Recommendations: Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Comic-Con International starts on Thursday and here are my recommendations for some panels to seek out.
I rarely go to any panels any more. Trying to do news coverage means that I don't have the time to either wait in line for big panels or clear a few hours each day to attend some smaller ones, but I always try. And, I have always been rewarded by the panels I do get into.
So, if you are looking for some panels that are small and intimate, to take a deep dive into something, or panels that just sound intriguing, here are my suggestion for Thursday. I'll be posting more suggestions for the rest of the convention and some booth recommendations as well.
To start with, here's a heads up for one of the hidden treasures of the convention, it's the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI-IFF). This takes place everyday, and each day starts at 10:00 a.m. with a Comic-Con Film School panel on different topics followed by a block of themed films at 11:05 a.m.
The CCI-IFF takes place in the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina hotel, next door to the Hall A side of the convention center. The Film Festival room is on the second level of the Marriott Grand Ballroom 6. With the awards ceremony Sunday at 11:00 a.m. So, look over the schedule and plan some time to check out a few of the shorts, features and documentaries that will be showcased.
Below are the panels with the times, locations, and program descriptions.
(Note: ⭐ = favorites)
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Disability Representation On and Off Screen
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room 6A
This panel will explore disability representation both on-screen and behind the camera and will serve to raise the profile of disability as an essential pillar of diversity, it will also celebrate the diversity that exists within the disability community. This panel will feature talent including Lauren Ridloff, Steve Way, Josh Feldman, Jillian Mercado, Timothy Omundson, and moderator Abbey White.
Comics Arts Conference Session #1: Tezuka 33 Years Later
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Room 26AB
This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the loss of Osamu Tezuka, the God of Manga and Father of Anime. Bill Field (Institute of Comics Studies) leads a discussion of the legacy of Osamu Tezuka that crosses comics and animation with Kuni Tomita (Akira), Karen Green (Columbia University), Ron English (Popaganda), and Jerry Beck (Woodbury University).
Writing for the Young You
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 5AB
Stories have the power to transport you to many places, including taking you back in time to when you were a child. Comic-Con Special Guests Tomi Adeyemi, Lorena Alvarez, Soman Chainani, Keithan Jones, and Lilah Sturges are joined by moderator Katie Pryde (owner, Books with Pictures, Portland, OR) to discuss how they craft the stories they were drawn to in their youth and create the tales they felt were missing.
The Forgotten Trio: Letterers, Colorists, and Inkers
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 9
Comics bring us so much more than superheroes. Jessica Tseang (international comics historian) discusses with Dave Lanphear (letterer, DC Comics, Marvel), Beth Sotelo (colorist, DC Comics, Marvel), and veteran inkers the importance of their careers in bringing stories to life, how their work was impacted by the last few years, and what we can look forward to in the future. Learn about what it takes to break out and be noticed by publishing companies of all sizes. (NOTE: I highly recommend this for a deep dive into an aspect of comics you may not know a lot about.)
Comic Collecting A to Z
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room 28DE
Jeff Shinn (San Diego-based comic book shop owner, Into the Void Comics; professional comic book presser), Harry Lee (San Diego based comic book dealer, major West Coast convention dealer, online seller), John Cunningham (San Diego–based high-level comic collector, investor), Richard Guevara (San Diego–based high-level collector, speculation market expert, comic seller, investor) and Nathalie Chavez (ShortBoxed team member, content creator, host of Chat with Nat Instagram live show, high-level collector) discuss all aspects of comic book collecting in the current market.
Diversity and Comics: Multimodal Media and Comics
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Helen Price Reading Room, San Diego Central Library
Aaron Grizzell (NorcalMLK Foundation, Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival) moderates a conversation with David F. Walker ("Naomi," DC; "Bitter Root"), Angelique Roché ( "Marvel Voices"; "My Super Hero is Black"), Marco Finnegan ("Lizard in a Zoot Suit," "The Keeper"), Angela Sanchez ("From Cocinas to Lucha Libre Ringsides: Latinographix Stories of Sports," "Food & Madness"), and Stanford Carpenter (Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival) on how the construction of various modes of communication and information transfer have been affecting and socializing our culture and how comics and illustrated stories are powerful tools of visual communication and expression.
Spotlight on Jim Lee
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
Room 6DE
Comic book artist, writer, and publisher and chief creative officer of DC, Jim Lee ("Batman," "Superman," "Justice League," "Suicide Squad") talks about his 25-plus years in the comics industry and sketches your favorite characters live on the big screen in this engaging panel.
Filipinx Voices in Pop Culture
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor, Omni Hotel
Filipinx/Filipinx-American influences can be found in every facet of pop culture. But have there been times when this culture had been pushed away from representation? Does the general population know how many Filipinx people are behind their favorite media? Alix Catherine (content creator, "The Welcome Party") is joined by Earl Baylon (voice actor, "Tomb Raider" series), Mitch Narito (actor, "The Good Place"), Andrea A. Walter (film director and cinematographer), Law Sharma (senior content producer, Cinemablend), and JPG (pop-culture consultant, InterMyth) for a fun and educational all-Filipinx panel.
Turning Lore into Something More: Reimagined Myth in Fantasy Fiction
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 32AB
Storytelling has long played a central role in the formation of cultural identity. Tomi Adeyemi ("Children of Virtue and Vengence"), Wesley Chu ("The Art of Prophecy"), and Rebecca Roanhorse ("Fevered Star") discuss the role lore plays in their work and why returning to and reinventing traditional figures, themes, and narratives is important for both commemorating the past and creating the future. (NOTE: I will be moderating this one.)
Art from The Holocaust: Art as a Lifeline
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Room 4
David Beck Brown (artist/creator, "The Unknown Artist-History Erased"), Sandra Scheller (USC Shoah Foundation interviewer), Stephen D. Smith (CEO, StoryFiles), and Heidi S. Straus (USC Shoah Foundation interviewer, Holocaust educator) examine and discuss drawings, illustrations, and graphics made by Holocaust prisoners in the face of potentially mortal consequences. They will discuss such prisoner artists as Horst Rosenthal, Dina Babbitt, and Otto Ungar and offer a special tribute to Neal Adams, creator of the Artist from Auschwitz graphic.
The Early SDCC El Cortez Hotel Years
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room 23ABC
As we mark the 50th Anniversary of the first con to be held at the San Diego El Cortez Hotel, come and hear interesting, humorous, and amazing stories from the people who were there during those magical early years. Panelists: Mike Towry (SDCC founder), Jackie Estrada (Eisner Awards administrator, has attended every SDCC), Scott Smith (SDCC's media department creator & former board member), Clayton Moore (artist and former SDCC committee member), Milt Gray (animator and guest at the 1972 SDCC). Paul Sammon (author and director), and Greg Koudoulian (long-time SDCC attendee and friend of George Clayton Johnson).
Up from The Depths: Toho's Godzilla: Past, Present, and Future of Collectibles
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 29CD
Chris Mowry (creative manager for Toho International and host of the Godzilla CHOMP web series) is joined by Brian Flynn (founder of Super7), Hector Arce (Mondo), Jody Dankberg (Stern Pinball), famed artists SHAG and Attack Peter, and Jazmine Joyner (IDW Publishing) discuss the collectibles side of Godzilla and why the classic films continue to inspire products in new and creative ways.
Spotlight on the Hernandez Brothers: Love and Rockets 40th Anniversary
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room 25ABC
Award-winning artists Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez discuss 40 years of creating their iconic comics series. They'll be joined in conversation by Carol Hernandez (photographer and actress) as they talk comics, the punk scene, and creating art over the decades.
Todd McFarlane Celebrates Spawn’s 30th Anniversary
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Room 6DE
Megastar artist, McFarlane Toys CEO, and Image Comics president Todd McFarlane ("Spawn," "Venom") celebrates the 30th anniversary of Image Comics and Spawn’s debut, which changed comics forever!
Women on The Dark Side
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 24ABC
Whether it’s comic books, films, novels, or art, these women are creating content that connects with the deeper, darker side of all of us. Featuring Sandy King Carpenter (president, Storm King Productions), Anne Toole ("Horizon Zero Dawn"), Debbie Smith Daughetee (CEO, Kymera Press), Dr. Suzana Flores ("Untamed: The Psychology of Marvel's Wovlerine") . Moderated by Susan Lee (founder, Women on The Dark Side).
Celebrating Indigenous Comic Books and Pop Culture
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room 2
This panel of Indigenous writers and illustrators celebrates Indigenous comic books! participants include Sonny Chargualaf (Chamorro illustrator from "Guam," "The Dark Reaches"), Aaron Cuffee (co-founder of IndigiPop X, Indigenous Comic Convention), Mark Nazal (Diwata Komiks), and Dr. Stanley Rodriguez (professor and Kumeyaay expert and tribal member).
Jaws: The Trial
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
The Town of Amity is being sued by the families of shark attack victims! Was it right for Mayor Vaughn to keep the beaches open after the death of Chrissie Watkins? Was the medical examiner right to change Watkins’s cause of death to a boating accident? Attorneys Michael Dennis, Mark Zaid, Danna Nicholas, and Kathy Steinman argue before Judge Carol Najera. Featuring Valerie Tosi as Mrs. Kitner and Jeff May as Mayor Vaughn. Organized by The Legal Geeks. (NOTE: These are always fun plus you will learn something about the law.)
Friday, July 22, 2022
That’s NOT All, Folks! Looney Tunes for Everyone!
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Don’t forget that left turn at Albuquerque on your way to the Looniest panel at San Diego Comic-Con! Take a look at all the latest from the Loon-iverse, including the new season of Looney Tunes Cartoons, the new series Bugs Bunny Builders, the new Tiny Toons Looniversity, and bonus surprises. EricBauza (voice of Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Daffy Duck, and more) moderates an all-star panel with AlexKirwan (supervising producer, Looney Tunes Cartoons), AbeAudish (supervising producer, Bugs Bunny Builders), NateCashe and ErinGibson (co-executive producers of Tiny Toons Looniversity), and others.
Women of the Hollywood Art Department
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 9
Hear from several of the talented women and members of the Art Directors Guild who are responsible for dreaming, designing, and drawing some of the most memorable and immersive environments for film and TV. The discussion will cover their creative and professional journeys, putting their creativity to work to overcome unique challenges, and how they envision the Art Department of the future. Panelists include Samantha Avila (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol III, Spider-Man: No Way Home), Tina Charad (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol III, The Batman), Jasmine Alexia Jackson (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Station 11), Lauren Polizzi (Top Gun: Maverick, Captain Marvel), and Shamim Seifzadeh (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Book of Boba Fett). Moderated by Kate Weddle (Yellowstone, WandaVision, The Suicide Squad).
Autobio Comics
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 29AB
From small slice-of-life webcomics to deep dives into family history, autobiographical comics take readers on an intimate journey. Personal stories have the ability to bring people together, to give them a glimpse into a life very similar to their own or one that is drastically different. Comic-Con Special Guests Henry Barajas, Cecil Castellucci, Miriam Libicki, Nathan Pyle, Raina Telgemier, and Barbara Kesel discuss their stories and how they created them
Comics for Ukraine
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 10
Comics for Ukraine is a crowdfunded comics anthology through zoop.gg initiated and edited by Scott Dunbier to help relief efforts in Ukraine. Dozens of creators have stepped up to help. Alex Ross, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Johnson, and Arthur Adams have supplied covers. More than a dozen all-new stories will be included: Astro City by Busiek and Anderson, Groo by Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier, American Flagg by Howard Chaykin, Scary Godmother by Jill Thompson, Chew by John Layman and Rob Guillory, Grendel by Matt Wagner, Star Slammers by Walter Simonson, and Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai make up a portion of this book, But there are more, too many to list—so come to the panel (which will have several of the creators listed here) and find out about this very important book and what you can do to help this charitable endeavor.
Spotlight on Frank Miller
1:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Room 6A
The legendary artist/writer Frank Miller is regarded as one of the most influential and awarded creators in the entertainment industry today, known for his intense, and visceral storytelling and gritty noir aesthetic across comics, novels, and film. His transcendent and groundbreaking works include Ronin, Batman: The Dark Knight, Batman: Year One, Sin City, 300, and more. Recently, Miller launched Frank Miller Presents (FMP), an independent publishing company focused on creating and curating a line of comics that will prioritize developing and producing work with the industry's greatest and rising artists. Join Miller for a one-on-one interview conducted by his old pal Bill Sienkiewicz.
Being Seen: Defending Identity in the Comic Arts
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room 11
Maus in Tennessee. New Kid in Texas. Gender Queer all over the nation. A rising tide of book challenges and bans has been sweeping the country, and recent studies by the American Library Association and PEN America have shown that these challenges overwhelmingly target BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creators, as well as diverse content. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund leads a discussion about identity censorship in comics, the importance of representation, and comics as tools for developing empathy and understanding of the world. Panelists will also discuss strategies to defend against book challenges in your community.
Celebrating 100 Years of Charles Schulz
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 24ABC
Moderator Damian Holbrook (TV Guide) and panelists Robb Armstrong (JumpStart), Benjamin Clark (curator, Charles M. Schulz Museum), Melissa Menta (Peanuts Worldwide), Lex Fajardo (Creative Associates), and Hailey Cartwright and Promise Robinson (Armstrong Project scholarship recipients) discuss the centennial and legacy of the Peanuts creator; the publication of Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects; and Peanuts’ inspiring Armstrong Project (named for Franklin Armstrong, Peanuts’ first Black character): two $100,000 endowments to Howard and Hampton Universities to support the work of up-and-coming Black animators.
The Making of a Comic Book Page
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 29CD
Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, Superman: Birthright) and Christian Gossett Vila (The Red Star, Cthulhutown) take you through the collaborative process of creating a comic book page, highlighting the importance of teamwork and communication. Mark will give a script page to Christian to draw, and Christian will draw it live. A can't-miss panel for those interested in the creative process of creating a comic book.
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal Season 2 Discussion and Q&A ⭐
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
After winning five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program, Genndy Tartakovksy’s Primal returns to Adult Swim. Animation legend Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars) and art director Scott Wills (The Ren & Stimpy Show, Samurai Jack) dive deep into the second season of the acclaimed animation adventure.
Raising the Dead: Horror Comics and the Comics Code ⭐
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 11
Horror allows creators to explore our collective fears and examine societal taboos. This subversive power led to the targeting of horror comics by the Comics Code Authority and the Comics Code, which meant genre mainstays like vampires and zombies and more were locked in the crypt for decades. CBLDF communications director Jordan Smith, Comics@SDSU’s Pamela Jackson, and other expert panelists raise the dead, talking about the history of horror comics, why they were targeted by the CCA, and how the resurrection of horror is still pushing boundaries today.
Spotlight on Jane Baer ⭐
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Room 24ABC
Jane Shattuck-Takamoto-Baer has had a significant impact on the history of animation since she began at Disney in 1955, where she worked as an assistant animator on Sleeping Beauty alongside the famed “Nine Old Men” of Walt Disney Studios. She has worked on classics like Speed Racer, Aquaman, Hot Wheels, The Rescuers, Pete’s Dragon, and The Black Cauldron. She established Baer Animation in 1984, through which she acted as supervising character animator for Bennie the Cab and the Toontown sequences of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
DC’s Jim Lee and Friends
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Room 6DE
World-renowned comic book artist and DC publisher and chief creative officer Jim Lee moderates this can’t-miss panel featuring some of his comic book colleagues to talk with them about some of the top-secret comic books coming from DC!
40 Years of Love and Rockets: Still the Greatest
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room 28DE
Gilbert Hernandez) and Jaime Hernandez discuss 40 years of creating the greatest comic of all time with their editor, Gary Groth (co-founder of Fantagraphics).
Hollywood's Illustrators: Craft, Pop-Culture, and Careers
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room 9
Before a set is built and the cameras roll there is something called previsualization: concept art, storyboards, and much more created by the motion pictures illustrators, who are represented by the Art Directors Guild, IATSE Local 800. These in-demand artists of the industry open up their world and answer your questions. Panelists include Jasmine Alexia Jackson (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Station 11), Tim Longo (Superman & Lois, The Flash), Dean Sherriff (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Sienne Josselin (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), with moderator Tim Burgard (Justice League, Men in Black: International). Followed by a Q&A .
Spotlight on Trino
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 24ABC
Trino Camacho (El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza) is the most recognized cartoonist and monero in Mexico. He'll be presenting his talk “¡Viva nuestra desgracia, viva México!” (“Long live our disgrace, long live Mexico!”) about his long career and making humor in these times. Introduced by Carlos González Gutiérrez, consul general of Mexico in San Diego.
Storyboards: The Unseen Art of Hollywood
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room 32AB
The presentation will begin with a video featuring numerous examples of film storyboards, ranging from Gone With the Windto Raiders of the Lost Ark and more, which will then lead into the panel, moderated by Daniel Herman (publisher of Hermes Press, Silver Age: The Second Generation of Comic Book Artists). Featuring author Trevor Goring (Storyboards: The Unseen Art of Hollywood, Independence Day), Gabriel Hardman (storyboard artist, Logan, Interstellar), Benton Jew (storyboard artist, Wonder Woman, Dr Strange: The Multiverse of Madness), Sandy McDaniel (Saul Bass Studio), Kandice Hartner (chairperson of graphic design at Westminster College), and Brian Peck (John Buscema: Michelangelo of Comics.)
Transgender and Nonbinary Stories in Popular Media
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room 29AB
In recent years transgender and nonbinary characters and creators have made great gains in representation in comics, television, and movies, but how well have trans+ personal experiences been translated to page and screen? How accurately does Hollywood and the comics mainstream represent the trans community? How do trans+ autobio, indie, and webcomics creators use their editorial freedom to present true-to-life stories? Moderator Tara Madison Avery (Stacked Deck Press, We're Still Here), Maddie Jacobus (Bummer Corp: Sad Stories and Sexy Sharks, The Out Side), Sonya Saturday (Yellow Is the Warmest Color, A Ninja Dinosaur Christmas), Lilah Sturges (Lumberjanes, Girl Haven), and Zhen (Immi Gratitude, The Out Side) discuss these and other topics.
The Ethnogothic: Horror and Conjure in Storytelling ⭐
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 26AB
The rise of ethnogothic literature has served as fertile ground for increasingly popular literary works, feature films, and drama series. The co-creators of the term, Stanford Carpenter (Black & Brown Comix Arts Festival) and two-time Eisner winner John Jennings (Abrams Megascope), will be in conversation with Tananarive Due (UCLA; Horror Noire; The Keeper), Steven Barnes (UCLA; The Keeper), and Lea Anderson (Fangoria) about the history and the emergence of Black horror as a genre, its impact on popular culture, and the way in which Black horror is used as a speculative space for thinking and imagining the future.
Shudder's Queer for Fear
4:45 PM - 5:45 PM
Room 6A
Queer for Fear, Shudder's original documentary series, premieres this fall on Shudder and AMC+. The EPs and key interviewees from the four-part docu-series discuss the history of Queer representation in the thriller/horror genre of television and film. Panelists will discuss the creative process of re-examining genre stories through a Queer lens. Plus, view a sneak peek of the series.
Spidey Swings into San Diego: Inside Marvel's Spider-Man
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Room 25ABC
Since his introduction in 1962, Peter Parker—a.k.a. Spider-Man—has become one of the world’s most beloved and best-known characters, swinging through myriad forms of popular media, winning fans around the world. Now, in celebration of Spider-Man’s 60th anniversary, Marvel Entertainment, Semmel Exhibitions, and the Comic-Con Museum have partnered to produce a world-premiere exhibition that illuminates the web-slinger’s storied history. This panel brings together representatives from Marvel, members of the CCM team, and the curators of the exhibition to discuss Peter Parker’s impact and influence and give a look behind the scenes of this groundbreaking project.
The Power Knights & Realizing a Childhood Dream: Keithan Jones and Noble Ward ⭐
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Room 4
Keithan Jones (The Power Knights writer/artist) has turned his childhood characters into an indie comics success. Keithan joins Noble Ward (The Power Knights co-writer) for this in-depth interview of how he did it and a Q&A session! Moderated by Aaron Nabus (Hall H Show Podcast).
The 501st Legion: Star Wars Villainous Costuming ⭐
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Room 7AB
An introduction to the creation of fan-made villain costumes from all Star Wars movies and beyond. Legion members Shane Holly, Lindsay Cepak, Dean Amstutz, Kevin Weir, Dawn Bright, David Ancheta, and Todd Mullin from the Imperial Sands and Southern California Garrisons will provide an overview of the creative process that brings Stormtroopers, Tusken Raiders, Boba Fett, or Kylo Ren from the silver screen into reality. Panelists will discuss membership, from initial interest through final approval. They will speak about the process for working with armor parts, small prop and soft costume construction, and 3D modeling and printing.
Mictlan: An Ancient Mythical Tale (From Codex to Console) ⭐
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Room 29CD
Guillermo Alarcon (founder and creative director, Mictlan), and Jose “Kuzeh” Iturriaga (environment concept artist) will show you the amazing world of Mictlan, Mexico's highly anticipated open-world adventure video game. Mictlan is set to be the first realistic open-world video game showcasing the untold mythical tales of ancient Mexico, portraying indigenous cultures, re-creating ancient pyramids, decoding códex, and telling the story and reenactment of how Mesoamerica once was, is something never seen before. Meta Studios takes pride in representing their culture and traditions to be able to tell the story of their ancestors.
Law of the Star Wars Underworld ⭐
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Room 7AB
From bounty hunters to powerful syndicates and smuggling runs, the seedy criminal underworld of Star Wars isn’t for the faint of heart, but it plays an important role in the galaxy far, far away. Have you ever wondered whether Din Djarin could legally carbon freeze his bounties, or if Boba Fett had grounds to demand tribute in Mos Espa? Circuit judge John Owens, judge Carol Najera, Stephen Tollafield, Christine Peek, GabbyMartin, and Bethany Bengford venture into the Star Wars underworld to explore some of the biggest legal issues, from the complicated business of bounty hunting to the shadowy operations of groups like the Hutts, Pykes, and Crimson Dawn. Moderated by Joshua Gilliland of The Legal Geeks.
Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
The 34th annual Eisner Awards (the “Oscars” of the comics industry) honor comics creators and works in 33 categories. The gala ceremony features celebrity presenters and a multimedia extravaganza. Other prestigious awards to be given out include the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comics Writing, and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award.
Saturday, July 23, 2022
A Look Back at Animated Series from the ’80s
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room 9
Writers from your favorite 1980s cartoon series recount their fondest memories and painful war stories about the shows that made your childhood. Craig Miller (“The Smurfs”,” The Real Ghostbusters” hosts Brooks Wachtel (“She-Ra,” “Super Mario Brothers”), Eric Lewald (“Galaxy High,” “Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers”), Karen Willson (“Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors”,” Dink the Dinosaur”), and John Semper (“Spider-Man” “Static Shock”).
Banned Comics: Old Problems in New Forms
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room 4
Will Eisner believed that artistic freedom—in his own work and that of other cartoonists—was of utmost importance. He was an early member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Eisner lived through the controversies over comics of the ’40, and ’50s, and until his 2005 death made use of the new freedoms for his own graphic novel work. With the current controversies over graphic novels in schools just the latest in the decades-long battle over free speech vs. community standards, comics historians and creators including Jeff Smith (Bone) , Denis Kitchen (founder , Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Kitchen Sink Press) , Jeff Trexler (acting director, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund), and Michael Dooley (The Education of a Comics Artist) discuss comics censorship over the decades and what we can learn from Eisner’s career and work to help deal with these latest challenges. Danny Fingeroth (Will Eisner Studios) moderates.
First you MARCH; Then You RUN ⭐
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room 6DE
Congressman John Lewis’s collaborators on RUN, the acclaimed follow-up to his National Book Award–winning and #1 bestselling graphic novel series MARCH, join to celebrate the astounding creativity and influence of the congressman’s unparalleled journey as a comics creator. Artists Nate Powell and L. Fury, Lewis's congressional aide and co-author Andrew Aydin, and the late congressman’s son John-Miles Lewis will discuss the making of RUN, comics’ unique role in U.S. history, and the special place Comic-Con held in the civil rights icon’s heart. The panel will be followed by a “Children’s March” held in tribute to the marches led by Congressman Lewis at Comic-Con over the years.
The Rocketeer: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Dave Stevens' Iconic Character ⭐
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room 29AB
It’s been 40 years since “The Rocketeer” soared into the hearts of comics fans everywhere. Some of Dave’s closest friends and family celebrate him in Drawn to Perfection, a new feature-length documentary about Dave’s life and brilliant career. Panelists on hand to talk about Dave are his sister Jennifer Bawcum, studio mate William Stout, former wife and model Brinke Stevens, screenwriter Danny Bilson, friend and artist Jim Silke, friend and director of the documentary Kelvin Mao, longtime friend Jackie Estrada, and moderator (and friend) Bill Morrison. Come get your souvenir postcard and a sneak peek of Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection!
Crafting the Creepy Crawly and Throat-Clutching Moments
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 29AB
Creators examine writing scenes of horror, from the slow build to the metaphorical jump scare. Get your spook on with Kiersten White (Hide), Anne Heltzel (Just Like Mother), Clay McLeod Chapman (Ghost Eaters), and moderator Maryelizabeth Yturralde.
Hemingway in Comics: When Hemingway Met Wolverine (and Superman and Mickey Mouse) ⭐
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room 10
Hemingway in Comics, the book and the exhibit on preview now at the Comic-Con Museum, is an exploration of what it means to be a pop culture icon and how that image can change over time. Hemingway has appeared in 120+ comics alongside Superman, Mickey Mouse, and Captain Marvel—he even fought fascists with Wolverine. Panelists include Robert K. Elder (Hemingway in Comics), Elliot S! Maggin (Superman, Action Comics), Zander Cannon (Kaijumax, Smax), Eric Peterson (Jesus Christ: In the Name of the Gun), and Dr. Emily Schindler, director of education at the Comic-Con Museum.
Spotlight on Hidetaka Tenjin ⭐
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room 7AB
Hidetaka Tenjin shares his journey of rising through the ranks of some of the most famous anime and sci-fi fandoms to becoming a renowned professional in Japan and overseas. Mostly known for his Gundam, Macross, and Star Wars illustrations, Tenjin will also discuss his professional voice acting work and how he's an active member of the 501st Japanese Garrison. This is Tenjin's first-ever San Diego Comic-Con as a guest and an attendee, so he's very excited to showcase some of his works, and most of all, meet other fans like himself.
Comics Arts Conference Session #11: What Are the Defenders Really Defending? Burning Away Stereotypes in Hell's Kitchen
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 26AB
Daredevil! Jessica Jones! Luke Cage! Punisher! Is this motley crew of Defenders simply protecting citizens? Or might they be teaching us something more? J. Scott Jordan (Illinois State University), John Jennings (Parable of the Sower), Daniel Jun Kim (This Is the End), Shelly Clevenger (The Joker Psychology: Evil Clowns and the Women Who Love Them), Elisabetta Di Minico (The Future Hangs in the Balance),and Travis Langley (Daredevil Psychology: The Devil You Know) peer behind the masks of the heroes of Hell's Kitchen and examine how their work as heroes also tells us stories about diversity, stereotypes, and the struggle to be a good person.
IDW Publishing: 2022 and Beyond ⭐
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room 25ABC
Publisher Nachie Marsham and new executive editorial director Jamie S. Rich welcome Kevin Eastman (TMNT), Kim Dwinell (Surfside Girls), and other industry heavy-hitters to the stage to discuss the huge new initiatives driving this innovative publisher forward. Dark Spaces, the "Roninverse," adaptations from comics to TV, world-renowned brands, and wild new concepts . . . you'll learn about it here! (NOTE: IDW makes its home in San Diego so support a local comics creator.)
Get Ready for Living in Orbit, Private Space Stations are Here
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
For almost 100 years, space stations (as we think of them today) have been a staple of science fiction. In comic books, the Justice League have their Watchtower, S.H.I.E.L.D. has their Peak, and even villains like Magneto -- and of course Darth Vader—have been known to build fully "operational" orbital stations. At last, humans are now on the cusp of launching and inhabiting space stations that are privately developed, ones that hold the promise for regular citizens to live in space. Learn from Mike Massimino (former NASA astronaut), Ellie Morgan (program manager, Lockheed Starlab Team), Adrian Mangiuca (vice president of infrastructure for Voyager Space Holdings), Sana Sharma (designer & researcher at the MIT Media Lab Space Exploration Initiative), and moderator Steve Broback (co-founder of Dent the Future) discuss what the future holds, and we will also delve into the realities of living in space.
Cartoon Voices 1 ⭐
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Room 6BCF
Every year (with two recent exceptions), animation writer and voice director Mark Evanier assembles a panel of some of the best and most-heard cartoon voice actors in the business to demonstrate their craft. This time out, the dais consists of Alicyn Packard (The Tom & Jerry Show, The Mr. Men Show), Phil LaMarr (Justice League, Samurai Jack), Gregg Berger (The Garfield Show, The Transformers), Shelby Young (Star Wars, Baby Shark’s Big Show), Brian Hull (Hotel Transylvania, My Babysitter Story), and Townsend Coleman (The Tick, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). (NOTE: Anything Mark Evanier does is worth checking out at Comic-Con. This and Quick Draw are always two of the most entertaining panels you will ever see.)
Narrative Design for Video Games
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Room 5AB
The story is inherently at the core of all great video games. Adam Foshko (Call of Duty, Shrapnel), Mark Long (Hawken, Neon Machine, Shrapnel), Flint Dille (Uncharted, Deviation Games, Ingress), Brent Friedman (Call of Duty, Resident Evil), Lynn Johnson (Walking Dead, Bad Robot), John Zuur Platten (Jurassic Park, Ingress), and John Nee (DC Comics) discuss story development for video games.
Invisible Man(hunter): The Resonance of Blackness in the Depiction of J’onn J’onzz
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Room 29CD
Created in 1955, just a year after the official start of the Civil Rights Movement, DC Comics’ Martian Manhunter has never been just green. He’s also been Black all along. Panelist explore a plethora of allegorical connections to a particular Black experience and how the shapeshifting body of J’onn J’onzz can be read as an index for resistance against racialized trauma and oppression. John Jennings (UC-Riverside), Angélique Roché (independent artist), Jeremy Love (Bayou), Jim Thompson (Institute of Comics Studies), and Peter Coogan (Washington University) discuss how depictions of the Manhunter from Mars have always resonated with Blackness and how Carl Lumbly voicing him in the animated Justice League series laid the ground for the official and popular recognition of the racial coding that has been a part of his story since the beginning.
Scott Shaw!’s Oddball Comics: The Superhero Edition
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 7AB
The cartoonist Scott Shaw! (Sonic the Hedgehog, Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew!, The Flintstones) will focus on Oddball Superheroes, including Fatman the Human Flying Saucer, B'wana Beast, Neutro, the Far Out Green Super Cool, Holoman, Polymer Polly, Fruitman, Super Goof, Powermower Man, Jigsaw, Tiger Girl, the Bouncer, and many more. You'll find yourself thinking, “Holy poor judgment, how the !?!#%&!?! did these ever comics get published?”
Storytelling for Change: Empowering Diversity, Equality, and Peace
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room 4
Andres Useche (award-winning writer/director and composer), Maytha Alhassen (Hulu's Ramy), Daniela Munoz-Useche (cinematographer), and Janina Scarlet (Superhero Therapy) dig into how everyone can use filmmaking, comics, and transmedia to give voice to underrepresented folks, to honor real-life heroes, and to help seek greater justice, empathy, and equality. This presentation includes short screenings, an international premiere, and a guided tour of Useche's local and international collaborations with activists, artists, and world leaders.
The Bold Voice of Contemporary Horror: A24, IFC, Blumhouse, and More ⭐
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 24ABC
Returning for its sixth year, some of the most knowledgeable and influential voices in horror today discuss the state of indie and studio horror films, as well as the rise of horror in television and streaming services, and give a sneak peek at the best to come this year. Panelists include screenwriter Akela Cooper (Malignant), director Chloe Okuno (Watcher), director/producer Sam Wineman (The Quiet Room, co-host Aughsterion) XYZ Films senior VP of sales and acquisitions Pip Ngo, Blumhouse TV VP of development and programming Robin Jones, and director Halina Reijn (SXSW favorite Bodies Bodies Bodies). Moderated by horror expert and producer Jordan Crucchiola (host, Feeling Seen, Aughtsterion podcasts)
The Players of Mythic Quest ⭐
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Ballroom 20
Creator, executive producer, and star Rob McElhenney joins co-creator, executive producer, and showrunner Megan Ganz, executive producer and star David Hornsby, and cast members Charlotte Nicdao, Danny Pudi, Imani Hakim, Jessie Ennis, and Ashly Burch dive into the critically hailed Apple TV+ workplace comedy with moderator Craig Mazin and share an exclusive first look at the upcoming third season. (NOTE: This show had the best quarantine episode plus it’s a hilarious look at egos and workplace drama at a gaming company, plus some sweet standalone episodes.)
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The AppleTV+ series "Mythic Quest" now returns for its second season and faced challenges shooting during the pandemic. -
While in quarantine I discovered the Apple TV show "Mythic Quest: Raven's Banquet" created by "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's" Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz. The show debuted in February but had a bonus quarantine episode released at the end of May. So for this podcast I wanted to look to the gaming world and creating a show about the dynamics of running a game design company. I also wanted to focus on the ingenious quarantine episode so I speak with two of the writers from that show Megan Ganz and actor David Hornsby (who you may remember as Cricket from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia").
Spotlight on Phil LaMarr
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room 23ABC
Actor Phil LaMarr, known for Mad TV, Pulp Fiction, and his extensive voice acting career, with roles animated series including Justice League, Futurama, Samurai Jac k, Static Shock, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, will be ruthlessly interrogated by Mark Evanier about his journey from an '80s comic book fanboy to the voice of iconic characters in the DC, Marvel, and many other fandom universes.
Race, Gender, and The Comic Book Medium ⭐
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Room 24ABC
Women in Comics Collective International (WinC for short, pronounced "wink"), is an artistic and informative initiative that serves to highlight the merit and craftwork of marginalized voices, especially those of IIPOC/BBIIMP who work in the comics and multimedia industry. In celebration of WinC's 10-year anniversary, panelists will discuss how the industry has evolved since the organization's creation. Featuring Dr. Shamika Mitchell (EIC at WinC Magazine; historian at Lymari Media), Vanee Smith-Matsalia (EIC of Blerd Galaxy Magazine; founder of WinC-EDU), Che Grayson (writer, DC Comics, IDW, Z2 Comics), John Jennings (artist, graphic novel editor at Abrams Megascope), Malissa White (editor, Scout Comics), and Christine Pasalo Norland (writer, founder of Hello Barkada). Moderated by Regine L. Sawyer (writer, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Z2 Comics; coordinator and founder at WinC International).
Marvel Studios ⭐
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Hall H
Marvel Studios president and producer Kevin Feige and special guests provide an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Becoming a Writer
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Room 11
Given an overwhelming amount of mythology about how to break in as a writer, it’s essential to make sure that newbie writers have the most accurate and useful information possible. Hence this no-holds-barred question-and-answer session with J. Michael Straczynski, the award-winning writer/producer for over 400 comics, another 300 TV episodes, and 5 movies, along with novels and nonfiction books. Bring your best (and ideally most relevant to others) questions on writing for film, TV, comics, novels and other forms, and get the straight skinny from someone who has done, and is still doing it all.
The Art of Studio Ghibli Returns ⭐
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Room 29CD
Hirokatsu Kihara (Studio Ghibli production coordinator, 1985–1990) tells the story behind Studio Ghibli while showing various pieces of original, behind-the-scenes art.
Law and Thunder: Legal Analysis of Thor and Doctor Strange ⭐
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Room 23ABC
Who is the true owner of Mjölnir? What is the liability for breaking the multiverse? What are the legal defenses for Wanda of 838 for being possessed by Wanda of 616? And is there a cause of action for Zeus flicking too hard? This panel of lawyers gives their legal analysis of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder. Featuring U.S. Magistrate Judge Stan Boone, Jessica Mederson, Gabby Martin, Stephen Tollafield, Nari Ely, and Megan Hitchcock. Moderated by Joshua Gilliland of The Legal Geeks.
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Marvel and DC Comics Superheroes Come to Life Through Cardboard
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Room 24ABC
Connor Lee (co-founder of Cardboard Superheroes) and Bauer Lee (co-founder of Cardboard Superheroes and founder of S.E.A.R.C.H. Your Voice) present and discuss their life-sized superhero creations: Hulkbuster, Iron Man, Wonder Woman, Groot, and more. They will share tips on how you can create your own movie props and sculptures of your favorite items and characters. From being exhibitors at the Comic-Con Museum to being in an Oscars Academy Awards Commercial, they will take you through their journey of starting a business. Bauer will also reveal a new interactive special effects action video event to introduce the power of public speaking that was launched with the Comic-Con Museum. At the end, a Q&A session will be held with a chance to win free life-sized cardboard Thor hammers!
Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection ⭐
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Room 29AB
It was 40 years ago that Dave Stevens created The Rocketeer and reintroduced the world to 50's pin-up model Bettie Page. Please join us for the premiere screening of Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection, a new feature-length documentary celebrating Dave’s brilliant art and life. While carving out his own unique corner of importance in comic book and illustration art, he showed the world what it's like to pursue the life of a creative individual. Featuring interviews with: Geof Darrow, Jaime Hernandez, Adam Hughes, Thomas Jane, Joe Johnston, Michael Kaluta, Olivia, Jim Silke, Brinke Stevens, William Stout, Bruce Timm, and many more!
Lloyd Kaufman: 50 Years of Filmmaking ⭐
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Room 25ABC
Patricia Swinney Kaufman (executive producer, Poultrygeist) will be joined by surprise guests in celebration of the legendary career of Lloyd Kaufman (president of Troma and creator of The Toxic Avenger), who, against all odds, has been making independent films for 50 years and counting. (NOTE: Troma is the best! They always have a wildly entertaining and unpredictable panel. Plus Troma was, until this year, my booth neighbor on the exhibit floor so support truly independent, flipping the bird at the status quo filmmaking.)
Sunday, July 24,2022
Manga Tutorials for Kids
Sunday, July 24, 2022
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room 11
eigoMANGA illustrators and animators offer kids of all ages tutorials on manga illustrations and storytelling.
Spotlight on William Stout
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room 29AB
William Stout plans something very different for this year’s Comic-Con talk. His presentation will focus on his huge forthcoming three-volume Flesk Publications box set covering all of Stout’s comics-related work and what it was like to work with giants in the field—legends like Russ Manning ("Tarzan"), Harvey Kurtzman and Will Elder ("Little Annie Fanny)", Will Eisner ("The Spirit"), Dave Stevens ("The Rocketeer"), and Jack Kirby ("The Demon").
Jack Kirby Tribute Panel
10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Room 5AB
It wouldn’t be a Comic-Con without a panel tributing the man they still call “The King of the Comics,” the man who created or co-created most of the Marvel superheroes and plenty of other comic book superstars elsewhere. Sit and talk about Jack Kirby with comic book superstar Frank Miller, comic book editor Steve Saffel, Rand Hoppe (acting executive director of the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center), and Jack’s grandson, Jeremy Kirby. And presiding over it all will be Jack’s biographer and one-time assistant, Mark Evanier.
San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Room 9
The San Diego International Children’s Film Festival features creative, exciting, and imaginative short films from around the world—animation, live-action, and documentary—good for all ages.
Kids Draw Superheroes!
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 11
Artists from graphic novels, comics, and animation will each work with individual kids to design an original superhero (or villain) in just 5 minutes, based on random superpowers chosen from a hat! It’s fast and furious, and as many kids as they can squeeze in will go home with an original piece of art! Featuring Lucas Turnbloom (Steve L. McEvil), Lonnie Millsap (New Yorker cartoonist), Justin Thompson (Charles Schulz Studios), Dan Santat (The Aquanaut), Jarrett Krosoczka (Lunch Lady), Matt Holm (Babymouse), Jeff Ranjo (Netflix Animation), Marty Davis (Disney Animation) with surprise guests as well. Moderated by Tom Racine of the Tall Tale Radio podcast.
No Tow Trucks Beyond Mars
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 25ABC
David Rosing (JPL Optical system engineer), Michael Lashore (JPL Mars Perseverance sampling & caching team), and Rhonda M. Morgan (JPL technologist, NASA HabEx planet finder concept) discuss how we go boldly where there’s no one around to fix it. Hear stories of engineering challenges in “coffin corner,” where designs have to meet seemingly impossible diametrically opposed requirements.
The Wild History and Peculiar Influence of Underground Comix ⭐
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Room 5AB
Brian Doherty, author of a new history of underground comix, "Dirty Pictures: How an Underground Network of Nerds, Feminists, Misfits, Geniuses, Bikers, Potheads, Printers, Intellectuals, and Art School Rebels Revolutionized Art and Invented Comix," will lead a discussion with Gary Groth (longtime editor "The Comics Journal" and publisher of Fantagraphics) and renowned cartoonist Gilbert Hernandez ("Love and Rockets"), about the past, present, and future of underground comix’s impact on the comics form, discussing how a legacy of graphic transgression, often hilarious and frequently troubling, by the likes of Robert Crumb, S. Clay Wilson, Howard Cruse, Art Spiegelman, Diane Noomin, Spain Rodriguez, and Aline Kominsky-Crumb blew open space for the exploration of autobiographical feminism, gay coming of age, and comics-as-museum-worthy art while remaining as crude, vulgar, and hilarious as comics can get.
Cartoon Voices 2 ⭐
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Room 6A
Once more, animation writer and voice director Mark Evanier assembles a panel of some of the best and most-heard cartoon voice actors in the business to demonstrate their craft. Showing off their skills will be Jim Meskimen (Thundercats, We Baby Bears), Rosemary Watson ("Let’s Be Real"), Fred Tatasciore ("The Hulk," "Family Guy"), Kaitlyn Robrock ("Minnie Mouse," "Thundercats"), and Zeno Robinson ("My Hero Academia," "The Owl House"). There will be a reading of a classic fairy tale that will never be the same after these people get through with it. (NOTE: If you did not follow my recommendation for Cartoon Voices 1 you now have a chance for Cartoon Voices 2, you will no regret it.)
Exploring the Science in Science Fiction
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room 24ABC
Dr. Erin Macdonald ("Star Trek" science advisor), Dr. James T. Keane (planetary scientist, NASA JPL), Dr. Tiffany Kataria (research scientist, NASA JPL), and Daniel W. Rasmus (Listening to the Future, University of Washington instructor) will answer fans’ deepest questions about the science behind science fiction. Moderated by Alyssa Rasmus (editor, Best Entertainment Reviews).
Comics Arts Conference Session #14: Comic Theory
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 26AB
Gina Matteo (San Francisco State University) demonstrates the significance of using the comics form in higher academia, specifically when understanding theory, along with how comics can offer another perspective on ideas of space, body, and movement. Jessica Boykin (Arizona State University) argues that with his graphic memoir trilogy March the late Civil Rights champion John Lewis challenged conservative narrative through visual rhetoric. Amy Jacobs (Muskegon Community College) picks apart the chain of intergenerational trauma between Art Spiegelman’s "In the Shadow of No Towers" and his seminal work, "Maus." Sam Langsdale ("Monstrous Women in Comics") reads Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staple’s ongoing comic Saga through an ecocritical lens.
Black and Queer in Popular Media⭐
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room 29AB
Black representation has gained integral attention within the geek culture. However, Black queer characters and stories continue to be limited or absent from the discussion. Prism Comics, moderator Viktor Kerney ("StrangeLore," co-host of the MEGASHEEN podcast), and panelists Eric Cooper ("Knight Seeker"), Niq Hill (That Sh*t We Do Like and Black TARDIS podcasts), Ajuan Mance ("1001 Black Men," "Living While Black"), MalissaWhite ("Nightmare," "Grimm Tales from the Grave"), and Sean Z ("Ramonah Rising") discuss a myriad of topics, from portrayals of Black queer people across media platforms to Black queer contributions to the sci-fi, fantasy, comics genre.
IDW Artist's Editions: Original Comic Book Art Never Looked So Good!
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room 23ABC
Scott Dunbier and IDW Publishing set the industry standard for high-end archival collectibles when they launched the Artist's Edition line, giving comics lovers everywhere the most authentic original comic art experience possible, from such greats as Jack Kirby, Walter Simonson, and Jim Lee (to name a few)! Scott, a masterful storyteller in his own right, relates personal stories of how these Artist's Editions are made and what's coming next.
Related: IDW's new publishers talks comics, pandemic
What We Do in the Shadows (FX) Exclusive Screening and Q&A
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Hall H
FX’s What We Do in the Shadows brings the World’s Greatest Vampire Nightclub to San Diego! Mix it up with the hottest vampires (and their familiar) to come out of Staten Island in hundreds and hundreds of years! Appearing (subject to change): Kayvan Novak (Nandor), Matt Berry (Laszlo), Natasia Demetriou (Nadja), Harvey Guillén (Guillermo), Mark Proksch (Colin Robinson), and Kristen Schaal (The Guide), as well as Paul Simms (executive producer/writer), Stefani Robinson (executive producer/writer), Yana Gorskaya (co-EP/director/editor), and Kyle Newacheck (co-EP/director).
Little Fish Comic Book Studio: 10 Years of Comics, Community, and Collaboration
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Room 23ABC
Little Fish Comic Book Studio, San Diego's own nonprofit comic studio and advocacy group, is proud to have you join them for a look back at the last decade(!) of comics education and advocacy. They're taking a look at where they've been, the history of the studio, and the impact that the comic arts are making on the local comic community and the larger world. Alonso Nunez (executive director) joins Jocelyn Bojanowski (board member), Jenelle Dean (KPBS, One Book One San Diego), Rene Lafargue (Kevin Workman Foundation) and some of the brightest new talent around, from inside the studio and out.
Couples Who Cosplay Together
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Cosplaying with your significant other can take the hobby to a whole new level. Learn the ups and downs of cosplaying as a couple at conventions and charity events from three couples who have been doing it for years. Trevor and Wendy Newton (3 years), Shawn Richter and Lisa Lower (5 years), and Miguel and Lucy Capuchino (30+ years) are couples who are madly in love with each other . . . and with cosplay. Moderated by Leana Ahmed (LA Sector president; Science Fiction Coalition).
Starship Smackdown XXXVI: Battle of the Network Starships in the Multiverse of Madness
2:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Room 6A
As featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and spotlighted in the San Diego Register, the ultimate galactic conflagration which began at Comic-Con in 2002 (that’s two decades ago, in human years) returns to where it all began with all-new surprises and twists for the most dangerous Smackdown ever! Will the Starship Enterprise (no bloody A, B, C, or D) end the Battlestar Galactica’s lonely quest? Can the Serenity defeat an Imperial Star Destroyer? And when it comes to music, it’s brutal out there when the Close Encounters Mothership stares down the maw of the Jefferson Starship. Featuring host Mark A. Altman (Pandora, Agent X, The Librarians) along with your highly credentialed professors of spaceship-ology Daren Dochterman (concept designer, Westworld, Picard, Master & Commander), Kay Reindl (writer/producer, Swamp Thing, Shining Vail), Steven Melching (Magic: The Gathering, The Clone Wars), Christian Gossett (The Red Star, Cthulutown), Ashley Edward Miller (DOTA: Dragon’s Blood, Fringe, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), and Robert Meyer Burnett (The Burnettwork). Prepare to launch all Vipers . . . X-Wings, Starfighters, Star Furies, and Shuttlecraft!
Related: Starship Smackdown on NPR
Asian Representation in Comics and Media
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Room 26A
A candid discussion with creators in the industry about the progression of Asian representation and where it stands today. Janice Chiang (comic book letterer, industry icon), Amy Chu (writer, Sensational Wonder Woman, Red Sonja, Poison Ivy), Peter Nguyen (artist, Wolverine and the X-Men,Gotham City Sirens,FOX’s The Gifted), and Pat Loika (co-host, Krakoan Exports Podcast, photographer) discuss what inspired them growing up and what they hope to see going forward. Moderated by Dylan Carter (co-host, House of X Podcast) and Justin Otero (cosplayer).
