Ronda Rousey and the Wizards of OZ: AWA Brings the Knockout Magic to New York Comic Con 2025 (convention news).
If you’re anywhere near New York Comic Con this year and have even a passing interest in either punching people for glory or yellow brick roads, you’ll want to make a beeline for AWA’s booth (#4355). They’re turning up with more firepower than a UFC pay-per-view meets a L. Frank Baum fever dream — and frankly, we’re here for it.
First up, the one and only Ronda Rousey — former UFC champion, WWE icon, and now apparently comic book heroine — is stepping into the graphic novel ring with Expecting the Unexpected. It’s billed as a “raw, high-stakes thriller about survival and motherhood.” Which, given Rousey’s CV, could just as easily describe breakfast at her house. She’ll be joined by legendary artist Mike Deodato Jr., and the pair will appear at her Fight Like a Mother panel on Friday, October 10 (5–6pm, North Room 406.3). Expect equal parts bruises, heart, and heroic storytelling.
If you want a selfie or to get something signed (ideally not a restraining order), Rousey’s appearances at the booth are:
- Thursday, Oct. 9 (4–5pm).
- Friday, Oct. 10 (1–2pm).
- Saturday, Oct. 11 (12–1pm).
Then, when you’re done fighting like a mother, it’s time to follow the yellow brick road to AWA’s Mapping Myth & Magic panel on Saturday, October 11 (4:45–5:45pm, Room 1C03). This one’s for the dreamers, the nostalgics, and the kind of people who still think flying monkeys were adorable. The creative cabal behind Ultimate OZ Universe: The Lost Lands — including Larry King, Kevin McCollum, Axel Alonso, and Tori Calamino — will be unpacking how they’re reimagining Oz for a new generation without angering the ghost of L. Frank Baum. Moderation duties fall to EmKay and Tara from Down the Yellow Brick Pod, who sound like the sort of podcasters you could happily share tea with… provided it’s not laced by the Wicked Witch.
You can also catch Esad Ribić, who’ll be signing his gloriously green Emerald City art print on Thursday, Oct. 9 (2–3pm), and return for the Ultimate OZ Meet & Greet on Saturday, Oct. 11 (2–4pm) for what promises to be a full-scale Emerald City love-in.
AWA’s also got signings with Mark Russell (Thursday and Sunday, both 12–1pm), plus more trades and one-shots than you can shake a wand or a folding chair at — including work from Garth Ennis and Frank Cho, because apparently AWA doesn’t do “quiet weekends.”
And yes, there’s merch. Sweet, limited-edition, collector-tempting merch:
- Expecting the Unexpected TPBs and exclusive NYCC pin
- Ultimate OZ Universe giveaway comic and pins
- Esad Ribić’s Emerald City wraparound print
Here at SFcrowsnest, we love a good crossover — and AWA’s blend of myth, muscle, and magic might just be the perfect Comic Con cocktail. So, lace up your gloves, polish your ruby slippers, and prepare to be dazzled. Somewhere over the convention centre, dreams really do come true (and possibly get signed by Ronda Rousey).
