Daniel Warren Johnson has become a household name in the world of comics. He has created acclaimed series such as the Eisner-nominated Extremity, the fan-favorite Wonder Woman: Dead Earth, and Do a Powerbomb, which was nominated for Best Limited Series in 2022. Most recently, his kinetic work on Skybound’s Transformers has placed him at the forefront of the ambitious Energon Universe, an expansion unlike anything fans have seen before.
He’s making waves yet again with his newly announced artbook, which just went live on Kickstarter and has already raised over $148,000 and counting. So, it comes as no surprise that just days before San Diego Comic-Con 2025, a small but bold comic shop —the only one within walking distance of the convention center —is doing its part to keep that Comic-Con spirit alive and thriving.
Now or Never Comics, located on the corner of 1055 F St in San Diego, has been a staple of the city’s comic community since opening in 2018. The small but passionate shop has earned its place at the forefront of the local scene, boasting over 345 Google reviews with an average rating of 4.8, and nearly 6,000 followers on Instagram. It’s clear the store knows how to connect with its large, comic-loving community, so it came as no surprise when they announced their SDCC Kickoff Show earlier this month.
Hosted by Brad and Lisa Gullickson of the beloved Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast, the event was in full swing with special guest Daniel Warren Johnson appearing on the evening of July 22. To say it was a success would be an understatement. Signings ran from 7:15 to 8:30, followed by a live podcast at 8:45. More than 30 attendees packed the shop from beginning to end. Readers, it’s important to understand how badly fans wanted to be there. Tickets sold out well before the day of the event, and the shop’s cozy two-story space on the corner of F Street was filled wall to wall with excitement. Customers were sitting on stools and the steps leading up to the second floor, or even just standing all for one talented person of mythic proportions.
One of the attendees, Ash Osiris, shared what the event and getting to meet someone like Daniel Warren Johnson meant to him. He admitted he had to write out his thoughts and compliments by hand ahead of time, knowing he’d get too shy to say it all in person.
“Daniel Warren Johnson is my hero at this point, and his care for comics as an art form has brought a really profound sincerity to a medium that’s undergone so many radical changes. His work is evocative and extraordinarily personal, and it’s revolutionary. His efforts, not just as a creator but as an artist in every sense of the word, are generational.”
The Gullicksons started their live podcast explaining their mission, how they wanted to visit 51 comic shops across the United States, and Now or Never was their 41st. Johnson would go on to mention how every comic book store had its own charm.
“I do feel like comic book stores are like record stores in that it’s communal. In a world where social media is present, it’s special to have a gathering, even if it’s a comic store, once a week”.
Lisa Gullickson shared a personal memory of being turned away from a comic shop years ago.
“I have had someone tell me in the past I didn’t know enough about comics to open a box.”
She described how, over time, comic book shops became one of those few places where she could truly be herself, just like home or work. Brad added that throughout their journey, every shop they’ve visited has been welcoming. He’s seen pride flags, LGBTQ+ shelves, and more. With a chuckle, he admitted:
“I feel more connected with this country because I find these shops and all these other weirdos just like me, they’re everywhere”.
One of the standout moments of the night came about when Brad asked a simple but important question: “Johnson, how did you get into comics?”
Johnson’s answer was quick; he reminisced about how he would go to the library, and this librarian would notice how he would hover around the comic section, what little there was of it, and ask what he liked. Sure enough, every week he would come back something he had mentioned would be there, and that would continue for a long time. This would delve into what SDCC meant to Johnson, how he would express that it felt less corporate compared to other conventions.
“All the stuff with Comic Con from the outside looking in looks like it’s corporate, but Comic Con is like a long hot dog. If you want to go to the cool spots, you need to be willing to leave the bad parts and be willing to go to the other side.”
It’s interesting to take note of the peculiar timing of his arrival at Comic-Con. With his Kickstarter being out and his run of Transformers coming to an end soon, Johnson has accomplished much more than he could have expected.
“Transformers blew up in a way I could not have expected. It’s been night and day, and it’s cool to see people read my comics. I made something I’m proud of, and there’s a lot of larger pieces at play, so you don’t know what will happen.”
Yet Johnson felt satisfied with where Transformers would be leaving off, instead of worrying about the ending and choosing to look back on the Devastator and Bruticus fight, exclaiming how ecstatic he was to see that fight come to life with Devastator executing a cutter on Bruticus: a full page spread showing them fall to the earth with Optimus watching from afar and Bruticus’ reflection showing on the skyscraper behind Optimus.
“It was perfect.”
In the end, the night wrapped up with a quick Q&A session before attendees said their goodbyes and thank-yous, with plenty of pictures taken. But it was one of those moments that reminds you, without the San Diego comic community, the convention, and the shared love of comics, small but brilliant events like this just wouldn’t happen. It’s part of that Comic-Con magic you only get to feel here in San Diego. Without brilliant people like those behind Comic Book Couples Counseling, safe and expansive spaces like Now or Never, you wouldn’t have these events, the kind that get you wired for what’s coming. You could sense the shift in the room as the night ended, with everyone mentally gearing up for the start of what promised to be a fruitful, if hectic, Comic-Con weekend.
I believe it’s because of this, Osiris’s words kept ringing in my head.
“Every piece he puts out there serves as a profound exemplification of the ties that bind people. This event made me genuinely happy because it felt like a manifestation of the very essence of his work, a sense of community, and in a broader sense human connection. It was amazing.”
Earlier on Johnson had mentioned how he didn’t hold himself to another’s standard when he made his art book; he just did what he wanted. The purpose of that project wasn’t just about the money; it was about what that project represented. That he wants the project to inspire others, whether it be a pursuit of art or even starting their own project.
I can’t help but think that’s what the con is all about.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage from SDCC ’25.
SDCC COVERAGE SPONSORED BY MAD CAVE
