Latine Conversations at Comicpalooza University: A Reflection

When you think of a comic convention, a university classroom probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. And yet, at Houston’s Comicpalooza, the two worlds collide in the most dynamic way through Comicpalooza University (CP University)—a space where fans, scholars, and creatives come together to learn, share, and build community.

Billed as “Texas’ largest pop culture festival,” Comicpalooza took over the George R. Brown Convention Center the weekend of June 20–22. The event buzzed with celebrity panels, cosplay workshops, wrestling matches, and a sea of vendors. But what truly stood out was CP University, organized by scholar and founder Dr. Stanford Carpenter.

Sapphire Stage Banner, Comicpalooza University 2025

So what exactly is CP University? Picture a stage where academics, creators, and researchers gather to geek out with convention attendees on everything from superheroes to publishing. This year, sessions took place at the Sapphire Stage—a corner of the exhibition floor transformed into an open-access lecture hall.

Across three days, the Sapphire Stage hosted 16 panels with 35 panelists. Its strategic location—close to the heart of the convention—invited casual drop-ins from curious passersby.

Audience photo: “Black and Brown Futures in Popular Culture” with Dr. Toniesha Taylor, Luis Valderas, and Rev. Dr. Sakena Young-Scaggs

The programming was rich and varied: panels explored marginalized identities in pop culture, celebrated unsung heroes of the comic book industry, examined teaching through comics, and offered insider views into the world of publishing.

What made CP University especially remarkable was its accessibility. There were no gates or gatekeepers. Anyone could stop by, listen, and ask questions. It was a university in spirit—without tuition or exclusion.

I had the honor of participating in the panel Stories of Latinidad in Popular Culture alongside fellow comic scholars Kevin Garcia and Dr. Anthony Ramirez. Together, we unpacked the evolving terminology of Latine/x/o/a and reflected on what it means in pop culture today.

Kevin Garcia (Left), Samantha Ceballos (Middle), Dr. Anthony Ramirez (Right)

Kevin delved into the Latine history of comics, spotlighting the contributions to Marvel and DC universes. Dr. Ramirez examined border representation, with a particular focus on Blue Beetle. I explored Latina superheroes across media—from Jessica Cruz (Green Lantern) and America Chavez in comics, to Frida Suarez (The Adventures of Manny Rivera) and Luz Noceda (The Owl House) in television.

Our conversation flowed into audience questions about colorism within the Latine community, strategies to amplify Latine stories, and the recent appearance of Hector Ayala (Marvel’s White Tiger) in the recent Daredevil show. The dialogue was lively, insightful, and deeply affirming.

As a graduate student and firm believer in community engagement, I found the experience invigorating. It’s one thing to conduct research—it’s another to share it with an audience that’s genuinely curious and personally invested. CP University gave me the space to do both.

In that panel, we weren’t just talking about pop culture—we were making space for it to grow, evolve, and reflect us. Together with the audience, we embarked on a journey of reflection and reclamation, affirming that we’re here—and we’re not going anywhere.

As Latine scholars and creators, there’s still much work to be done. But this moment at Comicpalooza reminded me of the power of conversation and community. My hope is that those who attended will continue to ask hard questions, explore culture with fresh eyes, and—most importantly—tell their own stories.

Now more than ever, we need them.