The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Annual San Diego Comic-Con Welcome Party Returns This July

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), with support from Marquee sponsors Mad Cave Studios and Ignition Press, and Gold tier sponsor GlobalComix, and and Silver tier sponsors Kickstarter, and CGC, will once again welcome the comics community to its Annual San Diego Comic-Con Welcome Party on Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 12 AM, at The Westgate Hotel (1055 Second Ave., San Diego, CA). The annual fundraiser brings together creators, publishers, retailers, media, and fans for an evening celebrating comics while raising critical funds to defend the freedom to read.

Mad Cave Studios SDCC 2026 Programming Announced

JULY 13, 2026 (PORTLAND, OR) — Mad Cave Studios is heading back to San Diego Comic-Con International with one of its biggest convention lineups yet, bringing award-nominated creators, major panel programming, creator signings, and one of the publisher's most anticipated slates of upcoming releases to Booth #2806. From the highly anticipated return of the '80s cult classic The Last Starfighter and Star Wars to the forthcoming release of Momo by acclaimed actor, writer, and filmmaker John Cusack, Mad Cave Studios—and its imprints Nakama Press, Maverick, and Papercutz—will celebrate comics across every corner of the growing publishing line.

Mad Cave Studios at San Diego Comic Con 2022

Mad Cave Studios is headed to San Diego Comic-Con International (July 21-24), with exciting exclusives, signings, live drawings, and more at booth #2306! 

Exclusives include 50 limited signed hardcovers of Nottingham Vol.1: Death & Taxes, four Variant Exclusives for SDCC with a print run of 50 each, two of which are early looks to the just announced fall and winter titles from Mad Cave with covers by Joseph Schmalke and Natasha Alterici! These variants feature Issue #1 of A Legacy of Violence, a 12-issue horror/mystery maxi series by Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Sixth Gun) and Andrea Mutti (Nottingham, Bunny Mask); and Issue #1 of Nature’s Labyrinth by Zac Thompson (The Brother of All Men) and Bayleigh Underwood.  

These fantastical titles focus on the human condition, and hold tales of characters who face insurmountable odds and astounding adventures; an all-new tier of illustration and masterful storytelling.

Additionally, there will be 50 Battlecats #1 legacy variants by Dan Panosian, 50 Nottingham #1 variants by Shane Connery Volk, as well as the return of the Mad Cave Mystery Boxes – this time including (2) Trades, (1) Set of Single Issues, (1) Event Variant, (2) Surprise Variants, with a chance to receive ⅕ sketch covers illustrated by Shane Connery Volk or Andrea Mutti, ⅓ CGC graded issues, 1/10 blank sketch covers of Nottingham issue #1, 1/11 creator signed issues. A collector’s dream comes true! 

Prepare to be left in an awestruck state of wonder, as you descend into madness...