Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546606
6 P E R S P E C T I V E | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 N E W S Craft, Community and Connection: Inside ADG's Week at Comic-Con 2026 B Y K AT E W E D D L E , C H A I R , A D G C O M I C - C O N C O M M I T T E E Every July, over 135,000 people fill the San Diego Convention Center for Comic-Con, one of the world's most attended pop culture conventions. For over two decades, the Art Directors Guild has used that platform for something beyond the spectacle: to reach working artists, aspiring designers and fans outside the industry with a message about who the ADG is and what our members do. This year's presence included Booth 1500, a first- of-its-kind panel highlighting the Guild's Graphic Designers, portfolio reviews for aspiring artists and two awards presented at the Masquerade before a ballroom of over 4,000 people. Behind the cosplay and comics, the week reinforced something the committee has long known: Comic-Con isn't just a fan event; it's an organizing and education opportunity hiding in plain sight. Thousands of Conversations, One Union Message Located near a main convention hall entrance, Booth 1500 got a new look this year that's easier to set up and refreshable with new member artwork. Guild members Victor Martinez, Zach Berger, Tim Longo, Vincent Lucido, Tim Croshaw, Kelly Rae Hemenway and Geoffrey Mandel created this year's booth graphics, with printing donated by Astek Wallcoverings. Associate National Executive Director Andrew Stumme, Art Director Council Chair Michael Allen Glover, Comic-Con Committee Chair Kate Weddle, and members Sharisse Petrossian and Linia Hardy staffed the booth, talking with thousands of attendees curious about the union behind their favorite films and shows. Several current and retired members stopped by to say hello, some jumping in to help answer questions. Members also gathered Friday for a meetup dinner, a welcome break from the chaos of the convention. Daily raffles helped draw attendees to the booth, with prizes ranging from Lego sets and books to artwork donated by members Victor Martinez, Seth Reed, Ellen King, Chris Roberts, Ralph Miranda, Dylan Bocanegra, Geoffrey Mandel and Anthony Winn. Author Karen L. Maness stopped by to sign raffle copies of her book, The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop. The 500 copies of PERSPECTIVE magazine disappeared faster than usual, with many attendees returning each year for the Comic-Con edition. This year's raffle entry form asked two questions: Are you a union member, and would you like a link to watch this year's ADG Awards livestream? The responses told a bigger story, with union members from across the country stopping by and hundreds of attendees requesting the livestream link, a reminder that our presence connects with organized labor far beyond our members. That reach became personal this year through one attendee in particular: Dejon Parnell, a caricature artist at the San Diego Zoo. Dejon first stopped by the booth last year after spotting the IA bug and spoke with Lisa Ford-Lewis and Kate Weddle about A. (L-R) SHARISSE PETROSSIAN, KATE WEDDLE, ANDREW STUMME, MICHAEL ALLEN GLOVER AND LINIA HARDY IN THE ADG BOOTH. B. ADG GRAPHICS PANEL. (L-R) KELLY RAE HEMENWAY, DIANNE CHADWICK, KATE WEDDLE, KRISTOPHER GIFFORD, MAYBELLE PINEDA AND HILARY AMENT. A B