After a successful 2025, Portsmouth Comic Con is gearing up for its return to Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026, with another spectacular outing that will celebrate the best in comics, pop culture, TV, film and more.
First to be announced are TV star Tom Rosenthal, who will be lining up alongside new attractions including the Bookish Block zone and best-selling author Juno Dawson.
Tom Rosenthal is a British actor, comedian, writer, and musician, known for his roles in the TV shows Friday Night Dinner and Plebs, and for his songs like “Lights Are On” and “It’s OK”. He is also the creator of the viral music videos for his self-released songs and the podcast Strangers on a Bench. A stand-up comedian in his own right, Rosenthal has written and performed shows including Child of Privilege and Manhood, the latter earning critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The Bookish Block zone – new for 2026 – will build on 2025’s journey into fantasy literature, featuring author guests and book signings, indie bookstore Pigeon Books, a reading corner, a Bookish trader, book swap and more. With the Guildhall’s Square Kitchen Café opening up especially for the weekend, visitors can grab a coffee and sit to read their new book purchases!
Joining the Bookish Block on Saturday 2nd May is highly acclaimed author Juno Dawson. A number 1 Sunday Times best-selling author, screenwriter, journalist, and columnist, Dawson has had global bestsellers with This Book Is Gay and Clean. She won the 2020 YA Book Prize for Meat Market. Her first adult fantasy trilogy Her Majesty’s Royal Coven launched in 2022, becoming an instant best-seller.
Dawson grew up in West Yorkshire, writing imaginary episodes of Doctor Who. As well as books, she also writes for television and has multiple shows in development both in the UK and US. Juno had a cameo in the BBC’s I May Destroy You (2020), a recurring role in Holby City (BBC 2021), and was the face of Jecca Cosmetics Play Pots campaign. Her writing has also appeared in Glamour, The Pool, Dazed and the Guardian. She has appeared on Pointless Celebrities, BBC Women’s Hour, Front Row, ITV News, Channel 5 News, This Morning and Newsnight.
Comic books will also be used to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes in children and adults. Portsmouth Comic Con has announced a partnership with specialist psychologists and consultants from Queen Alexandra Hospital, University Hospital Southampton and DiaFight to raise awareness and dispel myths around type 1 diabetes, through the promotion of an educational but fun range of games and a comic book series, which will be available at the Con.
Living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is challenging at best and life limiting at worst. While children and families receive physical care and medical training, significant gaps remain in emotional, psychological, and social support. There is an urgent need for engaging, relatable, and fun educational tools that reach children, schools, and broader communities.
Enter DiaFight, a groundbreaking fantasy-themed trading card game and story universe that brings to life the realities of diabetes in a way that is fun, empowering, and easy to understand. Designed for children and adults aged 4 and above, DiaFight combines immersive gameplay with a powerful storytelling series: Ellie and Endo. These short, animated stories follow a brave young girl and her loyal DiaPal through epic adventures that mirror the daily highs and lows of living with T1D. DiaFight is designed to inspire any young person with diabetes on their own journey and has reached over 80,000 people globally to date.
Diabetes Specialist Consultant Dr Mayank Patel said, “We are delighted to be bringing the Type 1 Diabetes Comics series to the 2026 Portsmouth Comic Con, and looking forward to sharing this fun, award-winning educational resource with the Comic Con-munity, as all involved continue their efforts to raise awareness, dispel myths, and challenge diabetes stigma.”
Portsmouth Comic Con is the largest family-friendly comic con of its kind, attracting more than 8,000 people through its doors in 2025, presenting the best in comic, film, TV and pop culture entertainment in a full and fun weekend for all the family.
Widely regarded as an unmissable event in the comic con calendar, Portsmouth Con’s attractions include the impressive comic-focused Artist Alley – with the first artist names due to be announced soon – featuring the creators of some of the comic world’s most popular and iconic characters, colourful cosplay parades, compelling panels and discussions, workshop opportunities and gaming zones, as well as one of the largest selections of comics, collectables and merch around.
With guests and further immersive experiences set to be announced, Early Bird tickets are on sale until the end of October, after which time prices will rise. Get them before they go!
