This November Experience An Event Unlike Any Other in the Continental United States,
When The Spectacle of Comic Book Storytelling Meets The Glamour of the Roaring ‘20s
Featuring In Person Appearances By
Nick Dragotta (Absolute Batman), Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Eric Basaldua (Withchblade), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Frank Cho (Skybourne), Ace Continuado(Robyn Hood), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), Megan Huang (Star Wars), Dave Johnson (Superman: Red Son), David Mack (Jessica Jones), Dustin Nguyễn (Robin & Batman), Alex Niño (Creepy), Jason Palmer (Firefly), Dan Panosian (Wolverine Paradise), Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra Assassin), Cat Staggs (John Carpenter’s Tales for a Halloween Night), William Stout (Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth), Dean Yeagle (Mandy), and more.
And The Art Of Alex Ross Exhibit Featuring Original Art
September 10, 2026 (Chicago, IL) – This November, the historic Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles will host the first ever ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art, a two-day celebration of original art by some of the most popular, influential, and inspiring contemporary comic book artists working today. The festival will take place on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026, preceded by a VIP opening night reception and cocktail hour on Friday, November 6, 2026. Tickets for the event are on sale now and a special hotel reservation rate is available from The Biltmore Los Angeles.
The gilded halls of The Biltmore Los Angeles have been graced by the likes of the Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, Edith Wharton, and nine U.S. presidents. Befitting the hotel’s illustrious past, the first ever ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art will feature some of the biggest stars in comics, including Nick Dragotta (Absolute Batman), Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Eric Basaldua (Withchblade), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Frank Cho (Skybourne), Ace Continuado (Robyn Hood), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), Megan Huang (Star Wars), Dave Johnson (Superman: Red Son), David Mack (Jessica Jones), Dustin Nguyễn (Robin & Batman), Alex Niño (Creepy), Jason Palmer (Firefly), Dan Panosian (Wolverine Paradise), Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra Assassin), Cat Staggs (John Carpenter’s Tales for a Halloween Night), William Stout (Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth), Dean Yeagle (Mandy), and select art dealers, with more guests being announced.
“The Biltmore Los Angeles has been a gathering place for artists, storytellers, and visionaries for more than a century, so hosting the inaugural ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art is a wonderful continuation of that legacy,” said Mariel Cabada, Director of Marketing & Communications at The Biltmore Los Angeles. “The combination of original comic art, legendary creators, and the historic glamour of The Biltmore Los Angeles creates a truly unique experience, and we are thrilled to welcome ICON and its artists, collectors, and enthusiasts to Downtown LA.”
Unlike most comic book conventions and events, due to the limited number of tickets available, all attendees of the ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art will have a unique opportunity to spend time and converse with these legendary artists in person, as well as look at and purchase original art from their collection.
“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet some of the most talented comic book artists working today while experiencing the grandeur of one of the most prestigious spaces in Los Angeles,” says ICON co-founder Steve Morger. “You can explore the storied hotel, talk with creators about their craft, commission art, and purchase rare, original pieces.”
To commemorate the event, Alex Ross, one of the most universally acclaimed comic book artists, has hand-painted a stunning image of the Angel, the iconic symbol of the hotel. A limited edition, hand-signed giclee print of Ross’ Angel painting will be included in select ticket packages and the original art will be displayed during the event. In 2002, Ross designed the official promotional poster for the 74th Academy Awards.
“Like I did with the art for the Academy Awards, I wanted to channel and celebrate the spirit of Old Hollywood,” said Alex Ross. “One of the things I find most exciting about the ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art is that the event is a genuine celebration of the arts. This is not your usual comic book event. This is a luxury event, being held where the Academy Awards were first conceived.”
The ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art will host The Art Of Alex Ross Exhibit. First seen in its entirety at the Dunn Museum in Chicago, the exhibit makes its way to Los Angeles for the first time. The impressive exhibit features more than one hundred original works by Ross. Ross’ artwork paved the way for a wider acceptance for painted comics, with seminal stories including Marvels,Kingdom Come, Uncle Sam, Justice, Astro City and the award-winning and national bestselling Fantastic Four: Full Circle graphic novel. Abrams Comic Arts released his highly anticipated and ambitious graphic novel Marvel Dimensions in September 2026.
Since opening in 1923, The Biltmore Los Angeles has reigned as one of Los Angeles’ grand landmarks. With its Beaux-Arts architecture with Renaissance Revival detail, hand-painted frescoes by Italian master Giovanni Smeraldi, crystal chandeliers, and carved marble columns, some might consider The Biltmore Los Angeles an unusual location for a comic book festival.
The ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art marks a homecoming of sorts for co-founder Sal Abbinanti.
“I attended USC and worked at The Biltmore Los Angeles as a bartender,” says ICON co-founder Sal Abbinanti. “I always loved the ambience and have savored the memories and the way I felt in that building. When we were considering venues for ICON I knew The Biltmore would be perfect. I’m honored and elated to be a part of the arts community and to bring storytelling artists and collectors together in such a magnificent locale. There really is no other festival like this in the continental United States.”
Both intimate and immersive, the ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art is a can’t miss event — where original comic art and storytelling convene. Tickets are on sale now. Visit the ICON Art Festival site (https://iconartfestival.com/) to view the tiered pricing list and for more information. For the special rate at The Biltmore Los Angeles, book online or call today 213.612.1575 and mention code: Los Angeles Comic Art Festival. More details will be released in the coming weeks. Follow the ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art on Instagram @iconartfestival.
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