While big-budget movie trailers and star-studded Hall H lineups grab the mainstream headlines, what truly sets San Diego Comic-Con apart from other comic book conventions is that San Diego is really industry-focused. You don’t just get headlining celebrities. Although there are plenty of huge names at San Diego Comic-Con, what makes Comic-Con special is that you get to hear from industry insiders who provide incredible insight about their work in our favorite fandoms. If you want a look at the realities of modern storytelling, look no further than this upcoming panel.
SDCC Panel Spotlight: Independent Comics in Action: Building Worlds Outside the System
Independent publishing is where original characters are being created, owned, and brought directly to audiences without traditional gatekeepers. This panel offers a working look at how independent comics are actually being developed, financed, and released today.
The Details
- When: Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 10:00am – 11:00am PDT
- Where: Room 5AB
The Lineup
- Michael Stradford (Gizmoe Press)
- David F. Walker (Writer)
- Jason Medley (Designer)
- Denys Cowan (Milestone Media co-founder)
- Michael Polis (Moderator)
Independent Comics in Action: Building Worlds Outside the System
Moderated by Michael Polis, the panel spotlights several Gizmoe Press projects, offering an inside look at their development and publishing strategies:
- Grindhouse Comics Presents: An anthology built around original characters rooted in 1970s genre cinema.
- Fargo: Panama Gold: The next installment in the long-running western series.
- Butch Guice Project: An in-progress book focusing on the career of artist Butch Guice.
Beyond highlighting these projects, the discussion will cover the practical mechanics of indie publishing. The panelists will dive into how to integrate legacy characters like Fargo and Damballa into new stories, how to build an audience before launch, and the realities of using crowdfunding as a primary publishing model.
