Smile. Shake Hands. Keep Walking.

Con Edition: How to Be in the Same Room as Someone You Can't Stand

Every July, thousands of people descend on San Diego Comic-Con to celebrate comics, books, movies, and games. What nobody mentions is that eventually you’ll bump into someone you were hoping never to see again. Yes, the industry is that small.

Maybe they took credit for your work. Maybe they sabotaged a project. Maybe they got you fired. Maybe they’re just a genuinely unpleasant person. And somehow... you’re both supposed to smile over tiny hors d’oeuvres and pretend you’re delighted to see each other. Or are you?

I wasn’t planning on writing a Substack this week, but I strangely find myself with some solitude before the con madness, and this has been on my mind, as this happens to me every year, and I never handle it well. I avoid eye contact, move to the other side of the room, and pretend this other person does not exist, while being incredibly uncomfortable.

This year, it needs to be different. Why? Because I already know I am most likely the only one giving it this much energy. And I’ve decided I can’t let situations like this hijack an event I’ve looked forward to for months. But in case I am not the only one, I’ve decided to share my realizations (mantras? Whatever you want to call them) that changed my perspective:

1. You’re not attending Comic-Con to confront someone from your past. You’re there for your creators, your books, your colleagues, your readers, and your career.

2. Your success is your response. You don’t need acknowledgment from people who treated you poorly. If your career is going well, if your projects are thriving, if you’re respected...that’s enough.

3. Time does the talking. People move companies. Editors change. Imprints disappear. Creators remember who treated them well. Your reputation compounds over decades. So does theirs. Just keep doing good work.

4. Does it feel like everyone is watching if you happen to interact with one of these people? They’re most certainly not. But if they are? Don’t perform. Handle yourself with grace.

5. Related to that last one: You don’t have to be warm, just be polite. You don’t owe everyone enthusiasm. Professionalism isn’t pretending to be friends; it’s refusing to create unnecessary drama.

I think the most important thing to remember is that this isn’t “taking the high road.” F’ that. This is more about not letting someone else dictate your mood, or ruin your good time. You are protecting your own energy.

I regret it took me fifteen years to finally get to this headspace, but hey…hopefully by passing this along, it helps someone else a little sooner!

If you’re at SDCC, some of the books I have edited are having some signings! Get on over to the Mad Cave booth 2806! There are lots more amazing signings, but since this is my Substack, I get to be biased:

Thursday, July 23

• 3 p.m.: Dave Johnson – Pop Kill

Dave also drew two Pop Kill “Naughty & Nice” exclusive con variants (which was a funny story on how those came to be, let me tell you—I swear, sometimes I feel like Dave and I are just flying by the seat of our pants when figuring out the covers on this series).

The "Naughty" one is sans the bikini top. ;)

Friday, July 24

• 1 p.m.: Craig Hurd-McKenney – Best Friend Show

• 3 p.m.: Mario B. Long – Casshan, God Tier

If you or someone you know loves dogs and heartfelt queer coming-of-age stories, do yourself a favor and pick up Best Friend Show. We worked hard on this one, and it’s worth it. One of the characters is even named after me (thanks, Craig!).

Saturday, July 25

• 11 a.m.: Craig Hurd-McKenney – Best Friend Show

• 3 p.m.: Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner – Pop Kill

In case you missed it, Pop Kill: Big Candy was announced! With a slew of amazing variants, including one by Amanda, and JG Jones, Brian Stelfreeze (black bag, naturally!), Ben Caldwell, and a Mad Cave exclusive variant by Cully Hamner (on the Mad Cave website only!).

If you’re thinking this series is just empty fluff, you don’t know me as an editor. Much in the style of my favorite satire Bomb Queen, Pop Kill’s female lead, Dina Deluxe, is a genius scientist who in the first series revolutionized the soda pop industry by creating a formula to make soda stay fizzier longer. Naturally, this put her in the crosshairs of rival soda companies who did not want their competitors to get their hands on that formula. Jon Pyle is the mercenary hired to kill her and steal her formula. Too bad he has a weakness for really smart women.

In this next series, we amped it up, and Dina is at it again! Having survived, thanks to Jon, she is back in the lab, this time creating a healthy sugar substitute that will disrupt the candy industry and set off the beginning of the Sugar Wars! This series is some of the most fun I’ve had editing a book. Wait until you meet the Li’l Hotties (as seen on JG Jones’ and Cully Hamner’s covers)!

Dave Johnson, Amanda Conner, JG Jones, Ben Caldwell, Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner (MCS Exclusive)

Lastly, here are my panel reminders!

Magma Comix: Pitching Your Vision and Developing IP

Thursday, July 23, 2026, 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

Room 25ABC

Whether you’re dreaming of pitching to the Big Two or building your own universe from scratch, this panel pulls back the curtain. Industry veterans John Barber (Marvel, IDW, PUG-W) and Joseph Illidge (DC, Fairsquare Graphics) bring inside knowledge from Marvel and DC. Kristen Simon (Exec Editor, Mad Cave) and Tom Waltz (former creative director, IDW) break down exactly what indie publishers want to see from new projects, whether the pitch is original or for a licensed property. And if indie publishing and Kickstarter are calling your name, David Hedgecock (owner, FunTimeGo) and Shannon Denton (Monster Forge, Image, Marvel) have cracked that code and are ready to share it. Moderated by Magma publisher Denton J. Tipton, this panel offers aspiring creators valuable insights.

And…

We Are All Superfans

Saturday, July 25, 2026, 6:00pm - 7:00pmPDT

Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Superfan Podcast features comics creators discussing the things they love that are not comics. Co-hosts Christian Gossett (story artist, Eyes of Wakanda), Kristen Simon (executive editor, Mad Cave Studios, Nakama Press), and David Hyde (owner, Superfan Promotions) appear with Jordan Morris (Web of Venom), and Soo Lee (Witness Point) for a candid conversation about what they are superfans of, along with surprises.

We’re now recording Season 3 of the Superfan Podcast. Be sure to subscribe to the Superfan Signal Substack to get updates! Each episode includes detailed show notes (with reference breakdowns) plus cocktail, mocktail, and dessert recipes inspired by our guests’ fandoms…because, of course, we did that.

If you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and feel inclined, a 5-star review is always appreciated. It genuinely helps the show find new listeners and grow.

You can also find me on Instagram at @geekchic_promos, on Bluesky as @kris10simon, and over at the Editor Girl website.

See you next week!

Onward,

Kris