Comic-Con Wants Your Blood
Comic-Con’s Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive is San Diego Blood Bank’s largest and longest-running blood drive. This year marks the 50th blood drive. Donation areas are located in Grand Hall A at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel and at San Diego Blood Bank Donation Centers.
The growth of our blood drive over the years has been amazing. The Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive began at San Diego Comic-Con back in 1977 at the El Cortez Hotel. That first year, 148 pints of blood were collected. Since then, the blood drive has grown more than a hundredfold, with over 15,000 pints being donated last year.
In its long history, a total of 108,420 pints have been donated by Comic-Con attendees, exhibitors, professionals, volunteers, and staff. San Diego Blood Bank estimates that your donations have impacted more than 300,000 lives since its inception!
How It All Began
In 1977, few names carried as much weight to science fiction fans as Robert A. Heinlein. From Starship Troopers to Stranger in a Strange Land, Heinlein was the dean of SF writers. Unfortunately, he rarely attended conventions, so his readers had few opportunities to meet him in person.
Heinlein had a life-threatening illness in the early 1970s, and needed many pints of his rare blood type. Heinlein believed he owed his life to blood donors. When asked to be a guest at the 1976 Worldcon in his hometown of Kansas City, he agreed, with one condition. He would only sign autographs for people who donated blood.
With that in mind, longtime Comic-Con committee member Jackie Estrada approached the author with an offer to hold a blood drive in San Diego if Heinlein would consent to be a guest. He agreed, and in 1977, Heinlein came to Comic-Con. He and his wife, Ginny, had a great time, and Heinlein even drew a picture for the Sunday morning Art Auction. Longtime comic industry executive David Scroggy was the first blood drive coordinator.
Donate Now
You can either make an appointment at the Blood Drive booth in the Sails Pavilion or online at https://www.comic-con.org/cc/plan-your-visit/blood-drive/.
As an incentive, donors will receive a free Spider-Man T-shirt from Marvel, Eisner-nominated comics, and/or other prizes. Years ago, the Blood Drive commissioned prints from top artists as giveaways for donors. For the 50th, we’re resurrecting that with an artist packet created exclusively for Comic-Con’s blood drive by Image Comics, featuring artists Skottie Young (I Hate Fairyland), Daniel Warren Johnson (Murder Falcon), Eduardo Ferigato (Radiant Black), Caspar Wijngaard (The Power Fantasy), Brett Bean (D’Orc), and Todd McFarlane (Spawn). All giveaways are while supplies last.
Robert A. Heinlein’s 1951 novel, Between Planets, helped popularize the phrase “Pay It Forward.” Please make a point to pay it forward this year and save people’s lives at our 50th Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive. Your donation is desperately needed.
Programming Updates
Addition
Not So Strange Bedfellows: The Relationship Between Comics and Pro Wrestling – Some have called the spectacle of pro wrestling “a comic book come to life.” That is not far from the truth. From the heroics of Hulk Hogan to the antiheroics of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and the villainy of Ric Flair, this panel explores the parallels in character development and storyline advancement between these outrageous forms. Featuring Francis Szyskowski (creator, The Massacre Twins), Rik Offenberger (editor-in-chief, First Comics News), Hunter Jackson (co-founder, GWAR; professional wrestler), Chris Squires (G-Men Comics; 20-year veteran wrestling referee), and Michael Mondragon (Punk Rock Art School; co-founder, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla). Moderated by Joshua Waldrop (founder/publisher, Ultima Comics) 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Grand 10 & 11
Cancellation
Permission to Pivot: Navigating Career Transitions – 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Grand 10 & 11.
Friday P.O.W.E.R. Drawings
In true superhero spirit, Previously Offered Wristbands: Extra Redemption (P.O.W.E.R.) Drawings give attendees one last shot at scoring an Exclusive Signing (ES) Portal wristband. Sixty minutes before the start of an ES Portal signing, a special drawing may be held in the Autograph Area for any unclaimed wristbands, if available. This is your chance to swoop in and claim a spot that was previously awarded but not redeemed. The drawing will follow the Autograph Area Line Drawing procedures, so be sure you’re familiar with how it works (see page 78 of the Events Guide).
- Masters of the Universe Skeletor Cosplay Pose-Off (9:45 am Drawing)
- MeTV’s Svengoolie and the Sven Squad Signing (10:00 am Drawing)
- Audible Matt Dinniman and Jeff Hayes (10:30 am Drawing)
- The Simpsons (12:00 pm Drawing)
- The Tiny Chef Show Signing (12:00 pm Drawing)
- Bryan Lee O’Malley (12:00 pm Drawing, signing at Oni Press, Booth #1829)
- Todd McFarlane (12:30 pm Drawing)
- DC Design Panel (1:00 pm Drawing, at Mattel, Booth 3029)
- DC Metropolis Autograph Session (1:00 pm Drawing, Signing at DC Booth #4544)
- Futurama (1:00 pm Drawing)
- DC Absolute Autograph Session (2:00 pm Drawing, Signing at DC Booth #4544)
- Mattel x Kpop Demon Hunters Charm Bar (2:30 pm Drawing)
- Aimee Garcia and AJ Mendez Autograph Signing (2:30 pm Drawing)
- Bryan Lee O’Malley (3:30 pm Drawing, signing at Oni Press Booth #1829)
- Frank Miller Book Signing (3:30 pm Drawing)
- Drawn Into Mattel (4:00 pm Drawing)
- Danny Trejo’s Year of the Devil (6:00 pm Drawing)
- Be the very first audience to see Coyote vs. Acme (6:30 pm Drawing)
Toucan Tip Saturday
Did you notice the art on the cover of the Events Guide? Pretty amazing, right? Be sure to check out the two-page spread on pages 20 and 21, which gives background on cover artist Richard Blake and shows the process in its development. Richard Blake was the recipient of the 2025 Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award.
Eisner Awards Last Night
- Best Short Story: “Blood Harvest,” in Brain Damage, by ShintaroKago, translated by Zack Davisson (Fantagraphics)
- Best One-Shot/Single Issue: Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1, by Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, and Meredith McClaren (DC)
- Best Continuing Series: Absolute Batman, by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and others (DC)
- Best Limited Series: Absolute Martian Manhunter, by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez (DC)
- Best New Series: Assorted Crisis Events, by Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadski (Image)
- Best Publication for Early Readers: All the Hulk Feels, by Dan Santat (Abrams Fanfare/Marvel)
- Best Publication for Kids: The Cartoonists Club, by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud (Scholastic Graphix)
- Best Publication for Teens: This Place Kills Me, by Mariko Tamaki and Nicole Goux (Abrams Fanfare)
- Best Humor Publication: Physics for Cats, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Best Anthology: DC Pride 2025, edited by Andrea Shea and Jillian Grant (DC)
- Best Reality-Based Work: Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance, by Ben Passmore (Pantheon)
- Best Graphic Memoir: It Rhymes with Takei, by George Takei, Harmony Becker, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger (Top Shelf)
- Best Graphic Album–New: Drome, by Jesse Lonergan (23rd St. Books)
- Best Graphic Album–Reprint: Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen: The Deluxe Edition, by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber (DC)
- Best Adaptation from Another Medium: Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel, by William Golding, adapted by Aimée De Jongh (Penguin Classics)
- Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Nocturnos, by Laura Perez, translated by Andrea Rosenberg (Fantagraphics)
- Best U.S. Edition of International Material–Asia: Purgatory Funeral Cakes, by Sanho, translated by Danny Lim (Dark Horse)
- Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips: The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1928–1930, edited by J. Michael Catron and Bill Blackbeard (Fantagraphics)
- Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books: AKIRA Volumes 1–5 Hardcover Collection, by Katsuhiro Otomo, edited by Haruko Hashimoto, Ajani Oloye, and Lauren Scanlan (Kodansha USA Publishing)
- Best Academic/Scholarly Work: Manga’s First Century: How Creators and Fans Made Japanese Comics, 1905–1989, by Andrea Horbinski (University of California Press)
- Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism: SKTCHD, by David Harper, www.sktchd.com
- Best Comics-Related Book: Crumb: A Cartoonist’s Life, by Dan Nadel (Scribner)
- Best Publication Design: The Essential Peanuts, designed by Shawn Dahl with Chip Kidd (Abrams ComicArts)
- Best Webcomic: Tiger, Tiger by Petra Erika Nordlund (tigertigercomic.com)
- Best Digital Comic: Practical Defense Against Piracy, by Tony Cliff (delilahdirk.com)
- Best Writer: Mariko Tamaki, This Place Kills Me (Abrams Fanfare)
- Best Writer/Artist: Jamal Campbell, Zatanna (DC)
- Best Penciller/Inker: Javier Rodriguez, Absolute Martian Manhunter (DC)
- Best Painter/Multimedia Artist: Martin Simmonds, The Department of Truth (Image)
- Best Cover Artist: Javier Rodriguez, Absolute Martian Manhunter, Batman & Robin: Year One #7, The New Gods #8 (DC)
- Best Coloring: Jordie Bellaire, Absolute Wonder Woman, The Nice House by the Sea (DC); The Exorcism at 1600 Penn (IDW); Assorted Crisis Events, The Department of Truth, Exquisite Corpses, W0RLDTR33 (Image); GI Joe (Image/Skybound); EC Catacomb of Torment, EC Epitaphs from the Abyss (Oni Press)
- Best Lettering: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Ill Vacation, Stillman (Comixology Originals); Absolute Martian Manhunter, Challengers of the Unknown, DC K.O., The Flash, Green Arrow, Poison Ivy (DC); Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Starship Godzilla, (IDW); Author Immortal (Image); Our-Soot-Stained Heart (Mad Cave)
- Hall of Fame: Judges’ Choices Bob Bolling, Gerry Conway, Denys Cowan, Edwina Dumm, Mike Friedrich, Oliver Harrington, Don Heck, Abe Kanegson, Lee Marrs, Go Nagai, Paul S. Newman, Hector German Osterheld, Tom Palmer Sr., Bud Plant, Mike Royer, Dave Sim, Jimmy Swinnerton, Carol Tyler, and Rick Veitch.
- Voters’ Choices: Colleen Doran, Jeff Smith, Akira Toriyama, Chris Ware
- Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: Richard and Wendy Pini
- Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award: Stipan Morian
- Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing: Jenny Blake Isabella and Martin Pasko
- Spirit of Comics Retailer Award: Books with Pictures – Eugene, Eugene, OR, Andréa and Shaun Gilroy
Comic-Con Gallery
Rick Moranis Talks About Spaceballs: The New One.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! Lands in the Convention Center.
The Goblin King Has Entered the Floor
Mario Smash Bros.
Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman
Deadpool Couple
They’re Loving to See You Barbara (aka Judith O’Dea from Night of the Living Dead)
Caspar Wijngaard Receives His Inkpot Award
Getting Transylvanian Caps
Wile E. Coyote Wants His Day in Court
Adult Swim on the Green
He’s a Real Spaceball
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Photographer credits are indicated below. All photos are © 2026 SDCC.
Comic-Con Today
Editor-in-Chief – Chris Sturhann
Editor/Photographers: Justin Hurt Christopher Machado
Editor/Writer – Carly Neun