C2E2 2026: Let the Show Begin!
C2E2, or the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, is finally here. Which means the 2026 convention season is well underway with several shows already under its’ belt. Since 2010, C2E2 has been one of the premier conventions in the region. You can check out some of my previous C2E2 coverage here.
With a full weekend of fun ahead, I’m hoping to share it across various platforms. Part of my coverage plans for the weekend include answering some questions. One of the more pressing ones is: What is C2E2 in 2026?
The aftereffects of COVID were felt worldwide and comic conventions were not immune to them. C2E2, specifically, shuffled a few dates throughout the year to get back to its’ typical time-frame. It does seem to have bounced back from that and settled back into the March/April window.
Besides that, the content angle also suffered some hits. As my coverage is primarily comic book centered, that’s where this will focus. That includes the creators, publishers & dealers (both under exhibitors) and panels.
As has been discussed before, the guests at any given convention can be the main draw for many attendees. Take a look at C2E2 2025’s comic creator list as an example. There was plenty of talent on-hand at last year’s show.
Some of the creators who’ll be in attendance this year included Klaus Janson, Denys Cowan, Chuck Brown, Afua Richardson, Mark Brooks, Alex Maleev, Rose Besch, Alvaro Martinez-Bueno, Stephanie Phillips, and Jonathan Glapion, amongst many others. The C2E2 team has definitely pulled in a good lineup of comic book talent. That’s always a recipe to entice fans to show up. Head over to the C2E2 guests page for the full list.
Comic book publishers seem to have had an ever decreasing presence at conventions within the past decade. Fans have speculated that the cost for companies to appear and the ease of connecting with fans online as reasons for this. BOOM! Studios and Bad Idea Comics are two publishers appearing this year.
As a collector, the dealer list is where I go next after checking out the creators. Unless you’re already familiar with them, it’s hard to predict the variety of merchandise the dealers will bring. Their info will typically give fans a good idea of what vendors may have to offer. Based on the exhibitor list, it does seem C2E2 brought in multiple dealers from around the country. Their spacing on the show floor is another matter. It often feels there are fewer if they’re further apart.
The final piece to discuss lies within the programming. Below you’ll find some highlights from the schedule.
The Past, Present, and Future of Comics Distribution
Fri, Mar 27, 2026
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Room S402-A
“The Past, Present, and Future of Comics Distribution Distribution is a key piece in the comic book life cycle and vital to process since the beginnings of the comic book industry. In an ever changing market, distribution must also evolve. Professionals on the panel will examine the inception to current status of that process and key insights into the future of comics distribution.”
SAIC: 4 Panel Comics Workshop
Sun, Mar 29, 2026
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room S401-D
“This workshop is all about different ways a 4 panel comic can be structured! Whether it's setting up a punchline or sharing non-narrative passage of time, we're interested in breaking down comic anatomy to land story beats however participants choose. We'd provide printed handouts that share visual reference for comic anatomy and how it can be modified, generate plot ideas and set up a story arc in 4 panels.”
While not stacked as other years have been, there are several that should appeal to fans with varying interests. Here is the full schedule of events for the weekend.
Stay tuned here, YouTube, Tiktok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky for updates throughout the weekend.