Filipino comics are taking center stage at San Diego Comic‑Con, the world’s largest pop‑culture convention, as Hot Tropiks returns for its second year at Small Press L06.

Photo: Maharlika Vol. 1 [US/International Edition] + Maharlika Vol. 2 and Amboys #1 Convention Edition by Sigmund Torre and Angelo Mendez

The event will be held at the San Diego Convention Center from July 24 to 27, with Preview Night on July 23, drawing over 130,000 fans, industry professionals, and global media to celebrate comics, anime, film, and pop culture. This year, the California‑based publisher and distributor is unveiling a bold new lineup of stories that explore mythology, horror, crime, and identity through the lens of some of the Philippines’ and its diaspora’s most exciting creators.

Featured Releases

Arnold Arre x Hot Tropiks: Mythology Class Merch

A limited edition apparel and merch drop celebrating The Mythology Class, the iconic graphic novel that helped define modern Filipino comics. First time available in the U.S.

Maloles: The Reckoning Vol. 1 – Keeper of the Underworld by Ebony Soy

Published by Hot Tropiks Press

A dark fantasy and horror debut rooted in reimagined Philippine folklore. Maloles follows its titular character through divine realms as she uncovers buried truths and tears down the old order. Told in an illustrated novel format, this is the first volume in a literary trilogy exploring power, identity, and destruction through both words and images.

Philippine Spirits Mythica Obscura by Karl Gaverza

Published by Hot Tropiks Press [Limited Run]

A stunning visual compendium of Filipino spirits and creatures from one of the country’s leading folklorists. Part encyclopedia, part art book, this is a must-have for mythology fans.

Lunatics by Russell Molina and Ace Enriquez

Published by Anino Comics

Fresh out of prison, Vincent has already planned his next heist. But it’s not just the museum’s security he has to deal with, and he’s haunted by the wounds of his past and the question that won’t let him go: What is he really searching for? A quiet crime story from one of the Philippines’ most respected literary voices.

Amboys #1 Convention Edition by Sigmund Torre and Angelo Mendez

Published by Hot Tropiks Press

What happens when Archie and the gang go to Southeast Asia and make all the wrong choices? Amboys is a new series about Fil-Am friends navigating Manila’s seedy underworld mix of vice, violence, and corruption. SDCC exclusive debut.

Maharlika Vol. 1 [US/International Edition] + Maharlika Vol. 2

Published by Raygun Press / Hot Tropiks Press

Created by Rexy Dorado and John Ray, Maharlika is a sci-fi comic that blends Philippine culture, politics, and power armor in a near-future Southeast Asia. This is the first time the series is being released outside the Philippines, launching in North America through Hot Tropiks.

Guest Signings

Russell Molina

Russell Molina is a multi-award-winning Filipino author and graphic novelist known for titles like Josefina, Lunatics, 12:01, and Sixty Six (Mr. Tino in English). He brings decades of storytelling experience and will be signing copies of Lunatics at SDCC.

Ebony Soy

Ebony Soy is a Filipino-American visual artist based in Van Nuys, California. Her work blends minimalist line art with layered themes of power and myth. Ebony will be signing Maloles: The Reckoning Vol. 1 Keeper of the Underworld, a dark fantasy rooted in reimagined Philippine folklore.

Nathan Cayanan

Nathan Cayanan is a Filipino-American writer, illustrator, and educator. A graduate of USC and a DC Comics Milestone Initiative fellow, he brings a cross-cultural voice to mainstream comics.

Angelo Mendez

Angelo Mendez is the founder of Hot Tropiks and co-creator of Amboys, which makes its debut at SDCC. He is also known as a co-founder of Kumu and a longtime advocate for Filipino storytelling in global media.