A fan of sequential art and spandex kick-assery? Overwhelmed by the San Diego Comic Con comic book related schedule? Let ya boyz at GameNGuide give you an overview of the ten comic book panels we'd attend, all very doable timetable-wise and totally varied in fun, informative and socially conscious content!
THURSDAY
1. Spotlight on Bill Finger, the Co-Creator of Batman
11:30am - 12:30am, Room 4
2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the movie Batman, the 50th anniversary of Batman's "New Look," the 75th anniversary of Batman's debut, and the 100th anniversary of the birth of Bill Finger, the Caped Crusader's uncredited co-creator. Not only did Bill Finger breathe life into Batman, Robin, Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Gotham City, and one fantastic villain after another, he co-created bat-free icons such as Green Lantern, Wildcat, and Lana Lang. Bill's only living descendants Athena Finger (The Cape Creator: A Tribute to Bill Finger) and her son Benjamin invite you to celebrate the life and achievements of the man who first put the dark in the Dark Knight. Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight) moderates a bat-tastic panel, featuring Bob Kane's biographer Tom Andrae (Batman and Me), writer Mark Evanier (Bill Finger Awards), actress Lee Meriwether (Batman: The Movie's Catwoman), author Marc Tyler Nobleman (Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman), Cartoons Arts' Jens Robinson (son of Joker co-creator Jerry Robinson), and executive producer Michael Uslan (Batman, The Dark Knight film trilogy), plus special messages from legends like DC's last surviving Golden Age artist, Wildcat co-creator Irwin Hasen.
2. DC Comics: Batman 75: Legends of the Dark Knight
3:30pm - 4:30pm, Room 6BCF
In his 75-year publishing history, Batman has grown into one of the most popular and influential icons of all time. Don't miss this historic panel with legendary creators such as Neal Adams, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Denny O'Neil, and Scott Snyder, who have shaped the Dark Knight into the hero he is today.
FRIDAY
3. LGBT Comics For Young Readers
2:00pm - 3:00pm, Room 28DE
Comics today present an amazing range of stories and characters, including more LGBT stories and characters than ever before. Since comics appeal to young and old alike, how do creators use the medium to present LGBT content and characters for younger audiences? What comics are out there for teens and younger readers? How can parents, librarians, and educators introduce such books to young people? Prism Comics, moderator P. Kristen Enos (Active Voice, Creatures of Grace), and creators who produce comics for younger readers - Brian Andersen (So Super Duper), Charles "Zan" Christensen (Northwest Press, The Power Within), Dusty Jack (Scuttlebutt Ink, Mahou Shounen Fight!), Grace Ellis (Lumberjanes), Dan Parent (Kevin Keller), Robert Paul (Little Rainbow Comics), and Elizabeth Watasin (Charm School) - look at the world of LGBT and LGBT-friendly comics for younger readers.
4. Getting the Most out of Graphic Novels in your Classroom or Library
4:00pm - 5:00pm, Room 29A
Reading With Pictures provides you with the latest research and proven practical strategies for using comics and graphic novels in your classroom or library. Josh Elder (founder of Reading With Pictures) moderates a panel of experts that includes Dr. Katie Monnin (associate professor of literacy, University of North Florida), Jeff Barbanell (co-founder, Scholastic Innovations), Andrea Shockling (Comics Therapy), David Cutler (founder, SpinEdu), Andrea Colvin (VP of content, Andrews McMeel Publishing), and Tracy Edmunds (curriculum director, Reading With Pictures)
5. Adventure Time: A Totally Algebraic Dramatic Reading
6:15pm - 7:15pm, Horton Grand Theatre
After over two years of Adventure Time comic books, BOOM! Studios and Cartoon Network continue to break new ground with the July debut of a new limited series, Adventure Time: Banana Guard Academy. This marks the first time that one of the writers behind the animated show, Kent Osborne, will write the Adventure Time comic! To mark the occasion, Osborne, has crafted a brand-new, original Adventure Time radio play that will tie into this new comic series, and for the first time anywhere, it will be performed live by voice actors from the show, including Olivia Olson (Marceline), Tom Kenny (Ice King), and Jeremy Shada (Finn). Plus, learn more about the show with Osborne and fellow writer Adam Muto (also the inspiration for Gingerbread Muto!), and more about the Banana Guard comic series with editor Shannon Watters and artist Mad Rupert. Come prepared with all of your burning questions about the Land of Ooo!
6. From Spider-Man to Darth Vader: How Does Personality Influence Our Favorite Characters?
8:30pm - 9:30pm, Room 24ABC
April Fugett, Ph.D. (associate professor, Department of Psychology, Marshall University), Keith W. Beard, Psy.D. (professor, Department of Psychology, Marshall University), Elijah Wise, Britani Black, and Josh Carter (doctoral student, Marshall University) discuss how personality informs our choices of the characters we identify with and follow. Specific traits and characters will be reviewed in the context of research, movie ideas, game alignment, and sales.
SATURDAY
7. Quick Draw
11:45am - 12:45am, Room 6BCF
It's still the fastest, funniest panel in the whole convention! Once again, your Quick Draw Quizmaster Mark Evanier pits three super-speedy cartoonists against one another as they go mano a mano and Sharpie to Sharpie to create great cartoon art right before your very eyes. Competing this year are (as usual) Sergio Aragonés (MAD magazine, Groo the Wanderer) and Scott Shaw! (The Simpsons) and they're joined by Disney Legend Floyd Norman, plus a couple of surprising surprises!
8. The Ultimate Pitch: The Step-By-Step Process of Turning Your Comic into a Global Property
4:30pm - 5:30pm, Room 8
In today's pop culture landscape, creators are faced with the potential (and challenge) of turning their characters and series into cross-platform properties. From games to toys and television to film, the opportunities for global success have never been greater. The potential pitfalls, however, have never been more challenging. Moderator Sohaib Awan (creator of IDW Publishing's Jinnrise), along with Mairghread Scott (lead writer on Transformers: Prime the Animated Series), and Royden Lepp (creator of Archaia Entertainment's Rust), will explain the step-by-step process each creator must take to protect his or her intellectual properties. What do creators need to do from beginning to end? How long does the process from comic to TV/film take? What are the greatest obstacles to success? After over two years of development, an animated series based on Jinnrise is being produced; the panelists will explain how it was done.
SUNDAY
9. Women of Marvel
11:15am - 12:15am, Room 5AB
From Ms. Marvel to Black Widow, from Twitter to tumblr, women in comics has been one of the most talked-about topics in the industry recently. Join the conversation as women from every discipline in the creative process at Marvel discuss what it's like working as a woman in comics today and what it means for the future of the industry. Panelists include producer and photographer Judy Stephens, Marvel's The Watcher host Lorraine Cink, Marvel Studios asset manager Alexis Auditore, artist Katie Cook (All-New Marvel NOW! Animal Variants) artist Rachelle Rosenberg (Amazing X-Men), and special guest editor-in-chief Axel Alonso!
10. The Battle for Multicultural Heroes
4:00pm - 5:00pm, Room 28DE
The pop culture explosion through gaming, comics, TV, and film has opened up new opportunities for cultural diversity; however, many challenges and obstacles still exists in today's media. In this humorous but poignant discussion, diverse geek experts will discuss breaking ethnic stereotypes and what changes need to happen for us to boldly go into the future. Panelists include Linda Le (professional cosplayer), Andre Meadows (Black Nerd Comedy), clinical psychologist Dr. Andrea Letamendi (The Arkham Sessions), and Tony B. Kim (Crazy4ComicCon.com).
