Marvel and Dungeon Crawler Carl steal the show at Comic-Con 2026
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San Diego Comic-Con 2026 wrapped up with Marvel Studios dominating headlines, unveiling high-profile casting news and warmly received footage that overshadowed much of the rest of the convention. HBO's Lanterns also generated strong buzz among attendees, while DC's film division kept a notably low profile, its subdued presence standing in contrast to both its rivals and its own showings in previous years.
Among the announcements, Marvel confirmed David Jonsson would join the cast of Black Panther III and revealed Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider, alongside a positively received Avengers footage screening. Away from the major studio panels, the convention floor was marked by an unexpectedly large Dungeon Crawler Carl fan presence, rivalling established cosplay franchises, while Ryan Reynolds' "Jeanpool" stunt marketing added to the buzz. Taken together, the event reflected a year of uneven fortunes across the major franchises, with some studios capturing outsized attention while others, notably DC, faded into the background.
- Marvel dominated Comic-Con 2026 with major casting reveals and footage
- Ryan Gosling cast as Ghost Rider; David Jonsson joins Black Panther III
- DC stayed quiet as Dungeon Crawler Carl fans surprised the convention
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San Diego Comic-Con is an annual fan convention held in California, where major studios, TV networks and game and comic publishers unveil casting news, footage and merchandise for upcoming releases. Its panels and reveals often set the tone for how audiences and press view a franchise's momentum for months afterwards, which is why studios compete for attention on the show floor and in packed presentation halls.
Marvel Studios and DC Studios are longstanding rivals in superhero film and television, each built on decades of comic book characters and adapting them for cinema and streaming. Marvel is owned by Disney, while DC is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, whose television arm, HBO, produces its own separate slate of shows, including the upcoming series Lanterns.
Dungeon Crawler Carl is a series of comic fantasy novels that has built a large and devoted online fanbase in recent years, distinct from the big studio franchises that typically dominate Comic-Con. Its prominent presence at the convention, alongside promotional stunts from actors such as Ryan Reynolds, reflects how the event has grown to showcase grassroots fan enthusiasm alongside blockbuster studio marketing.
Coverage
- Variety — ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’s’ Breakout, Ryan Reynolds’ Jeanpool Stunt and More Comic-Con Highlights
- The Hollywood Reporter — Marvel, ‘Lanterns’ and Johnny Depp: Here’s What Hit (and Missed) at Comic-Con 2026