spreading the message “that it’s okay to be weird,” I felt that to my core. This is a comic that embraces the strangest and goofiest aspects of comics while encouraging us to love what’s weird about ourselves.
How about the artwork? “World’s Weirdest” features illustrations by Dan Schoening and Fico Ossio, with colors by Luis Antonio Delgado bringing it all together. Their styles match nicely, so there are no jarring shifts between artists, and it’s visually engaging all around.
Schoening and Ossio do a great job bringing the comic to life, from the utterly insane world of the 5th Dimension to the streets of Metropolis. The 5th Dimension in particular is overflowing with detail that makes it feel alive, otherworldly, and absolutely bonkers, featuring sights like a car that’s also a giant hatching egg, a pink elephant on a large ball, and what appears to be a building-sized croissant… and that’s just in the background. That makes the shift all the more jarring as the world is overrun with mundanity, heightening its impact.
Similarly, the artists do a great job with the character designs. Batman, Superman, and all the other recognizable comic characters already have familiar silhouettes, and the artists capture them nicely with a good balance of detail. Weird Al himself gets a slightly exaggerated design that brings out his features well, like the shape of his face and his iconic Hawaiian shirts.
During the final showdown, the artwork really goes all-out. Music flies across the page as the landscape shifts, and the panels themselves bend as space warps around them. It helps maintain the pacing for the comic while helping the core moments land all the better and adding intensity to each scene, as a good comic clash should.
Delgado’s color work does a great job setting the atmosphere as well, shifting between bright, vibrant colors and a dull gray as needed.
When normalcy overtakes an area, it becomes saturated with dark shades of brown and gray, which makes the brightness of Al’s shirts and Superman’s blue stand out even more. It contrasts well with the bold, expressive colors of the 5th Dimension, as well as with the familiar tones of Metropolis, making the shift all the more notable.
Likewise, when Al plays his music, the glowing tones of the tunes nearly fly off the page, illuminating the area as we read. The color work brings out the artwork and enhances each scene, keeping us drawn in to the moment and feeling the mood each moment conveys.
If you’re a fan of “Weird Al” Yankovic, you probably already bought this comic and have it sitting right between your old VHS copy of “UHF” and that one concert t-shirt that’s completely worn out but you can’t bring yourself to throw out. (We all have those, right? It’s not just me?)
But if you’re on the fence, “World’s Weirdest” is absolutely worth reading, with fantastic work from the writers and artists alike. It’s a great tribute to Weird Al and all the weird things that make comics so much fun and life more bearable.
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]]>The post Cape and Cowl Con: Let’s Meet Some Artists! appeared first on G33K-HQ.
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I think the most shocking thing was that this event and parking was TOTALLY FREE. This convention was also able to find numerous big name creators to come here. It was a very sharp contrast with another convention that was happening on the same day, GalaxyCon. They had a massive list of guests were mostly actors/actresses and voice actors, while this convention was filled with writers, illustrators, and indie creators.
I also appreciated that there were two separate lines-one that gave out free swag, and one that you could directly walk in to the convention-I decided to wait in line to check out the free swag. It included an awesome looking tote bag, a poster, and several comics. Although it was entirely free, you can also give a small donation to help continue the convention. I think it’s very much worth supporting.
Oh yea, and did I also mention there was comic themed beer too? Adults were lining up to try them out, or at least keep the can as a souvenir!
The convention took place at Faction Brewing, which was just an enormous building. 
They were selling exclusive Cape and Cowl beer! 
The free swag line was filled with very nice goodies 
All the free stuff I got at this free convention. 
Illustrators with delicate crafts and comics were placed inside (to protect their work from flying in the wind), while the clothing and physical merch artists were placed outside (helped make extra room for people trying out clothing and other stuff)
What’s Inside?
After I got my goodie bag, there was virtually no line for anything, aside from a handful of artists. However, the entire place was packed. People were bumping into me, and I was bumping into them. Fortunately, people were courteous enough to create their own single-file line to meet the artists without the need for staff to intervene. The people running the convention also placed more popular creators towards the corner of the aisles, which minimized congestion, and made it much easier to browse nearby tables. Because there were so many popular and unique artists, people were very prepared to get comics signed by the creators. I even brought a few myself!
Let’s Talk To Some Creators!
I had the opportunity to go around and find some unique creators in various fields of art to ask a few questions. Aside from Jonathan Wayshak, I have never met these people before- I just really loved what was on their table, and wanted to meet them.
I kept their interviews very short, because numerous attendees were approaching every table, and I didn’t want to impede on their potential business.
The following questions I asked were:
1. What is some constructive advice would you give to someone getting into the business?
2. Has AI (or the digital age) affected you or anyone you know in the business?
3. Any personal inspirational creators you would like to highlight?
Jonathan Wayshak (Traditional Art Illustrator)
1. Getting Published. Create your own project, and FINISH. It doesn’t have to be big, you can start a small project, or an anthology. Go to shows, show it to publishers.
2. I don’t think so. It may have helped me instead.* Using traditional media has made me stand out.
*He meant the effects of AI, not actually using it. I actually agree myself too, since there has been a boom of interest in my traditional work as well.
3. Barron Storey’s work is pure expressiveness. Francis Bacon also helped me express and apply line.
D.J. Kirkland (Self Published Comic Illustrator)
1. Finished is better than perfect. The only way you can get a job is to prove you can finish a project. You can be the most gifted, but if you couldn’t finish it, you can’t get hired.
2. Friends who work as graphic designers have lost their job to AI. Some have been out for over a year at this point.
3. The creator of Sailor Moon, Naoko Takeuchi. If it wasn’t for her, I would not be an artist.
Jordan Blum (Writer)
1. Write every day. Even if you’re not in the right mood, just write. Write every day.
2. AI can’t do what we do. I think the bubble will burst, and we’ll move away from it.
Out of curiosity, I asked an another question: What was one hurdle you had to experience, and how did you overcome it?
Jordan:Rejection. It happens, a LOT. It doesn’t get easier, but it’s part of the process. You learn to get used to rejection.
3. Chris Clairmont wrote X-Men for years, and inspired me to do long term storytelling.
Jesse Hernandez (toy maker, graffiti artist)
1. Just go for it. We’re held back from perfection. When you start, you start having fun.
2. This AI stuff is the worst thing ever. People can imitate your style without paying dues. They don’t learn anything, but get [awarded] with a black magic item. *points at figurine* And people are making AI versions of my toys!
3. Mr. Cartoon. And Joe Mad. And Chaz Bojorquez– he’s the godfather of west coast graffiti!
Dug Stanat (sculptor)
1. Spend time doing work. Create time to spend on your work, even if it means to live frugally to make time. The more time you have, the more time you can create.
2. So far, it does not affect me personally, but I am fearful that AI will make being an artist difficult for the younger generations. When a child can create from imagination, but types prompts instead, I don’t see a path to develop the [creative] skills.
3. Teresa Oaxaca is one.
…And that’s a wrap!
Of course, what’s a convention without cosplayers? There were significantly fewer compared to other conventions, but definitely just as passionate.
See you at the next Cape and Cowl Con!
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]]>The post GalaxyCon San Jose 2026 Reaches a Galaxy Far, Far Away appeared first on G33K-HQ.
]]>The San Jose show ran from August 28-30 in the San Jose Convention Center, home to conventions like Fanime, Further Confusion, and more. So let’s take a look at GalaxyCon San Jose 2026 and see how it went…
Guests
One of GalaxyCon’s biggest draws is the guests that it brings in. Each year features a multitude of fantastic guests from across entertainment, from movies to comics, and this year was no exception.
One of the biggest names was Hayden Christensen, best known for playing Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He was in such high demand, in fact, that he had an entire room in the convention just for holding his autograph lines, while the lines for his multiple photo ops filled the area. Despite that demanding schedule, he still took the time to greet everyone who came to meet him.
Christensen wasn’t the only Star Wars guest either. GalaxyCon San Jose’s guest list included Temuera Morrison (Jango Fett in the prequels and Boba Fett in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett) and Eman Esfandi (Ezra Bridger in Ahsoka).
For fans who prefer Star Trek to Star Wars (or like them both, there’s no reason to pick just one), GalaxyCon brought George Takei (Hikaru Sulu in the original series) and Brent Spiner (Data in The Next Generation).
Or, for those who prefer a little more Muppet magic in their entertainment, Dave Goelz (the muppeteer for Gonzo, Bunsen, and more) and Steve Whitmire (Kermit, Rizzo, Beaker, and more) were in attendance. Like One Piece? Baroque Works agents Mr. 9 and Mr. 5 actors Daniel Lasker and Camrus Johnson also had booths.
What about Cheech and Chong? They were both there too.
Jurassic Park also got some love, with actors Joseph Mazzello, Ariana Richards, and Wayne Knight making appearances. All those names are barely getting into the guest list, which included everyone from Sean Gunn to Cassandra Peterson (Elvira) to Brian Posehn.
For animation fans, GalaxyCon brought plenty of voice actors too, such as Janet Varney (Korra in Avatar: The Legend of Korra), Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Sora in Digimon Adventure, Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog, and more), and George Newbern (Superman in the DC animated universe), just to name a few.
There were plenty of comic guests in attendance as well, such as comic book legend Marv Wolfman (writer of Crisis on Infinite Earths and creator of many iconic characters), writer Ryan North (known for Dinosaur Comics, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, One World Under Doom, and more), and artist Mark Bagley (known for his work on Venom, Ultimate Spider-Man, Justice League of America, and so much more). Again, these are just a few of the many guests GalaxyCon had to offer.
The list went on and on, including professional wrestler Gangrel, VTuber Amara Aquashell, cosplayers, fan groups like the Rebel Legion and Mando Mercs, and more.
Suffice to say, there were a lot of guests in attendance. Attendees could line up to meet their favorites for an autograph or quick hello, or in many cases buy tickets for a professional photo.
Panels
GalaxyCon also had several panels throughout the weekend, including Q&A sessions with guests, industry panels, and even the occasional game show. These provided fans with opportunities to ask celebrities questions, learn the basics of cartooning, and get voice acting tips from professionals.
For instance, celebrity guest Barry Bostwick held the “Making Megaforce” panel, which included a screening of the documentary and a Q&A session. Cassandra Peterson had a special ticketed event, “Spill the Tea with Cassandra P.,” which gave guests the rare opportunity to chat with the actress over snacks and drinks.
However, there were notably fewer panels this year than in the past. Those that they had were still well worth checking out, but attendees noted that programming was a little lighter this year. Similarly, while there are usually After Dark events at GalaxyCon, those were canceled this time around.
Shopping
GalaxyCon featured a large dealer’s hall, so of course there was plenty of shopping to do. The dealer’s hall featured multiple booths selling everything from lightsabers to action figures to card games and more, providing ample opportunity to buy something neat.
Alongside the dealer’s hall, the artist alley gave local artists the chance to sell their crafts to convention attendees, with fan works ranging from fantastic posters of fan-favorite series to crocheted Pokémon. Fan artists at conventions always bring a selection of amazing artwork, crafted with passion for the series they love, and this con was no exception.
(But absolutely no one came to the con to buy music from those two dudes hanging outside the convention center and pestering passersby to check out their album, no matter how much they shouted at attendees.)
However, there was a booth at GalaxyCon that stood out for one reason: cats. Yes, The Dancing Cat, a local nonprofit cat adoption lounge, had a booth at the con. They had plenty of adorable kittens for attendees to see (and some merch to buy), and attendees could sign up on an interest list to potentially adopt one of them.
Cosplay
As we’ve said before, a convention without cosplay is a boring convention. Fortunately, that wasn’t an issue for GalaxyCon.
This year, the most popular series to cosplay from was Star Wars, due in no small part to the guests in attendance. There were multiple fan groups in attendance, so the convention center had no shortage of Mandalorians, stormtroopers, and droids. But even outside of those groups, there were plenty of cosplayers dressed as Padme Amidala, Darth Vader, and Grand Admiral Thrawn (as Thrawn’s creator Timothy Zahn was also among the guests).
Of course, that’s just the start. There were cosplayers from a wide variety of series, including anime like One Piece and Hunter X Hunter, comics like Deadpool and X-Men, cinema classics like Labyrinth, and even the famously bad Manos: The Hands of Fate.
Attendees with confidence in their cosplays could enter contests, including the Runway Costume Contest for a lighthearted contest for all skill levels, a Craftsmanship Costume Competition for handmade cosplays, and the Masquerade Competition that combined cosplay and performance. Children could also enter the Kid’s Costume Contest, a low-stakes event for the younger attendees.
Near the end of the dealer’s hall, cosplayers could meet up for gatherings or mingle in the Cosplay Zone. This featured several backdrops for photos, making it a popular spot to snap a picture of cosplayers without blocking the halls.
Gaming
GalaxyCon’s game room moved this year, taking a large hall upstairs rather than filling a downstairs area. While it was smaller, there were still plenty of games to enjoy, including tabletop games, video games, and arcade games.
On the tabletop side, GalaxyCon included a library of board games attendees could borrow, including games like Munchkin, Ticket to Ride, and Lords of Watereep. There were also learn-to-play games for RPGs, including Pathfinder and Starfinder. (Although marketing emails mentioned there would be Pathfinder Society and a Dungeons & Dragons Epic, I saw neither of those on the schedule for the con.)
The tabletop area also included a “bounty board,” where attendees could take photos of certain cosplayers, complete silly tasks, or answer trivia questions to win tickets. Those tickets could then be exchanged for small prizes, including sets of dice from Misty Mountain Gaming.
On the video game side, GalaxyCon had rows of monitors and consoles set up for attendees to enjoy. Next to the gaming stations, several arcade cabinets provided opportunities to play fighting games, pinball, and even skeeball.
Overall
GalaxyCon San Jose 2026 is known for being an industry con with a great selection of guests, and if you go in expecting that, you won’t be disappointed. It was filled with opportunities to meet actors and creators, plenty of great cosplays, and a decent selection of panels and events.
Admittedly, the con did feel a little smaller than previous years. There weren’t quite as many panels and the gaming area was smaller, leaving the downstairs area of the convention center unused. Certain events, like the After Dark shows, were missing this year.
However, that didn’t stop GalaxyCon from being a fun, chill event with great guests. With the variety of guests they had, there was absolutely someone worth meeting for everyone, which has always been one of the biggest aspects of the convention.
For attendees looking to meet celebrity guests, do some shopping for nerdy goods, or hang out and enjoy Q&A panels or other events, GalaxyCon was a good way to spend the day or weekend.
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]]>This year, Pokémon Worlds 2026 was held in San Francisco, CA, from August 28-30, and brought with it a major convention and celebration of Pokémon: Pokémon XP.
(Please note that we did not have a press pass for this event, so this coverage will all be from the perspective of a regular attendee.)
Pokémon Worlds 2026
Pokémon is a worldwide phenomenon, which means players from all around the world came to compete. Pokémon Worlds was the world championship for the video game, card game, Pokémon Go, and Pokémon UNITE, making for a very full weekend of competition.
This isn’t a casual competition where anyone can walk in and enter. These are players who have mastered the metagame, earned their invitations through tournament after tournament, and proven themselves to be the top trainers of the year, and the stage they competed on showed it. Games were played from a large stadium and broadcast to large screens and Twitch, as cheering crowds watched intently.
At the end of the weekend, new champions were crowned. The 2026 winners are:
- Kazuki Kage, Pokémon VGC Junior Division World Champion
- Vikram Thiagarajan, Pokémon VGC Senior Division World Champion
- Takuma Yamazaki, Pokémon VGC Masters Division World Champion
- Yuta Araki, Pokémon TCG Junior Division World Champion
- Jake Ng, Pokémon TCG Senior Division World Champion
- Zeta Division, Pokémon UNITE World Champion team
- GGS489HIROMARU, Pokémon GO World Champion
Pokémon XP
While the Pokémon Worlds competition drew huge crowds, Pokémon XP gave attendees (and competitors between matches) plenty to do. Pokémon XP spanned the Moscone Center and Yerba Buena Gardens and was jam-packed with events and activities.
The area in front of the Moscone Center was transformed into Rayquaza Road, filled with music, live commentary, photo areas, food stalls, and more. Attendees could help construct a massive LEGO Rayquaza, watch skateboarders on Pokémon-themed skateboards do some tricks, or watch Pokémon mascots dance around… assuming they could get through the crowds, of course.
Of course, many attendees showed up cosplaying as their favorite characters or Pokémon. It wasn’t uncommon to see people dressed as gijinka (anthropomorphized) versions of Pokémon, characters from the anime, or members of Team Rocket.
Inside the Moscone Center, there was even more to see and do. Large areas were set up to celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, showcase new games and upcoming shows, and provide activities for attendees.
This included a Pokémon museum showcasing the games and merchandise from over the years, a recording station where attendees could try their hand at dubbing an episode, a gallery showcasing art from the Pokémon TCG, and so much more.
Many events were ticketed, including craft activities, meet-and-greets, and so on. Attendees hoping to check out specific events would have to register their interest online and then hope their names were drawn, and with the huge attendance for the event, the odds were slim. With that said, there were plenty of non-ticketed events to enjoy as well.
Further within the Moscone Center, a large stage held panels and interviews with major figures in the Pokémon world. Not too far from there, Pokémon influencers held meet-and-greets and autograph sessions with fans (who managed to get tickets), and just off to the side, attendees could check out Koraidon and Miraidon motorcycles from Toyota and Honda, respectively.
In the Yerba Buena Gardens, Pokémon XP had an outdoor area. There, young attendees could listen to an outdoor storytime while their parents had their hair and makeup done, or attendees could play a game of Pyukumuku Chucking (a beanbag toss/cornhole game with Pyukumuku plushies). While there was a giant bouncy slide, it was closed during our trip, and I can’t say if it reopened.
Some of the biggest draws were the Pin Rally. where attendees could hit up different stations around the event to get free Pokémon pins. There was also a massive Pokémon Center shopping area, where attendees could buy exclusive goods such as plushies, clothing, cards, and more.
However, those might have even been too big a draw, as they led to a few issues…
Lines, Crowds, and Scalpers, Oh My!
Pokémon XP was a huge event, but perhaps it was even bigger than The Pokémon Company had anticipated or prepared for. For all that there was to do and enjoy, it’s also important to recognize where there were issues that must be addressed.
Just getting a ticket to the event was a challenge, as attendees had to register their interest for a lotto system and hope their names were drawn, either for a weekend or one-day badge. Even once they were registered, they had to enter another lotto to try to get into the events they wanted to attend. Then, they had to register for a time slot to pick up their badges. If they wanted to shop at the Pokémon Center, they needed to sign up for a time slot before they were filled up.
In other words, it was very possible (and in fact common) for someone to get lucky enough to get tickets to the event, but still miss out on tickets to every ticketed event they wanted to attend and the Pokémon Center, due to the incredibly high demand.
This high demand also led to huge crowds and massive lines. While Friday wasn’t too bad, photos from throughout the weekend showed absolutely packed crowds and lines that quickly became fire hazards.
The Pin Rally, for instance, drew crowds so large there were reports of stampede risks and blocked fire exits, while the most popular pins were snatched up immediately. By Sunday, they had to cancel the Pin Rally altogether.
As for the Pokémon Center, the lines there could take hours to get through. Attendees would wait outside the lines for their time slots, then line up to enter the building. Once inside, there was a second line they had to wait through to get upstairs, where they’d wait in yet another line to actually get inside the Pokémon Center.
This, of course, also resulted in scalpers camping alongside the sidewalk to sell everything they bought at a marked-up price.
There have also been reports of Pokémon XP failing to be ADA compliant and lacking accommodations for attendees with disabilities. Some posts online have claimed the staff said they’re “not doing ADA,” while Dexerto reports that 2024 World Champion Luca Ceribelli was removed for attempting to let a player with disabilities join him in the Pokemon Center line.
It goes without saying that these are issues that impacted many attendees. The crowding is, understandably, a major challenge for The Pokémon Company, as the popularity of Pokémon means events like Pokémon Worlds/XP will be in high demand, and scalpers have been a plague on the Pokémon community for quite some time. Meeting demand while managing crowd sizes is far easier said than done, but hopefully these issues can be addressed in the future.
Announcements
At the end of the weekend, The Pokémon Company had plenty of announcements for fans to look forward to for animation and games alike.
On the anime side, a new animated movie called Pokémon: Wild Card was revealed. This features a Pokémon TCG player and a Mimikyu, and was accompanied by a teaser trailer:
For video game players, there were plenty of announcements too, including:
- The Pokémon Champions game (a mobile app and Nintendo Switch game used for competitive Pokémon battles) will be updated with Z-Mega evolutions, including Mega Absol, Garchomp, and Lucario Z.
- Pokémon TCG Pocket will be receiving Dual Type cards and Pokémon EX cards for starter (or “First Partner”) Pokémon.
- Morpeko, Toxtricity, Jolteon, and Flareon will be making their Pokémon UNITE debuts in the coming months.
- Pokémon GO will be giving new charged moves to Mega Evolved Pokémon, who can now be used in the Go Battle League. Armored Mewtwo will also be making its return after six years.
As for TCG players, the Pokémon Trading Card Game will be introducing the new ex★ series to the game, similar to the game’s EX, V, and VMAX Pokémon.
Finally, 2027’s Pokémon Worlds event will be held in Singapore from August 13-15.
There was no news on the upcoming Pokémon Wind and Waves games yet.
Overall
Pokémon XP was a massive celebration of a franchise that’s been beloved by so many for 30 years. It drew a huge crowd of energetic fans and got attendees hyped for the future of Pokémon, giving them plenty to do while the top trainers in the world competed for the grand prize.
However, an event of that size is not without its issues, especially for a series with as big a scalper problem as Pokémon. While it was absolutely possible to enjoy Pokémon XP regardless, it’s still important for The Pokémon Company to recognize and address these problems for future events.
Still, on a personal note, as someone who’s been a fan of Pokémon since the days of Red and Blue versions, it was amazing to see how far Pokémon has come. To be among friends, fellow fans, and trainers from around the world to celebrate this series that has brought us so much joy was a fantastic experience.
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]]>This year, the theme was Undertale/Deltarune, with decorations and merch to match. Day and night, the convention was filled with music, games, and activities, and that’s meant quite literally, as the convention stayed open late into the night and well into the morning hours.
So without further ado, let’s see how MAGWest 2026 went…
Music
The “M” in MAGWest stands for “Music,” so of course that was a core element of the convention. MAGWest featured plenty of musical guests and acts, both planned and impromptu.
MAGWest’s main stage featured performances throughout the weekend by guests including Lotus Juice, Aivi & Surasshu, and singer-songwriter of Sonic the Hedgehog fame, Crush 40’s Johnny Gioeli. The stage saw big acts playing late into the night, providing no shortage of music to the con.
However, that was far from the only stage. Out by the pool, bands performed throughout the weekend, providing gaming tunes to attendees taking a swim. Inside, the Jamspace, Jampods, and Community Orchestra gave musical attendees opportunities to meet up and perform – or they could just find a nice corner to chill in and play some music.
It was impossible to go anywhere in the hotel without hearing some music, whether it was a flutist playing the Pokémon Center theme song, guitarists jamming together, or even just attendees getting into the mood and singing sea shanties.
(Okay, the sea shanties were mostly me, and I apologize for nothing.)
Gaming
Of course, MAGWest wouldn’t be MAGWest without the “G” for “Gaming,” and you’d better believe they had plenty of that too, including video gaming, arcade games, LAN gaming, and tabletop games.
MAGWest featured a large gaming hall, split into a few sections. On one end, attendees could enjoy a variety of arcade games, including dance games, rhythm games, arcade classics, and even pinball. Just beyond that, multiple televisions were set up for a variety of console games, both classic and modern, including multiple tournaments throughout the weekend. Next to that, local developers were demonstrating their indie games, giving them an opportunity to reach new customers and demonstrate their creations.
Outside the gaming hall, a long row of games included classics from gaming history and unique indie games in progress. One such game, for instance, was a co-op where a single player saw the screen and controlled a knight, while a second player served as their squire to provide potions, keys, and other tools as requested; communication and coordination were key to succeeding.
In the LAN room, attendees could play retro PC games with each other. This featured everything from Unreal Tournament to StarCraft to Worms Armageddon, providing plenty of nostalgia and no shortage of entertainment.
But what about gamers who prefer something a little more analog? The tabletop gaming room featured a wide selection of games from an expansive library, along with scheduled tabletop RPGs, a puzzle table, and even several mahjong tables right outside.
For the card gamers, not only could they grab a table in the tabletop gaming room, but there were various Magic: The Gathering drafts and tournaments throughout the weekend.
So yes, there was a lot of gaming.
Guests
MAGWest doesn’t skimp on the musical guests, and every year they bring plenty of fantastic performers. In addition to the ones mentioned earlier, the guest list included the likes of 2 Mello, Frank Klepacki, Isekai Stage, Parabellum Raps, and so much more.
However, in recent years, MAGWest has been expanding its guest selection beyond musical acts. This year, voice actor Ricco Fajardo (voice of Mirio in My Hero Academia, Isagi in Blue Lock, and Pandreo in Fire Emblem: Engage) was among the guests, signing autographs and participating in events. Voice actor Elisa Meléndez, known for voicing Tyreen Calypso in Borderlands 3, was also in attendance, hosting panels and doing meet-and-greets to interact with fans and attendees.
Panels
MAGWest had more entertainment than music alone (although the music is still very good) with multiple panels throughout the convention.
The panels covered a range of topics, including games like “Taboo! Game Show: Gaming Edition” and “Quizmania: Kaimei Riddles DX PLUS” or humorous entertainment panels like “Mazes & Monsters: Satanic Panic D&D Nonsense At Its Finest.” There were discussion panels, educational panels, discussions, and more, creating a good variety of panel programming.
Of course, the Cosplay Wrestling Federation (CWF) made its return for another MAGWest show. In the CWF, cosplaying competitors took to the stage to cut promos and issue challenges to the defending champion, The Shipper, to see who could talk the best smack and (verbally) fight their way into the panels. This year, the Dungeon Master (from the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon) recruited a party of audience volunteers and DMed them to victory against The Shipper, winning the show’s title. (Full disclosure: I’m a member of CWF and the Dungeon Master cosplayer.)
Cosplay
Speaking of cosplay, of course there were plenty of cosplayers at MAGWest. Given the show’s theme, there were plenty of cosplayers from Undertale and Deltarune, but there was a great variety of cosplayers across the con. This included everything from Pokémon to Dispatch to Street Fighter.
Cosplayers who felt exceptionally proud of their cosplays could compete in the cosplay contest, hosted by cosplaying duo onecuppacoffee and judged by a trio of skilled and experienced cosplayers. The contest had prizes for multiple categories, including craftsmanship, performance, theme, and the Charity Stream Choice, so there were several opportunities for competitors to win.
There were, of course, cosplay gatherings, where attendees cosplaying from the same series could meet for photos. There were two sites for the cosplay gatherings, which included series like Undertale/Deltarune (naturally), Splatoon, SquareEnix games, and a general cosplay gathering for anyone and everyone. It’s also worth noting that the gathering areas had premium lighting, good space, and seating for attendees to rest on between groups and photos, so they were well-chosen spots.
And more!
What else? How about a marketplace with a good selection of dealers selling both handcrafted goods and a variety of games or gaming supplies? Or the paint-and-take table outside the tabletop gaming room, where attendees could sit down to paint a free miniature (with guidance from helpful staff should they need it)?
There was a charity stream to raise money for good causes, a Variety Stage with a wide range of performances, Beyblade exhibitions, arts and crafts, and so much more. Even the security room had accommodations for attendees, like sunscreen and glucose tablets.
If nothing else, attendees could always relax in the pool and enjoy the summer weather.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Doubletree Hotel held a wedding there that weekend, so the wedding guests were somewhat surprised to find the venue filled with music, games, and cosplayers. When asked, a wedding guest said it was a surprise, but still very fun.
In short: MAGWest remains a fun, chill convention with fantastic music, plenty of fun games, and great panels. Whether you’re coming by to spend a day or want to enjoy three full days of music and gaming, MAGWest has you covered.
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