Here’s our official guide to San Diego Comic Con 2022 as the convention finally returns for the first time in three years…
By Damon Martin — Editor/Lead Writer
It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since San Diego Comic Con last took place — at least the full version with over 100,000 fans in attendance — but the massive pop culture convention officially returns with the event kicking off on Wednesday, July 20.
Many of the biggest news stories across film and television have been broken at Comic Con with studios often rolling out the red carpet to introduce cast members, reveal first look trailers and announce upcoming projects.
It’s expected that San Diego Comic Con 2022 will be no different with several major panels expected over the four day event not to mention celebrity appearances, signings and plenty of exclusives for fans in attendance.
In our special preview, we look ahead at the biggest panels along with hints and rumors about what may be coming during the convention and keep it locked here to Nerdcore Movement as we’ll be on the scene to provide full coverage from the event!
Let’s kick things off with a look at Thursday’s panels and events taking place.
THURSDAY
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
12 pm PT — Hall H
The first major panel to take place in the cavernous Hall H in 2022 will be Dungeons & Dragons ahead of the film set for release on March 3, 2023. Here’s the description from the studio about what to expect:
Paramount Pictures and eOne bring a panel discussion and footage presentation with the cast and filmmakers.
While the teaser doesn’t reveal who might appear at the panel, it’s a safe bet that at least Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez will make an appearance with Rege-Jean Page, Hugh Grant and Sophia Lillis also likely to stop by as well. This will be a perfect opportunity to debut new footage from the film as well so D&D fans should get excited about this one.
Ghosts
1 pm PT — Ballroom 20
The breakout hit comedy “Ghosts” will make its Comic Con debut in 2022 with this special panel and there will also be a “Ghost” experience taking place at Petco Park nearby the Convention Center for fans of the show.
TV’s #1 new series and fan-favorite phenomenon Ghosts follows Samantha and Jay, a couple who learn that their new dream house is inhabited by ghosts that only Samantha can see and hear. Series stars Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Richie Moriarty, Danielle Pinnock, Asher Grodman, Román Zaragoza, Sheila Carrasco, Rebecca Wisocky, and Devan Chandler Long join executive producers Joe Port and Joe Wiseman for a “spirited” panel conversation and a look at never-before-seen footage.
Teen Wolf: The Movie
1:30 pm PT — Hall H
The hugely popular TV series will return with a film and the cast from this highly anticipated feature will be making an appearance at Comic Con in this panel.
Series creator and showrunner Jeff Davis and Teen Wolf the Movie cast members preview the upcoming Paramount+ film while taking a look back at the iconic series that started it all.
Abbott Elementary Class in Session
1:30 pm PT — Indigo Ballroom: Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Star and executive producer Quinta Brunson and stars Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti, Lisa Ann Walter, William Stanford Davis, and Sheryl Lee Ralph join executive producers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker for a LIVE virtual panel to discuss the freshman series breakout hit ahead of its season 2 return on ABC this fall. Moderated by Marcus Jones (awards editor, TV & Film at IndieWire).
National Treasure: Edge of History
2:15 pm PT — Ballroom 20
The new Disney+ series based on the popular “National Treasure” film series will land in Comic Con for the first time with plenty to talk about and probably even more to see in this panel.
The cast and executive producers share an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Disney+ Original series National Treasure: Edge of History, which is an expansion of the hit film franchise. Series regulars Lisette Olivera, Jake Austin Walker, Antonio Cipriano, Jordan Rodrigues, Zuri Reed, and Lyndon Smith and executive producers Cormac and Marianne Wibberley gather to discuss this upcoming action-adventure series.
Masters of the Universe: 40 Years
3 pm PT — Hall H
Celebrating 40 years with Masters of the Universe, this panel will take center stage with all the latest projects happening with He-Man, Skeletor and the rest of the characters from Eternia. With “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” already renewed for a second season on Netflix and continued teases about the upcoming live-action movie, it’s expected that a lot will be revealed in this panel.
Kevin Smith (Netflix’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation) interviews some of the greats from MOTU’s history, including talent and creators from each era, spanning toys, film, TV, and publishing. Hear why MOTU has been a pop culture sensation for four decades and get a sneak peek at what’s to come.
Todd McFarlane Celebrates Spawn’s 30th Anniversary
3:15 pm PT — Room 6DE
Artist and writer Todd McFarlane will appear to talk about his long running comic book series “Spawn” and it’s likely he’ll also give an update on the upcoming film that he’s slated to direct.
Megastar artist, McFarlane Toys CEO, and Image Comics president Todd McFarlane ( Spawn, Venom) celebrates the 30th anniversary of Image Comics and Spawn’s debut, which changed comics forever! McFarlane made history in 2021 with the best year of Spawn ever, breaking several long-held comic industry records and beating out Marvel and DC. McFarlane talks about comics, toys, Oddkey NTFs, and Hollywood.
Inside Severance
3:30 pm PT — Ballroom 20
The critically acclaimed Apple series will have its first panel at Comic Con on Thursday with the cast from “Severance” making an appearance to talk about the first season while also likely teasing what lies ahead during season 2 as well.
Executive producer and director Ben Stiller, creator and executive producer Dan Erickson, and cast members Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Dichen Lachman, and Jen Tullock sit down with Patton Oswalt to share “innie” secrets from season 1 of the Apple TV+ critically acclaimed series.
There will also be a special “Severance” experience taking place across the street from the Convention Center at the Hard Rock Hotel and that promises to be one of the most highly anticipated events happening offsite in 2022. Here’s details and how to sign up for a chance to experience “Severance.”
Details:
Fans will have a unique opportunity to be “severed” – a procedure that separates your work life from your personal life – as they immerse themselves as new employees in the world of Lumon Industries. The experience will take guests seeking better work-life balance through their first day on Lumon’s severed floor, but from the moment they enter the boardroom, they will realize that not all is as it seems.
New employees will navigate through several locations featured in the critically acclaimed series for an up-close dive into the mysterious Lumon world. Stops on their first-day orientation include the iconic boardroom where the new hires will meet their ‘innie” and MDR where they can try their hand at refining data. As employees explore life on the severed floor they will interact with longstanding Lumon employees and gather perks along the way.
Beginning Thursday, July 21 at 6:00 a.m. PT, and continuing throughout the weekend, fans will be able secure a reserved time to experience Lumon’s employee orientation, at welcometolumon.com. Additional slots will be released each day at 6:00 a.m. PT and a standby line will be available for those without a reservation. In accordance with Comic-Con’s COVID policy, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will be required for entry, along with face masks and identification.
FRIDAY
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
10:30 am PT — Hall H
One of the biggest panels of the year will kick off Friday’s Hall H activities with “The Lord of the Rings” descending upon San Diego Comic Con. A new trailer was just recently revealed and it’s expected that even more footage will be shown during this 90-minute panel including interviews with the cast and crew from the series.
Prime Video’s new series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, from the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map.
Meet cast members Morfydd Clark, Charles Edwards, Rob Aramayo, Benjamin Walker, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charlie Vickers, Nazanin Boniadi, Tyroe Muhafidin, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Trystan Gravelle, Maxim Baldry, Ema Horvath, Lloyd Owen, Leon Wadham, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Sara Zwangobani, Sophia Nomvete, and Owain Arthur along with showrunners JD Payne, Patrick McKay, and EP Lindsey Weber.
Marvel Studios Animation
11:45 am PT — Ballroom 20
Marvel Studios head of streaming, television and animation Brad Winderbaum; head of visual development Ryan Meinerding; and special guests dive into all things animation with exclusive looks at X-Men 97, Marvel Zombies, What If…? season 2, and more.
Tales of the Walking Dead
12: 30 pm PT — Hall H
The new anthology series from “The Walking Dead” will debut at Comic Con with this panel that will almost certainly reveal a first-look trailer for the series. Cast members are expected to appear including Samantha Morton, who played the villainous Alpha from The Whisperers.
Introducing a new series within The Walking Dead Universe, cast and creatives discuss the anthology of life-and-death, high-stakes survival within Tales of the Walking Dead. Cast will appear to discuss their exploration of unique stories within these stand-alone episodes focused on both new and established characters within the walker apocalypse. Creators will share their thoughts on single-episode storytelling, and cast will share behind-the-scenes anecdotes about these stories. Plus, view the premiere of the series’ trailer.
The Walking Dead
1:30 pm PT — Hall H
Get your tissues ready because the last panel for “The Walking Dead” will happen at Comic Con in 2022 ahead of the series’ final episodes debuting later this year. “The Walking Dead” has been a staple of San Diego Comic Con for nearly a decade so this will be a fond farewell to the popular AMC series plus a trailer for the final episodes is expected.
Cast and creatives of the flagship series The Walking Dead discuss the highly anticipated remaining episodes of the decade-long apocalyptic drama. Celebrate the monumental journey of this beloved series and characters as we follow their arcs in the final eight episodes of this epic final season coming to AMC and AMC+ this fall. Plus, a look at the official trailer for the upcoming final episodes.
Paper Girls
1:30 pm PT — Ballroom 20
If you’re already missing “Stranger Things,” the new series “Paper Girls” from Amazon Prime Video might be something to watch in the meantime. Based on the comic book of the same name, “Paper Girls” will debut on July 29 but this will be the first panel to look ahead at the upcoming series.
From Amazon Studios, Legendary Television, and Plan B comes Paper Girls, a coming-of-age sci-fi adventure series based on the bestselling graphic novels by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang. The cast, creators, and executive producers present an in-depth look at what to expect from this Prime Video series, debuting on July 29.
Paper Girls is a high-stakes personal journey following four paper girls—Erin, Mac, Tiffany, and KJ— who are out on their delivery route in the early morning hours after Halloween 1988 when they become caught in the crossfire between warring time-travelers, changing the course of their lives forever. Transported into the future, these girls must figure out a way to get back to the past, a journey that will bring them face-to-face with the grown-up versions of themselves and the Old Watch, a militant faction of time-travelers who have outlawed time travel so that they can remain in power. To survive, the girls will need to overcome their differences and learn to trust each other, and themselves.
Rick and Morty: The Vindicators Screening
2 pm PT — Indigo Ballroom: Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Calling all Rick and Morty fans! Executive producer Sarah Carbiener joins Rick and Morty producer Nick Rutherford for a first look at the Adult Swim digital series The Vindicators based on breakout characters from Rick and Morty. Be the first to watch Supernova, Vance Maximus, Alan Rails, Crocubot, and Noob Noob fight crime, avert genocides, and yuk it up without Rick and Morty.
The Alternate World of For All Mankind
2:45 pm PT — Ballroom 20
The Apple series will welcome the cast and crew from “For All Mankind” to the stage for this special panel.
Kelly Lawler leads a conversation with creators and executive producers Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi are joined by executive producer Maril Davis and cast members Joel Kinnaman, Shantel VanSanten, Jodi Balfour, Sonya Walger, Krys Marshall, Cynthy Wu, Casey Johnson, Coral Peña, Wrenn Schmidt, and Edi Gathegi to discuss the propulsive third season of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ alternate reality series.
Keanu Reeves BRZRKR
3:00 pm PT — Hall H
Keanu Reeves will take center stage at this panel celebrating his comic book series BRZRKR as well as the upcoming adaptation as well.
Since its record-breaking debut in 2021, the BRZRKR comic has been thrilling readers with its story of the half-mortal, half-god warrior as he battles through the ages, seeking answers to the mystery of his endless blood-soaked existence, and how to end it. Keanu Reeves joins series co-writer Matt Kindt, artist Ron Garney, screenwriter on the BRZRKR film Mattson Tomlin, Matt Gagnon (editor-in-chief, BOOM! Studios), Eric Harburn (executive editor, BOOM! Studios), and Stephen Christy (president, development, BOOM! Studios) for an exclusive look at the final issues of the series, along with details on where the saga will go next. Moderated by Coy Jandreau (Reel Rejects, Collider, Nerdist).
SATURDAY
Warner Bros. Theatrical
10: 15 am PT — Hall H
Warner Bros. will take the stage first thing Saturday morning to present a panel that will feature exclusive looks at both “Black Adam” and “Shazam: Fury of the Gods” with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson scheduled to appear and that will certainly draw a huge crowd.
There’s no word yet if Warner Bros. will roll out any other news during the hour-long panel, although it’s entirely possible. Chances are there will be no mention of “The Flash” movie due to the ongoing controversy surrounding star Ezra Miller but it’s possible additional news or trailers will debut during this always exciting panel.
Here’s the official description from Warner Bros.:
Warner Bros. Pictures returns to Comic-Con International: San Diego, continuing the Studio’s tradition of bringing the fans an exciting Hall H presentation. This year’s lineup: the highly anticipated Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, with huge stars Dwayne Johnson, Zachary Levi, and more.
House of the Dragon
11:30 am PT — Hall H
The highly anticipated “Game of Thrones” spinoff will have its first panel at San Diego Comic Con 2022 with the cast and crew appearing on stage. It’s likely a new trailer or footage will also debut for the show, which is set to release on HBO in August.
Based on George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the HBO Original series House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. The series debut’s August 21 on HBO and HBO Max.
Panelists include co-creator/executive producer George R. R. Martin, co-creator/co-showrunner/executive producer/writer Ryan Condal, co-showrunner/executive producer/director Miguel Sapochnik, and Paddy Considine (King Viserys Targaryen), Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen), Olivia Cooke (Alicent Hightower), Emma D’Arcy (Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen), Steve Toussaint (Lord Corlys Velaryon), Eve Best (Princess Rhaenys Targaryen), Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole), Graham McTavish (Ser Harrold Westerling), Milly Alcock (Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen), and Emily Carey (Young Alicent Hightower). Moderated by Jason Concepcion (podcast host).
There is also a “House of the Dragon” experience taking place at MLK JR Promenade: 326 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 where fans will get an inside look at the series including the new Iron Throne that will be debuting in the series.
The four-day fan experience, “House of the Dragon: The Dragon’s Den,” is an interactive experience where Comic-Con attendees will be guided through a ceremonial dragon hatching experience. Walking in a Targaryen’s footsteps, each person will step from our world into the sights and sounds of King’s Landing, interacting with people of the city, selecting their own dragon egg, and bravely demonstrating they are worthy of a bond with a dragon.
Having proven themselves true Targaryens, each person will hatch their personalized, virtual dragon egg in a new augmented reality app, House of the Dragon: DracARys, before exiting, enabling them to “raise” their dragon at home. Powered by Niantic Inc. and produced by The Mill, House of the Dragon: DracARys will be available for download in the Apple and Google Play app stores starting July 20. Participants of “House of the Dragon: The Dragon’s Den” will receive exclusive access to the app’s dragon hatching features before the app begins its global rollout and unlocks full functionality on July 25.
“House of the Dragon: The Dragon’s Den” Activation Hours:
Thursday, July 21:10:00am -6pm
Friday, July 22: 10am-6pm
Saturday, July 23: 10:00am – 6pm
Sunday, July 24: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire
2 pm PT — Ballroom 20
An epic story of love, blood and the perils of immortality based on the bestselling novel, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire premieres this fall on AMC and AMC+. The EPs and cast discuss the creative process and bringing these iconic characters to life on the small screen for a modern audience and share some behind-the-scenes anecdotes from filming in New Orleans. Plus, a look at the debut of the series’ official trailer.
The Sandman
2:30 pm PT — Hall H
The upcoming Netflix series based on Neil Gaiman’s comic will make its first appearance at Comic Con with this panel and it’s likely a full length trailer or new footage will also debut.
Prepare to enter The Dreaming as the live-action adaptation of Neil’s Gaiman’s beloved DC comic series arrives in Hall H of San Diego Comic-Con. There is another world that awaits us when we close our eyes and sleep–a place called the Dreaming, where The Sandman, Master of Dreams (Tom Sturridge), gives shape to our deepest fears and fantasies. But when Dream is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for a century, his absence sets off a series of events that will change both the dreaming and waking worlds forever. The Sandman is a rich, character-driven blend of myth and dark fantasy woven together over the course of 10 epic chapters following Dream’s many adventures.
Be among the first to find out what’s in store for the groundbreaking series, as well as some Comic-Con exclusives and surprises. This will be a special video presentation followed by a Q&A with series stars and producers. From Warner Bros. Television and based on the DC comic, season 1 of The Sandman debuts August 5 on Netflix.
Marvel Studios
5 pm PT — Hall H
Perhaps the most highly anticipated panel at every single San Diego Comic Con, Marvel Studios returns with all sorts of surprises in store for the audience in attendance. Marvel is notorious for breaking a lot of news at their Comic Con panels — 2019 saw Oscar winner Mahershala Ali announced as the new Blade among other announcements.
There have already been a huge number of rumors swirling about what might be announced during this blockbuster panel, which will also likely include a first look at upcoming Marvel projects including “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
This is one must watch panel at Comic Con in 2022.
A Panel with Kevin Smith
6:30 pm PT — Hall H
Writer, director and podcast host Kevin Smith will also make his return at Comic Con for this special panel, which is always a highlight to end the day. Smith will surely do his famous Q&A with fans in attendance but this panel will also be extra special because he’s bringing along the cast from “Clerks III” while also showing the first five minutes from the upcoming movie.
Kevin Smith is like the gum under the table at which actual celebrity guests sit during much better panels in Hall H: The guy just keeps sticking around. Not-so-Silent Bob returns to the Hall H stage with the cast of his first feature Clerks as they world premiere the opening 5 minutes of Lionsgate’s Clerks III! See Dante and Randal and Jay and Silent Bob on the Hall H screen before anyone else gets to see them in theaters this fall! Whether he’s dishing details about the just-announced season 2 of Masters of the Universe or rambling on about Marvel movies and the Mandalorian, ComiKev makes Comic-Con FAN-tastic!
Chucky: Back with a Vengeance
6:45 pm PT — Ballroom 20
He’s your friend ‘till the very end! Chucky creator/executive producer Don Mancini joins the voice of the iconic killer doll, Brad Dourif, with surprise guests for a can’t-miss conversation moderated by TV Guide Magazine’s Damian Holbrook and a behind-the-scenes look at season 2 returning this October on USA and SYFY.
SUNDAY
Mayans M.C. Screening and Q&A
12 pm PT — Hall H
The “Sons of Anarchy” spinoff returns for another year at San Diego Comic Con following perhaps the most explosive season yet of the series on FX.
Described by The Playlist as “one of the best series on TV,” FX’s fuel-injected drama series Mayans M.C. returns to Comic-Con for a special screening and a LIVE conversation with Elgin James (co-creator/executive producer/director/writer) and series stars JD Pardo (EZ Reyes), Clayton Cardenas (Angel Reyes), Danny Pino (Miguel Galindo), Sarah Bolger (Emily Thomas), Emilio Rivera (Marcus Alvarez), Michael Irby (Obispo “Bishop” Losa), Raoul Max Trujillo (Che “Taza” Romero), Frankie Loyal (Hank “Tranq” Loza), Joseph Lucero (Neron “Creeper” Vargas), Vincent Vargas (Gilberto “Gilly” Lopez), Gino Vento (Nestor Oceteva), and JR Bourne (Isaac Packer). Mayans M.C. follows the life of Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes, a member of the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. Moderated by IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill.
What We Do in the Shadows
1:15 pm PT — Hall H
FX’s What We Do in the Shadows brings the World’s Greatest Vampire Nightclub to San Diego! Mix it up with the hottest vampires (and their familiar) to come out of Staten Island in hundreds and hundreds of years! Appearing (subject to change): Kayvan Novak (Nandor), Matt Berry (Laszlo), Natasia Demetriou (Nadja), Harvey Guillén (Guillermo), Mark Proksch (Colin Robinson), and Kristen Schaal (The Guide), as well as Paul Simms (executive producer/writer), Stefani Robinson (executive producer/writer), Yana Gorskaya (co-EP/director/editor), and Kyle Newacheck (co-EP/director). Be among the first humans to set eyes on a brand new episode. What We Do in the Shadows airs Tuesdays at 10:00 pm ET/PT on FX and streams the next day on Hulu. BAAAaaaaat!
