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Monday Edition | August 3, 2026

San Diego Comic-Con has obviously gone well beyond its origins as a comic book convention, but the fan gathering is still true to its roots. Beyond the big announcements from Hall H about Avengers: Doomsday and the like, there are still numerous vendors with collectible issues of the biggest titles from DC, Marvel, and beyond. We even had visits from legendary comics writers like Frank Miller, who participated in our eBay live auction, and Bill Sienkiewicz, whose interview is featured in today’s newsletter.

Besides our recap of the best moments from SDCC 2026, our other headliners explore the success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the latest big screen comic book adaptation, and talk with the creatives behind an animated television series on Prime Video that’s exploring new territory in Batman lore. Everything leads back to the comics!

— Michael Ahr, Newsletter Editor

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Our recap of the best moments from San Diego Comic-Con 2026 🚀

  • An analysis of Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s opening weekend box office 🎟️

  • Our exclusive interview with the team behind Batman: Caped Crusader 🦇

  • …and more!

Photo: Nick Morgulis

CONVENTIONS
Everything We Saw At San Diego Comic-Con 2026

San Diego Comic-Con may be over, but we're still riding the hype. From our own interview studio to Hall H to premiere screenings and amazingly informative panels, we packed in as much of the fan convention as humanly possible. We’ve had a few feature articles here and there, but we wanted to give you an overview of the biggest reveals, surprise moments, and conversations with the stars and creators behind some of the most anticipated movies, TV shows, and comics on the horizon.

Inside, you'll find highlights from interviews with the casts of Blade Runner 2099, Dark Matter, Carrie, Coyote vs. Acme, Mayday, and many more, plus updates from Robert Kirkman, Eli Roth, the Grimm reunion, and even Buddy from Air Bud Returns. We also look back at our live events, charity auction, exclusive screenings, and everything else that made this year's Comic-Con one to remember. If you missed the convention (or just want to relive the best moments), this is the place to start.

Photo: Jay Maidment / Sony Pictures

MOVIES
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Box Office Puts Wallcrawler in League of His Own Among Superheroes

Spider-Man has always been a fan favorite, but nothing could quite prepare us for how big Spider-Man: Brand New Day turned out to be this past weekend. Delivering one of the biggest global debuts ever, the latest chapter gave Marvel Studios exactly the kind of blockbuster win it needed. The film's success also comes at a pivotal moment, with Avengers: Doomsday looming and questions swirling about whether superhero movies can still dominate the box office.

But the bigger story lies in how Spider-Man continues to connect with audiences when so many other comic book heroes are struggling, from Peter Parker's timeless underdog appeal to the manner in which Brand New Day succeeds without leaning too heavily on nostalgia. Come along as we seek to determine what Spidey's latest triumph says about the age of "superhero fatigue" and decide whether any other heroes can still reach these same heights.

Photo: Prime Video

TV
Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 Reinvents the Joker for the Global Age

Matthew Needham has some big shoes to fill as the Joker in Batman: Caped Crusader season 2, but the House of the Dragon actor says this version of the Clown Prince of Crime is unlike any we've seen before. In our exclusive interview, Needham explains the surprising direction behind his "European and ludicrous" Joker, while Batman voice actor Hamish Linklater and the show's creative team discuss how season 2 expands the animated series by rethinking some of its most recognizable characters.

The conversation covers everything from Needham's favorite Joker performances and his colder, more calculating take to Linklater's approach to honoring legendary voice actor Kevin Conroy of Batman: The Animated Series without imitating him. The producers also talk about the pleasures of reinventing Batman lore; the anticipation for a season packed with more action, mystery, and emotional growth for Bruce Wayne; and the long-term plan for turning this version of Batman into a more complete person.

DEN OF GEEK MAGAZINE

As a treasured newsletter subscriber, you’ve already helped Den of Geek combat the fickle algorithmic whims of the internet. The time has come for us to give back with something shiny, something insightful, something collectible

For more than a decade, Den of Geek magazine has been a staple at San Diego Comic-Con and an elusive collector’s item in comic shops across the country. Now we’re honored to send limited edition subscription-only versions of the treasured collectible directly to you on a quarterly basis. 

Here’s how to join the Den of Geek Collector’s Club and receive the award-winning Den of Geek magazine in your mailbox:

  • Gold Edition: Available only through our premium Gold yearly subscription (Limited to 100).

  • Holo Edition: Variant subscriber cover run for Friends of Geek subs tier.

  • Base Edition: Free with purchase at select stores within the Den of Geek Comic Store network nationwide and distributed for free to fans in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter via the Den of Geek brand ambassador team.

We've seen the future and it's in print. 

Love,

Your Friendly Neighborhood Geeks

EDITOR’S PICKS

Netflix's THE ONE PIECE sets sail for a brand-new take on one of anime's most iconic series that's bigger, bolder, and more accessible than ever.

In a conversation at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, fan-favorite artist Bill Sienkiewicz speaks to us ahead of the release of a documentary about his life and career.

The Ready or Not star will bring the haughty, complicated White Queen to the screen.

The latest Street Fighter clips sure sounds better than the 1994 movie.

ANIME NYC

Anime NYC is BACK August 20-23 2026! Don’t miss a showcase of the best of Japanese and Asian pop culture in the heart of NYC. Anime NYC brings anime fans and publishers together during FOUR days of unique exhibits & activations, exclusive screenings, extensive programming, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan and across the globe! SATURDAY TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT, and 4-DAY TICKETS ARE GOING FAST!

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION

Which actor insisted on applying his own Joker makeup to make the character's appearance feel more chaotic and authentic?

Login or Subscribe to participate

LINK TANK
In Other News…

😢 Wonder Man showrunner Andrew Guest took to TikTok this weekend to thank fans and share his thoughts about the Marvel series’ cancellation.

🙏 The Sopranos alum Vincent Pastore died last week at the age of 80, and former co-stars Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Michael Imperioli, and others paid tribute.

🌐 The Diplomat star Rufus Sewell talks Hal Wyler’s shifting loyalties, messy ambition, and the thrill of a series that keeps evolving.

🔐 Juliette Lewis confessed that it was “very difficult” to keep her appearance on Apple TV’s new Cape Fear series a surprise.

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