Award-Winning Composer Bear McCreary Brings Themes & Variations Tour and Exclusive Comic-Con Panel to San Diego

One of the most influential composers working in film, television, and video games is heading to San Diego Comic-Con 2026.

Award-winning composer Bear McCreary will make a special appearance during Comic-Con as part of his Themes & Variations Tour 2026, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the music that has helped define some of the biggest franchises in entertainment.

Known for his unforgettable scores across television, film, and gaming, McCreary’s Comic-Con appearance promises to be a must-see event for music lovers, filmmakers, gamers, and genre fans alike.

A Career Defined by Iconic Scores

Over the past two decades, Bear McCreary has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable composers, creating unforgettable musical themes that have elevated countless fan-favorite productions.

After beginning his career as a protégé of legendary composer Elmer Bernstein, McCreary burst onto the scene in 2004 with his groundbreaking score for Battlestar Galactica, instantly establishing himself as one of the industry’s brightest talents.

Since then, his résumé has grown into one of the most impressive in modern entertainment, with acclaimed work on:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
• Foundation
• Outlander
• Godzilla: King of the Monsters
• The Walking Dead
• Netflix’s Oscar-nominated documentary Crip Camp
• God of War
• God of War Ragnarök

Whether crafting sweeping orchestral themes or pulse-pounding action scores, McCreary has consistently delivered music that has become inseparable from the worlds audiences love.

An Award-Winning Legacy

McCreary’s work has earned widespread critical acclaim throughout his career.

Among his many honors are:

• Three Emmy Awards, including two for Percy Jackson and the Olympians
• Twelve International Film Music Critics Association Awards
• Score of the Year honors in 2024
• Two BAFTA Awards for the God of War franchise
• Two Grammy nominations

His influence extends beyond Hollywood. McCreary has collaborated with acclaimed artists including Hozier, Fiona Apple, Shirley Manson, Annie Lennox, and the late Sinéad O’Connor, while legendary conductor Gustavo Dudamel performed a suite of his music with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

He’s even earned an unexpected place in pop culture, becoming the answer to a clue on Jeopardy! and humorously landing at No. 23 on The Ringer‘s list of the “Most Definitive Bears in Popular Culture.”

Following Comic-Con, McCreary will continue his Themes & Variations Tour across the West Coast, performing selections from throughout his celebrated career. Tickets are currently on sale. More info here.

Tour stops include:

• September 8 – Portland, Oregon
• September 9 – Seattle, Washington
• September 10 – Vancouver, British Columbia
• September 13 – San Francisco, California
• September 15 – San Diego, California
• September 16 – Phoenix, Arizona
• September 17 – Los Angeles, California
• September 18 – Las Vegas, Nevada

A Celebration of Music That Shapes Stories

From battling Cylons in Battlestar Galactica to exploring Middle-earth, surviving the zombie apocalypse, and venturing through the mythological realms of God of War, Bear McCreary’s music has become an essential part of modern genre storytelling.

His Comic-Con appearance offers fans a rare opportunity to hear directly from the composer behind many of entertainment’s most memorable scores while celebrating the artistry that often serves as the emotional heartbeat of the stories audiences cherish.

For anyone attending San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Bear McCreary’s panel is shaping up to be one of the convention’s standout events, offering an unforgettable look into the creative process behind some of the most iconic music in film, television, and gaming.

The Singularity: Ekleipsis, the follow-up to his ambitious hard rock concept album of 2024, arrives on July 31 via Sparks & Shadows Records and Mutant. Pre-orders are now available at https://bearmccreary.com/thesingularity/.