SDCC 2026 Recap
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is officially in the books, and what an unforgettable experience it was.
Although our time on the show floor was brief, we made every moment count. With another major event on our calendar, we could only spend a day and a half at SDCC—but anyone who's attended knows that's never enough.
From the biggest reveals to conversations with some of the industry's most talented creators, we worked hard to bring back the news and first looks that matter most to collectors. We know how much our community relies on us for honest coverage, exclusive insights, and exciting discoveries, and we're grateful to share this year's highlights with you.
An Unforgettable Invitation from Weta Workshop
One of the greatest honors of our trip was being invited by Weta Workshop.
The Weta team welcomed us with incredible generosity, giving us an exclusive look at some of their newest collectibles before many collectors had the opportunity to see them. Spending time with the team—and especially witnessing Richard Taylor's passion firsthand—was an experience we'll never forget.
We were given a rare behind-the-scenes look at the design process, seeing the creativity, precision, and attention to detail that Richard Taylor and his team pour into every collectible. It's easy to understand why Weta continues to set the standard for premium collectibles.
Rivendell: A 1:6 Scale Masterpiece
Without question, one of the biggest highlights was the breathtaking 1:6 scale Rivendell environment.
Every architectural detail reflected the same extraordinary craftsmanship that made the films so iconic. Photographs simply don't capture its scale or presence. Standing in front of it was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why so many of us fell in love with collecting.
If you haven't already, head over to our Instagram where Richard Taylor personally walks viewers through the painting techniques and creative process behind the project. Hearing directly from the artist himself makes these videos essential viewing for any collector.
And that's only the beginning. Weta revealed an incredible lineup of upcoming releases, and we're excited to share much more in the weeks ahead.
Sideshow Returns to SDCC
Seeing Sideshow back at San Diego Comic-Con was a genuine highlight.
Although the booth was smaller than longtime attendees may remember, the more intimate layout actually worked in its favor. Rather than feeling crowded, it had the warmth of a fellow collector's space — a beautifully curated counter filled with stunning statues and a screen playing footage of Sideshow's team at work on their products. It felt personal, inviting, and completely on-brand.
It was wonderful reconnecting with familiar faces and admiring the incredible displays.
There's something truly special about that kind of presentation — it deepens your appreciation for the craft and the people behind it.
Among the reveals, one that truly stood out was the new Mr. Freeze statue — a stunning piece that immediately caught our attention and had collectors buzzing on the floor.
The reveals themselves were carefully curated, and the influence of new Art Director Daniel Bel was evident throughout. There is a refined creative direction emerging at Sideshow that feels fresh while still honoring everything collectors have loved about the brand for years.
Sharing the booth this year were some of the biggest names in the hobby, including Hot Toys, Prime 1 Studio, PCS Collectibles, and Infinite Studios, making it one of the must-visit destinations on the convention floor.
A Gallery-Worthy Presentation
One of the most talked-about changes this year was Sideshow's decision to display many pieces behind glass.
It may seem like a small change, but it completely transformed the presentation. The statues felt more like museum-quality works of art, photographs looked noticeably better, and every display carried a premium gallery atmosphere. Judging by the overwhelmingly positive response from attendees, we hope this becomes the standard for future shows.
EFX Collectibles: Exciting New Reveals
EFX Collectibles returned to SDCC with an impressive lineup of new reveals. While Star Wars fans certainly have plenty to look forward to, that wasn't all they had on display. Several exciting new projects caught our attention, and we can't wait to share more details as they're officially announced. As always, we'll be bringing these new releases to Secret Compass as soon as they're available.
The Biggest Surprise of the Show: Jazzinic
If we had to choose one company that completely exceeded our expectations this year, it would be Jazzinic.
Meeting the Dutch family behind the company was a pleasure — including the creator of the diorama himself. Their warmth, passion, and genuine excitement for creating world-class collectibles was immediately apparent.
The standout piece was undoubtedly the DC Batman (1989) Batcave Ultimate DX Edition — a breathtaking diorama that includes a beautifully sculpted Bruce Wayne figure, seated with his hand resting on his face, capturing a quiet, contemplative moment that makes the piece feel truly cinematic.
This isn't simply another collectible—it's an engineering achievement. The fully functional monitor system built directly into the Batcave displays synchronized video across every screen, from the smallest display to the largest monitor, creating an incredibly immersive presentation. It simply has to be experienced in person to fully appreciate the level of innovation and craftsmanship behind it.
PureArts: A Hands-On Highlight
PureArts also had an exciting new reveal with their The Lord of the Rings: Nazûl King Art Mask – Exclusive Edition. Seeing it in person was impressive, but what made the experience even more memorable was that the PureArts team let us get hands-on with the piece. Feeling the incredible texture and craftsmanship up close was something photos simply can't capture. It's an amazing release, and we can't wait to see collectors add this one to their collections.
Iron Studios
Iron Studios once again brought an impressive collection to SDCC. The only challenge was photographing the display, as the glass cases made it difficult to capture the statues clearly. Even so, the lineup was fantastic.
Highlights included Avengers: Doomsday, Magneto, Professor Xavier, the dynamic Daredevil & Elektra 1:6 scale diorama, an incredible airborne Iron Man, the beautiful 30th Anniversary The Hunchback of Notre Dame statue, a darker, battle-ready Wonder Woman, Spider-Man vs. Hulk, and the first creature from their upcoming Dungeons & Dragons collection.
My personal favorite was the 1:4 scale Bruce Wayne & Batman statue. It's not a new release, but seeing it in person is absolutely breathtaking and one of the standout pieces in the entire Iron Studios lineup.
Family from Milan: Infinite Statue
Another unforgettable experience was meeting the incredible team behind Infinite Statue from Milan, Italy.
From the moment we met them, they made us feel less like business partners and more like family. Their enthusiasm for the hobby is genuine, and that passion is reflected in every collectible they produce.
Their SDCC lineup embraced classic horror with remarkable confidence and artistry. From The Exorcist to Frankenstein, every piece showcased exceptional sculpting, storytelling, and attention to detail. Their display stood out as one of the most distinctive presentations at the show.
One piece of advice for collectors: if you see an Infinite Statue release you love, don't wait. Their editions tend to sell out quickly, and for good reason.
We're incredibly excited to continue building our relationship with this outstanding team and look forward to bringing many of their future releases to our community.
Faces of SDCC 2026
One of the best parts of Comic-Con is the people — the creators, the collectors, and the passionate teams behind the brands we love. Here are some of our favorite moments from the show floor.
Looking Ahead
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 reminded us why this event remains the heart of the collectibles industry.
From exclusive previews at Weta Workshop to Sideshow's exciting new direction, from the reveals of EFX Collectibles to the innovation of Jazzinic, from the hands-on experience with PureArts to the stunning lineup from Iron Studios, and the artistry of Infinite Statue—this year's show was filled with unforgettable moments and exciting opportunities for collectors.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing exclusive interviews, detailed product spotlights, first-look videos, and much more from everything we experienced on the convention floor.
Thank you to everyone who followed along during Comic-Con and to the amazing companies and friends who welcomed us throughout the event. Your support allows us to continue bringing collectors closer to the artists, creators, and collectibles we all love.
Until next time—happy collecting from all of us at Secret Compass.
