WEBTOON Unveils Big News at SDCC 2026!

Leading up to San Diego Comic-Con 2026, WEBTOON, the world’s largest webcomic platform and home to thousands of digitized stories, announced its return to SDCC. With its biggest talent lineup yet, WEBTOON hosted creator-driven panels, gave away physical copies of highly loved WEBTOON Originals, and made exciting announcements that had fans squealing for joy. As a longtime fan of the WEBTOON platform and The Game of Nerds’ solo representative at SDCC, I made it my mission to be there for every panel WEBTOON hosted, and I am excited to report that WEBTOON did not disappoint.

WEBTOON kicked off its SDCC 2026 presence with its “Creature Craft: Visionaries of Horror Comics Share Their Secrets” panel, which hosted panelists unafraid to explore the inner workings of horror and its impact as a creative genre on July 23, the opening day of Comic-Con 2026. And, on the following day, July 24, WEBTOON brought SDCC attendees two creator-driven panels, “Love in Every Universe: The Great Romance Trope Debate,” and “Bringing Fantasy High to WEBTOON,” which separately delved into popular, even opposing, romance tropes, and explored the components that factor into adapting existing IPs into new narratives and formats. Last but certainly not least, WEBTOON concluded its SDCC 2026 programming with its “What’s Next From WEBTOON Entertainment” flagship panel on July 25.

Last year, during SDCC 2025, WEBTOON announced epic partnerships with award-winning publishers, with the plan to digitize iconic comics such as Cyberpunk 2077, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin, and Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees. This year, WEBTOON offered SDCC 2026 attendees an exclusive first look at what’s next with WEBTOON, including information initially unavailable anywhere else, giving audience members the inside scoop before the internet. Among the “What’s Next From WEBTOON Entertainment” panelists initially introduced were Ryan Lee, WEBTOON’s Head of US Content, Sera Tabb, WEBTOON Productions Head of Global Television, and Managing Producers Erik Kozura and Susan Cheng. Said panelists answered questions, touched on the Video Episodes feature introduced in August 2025, and shouted out the success of WEBTOON Originals, action thriller FOG LAND, and the supernatural romance Superfish series, which readers can learn more about from my interview with Superfish creator Peglo.

Dungeon & Dragons lovers and fantasy fanatics will be thrilled to know that the WEBTOON Original, Fantasy High, will be returning on August 3 for its second season. Based on the hit Dimension 20 actual-play show helmed by Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan, Fantasy High was adapted by comic and webtoon writer Derek V. Song. Great for fans of Critical Role and The Breakfast Club, Fantasy High blends high fantasy with high school slice-of-life, exploring how to forge your identity, breaking away from unhealthy expectations, and finding your people. Let the adventure continue!

Meanwhile, much to the delight of many horror fans, the supernatural thriller School Bus Graveyard was confirmed for its third season. Great for fans of Five Nights at Freddy’s and Stranger Things, School Bus Graveyard follows a group of high school students who are trapped between realities, terrorized and hunted by monstrous creatures, and forced to rely on each other. Originally launched in July 2021, with themes of friendship, found family, and horror, SBG has become a massive hit among readers, who are eager for the series to resume. And with School Bus Graveyard set to return this winter, readers are encouraged to binge its first two seasons and root for Ashlyn and her ragtag team.

Trekkies and general sci-fi fans will be electrified to learn that WEBTOON has launched Recollection: A Star Trek Story as a free-to-read Original series on July 26. Inspired by the eras of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager, Recollection: A Star Trek Story will follow seven strangers who awaken aboard a Federation starship with no memories. Created in partnership with Paramount as more than merely an homage, Recollection: A Star Trek Story will host several Easter Eggs throughout its course. But panelists ensured that you do not have to be a Trekkie to enjoy this new series. With 40 episodes planned, Recollection: A Star Trek Story will offer a deep-space thriller and mystery that will be great for fans hyped about the latest season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and even appeal to fans of the online multiplayer Among Us. How so? Read to find out!

WEBTOON also provided exciting updates on adaptations in the works. For starters, longtime readers will be overjoyed to learn that the animated adaptation of Lore Olympus, the modern, stylized retelling of the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone that helped put WEBTOON on the map, has an update in development. First announced to be in development as an adult animated series in October 2019 and greenlit exclusively for Prime Video in January 2026, Rachel Smythe’s Lore Olympus has no set launch date. But the panelists confirmed that all episodes are written and the voices behind Hades and Persephone have been cast!

The completed urban fantasy friendship series LUMINE and ongoing fantasy action series Eleceed are also bound for animation, with Eleceed set to launch sometime in 2027. But these series aren’t the only ones receiving the royal treatment of an adaptation! Readers and fantasy fans can anticipate the live-action adaptation of the completed fantasy romance, The Remarried Empress. Set to stream exclusively on Disney+ and Hulu, The Remarried Empress will launch later this year as a K-drama and, with its elements of regal romance, power plays in and out of court, and well-executed retaliations, will be great for fans of Bridgerton. Watch a wrongfully discarded empress divorce her unfaithful husband, remarry a neighboring ruler, and take back her power in the upcoming adaptation of The Remarried Empress!

Next, Moderator and Comic Critic Tiffany Babb introduced WEBTOON Original creators Punko, ROSEOAK, and Ucheomaaa. Like the previously introduced panelists, they answered questions and made exciting announcements regarding their respective series. Punko, for example, showed off the physical adaptation of her horror series, Stagtown, which will be set for bookstore shelves this October, and announced that her latest WEBTOON Original and comedy series, Cinderella Boy, has been greenlit for its third season. Readers can learn more about Punko and her series from my interview with her in February 2025, but be patient, and you’ll learn more soon enough!

ROSEOAK, the creator of the romance high school slice-of-life Not So Silent, announced she’ll be adding another WEBTOON Original under her belt in the form of Love, Theodora. Originally developed as a WEBTOON CANVAS series, Love, Theodora will be a sapphic romance revamped for Originals and set for this winter. Readers can learn more about ROSEOAK and her first WEBTOON Original from my interview with her at LightBox Expo 2025, but again, if you practice more patience and stay tuned, you’ll learn more soon!

Ucheomaaa announced that his comedy series Vibe Check returns to WEBTOON with its second season after a nearly year-long hiatus. With a vibrant art style, hilariously hyper-exaggerated reactions, and comedic cartoon elements, Vibe Check explores how to find your path, purpose, and people. Uche said readers can anticipate more fantasy and sci-fi elements in season two, where teasers from season 1 will be explored, and character journeys will be expanded. Readers can learn more about Uche and his Vibe Check series from my interview with him at LightBox Expo 2025, but who knows, you might be hearing even more about Uche soon!

Lastly, to wrap up their “What’s Next From WEBTOON Entertainment” flagship panel, WEBTOON invited members of the audience to ask their panelists direct questions. As a bonus, attendees with questions received free copies of WEBTOON Unscrolled titles, including Love Bites Vol. 1, which is not set to be on bookstore shelves until August 4! What an incredible way to reward their loyal readers and conclude their SDCC 2026 presence! Way to go, WEBTOON!