San Diego Comic-Con Spotlights DC’s Jim Lee and AAPI Creatives
By James Moreau | 20 Jul, 2026

This year’s San Diego Comic-Con highlights an extraordinary cohort of AAPI creators, from legendary industry titans to groundbreaking digital artists.

As the San Diego Convention Center prepares to host its 57th annual San Diego Comic-Con from July 23rd to 26th, the event remains the global epicenter of pop culture, regularly drawing over 135,000 enthusiastic attendees. This year, the convention highlights an influential cohort of Asian American creators.

A central figure remains the legendary Korean American icon, Jim Lee.  As President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics, Lee continues to define the visual landscape of modern heroes.  Beyond his massive DC publishing panels, fans should keep a close watch for his signature “Jim Lee and Friends” session on Thursday at 11:30 a.m., featuring surprise guests and his famed live sketching.

Filipino American writer Deniz Camp arrives with unprecedented momentum, boasting five 2026 Eisner nominations.  Currently helming Marvel’s Ultimates and DC’s Absolute Martian Manhunter, Camp will be a fixture at major publisher booths throughout the weekend.

Vietnamese American author and illustrator LeUyen Pham continues to dominate the graphic novel circuit.  Following her success with Lunar New Year Love Story, Pham’s presence at Friday and Saturday’s storytelling panels and the Eisner celebration circuit is essential viewing.

Representing the digital-first evolution, Derek V. Song, will be present in Artists Alley.  His work on The Last Bloodline and the Fantasy High adaptation has built a massive, loyal following across the WEBTOON platform, successfully bypassing traditional publishing gatekeepers to connect directly with his audience.

From the high-energy panels of established titans like Lee to the creative works led by Camp, Pham, and Song, San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is a testament to the essential contributions of AAPI talent.