Thousands of pop culture aficionados will descend on Bartle Hall for the 2026 edition of Planet Comicon Kansas City.
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The annual Planet Comicon Kansas City is returning to Bartle Hall for another weekend full of superstar creators, media guests, and countless cosplayers from March 27 to 29, 2026.
William Shatner is returning to Celebrity Row! (Artwork property of Planet Comicon Kansas City)
Entertainment industry legend Priscilla Presley is coming to Planet Comicon Kansas City!
Ernie Hudson is expected to be at Planet Comicon Kansas City for all three days!
Legendary Media Guests
Several iconic pop culture figures will descend upon Bartle Hall to mingle with fans. Entertainment industry legends, such as Elijah Wood, Ernie Hudson, Famke Janssen, Kiefer Sutherland, Lorraine Bracco, Lou Diamond Phillips, Priscilla Presley, and returning guests Jason Isaccs and William Shatner, are expected to hold court at Celebrity Row.
Twilight actors Peter Facinelli, Maggie Grace, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene & Jackson Rathbone will give fans a chance to celebrate the romantic horror franchise.
Reunions
Planet Comicon Kansas City is expected to reunite multiple popular franchises. Fans of Netflix’s Hazbin Hotel can connect with voice actors Erika Henningsen, Kimiko Glenn, and Tony-winning actor Christian Borle. Supernatural fans will be thrilled by the opportunity to meet actors Jared Padalecki, Mark Pellegrino, and Samantha Smith. Twilight fans can meet Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, Maggie Grace, and Peter Facinelli. To commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, Sean Astin (Samwise), John Rhys-Davies (Gimli), and Elijah Wood (Frodo) will represent the Fellowship.
Legendary Marvel Comics artist Mark Bagley will be a part of the 2026 Artists Alley line-up. (Artwork property of Marvel Comics)
Make Mine Marvel
Many creatives associated with the fabled House of Ideas are expected to be in Kansas City for this weekend’s events. Legendary creators Chris Bachalo (Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Strange & X-Men), Mark Bagley (Amazing Spider-Man & Ultimate Spider-Man), Chris Claremont (X-Men), Dennis Hopeless (Spider-Woman), Adam Kubert (Avengers, Spider-Man, & Wolverine), and Jim Starlin (Thanos co-creator) are amongst the creators that will be in Artist Alley.
Fans of the DC Animated Universe can meet several actors and creators associated with shows such as Justice League during the three-day weekend. (Artwork property of Warner Bros. Animation)
DC – Animated & Comics Collide
Planet Comicon Kansas City will also welcome numerous creatives from DC Comics! DC Animated Universe fans will have the chance to meet Kevin Alteri and the legendary Paul Dini, who helped co-create Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, and Batman Beyond. Jason Aaron (Absolute Superman), Riccardo Federici (Lazarus Planet; Superman: Warworld Saga), Patrick Gleason (Batman & Robin; Superman Rebirth), Jeremy Haun (Batwoman), Phil Hester (Gotham City: Year One; Green Arrow; Swamp Thing), Joelle Jones (Catwoman; Poison Ivy; Wonder Girl), and the legendary Dan Jurgens (The Death of Superman and Justice League International), and Dan Mora (Absolute Power, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, Detective Comics, and Justice League Unlimited) are expected to be in Artist Alley.
Lord of the Rings stars Elijah Wood, Sean Astin & John Rhys-Davies will be closing out the Grand Ballroom festivities on Sunday!
Gaming & Grand Ballroom Panel Previews
Throughout the Planet Comicon Kansas City weekend, pop culture aficionados could channel their inner gamer by playing tabletop games. Fans can expect to play Flesh & Blood, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon: The Trading Card Game, and Wargames: BattleTech at the TableTop Gaming Rooms.
Meanwhile, the Grand Ballroom is expected to be packed all three days with headlining panels. Kid Cadet and Zack Wilson are expected to alternate hosting duties throughout the weekend. Friday is expected to highlight the Hazbin Hotel voice actors (4 to 4:45 PM), Keith David (5 to 5:45 PM), and the superstar trio of Alex Winter, Keifer Sutherland, and Lou Diamond Phillips (6 to 6:45 PM).
On Saturday, all eyes will be on William Shatner (12 to 12:45 PM), the Twilight actors (1 to 1:45 PM), Jason Issacs (2 to 2:45 PM), Priscilla Presley (4 to 4:45 PM), and Ernie Hudson (6 to 6:45 PM). The final day will see Elijah Wood and Sean Astin (12 to 12:45 PM), the Supernatural reunion (1 to 1:45 PM), and John Rhys-Davies (3:30 to 4:15 PM).
For more information about Planet Comicon Kansas City, visit their website!
