The first-ever ICON Festival of Comic & Narrative Art is coming to the historic Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles this November, headlined by The Art of Alex Ross Exhibit featuring more than one hundred original works.
The two-day festival runs November 7-8, 2026, preceded by a VIP opening night reception and cocktail hour on November 6.
Tickets are on sale now at iconartfestival.com.
The artist lineup includes Nick Dragotta (Absolute Batman), Daniel Warren Johnson (Transformers), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra: Assassin), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Frank Cho (Skybourne), Sanford Greene (Bitter Root), Dave Johnson (Superman: Red Son), David Mack (Jessica Jones), Dustin Nguyen (Robin & Batman), Alex Nino (Creepy), Dan Panosian (Wolverine Paradise), Eric Basaldua (Witchblade), Ace Continuado (Robyn Hood), Megan Huang (Star Wars), Jason Palmer (Firefly), Cat Staggs (John Carpenter’s Tales for a Halloween Night), William Stout (Pan’s Labyrinth), and Dean Yeagle (Mandy), with more guests to be announced.
Alex Ross Paints The Biltmore Angel
To mark the event, Ross has hand-painted the Angel, the iconic symbol of the hotel.
A limited edition, hand-signed giclee print of the painting will be included in select ticket packages, and the original art will be on display during the festival.
Ross designed the official poster for the 74th Academy Awards back in 2002 — and the Biltmore is where the Academy Awards were first conceived.
“Like I did with the art for the Academy Awards, I wanted to channel and celebrate the spirit of Old Hollywood,” said 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,” Ross continued.
The Art of Alex Ross Exhibit makes its Los Angeles debut at the festival after first being shown in its entirety at the Dunn Museum in Chicago.
The exhibit spans Ross’ career, including Marvels, Kingdom Come, Uncle Sam, Justice, Astro City, and Fantastic Four: Full Circle. His new graphic novel, Marvel Dimensions, was released by Abrams ComicArts in September.
Original Art Inside The Birthplace Of The Oscars
Unlike the big conventions, ICON is limiting the number of tickets sold, so attendees can actually spend time talking with the artists, commission pieces, and purchase original art directly from their collections.
“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,” said ICON co-founder Steve Morger. “You can explore the storied hotel, talk with creators about their craft, commission art, and purchase rare, original pieces.”
The Biltmore opened in 1923 and has hosted the Beatles, Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney, Clark Gable, and nine U.S. presidents.
Co-founder Sal Abbinanti knows the hotel well — he worked there as a bartender while attending USC.
“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,” said Abbinanti. “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.”
Tickets and tiered pricing are available now at iconartfestival.com. A special hotel rate is available from The Biltmore Los Angeles by booking online or calling 213-612-1575 and mentioning the code “Los Angeles Comic Art Festival.”
Follow the festival on Instagram at @iconartfestival.
