The Kung Fu of Comic Cons – San Diego Comic-Con 2026

By Gene Ching

There’s nothing like San Diego Comic-Con. There’s so much to see, to do, and to experience. It’s overwhelming. You’re lucky if you can see a fifth of it. It’s so big.

My first San Diego Comic-Con was in 2019, just prior to the pandemic. Sifu Kurtis Fujita, a longtime contributor to our publications and fellow fan of many niche genres, had some extra pro passes and invited me to join him and his wife Diana. My daughter Tara was going to UCSD at the time, and it was a great excuse to visit her. Little did I know that it would become such a personal obsession. I haven’t missed a SDCC since.

My first SDCC in 2019: L-R: Diana Lui Fujita, Kurtis Fujita, Tara Ching, the author.

As always, I’m on the constant prowl for martial arts stories there. Even with that narrow focus, I couldn’t get everything. Nevertheless, here’s a few of this year’s SDCC martial highlights, cherry picked for KungFuMagazine.com.

Hollywood’s Love Affair with Fencing Panel

Being a former NCAA fencer and Provost master at arms, I couldn’t resist this one. This panel promoted the upcoming film FENCER. The panel included writer/director Rob Edwards (Captain America: Brave New World), USA Fencing head Phil Andrews, Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson, actor Asher Grodman (Ghosts), actor/producer Rich Ting (Warrior), and Content Republic head of creative David Baxter (My Dead Friend Zoe). All the panelists are fencers, lending an air of authenticity to this project. According to their website, this project is an underdog sports movie:

After a recruiting scandal wipes out Princeton's freshman class of fencers, an enterprising scout sees a chance to improve his own standing in the form of an unimpeachable high school senior. A black rec‑yard fencer from an underprivileged background with more than a few demons. Unfortunately, the only person he can find to get the kid into Princeton shape is a fencer who was defrocked after fouling out of the Olympic finals.

I was invited to an exclusive press conference prior to the panel. Unfortunately, my arrival flight was scheduled too tightly to get there in time. I had to check into my hotel, pick up my badge, and make it to the Bayfront Hilton’s exclusive floor dedicated to press events within an hour of landing. I just got there at the very end of it but missed the chance to interview Bruce. I had met him when Iron Maiden played Shoreline Amphitheater back in 1988. But I didn’t meet him at the show. He stopped into American Fencers Supply where I was working at the time. He often stopped in when he was passing through because he is a dedicated fencer and AFS was one of the only West Coast distributors back then. However, I only met him in passing. There was no reason for him to remember me. I just wanted to meet him again and share that story. Bruce will be playing the villain, an English fencing master. He says that it’s a little bit like The Karate Kid, so he’ll be like Maestro Kreese.

Nevertheless, all was not lost. I managed to connect with Rich Ting at the press conference, who I had never met before. Sifu Kurtis Fujita interviewed Rich back in 2019 for Rich Ting: Onwards and Upwards with WARRIOR. After I identified my affiliation, Rich shared his fond memories of Kung Fu Tai Chi saying that it was an inspiration for him when he was growing up, which was so gratifying for me to hear. He was delighted when I told him that we came back in print this year.

Left: Rich Ting. Top & Right: Hollywood’s Love Affair with Fencing Panel.

Later at the panel, Bruce had to duck out early to join members of Green Day to do a surprise concert to promote their upcoming film, NIMRODS, which opened two weeks after SDCC. Consequently, I missed him completely. There’s no release date for FENCER at this writing, but we’ll keep tabs on it for sure.

DreamWorks Animation's Forgotten Island

Friday began with another celebrity miss. First thing in the morning, Prime Video: Blade Runner 2099 and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was in Hall H, and I guessed that Michelle Yeoh might make an appearance because she’s starring in BLADE RUNNER 2099. But the line for Hall H is always the longest, and this year SDCC attendance was overwhelmingly high. The Hall H line was ridiculously long, so I bailed. It was too much of a gamble. While some celebrities are announced, many make surprise appearances all across SDCC. That’s part of the magic. And Yeoh did show.

Instead of Hall H, I ventured to the next biggest hall, Ballroom 20, to see a different surprise guest, the P-pop girl band BINI. I worked a BINI show last June (as my loyal readers know, I volunteer as a medic at concerts). The BINIverse World Tour impressed me mostly for its strong Philippine family values. I started following their Instagram and they teased that they were at SDCC, so knowing nothing about FORGOTTEN ISLAND, I started my Friday there. It was very rewarding.

Not only did BINI appear, but they also debuted their new song for the movie, Parallel World. The show I worked in June was at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, which they sold out. To see them in such an intimate setting as Ballroom 20 was such a treat. They got me excited for FORGOTTEN ISLAND which looks like a Philippine-strong family version of THE HANGOVER.

FORGOTTEN ISLAND panel with BINI

Now, ordinarily this side quest would’ve not made my KFM report here. Many of my SDCC side quests aren’t KungFuMagazine.com oriented. But as any martial arts fan knows, Philippine combative arts are a force to be reckoned with; any movie with Philippine representation needs a nod to that. Watch the trailer until the end and you’ll see what I mean.

FORGOTTEN ISLAND opens on September 25, 2026.

Hung Gar Networking

Getting fed at SDCC is a challenge. The food inside the convention center is typical convention center fare, pricey, not too healthy, and there are those ubiquitous lines. There are plenty of restaurants in Gaslamp District, right outside the convention center, but that’s full of activations too. You have to walk several blocks out of the zone to find somewhere without a line. I did that and managed to get a table at Sab Lai Thai Kitchen just before the rush hit.

And just then I got a text from Sifu Kurtis, asking where I was. Kurtis and Diana were in the Gaslamp too. After a bit of begging the waitress (she was stressed with the massive crowd), I got two more seats at my table, and we had a lovely lunch, nerding out about what we’d seen so far, the latest movies we enjoyed such as BLADES OF THE GUARDIANS and THE FURIOUS, and recent developments in the martial world, specifically Hung Gar, which is Sifu Kurtis’ specialty. It was delightful to reconnect with the Fujitas over a hearty meal. It was also good to talk to Kurtis face-to-face about some articles he has percolating for Kung Fu Tai Chi. He has written for us since the pandemic, including a heartfelt two-part piece about how the pandemic affected his school, but like many of our freelance contributors, he’s eager to get back in print. And he’s got something good on the way that we’re both very excited about – stay tuned.

When we parted, we hoped we’d cross paths again. That happened almost immediately.

Kurtis, Diana & the author.

Badass on a Budget: Timeless Tips for Making Your Zero-Budget Action Film

I went back to the Marriot Marquis to access a charger station there, and I needed to give my phone a bump before the evening. As I plugged in, a voice next to me said “Gene?”

It was my old friend Eric Jacobus, charging his laptop. Last year, he presented ‘The Anthropology of Kung Fu’ Cinema which Patrick Lugo covered in his SDCC report San Diego Comic-Con and the Anthropology of Kung Fu Cinema. Eric was preparing for another presentation titled ‘Badass on a Budget: Timeless Tips for Making Your Zero-Budget Action Film’ alongside Mike Cheslik (Hundreds of Beavers) and Brian Le (The Furious). I completely missed this reviewing the voluminous SDCC program, so it was an auspicious coincidence to bump into him while bumping up my phone battery. Kurtis and I were just talking about Brian over lunch because he recently met him. Coincidentally, I met Brian at SDCC back in 2022 when he was on a panel for THE PAPER TIGERS. I texted Kurtis immediately, and he and Diana joined us for their panel.

SDCC 2022: The Martial Club meets Immortal Studios: L-R Brian Le, Daniel Mah, the author, Andy Le, Payhuan Shiao.

The panel was tied to Eric’s new book Badass on a Budget: A Timeless Guide for Zero-Budget Action Filmmakers. Eric, Brian and Mike are all self-made movie makers. They built their cinematic careers by following their dreams with grit and determination. They are each living examples of how it can be done. The panel gave an overview of the modest beginnings of each of the panelists and hopefully inspired some aspiring attendees to go for it.

At this writing, I’ve yet to read Eric’s new book. I thoroughly enjoyed his previous book, If These Fists Could Talk: A Stuntman's Unflinching Take on Violence. And with endorsements from action luminaries like Scott Adkins and Kenji Tanigaki (director of THE FURIOUS), I’m sure Badass on a Budget will be a good read too.

Left: (L-R) The author, Brian Le, Eric Jacobus. Top left: (L-R) Eric Jacobus, Mike Cheslik, Brian Le. Right: (L-R) Kurtis Fujita, Brian Le, the author.

DARK MOON BLOOD NIGHT with ENHYPEN

Friday took a decidedly musical turn because after a BINI breakfast, I accepted an invitation to a catered private party for dinner, held at an offsite activation at the House of Blues. ENHYPEN is a leading K-pop boy band that has a vampire-inspired webtoon, DARK MOON: THE BLOOD ALTAR. They had a major booth on the exhibition floor and are currently on their ‘BLOOD SAGA’ World Tour which started in May in Seoul, went through Latin America and the USA, and is going to Europe and Asia through 2027. ENHYPEN performed six songs at the House of Blues, appropriately opening with their lead single from their mini-album DARK BLOOD, “Bite Me.”

Photos courtesy of ENHYPEN.

It was an amazing party, complete with bloody mixed drinks served in IV bags and a Vampire Queen cosplay contest. To see ENHYPEN at such an intimate setting was the real treat. This band usually plays stadiums.

And no, there’s really no martial merit about this. It was just such a great party that I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it.

Star Trek Fleet Command: 60 Years of Star Trek Archives Experience

On Saturday, I boldly went where no KFM reporter has gone before. 2026 marks the 60^th anniversary of Star Trek so Trekkie exhibits and activations dominated this years SDCC. Even the passes and lanyards were adorned with Star Trek. As a lifelong Trekkie, it was an honor to witness it, at least what I could. I failed to get into the Paramount Lodge, a major Gaslamp activation and bailed on Hall H, plus I missed several panels. However, I did get take the helm on a LEGO Captain’s chair for the Magic: The Gathering Star Trek crossover promotion at the Marriot Marquis and visit an exhibit of original props from the Paramount archives in an activation for the Star Trek Fleet Command video game in the Gaslamp District.

Every year the SDCC badges highlight a different franchise. This year was all about Star Trek’s 60th Anniversary.

The archived props were fascinating. A lot of the props looked fake (if that makes any sense at all for a science fiction TV show). They looked cheaper than many cosplay props today. They only had to read for TV, which was a lot less discerning than Trekkie cosplayers in real life. What caught my attention most was the iconic Klingon weapon, the The Bat'leth. It reminded me of another con when I got to interview Michael Dorn about Klingon Martial Arts.

Top photo: The Bat'leth

Immortal Studios & Hex Comix

For my second and third SDCC, I spoke on panels for Immortal Studios. I met with Payhuan Shiao, the founder, creator and CEO of Immortal, along with Kelly Sue Milano, VP of Content & Executive editor for Immortal, and her partner from HexComix, Lynly Forrest. It was great to see them all again and catch up with the latest developments from Immortal Studios. As always, Payhuan has some cutting edge content percolating. Look for some big announcements from Immortal Studios coming soon.

The Immortals at the Bayfront Hilton: L-R: Lynly Forrest, the author, Kelly Sue Milano, Payhuan Shiao.

The Immortals at the Lion’s Share.

CRACKED COMEDY CLUB X NATIONAL LAMPOON & DEN OF GEEK

On Saturday night, I was invited to a comedy show at the Yellow Door in the Gaslamp District by Chris Longo, Director of Editorial and Partnerships for Den of Geek. We met in the Badlands, covering Daniel Wu’s exemplary martial arts TV show, Into the Badlands. After the pandemic, I did some writing for Den of Geek, and they’ve always thrown the best SDCC parties. Even though I’m no longer writing for them (Kung Fu Tai Chi going back into print occupies what was my freelance time), Chris was kind enough to invite me to a private stand-up comedy show, which was taped for Den of Geek. He said I could bring a few guests, so Kurtis and Diana joined me, along with Ben Frandsen, also from Immortal Studios, and his friend (and a fellow Trekkie), Phillip Leavenworth. It was a hilarious show, but photos and videos were prohibited because they were taping it.

Watch for the show on Den of Geek.

L-R The author and Chris Longo.

L-R: The author, Ben Frandsen, Diana Lui Fujita, Kurtis Fujita, Phillip Leavenworth.

Again, this had no medical merit, but it was another great party so once more, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention it.

Tea Time with Toph

I’ve been a fan of Michaela Jill Murphy, the actress who voiced Toph in the original AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER series, since I saw her speak at another (now defunct) con last year. This was another offsite event, beyond the Gaslamp District, held at Miracle Potion, a very intimate café and tearoom near the train station. It was only announced on Michaela’s Instagram, which like with BINI, I had been following since I first saw her. I got there early, but the line was already around the block.

That was a huge line already for a tiny tea shop. It was only scheduled for a few hours, so we weren’t guaranteed to get in. But I was committed to being there, so I waited it out. Lines at SDCC can long, but they’re also a lot of fun because you’re with fellow fans. You are bonded by your mutual love of the franchise, or you wouldn’t be in line together for it. I stood next to another anime fan, and we spent the next 3 hours talking anime and pop cinema, sharing recommendations, and debating qualities of various franchises. It was a delight.

We got to the front of the line just before the meet and greet was supposed to end. I asked Michaela to pose with me doing the signature Kiu Sau (橋手) gesture of Hung Gar. For those who don’t know, my Northern Shaolin cousin Sifu Kisu choreographed the original AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER series and based the different bending styles on traditional Kung Fu. Micheala’s character Toph was an earthbender and Kisu based that on Hung Gar, the same style that Sifu Kurtis propounds. Michaela was game and we got the shot. Well, sort of…

Kiu Sau.

I guess I was a little star struck. Micheala is adorable, incredibly talented, and absolutely stunning in person. While posing with her for the shot, I totally messed up my Kiu Sau. My first Kung Fu master was Kwong Wing Lam. I learned Northern Shaolin under him, but he also propounded Hung Gar and cross trained me a little on it. He always used to say that the thumb in Kiu Sau was like a fishhook (Lam Sifu was an avid fisherman). My thumb with Michaela was weirdly flaccid. I texted the photo to Kurtis, confessing my error. He texted back ‘lol’ and offered to correct it with photoshop. But it makes a better story for my thumb to be off.

After meeting Michaela, I had an Appa-chino at Miracle Potion which hit me hard because in my rush to get in line, I skipped breakfast. I had the jitters all the way back to the venue for one more final mission before catching my plane home.

Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master

One of my old friends from Immortal Studios, Rylend Grant, was doing some promotional work for White Cat Entertainment, and they have a title that couldn’t be more KungFuMagazine.com - Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master. I stopped by their booth and got to meet Chris Mancini, the creator and writer of Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master, as well as Fernando Pinto, the artist. “I love martial arts,” said Chris to start. “I took Karate. I was doing it for many years. I got close to black belt. I got like a brown with a white stripe in Shorin Ryu, Okinawan Karate.”

L-R: Fernando Pinto, Chris Mancini.

White Cat Entertainment describes Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master as:

Rick, a small-time crook in Los Angeles, becomes an unlikely hero in the mystical battle between good and evil which has been fought since the days of Ancient China. And Rick is an angry, unfocused fight club member who is barely equipped to deal with…well…anything.

“I was immersed,” reminisced Chris. “I would watch Kung Fu Theater and I would love all the movies, the Jackie Chan movies. And Big Trouble in Little China was like the high point for me where it would actually mix all the things I love with magic and martial arts and action and ridiculous characters. So that really resonated with me that all of those things could coexist at the same time. And then when we got to see Jackie Chan movies, I'm like, ‘Oh, these could be action-packed and have some sense of humor and be funny.’ So I wanted to put all of those things together, and I'm also stuck in the 80s. So Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master has action, martial arts, dragons, monsters, and poor judgment.”

It's a beautiful edition and both Chris and Fernando were kind enough to autograph a copy for me. They hope to continue the story. Right now, they’re working on a few other titles, but they hope to continue this tale like an 80s trilogy. “Fall of the Kung Fu Dragon Master will be next,” hopes Chris. “And of course, the third one will be Return of the Kung Fu Dragon Master.”

For Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master, visit White Cat Entertainment.

Epilogue

It was another magical San Diego Comic-Con. I did a lot of networking and got excited for several upcoming projects. Most of all, as a fan, there were some serious feels. When I was returning from meeting Micheala, I got off the trolley alongside an excellent Spider-man cosplayer. A little boy, maybe 4 years old, saw him and squealed ‘Spider-man! I love you!’ He gave him a huge hug. The cosplayer was a bit taken aback, but it was clearly real for that little boy and his parents just beamed that their son got such a sweet experience at SDCC. We all had to stop a relish in it. It was such a pure expression of innocence and unabashed fandom. I get misty just thinking about that moment now.

There’s nothing like San Diego Comic-Con.

PAST SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON COVERAGE by Gene Ching

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The Kung Fu of Comic Cons – San Diego Comic-Con 2024

The Kung Fu of Comic Cons – San Diego Comic-Con 2023