JULY 15, 2026 (PORTLAND, OR) — The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), with support from Marquee sponsors Mad Cave Studios and Ignition Press, and Gold tier sponsor GlobalComix, and and Silver tier sponsors Kickstarter, and CGC, will once again welcome the comics community to its Annual San Diego Comic-Con Welcome Party on Thursday, July 23, 2026, from 8:00 PM to 12 AM, at The Westgate Hotel (1055 Second Ave., San Diego, CA). The annual fundraiser brings together creators, publishers, retailers, media, and fans for an evening celebrating comics while raising critical funds to defend the freedom to read.
For decades, the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has stood at the forefront of protecting free expression in comics, providing legal assistance, education, and advocacy in response to censorship efforts affecting comic books, graphic novels, manga, and the people who create, sell, teach, and read them. As challenges to books continue to rise across schools, libraries, and comic shops nationwide, the organization’s work has never been more vital.
The Annual San Diego Comic-Con Welcome Party serves as one of CBLDF’s signature fundraising events, bringing together every corner of the comics industry for an evening of community, conversation, and giving back.
Guests will have the opportunity to bid on an expanding lineup of exclusive silent auction items donated by creators, publishers, and industry partners. Confirmed donations include a Conan statue courtesy of Heroic Signatures, and several exclusive contributions from Mad Cave Studios, including a complete set of Speed Racer #1-5 limited edition metal variant covers, an autographed Pop Kill #1 limited edition metal variant by Marguerite Sauvage, and a signed Battlecats Omnibus hardcover, a CGC Signature Series 9.8 graded Krypto the Last Dog of Krypton #1, signed and sketched by Dan Mora, Original Art from Local Man by Tim Seeley, a CGC-graded classic from the censored EC line, and other collectible items.
Ahead of the event, Mad Cave Studios and Ignition Press will each host a special Whatnot livestream to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, offering an exclusive preview of select silent auction items along with exclusive collectibles available for purchase in support of the CBLDF. Mad Cave Studios’ livestream, hosted by Kyle Grimes, begins at 7 PM PST, followed by Ignition Press’ livestream, hosted by Daniel Crary, at 7:30 PM PST. Watch both streams at: https://www.whatnot.com/s/jRQjugoy
The first 100 attendees through the door will receive a gift bag featuring a copy of Mister Nemo #1 Cover A by Duncan Rouleau, courtesy of Mad Cave Studios, along with one of four books from Ignition Press: Tyler Rake: An Extraction Story #1 Ignition Exclusive Cover by Jeremy Haun, Voyeur #1 Ignition Exclusive Cover by Tula Lotay, Murder Podcast #1 Cover by Shaun Martinbrough, or Roots of Madness #1 Ignition Exclusive Cover by Karen Darboe. Additional gift bag items in the gift bags will include CGC Premium Memberships (which include $150 in submission credit), CGC luggage tags, 25th Anniversary CGC pins, and other surprises!
Revenue generated through the Welcome Party directly supports the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s ongoing legal and educational efforts. In recent years, proceeds from the event have helped fund litigation, legal responses, and advocacy initiatives addressing censorship attempts directed at comics in schools, libraries, and comic shops across the country.
Admission to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Annual San Diego Comic-Con Welcome Party is $40, with all proceeds from admission and the silent auction directly supporting the organization’s vital work. An SDCC badge is not required to attend. Additional event information is available at CBLDF.org. Click here for tickets and more details.
Visit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at Booth #1629, Mad Cave Studios at Booth #2806, Ignition Press at Booth #5531, and CGC at Booths #301, #4315, and #5500 throughout San Diego Comic-Con.
To learn more about Ignition Press, visit ignitionpress.com.
Stay up to date with Mad Cave Studios—and its imprints Papercutz, Maverick, and Nakama Press on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to explore new releases, licensed series, and creator-owned titles.
For media inquiries, please contact Melissa Meszaros at Don’t Hide PR: melissa@donthidepr.com.
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the legal rights of the comics community and furthering expressive freedom through the comic arts. Since its founding in 1986, the CBLDF has helped defend against countless attempts to arrest comics retailers and creators, to enact new legislation aimed at restricting access to comics, and to have graphic novels and manga removed from public schools and libraries. Among the CBLDF’s most notable cases is itslandmark victory in 2022 defending the Oni Press graphic novel Gender Queer against a court petition to have the book banned from distribution in the state of Virginia.
Mad Cave Studios, established in 2014, is an independent publisher committed to providing the very best in graphic storytelling. Mad Cave’s catalog includes a captivating blend of licensed, creator-owned, and original works, created by a diverse cast of storytellers focused on cultivating impactful character-driven narratives. Mad Cave Studios is the parent company to Maverick, Nakama Press, and Papercutz, enriching the literary landscape for readers of all ages.
ABOUT IGNITION PRESS: Ignition Press is a Los Angeles-based comic book and graphic novel publisher and production company co-founded by publishing and media industry veterans Eric Gitter, Filip Sablik, Jamie S. Rich, and Jeremy Haun. The creator-driven company exclusively publishes original series, including Murder Podcast, Voyeur, Roots of Madness, Deluge, NO Place, Arcadia, and Bloodland. Current film and television adaptations of the Ignition Press series include The Beauty (FX/Hulu) and Extraction (Netflix).
ABOUT GLOBALCOMIX: GlobalComix is a self-serve digital comics publishing platform. Creators retain full IP rights to their work and can choose between self-publishing for distribution or entering exclusivity agreements with the platform.
ABOUT KICKSTARTER: Kickstarter is on a mission to bring creative projects to life. As the leading crowdfunding and launch platform, Kickstarter is home to the world’s largest backer community — 24 million strong and counting. Since 2009, the platform has fueled innovation across countless categories, helping creators attract billions in dollars in pledges from backers. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Kickstarter is committed to equity and transparency, prioritizing the success of independent creators, diverse perspectives, and the strength of a global community that shapes and defines culture.
ABOUT CGC: Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) revolutionized the comic book marketplace when it was founded in 2000 by providing clear, objective, and impartial assessments of authenticity and grade. Today, CGC is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for comics, trading cards, video games, home video, magazines, concert posters and related collectibles, with more than 20 million collectibles certified since 2000.