SD Comic-Con Triumphs Once More!

SD Comic-Con Triumphs Once More!

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San Diego, California played host to Comic-Con International in July 2025, welcoming comic enthusiasts, gamers, and pop culture aficionados from around the globe. The author was among the swarms of people waiting to get inside the convention center, having ridden the train to San Diego for the event.

The five-day extravaganza, set to return to San Diego from July 22 to July 26, 2026, was filled with panels, exhibits, and events showcasing the latest in comic books, television, movies, and digital media.

One of the most significant announcements came from the strategic partnership between WEBTOON and Disney. This collaboration will bring over 100 Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars IPs to WEBTOON's vertical-scroll platform, targeting Gen Z audiences. The aim is to reshape digital storytelling by optimizing classic comics for mobile accessibility and engagement.

Several Webtoon titles are making transitions into other media and formats. For instance, the WEBTOON series "The Player Who Can't Level Up" is being adapted into a full-scale video game releasing on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026, developed by Tripearl Games with new story content co-created with the original authors.

Traditional publishers like Little, Brown Young Readers (LBYR) are expanding Webtoon collaborations by releasing print editions of popular WEBTOON titles featuring authentic queer stories, including To The Stars And Back (September 2025) and Love Me To Death (January 2026), illustrating a cross-media publishing trend for WEBTOON content.

Meanwhile, other webtoon publishers (e.g., RIDI, KW Books) are in active talks with streaming companies like Netflix and Crunchyroll for future adaptations and collaborations expected to expand in 2026 and beyond, though specific projects are not finalized yet.

During the event, the author attended several panels, including the From Page to Pixel: Legendary Comics for a New Generation on WEBTOON, where panelists announced that iconic properties are coming soon to WEBTOON. The author also enjoyed the originality of the designs at the Her Universe Fashion Show and played a demo of an unreleased game called Delivery Issues.

The author interviewed comic artist and writer Purpah, best known for their webcomic Suitor Armor, during which Purpah discussed the upcoming release of Suitor Armor's third volume. The author also attended the Twisted Metal Bumper Battle event and the The Hellaverse on Prime Video: Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss Cast panel.

The event concluded with the author purchasing an SDCC 2025 exclusive plush from Toy Temple, a sixteen-inch plush of the possessed lamb from The Cult of the Lamb action roguelike. The creator and series stars of Helluva Boss confirmed that an uncensored version of the show would be available to watch via Prime Video starting September 10, 2026, and Hazbin Hotel will return for its second season on October 29, 2025.

Tickets for SDCC 2026 will be available for purchase to everyone on November 15, 2025. Until then, comic enthusiasts can look forward to the exciting collaborations and adaptations between WEBTOON and various publishers and media companies.

[1] WEBTOON and Disney Strategic Partnership [2] The Player Who Can't Level Up Game Adaptation [3] RIDI and KW Books Talks with Netflix and Crunchyroll [4] Cross-Media Publishing Trend for WEBTOON Content [5] Little, Brown Young Readers Expanding Webtoon Collaborations

1. Attendees of Comic-Con International 2025 were buzzing about the recent strategic partnership between WEBTOON and Disney.
2. The collab will bring over 100 Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars IPs to WEBTOON's platform, aiming to reshape digital storytelling for Gen Z audiences.
3. One WEBTOON series, "The Player Who Can't Level Up", is being adapted into a video game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026.
4. Traditional publishers like Little, Brown Young Readers are collaborating with WEBTOON, releasing print editions of popular WEBTOON titles featuring authentic queer stories.
5. Other webtoon publishers, such as RIDI and KW Books, are in discussions with streaming companies like Netflix and Crunchyroll for future adaptations and collaborations.
6. The author interviewed comic artist Purpah, best known for Suitor Armor, about the upcoming release of Suitor Armor's third volume.
7. Panelists at the From Page to Pixel panel announced that iconic properties are coming soon to WEBTOON.
8. The author played a demo of an unreleased game, Delivery Issues, during the event.
9. Comic enthusiasts can look forward to exciting collaborations and adaptations between WEBTOON and various publishers and media companies in the coming year.

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