Special to Independent Newsmedia

Todd McFarlane will be appearing at the Phoenix Zoo as part of the Comic Conservation celebration.

The renowned comic book artist and writer will appear on Saturday, Oct. 4. The Comic Conservation, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., is an event inspired by the zoo’s latest Wild Side Gallery art exhibition and is included with general admission.

In addition to exploring the gallery and engaging with artists from across the Southwest, guests will have the opportunity to attend two ticketed events featuring McFarlane, known for revolutionizing both the comic book and action figure industries.

Children-Focused “Wild Drawings” Event: 10 a.m.

Geared toward kids and young fans, this $10 ticketed experience will feature McFarlane sharing behind-the-scenes stories, demonstrating basic drawing techniques and offering advice for budding creators.

Autograph Session: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

McFarlane will also host a separate ticketed autograph session for fans. Each ticket holder may bring one item per person to be signed. Note that no photos will be permitted during the autograph session. Ticket price is $10.

Tickets for zoo entry, as well as the add-ons of “Wild Drawings” and the autograph session, are available at https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/comic-conservation/.

Rising to fame through his work on “The Amazing Spider-Man” at Marvel, McFarlane later co-founded Image Comics and created the iconic antihero Spawn.

“Todd’s influence in the comic world is unmatched, and pairing his passion for creativity with our commitment to conservation is a truly powerful blend,” Bert Castro, Phoenix Zoo president & CEO, shared in a statement.

Alongside McFarlane’s appearance, the zoo will feature more comic artists, many of whom are featured in the Comic Conservation exhibition. These creators will be set up throughout the zoo offering meet and greets, autographs, merchandise and more. Artists on site on event day include Hanna Strauss, Victor Irizarry, Danny Ross, Sophia Cox and others.

The Comic Conservation art exhibition is running now through Jan. 25, 2026, and is included with general zoo admission.

Tickets for McFarlane’s special sessions and more information at https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/comic-conservation.