Comic-Con 2018

The untold story of comics' original social justice crusaders! From 1950 to 1955, the young creators of EC Comics changed the face of the medium, injecting new heights of craft, storytelling, and artistry to comics. In titles like Tales from The Crypt, Weird Fantasy, MAD, and Shock SuspenStories, EC addressed civil rights, the injustices of war, gender fluidity, vegetarianism, and other vital topics. Discover how EC's unprecedented social consciousness changed comics in this presentation by CBLDF executive director Charles Brownstein.

Learn about writing fantasy novels, publishing, and book-to-movie adaptations from New York Times bestselling authors Livia Blackburne (Midnight Thief series), Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid series), V. E. Schwab (Shades of Magic series), Maggie Stiefvater (Raven Cycle series), and Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone series). Moderated by Henry Herz (Alice's Magic Garden).

Let's chat meet-cutes, destined-to-bes, and all the different archetypal romantic pairings of great fiction. Moderators Sam Maggs (Girl Squads, Anthem) and Amy S. Foster (The Rift Uprising) with Melissa de la Cruz (Love and War: An Alex and Eliza Story), Robbie Thompson (writer, Silk, Supernatural), Adri Cho (founder, Dual Wield Studios), Mey Rude (writer, Autostraddle), and Susana Polo (editor, Polygon) for a look at how some favorite pairings have evolved through LGBTQ+ culture and third-wave feminism-and how they haven't changed, because love is love is love is love.

Covering licenses from Star Trek to Stargate Atlantis and from Walt Disney's Comics and Stories to Army of Darkness, The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and panelists Chris Ryall (Skybound), Andy Mangels (Wonder Woman '77 Meets the Bionic Woman), Mark Wheatley (Tarzan), Mark L. Haynes (Stargate Universe), Ed Catto (Captain Action), and moderator J. C. Vaughn (24) participate in a lively discussion of what makes for great licensed comic book titles.

This program is fantastic for kids and/or aspiring authors and illustrators! Panelists will discuss the first comics they read and the journey from reading their first comic to making their first comic. Panelists include Jen Wang (The Prince and the Dressmaker), Matt Loux (The Time Museum), Jim Pascoe (Cottons: The Secret of the Wind), and Mairghread Scott (The City on the Other Side).

Ginger Wiseman (The Outlander Podcast), Summer Reynolds (The Outlander Podcast), Mandy Tidwell (Great Scot Blog), and Sarah Ksiazek (Outlander TV News) join Outlander fans for a no-holds-barred discussion of their favorite characters, story lines, and theories. Main books, bulges, TV seasons: It's all fair game.

The production designer reads 100 pages of nothing-but-words-on-paper and then must literally dream up the most perfect of all possible worlds in which the tale should take place. Though the story may be set in some mythic past, the here and now, or some nearly unimaginable future, it's always human emotion rendered in color and composition. And following that, the designer must gather and organize an army of artists who, over months or years, in plaster or in pixels, will somehow render that design for the big screen. Featuring Richard Bridgland (The Commuter, American Ultra), Scott Chambliss (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Tomorrowland), Howard Cummings (Westworld, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief), Naomi Shohan (A Wrinkle in Time, The Walk), and moderator John Muto (Home Alone, Species).

UPDATED: Wed, Jul 18, 10:28PM
Rise up! Join the uprising with Pacific Rim: Uprising VFX supervisor Peter Chiang alongside HALON Entertainment's Brad Alexander (previs supervisor) and Ryan McCoy (postvis supervisor) as they break down the epic final battle layer by layer. Panelists were told to make some "bad a$$ shots," and they delivered. This panel is for artists, filmmakers, and anyone who wants an in-depth look at VFX.

Comic-Con special guest R. A. Salvatore (Timeless) discusses all things Drizzt Do'Urden and beyond. The legendary author talks about Epic Fantasy, The Forgotten Realms, and more. Moderated by Harper Voyager executive editor David Pomerico.

Frank Mastromauro (publisher), Peter Steigerwald (publisher), Vince Hernandez (VP/editor-in-chief) Mark Roslan (VP/director of design and production), Siya Oum (Fathom), Ron Marz (Fathom), J. T. Krul (Soulfire), Jordan Gunderson (Dissension), and Alex Konat (Nu Way) discuss Aspen's past, present, and future in this special commemorative panel. Aspen will also partake in a fan Q&A session.

STEM educators, students, and public librarians discuss how innovative technologies such as 3D design and animation bring graphic literature and the reading experience to life. Featuring Amy Pitotti (EdTech educator, DAB Lake Elsinore), Lisa Harrison (STEM educator, RMMS, Vista), Nichole Santangelo (STEAM specialist, RMMS, Vista), Andrew Hudson (educator, RMMS, Vista), Lisa Ferneau-Haynes (senior librarian, youth services, Oceanside Public Library), Beth Duncan (STEM specialist, RMMS, Vista), Bryan Pitotti (graphic design specialist/cinematography), and Joanna Murray (EdTech educator, RMMS Vista).

Stop Motion as a Special Effect—Animation-effects heroes past and present including Eric Adkins (Mars Attacks! original stop motion unit) discuss the often-cantankerous history and future of stop-motion animation as a special effect. Moderated by Open The Portal creative director David Braun.

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 09:41AM
Come see the executive producers and cast of Disney Channel's animated superhero comedy series discuss Big Hero 6 The Series. Executive producers Mark McCorkle, Robert Schooley, and Nick Filippi (Kim Possible, Penguins of Madagascar) will be joined by the original actors from the feature film who have joined the show, including Scott Adsit (Veep, 30 Rock), Ryan Potter (Titans, Big Hero 6), Jamie Chung (The Gifted, Gotham, The Hangover 2, Suckerpunch), Genesis Rodriguez (Run All Night, Identity Theft, Man on a Ledge, Tusk, Casa de Mi Padre), as well as new cast members Brooks Wheelan (Saturday Night Live, Comedy Central's The Half Hour) and Khary Payton (The Walking Dead, Teen Titans Go!, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Young Justice). Moderated by Entertainment Weekly's Marc Snetiker, panelists will discuss bringing the feature film to life for TV, introduce you to exciting new characters, and play never-before-seen footage from the series.

Discover your new comic book obsession at Comic-Con-and you're guaranteed to find it at this panel! Ryan Parrott (Saban's Go Go Power Rangers), Delilah S. Dawson (Ladycastle), Tyler Jenkins (Black Badge), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Low Road West), author C. B. Lee, writer Marguerite Bennett, and Matt Gagnon (editor-in-chief, BOOM! Studios) discuss the diverse imprints of BOOM! Studios, Archaia, BOOM! Box, and KaBOOM!, with surprises for everyone in the audience. Moderated by Filip Sablik (president of publishing & marketing, BOOM! Studios).

Whether it's deadly assassins, a walking weapon of mass destruction, clandestine conflicts between shadowy cabals, or a team of heroes seeking redemption, DC's New Age of Heroes continues to embody the spirit of epic adventure and bravery that has thrilled fans for ages! Hear firsthand about what's to come from the writers and artists bringing this new yet familiar style of superhero storytelling to DC!

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 09:25AM
The creative team and cast behind Shadow of the Tomb Raider share new details about Lara Croft's newest adventure, in which Lara must become the Tomb Raider she is meant to be. Jill Murray (lead writer), Heath Smith (lead game designer), Rich Briggs (senior brand director), and panelists Camilla Luddington (performance artist for Lara Croft) and Earl Baylon (performance artist for Jonah Maiava) will be joining moderator Andrea Rene.

Matt Taylor (illustrator of this year's SDCC souvenir book cover), Rob Jones (Mondo creative director) and a mystery second panelist talk about most of the posters Matt has made in the last five years of working with Mondo and some other things too. Matt, Rob and the mystery second panelist learn about the process of making movie posters and a take part in a Q&A.

Ira Zukanovic (University of California, Los Angeles) demonstrates how Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis is about the process of formulating (and reformulating) a sense of identity in the wake of a political trauma. Using comics and cultural hybridity theory, Isabelle Martin (University of Kentucky) analyzes the role of photography in relationships between personal memory and collective memory, family history, and cultural history in Thi Bui's graphic memoir The Best We Could Do. Emmy Waldman (Harvard University) examines and explicates Art Spiegelman's comics-making after Mauschwitz, focusing on his avant-garde 2008 graphic-memoir-cum-comics-manifesto Breakdowns/Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@&*!

It's a Smith Family Funday with "Francine" (Wendy Schaal), "Steve" (Scott Grimes), "Klaus" (Dee Bradley Baker) "Snot" (Curtis Armstrong), "Barry" (Eddie Kaye Thomas), Toshi (Daisuke Suzuki) and executive producer Matt Weitzman, who will treat American Dad! fans to a first look at scenes from all new episodes coming soon to TBS. You won't want to miss it!

As more and more European material enters the U.S., a panel of American and European creators and publishers will discuss the specificities of European comics and what they have to offer to librarians and educators. With Mike Kennedy (Lion Forge), Zerocalcare (Kobane Calling), Whitney Leopard (BOOM! Studios), Efa (Monet) and Chris Thompson (Titan/Statix Press, UK). Moderated by Karen Green (Columbia University Library).

Bryan Seaton (CEO/publisher) is be joined by Action Lab creators to reveal the lineup coming from such creators as Kevin Grevioux (Underworld movie series), Rylend Grant (screenwriter), Erica Schultz (writer), and many more. Plus don't forget the giveaways!

Nerds on Hip-Hop podcast co-hosts Victoria Johnson (pop culture journalist) and Marcus Wolfe (hip-hop beatmaker) will lead a discussion capturing the relationship between anime and hip-hop with guest panelists Valerie Complex (movie critic), Noveliss (Clear Soul Forces rapper), and others.

Underground comix were more than an art revolution-they were a scandal in the courts! Busts spread from Berkeley to New York as law enforcement used obscenity laws to crack down on this renegade form of free expression. How did the creators and publishers of this historical art movement take the heat? Join Ron Turner, publisher of Last Gasp and Air Pirates, which was convicted in California; Robert Williams of Zap Comix #4,which was convicted in New York; and Joyce Farmer, iconic underground cartoonist and editor of the controversial Abortion Eve for this freewheeling discussion moderated by CBLDF executive director Charles Brownstein.

Blind and visually impaired people love comics, gaming, TV, movies, and all sorts of science fiction/fantasy/horror artforms just as much as their sighted counterparts. How do they enjoy such things with little or no eyesight? Totally blind martial artist, competitive surfer, and unashamed geek Joshua Loya and actor/audio book narrator/writer Scott Brick share what options exist for nonvisual entertainment.

Relationships in space travel can be expansive and galaxy-spanning or so intimate as to be claustrophobic. Alexa Donne (Brightly Burning), Marina Lostetter (Noumenon Infinity), Maura Milan (Ignite the Stars), Sylvain Neuvel (The Themis Files), Tillie Walden (On a Sunbeam), and Greg Van Eekhout (Voyage of the Dogs) navigate the emotional and physical spaces of speculative fiction with Maryelizabeth Yturralde of Mysterious Galaxy.

Be among the first to hear about IDW's big announcements at SDCC! New titles! New creators! All the news that's fit to print in one place. Plus, don't miss out on an exclusive giveaway that you can only get here!

John C. McGinley, Janet Varney, Nate Mooney, Deborah Baker Jr. and executive producer Dana Gould share an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming season of IFC's horror comedy series Stan Against Evil, followed by a discussion about what lies ahead for the town of Willard's Mill in season 3. The panel, like the show, is guaranteed to be a hell-larious good time.

The well-remembered Little Lulu comic books were written during 1945-1959 by the gifted all-around cartoonist John Stanley. Recent research continues to identify a large body of other work by this once-obscure master of comics storytelling. Come learn more, and join in for a scripted radio-play style reading of a Golden Age Little Lulu story. All are welcome!

Are you a fan of ABC's Lost? Then join Jay and Jack Glatfelter for their 12th annual SDCC panel! The co-hosts of the popular Lost Podcast with Jay and Jack will be joined by podcasters Ralph Apel (The Dharmalars, Kaiju) and Jo "JOpinionated" Garfein (Post-Show Recaps, co-founder of Cancer Gets LOST) to discuss the thoughts, theories, and legacy of one of the best serialized TV shows of all time and touch upon some of the newest "it" shows, such as Westworld, The 100, and more.

When Montego Air Flight 828 landed safely in New York after a turbulent but routine flight, the crew and passengers were relieved. Yet in the span of those few hours, the world had aged five years and their friends, families, and colleagues, after mourning their loss, had given up hope and moved on. Now, faced with the impossible, they're all given a second chance. But as their new realities become clear, a deeper mystery unfolds and some of the returned passengers soon realize they may be meant for something greater than they ever thought possible. From executive producers Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future movies, Cast Away, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Polar Express, What Lies Beneath, Contact), Jack Rapke (Cast Away, The Polar Express, What Lies Beneath), and Jeff Rake (The Mysteries of Laura, The Tomorrow People, Boston Legal, Miss Match, The Practice) comes an emotionally rich, unexpected journey into a world grounded in hope, heart, and destiny. The cast includes Melissa Roxburgh (Valor, Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies), Josh Dallas (Once Upon a Time, Thor), Athena Karkanis (Zoo, The Lottery), J. R. Ramirez (Jessica Jones, Power), Luna Blaise (Fresh Off the Boat), newcomer Jack Messina and Parveen Kaur (Beyond, Saving Hope). David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Collateral Beauty, Entourage, Band of Brothers, From the Earth to the Moon) directed the pilot, for which he also served as executive producer. Manifest premieres this fall airing Mondays at 10/9c on NBC and is produced by Compari Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television.

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 05:21PM
Music is often considered another character in storytelling. Hear from composers, music supervisors, and professionals on how they create and bring music to your favorite projects in film, television, and video games. Composers Nima Fakhrara (Detroit: Become Human, The Signal), Carly Paradis (The Innocents), and Benjamin Wynn A.K.A. DERU (Impulse, Avatar: The Last Airbender) will be joined by music supervisors and executives at Fox Music, senior vice president John Houlihan (Deadpool 2) and senior vice president of Television Music Sony Pictures Entertainment Tony Scudellari (Breaking Bad), to discuss the process of writing music and how songs are selected for your fan-favorite projects. The panel will be moderated by Chandler Poling of White Bear PR, followed by a Q&A with the audience.

Mark Siegel, editorial and creative director of First Second Books, looks back and looks forward at this amazing, transformative time for the graphic novel in America. From the rise of kids' comics to graphic nonfiction to the author-centered new mainstream, First Second continues its pathfinding run-with beloved comics voices like Vera Brosgol, Gene Yang, Ben Hatke, Faith Erin Hicks, Scott McCloud, Ngozi Ukazu, Penelope Bagieu, Jen Wang, Box Brown, Tillie Walden, and many more.

The last year saw some forward movement for equality in front of and behind the camera. Women directors helmed more TV pilots than ever before. Will that trend continue? Will it result in more woman-directed and gender-balanced shows? In 2018, still only a fraction of studio films were directed by women, so how can lasting change be made? Some of the most successful, talented women in the industry will discuss their careers, latest projects, new initiatives, and how fans can be part of creating equality in film, TV, and all transmedia. Panelists include Lesli Linka Glatter (producer/director, Homeland, The Walking Dead), Kat Candler (showrunner/director, Queen Sugar, 12 Monkeys), Patricia Cardoso (director, Queen Sugar, Real Women Have Curves), Rosemary Rodriguez (producer/director, pilot Cagney & Lacey, Jessica Jones, The Walking Dead), Regina King (actress/director/producer, pilot The Finest, Shameless, Scandal), Patricia Riggen (producer/director, The 33, Jack Ryan), and Kirsten Schaffer (executive director, Women in Film: LA). Moderated by Leslie Combemale (Cinema Siren, The Credits).

Once more, moderator Mark Evanier brings six top cartoon voice actors together to talk about their work, demonstrate their craft, and perform a script with insufficient prep time. This time out, the lineup includes J. P. Karliak (The Boss Baby: Back in Business, The New Looney Tunes), Julie Nathanson (Skylanders, Avengers Assemble), John Mariano (Animaniacs, Hey Arnold!), Kari Wahlgren (Bunnicula, Bunsen Is a Beast), Roger L. Jackson (The Powerpuff Girls, Ghostface), Matthew Mercer (Thundercats, Marvel's Spider-Man), and maybe a surprise or two.

See an exceptional array of inspiring animated shorts from around the world. Producer and curator Ron Diamond will present the program and answer questions following the showing. The Hollywood Reporter's John LeFore wrote, "An exceptional program that starts off strong and only gets better as it goes, the 19th Annual Animation Show of Shows overflows with charm while containing more provocative observations about the nature of existence than most prestige feature films do."

The Gaming Creator Connection is an opportunity for game developers-whether currently working in the industry or aspiring to do so-to receive valuable advice, insights, and mentoring from seasoned veterans of the game industry representing diverse professional backgrounds.

Joe Neate (executive producer) and other members of the development team discuss the future of Sea of Thieves, including content updates and the expanded universe in the form of comics, novels, and collectibles. Joe and the team have exclusive new details to reveal about coming game content, as well as an exclusive giveaway for fans.

Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter, and Erik Stolhanske discuss the fan-funded film phenomenon Super Troopers 2. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and a first look at hilarious deleted scenes from the all-new Blu-ray with moderator Steve Weintraub (Collider.com). Entry to each Horton Grand Theatre panel requires a separate ticket and a Comic-Con badge.

Oni Press publisher James Lucas Jones alongside creators Yehudi Mercado (Sci-Fu), Amy Chu (Wonder Woman), Zander Cannon (Kaijumax), D. J. Kirkland and Daniel Barnes (Black Mage), and Sara Richard will go head to head where characters are built with literal children's building blocks.

Comic-Con special guest Deborah Harkness (the All Souls Trilogy, Time's Convert) discusses with Maureen Lenker (Entertainment Weekly) how she drew on science, fantasy, and history to build a world where the supernatural seems real. Q&A moderated by Maureen Lenker.

Cast (Seth MacFarlane, Alex Borstein, Seth Green, Mike Henry) and executive producers (Rich Appel, Alec Sulkin, Steve Callaghan) from FOX's hit animated comedy Family Guy look back at their favorite family memories and offer a sneak peek featuring hilarity and hi-jinx from the upcoming season!

New to comics? Are you at the convention because you're a fan of great DC TV, movies, video games, or other media? Bingeing a season of The Flash leave you wanting to know more about the source material? Well, look no further; this is the panel for you! A panel of experts is here to help you along your journey through the wonderful world of comics, from the back of your longboxes to the newest on the shelves at your local comic book shop.

UPDATED: Wed, Jul 18, 12:19PM
Editor-in-chief C. B. Cebulski and executive editor Nick Lowe and Devin Lewis are joined by Donny Cates (Cosmic Ghost Rider, Death of Inhumans) and Margaret Stohl (Life of Captain Marvel) to discuss the startling stories and initiatives that are truly the NEXT BIG THINGS in the Marvel Universe! In Fantastic Four, the Richards family is heading back to Earth, but they still have one more cosmic obstacle to overcome. Meanwhile, the specter of death hangs around the Inhumans and the Ghost Rider of a dark future in Donny Cates's Death of Inhumans and Cosmic Ghost Rider. And as the Infinity Wars ignite, are any characters truly safe? All this, plus learn more about the definitive origin of Captain Marvel, as Margaret Stohl opens up about Life of Captain Marvel. If you want to learn about the biggest Marvel stories of 2018, this is THE panel not to miss!

Continuing the tradition of The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, Legacies is the third installment of this supernatural series about witches, vampires, and werewolves. The story follows 17-year-old Hope Mikaelson (daughter of Klaus Mikaelson) along with Alaric Saltzman and his twins at the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted as they come of age in the most unconventional way. Executive producer Julie Plec and series stars Danielle Rose Russell and Matthew Davis show a special video presentation followed by a Q&A. From My So-Called Company, Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television, and CBS Television Studios, Legacies airs this fall on The CW, Thursdays 9/8c.

Creators who have adapted myths, legends, fairytales, and American folklore for the graphic medium discuss how comics are continuing age-old traditions of mythologizing the human experience. Topics will also include how the comics medium can work as a tool for educators looking for primary and supplementary material to teach these and related subjects. Speakers are Johnnie Christmas (Firebug, Angel Catbird), Marco Finnegan (Crossroad Blues), John Jennings (I Am Alfonso Jones, Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation), and Kit Seaton (Afar, Norroway). Moderated by Dr. Katie Monnin (author at Pop Culture Classroom).

Meet the creators of Cartoon Network's most beloved and exciting new shows as they share why they were inspired to get into animation, highlights of their paths to becoming show runners, and insights on what it takes to bring stories to life. They'll also reveal some exciting news about . . . well, you'll have to come to find out! Featuring Matt Burnett and Ben Levin from Craig of the Creek, Daniel Chong from We Bare Bears, Diego Molano from Victor & Valentino, and Julia Pott from Summer Camp Island. Moderated by Ian Jones-Quartey from OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes.

Do you like to make people laugh? How easily does that translate to the written page? Moderator Andrew Farago (Cartoon Art Museum) leads Comic-Con special guests Lynn Johnston, Larry Marder, Lonnie Millsap, Noah Van Sciver, and Shannon Wheeler in this no-holds-barred discussion of things hilarious!

Orty Ortwein of the Ray Bradbury Experience Museum will talk about Bradbury's career in comics, from his childhood obsession with Flash Gordon to his career with EC to his role in the very first Comic-Con. Even devout fans are bound to learn something new.

UPDATED: Wed, Jul 18, 05:24PM
Sid and Marty Krofft received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 45th Daytime Emmys and are coming back to Comic-Con! After producing 73 episodes of Mutt & Stuff for Nickelodeon, the legendary team have just produced two one-hour Mutt & Stuff specials and are getting ready for the Mutt & Stuff live tour. Come hear showbiz stories and tales from the 1970s all the way through to the present day. Sid & Marty will provide details on a new project for grown-ups that uses all their iconic characters from all their shows. It's big. It's exciting. And it's exclusive for Comic-Con! Drew Massey, actor, puppeteer, and voiceover artist will moderate. Drew is best known for The Muppets, Sid the Science Kid, Mutt&Stuff and much, much more!

Award-winning writer and artist Thi Bui discusses her bestselling, debut graphic novel The Best We Could Do. Exploring the anguish of displacement and the lasting effects it has on a child and her family, The Best We Could Do documents the story of her family's daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s, the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves, and her own journey as a new parent. Bui will also discuss her recent political comics work focusing on the deportation and mistreatment of refugees by the U.S. (as seen on The Nib and Pen America). Attendees will also get a sneak peek at her upcoming projects, including a graphic novel on climate change in Vietnam.

Hosts R. A. Rayne and Kris Koller are joined by voice actor Eric Bauza (TMNT, LEGO Star Wars), Troy Manning (SoCal 501st Troop), Dan Madsen (Her Universe, Star Wars Insider) and J. C. Reifenberg (Scum & Villainy Cantina, Hughes The Force) to discuss how Star Wars and its fandom have impacted their personal lives, their professional lives, and society as a whole. What does Star Wars mean to your life? The panel will also participate in a Star Wars trivia contest against the audience with prizes to be won!

Joy Lin, author of the popular animated series If Superpowers Were Real on TED.com, along with Alex Siegle and Ben Siegle, will discuss the real-life consequences of having superpowers. The Invisible Woman would be blind because light is shining straight through her eyes, and Ant Man always weighs 180 pounds regardless of his size.

Guess what? Your favorite fantasy and comedy podcast where the three McElroy brothers play Dungeons & Dragons with their dad is now a graphic novel, and you can hear all about it at this program! Join co-creators of The Adventure Zone and co-adapters Travis McElroy and Clint McElroy as well as co-adapter and illustrator Carey Pietsch to learn more about The Adventure Zone: Here There Be Gerblins, which is now available wherever books are sold. This event will be moderated by Jackie Jennings (host, SYFY channel).

Blair Mowat, musical arranger on Doctor Who and composer on spinoffs Class and Torchwood, takes you on a musical journey through the Whoniverse from 1963 to 2018. Audience members will also be given a chance to show off their musical "Who" knowledge to win exclusive prizes.

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 03:16PM
What does it take to be an author, screenwriter, or narrative designer in media and entertainment industries? From the dawn of storytelling to today's digital platforms, writers have faced a fair share of changes. Contrarily, the spine for what makes a good story has not evolved as concretely. Hear from storytellers such as Genese Davis (Omensight; The Holder's Dominion), Ramon Govea (Myth Division), Adam Simon (screenwriter; Man Down; Point Blank), and Eric Kieron Davis (Star Citizen) as they discuss what they have relied upon when creating narratives, no matter the platform. Discover the writer's through-line that is foundational for every story.

Phillip Sevy (Tomb Raider), Mike Costa (Venom), Reily Brown (Deadpool, Lobo), and Andy Schmidt (Comics Experience, Avengers, Annihilation) take you through the complicated and artful process of creating powerful panel descriptions that artists will love to draw from and get you what you want . . . every time! No comics writer can be successful without learning how to properly and dynamically communicate with his or her artist!

The CAC's poster session gives attendees the opportunity to interact directly with presenters. Come talk one-on-one with these scholars about their projects! Barbara Glaeser (California State University, Fullerton), Leigh Shocki (Alaska Airlines), Christina Schultz (Alaska Airlines), Andrew Sanchez (AT&T), Carl Renold (California State University, Fullerton), and Hernani Ledesma (California State University, Dominguez Hills) illustrate effective ways that comics are being used to shape employee and student learning. Jeremiah Massengale (University of the Cumberlands) discusses the unique capabilities of the comics medium to help readers experience the world through the perspective of a person who is deaf or hearing impaired. Cathy Leogrande (Le Moyne College) focuses on fan adoration of Harley Quinn and the range of their reactions since the Harvey Weinstein/#MeToo zeitgeist. Christopher Warren, Gino Galvez, and Jonelle Prideaux (California State University, Long Beach) use a systematic analysis of comic book character occupations to discern how gender and racial attributes correspond to the lines of traditional discrimination and job segregation. Elysia Poon (School for Advanced Research, Indian Arts Research Center) highlights the recent publication of an anthology of comic art by Native women artists to examine how the comic medium plays a crucial role in giving voice to a highly underrepresented section of our society. D'Ondre Swails (Brown University) interrogates the cultural politics surrounding comic book villains of color, particularly ones of African descent. Allen Thomas (University of Central Arkansas) breaks down the benefit of black comic book characters in bibliotherapy to provide an avenue through which African American clients at the intersections of varied identities can fully and truly see themselves. Cori Knight (University of California, Riverside) uses the webcomic Girl Genius to look at how sidekicks and assistants evolved from two-dimensional, cardboard entities into real characters in their own right. Shelley Lloyd (Clemson University) reads Marvel's Black Widows as both feminine and cyborg using the works of Donna Haraway and Hélène Cixous. Sydney Heifler (University of Oxford) traces a 1970s trend of romance comics writers addressing the Women's Liberation Movement by appropriating the Movement's themes to offer a new "feminism" that mirrored normative and explicitly antifeminist views. Tiffany Babb examines Saladin Ahmed and Christian Ward's Black Bolt as an example of how impermanent death holds weight, both emotionally and structurally, in superhero narratives in comics. Valentino L. Zullo (Kent State University) considers the work of the Cleveland Public Library in leading comics programming and the role of the public library in the future of comics scholarship, literacy, and the promotion of humanistic ideas. Brendan Gillett (NYC Department of Education) uses Scott Pilgrim as a source text to engage in simultaneous multiliteracy exercises while producing transmedial adaptations. Derek Heid (Temecula Valley High School) examines Jeff Lemire's breakdown of the family through a lack of open and honest communication and how the fragmentation of the family unit risks the coherency of the world itself. Anita McDaniel (University of North Carolina, Wilmington) analyzes Zack Snyder's ironic use of diegetic and non-diegetic music in Watchmen to disrupt the audience's suspension of disbelief and to challenge to the superhero genre's moral imperative. Kathryn Houk and Bredny Rodriguez (University of Nevada Las Vegas) explore the challenges they had as librarians building a print-based graphic medicine collection in a primarily digital library. Eric Bruce and Emily A. Lilo (Western Oregon University) share their lesson plan, grounded in social cognitive theory, to create space for complex conversations with youth about their life experiences using comics characters as the vehicles. Nicole Kroushl (University of North Carolina, Wilmington) examines the narrative coherence of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in which witchcraft is a stand-in for American Christian fundamentalism. Noah Simonson (Hillsboro School District) presents a case study exploring the integration of comics as additive classroom texts into four Next Generation Science Standards-aligned science units. Danielle Kohfeldt, Charlene Vo, Maricela Correa-Chavez, and John Nguyen (California State University, Long Beach) explore how forms of engagement in comics-related fandoms may be partially shaped by a person's relative power in society, with a special focus on gender, sexuality, and race/ethnicity. Pamela Jackson (San Diego State University)explores the ways the San Diego State University Library uses critical librarianship to encourage critical thinking and scholarship on issues of identity, social justice, human rights, and economic equality using their comic arts collection. Benjamin G. Barrena and Todd C. Lilje (Naval Medical Center San Diego) use the depiction of doctor-patient interaction in Peter Dunlap-Shohl's My Degeneration: A Journey Through Parkinson's to argue that by stressing the experiential and the aesthetic over the technical, the graphic novel medium provides a particularly powerful format for pushing doctors to see through their patients' eyes. Divya Jindal-Snape (University of Dundee) traces the creation of Fibromyalgia and Us (2017), which was co-created by four people living with fibromyalgia, health care professionals, family members, comic artists, and experts to illustrate the life transitions caused by fibromyalgia and its impact.

Take this amazing opportunity to learn how to draw your imagination that words cannot describe on top of white paper with a black pen. You will realize that you do not need any fancy equipment to draw your heart out after seeing Kim Jung Gi's outrageous live drawing! You will get a chance to see an empty canvas transform into a completed scene with human anatomy and perspective in just 90 minutes.

The Playback Room will be showing the following panel presentations from either or both Hall H and Ballroom 20: American Dad!, Family Guy, and The Gifted. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)

From 20th Century Fox Television in association with Marvel Television, season 2 of The Gifted picks up after the explosion of the Atlanta Station. The Mutant Underground search for their friends and family who left with The Inner Circle. Having tracked them outside of Washington, D.C., they must contend with new groups with extreme ideologies, both human and mutant alike, to stave off a brewing conflict. Executive producers Matt Nix and Jeph Loeb and stars Stephen Moyer, Sean Teale, Jamie Chung, Emma Dumont, Blair Redford, Natalie Alyn Lind, and Skyler Samuels show an exclusive first look at the upcoming season. Returning Tuesdays this fall on FOX. See an extended season 2 sneak peek!

UPDATED: Fri, Jul 13, 04:30PM
Experience how the reinvigoration of one of Sony PlayStation's most beloved franchises, God of War, began with a simple comic and what it took to reach store shelves. Members of the pre-production team Cory Barlog (game director), Joe M. Kennedy (senior concept artist), Eric Williams (senior designer), and Bruno Velazquez (animation director), with moderator Alanah Pearce, share their stories, deleted scenes, and early prototypes and visuals, including "The Hunt," an original short story and comic by Cory Barlog.

UPDATED: Sat, Jul 21, 01:58PM
Join Comic-Con International in honoring one of the most recognized Japanese artists of the last half-century, Yoshitaka Amano. Amano's storied career spans decades with thousands of works, including Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D, and Neil Gaiman's Sandman: The Dream Hunters. Amano will delight fans by live drawing some of his original characters and will participate in a brief Q&A. Moderated by Michael Gombos.

Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means . . . awesome comics! See what effect sunshine and surf have on local San Diego creators Kevin Eastman (TMNT), Mary Fleener (The Less You Know, The Better You Feel), Richard Friend (artist, Wild Cats, upcoming Vampire Hunter D), Sarah Gaydos (editor), Lora Innes (The Dreamer, Wynonna Earp), and Lucas Turnbloom (Dream Jumper, Hot to Cat). Moderated by San Diego local Chris Ryall.

Universal Television presents the return of NBC's supernatural thriller Midnight, Texas to Comic-Con. Welcome back to a place where being normal is strange and only outsiders fit in. Based on the bestselling book series by Charlaine Harris (author of the novels that inspired True Blood) comes a journey into a remote Texas town where nothing is what it seems. Home to a psychic, vampire, witch, angel, and hitwoman, Midnight is a mysterious safe haven for those who are different-a perfect place for anyone looking to hide from the outside world. After defeating the demon Colconnar, the residents of Midnight try to go back to life as it was, but the balance they thought they were regaining becomes threatened with the opening of a mysterious new hotel in town. Join your fellow "Midnighters" for a sneak peek of season 2 and a Q&A session with the cast and producers: François Arnaud (The Borgias), Dylan Bruce (Orphan Black), Parisa Fitz - Henley (Harry and Meghan: A Royal Romance), Arielle Kebbel (The Vampire Diaries), Jason Lewis (Sex and the City), Peter Mensah (True Blood), executive producers David Janollari (Six Feet Under), Eric Charmelo (Supernatural), and Nicole Snyder (Supernatural).

The maestro, the myth, the master known as RZA (The Man with the Iron Fists) is coming from Wu-Tang Mountain for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of all great things . . . like his new movie Cut Throat City. Don't be surprised to see some of the all-star cast (Shameik Moore, Wesley Snipes, T. I., Terrence Howard, Demetrius Shipp Jr., Denzel Whitaker, Keean Johnson, Kat Graham), as well as exclusives and sneak peeks. It's RZA's amazing world, so bring your eyes, ears, heart, and soul to come experience it!

The Emmy Award-winning worldwide phenomenon Cosmos returns to Fox and National Geographic in Spring 2019. At this panel, get an exclusive sneak peek of Cosmos: Possible Worlds as host Neil deGrasse Tyson along with executive producer/writer/director/creator Ann Druyan and executive producers Seth MacFarlane, Brannon Braga, and Jason Clark discuss more on cosmic evolution and the great minds who've contributed to our understanding of the universe, and get a first look at the new season.

Hear from the artists and editor who brought Harry Potter to life, including Jim Kay (Harry Potter illustrated editions), Kazu Kibuishi (Harry Potter 15th anniversary edition cover artist), Brian Selznick (20th anniversary edition cover artist), Arthur A. Levine (editor, Harry Potter), and David Saylor (art director, Harry Potter). Panelists will discuss their process and inspirations working on the most magical books of all time. See a special message from Mary GrandPré, the original U.S. Harry Potter illustrator.

Whether it's a superhero adventure, a colorful fantasy world, an ultraviolent crime noir, or a new take on an old classic, creators put a lot of thought into the sequential art that drives stories told in comics. An all-star lineup of Dark Horse creators including Frank Miller (Sin City), Dave Gibbons (The Originals), Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer), Wendy Pini (ElfQuest), and Rafael Albuquerque (EI8HT) discuss turning an idea into a full-fledged story and how they continue to keep their writing fresh.

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 03:26PM
With roots in comics, the team at Einhorn's Epic Productions is redefining how to build multi-platform franchise IP from the ground up. This discussion focuses on creating the next generation's blockbuster franchises and rethinking how content creators approach both content and audience. Panelists include Heather Einhorn (CEO, EEP), Adam Staffaroni (CCO, EEP), Monica Gallagher (Lethal Lit: A Tig Torres Mystery, Assassin Roommate), Jennifer 8. Lee (CEO, Plympton), Victoria Setian (Mortal Kombat X, Injustice), Alex Segura (Lethal Lit: A Tig Torres Mystery, co-president of Archie Comics, Pete Fernandez mysteries), and Aroop Sanakkayala (brand strategist, EEP). Entry to each Horton Grand Theatre panel requires a separate ticket and a Comic-Con badge.

The biggest news in comics is comiXology's exclusive content program: comiXology Originals. Join comiXology's head of content Chip Mosher and comics creators Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash, Revival), Mike Norton (Revival), Sam Humphries (Green Lanterns), Alti Firmansyah (Star-Lord and Kitty Pryde), M. K. Reed (The Castoffs, Palefire), Tish Doolin (Modus Operandi), Mark Sable (Graveyard of Empires), and Kristian Donaldson (The Massive, DMZ) as they give you an intimate look at upcoming comiXology Originals releases. Catch a glimpse of never-before-seen artwork, covers, and more!

Quince is a 15-issue comic book series being released in English and Spanish about teenager Lupe who discovers she has superpowers at her quinceañera. Comadres y Comics is a podcast hosted by three Latina women hoping to highlight the role that Latinos have in the comic book industry. Quince creator Sebastian Kadlecik and Comadres y Comics hosts Kristen Parraz, Sara Bazan, and Jennifer Lopez discuss the importance of inclusivity and representation in the comic book medium in a Q&A session moderated by Barbra Dillon (editor-in-chief of Fanbase Press).

What is it like to adapt a sport or game from a fictional universe? Panelists will talk about the fun challenges and unique aspects of activities that start in make-believe and end up in real life, including common misconceptions and what happens when you have big departures from the source material. Panelists include Kym Couch and Jessica Ward (U.S. Quidditch), Salvador Solis (Belegarth Medieval Combat Society), and Robb Yanagihara and Alexandra Vann (Saber Guild), with Tessa Netting (Fantastic Geeks and Where to Find Them Podcast) moderating.

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 11:43AM
Jaimie Cordero (Espionage Cosmetics CEO), Allison Cimino (RockLove Jewelry), Jazzlyn Stone (Bombsheller), and Jordan Ellis (The Sartorial Geek) combine their forces, skills, and life hacks as successful, nerdy business professionals to share their wisdom with fellow nerds interested in starting and/or maintaining their business. Moderated by Mandie Roman (Geeky Glamorous).

Magic always comes with consequences and costs, whether it's the sacrifice of years spent studying or a literal, physical sacrifice. How do characters get (or lose) their magic? How can the consequences of magic ramp up the suspense? Acclaimed fantasy novelists Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone), Stephanie Garber (Legendary), Sara Hanover (The Late Great Wizard), Daniel José Older (Dactyl Hill Squad, Star Wars: Last Shot), Sam Sykes (Seven Blades in Black), and Sabaa Tahir (A Reaper at the Gates) discuss magic systems, magic spells, and the price of magic with David Canfield (Entertainment Weekly).

This is your chance to meet the new head of editorial at Marvel! In this exclusive one-on-one interview led by Skottie Young (Deadpool), freshly minted editor-in-chief C. B. Cebulski will talk about anything and everything involved in what's next for Marvel. Want to know where to search for the Infinity Stones? Dying to find out what's next for Wolverine? What does Forbush Man really look like without his helmet? Ask C. B. these questions and more in the Q&A! Plus, don't miss a surprise exclusive giveaway variant comic.

Bestselling author Alexandra Bracken (The Darkest Minds, Passenger) joins director Jennifer Yuh Nelson (The Darkest Minds, Kung Fu Panda) and cast (Amandla Stenberg, Harris Dickinson, Skylan Brooks, Miya Cech) for a look at the journey from YA novel sensation to summer blockbuster from 20th Century Fox.

Emil Ferris is the cartoonist behind 2017's most acclaimed graphic novel, My Favorite Thing Is Monsters. She will discuss the influences of horror in fine art, film, literature and pop culture on her work. Moderating the discussion is NPR Books editor Petra Mayer.

Peter J. Tomasi (Superman, Batman and Robin, Super-Sons, The Bridge) discusses his 20-year editorial and writing career at DC Comics along with his foray into creator-owned books and screenwriting, immediately followed by a Q&A session moderated by Peter J. Tomasi himself.

Bring fairy tales, fables, folktales, legends, and myths into your classroom using graphic novel adaptations that bring these tales to life. Panelists will discuss how creators' imaginative retellings build depth and complexity in the interplay between text and image and how these stories can be successfully taught in the classroom. Featuring creators Jenni Holm (Babymouse) and Alexis Fajardo (Kid Beowulf), educators Erin Hill (language arts teacher, Ramona High School)and Cori McDonald (librarian, Ramona High School), moderator Tracy Edmunds (Graphic Novels Are Elementary), and surprise panelists.

Co-hosts Jessica Tseang and Chris Eaton, along T. J. Storm (motion capture actor for Godzilla in Legendary's Godzilla, Colossus in Deadpool 2) and other panelists, discuss the growing kaiju genre. Since 1954, TOHO has dominated the kaiju film industry, and now, the genre has spread across multiple mediums around the world: anime, manga, video games, and comics. American films such as Godzilla (2014), Pacific Rim, and Kong: Skull Island have led to producing sequels Pacific Rim: Uprising, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and the highly anticipated Godzilla vs. Kong (2020). Veterans of the industry shed some light on the fascinating resurgence of the kaiju/monster genre and what it's like to be a part of this cultural phenomenon.

A traditional comic book illustrator, Pat Moriarity (Fantagraphics, The Comics Journal, winner of the Golden Toonie) partners with animator Seth Zeichner (The Realm Beyond Reason)to show how to transform hand-drawn illustrations into a fantastic animated film. Plus, watch the screening of their short film! Moderated by Erica Schisler (Adobe) and partnered with Dan Ramirez (Adobe), who will show you how to create walking and talking characters that can be easily animated with a webcam and a mic using Adobe Character Animator plus preview new technology, Project Puppetron, that will help you quickly animate your own characters!

Season 3 saw Supergirl stop Reign and the other Worldkillers' threat to humanity and our planet, and in the process Kara was shocked to find her mother Alura alive and living in a salvaged Argo City that survived the destruction of Krypton. Reconnecting with her past caused Kara to realize that her true home is now here on Earth, where big changes are taking place for her and all of her friends in National City and also, it appears, for a doppelganger in Russia! Season 4 promises to be full of surprises, action, adventure, and lots of big revelations for Supergirl, Alex, James, J'onn, Lena, and Brainy. The series' cast and creative team give a special video presentation, followed by a Q&A where they'll discuss what's to come and more! From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Supergirl's fourth season will premiere in its new Sunday 8/7c time slot on The CW this fall.

UPDATED: Thu, Jul 12, 03:04PM
See how Blizzard's many worlds are crafted into compelling art and narrative through an array of books and comics. Some of the industry's best authors discuss how they bring to life compelling stories that expand and widen the universe of Blizzard's games, told through the lens of some of gaming's most unique characters. Panelists will highlight recent releases, hint at what may be yet to come, and perhaps unveil a surprise or two. Moderated by Blizzard Publishing senior editor Cate Gary. Panelists include Christie Golden, Jody Houser, Mark Evanier, Steve Danuser, and Marv Wolfman.

A diverse panel explores where Hollywood and technology are headed in 2018 and beyond. Celebrate the intersection of entertainment and VR, AR, XR, and other cool technologies making the world a more exciting place. This panel includes representatives from NBC/Universal, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Nickelodeon, and the Void and is moderated by Anastasia Staten (executive director, The ESA Foundation). You can also immerse yourself in these experiences at the Future Tech Live! Pavilion in the Omni Hotel.

Some of Skybound's top talent-including Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Oblivion Song), Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity), Donny Cates (Redneck), and Sean Mackiewicz (Gasolina)-discuss their published works and the comics industry as a whole.

In the early 1970s, a group of women proved to the world that underground comix-and mainstream comics-wasn't just a boy's club by publishing the first and longest-running all-women comics anthology, Wimmen's Comix. Trina Robbins, Mary Fleener, Lee Marrs, and Carol Tyler discuss of how they made herstory addressing menstruation, reproductive rights, and countless other topics that their male counterparts were unwilling or unable to tackle. Moderated by Betsy Gomez (CBLDF Presents She Changed Comics).

Comics veterans and educators Andy Schmidt (Annihilation, Comics Experience founder), Phillip Sevy (Tomb Raider, Comics Experience instructor), and Fred Van Lente (Incredible Hercules, Deadpool) come together for this no-holds-barred look at what it takes to break into comics as a writer or an artist as well as an honest picture of the current comics industry landscape. This is your chance to hear it straight from those in the trenches. Andy and Phillip are ready to help and committed to giving you honest answers and real strategies!

Cinematic Weapons of Mass Destruction—Ever wonder how those explosions and battles in the movies really happen? Or about the science and technology that make those onscreen gunfights, sword fights, and blasts look larger than life? This group of firearms, pyro, and armor experts will unveil their trade secrets—with cool videos and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. They'll also offer tips on getting into the business, and the necessary certification and training. With panelists Thomas Seymour (Criminal Minds, Hollywood Weapons), miniatures expert Robert "Hutch" Hutchins (Apollo 13), Dimitri and Beckie Timohovich (Team America World Police, Burning Man), and Sword and the Stone founder/master blacksmith Tony Swatton (Thor, Man at Arms). Moderated by Fast Company's Susan Karlin.

From Emmy Award-winning executive producer and creator Seth MacFarlane, The Orville is back for season 2! Some of the crew members of the U.S.S. Orville, including Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, and Scott Grimes, along with executive producers David A. Goodman, Brannon Braga, and Jon Cassar, give an exclusive look at some of the new and exciting missions in the upcoming second season.

Kyle Maddock (A Podcast of Ice and Fire, AfterBuzz TV), Tara Lynne (The Geekiary, Ice & Fire Con), Chloe Ketchum (Girls Gone Canon, Ice & Fire Con), and Nami G (NekoNami Cosplay) discuss fan theories, compare the books to the television show, and take part in a general Q&A.

The editors and authors of Abrams ComicArts and Amulet Books discuss emerging trends in comics publishing-what's working right now, what the publishers are looking for, and what the authors and editors at Abrams are excited to publish in the coming year on both their adult and kids lists. Featuring Charles Kochman (editorial director), Andrew Smith (publisher), Charlotte Greenbaum (editor), and authors Peter J. Tomasi (The Bridge), John Jennings and Damian Duffy (Kindred: A Graphic Novel Adaptation), and Mariko Tamaki and Brooklyn Allen (Lumberjanes: The Moon is Up). The panel will also include special announcements about upcoming projects and never-before-seen titles and art.

Capturing the essence of a person or a character in just a line from a pen is a special skill, and few do it better than animation artists. Learn from Disney directing legend John Musker (Little Mermaid, Moana). Animators and story artists Jeff Ranjo, Kali Fontecchio, Marty Davis, and Trent Corey will draw live on stage, choosing lucky audience members who will get immortalized by these brilliant artists with art they can keep! There will be a speed caricature contest, as well as tips and tricks from the artists on how to improve your own drawing skills. Moderated by Tom Racine of the podcast Tall Tale Radio.

Learn how a board game goes from concept to your table from Mike Gonzales (Activision, Weta Workshop), Matt Hyra (Cryptozoic Entertainment), Ross Thompson (IDW), Jason Brenner (PlayFusion, Upper Deck), Matt Fantastic (killjoy), and Andrew Wolf (USAopoly). A Q&A session about design processes and more will be moderated by Adam Sblendorio (VP, Creative Cryptozoic Entertainment).

Find out how comics can make a difference by depicting persons with disabilities in a different light, raising funds for charitable causes, providing a tribute for victims of hate crimes, and fighting for international human rights in a presentation with panelists Geoff Gerber (president of Lion Forge), Kelley Allen (director of books at Humble Bundle), Sarah Gaydos (co-editor of Love Is Love), and Josh Elder (executive director of Reading with Pictures), moderated by Russell Shilling (senior innovation fellow at Digital Promise).

Ivy Doomkitty (IGN's Hero Makeover, body positive advocate), Chad Hoku (Hoku Props, professional cosplayer), David Baxter (Legion M, LTL Cosplay), ChadHatter Designs (DreamWorks, Robot Chicken Costumer), and Tony Ray (Okay of PBS First Person, professional cosplayer) discuss body image and confidence in oneself, self-worth, ways to work on confidence, and how to stay positive in the community when faced with negative people or negative comments on social media. Cosplaying regardless of age, skin color, gender, body type/size, disability, etc. will be covered.

There are those artists whose work you always recognize and are immediately drawn to. How have these prolific artists crafted their unique style and stayed true to themselves while creating comics? Aspen's Vince Hernandez finds out with Comic-Con special guests Andy Fish, Jeff Lemire, Jen Wang, Manuele Fior, and Veronica Fish.

A discussion among fierce, fearless actresses Chloe Bennet (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Regina King (Watchmen), Camila Mendes (Riverdale), Amandla Stenberg (The Darkest Mind), and Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who), who open up about the power and privilege of playing women who redefine the rules and refuse to yield. Moderated by EW's Jessica Shaw.

The Hasbro and Marvel product experts discuss some exciting news around Hasbro's ever-popular Marvel Legends action figure line. Attendees will get a sneak peek of upcoming, never-before-seen Marvel action figures, followed by Q&A for your Marvel action figure questions.

UPDATED: Fri, Jul 13, 12:55PM
IGN brings together the most brilliant minds from the worlds of film, TV, games, and comics-the "game changers" for their industries-and has them talk about what it takes to tell original stories in a world wonderfully filled with sequels, adaptations, and continuations. Moderated by IGN's Daemon Hatfield, this panel featuring Insomniac's Ted Price (Spider-Man, Spyro), DC comics writer Scott Snyder (Justice League, DC Metal) and director Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kong: Skull Island) will discuss the secrets to their success and what they try to bring to the table with original storytelling.

Award-winning author, graphic novelist, and deep thinker Scott McCloud (Making Comics, The Sculptor) goes in for a fast and funny deep dive into the extraordinary era of invention and revolution that followed the publication of his landmark book Understanding Comics -and why his next project may be the most ambitious yet!

A Betelgeusian "hour" of thrill-powered fun from the legendary comic book publisher, which is not only reviving a forgotten generation of classic British superheroes but is also publishing its first ever all-women creator special! Join Liana Kangas, Katy Rex, and other creators for a chat, announcements, and fun!

Comic-Con special guest Scott Shaw! (Marooned Lagoon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew!) once again presents a longstanding Comic-Con favorite starring the craziest comic books ever published! Prepare to laugh (a lot) at Scott's unique look at the odd, obscure, and obscene mainstream, off-the-rack funnybooks that will make you wonder how the !?!#$%&*!?! do those even exist? But there's no PhotoShop here; every cover image is 100% real. Plus, Scott will have an exciting announcement for all Oddball Comics fans.

There have been no shortage of close calls for Oliver Queen when it comes to protecting his superhero identity, but in the season 6 finale, he was finally backed into a corner and forced to reveal himself to the world as the Green Arrow. Now, Oliver will come face to face with many of the criminals he placed behind bars, as he makes a new home for himself at Slabside Maximum Security Prison. Oliver will find himself vulnerable in a way unlike ever before when a mysterious new enemy begins to unravel his work as Green Arrow, challenging him to redeem his name or risk losing everything. Join the cast and producers to be among the first to learn more about what this means for Oliver and the rest of his team. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, Arrow will return to The CW this fall on Mondays at 9/8c.

UPDATED: Wed, Jul 11, 11:21AM
As the most acclaimed superhero animated television series in history, Batman: The Animated Series has captured the imaginations of generations with its innovative designs, perfect voices, and landmark approach to characters and stories. In late 2018, fans will finally be able to enjoy a remastered Blu-ray release from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Join many of the key forces behind Batman: The Animated Series for a celebration of the series and the first announcement of details of the upcoming Blu-ray box set. Panelists include producers Bruce Timm (Batman: The Killing Joke), Paul Dini (Lost, Batman Beyond), Alan Burnett (Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay), and Eric Radomski (Batman: Mask of the Phantasm); eight-time Emmy Award-winning voice director Andrea Romano; actors Kevin Conroy, the fan-favorite voice of Batman, Tara Strong (Batman and Harley Quinn), voice of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl, and Loren Lester (Rock 'n' Roll High School), voice of Robin; and some other beloved Bat-surprises.

The Man in the High Castle is back to preview its third upcoming season on Prime Video. This panel features cast and creator discussion, exclusive sneak peeks, and audience Q&A. Panelists will include Alexa Davalos (Mob City), Rufus Sewell (Victoria), Stephen Root (Dallas & Robo), and Jason O'Mara (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), along with executive producer Isa Dick Hackett (Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams) and Dan Percival (Strike Back).

The Playback Room will be showing the following panel presentations from either or both Hall H and Ballroom 20: RZA: Movies, Music, and Martial Arts, Supergirl Special Video Presentation and Q&A, and Arrow. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)

E.T., Jabba the Hutt, Predator. You've seen aliens in science fiction, but did you know NASA missions are really looking for extraterrestrial life? Dr. Morgan Cable (NASA's Europa Lander concept), Dr. Cynthia Phillips (NASA's Europa mission), Dr. Tiffany Kataria (NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program), and Dr. Robert Hurt (visualization scientist at Caltech) will describe missions to icy moons and planets outside our solar system as they look for signs of life on alien worlds. From science discoveries to iconic images to visualizations, find out how NASA is bringing these intriguing worlds to life.

Eric Reynolds (editor, Mome, Now), Justin Hall (editor, No Straight Lines), Carol Tyler (contributor, Wimmen's Comics, Weirdo), Robert Goodin (editor, Oden), and Manuele Fior (5,000 Kilometers Per Second, The Interview)-all editors and artists behind some of the medium's best anthologies-will talk about finding the future masters of the artform, the thrill of seeing great work getting published, and finding its audience. Moderated by Rob Salkowitz.

Valiant fans from around the world join in celebrating Valiant's 13th annual SDCC fan panel. Moderated by Brian Wells, panelists include Joe Illidge (Valiant executive editor), Robert Meyers (editorial director), Mel Caylo (director of marketing), Matthew Klein (director of sales),and Peter Stern (director of international publishing & merchandising). They will discuss everything Valiant, including the projects of Valiant Beyond, plus Harbinger Wars 2, Britannia: Lost Eagles of Rome, Shadowman, X-O Manowar, and more!

Everyone knows William Marston as the writer-creator of Wonder Woman, but many of the classic Wonder Woman stories of the forties were co-written or wholly written by his uncredited and previously unknown assistant, Joye Hummel. Today, her name is Joye Murchison Kelly and she is this year's in-person recipient of the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing. In this special, historic event, she makes her first appearance ever on a comic convention panel, where she'll be interviewed by historians Trina Robbins and Mark Evanier. You don't to miss what may be your one-and-only chance to hear her speak about writing the adventures of the Amazon Princess, helping create the mythology of Wonder Woman, and working in Dr. Marston's office alongside him and Wonder Woman artist Harry G. Peter.

After defeating Mallus by cuddling him to death with a giant stuffed animal named Beebo, the Legends were ready to ease off the gas. That was until Constantine arrived to inform them that, in solving one major problem, they have created another, much larger one. When the Legends let time crumble in order to release and defeat Mallus, the barrier between worlds softened. History is now infected with "Fugitives," magical creatures from myths, fairytales, and legends. Having been expelled throughout time by people like Constantine, these Fugitives are now returning to our world in droves and making a real mess of things. So when all hell breaks loose, who ya gonna call? That's right, the Legends! Join the cast and creators of The CW's zaniest superhero series at their annual Comic-Con panel for an in-person look at what makes this time-traveling crew tick. From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, DC's Legends of Tomorrow will return to The CW this fall on Mondays at 8/7c.

The official magazine of TV returns to San Diego for its annual all-star, must-see event. Moderated by senior writer Damian Holbrook, Fan Favorites brings together stars from TV's hottest shows for a lively discussion filled with behind-the-scenes scoop, fan-encounter tales, and of course, 'ship talk! Panelists (subject to change) include cast members from The 100, Krypton, Gotham, and more!

UPDATED: Fri, Jul 13, 03:48PM
TV pilot turned podcast, Bubble is Broad City meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets BBC's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Part allegory, part commentary, this smart, sci-fi-infused comedy from Maximum Fun ticks lots of pop culture boxes. Panelists include creator Jordan Morris (@Midnight), Alison Becker (Parks and Recreation), Cristela Alonzo (Cristela), Eliza Skinner (The Late Late Show), Mike Mitchell (Love), Travis McElroy (My Brother, My Brother and Me), and comedian Danielle Radford. Moderated by executive producer Jesse Thorn (NPR's Bullseye).

Composers Tree Adams (The 100, creator of Duskriders), Gordy Haab (Star Wars: Battlefront II, Halo Wars 2), Adam Lastiwka (Travelers), Joshua R. Mosley (Mass Effect: Paragon Lost, After Earth mobile game), Nick Soole (The Crooked Man, The Critters: Bounty Hunter), and rerecording mixer Gregory King (The Orville, Nightflyers) discuss how they approach sci-fi world-building through music and sound. Moderated by senior host and producer Clarke Wolfe (Fandom, The Oracle of Outer Space).

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 05:20PM
For 25 years, geekdom landmark Meltdown Comics was Hollywood's pop culture bastion. Literally dozens of major and indie comic releases were created inside the shop's numerous classes and workshops over the years. Meltdown alum Rylend Grant (Aberrant) brings together an eclectic group of creators/educators including Jim Higgins (former DC editor/director of Meltdown University), Steven Prince (Monster Matador), Michael Levine (Strange Romance Anthology), Karla Nappi (Duplicant), and David Schrader (Baby Badass) to discuss the shop's now legendary comic creation legacy.

UPDATED: Fri, Jul 13, 09:10AM
Hunting for that collectible stash and finding you have no cash? Extreme collectors will give in-store tips, online shopping tricks, and deal-making hacks that will help with the greenbacks. Panelists include Joseph Gordon (Into the Wormhole: A Star Trek Podcast), Vince Moore (Total Recall: Life on Mars; former comics retailer), and Alanah Pearce (freelance games journalist). Moderated by extreme couponer/Potterhead Ken Choy (GizmoPorn).

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 17, 08:57AM
The past decade has seen an explosion in the scope of journalism, from the rise of citizen-journalism to blogging to vloggers, podcasters, and online-only news sources. This panel of writers and hosts from CBR, Geek Magazine, Digital Bits, Bleeding Cool, and others will talk about the roles new media play between their readers and the industries and communities they serve. Varying levels of informality versus classic ideas of professionalism, show-specific outlets versus general news sites, and more. Panelists include Alexandra August (CBR, ScreenRant), Mary Anne Butler (BleedingCool.com), Bob "Movie Bob" Chipmen (Geek.com), Bill Hunt (DigitalBits.com), and Thomas Parham (professor of Cinematic Arts), moderated by Bill Watters (BleedingCool.com).

UPDATED: Mon, Jul 09, 01:05PM
Are you a longtime comics fan who also has interest in anime and manga but don't really know how to dive in? These panelists are here to help! ComiXologists Matt Kolowski and Kiersten Wing a ask a panel of comics luminaries and tastemakers (who are also secretly otaku) to recommend the best of manga past and present. Panelists include Chris Butcher (co-founder, TCAF; consulting editor, VIZ Media), Deb Aoki (Anime News Networks), Stephanie Borria (Media Do International), Kristian Donaldson (The Massive, DMZ), and Ivan Salazar (comiXology). Tell them your favorite comic, movie, or TV show, and they'll give you a manga to match.

Wei Xu, Ph.D. (artist/mathematician/computer scientist/author/professor)will talk about his [+SM]Art approach and simple tricks for mastering observational drawing skills efficiently. These secrets will enable average people, from kids to seniors, to learn drawing with ease.

Comic-Con special guest Aminder Dhaliwal (Woman World) and Stu Livingston (co-director, Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie, and director at Disney TV Animation) discuss Dhaliwal's work as a comics artist and animator. Their conversation will touch on Dhaliwal's process, her inspirations, and how she balances her comics and animation work as a director at Disney TV Animation. Dhaliwal's debut graphic novel Woman World was first serialized on Instagram to an audience of 150,000.

Kevin Eastman, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has been drawing and writing Turtles since 1984, but he's also the creator of several other projects, is publisher of Heavy Metal magazine, spearheads a wildly popular fan club, and in 2017 completed a successful Kickstarter for his newest publication, Drawing Blood, featuring Shane Bookman. Kevin and panelists will offer a look back at 34 years of Turtles and more.

Dr. Katie Monnin (education director, Pop Culture Classroom), Tracy Edmunds, M.A., Ed. (Graphic Novels Are Elementary), Erin Hill (language arts teacher, Ramona High School), Derek Heid (English/drama teacher, Temecula Valley High School), Scott Westerfeld (Spill Zone, Impostors), and Aron Steinke (Mr. Wolf's Class) explore a number of approaches and blended models for comics in the classroom by connecting these texts and lessons across subject matter areas (math/science/history/English/business, etc.). Pulling input from both educators and creators, the panel will discuss which titles work well across curricular lines, how educators can collaborate to make them effective learning and teaching tools, and how creators can tailor their works to find audiences that span multiple areas of interest for readers. Moderated by Adam Kullberg (education program manager, Pop Culture Classroom).

Master storyteller and audiobook narrator Scott Brick (Dune, Blade Runner, Jurassic Park) and legendary voiceover artist Townsend Coleman (voice of The Tick, and Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) put volunteers from the audience through their paces to see if they-and you-have what it takes to make it in the competitive world of voiceover.

Prepare for the ultimate superhero landing as Deadpool and pals drop into Hall H for an hour of maximum effort. Expect dirty jokes, broken fourth walls, maybe some spandex, and real, live unicorns!* *Panel may not actually include mythical creatures.

UPDATED: Thu, Jul 12, 02:25PM
Cultural phenomenon The Purge comes to San Diego Comic-Con in a major way. Jason Blum (Get Out, Split), founder of Blumhouse Productions and producer of The Purge film franchise and the all-new series, and James DeMonaco, creator of the blockbuster film franchise, share an exclusive inside look at how they are expanding the universe into TV with USA Network this Fall. The First Purge star Lex Scott Davis (SuperFly) and the cast from the upcoming TV series, including Gabriel Chavarria (East Los High), Amanda Warren (The Leftovers), and Fiona Dourif (Curse of Chucky), will join director/executive producer Anthony Hemingway (Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.), showrunner/executive producer Thomas Kelly and producer Brad Fuller (A Quiet Place, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) with their own unique perspectives on the world of The Purge. The Purge television series picks up ten years after the events of The First Purge and will follow several seemingly unrelated characters living in a small city. As the clock winds down, each character is forced to reckon with their past as they discover how far they will go to survive the night. Moderated by Ryan Turek from Shock Waves Podcast.

Multi award-nominated animator, writer, director, and comic book creator Stephan Franck (The Iron Giant, Despicable Me, Silver) discusses his approach to visual storytelling and how to bring the clarity as well as emotional and cinematic impact of film language to the comics page.

Costume Designers Guild members Alan Villanueva (costume concept artists, Titans, Black Lightning, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms), Greg Hopwood (costume concept artist, Supergirl, The Gifted, Krypton), Luca Nemolato (The Shape of Water, Westworld, Guardians of the Galexy Vol. 2), Oksana Nedavniaya (costume concept artist, Aquaman, Suicide Squad, Bright), and Phillip Boutte, Jr. (costume concept artist, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Infinity Wars) discuss the process behind creating concept art for some of the most exciting productions on television and in film. The concept artists will also take questions from the audience.

Don't miss your chance to hear award-winning writer Tom King speak about how his former life as a CIA operative inspires his outright intense and creative stories! His latest epic creation called Heroes in Crisis focuses on superhero trauma and how a life of fighting crime can have a psychological effect on them.

From true ownership of digital property, to radical transparency, to decentralized game logic, blockchain technology is rapidly changing the way that developers produce and players interact with video games and eSports. Learn how game industry veterans from WAX (founders of OPSkins), Robot Cache (led by Brian Fargo of Interplay and InXile Entertainment), Decentraland (first virtual platform owned by its users), and Beeline Interactive (worldwide mobile game developer and publisher) are creating new types of games and business models with this disruptive technology. You can get further into the blockchain at Future Tech Live! Pavilion in the Omni Hotel.

With the upcoming debut of the first female Doctor and the impending launch of her own comics series, Titan Comics' Doctor Who creators discuss the past, present, and future of this amazing franchise. Titan Comics brand manager Chris Thompson chats with the 13th Doctor writer Jody Houser, along with creators Cavan Scott, George Mann, Paul Cornell, and Kelly Yates, on a journey through space and time.

Report for your civic pizza duty! Host Jamie King (writer, Netflix's Jessica Jones) interrogates creator Jesse DeStasio and other panelists on the upcoming Knight of the Slice action figures! Attendees will get a first look at the future toy releases and have a chance to win free toys months before they hit the market. They can't promise the picture of Jesse eating potato salad poolside will make it into their presentation . . . but there is a good chance it will!

Netflix and Matt Groening give a special sneak peek at the animation legend's newest and much anticipated series, Disenchantment. Get whisked away into the crumbling medieval kingdom of Dreamland, where Matt tells the misadventures of hard-drinking young princess Bean, her feisty elf companion Elfo, and her personal demon Luci. The cast and creators will be in attendance to show you an exclusive first look and answer all of your burning questions about this much anticipated television series.

Matching wits with The Thinker, who by season's end had harnessed the powers of all 12 bus metas he created, stretched Team Flash to its limits, but with the help of some new allies, Barry Allen (a.k.a. The Flash) and company were able to put a stop to the Enlightenment and save Central City once again. However, with the arrival of Barry and Iris's speedster daughter Nora, who appears from the future admitting to having made a "big mistake," things are anything but status quo. Will parenthood be the challenge that finally slows the Flash down? For answers to this and all your other season 5 questions, please join the cast and creators of The CW's highest-rated series at their annual Comic-Con panel. From Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, The Flash will return to The CW this fall on Tuesdays at 8/7c.

UPDATED: Wed, Jul 18, 09:07AM
Be the first to get a sneak peek of SYFY's new series Deadly Class, based on the graphic novel by Rick Remender and Wes Craig. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers (Avengers: Infinity War), Deadly Class follows the story of Marcus, a teen living on the streets who is recruited into King's Dominion, an elite private academy where the world's top crime families send their next generations. Co-creator/writer/executive producer/co-showrunner Rick Remender, artist/Deadly Class comic co-creator Wes Craig, cast members Benjamin Wadsworth (Teen Wolf), Benedict Wong (Doctor Strange, Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams), Lana Condor (X-Men: Apocalypse, Alita: Battle Angel), María Gabriela De Faría (Yo Soy Franky, Sitiados), Luke Tennie (Shock and Awe), and executive producers/co-showrunners Miles Orion Feldsott and Mick Betancourt will give attendees an exclusive preview of the first season. Moderated by Deadline’s Dominic Patten.

2018 wraps up 40 years of Elfquest with the biggest bang ever. Celebrate the longest-running indie fantasy comic with co-creators, writers, and artist Wendy Pini (Elfquest, Masque of the Red Death) and Richard Pini (Elfquest, Line of Beauty). Learn behind-the-scenes secrets that have been hidden since 1978, and see the clues that were planted decades ago. Take an emotional journey down memory lane. The conclusion of the Final Quest series has taken fandom by storm, and you'll be able to bombard Wendy and Richard with all the questions you've been saving up for years!

A presentation by veteran editor Mike Catron introduces the exciting new series from Fantagraphics Books, Disney Masters. This series highlights acclaimed artists from around the world working in the grand Walt Disney tradition. Many of these stories are new to American readers and will now be available for the first time in English.

Emilio Soltero, Ph.D. (John Buscema: A Life in Sketches; Draw the Line) presents a primer on drawing the figure for popular media, including drawing for comics and character design, joined by Lauren Echevaria (artist), Elisabeth Echevaria (panel model), and Jyhjong Hwang (panel model). The focus will be on anatomy and figure drawing. Emilio will lecture and demonstrate on figure drawing. Lauren will demo a portrait. There will be time to draw as well. Professionals and beginners are welcome. Bring your drawing supplies to draw models/cosplayers during this interactive presentation.

One of the most exciting innovations in YA publishing is the growth in online writing communities. Writers can upload their work online and get real-time feedback from readers and even publishers who might choose manuscripts for publication. Editor Holly West and authors Danika Stone (Internet Famous), Tiffany Pitcock (Just Friends), L. E. Delano (Traveler), Lydia Albano (Finding You), Nikki Katz (The Midnight Dance), and Shannon Klare (Surviving Adam Meade)discuss writing, editing, and publishing, and how you could make the leap from reader to author!

UPDATED: Fri, Jul 13, 09:13AM
From Marvel's X-Men to television shows such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Gifted, Runaways, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Stranger Things, people with genetic mutations are featured as having superpowers. How realistic is the science behind these superpower-creating mutations? The Fleet Science Center, geneticists, and the creative teams behind some of these popular shows discuss the possibility of humans one day having superpowers. Panelists include Craig Titley (executive producer, writer, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Akela Cooper (producer, writer Luke Cage), Dr. Frances Barron (scientist, VP, R&D and regulatory affairs at Nanomedical Diagnostics), Dr. Brett Goldsmith (scientist, CTO Nanomedical Diagnostics), Troy Sandberg (bioengineer, Siebel Scholar at the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego), and Dr. Steven Snyder (president & CEO, Fleet Science Center, moderator).

From feisty astromechs to diminutive mouse droids, master builders Doug Dobyns, Michael Wheeler, Kevin Holme, Tom Hellwig, Michael Kelly, and John Boisvert discuss some of the extreme ways that droid builders have brought the magic of the droids of the Star Wars Universe to life and gone way beyond. Moderated by Guy Vardaman.

Manga is for everyone, and TOKYOPOP's goal is to bring the magic of manga to all comic book fans, whether they're manga veterans or new to the world of Japanese-style comics. Find out what's coming up this year and beyond, including the new International Women of Manga initiative!

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 12:29PM
The comic world's longest-running convention panel begins its 31st year with a name change from "Gays in Comics" to a more expansive "Out in Comics." As more and more LGBTQ or LGBTQ-friendly creators create mainstream comics, films, and TV shows, what does that mean for diverse representation, characters, and storylines? In our politicized and sometimes polarized world, what kind of heroes do we need on the page and screen and behind the scenes? Founding moderator and bestselling author Andy Mangels (Wonder Woman ‘77 Meets The Bionic Woman, Star Trek and Star Wars books and comics) again chairs the panel and welcomes: James Tynion IV (best-selling author of DC's Detective Comics and Justice League Dark, and Boom!'s The Backstagers and GLAAD-award-winning The Woods); Tillie Walden (the award-winning On a Sunbeam, Spinning, I Love This Part, from Avery Hill Publishing); Tony Breed (Muddler's Beat webcomic and collections); Dana Simpson (NY Times best-selling author of the seven-book-and-counting Phoebe and Her Unicorn series); Steve MacIsaac (writer/artist of Northwest Press's new GN Unpacking, as well as the long-running Shirtlifters series); Christina "Steenz" Stewart (editor at Lion Forge Comics, creator of STL's Comics University, artist of Oni's Archival Quality); Grace Ellis (co-creator Boom!'s award-winning Lumberjanes and Image's Moonstruck, writer of animated Bravest Warriors); Tess Bodley (showrunner for the upcoming toon Klutz Muttz, Emmy-nominated producer for The Ellen Degeneres Show); and a special video message from cinema's first gay superhero Surge, star of Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel! The panel will be followed by a brief Prism Comics Fan Mixer, allowing GLBTQ and allies to meet and mingle!

It's a fun hands-on, time-warping, intergalactic, magical, middle-earth, and sci-fi "superhero-like" ukulele sing- and play-along. Characters are welcome. Interpretive dance and air ukulele are encouraged. There will be a number of ukuleles on hand for use (while they last), and the songs will be projected onto a screen for everyone to follow along. This panel is hosted by KEV, the world's most okayist ukulele player.

Chris Castagnetto (DJ Helsing) and B&B Games Studio are proud to be hosting the IP in Board Games panel. Learn about intellectual property in board gaming and how IP can influence game design and testing. Bring your questions and participate in an open forum fireside chat.

He's the hardline cop bringing justice to the mean futuristic streets of Mega-City One, but is Judge Dredd a hero or a villain? Is he a law enforcement role-model or, in the light of recent years, is he becoming a worrying vision of the future? Panelists debating the pros and cons of the lawman of the future include Mark Russell (Judge Dredd: Under Siege), Meg Downey (CBR), Rosie Knight (Nerdist), and Evan Narcisse (io9, Rise of the Black Panther).

Magic head designer Mark Rosewater presents this one-man program in which he re-creates his daily blog, answering the audience's questions about the making of the popular trading card game.

Visionary concept artist Aaron Sims (Stranger Things, Planet of the Apes trilogy) and the Aaron Sims Creative artist team reveal the secrets behind character and world-building concept designs, previsualizations, and visual effects for some of the most iconic film and television franchises of our generation. Through a series of 3D models, animatics, and breakdowns, they'll demonstrate how your favorite superheroes, villains, and monsters are brought to life from sketch to screen.

Collected for the first time as an interactive trade paperback and hardcover, Skin&Earth -the original story and 14-track record, all written, illustrated, colored, and recorded by Lights herself-can finally be experienced as one cohesive vision. Lights talks about her vision with an introduction from Nick Barrucci (publisher, Dynamite Entertainment) and a Q&A moderated by Franki Chan (founder, IHEARTCOMIX).

Brian W. Foster (Talks Machina) hosts a special Critical Role community Q&A with Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Liam O'Brien, Sam Riegel, and Taliesin Jaffe. The cast will answer your questions about Vox Machina, the Mighty Nein, and anything and everything Critical Role!

Being a successful author is an entirely different proposition than it was just a few years ago. The introduction of the eReader and the rise of self-publishing have turned the industry on its head-and new authors are benefiting. Learn how to harness your strengths and take charge of your career in a candid discussion of the self-published author's life with three Amazon all-star authors: Michael C. Grumley (sci-fi, thrillers), Tim Tigner (mystery, thrillers), and Samantha Christy (romance). Moderated by audiobook Golden Voice Scott Brick.

The Playback Room will be showing the following panel presentations from either or both Hall H and Ballroom 20: DC's Legends of Tomorrow Special Video Presentation and Q&A, Deadpool 2 Panel, and The Flash Special Video Presentation and Q&A. (Please note: these playbacks will include only the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.)

From Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back to the Future, Contact), Project Blue Book is based on the true, top-secret investigations into unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena conducted by the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1969. Series stars Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones), Michael Malarkey (The Vampire Diaries), Neal McDonough (Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow), and Laura Mennell (Alphas, Watchmen), along with producers, share what's to come in this highly anticipated new drama series and reveal an exclusive sneak peek of the first season. Cast subject to change.

The cast and creators of the breakout SYFY hit series Wynonna Earp, including Melanie Scrofano, Shamier Anderson, Tim Rozon, Dominique Provost-Chalkley, Katherine Barrell, Varun Saranga, and Chantel Riley along with show runner Emily Andras, and comic creator Beau Smith reveal behind-the-scenes antics, show off exclusive footage, and answer your biggest questions about season 3!

If you're into it, Kevin Smith wants to use his mouth on you. The podcasting director returns to the Hall H stage after nearly dying of a heart attack back in February! Hear him talk about directing Supergirl and Flash, his new show Hollyweed, and the forthcoming sequel, Jay & Silent Bob Reboot!

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 10, 11:29AM
Magic is back . . . at Comic-Con! Last season, an epic finale totally changed our magicians (like for real) and left audiences begging for more. Don’t miss your chance to see series stars Jason Ralph, Stella Maeve, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Hale Appleman, Summer Bishil, and executive producers Sera Gamble and John McNamara and get an exclusive look at the upcoming 4th season and answers to all of your burning questions (well, most of them)! Moderated by Felicia Day.

UPDATED: Thu, Jul 12, 03:16PM
Love Get Out? A Quiet Place? Hereditary? The Witch? The Invitation? The Babadook? It Follows? Some of the most knowledgeable and influential voices in horror today discuss the state of indie and studio horror film and give a sneak peek at the best to come this year, with exclusive footage from festival standouts and hotly anticipated fall releases. This is the place to come to find out which upcoming horror flicks should be on your must-see list and discuss current trends in the horror genre. Panelists include Ryan Turek (VP of feature film development, Blumhouse), Dave Kajganich (creator, AMC's The Terror; writer, Suspiria), Mali Elfman (Before I Wake, Fun Size Horror co-founder, Overlook Film Festival), and Anouk Whissell (member of RKSS directing team, Summer of '84, Turbo Kid). Rusty Cundieff (Tales From The Hood) Moderated by Jen Yamato (The Los Angeles Times).

Watercolors can be a magical medium for any artform including comics. Watch and learn beginner- to advanced-technique demonstrations meant specifically for use in comics with an introduction by Cartoon Art Museum educator and program coordinator Nina L. Taylor Kester (Cartoon Camp). Then observe professional cartoonists use this classic medium to create wondrous works of comic art. Lucky attendees may win some of the art created or go home with new art supplies to start their own watercolor adventure. Materials provided by Sakura of America.

Panelists Cat Mihos (writer), Ethan McQuerrey (director/writer), Tomm Coker (writer), Bonita Pietila (producer, The Simpsons), Molly Mahan (editor, Vertigo) and Comic-Con special guest, David Mack (excellent artist!), take an in-depth look at the process of bringing ideas to the comic book page and then developing them from page to screen. They will also show how to successfully break down a screenplay for a graphic novel script.

Five members of different Star Wars costume clubs discuss the basics of Star Wars costumes for women and challenges faced within the community. Speakers include Lesley Farquhar, Carrie Ann Caranci, Kristina Gundersen-Rudmann, Wendy Starling, and Regina Vail. Followed by a Q&A with the attendees moderated by Lesley Farquhar.

Featuring David Walker (Luke Cage), B. Dave Walters (Electropunk), Travis Hanson (Bean Leaf Press), Buzz Dixon (Serenity), Jessica Tseang (comic book historian), and Kyle Keene (moderator), this will mark the 21st year that the Christian Comic Arts Society has hosted the Spiritual Themes in Comics panel at San Diego. With spiritual themes central to comic-book-related movies such as Black Panther and Wonder Woman and animated movies like Pixar's Coco, panelists will explore how these spiritual themes central to the stories reflect the reality of the spiritual beliefs of the cultures featured. They will explore how these spiritual depictions in movies, comic books, fantasy, and science fiction impact society.

The 1980s was a truly outrageous decade that saw an unprecedented animation boom that made household names of a host of colorful characters. Author Andrew Farago (Cartoon Art Museum) looks back at that totally awesome era with some of the creative personnel behind some of the most popular cartoons of the decade, including producer Franklin Cofod (Voltron), voice actor Townsend Coleman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), director Larry Houston (G.I. Joe), and storyboard artist Jeff Pidgeon (Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures).

Adventure, science fiction, fantasy, and fairy tales-the publisher of some of these genres' best and brightest stars is here to talk about what's next on the horizon from DelRey Books. Authors Katherine Arden (The Winternight trilogy), Pierce Brown (Red Rising series), Delilah S. Dawson (Kill the Farm Boy), Christie Golden (World of Warcraft: Before the Storm), Kevin Hearne (Kill the Farm Boy), Sylvain Neuvel (The Themis Files), and Naomi Novik (Spinning Silver) discuss their new and upcoming books with moderator Tricia Narwani (Del Rey editorial director).

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of My Neighbor Totoro, the classic animation film of childhood adventures and friendship in a magical forest. Join Her Universe and Hot Topic for Studio Ghibli trivia, prizes, and a special screening of this delightful tale. Hosted by Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein. Entry to each Horton Grand Theatre panel requires a separate ticket and a Comic-Con badge.

 Selling the Hit—What you Always Wanted to Know About the Stunt Industry (In Memory of Eric Cajiuat)—Stuntmen and stuntwomen from Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Jumanji, Captain Marvel, and countless more discuss their experiences and offer advice on getting into and navigating the stunt industry in movies and TV, as well as how the industry has changed and is changing. Moderated by Justin T. Bowler.

The characters of Marvel's Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist all face different legal challenges. Could Matt Murdock be disbarred for being Daredevil? How accurate was the trial of the Punisher? Could someone who was Kilgrave'd argue the insanity defense? What would lawyers need in order to prove the actual innocence of Luke Cage? Could Danny Rand reclaim his father's company after being presumed dead for 15 years? Judge Carol Najera, Christine Peek, Jordon Huppert, Megan Hitchcock, and Joshua Gilliland (The Legal Geeks) find these answers and more.

Funimation staff members take a look at some personal favorites from current anime and past classics. What's your Funimation favorite?

UPDATED: Tue, Jul 17, 06:14AM
The bankruptcy and liquidation of "the world's biggest toy store," Toys 'R' Us, earlier this year has sent shockwaves through the toy industry. Many toys and smaller toy companies are left without a brick-and-mortar store presence. Is there a retailer that could rise to take the place of the fallen retail giant? Do you truly need a retail presence to launch a toy line? Panelists will take the temperature of the toy and collectibles industry and find the light in the darkness. They include Steven Anne (category manager, toys/licensing at Walgreens), Richard Gottlieb (principal and founder, Global Toy Group), James Zahn (The Rock Father, Toy Insider & Pop Insider) and Jason Labowitz (co-founder, Entertainment Earth and BifBangPow!). Moderated by Daniel Pickett (founder, Action Figure Insider).

Gaia Online staff talk about new and exciting updates to Gaia Online and answer any questions that you have about Gaia. Special appearance by Gaia Online founder Lanzer!

D23 pulls the curtain back on the classic stop-motion Halloween (and Christmas!) favorite, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. Watch a retrospective panel featuring the team that brought the movie to life 25 years ago, including Henry Selick (director), Kelly Asbury (art director), Edie Ichioka (editor), and Anthony Scott (animator).

UPDATED: Wed, Jul 18, 07:16PM
Jessica Tseang (comic book historian, Girl on Geek) talks with cast members from both the new and original series, Mädchen Amick (Shelly Briggs/Shelly Johnson), Kimmy Robertson (Lucy Brennan/Lucy Moran), Harry Goaz (Deputy Andy Brennan), James Marshall (James Hurley), Adele Rene (Lt. Cynthia Knox), Chrysta Bell (FBI Agent Tammy Preston), Nicole LaLiberte (Darya), John Pirruccello (Deputy Chad Broxford), Amy Shiels (Candie), George Griffith (Ray Monroe), Robert Broski (woodsman), and Sabrina Sutherland (executive producer), about how the show has evolved and the passion behind the fandom.

LCDR Ted Visser (United States Navy; chair, Pacific PonyCon 2016 and 2017), TSgt Christine Sparks (United States Air Force; admin, Military Bronies on Facebook), Sgt Dylan Main (United States Marine Corps; operations manager, Pacific PonyCon 2017), Cpl Zac Caruthers (United States Marine Corps), and SPC Jan P. Ducos (United States Army) speak about their experience of being a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic while being a service member in the United States Armed Forces, followed by a Q&A session moderated by James Udan (coordinator, San Diego Wikimedians User Group; event planner, SoCal Bronies).

The winners of the Second Annual Prism Awards will be revealed in this new awards ceremony. Founders Ted Abenheim (Prism Comics) and Nina L. Taylor Kester (Cartoon Art Museum/QCE), Prism Awards chairperson Maia Kobabe (Gender Queer: A Memoir), judges Ajuan Mance (1001 Black Men, Gender Studies), William O. Tyler (WoT's Cinephilia), Heidi McDonald (The Comics Beat), Mey Rude (Autostraddle), and Rob McMonigal (Panel Patter) will discuss the origins of the awards and their emerging role in recognizing, promoting, and celebrating diversity and excellence in the field of queer comics as they present the handcrafted Prism Awards to the winning creators to celebrate their contributions.

Hazel Newlevant (Comics for Choice, Puerto Rico Strong), Io Ascarium (ABO Comix: A Queer Prisoner's Anthology), Amber Garza (coordinator, Geeks OUT L. A.), and friends discuss their Eisner-nominated and award-avoiding projects and how they use them as a means for political organizing. Panelists will discuss how to be a poor artist using comics and fandom to fund-raise for worthy causes, blending the personal and political in our creations, fair distribution of tasks between organizers and contributors, how to subvert geekdom's apolitical consumer mindset, and how to create a truly radical (queer, anti-fascist, intersectional) social justice community among fellow geeks in the current political climate.

Have you ever wanted to hear funny people debate topics you thought should never be debated? Topics such as: Who wore it better, Tarzan or Gollum? Perfect! Join Abed Gheith (writer, Rick and Morty) and Michael Tanner (writer, Junior Braves of the Apocalypse) versus Jenny Jaffe (writer, Big Hero 6: The Series) and Geoffrey Golden (publisher/writer, The Devastator Press, Wet Hot American Summer: Fantasy Camp RPG) for this geek showdown! Moderated by Tyler McPhail (founder, The Grand Geek Gathering).

"What if?" Those words are the start of countless stories. Fellow book-lovers will speculate about alternative worlds and tales of what could be or would have been had a single detail been changed. What if Sherlock and Watson lived in near-future Washington D.C. in the midst of a new American Civil War? What if the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 was caused by geomancers? What if dogs went on missions to space? What if the dead rose from their graves after the Civil War? Harper Voyager and Epic Reads team members will share sneak peeks at a few upcoming works of speculative fiction, and all attendees will walk away with a book in hand!

Jesse Thaxton (specialty costume fabrication, Black Lightning, Titans), Alicia Minette (production designer/prop master, Paradise Run, Big Brother), Erin Peters (assistant editor, The Last Ship, Grimm), Rachel Noel (narrative designer, Armored Warfare, Pathfinder Adventures), Helen Harwell (production designer, The Aquabats! Super Show!, Paradise Run), and others explore roles of women in the entertainment industry. They will discuss their careers and experiences working in their various fields, focusing on success stories and how to follow your dreams in the industry while exploring gender roles in the creative professions. Moderated by Sheyne Fleischer.

The Ballroom 20 stage becomes a showplace for a fun competition of comics and pop culture creativity, with impressive re-created and original design costumes crafted by our talented attendees, presented before an audience of thousands. Not a dance or party, but a talent show on a stage, with trophies, cash prizes and other awards for the top entries. Doors open for audience seating at 8:00, but the line for choice seating will begin hours earlier. Tickets are required for seating and will be given out free at noon to those lined up. Any tickets that remain will be given out at the Masquerade Desk after 3:00. The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies are writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio, with special live entertainment from The Corps Dance Crew and the Saber Guild performance group during the judging intermission. Overflow seating available in the Sails Pavilion, 5AB, and 6A (tickets not required for those rooms).

The Ballroom 20 stage becomes a showplace for a fun competition of comics and pop culture creativity, with impressive re-created and original design costumes crafted by our talented attendees, presented before an audience of thousands. Not a dance or party, but a talent show on a stage, with trophies, cash prizes and other awards for the top entries. Doors open for audience seating at 8:00, but the line for choice seating will begin hours earlier. Tickets are required for seating and will be given out free at noon to those lined up. Any tickets that remain will be given out at the Masquerade Desk after 3:00. The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies are writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio, with special live entertainment from The Corps Dance Crew and the Saber Guild performance group during the judging intermission. Overflow seating available in the Sails Pavilion, 5AB, and 6A (tickets not required for those rooms).