Black creators and highlights at New York Comic Con 2026

New York Comic Con returns to the Javits Center Oct. 8-11. The event, which has united fans across comics, TV, art and beyond since 2006, will host panels, signings, and screenings featuring fan-favorite creatives, special guests, and tons of vendors. Here’s just a few highlights to keep an eye out for.

Rosario Dawson, known to fans for her portrayal of Ahsoka in the Star Wars universe and starring roles in cult classics like “Clerks 2” and “Kids,” will participate in autograph signings and photo ops on Thursday and Friday in the Autograph Hall. She will appear alongside fellow Star Wars universe alum Ahmed Best, who will participate in a panel by Lucasfilm Publishing and book signing on Friday, as well as Hayden Christensen and Ian McDiarmid, who portrayed Anakin Skywalker and the Emperor, respectively. Basketball superstar Shaq will also participate in a private signing to celebrate the release of a new comic, “Vengeance Unchained: The Legend of Black Caesar,” on Friday.

Actor, singer and writer Wayne Brady will return to host two panels, “Improv Nerdvana,” a comedy show on Friday, and “Young, Gifted, and Whack,” a panel which highlights Black creators, on Saturday. Last year’s discussion featured artists like Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and TV screenwriter Rodney Barnes. Actor Gabourey Sidibe will appear alongside co-stars Sarah Paulson and Billie Lourd for a discussion on “American Horror Story,” and queer stars from the diverse and currently running production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will participate in panels on Friday.

Other standout panels include “The Black Comic Lords Live,” “Capes, Curls, and Culture: Black Women in Comics, Media, and Pop Culture,” and “Race, Gender, and the Comic Book Medium.”

Limited tickets remain. For more information and for a list of all the happenings taking place, visit newyorkcomiccon.com.

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