San Diego Comic-Con kicks off on Thursday, and if you’ve come to make your schedule for this year’s con, you’ve come to the right place. For the highlights, checkout our article on the top 10 things we are hoping to see at Comic-Con. You may also want to check out our updated guide to Star Trek merchandise SDCC exclusives.
For an exhaustive list of all things Trek at SDCC, see our list of panels, events and booths below.
Star Trek-related panels
These are the panels that may be of most interest to Star Trek fans, with the official Star Trek panel in Hall H panel being the biggest. and all panels that are dedicated to talking Trek.
Thursday, July 19th
| Panel Name | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| From The Bridge | 10:00am-11:00am | Ballroom 20 |
| Writer/director Spencer F. Lee brings together Nichelle Nichols, Rod Roddenberry, Kerry O’ Quinn, Tom DeSanto, Cecil Grimes, Douglas Tait, with Greg Grunberg as moderator to introduce their new film From the Bridge, a documentary on the evolution of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and horror and the positive impacts that they have had on society as a whole. An exclusive first look at the feature film will be screened. The journey of a once-underground community of geeks has turned into a multi-billion-dollar explosion of fandom. | ||
| Roddenberry Presents | 1:30pm-2:30pm | Room 24ABC |
| Roddenberry Entertainment, the name that brought you Star Trek, takes on genre entertainment in the current landscape and provides updates on many of their current projects. Film and television producers Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry and Trevor Roth reveal rarely seen Deep Space Nine treasures from the Roddenberry Archives in celebration of the series’ 25th anniversary and present a special screening of the company’s original film project, Instant, soon to be released to worldwide audiences. The panel will be joined by podcast hosts John Champion and Ken Ray, who will speak to the growing Roddenberry Podcast Network. Moderated by Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). | ||
| The Science of Star Trek | 5:45pm-6:45pm | Room 6DE |
| To go boldly where no one has gone before . . . but human eyes may have. If you believe that elsewhere in this galaxy, familiar worlds from Star Trek and sci-fi exist, this is the panel for you. Dr. Morgan Cable (NASA scientist for Europa Lander mission concept), Dr. Jessie Christiansen (NASA scientist at Exoplanet Archive/Caltech), Phil Plait (SYFY’s The Bad Astronomer and Bill Nye Saves the World), Hallie Lambert (writer for The Expanse), and André Bormanis (science consultant for Star Trek and The Orville) discuss the real science behind sci-fi’s most beloved universe. | ||
Friday, July 20th
| Panel Name | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Space Command | 12:00pm-1:00pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library |
| Marc Scott Zicree (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Twilight Zone Companion), VFX geniuses Joe Lawson and Tobias Richter (Star Trek Voyager), and cast members present the world premiere of the first episode of Space Command: Redemption, the epic adventure series that spans 150 years of galactic history. The cast includes Doug Jones (Shape of Water, Star Trek: Discovery), Robert Picardo (Star Trek Voyager, Total Recall), Mira Furlan (Babylon 5, Lost), Bruce Boxleitner (Tron, Babylon 5), Mike Harney (Orange Is the New Black), Christina Moses (Containment), James Hong (Big Trouble in Little China), Faran Tahir (Star Trek, Iron Man), and world-wide talent search winners Ethan McDowell, Bryan McClure, and Sara Maraffino. With costumes by Mike Philpot (Superman), music by David Raiklen, plus Q&A and behind-the-scenes video. | ||
| The Return of Mego featuring Joe Namath | 1:00pm-2:00pm | Room 32AB |
| Marty Abrams, CEO of Mego Corp., speaks about the return of the world’s greatest toy company and welcomes football legend Joe Namath to autograph a very limited number of new Joe Namath 14-inch action figures exclusively at Comic-Con. Marty will also be introducing a new line of 8-inch and 14-inch licensed action figures. | ||
| Star Trek: Discovery | 1:30pm-2:30pm | Hall H |
| Over 50 years ago, the world was first introduced to what would quickly become a cultural phenomenon. Star Trek inspired developments in science and technology, broke social barriers, and transported viewers around the globe to new adventures and uncharted frontiers. Last fall, Star Trek: Discovery continued that tradition and followed the voyages of Starfleet aboard the U.S.S. Discovery. The cast and producers of this CBS All Access series look back on season 1 and find out where the crew is headed as it transports into its second season. Cast members scheduled to appear include Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Mary Wiseman, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Cruz, Mary Chieffo and Anson Mount alongside executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Heather Kadin. The panel will be moderated by series guest star Tig Notaro, who will appear as chief engineer Reno. Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery is now streaming on CBS All Access. | ||
| Star Trek: A Fandom Divided? | 5:00pm-6:00pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library |
| Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek (The Trek Files, Trekland’s Portal 47) hosts a panel of Trek podcasters asking if age or even tech affinity is amplifying the controversies surrounding Star Trek: Discovery, or is it all much ado about nothing? Be a part of the Q&A and be recorded live for later podcasts’ use. Panelists will include John Champion (Mission Log: A Roddenberry Podcast, The Trek Files), Ken Ray (Mission Log: A Roddenberry Podcast MacOSken), Alison “Kenna” Pitt (Priority One), Kayla Iacovino (TrekMovie, ShuttlePod), and trek.fm’s Aaron Harvey (Saturday Morning Trek). | ||
| SYFY WIRE Fangrrls: Women Changing the Game | 5:30pm-6:30pm | Room 6DE |
| The landscape of sci-fi has changed, and it’s never going back. Women aren’t just making some of the best, most groundbreaking work found in the genre today, they’re also redefining what it means to be a fan. Come geek out with trailblazers and breakthrough innovators Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek), Lights (pop musician), Amanda Conner (writer/artist of Harley Quinn), Sana Amanat (VP, content and character development at Marvel), Yetide Badaki (American Gods), Gail Simone (writer, Domino, Plastic Man), and moderator Cher Martinetti (Fangrrls’ managing editor) as they chat about their current obsessions and discuss how they’re blazing their own path and changing the industry. | ||
| Klingon Lifestyles | 8:30pm-9:30pm | Room 5AB |
| Klingons, weapons, a new mission, and a live-action bat’leth sword battle. Come join the fun and mayhem for the 25th annual Klingon stage play. Watch the Stranglehold Klingons attempt to capture a new power source for the Empire. Fellow costumed Trek fans will celebrate this silver anniversary presentation with a group photo at the end. All alien races welcomed. If you love stage plays, come and support the only live-action Star Trek fan-based play to boldly go where no play has gone before. | ||
Saturday, July 21st
| Panel Name | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| IDW’s Big News Panel! | 1:00pm-2:00pm | Room 25ABC |
| Be among the first to hear about IDW’s big announcements at SDCC! New titles! New creators! All the news that’s fit to print in one place. Plus, don’t miss out on an exclusive giveaway that you can only get here! | ||
| The Orville | 4:00pm-4:50pm | Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront |
| From Emmy Award-winning executive producer and creator Seth MacFarlane, The Orville is back for season 2! Some of the crew members of the U.S.S. Orville, including Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, and Scott Grimes, along with executive producers David A. Goodman, Brannon Braga, and Jon Cassar, give an exclusive look at some of the new and exciting missions in the upcoming second season. | ||
Sunday, July 22nd
| Panel Name | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Disco’ Was My First: Any Star Trek Newbies? | 1:00pm-2:00pm | Grand 9, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina |
| Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek (The Trek Files, Trekland’s Portal 47) makes his annual SDCC trip to hunt for any fans who have found Star Trek for the first time with Discovery -DFFs: “Discovery fans first”-but all are welcome as he leads a forum of audience opinions and feedback. How do fan voices react to Discovery -or are some even being heard at all? As usual there’ll be plenty of past, present, and future Star Trek too, using bloopers, in-jokes, and touchstone visuals from the Nemecek Trekland archives, plus a world premiere sneak peek from his The Con of Wrath documentary and a same-day-only bonus from his new Portal 47 fan experience. | ||
| Starship Smackdown XXV: The Final Countdown | 2:45-4:45 | Room 6A |
| A panel of experts determine who will win the highly coveted Smackdown title. Can the Starship Enterprise defeat an Imperial Star Destroyer? Will the Milano be assimilated by a Borg Cube? Will the Nostromo be taken over by Rathars? And will the Jefferson Starship disappear forever after Thanos snaps his fingers? Only if you’re lucky. This panel of sage spaceshipologists includes Ashley E. Miller (Red Sonja, Thor), Steven Melching (Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance), Kay Reindl (Freakish, Millennium), Christian Gossett (The Red Star), Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise), Daren Dochterman (Westworld, Real Steel), and your jocular host, the Mr. Rourke of the stars, Mark A. Altman (Tor Books’ upcoming So Say We All, The Fifty-Year Mission). Finish your weekend with the geekiest and most beloved panel of all-time in this or any other dimension, known or unknown. And ‘zis combat will be to the death. | ||
Off-site Star Trek Events
Don’t miss out on the fun that happens outside of the convention center. No Comic-Con badges are required to enjoy these events!
Star Trek: Discovery Mirror Universe Gallery Takeover
This year, the main off-site event will be the official Mirror Universe takeover of the Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts Gallery. CBS is creating a “fully immersive Mirror Universe experience” at the Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts Gallery (363 Fifth Avenue, San Diego). The exhibit is free and features a photo opportunity with Emperor Georgiou’s Throne and showcases props and costumes from the series’ Terran Empire. The gallery will also house an official shop with Comic-Con exclusives.
Exhibit Hours:
- Thursday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
James T. Kirk Bourbon Tasting Event
Silver Screen Bottling recently announced an upcoming line of Star Trek-themed spirits, with the first release to be the James T. Kirk Signature Bourbon Whiskey. Silver Screen is holding a special tasting event at the Rustic Root (535 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101), which is about a quick 5-minute walk from San Diego Convention Center. The event will be held between 2pm & 6pm PST on Thursday, July 19. Note you must bring I.D. to show you are 21.
Free Star Trek: Discovery Pedicabs
Ride around downtown San Diego in style in one of the official Star Trek pedicabs. The rides are free, but we’re assuming tips are highly appreciated.
Other Panels That May Be Of Interest
There are also a few Star Trek-adjacent panels that may have just a bit of Trek influence, featuring Star Trek luminaries from behind or in front of the camera. Click the links to get more info.
| Panel Name | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 19th | ||
| Drawing with Scott Hampton | 4:00pm-5:30pm | Room 2 |
| Destination Nerd | 6:00pm-7:00pm | Grand 1 & 2, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina |
| What Rebellions Are Built On: Popular Culture, Radical Hope, and Politically Engaged Geeks | 8:00pm-9:00pm | Room 32AB |
| Friday, July 20th | ||
| Romance in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Historical Fiction | 11:00am-12:00pm | Grand 9, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina |
| Afro-Futurism: Black to the Future! | 1:00pm-2:00pm | Grand 9, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina |
| Enter the Uncharted Regions | 3:00pm-4:00pm | Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library |
| A Brief History of Time Travel | 4:50pm-6:10pm | Marriott Grand Ballroom 3 & 4 |
| Saturday, July 21st | ||
| Costume Design for Television and Film | 11:00am-12:00pm | Room 23ABC |
| Licensed! Overstreet Looks at Licensed Comics | 12:00pm-1:00pm | Room 9 |
| Don’t Go Broke Collecting | 5:00pm-6:00pm | Grand 1 & 2, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina |
| Out in Comics 31: The Next Generation | 6:00pm-8:00pm | Room 29AB |
| Sunday, July 22nd | ||
| SuperheroIRL! Join the Real-Life Justice League | 1:00pm-2:00pm | Room 25ABC |
| Ironklad Studios: The Art of Creature Design | 3:00pm-4:00pm | Room 32AB |
Autographs
A few Star Trek celebs have announced signings at SDCC. All autographs take place in the Sails Pavilion in the convention center.
| Celebrity | Signing Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 19th | ||
| Larry Nemecek | 2:30pm-7:00pm | |
| Nichelle Nichols | 2:30pm-7:00pm | |
| Friday, July 20th | ||
| Lee Meriwether | 2:30pm-7:00pm | |
| Nichelle Nichols | 2:30pm-7:00pm | |
| Saturday, July 21st | ||
| Arne Starr | 10:00am-2:30pm | |
| Michael DeMeritt | 10:00am-2:30pm | |
| Doug Jones | 2:30pm-4:00pm (at Booth 3513 signing Saru busts) |
|
| Larry Nemecek | 2:30pm-7:00pm | |
| Lee Meriwether | 2:30pm-7:00pm | |
| Juan Ortiz | 3:00pm-4:00pm | |
| Doug Jones | 5:00pm-6:00pm (at Booth 2913-K signing USS Discovery ornaments) |
|
| Sunday, July 22nd | ||
| Lee Meriwether | 10:00am-1:30pm | |
| Nichelle Nichols | 10:00am-1:30pm | |
Vendors
Your list of vendor booths to be sure to stop by in the Exhibit Hall. Licensees in bold have a 2018 SDCC Star Trek exclusive on offer at their booth.
| Vendor | Booth Number |
|---|---|
| Loot Crate | 241 |
| Mego | 830 |
| Her Universe | 1321 |
| McFarland | 1501 |
| Hallmark | 1505 |
| Chronicle | 1506 |
| Entertainment Earth/BifBangPow | 2343 |
| Diamond Select | 2607 |
| Darkhorse | 2651 |
| IDW Comics | 2743 |
| Moebius | 2946 |
| Eaglemoss | 3249 |
| Icon Heroes | 3345 |
| ThinkGeek | 3349 |
| Mezco | 3445 |
| Gentle Giant | 3513 |
| Insight | 3721 |
| ANOVOS | 3849 |
| Lightspeed | 3945 |
| Rubies | 4049 |
| QMx | 4145 |
| Titan | 5537 |
| Funko | 5341, 5347 |
Stay tuned for TrekMovie’s SDCC coverage
TrekMovie.com has a team headed to San Diego to bring you all the news and highlights so stay tuned to the site as well as our Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates through the week.
So, if we’re going to hear anything official about those other projects, Friday’s the safest bet on when. I’m excited…
That Science of Star Trek panel looks awesome. I hope trekmovie gives us a report on it!
The Fandom Divided panel should allow for the naysayers to have their say in a public forum. Funny, the panel could have also examined the Movies vs TV division as well. In other words there seems to be division everywhere – which just goes to show, you can’t please all the people all of the time. All I know is that with ST Discovery, Star Treks 4&5 plus four new potential TV projects all happening over the next five years, there should be a little something for everyone. And for a fan like me, there is a ton more Star Trek to enjoy over the next half decade and beyond.
Has Trek ever gotten to be in Hall H? I mean that’s…that’s pretty big. Besides the Abrams films panels.
Will be waiting to hear more about the new shows.