DC is heading into San Diego Comic-Con with a special themed booth design, exclusive merchandise, several panels, signings, and more. The publisher recently announced their plans for the event on July 22-26, 2026, that includes multiple exclusive comics, signings with Jim Lee and others, and a packed panel schedule.

DC’s booth will spotlight the 1950s, continuing their annual decade by decade booth design theme. The ‘50s was a transitional period with the beginning of the Silver Age, the introduction of Barry Allen as the second Flash, Hal Jordan as the second Green Lantern, and the debut of Supergirl. It was also a period in which DC expanded beyond superhero books to publish comics set in science fiction, romance, suspense, humor, and other genres.

The 2026 SDCC booth will have a special celebration for MAD Magazine. Beginning in 1952, the magazine has delivered sharp satirical wit aimed at pop culture, politics, sports, and society. The booth will have a 1950s inspired Daily Planet newsstand where attendees can get a free MAD Magazine #1 facsimile that contains the classic ads from DC archives and a Daily Planet blank back cover for signatures.

DC’s booth will host signings with Jim Lee (DC President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer), Scott Snyder (Absolute Batman), Nick Dragotta (Absolute Batman), Che Grayson (Absolute Catwoman), Mark Waid (Action Comics), G. Willow Wilson (Poison Ivy), Matt Fraction (Batman), Joshua Williamson (Superman), Tom Taylor (Detective Comics), Rafael Grampá (Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham), Pornsak Pichetshote (Absolute Green Arrow), Rafael Albuquerque (Absolute Green Arrow), Stephanie Williams (Wonder War: The Matriarch), Jeremy Adams (Green Lantern), Morgan Hampton (Green Lantern Corps), Kyle Higgins (Immortal Legend Batman), Nicole Maines (Justice League: Dream Girls), Belén Ortega (Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman), Javi Fernández (DC K.O.), and others

DC publishing exclusives include limited printing foil covers for Absolute Catwoman #1 by Jay Anacleto and Romulo Fajardo Jr., Absolute Green Arrow #1 by Rafael Albuquerque, Absolute Batman #1 by J. Scott Campbell and Tanya Lehoux, Absolute Superman #1 by Terry Dodson and Rachel Dodson, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Mark Brooks, Batman #1 by Kyuyong Eom, Bleeding Hearts #1 by Eric Zawadzki, Lobo #1 by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 by Leirix, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 by Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley, DC x Sonic the Hedgehog: Metal Legion #1 by Min Ho Kim, and more.

They will also have convention exclusive editions of Batman Vol. 1: Daylight (cover by Jorge Jimenez), Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon, Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo, Absolute Superman Vol. 1: The Last Dust of Krypton (covers by Dan Mora), and DC K.O.: A DC Comics Event (cover by Javi Fernández and Alejandro Sánchez), and more.

DC’s exclusive merchandise includes a Silver Age zip hoodie, Johnny DC, Bite-Mite, and Spy vs. Spy t-shirts, and others featuring characters that debuted during that period. Attendees can purchase a Lanterns Oath bomber jacket and collector’s Power Ring, apparel from the Clayface film, Absolute Green Arrow and Absolute Catwoman tees, an Absolute Batman puff tee and cap, and more from Batman: The Animated Series, Nightwing, and Lobo.

They are collaborating with WB Games, Upper Deck, Shoe Palace, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood for the Superman Experience, eBay, and others to produce limited edition exclusives and experiences at the booth. Stations will be set up at the booth to play LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (which includes giveaway items), they will have trading cards from DC and Upper Deck, and The Brave and the Bold #28 con exclusive custom reprint from the US Mint’s collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Consumer Products. The Absolute Batman #1 bundle set features a foil variant of the issue, a limited edition and numbered Upper Deck trading card, and t-shirt from Shoe Palace. The eBay x DC exclusive variants of Absolute Batman #22 and Absolute Catwoman #2 have covers by Bill Sienkiewicz and he will sign at them at the booth.

Dog-loving attendees can meet DC’s sponsored future service dogs Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Kara Zor-El, Krypto, and Lobo at the booth. Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines will bring the dogs for a special appearance at the show. On Saturday from 4 PM to 6 PM, attendees can meet the full litter, learn about training, and interact with them. On Sunday from 10 AM to 11 AM artist Chrissie Zullo will sign Krypto: Home Sweet Krypto and the litter will be there along with other service dogs in training.

The panels begin on Thursday with “DC’s Jim Lee & Friends” at 11:30 AM in room 6DE and “Batman: Caped Crusader Season Two Advanced Screen and Q&A” with the cast and crew at 3:30 PM in room 6BCF.

Friday panels are “DC’s Gotham City” at 11:15 AM in room 6DE, “DC’s Next Level” at 12:30 PM in room 6DE, and “My Adventures with Superman Season Three” at 2 PM in the Hilton San Diego Baybront Indigo Ballroom.

Saturday panels are “Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall Special Presentation & Q&A” at 10 AM in room 6A, “DC’s Metropolis and Beyond” at 11:15 AM in room 6DE, and “DC’s Absolute Universe” at 12:30 PM in room 6DE.