12:30-1:30 Dumbrella— Artists from Dumbrella, one of the most popular online comic collectives, discuss webcomics, independent publishing, and subverting popular culture. Feel free to quiz Andrew Bell (The Creatures in My Head), Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie), Jon Rosenberg (Goats), and Chris Yates (Chris Yates Studios) about anything your Internet heart desires. Room 4
12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Bill Schelly— Comic-Con special guestBill Schelly (The Golden Age of Comic Fandom, The DC Archives) is a leading fandom and comics historian. Moderator Gary Browninterviews Bill about his work, with special emphasis on his latest books The Art of Joe Kubert (debuting at Comic-Con 2011) andFounders of Comic Fandom, followed by a Q&A session. Room 8
12:30-1:30 Psych— Calling all Psych-o's! USA Network's Psych is back at Comic-Con with another hilarious panel featuring the stars and producers behind one of cable's most popular shows. Moderated by Psych's resident morgue-dweller and fan favorite, Woody the Coroner (acclaimed actor Kurt Fuller), the one-hour panel will be full of surprises and face-time with series stars James Roday (Shawn Spencer), Dulé Hill (Burton "Gus" Guster), Maggie Lawson (Juliet O'Hara), Tim Omundson (Carlton Lassiter), Kirsten Nelson (Chief Karen Vick), and Corbin Bernsen (Henry Spencer). Joining the cast are Steve Franks (creator and executive producer), Kelly Kulchak (executive producer) and Chris Henze (executive producer). The cast and creative team will share secrets and stories from the set as well as answer questions about the show. Expect exclusive videos, surprise giveaways, live performances, and an extended preview of Season 6 episodes screened only for Comic-Con fans! Ballroom 20
!!! 12:30-1:30 Sci-fi That Will Change Your Life— Want some smart science fiction? Panelists discuss sci-fi from the past year that goes beyond special effects to tell stories that will make your brain explode with new ideas. Those on hand include Charles Yu (How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe), Zack Stentz (Thor, X-Men: First Class), Javier Grillo-Marxuach(The Middleman), and io9.com editors Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, and Meredith Woerner, plus possible surprise guests. Room 24ABC
12:45-1:45 DC Comics: Grant Morrison— Comic-Con special guest Grant Morrison, one of the most inventive writers in comics today, discusses his work in and out of comics, including the highly anticipated Action Comics #1, coming in September from DC Comics, his new nonfiction book, Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us About Being Human, and recent acclaimed titles like Joe the Barbarian. Don't miss this chance to hear one of comics' most distinctive voices as he talks about his work from superheroes to the cutting edge of comics. Room 6DE
!!! 12:45-1:45 Animation Showcase— Sony Pictures Animation plunges Hall H into a 3D animation universe with previews of upcoming films with Aardman, the home studio of Wallace and Gromit, as they make their first trip across the pond to Comic-Con to present a first look at two of their upcoming animated feature films:
Arthur Christmas -- The 3D, CG-animated family comedy Arthur Christmas, an Aardman production for Sony Pictures Animation, at last reveals the incredible, never-before seen answer to every child's question: "So how does Santa deliver all those presents in one night?" The answer: Santa's exhilarating, ultra-high-tech operation hidden beneath the North Pole. But at the heart of the film is a story with the ingredients of a Christmas classic -- a family in a state of comic dysfunction and an unlikely hero, Arthur, with an urgent mission that must be completed before Christmas morning dawns. Producer Peter Lord and co-writer Peter Baynham discuss the animated film.
The Pirates! Band of Misfits -- In the 3D, stop motion-animated The Pirates! Band of Misfits, Hugh Grant, stars in his first animated role as the luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain -- a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side (Martin Freeman, Brendan Gleeson, Russell Tovey, and Ashley Jensen), and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) and Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) to the much coveted Pirate Of The Year Award. It's a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen (Imelda Staunton) and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist (David Tennant), but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure! Director/producer Peter Lord will be live on stage to talk about the movie. Hall H
1:00-2:00 DC Direct— DC Direct has long been known as one of the most creative companies that produce collectibles for the direct market, producing your favorite action figures, statues, and busts for over ten years now. DC Direct director of product development Jim Fletcheralong with artist Adam Hughes, DC exclusive sculptors, and others discuss their line of current projects, as well as future plans revolving around the new DC Universe. Room 5AB
1:00-2:00 World of Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft Swag Show— Blizzard Entertainment creative and licensed partners unveil and discuss World of Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft-inspired products. In attendance: Chris Metzen (Blizzard Entertainment SVP of creative development), Nick Carpenter (Blizzard Entertainment executive art director), Christie Golden (New York Times bestselling author), Hank Kanalz (SVP Digital, DC Comics and World of Warcraft comics editor), Sean Gailey (creative overlord, J!nx Clothing), and Cory Jones(Cryptozoic Entertainment president and chief creative officer). Moderated by Kat Hunter ( host of BlizzCon coverage on DIRECTV). Room 6BCF
1:00-2:00 Marvel Digital: What's Next?! Comics...and Beyond!— Members of the Marvel Digital Media Group give you the first word on Marvel digital comics, casual games, original streaming video productions, social media outreach, and the future of Marvel's ever-expanding digital endeavors. Room 7AB
1:00-2:00 Abrams ComicArts— For over 60 years Abrams has been the premiere art book publisher. With the launch of Abrams ComicArts in 2009, the tradition of excellence continues with award-winning original graphic novels by Brian Fies, Jason Shiga, and Barry Deutsch, as well as monographs on such seminal creators as Jack Kirby, Harvey Kurtzman, and Jaime Hernandez. Charles Kochman (editorial director), Sheila Keenan (senior editor), and Neil Egan (designer) talk with celebrated graphic designer Chip Kidd (Shazam! The Golden Age of the World's Mightiest Mortal) about their current titles and reveal details and images from their upcoming collaborations with Dan Clowes, Derf Backderf, Kazu Kibuishi, and Dave McKean, as well as other projects and surprises. Room 9
!!! 1:00-2:00 Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation: The Penguins of Madagascar: The Return of the Revenge of Dr. Blowhole— Executive producers Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley (Kim Possible), supervising producer Nick Filippi(Wolverine and the X-Men), creative consultant and voice of Skipper Tom McGrath (Madagascar 1 & 2), and cast membersDanny Jacobs (Epic Movie), John DiMaggio (Futurama), Jeff Bennett (T.U.F.F. Puppy), James Patrick Stuart (Wolverine and the X-Men), and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Cleveland Show) share an insider's look of how the show gets made, along with never-before-seen footage from their upcoming one-hour musical, The Return of the Revenge of Dr. Blowhole. Additionally, the all-star cast performs a table read of selected scenes, highlighted by the amazingly talented Danny Jacobs as the voice of King Julien, singing his booty off as he premieres a showstopper from the special. Followed by a Q&A session moderated by Rich Magallanes, vice president, animation for Nickelodeon.Room 23ABC
1:00-2:00 SKYBOUND Panel— It's been an amazing year for SKYBOUND, Image COO Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics. The premiere original Witch Doctor has sold out nationwide, the all-ages hit Super Dinosaur continues to soar, and Kirkman's team-up with Rob Liefeld, The Infinite, is about to rock fans to their core. So what's next? Robert Kirkmandiscusses the future of the imprint with his stable of creators, including Thief of Thieves writerNick Spencer, Witch Doctor creators Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner, and others. Expect loads of surprises, announcements, and most important: AWESOMENESS.Room 25ABC
1:00-2:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #3: Digital Comics— Nick Langley and Ron Richards (Henderson State University) ask whether the move to digital comics will doom paper or help comics reach a new audience. Thomas Thrash (National Park Community College) and Tommy Cash (Henderson State University) discuss the balance that digital comics strike between being a necessity to continued publication of comics and an existential threat to comic book stores. Daniel Merlin Goodbrey (University of Hertfordshire) considers the different directions potential explorers of digital comics -- locative, sonic, generative, game, architectural, and AR comics -- might pursue. Room 26AB
1:00-2:00 Comic-Con How-To: Advanced 3D/CG Comic Art Techniques with Brian Haberlin— Comic book creator, writer, penciller, inker, and colorist Brian Haberlin is the co-creator of Witchblade and other comic books and intellectual properties. He will demonstrate advanced 3D and computer graphics comic art techniques in this How-To session. Digital pioneer and guru to much of the graphic arts community, Haberlin is also the tutorial creator for international magazines such as 3DWorld, Imagine FX, and Photoshop User, and owner of Digitalarttutorials.com. Room 28DE
1:00-2:00 CBLDF Master Session 2: Shannon Wheeler— From DIY zine making to the pages of the New Yorker and every flavor of independent press in between, Shannon Wheeler has distinguished himself for an ability to craft humor strips that are equal parts sardonic and existential. Take a close-up look at his approach to creating cartoons and gain insight into the nuts and bolts of making cartoons that connect with editors and readers at this CBLDF Master Session! The pieces created during this event will be available for bidding in Saturday's CBLDF Benefit Auction!Room 30CDE
1:00-2:00 Archaia Entertainment: Immortals, the Graphic Novel— Before you watch Relativity Media's epic 3D film Immortals when it opens on November 11, dive into Archaia's prelude graphic novel, Immortals: Gods and Heroes, coming in September! Featuring original tales that expand on the movie's characters and written and illustrated by some of the top names in comics, Immortals: Gods and Heroes promises to prepare you for the visionary film directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall). Editor Nate Cosby (Jim Henson's The Storyteller) and contributors Dennis Calero (X-Factor), F. J. DeSanto (The Spirit), David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men), Ben McCool (Captain America), and some surprise guests give you a sneak peek at the graphic novel, plus provide some cool behind-the-scenes info of its production. Meet the two winners of the "Become Immortal" contest, whose likenesses will be drawn into the book. Plus, everyone in attendance will receive a voucher for a cool Immortals: Gods and Heroes giveaway at the Archaia booth! Moderated by Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy. Room 32AB
1:00-2:00 Stan Lee, Yoshiki, and Todd McFarlane— The worlds of music and comics collide, as legendary creators Stan Lee (POW! Entertainment) and Todd McFarlane (Spawn) join forces with rock superstar, Yoshiki (X Japan) to create a bold new hero, Blood Red Dragon. Lee, Yoshiki, and McFarlane are joined by renowned writer Jon Goff (Halo Evolutions) for a captivating panel and Q&A session. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
1:15-2:15 Books vs. Graphic Novels and Comics— Writers often dabble with various forms of art as an outlet for their creativity. In this panel, authors discuss the process and collaboration involved in publishing a graphic novel versus a novel, as well as the role comic books play in the creation of their characters and story arcs. Panelists Christopher Moore and Ian Corson (The Griff), Jim Butcher (The Harry Dresden series), Tom Sniegoski (The Fallen series), Amber Benson (The Calliope Reaper Jones novels), and Matthew Holms(Babymouse, Squish) talk about the differences and similarities with moderator David Mariotte of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 6A
1:30-2:30 Spotlight on John Higgins— Comic-Con special guestJohn Higgins was part of the team that brought the revolutionary comics series and graphic novel Watchmen to the comics world. Higgins added vibrant, story-enhancing color to Dave Gibbons's wonderful art. Beyond his role as a colorist, Higgins has worked as an artist and writer on characters as diverse as Batman, Judge Dredd, and Jonah Hex. He'll talk about his career in comics and beyond and what's up next. Room 4
1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Maggie Thompson— Maggie Thompson (Comics Buyer's Guide senior editor) and Valerie Thompson (The Ruder Finn Group) open a window to the past. Comic-Con, after all, provides an annual opportunity to revel in the wisdom of the elderly. While a few con diehards might take a peek at the occasional film premiere or TV-star meet-and-greet, most are here to throng breathlessly around oldsters' withered husks to hear endless stories about what comics fandom was like in the good old days. With the aid of medications and the unrelenting patience of her daughter, Maggie will provide insights from her half-century of comics fandom. (When Maggie started out in this business, you could buy a comic book, a box of Jujubes, and a matinee ticket for less than 50 cents.) Room 8
1:30-2:30 AICN Comics: Horror on the Paneled Page— Mark L. Miller (Ain't It Cool News) hosts a panel focusing on horror with some of comic books' darkest writers and artists. The discussion will breach such topics as how to create successful horror comics, what causes chills, and what doesn't. Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Joshua Hale Fialkov (DC's upcoming I, Vampire), David Quinn (Faust), Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash), Brandon Seifert(Witch Doctor), Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller), Brea and Zane Grant (We Will Bury You), and a few surprise guests will show you what makes them the best of the best in comic book horror.Room 24ABC
!!! 1:45-2:45 Ringer— Sarah Michelle Gellar makes her highly anticipated television return in the gripping new thriller Ringer, as a woman who, after witnessing a murder, goes on the run, hiding out by assuming the life of her wealthy identical twin -- only to learn that her sister's seemingly idyllic life is just as complicated and dangerous as the one she's trying to leave behind. Be the first to see an exclusive sneak peek at the new series about family secrets and stolen identities, followed by a panel discussion with series stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four), Nestor Carbonell (Lost, The Dark Knight), Kristoffer Polaha (Life Unexpected), executive producer Pam Veasey (CSI:NY), and co-executive producers Nicole Snyder (Supernatural) and Eric Charmelo(Supernatural). Ballroom 20
2:00-3:00 The Pitching Hour— Jermaine Turner (director, Disney/ABC Cable Networks Group), Zach Schiff-Abrams (executive producer, Fourth Wall Studios), Valerie Alexander(screenwriter), Charlie Chu (editor, Oni Press), Carina Schulze (Chatrone), Matthew Cohen(video game developer), Lindsay Rostal (producer, The Odd Gentlemen), and moderator Dan Evans III (freelance development executive, Robot & Monster) take an idea from conception through production for various media. This process will include creating a pitch document, obtaining agents, and getting a pitch meeting. The panelists will explain, through hypothetical example and humorous stories, the process that new creators should adapt to make their way through the creative battleground of the entertainment industry. Knowing that each project is unique, there will be a Q&A to allow the audience to really hone in on the solutions to obstacles they may encounter. Also on hand is Brendan McFeely (IP lawyer, Kane Kessler) to give creators insight on protecting their ideas as they navigate Hollywood. Room 5AB
2:00-3:00 DC Comics: The New 52— The DC Universe explodes in September with 52 new number-one issues, and one panel is not enough to cover it, With a "DC Comics: The New 52'" panel each day, there's sure to be something for everyone. Bob Harras, DC's editor-in-chief, and DCU executive editor Eddie Berganza present an up-close look at this unprecedented wave of new series, from the first-ever relaunches of Action Comics and Batman titles to the latest thrills from comics' cutting edge.
!!! 2:00-3:00 Napoleon Dynamite— Original cast members from the hit indie film including Jon Heder, Tina Majorino, Efren Ramirez, Jon Gries, Sandy Martin, Diedrich Bader and executive producer Mike Scully (The Simpsons) present a new series following your favorite awkward teenager like you've never seen him before -- animated! Join us for a sneak peek at never-before-seen footage of the newest member of FOX's Animation Domination lineup and a "sweet" Q&A session. Room 7AB
2:00-3:00 Love and Rockets— Gilbert, Jaime, and Mario Hernandez converse with Gary Groth about 30 years of creating their landmark comic book series, Love & Rockets. Since 1982, Love & Rockets has virtually defined alternative comics and culture, launching from the punk rock scene in Los Angeles and growing into one of the most mature bodies of work ever produced in the medium. Room 9
2:00-3:00 ComicBase User Group Meeting— Peter Bickford and other key folks from the ComicBase team showcase the latest features and additions to ComicBase, the world's premiere software for comic book collectors. The panelists will have lots of time for you to ask questions about the program and its sister site, Atomic Avenue, and best of all, lots of giveaways in return to answers on comic book trivia questions! Room 23ABC
2:00-3:00 Bill Plympton: Independently Animated— Two-time Oscar nominee Bill Plympton (Mutant Aliens, I Married a Strange Person) celebrates the release of the new Rizzoli Press book Independently Animated: Bill Plympton, about the life and art of the King of Indie Animation. Also, Bill will discuss the recent release of his animated feature Idiots and Angels on DVD, screen some of his recent short films, and present a sneak peek at what he's working on next, including The Flying House, a remastering of a classic Winsor McCay film. Everyone who attends will receive a free Bill Plympton autographed drawing! Room 25ABC
2:00-3:00 Join the 2D Animation Revolution— Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), Skottie Young (Marvel Comics), Ethan Nicolle (SLG's Chumble Spuzz, Axe Cop), Doug TenNapel(Earthworm Jim), Steve Yatson, and Fahim Niaz (Smith Micro Software Productivity & Graphics Group) will discuss the trends leading to the explosive growth in the animation industry. This all-star cast will offer tips and tricks available to any animator for getting and building a global fanbase. Room 30CDE
2:00-3:00 Foot in the Door— A continuation of the "I Can't Write, I Can't Draw, But I Love Comics!" panel series focusing on jobs in the comics, animation, and gaming industries requiring skills other than storytelling and illustration. This year, comics, animation, and gaming panelists Scott Agostoni (independent manager of comic creators and comics expert), Derron Ross (Blur Studio), and a gaming executive from Trion Worlds talk about how they got their first jobs, what they do now, and how to break into their industries in today's market. Moderated by Susan Karlin (Fast Company). Room 32AB
!!! 2:00-3:00 FilmDistrict Studio Panel— FilmDistrict, the new studio that brought youInsidious, celebrates two upcoming features: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, a Guillermo Del Toro production starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, and Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, and Christina Hendricks. Exclusive footage will be presented and a Q&A will be held for both films. Hall H
!!! 2:00-3:00 Warner Premiere: H+ and Mortal Kombat: Legacy— From producer Bryan Singer (X-Men, X2, X-Men: First Class, Superman Returns) comes a Comic-Con exclusive first look at H+, the forthcoming Warner Premiere/Dolphin Entertainment web series directed byStewart Hendler (Sorority Row) and written and created by John Cabrera and Cosimo De Tommaso. H+ takes place in a near-future world where a tiny and stunning new piece of technology lies at the center of a dark and epic mystery. Then, Mortal Kombat: Legacy, a hit web series with over 35 million views, takes the stage for a panel discussion with directorKevin Tancharoen (Mortal Kombat: Rebirth), Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager), Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight), Darren Shahlavi (Sanctuary), Peter Shinkoda (Falling Skies), andMatt Mullins (Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight). Fans will see -- for the first time -- the long-awaited final Mortal Kombat: Legacy episode! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
2:15-3:15 Street Fighter X Tekken— Legendary Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Onoprovides the latest update on the highly anticipated fighting game Street Fighter X Tekken. Learn just what's in store for your favorite Street Fighter and Tekken characters in this explosive genre-defining game. Street Fighter fans are encouraged to come in costume as Capcom deems Thursday to be "Street Fighter Day." Katsuhiro Harada of Tekken will also appear to face Ono-san and continue their fierce rivalry over which fighting game franchise is the best. Followed by a Q&A session plus some special surprises! Room 6BCF
2:30-3:30 Joyce Farmer: Special Exits, A Memoir— Can graphic work become serious literature through excellent artwork, writing ,and subject matter? Where does graphic work belong in bookstores and libraries? This Q&A with Comic-Con special guestJoyce Farmer examines her Eisner Award–nominated bookSpecial Exits, A Memoir (Fantagraphics) in this spotlight panel.Room 4
2:30-3:30 The Character of Music with BMI and White Bear PR— Composer and executive producer teams discuss the dynamics of music in film and television. Dan Licht andSara Colleton (Dexter), Jeremy Zuckerman, Benjamin Wynn, and Bryan Konietzko,Michael Dante DiMartino (Avatar the Last Airbender), and Noah Sorota and Mark Verheiden (Falling Skies) discuss their working relationship, how music plays a character in their stories, and the intense process of scoring their projects. Moderated by BMI's director of film & TV Relations Anne Cecere. Attendees will get a sneak peek into their work and receive fun giveaways. Room 6A
2:30-3:30 Sergio and Mark Show— It's that time again: TheEisner Award–winning folks who bring you Groo the Wandererand other silly comics tell you what they're working on and why it isn't out yet. Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier, along withStan Sakai and Tom Luth, answer your questions, tell strange stories, and reveal the dread secret of Sergio's mustache. Room 8
!!! 2:30-3:30 Hasbro Transformers Panel— Would you like to see what's new with Transformers? The marketing and design teams responsible for the current Transformers: Dark of the Moon line present all the latest toys at this panel. Also, see a sneak peek into the 2012 line. Includes Q&A time. Room 24ABC
2:30-3:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #4: Inventing Iron Man— Author E. Paul Zehr (University of Victoria) discusses his book Inventing Iron Man, physically deconstructing Iron Man to find out how we could use modern-day technology to create a suit of armor similar to Tony Stark's. Examining contemporary brain-machine interfaces and the meeting of neurology and neural plasticity, Zehr finds that science is nearing the point where such a suit is possible but observes that "superherodom is not just about technology." He also considers our own physical limitations to ask whether a living human could truly become Iron Man. Room 26AB
2:30-5:00 Comic-Con How-To: Live Painting Demonstration with Lucio Parrillo—Award-winning Italian painter Lucio Parrillo is known for painting interior art and character designs for video games and role-playing games (Forgotten Realms, Eberron, Magic, Hecatomb, and others). Over the last 10 years he has illustrated trading cards for Magic the Gathering and World of Warcraft and done interior illustrations for Dungeons & Dragonsbooks. His comic book work includes Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Death's Head, Siege, Thor, andWhat if? for Marvel, as well as many covers for Red Sonja, Vampirella, Warlord of Mars, The Expendables, and Project Superpowers for Dynamite and the graphic novels L'Empire Eternel, One Shot, and SKP. Room 28DE
3:00-4:00 State of the Geek Report: From Avatar to Zardoz— The world's foremost geeksperts once again converge at Comic-Con to discuss the state of contemporary sci-fi, fantasy, and horror cinema and television, ranging from the superhero smackdown of the summer of 2011 to the future of 3D films to why we'll never have a summer as good as 1982 again. Screenwriter Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X-Men: First Class), director Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red), writer Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: The Series), Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, DOA: Dead Or Alive), andBill Hunt (The Digital Bits), along with guests, discuss the past, present, and future state of the genre, brought to you by the new Geek Monthly. Room 5AB
3:00-4:00 WTF, Dude? Spotlight on Charlie Huston— Comic-Con special guest Charlie Huston (Wolverine The Best There Is) has written comics, crime, horror, and SF novels and pilots for HBO and FOX. Now he brutally interrogates himself to answer the question "WFT, Dude?" Included in your admission: Ask Charlie a stoopid question! Trivia and prizes! A one-man interpretation of A. R. Gurney's Love Letters! Surprise guests! And more! Room 7AB
3:00-4:00 IDW Publishing Presents: The Greatest Panel of All Time— New creator-owned books? Ever-larger licensed titles? All-new creators, and even some major crossover events? How about prizes just for attending? Yep, you'll find all that and more, in The Greatest Panel of All Time. CCO Chris Ryall, editor Scott Dunbier, and creators Chris Roberson, Eric Powell, and Steve Niles, along with MC Dirk Wood, present a gamelike atmosphere as they spin the wheel on projects coming in 2011 and 2012. Come on down! Room 9
!!! 3:00-4:00 Game of Thrones Panel and Q&A session— Based on the bestselling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, HBO's Game of Thrones concluded its 10-episode debut season on June 19. The series, executive produced and written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, follows kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noblemen as they vie for power in a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime. Some of the cast featured in the first season and appearing on this panel are (in alphabetical order) Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, and Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo. Moderated by George R. R. Martin, who also serves as a co-executive producer and writer on the series. Ballroom 20
3:00-4:00 FUNimation Industry Panel— FUNimation Entertainment's marketing managerAdam Sheehan and social media manager Justin Rojas talk about all the newest info and updates out of North America's leader in anime, as well as answer questions from the audience. Room 23ABC
!!! 3:00-4:00 Magic & Monsters— Adult and young adult science fiction and fantasy authors discuss the costs and consequences of "magic" in their novels and the scary, hairy, and dangerous creatures that lurk in the worlds they have created. Visit the worlds of Kim Harrison (The Hollows series), Andrea Cremer (The Nightshade series), Anton Strout (The Simon Canderous series), Lev Grossman (The Magicians), Ben Loory (Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day), J. F. Lewis (The Void City novels), and Diana Rowland (The White Trash Zombie series), guided by moderator Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy.Room 25ABC
3:00-4:00 Comics: Comic Color 101— Every month your favorite comic books must be colored before going to press, but just how are they colored? Learn about the creative art of comic book coloring as Hi-Fi's Brian Miller (Legion of Super-Heroes) and Kristy Miller (Birds of Prey) demonstrate the step-by-step transformation of a comic book page from black and white to full color. Learn the basics of flatting, rendering, color holds, and special effects, along with top digital coloring tips. Q&A session. Room 30CDE
3:00-4:00 Classic Warner Bros./Hanna-Barbera Cartoons Going Blu-ray— Animation historian Jerry Beck and Warner Archives' George Feltenstein lead a panel of renowned animation and restoration experts, including Spike Brandt (The Looney Tunes Show), Tony Cervone (The Looney Tunes Show), and Paul Dini (Lost, Tower Prep), in presenting and discussing selected vintage cartoons from Warner Home Video's fall 2011 Blu-ray release of the newly remastered Tom and Jerry Golden Collection and Looney Tunes Platinum Collections. Room 32AB
!!! 3:00-4:00 Effin with Tonight— Be a part of the world premiere of former Tonight Showwriter Jim Shaughnessy's reinvention of late night, Effin with Tonight starring Patrick Warburton (The Venture Brothers, The Tick ) in the first all-original animated late night talk show. Panelists include Patrick Warburton, writer/creator Jim Shaughnessy, co-writer/EPJerrod Cardwell (Arsenio Hall, George Lopez), and the voice cast of Rachel Butera (The Howard Stern Show), Jay Lamont (Comedy Central standup, Def Comedy Jam), and Joe Cipriano (the voice of FOX television, CBS TV, the Emmy Awards and the Grammy Awards).Effin with Tonight is comedically uncompromising. No hypocrisy is ever ignored, no jokes are off limits, and celebrity phoniness is always exposed. Exclusive preview clips will be shown followed by a Q&A. Effin with Tonight is a Sony Crackle web series debuting in September.Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
3:15-4:15 DC: Batman— Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batwoman, and the rest of Gotham City's greatest crimefighters take things to the next level in September with new battles and new titles. Get to know the writers and artists behind these exciting new comics, including Batman group editor Mike Marts, Grant Morrison (Batman Incorporated), David Finch(Batman: The Dark Knight), Scott Snyder (Detective Comics), Peter Tomasi (Batman & Robin), Patrick Gleason (Batman & Robin), Gail Simone (Batgirl), Judd Winick (Batwing, Catwoman), and others answer your questions at this exclusive Bat-panel. Moderated by John Cunningham. Room 6DE
!!! 3:15-4:30 20th Century Fox— At past Comic-Cons, 20th Century Fox has previewedIndependence Day, X2, Avatar, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. You won't want to miss the excitement this year, as Fox presents first-looks at some of its most-anticipated pictures of 2011 and 2012. Hall H
3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Frank Stack— Comic-Con special guestFrank Stack, pioneer of underground comix in the 1960s with such titles as New Adventures of Jesus, Feelgood Funnies,Amazons, and Dorman's Doggie, remains active as a fine artist and cartoonist. His Jesus stories were recently reprinted as The Second Coming by Fantagraphics. Frank will present a visual presentation and Q&A. Room 4
3:30-4:30 Star Wars: The Old Republic : Join Us, It Is Your Destiny— BioWare and LucasArts are creating the most immersive MMO experience you've ever played with Star Wars: The Old Republic. Hear from BioWare developers as they discuss development of a story-driven MMO, debut new gameplay footage, and perhaps spring a few surprises along the way. Exclusive reveals, giveaways, guests, and Q&A! Room 6BCF
3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Roy Thomas— Legendary comics writer/editor -- and Comic-Con special guest -- Roy Thomas sits down with interviewer Mark Evanier to talk about Thomas's life in comics, from the early days of comics fandom and Alter Ego to his memorable run of comics at Marvel and DC, and now at Dark Horse and beyond. Room 8
3:30-4:30 The Making of Transformers Prime— Join the Emmy Award-winning Hasbro Studios creative team as they walk audience members through the challenges they faced in developing and producing this awe-inspiring show that has helped redefine Transformers for a whole new generation of fans. The team will discuss all aspects of the show, including character and set development and design, the writing of this epic series, and the musical elements that have made this show a success. Key guests include Mike Vogel, Brian Lenard, Jeff Kline, Duane Capizzi, and Jose Lopez. Room 24ABC
3:30-4:30 True Stories— Chester Brown (Paying for It), Tom Devlin (art director of D&Q),Peter Kuper (Stop Forgetting to Remember), Leland Myrick (Feynman), and Thomas LeBien (publisher of Hill & Wang's Novel Graphics line) discuss the ins and outs of nonfiction graphic novel stories. What are the lines between truth and fiction when images are involved in a story? Moderated by Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics). Room 26AB
3:30-4:15 For Big Talent, Multi-Platform Is the New Multiplex— Learn why action, thriller, and sci-fi stars are migrating to emerging platforms as filmmakers create original, compelling digital productions. From upcoming Vuguru projects The Booth at the End,Nuclear Family, Off Season, and The Millionaire Tour, Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings), Ray Wise (Twin Peaks), Xander Berkeley (Nikita), Rick Fox (Oz), Kyle Rankin(Infestation), and Christopher Kubasik (The Booth at the End) offer a lively discussion.Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina
3:45-4:45 Awake— Exclusive screening of Awake, the new NBC sci-fi drama about the power of the mind, to be introduced by star Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter) and executive producersHoward Gordon (24) and Kyle Killen (The Beaver). The screening will be followed by a brief Q&A session. Room 6A
4:00-5:00 Masters of the Web— Some of the most prominent and influential film pundits on the web discuss the film industry, writing for film online, film fandom, and a whole lot more. Panelists include Peter Sciretta (Slashfilm.com), Anne Thompson (Thompson on Hollywood),Jen Yamato (Movieline.Com), Scott Beggs (FilmSchoolRejects.Com), Sasha Perl-Raver(Movieweb.com), Vic Holtreman (Screenrant.Com), Jenna Busch (Moviefone), and Mike Sampson (JoBlo.Com), hosted by John Campea (AMC Theatres). Room 5AB
4:00-5:00 Avatar Press: Special News and Q&A— Here's your chance to meet the creative minds behind Avatar Press, the industry's most groundbreaking, risk-taking publisher! Hosted by editor-in-chief William Christensen, this panel includes Jacen Burrows, whose atmospheric artwork terrified readers of Garth Ennis's Crossed and Alan Moore's Neonomicon, and Brian Pulido, whose cult favorite Lady Death series provides the backbone to the sexy and action-packed Boundless Comics line. Find out what new terrors this rogue publisher will unleash in the months ahead, and get your questions answered. Room 7AB
4:00-5:00 The 6th Annual Comics Podcasting All-Stars— Join the titans of comics media, the comics podcasters, for the 6th annual gathering at the San Diego Comic-Con. Get a front row seat to see some of your favorite comics podcasters discuss everything from the latest in comics industry news to behind-the-scenes stories. Podcasters appearing on the panel includeCameron Hatheway (Cammy's Comic Corner), John Mayo (The Comic Book Page), Brian "Pants" Christman (Comic Geek Speak), Jimmy Aquino (Comics News Insider), Conor Kilpatrick (iFanboy), John Siuntres (Word Balloon), and Pat Loika (Loikamania!). Room 9
4:00-5:00 Kodansha Comics— Representatives from the largest publisher in Japan discuss the exciting manga they'll be releasing in the coming months. Kumi Shimizu of Kodansha USA talks with Dallas Middaugh about the imprint's upcoming books, such as Bloody Monday, Cage of Eden, Love Hina, and, of course, Sailor Moon! Room 23ABC
4:00-5:00 No Damsels in Distress Here— Female voices in sci-fi and fantasy create kick-ass heroines. Danger just might be these girls' middle name. But no amount of bad guys can keep these ladies from doing what's right. Whether standing up for friends and family, or just plain kicking some ass, these girls don't shy away from a fight. Damsels on the panel include Marie Lu (Legend), Kathy Reichs (Bones & Virals series), Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires series), Jeanne Stein (The Anna Strong Chronicles), Merrie deStefano (Feast: Harvest of Dreams), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville series), Seanan McGuire (The October Daye series), and Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter novels). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 25ABC
4:00-5:00 Breaking and Staying In— It's well known that breaking into comics as a creator -- be it writer or artist or colorist -- is not easy. Learn how it's done from Andy Schmidt (X-Men, Five Days to Die, Comics Experience founder), who's broken in as an editor, a writer, and a teacher. Not enough? He's also going to talk about how to stay in comics once you catch that first break -- and you'll hear from writer Mike Costa (G.I. Joe: Cobra) and artist Zander Cannon (Top 10) for their tips too! Room 30CDE
4:00-5:00 BOOM! Irredeemable/Incorruptible Panel— Mark Waid's bestselling, multiple sell-out Irredeemable has taken comic fans by storm, becoming one of the top-selling independent comics of the last several years. Mark Waid discusses Irredeemable'sbeginnings, the future of the series, and its sister series, Incorruptible. Big announcements will be made at this not-to-be-missed panel for any fan of these books! Room 32AB
4:00-5:00 Archer Screening and Q&A— This animated half-hour comedy revolves around the spy agency known as the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) and the lives of its self-involved employees. Series creator Adam Reed (Sealab 2021, Frisky Dingo) and the show's voice-over actors discuss their daunting and enigmatic work of espionage, reconnaissance missions, and undercover surveillances -- which are all actually unmitigated occasions for the ISIS staff to undermine, sabotage, and betray each other for personal gains and prosperity. Panelists include H. Jon Benjamin (Bob's Burgers, Jon Benjamin Has a Van) as the highly skilled yet incredibly vain master spy Sterling Archer; Aisha Tyler (Talk Soup,CSI) as fellow agent provocateur Lana Kane; Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock) as the easily intimidated comptroller of ISIS, Cyril Figgis; Judy Greer (Mad Love, Arrested Development) as the loquacious secretary, Cheryl/Carol; Amber Nash (Frisky Dingo, Aqua Teen Hunger Force) as the discordant director of human resources for ISIS, Pam Poovey; andGeorge Coe (Funny People, Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Sterling's elderly and always-exploited butler, Woodhouse. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
4:15-5:15 TV Guide Magazine: Fan Favorites— TV Guide is back with an all-star panel for the fans! Moderated by editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum, Fan Favorites features your favorite talent from your favorite shows -- in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Panelists include Nestor Carbonell (Ringer), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Jorge Garcia(Alcatraz), Leslie Hope (The River), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Joe Manganiello (True Blood),Julie Plec (Vampire Diaries), Matt Smith (Doctor Who ), Kevin Williamson (Vampire Diaries), Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood), and others. Ballroom 20
4:30-5:30 Spotlight on Cameron Stewart— Join Eisner-winning artist/writer and Comic-Con special guest Cameron Stewart (Batman & Robin, Assassin's Creed: The Fall, Sin Titulo) for a one-on-one discussion of his past and future work with moderator Nathan Wilson and a demonstration of his all-digital drawing process, plus an audience Q&A. Room 4
!!! 4:30-5:30 Marvel: Next Big Thing— The Marvel Universe is where the biggest comic stories happen -- so wouldn't you like to be the first to know what Marvel has planned? Get the latest news on Marvel's plans for their biggest heroes and villains, with some surprises along the way. Panelists Greg Pak (Incredible Hulks), Jonathan Hickman (FF), Jim McCann (Marvel Zombies Christmas Carol), Nick Spencer (Ultimate X), editor-in-chief Axel Alonso, and others answer all your burning questions while giving you a sneak peek at the future of Marvel.Room 6DE
4:30-5:30 MAD Men— What's up with America 's most famous humor magazine (that is, if you don't count Newsweek)? Your genial moderator Mark Evanier quizzes the Usual Gang of Idiots: editor John Ficarra, art director Sam Viviano, writer Dick DeBartolo and artistsSergio Aragonés, Peter Kuper, Tom Richmond, and Keith Knight. Room 8
4:30-5:30 City of Heroes: The Future of Super-Powered MMOs— Be the first to find out about the top-secret release coming later this year to City of Heroes, the world's most popular super-powered MMO. Paragon Studios team members Melissa "War Witch" Bianco (lead game designer), Matt "Positron" Miller (lead systems designer), David "Noble Savage" Nakayama (art lead), Nate "Second Measure" Birkholz (development producer), andAndy "Zwillinger" Belford (community manager) share exclusive revelations about the City of Heroes game update that will redefine the online gaming industry. Room 24ABC
4:30-5:30 Comics for Teens— Comics creators Cecil Castelluci (Plain Janes), Hope Larson(Mercury), Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole), and Gene Luen Yang (Level Up) come together for a discussion of what makes a comic fit a teen audience. Do books for teens have something special that books for kids and adults don't have? Moderated by Scott Westerfeld (New York Times bestselling teen author). Room 26AB
4:45-5:45 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season Four Preview—The epic conflict of Star Wars: The Clone Wars intensifies in the upcoming season, as new battle lines are drawn, new threats arise, and old enemies resurface. Take an unparalleled first look into this fall's action, drama, and adventure as the creators of hit series from Lucasfilm preview some of what will astound Star Wars fans in Season Four. Featuring supervising director Dave Filoni, CG lighting/FX supervisor Joel Aron, and other talents from behind the scenes at Lucasfilm Animation. Hosted by Pablo Hidalgo. Room 6BCF
!!! 4:45-5:45 Robert Rodriguez's Quick Draw Productions— Be the first to get a sneak peek at Robert Rodriguez's upcoming films. Robert presents Quick Draw's new slate featuring special guest collaborators. He will also show exclusive material from his latest top-secret project. Hall H
5:00-6:00 2011-2012: The Golden Age of Blu-ray?— With such titles as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Ben-Hur, Jurassic Park, Jaws, Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia, Titanic, and Raiders of the Lost Ark on the way, could this be Blu-ray's Golden Age? Panelists Bill Hunt, Adam Jahnke, and Todd Doogan of The Digital Bits.com, along with BD producers Charles de Lauzirika (Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Amazing Spider-Man, Prometheus, Crave) and Cliff Stephenson (Rambo, The Expendables, Crank 2, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance), Warner Home Video's George Feltenstein (senior vice president, theatrical catalog marketing) and othere discuss the subject, hold Q&A, and offer giveaways. Room 5AB
!!! 5:00-6:00 Beavis & Butthead— In 1993, Mike Judge (creator of Beavis and Butthead) and MTV knocked their heads together and launched a cartoon series starring a couple of lunkheads and unwittingly started an animated pop culture revolution. Now, Beavis and Butthead are coming back to MTV in 2011 to unleash on music videos, Jersey Shore, viral videos, and more. See the first footage from the new episodes, and join Mike as he discusses the duo's return to MTV! Room 6A
5:00-6:00 Resistance 3: Exploring a 1950s Altered America: The Continuing Creation of the Resistance Universe— Critically acclaimed developer Insomniac Games presents a journey through the evolution of the universe surrounding PlayStation 3's bestsellingResistance franchise. Discover the secrets behind Insomniac's vision of a postapocalyptic '50s-era America, ravaged by the merciless Chimera, and explore the human experience of struggling to survive an alien invasion when nearly all hope is lost. Learn how the team is continuing to build the Resistance canon through books and social media integration. Attendees will be treated to an first look at new game content and other surprises, with special guest appearances by members of the Insomniac team, including Marcus Smith (creative director), Kevin Grow (animation director), and Grant Hollis (art director), as well as actors from the Resistance 3 cast, including Robin Atkin Downes (Joseph Capelli) and Crispin Freeman (Charlie Tent). A Q&A with the team will follow the presentation. Room 7AB
5:00-6:00 Epic Literary Adventures— Jeff Smith (RASL, Bone), Anders Nilsen (Big Questions), Brian Ralph (Daybreak & SCAD professor), and moderator Tom Spurgeon(comicsreporter.com) discuss the overlap between literary and fantasy, the science and art of creating an imaginary world, building a story that is serialized over several years, and carving a unique fantastical niche in an industry mostly known for either autobio or superhero. Room 9
5:00-6:00 First Comics: The First of the Great Independents Is Back with a Fury!—Legendary '80s independent publishing powerhouse First Comics is returning when the world needs it most, not unlike the promised return of King Arthur. And the assembled Round Table of extraordinary comics creators are here to tell you how they will once again be rocking your world with comics entertainment from the cutting edge. Panelists include Ken F. Levin(Wanted, The Boys, First Comics co-founder and director), Joe Staton and Nick Cuti (E-Man), Bill Willingham (Fables), Max Allan Collins (Road to Perdition), Brian Mullens(founder of DaQRi; QR director), Alex Wald (art director then and again), Susannah Carson(A Truth Universally Acknowledged; First Comics YA editor), and Daniel Merlin Goodbrey(The Tarquin Engine, The Last Sane Cowboy). Moderated by Larry Young (The Black Diamond; First Comics director of production). Room 23ABC
5:00-6:00 Harry Potter Fandom Panel— The final Harry Potter film is in theaters now -- how many times have you seen it? How many times have you read the books, written or read fanfic, checked out fanart, macros, fanfilms, musicals, and vids, listened to Wrock, played Quidditch or watched a game, or participated in the terrific projects organized by the HP Alliance? Have you visited Pottermore, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or the traveling Harry Potter Exhibition? Where has the Harry Potter fandom been, and where are they flying to next? Melissa Anelli (The Leaky-Cauldron.org, Harry - A History), Kathryn Mudgway(International Quidditch Association), Joey Richter ("Ron" in A Very Potter Musical/Sequel),Andrew Sims (Mugglenet, Hypable.com), Andrew Slack (TheHPAlliance.org, Imagine Better), and moderator Heidi Tandy (FictionAlley, Ascendio2012/HPEF) discuss all this and more. Room 25ABC
5:00-6:00 Figure Drawing for Popular Media— Emilio Soltero, Ph.D. (Draw the Line, Figure It Out, John Buscema: A Life in Sketches), along with Alex Niño (Mulan, Marvel, DC) and Stephen Silver (Kim Possible, Clerks), presents a primer on drawing the figure for popular media, including drawing for comics and character design and a demonstration on figure drawing. There will be some cool giveaways and a chance to draw as well. Come ready to take notes and to draw. Room 30CDE
5:00-6:00 Buffy The Vampire Slayer and LGBT Comics Fandom— LGBT fans hailed the revelation in the long-running television hit that one of its main characters, Willow, had fallen in love with another female character, Tara. This groundbreaking depiction of queer love in the TV show has been built upon in the Buffy comic books published by Dark Horse Comics, and Buffy remains one of the most queer-friendly properties in pop culture. Moderator Charles "Zan" Christensen (Prism Comics president) discusses the special relationship between the Buffyverse and LGBT comic book fans with Buffy creators and actors, including Scott Allie,Andrew Chambliss, Jane Espenson, Drew Greenberg, Tom Lenk, and a special guest!Room 32AB
!!! 5:00-6:00 Batman: Arkham City— Get the inside scoop on Batman: Arkham City, the highly anticipated follow-up to Batman: Arkham Asylum, one of the top-selling games of 2009 and the Guinness World Record holder for the Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever. Be among the first to see and hear new details about the next chapter in Batman's gritty, immersive world -- including some surprise game and character reveals—from panelists Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series), DC Comics co-publisher Jim Lee, writer Paul Dini (Lost, Tower Prep), and game director Sefton Hill (Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City). Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront