The world’s largest LGBTQ+ comics and pop culture convention is taking Broadway by storm! Flame Con 2026 arrives at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square on Saturday, August 15 through Sunday, August 16, 2026. This year’s convention brings together fan-favorite creators, legendary cosplayers, and unforgettable nightlife to celebrate the best in queer geek culture.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can look forward to exclusive signing sessions, engaging spotlight panels, and interactive meet-and-greets with an extraordinary lineup of comic creators, artists, and cosplayers.
Featured Comics Creators and Cosplayers
Phil Jimenez: Award-Winning Icon of Comics and Queer Representation
Phil Jimenez is an Eisner, Inkpot, Diamond, and Wizard award-winning writer and artist who has worked for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and a host of other comic book companies for 35 years. A former student and later instructor at NYC’s School of Visual Arts, Jimenez is best known for his work on Tempest, The Invisibles, JLA/Titans, New-X-Men, Wonder Woman, Infinite Crisis, Amazing Spider-Man, Otherworld, and WonderWoman: Historia. Jimenez has also worked in film, television, animation, traditional print media, and packaging design; created large-scale artworks for public spaces, schools, and museums in New York and Chicago; lectured at universities, museums, and the Library of Congress on identity and diversity in entertainment; and mentored young designers at the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum. An Out 100 alum, Jimenez is considered the first out gay artist in mainstream superhero comics and remains one of the industry’s most prominent queer creators.
Drawfee Brings Creative Chaos and Comedy to Flame Con 2026
Drawfee is a popular online comedy and art collective known for turning imaginative prompts, pop culture concepts, and creative challenges into hilarious works of art. Through their widely followed videos, podcasts, livestreams, and other projects, Drawfee’s talented artists combine improvisational comedy with their distinctive artistic styles to create something entirely their own.
At Flame Con 2026, fans will have the opportunity to experience Drawfee live with Julia Lepetit (she/her), Jacob Andrews (he/him), Nathan Yaffe (he/him), and David Clarke (he/they). Known for their irreverent humor, collaborative creativity, and celebration of the wonderfully unexpected, Drawfee’s work has built a devoted community of fans who share their love of art, comedy, animation, games, and pop culture.
Drawfee will bring that signature blend of creativity and comedy to Flame Con 2026 with a special live experience that promises plenty of laughs, unexpected artistic challenges, and the kind of joyful creative chaos that has made the group a beloved presence in the online creative community.
Jadzia Axelrod: A Rising Voice in Queer Comics and Speculative Storytelling
Jadzia Axelrod is an award-winning writer whose work explores identity, queerness, family, and belonging through imaginative and emotionally resonant stories. Axelrod is the author of Galaxy: The Prettiest Star, Galaxy: As the World Falls Down, Hawkgirl: Once Upon a Galaxy, and Justice League: Dream Girls for DC, as well as The DC Book of Pride for DK. Her work has also appeared in the anthologies Sharp Wit & the Company of Women and When We Were Young, along with comics published by Tor, Quirk Books, and Epic! Books.
Through her work in comics and prose, Axelrod has established herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary queer storytelling, bringing LGBTQ+ characters and experiences to stories spanning superhero comics, science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction. Her work reflects the power of genre storytelling to explore identity and self-discovery while creating space for readers to see themselves in worlds of possibility.
A Philadelphia resident, Axelrod is also deeply connected to the city’s vibrant creative community. She lives with her wife and child, and brings the same warmth, imagination, and sense of wonder that characterize her work to her life beyond the page.
Sikecoz
Sikecoz is an award-winning SFX artist who has been cosplaying for more than 10 years and cosplay guesting for almost five years. As a trans man, his main aspiration is to showcase his unique style while also being a supportive member of the community.
Lucien
Lucien is a professional cosplayer and the creator of DieBreado Cosplay. A freelance influencer for more than ten years, Lucien has experienced the shift between IRL cosplay and online cosplay, and this experience has gifted them with unique skills. They love sharing what they have learned throughout their career, and hope to become a point of reference for others.
Fireball: The Official 21+ After-Party
Geeks OUT has announced the return of Fireball, the official 21+ after-party of Flame Con! This year, Fireball will take the stage at a new venue: Red Eye NY in Hell’s Kitchen, a short 10-minute drive or walk from New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 contestant Megami, Fireball showcases high-energy, geek-themed drag, burlesque, boylesque, and dancing. This year’s lineup includes Maljo Blu, Vape Kid Jr., Jess And, Godiva Romance, Gaymeboy Pocket, and Agent Wednesday.
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Source: Graphic Policy
