Z2 Comics Is Bringing Bruce Dickinson, Mike McCready, Marc Maron, David Dastmalchian and More to SDCC 2026

By Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

If you have never paid attention to what Z2 Comics brings to San Diego Comic-Con, this is the year to start. Because in 2026 they are showing up with one of the most eclectic and genuinely exciting guest lineups at the entire convention. We are talking Iron Maiden, Pearl Jam, WTF Podcast, Anthrax and David Dastmalchian all under one booth. That is not a comic book publisher. That is a cultural event.

Z2 will be set up at Booth 1529 all week with live interviews, signings, panels and exclusive book premieres. Here is everything happening and when.

THE PANELS

Thursday July 23, 12:30pm to 1:30pm | Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego

Bayfront Farewell to Seasons: Mike McCready's Alternative History of Grunge

Pearl Jam founding member and guitarist Mike McCready is bringing his new graphic novel Farewell to Seasons to SDCC and this panel is going to hit different for anyone who grew up in the 90s. McCready sits down with co-writer Mark Sable, artist Sebastian Piriz and the Z2 team to talk about capturing the glory and heartbreak of Seattle's grunge era on the comic book page. Mad Season, Temple of the Dog, Pearl Jam, it is all in there and this conversation is going to be something special.

Thursday July 23, 1:45pm to 2:45pm | Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego

Bayfront Between the Pages of Marc Maron's WTF Is a Podcast

Marc Maron essentially invented the modern podcast interview format and now almost 20 years of WTF history is being captured in a graphic novel from Z2. Maron joins his longtime collaborator Brendan McDonald and cartoonist Brian Box Brown to talk about what it takes to turn nearly two decades of podcast history into a single book. If you are a fan of WTF or just great conversations this panel is worth rearranging your Thursday schedule for.

Friday July 24, 4:30pm to 5:30pm | Room 5AB

Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project: Year Two

Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson has been quietly building one of the most ambitious comics projects in recent memory with The Mandrake Project and Year Two is where things really get intense. Dickinson joins artist John Devilman and Z2 editor Rantz A. Hoseley to spill details about the war between magic and science at the heart of Necropolis. He is also dropping secrets about Year Three and his upcoming solo album Vigor Mortis. Bruce Dickinson at a comic con panel talking comics and metal. Yes.

Saturday July 25, 12:00pm to 1:00pm | Room 7ABZ2:

Where Comics and Culture Collide

This is the big one for fans of everything Z2 represents. Cage Claypool, Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Pantera, Carla Harvey of Lords of Acid and David Dastmalchian all on one stage talking about the intersection of rock and roll and comics. Z2 editor Jasminne Saravia and moderator Ryan J. Downey will guide the conversation through what Z2 has planned for 2026 and 2027. This panel alone is worth showing up for.

Z2 BOOTH SIGNINGS AT BOOTH 1529

Thursday July 23

Noon to 1pm:

Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait

1pm to 2pm:

Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills

4pm to 5pm:

Mike McCready of Pearl Jam with Mark Sable and Sebastian Piriz

Friday July 24

11am to Noon:

Marc Maron and Brendan McDonald of WTF with Brian Box Brown

Noon to 1pm:

Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills

1pm to 1:30pm:

Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait

1:30pm to 2pm:

Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Pantera and Carla Harvey of Lords of Acid

3pm to 4pm:

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden with artist John Devilman

Saturday July 25

11am to Noon:

Danny Peykoff, Jamie Neese and Jason Neese, Director, Producer and Writers of And Out Comes the Wolf

1:30pm to 2:30pm:

David Dastmalchian, David Mack and Cat Staggs

3pm to 4pm:

Charlie Benante of Anthrax and Pantera and Carla Harvey of Lords of Acid

Sunday July 26

1pm to 2pm:

Dance Gavin Dance

WHAT TO LOOK FOR AT THE BOOTH

Beyond the signings and panels, Z2 is debuting several major titles at SDCC this year. Fans will get their first looks at Marc Maron's WTF Is a Podcast, Les Claypool's Frizzle Fry, Bruce Dickinson's The Mandrake Project Year Two and Mike McCready's Farewell to Seasons. Z2 is also dropping new collector's editions of titles created with Ice Nine Kills and Weird Al Yankovic.

If you are a collector, a music fan, a comics fan or all three, Booth 1529 needs to be on your map this year.

CritiX will be on the ground at SDCC 2026 covering all of it. Stay locked in.

Where Hollywood Meets Fandom.

Klep Napier is the Founder, CEO and Editor in Chief of CritiX Media. MPA-Accredited Entertainment Outlet. wearecritix.com