SDCC 2026:
From Darth Maul to Pokémon, the Composers Behind Your Favorite Fandoms Take the Stage
Some of the most unforgettable moments in pop culture aren’t spoken. They’re played.
Whether it’s the unmistakable tension of a Star Wars villain, the triumphant theme of a superhero, or the emotional beats of your favorite anime, composers are the storytellers audiences hear long before they realize it.
That’s exactly what makes BMI and White Bear PR’s annual Comic-Con music panel one of the hidden gems of San Diego Comic-Con.
This year’s panel, “Thematic Tunes: From Star Wars to Pokémon,” brings together an all-star lineup of composers responsible for some of today’s biggest franchises, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at how iconic themes are created and what it’s like composing for worlds with generations of passionate fans.
For us at Saturday Morning Cereal, one name immediately jumped off the page.
Friend of the Show Kevin Kiner Returns to Comic-Con
We’re always excited to see Kevin Kiner back at Comic-Con.
Longtime listeners know Kevin is a friend of the show, having joined us over the years to discuss his incredible career composing for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, The Bad Batch, Ahsoka, and more. His work has become part of the musical DNA of modern Star Wars, introducing themes that fans instantly recognize alongside the legendary music of John Williams.
Joining Kevin on the panel are fellow composers Sean Kiner and Deana Kiner, whose work on the upcoming Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord continues to expand one of the galaxy’s most compelling corners.
As lifelong Star Wars fans ourselves, we’re especially looking forward to hearing how the Kiner family approaches writing music for one of the franchise’s most iconic characters.
More Than Just Star Wars
While Star Wars may be the headliner for us, the panel spans an impressive range of fan-favorite franchises.
Joining the discussion are:
- Ed Goldfarb (Pokémon)
- Claudia Sarne (Supergirl)
- Trey Toy (Castlevania: Nocturne)
- Kevin, Deana & Sean Kiner (Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord)
The conversation will be co-moderated by Louie Stephens, BMI’s Director of Film, TV & Visual Media, alongside Chandler Poling of White Bear PR.
Expect plenty of insight into the creative process behind writing themes for beloved characters, balancing fan expectations, and creating music that becomes inseparable from the stories we love.
Panel Information
Thematic Tunes: From Star Wars to Pokémon
Thursday, July 23, 2026
4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Room 6A
San Diego Convention Center
If you’ve ever wondered how a few notes can instantly transport you to a galaxy far, far away, the streets of Gotham, or the world of Pokémon, this is a panel worth adding to your Comic-Con schedule.
We’ll be on the ground all week at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, bringing you the biggest news, exclusive interviews, panel coverage, and behind-the-scenes moments from the convention floor and inside the press rooms. Be sure to follow Saturday Morning Cereal and follow us on X @StayClassySDCC for live updates throughout the show.
