8Bit/Digi

The Return of Comic Conventions in Oakland  

Since Kraken Con ended in 2018, Oakland has gone without a major anime or comic convention. Smaller and mid-sized events in surrounding areas have popped up to fill the void, but nothing in the Town itself. Even though Oakland is a community rich in art, culture, and creative talent, the absence of a fan convention has not gone unnoticed by the Bay Area fandom community. That changed with the premiere of Comic Con Oakland during the weekend of May 9 to May 10, 2026.

The weekend saw the East Bay’s fandom community gather at the Oakland Convention Center and throughout Downtown Oakland for a festive two days. Attendees were joined by special guests, industry professionals, and leaders of the local fandom community. After months of planning and anticipation, these are the highlights of Comic Con Oakland 2026.

Kicking-Off Comic Con Oakland

Comic Con Oakland 2026 was not only the organization’s first event in the community, but also the first such event in Oakland in nearly eight years. As someone who has covered countless conventions since 2016, I expected some minor issues. These can range from hiccups that create LineCon, to low attendance, or a poorly laid out dealers hall.

None of that happened. Instead, attendees and professionals got their badges quickly and enjoyed the event right away. Convention staff were well informed about programming, knew the layout of the convention center, and stood ready to help guests with anything from directions to cosplay setup. By 11 a.m. on Saturday, the dealers hall was packed with attendees, and that was not even the peak crowd of the day. This is the result of a team with convention experience. They knew how to market the event, not just through social media, but by reaching out to the community, and they had staff ready to go from the start.

Comic Con Oakland Show Floor

The heart of Comic Con Oakland 2026 was the Show Floor. This is where attendees could find vendors like local comic book shops and sellers of collectible merchandise. Artist’s Alley is where fans could meet comic book artists and creators, along with independent artists and self-published creators. Community groups were also present, including cultural organizations and local libraries, bringing awareness to the work they do. Even without a shopping agenda, it was fun to browse the merchandise and meet the many artists and vendors.

Vendors and Publishers

Terran Empire Publishing is an independent publishing house based in Pollock Pines. They specialize in tabletop games, science fiction, poetry collections, and more from creators of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. During the weekend, they displayed a collection of published works, 3D-printed dragons, and dice. Also at the booth was Stuart Schuffman, better known as Broke-Ass Stuart, the acclaimed Bay Area journalist, writer, activist, and editor of BrokeAssStuart.com. He was there to promote his book The Worst of Broke-Ass Stuart, which was also on sale during the event.

Impound Comics is an independent comic publisher based in Northern California and the creator of the Impound universe. The comic series follows the titular character as he fights to keep the community safe from evil forces. They also organize and host VerseCon, a comic and anime convention in Sacramento, with the next event running August 15 to 16 at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

Dope Cat Comics is a comic series that is created and independently published by Mike Boheem. It’s about a cat that smokes dope and experiences mind-blowing adventures. Fans of this cult series could meet its creator, pick up some issues, or buy some merch.

Meelee Art is the work of comic artist and writer Eric Lee, best known for the Webtoons series The Breakup Artist. He was at Comic Con Oakland selling his artwork, comics, and books. Among the works for sale was Comics Lit Vol. 1, a look at how classic myths, folklore, and religious stories influenced many iconic characters in the world of comics.

Seth Singleton is a comic writer who also serves as an adjunct professor at Siena Heights University. He is best known for the comic strip Greedy Greg and Spellcasters Major League Magic. Fans of his work got the chance to meet him, while other attendees were introduced to his work for the first time. He also contributed to Comics Lit Vol. 1 and was selling copies at his table.

FangFang Comics is the independent creative studio of Fang Yili, an artist and comic publisher. Her artwork is fan art of beloved anime and video game characters designed in her art style. Her independent comics include the Butterfly Tears series and the Beauty series, both reimaginings of classic Chinese literature.

Community Organizations

Bay Con is the longest-running science fiction and fantasy fan convention in the Bay Area. The event brings together writers, artists, and enthusiasts for a weekend that explores the imagination. Bay Con 42 is the 2026 event and is being organized in partnership with Westercon, one of the oldest science fiction and fantasy conventions in the United States. The convention will take place from July 3rd to July 6th at the Santa Clara Convention Center.

The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment (The MADE) is a nonprofit that works to preserve video game history. It safeguards classic video games and aspects of gamer culture while aiming to inspire the next generation. During the weekend, they showcased classic games and highlighted their work in preserving video game history. The MADE is located at 921 Washington St., Oakland, CA, across the street from the convention center.

Panels at Comic Con Oakland 2026

Comic Con Oakland is not just about meeting new friends or exploring the many local comic stores and publishers; it’s also a chance to gain some insight. The event organized a series of panels that discussed a variety of topics. They would feature major stars, industry insiders, or community organizers. These are some of the panels that fans got to check out during the weekend:

Hecka Mecha: Mapping the East Bay’s Japanese Sci-Fi Robot and Vehicle Craze (1980 to Present) was hosted by Eugene Randolph Young, assistant professor of Visual Communication Design at San Francisco State University. The panel explored the East Bay’s unique access to Japanese mecha-themed toys, model kits, TV shows, and movies throughout the 1980s. It examined the synergy between past retailers, transportation routes, and broadcast media that made the East Bay a vital hub for fans of the genre.

How to Pitch Your Story for Comics, Graphic Novels, Film, and Animation offered a look at how to break into the comic industry from a group of industry insiders. The panel was hosted by Thien Pham and featured Julia Wertz, Jordan Morris, Briana Loewinsohn, and Scott Morse. Each shared how they got into the industry, who helped them, and what aspiring artists and writers can do to launch their careers. The panel also highlighted past conventions that helped them, what no longer works, and what has changed since they first started.

Things to Do at Comic Con Oakland 2026

Comic Con Oakland was not just about panels and shopping but also about having fun with friends. From video game setups to meeting the guests, there was no shortage of activities. Here are some of the activities one could stumble upon:

Special guests give fans a chance to meet their favorite performers and industry insiders at panels or autograph sessions. Among the performers present were Giancarlo Esposito from Breaking Bad, Faye Mata from Konosuba, and Luci Christian from My Hero Academia. The guest list also included comic artists and writers such as Scott Morse, Thien Pham, and Erik Larsen, among others.

Cosplaying has always been a tradition at fan conventions and Comic Con Oakland 2026 is no exception. Many work months to either create the best or most off-beat that will premier during this special weekend. Those who are dedicated will work to bring their favorite character to life.

While not organized by Comic Con Oakland staff, guests gathered throughout the weekend for impromptu games of Pokémon Go. With several gyms around the convention center and Downtown Oakland, attendees teamed up for raids. Others took breaks to catch any Pokémon in their immediate vicinity.

Comic Con Oakland Returns in 2027

The East Bay will not have to wait and see if Comic Con Oakland returns. Organizers have announced the 2027 event. Comic Con Oakland 2027 will take place from April 26th  to April 27th at the Oakland Convention Center. No guests have been announced yet, but that information will be available soon. You could follow them on Instagram to stay in the loop regarding news and announcements.

Did you get a chance to check out Comic Con Oakland 2026? If so then share your story in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: Comic Con Oakland provided me with a pass for the weekend

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the comic convention and cosplayer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.