Comicpalooza 2025
June 20 – June 22
Comicpalooza is the largest annual, multi-genre, comic book, science fiction, anime, gaming, and pop-culture convention in the Southern United States and is held in Houston, Texas.
At Comicpalooza you’re always in good company. Go ahead, get your cosplay costume and get ready to be transported into a pop-culture extravaganza at Comicpalooza. From panels discussing an array of fan topics, to an exhibition floor featuring unique art and handcrafted goods from artists, to #starstruck moments with our celebrity line-ups, to a thrilling cosplay competition featuring some of our fans, and so much more, there is never a dull moment at Comicpalooza.
Telling Stories Through Panels: Visual Storytelling in Comics with Joe Eisma
Comics are more than just words and pictures—they’re a carefully choreographed dance of layout, pacing, and visual cues. Joe Eisma breaks down how panel composition, expressions, and body language bring a script to life and guide the reader through the story.
Friday, June 20 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Gold Stage, First Floor
Show Title: What If… Star Wars Edition
Saturday 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Podcast Pavilion Stage – Exhibit Floor
Freelance Life: Surviving and Thriving as an Indie Comic Artist with Joe Eisma
Freelancing in the comics industry can be both freeing and frustrating. Hear from Joe Eisma as he shares his real-world experience navigating deadlines, contracts, conventions, and creative burnout while maintaining a sustainable career as a full-time artist.
Saturday, June 21 11: 45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Gold Stage, First Floor
Show Title: Comicpalooza Podcast Program Presents: Turning Your Passion into Episodes
Have a passion you can’t stop talking about? Why not turn it into a podcast! Join podcasters from iamGEEK, Spoop Squad, Cult 45 Podcast, 10 Drink Minimum, plus industry voices Craig Price and Ming Chen, for a lively discussion on launching, growing, and thriving in the podcasting world. Whether you’re a longtime listener or ready to start recording, this panel is your first step into the mic-side.
Saturday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Room 340
Show Title: Matinee Heroes Live Episode: Revenge of the Sith
Join Craig Price and Alan Cerny, the hosts of the Matinee Heroes podcast, for a live breakdown of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. From lightsaber duels to emotional betrayals, they’ll dissect the final fall of Anakin Skywalker and the rise of Darth Vader with the sharp insight and irreverent humor that’s made their podcast a fan favorite. Whether you love it, hate it, or still have strong feelings about sand, this panel will ignite your inner Jedi—or Sith.
Saturday 7:15 PM – 8:15 PM
Room 340
Show Title: Matinee Heroes Presents CastOff: Recasting the Rise of Vader and the Rebellion
Two games. Four contestants. One galaxy-spanning showdown. In this special Star Wars edition of CastOff, host Craig Price challenges panelists and superfans to recast two pivotal chapters of the saga. First up: Revenge of the Sith—can a new actor survive Anakin’s descent and Obi-Wan’s heartbreak? Then it’s on to Andor Season 2—who could possibly replace the stoic Cassian or the scheming Luthen Rael? Each pair of players will make their picks, but it will ultimately be up to the audience regarding who wins the casting crown. It’s part podcast, part competition, and 100% Star Wars.
Saturday 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Room 340
Script to Sketch: Collaborating with Writers in Comics with Joe Eisma
Get an inside look at how a comic artist interprets and enhances a script. Joe Eisma discusses the collaborative process between writer and artist, from first draft to final page, using real examples from projects like The Pop Killers and Archie.
Sunday, June 22 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Gold Stage, First Floor