This is the time of the year when I start telling friends, "Don't worry! I'm getting them to postpone Comic-Con for a few weeks because none of us are ready for it!" It's also about the time when I get a call or e-mail from someone who wants my help in getting a panel or other event added to the schedule.
That schedule has been locked for weeks. More than a hundred thousand copies have been printed of it and it's been posted on the website…but someone just decided that their current project needs the kind of promotion you get when you squeeze in a panel that nobody can possibly hear about. And yes, this morning I got just such an e-mail: "We really need to do a panel about this at the con. Is there any way you can use your influence with the convention to make it happen?" Answer: No. I'm just working on these…
Thursday, July 19 • 10:30AM – 11:30AM in Room 4
SPOTLIGHT ON MAGGIE THOMPSON:
CELEBRATING THE COMIC BUYER'S GUIDE
Maggie Thompson (30-year co-editor of Comics Buyer's Guide) and CBG contributors Mark Evanier (writer, editor, entertainment expert, and News from ME blogger) and Scott Brick (actor, writer, and award-winning audiobook narrator) revisit three decades of comics newsgathering.Thursday, July 19 • 3:30PM – 4:30PM in Room 8
THE MARK, SERGIO, STAN AND MAYBE TOM SHOW
It's another panel where the award-winning team of Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier (Comic-Con special guests) discuss their work together, especially on the long-running comic Groo The Wanderer. They'll be joined by their letterer (and the creator of the also long-running Usagi Yojimbo) Stan Sakai, and they may be joined by the colorist for both, the hardest-working man in comics, Tom Luth. They'll be telling you all about the upcoming crossover mini-series in which Groo meets…well, come to the panel and find out who.Friday, July 20 • 10:00AM – 11:30AM in Room 8
THAT 70'S PANEL
The seventies were a time of change for comics: Veteran creators were melding with new talent and new kinds of comics were emerging. Here's a discussion of those changing times with Marv Wolfman (Tomb of Dracula), Steve Leialoha (Warlock), Rick Hoberg (Star Wars), Richard Pini and Wendy Pini (Elfquest), moderator Mark Evanier (Scooby Doo), and others.Friday, July 20 • 12:30PM – 1:30PM in Room 8
THE POGO PANEL
Walt Kelly was one of the greatest cartoonists of all time, and his work is fast coming back into print and receiving a new recognition. Here's a discussion of that work and the man who created it with historian Maggie Thompson, comic expert R. C. Harvey, film critic Leonard Maltin, co-editor at Fantagraphics Books Eric Reynolds, and your moderator, co-editor with Eric of Pogo: The Complete Newspaper Strips, Mark Evanier. Plus, a display of Walt Kelly artwork you've never seen before!Friday, July 20 • 2:30PM – 3:30PM in Room 8
TARZAN, BARSOOM AND JOE JUSKO: The Adventure Continues
Jim Sullos (president, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.), Cathy Wilbanks (vice president of operations, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.), writer Mark Evanier (Groo vs. Tarzan), and award-winning artist Joe Jusko discuss new projects featuring Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, and others in novels, comics, games, and more. Moderated by Scott Tracy Griffin (director of special projects, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.).Saturday, July 21 • 11:45AM – 1:00AM in Room 6BCF
QUICK DRAW!
Come early and grab a seat for the most talked-about panel at Comic-Con, at least among its participants! Three lightning-fast cartoonists duel to the death right before your eyes armed with nothing but Sharpies, drawing pads, overhead projectors, and their own lethal senses of humor. Your Quick Draw Quizzzzmaster Mark Evanier throws the challenges at Sergio Aragonés (MAD, Groo the Wanderer), Scott Shaw! (The Simpsons, The Flintstones) and the new kid in the dais, Lalo Alcaraz (La Cucaracha). See why people think it's the fastest, funniest panel of the whole danged convention!Saturday, July 21 • 1:00PM – 2:30PM in Room 6BCF
CARTOON VOICES I
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.Saturday, July 21 • 3:30PM – 4:30PM in Room 5AB
CHAPTERS AND PANELS: BLIZZARD PUBLISHING
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, and Steve Danuser.Saturday, July 21 • 4:30PM – 5:30PM in Room 5AB
WONDER WOMAN IN THE 1940's
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.Sunday, July 22 • 10:00AM – 11:15AM in Room 5AB
THE ANNUAL JACK KIRBY TRIBUTE PANEL
As is done every year, fans gather to salute the man some called "The King of the Comics" and its most imaginative artist and creator. Discussing the life and work of Jack Kirby this year are animation producer Larry Houston, illustrator/historian Arlen Schumer, Rand Hoppe of the Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center, attorney Paul S. Levine, a few surprises, and your moderator, Kirby biographer and assistant Mark Evanier.Sunday, July 22 • 11:45AM – 1:15PM in Room 6A
CARTOON VOICES II
Animation voice director Mark Evanier gathers another stageful of the top actors who speak for animated characters to demonstrate their skills. Appearing will be Elle Newlands (Adventure Time, Final Fantasy), Kiff Vandenheuvel (Star Wars Forces of Destiny, World of Warcraft), Vanessa Marshall (Star Wars Rebels, Young Justice), André Sogliuzzo (Transformers: Robots in Disguise, World of Warcraft) and Dino Andrade (World of Warcraft, Batman: Arkham Asylum). There will also be a few surprises, and the actors will destroy a much-loved fairy tale with a live, unrehearsed reading.Sunday, July 22 • 2:00PM – 3:00PM in Room 25ABC
COVER STORY
More and more, the cover of a comic book exists both to sell the product and as a standalone work of art. What goes into designing a cover and what constitutes a good one? Those are the questions that your moderator Mark Evanier will put to this dais of gifted cover artists: William Stout, Joëlle Jones, Veronica Fish, Matt Taylor, and Joe Jusko. They'll analyze and discuss some of the covers they've done in this informative session of "shop talk."Sunday, July 22 • 3:00PM – 4:30PM in Room 25ABC
THE BUSINESS OF CARTOON VOICES
Interested in how one breaks into a career providing voices for animated cartoons? This annual panel seeks to debunk some of the myths and the occasional con jobs that wanna-bes are subjected to and often harmed by. It's a panel with people who actually work in the field and this year, it includes agent Jeff Danis (president of DPN Talent), actors Eliza Jane Schneider and Gregg Berger, and your moderator, voice director Mark Evanier. Warning: This panel is not designed for entertainment, but for enlightenment. There are hard facts you need to know about the industry and that's what this panel will try to provide.
As always, everything above is subject to change. Some of these panels will fill up (especially the Saturday morn Quick Draw!/Cartoon Voices I double feature) so get there early. At other times, I will be roaming aimlessly about the Exhibit Hall and unless I'm racing to a panel, I am not too busy to stop and chat. Please do not hand me money as a "tip" for this blog. If you are so moved, give it to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which is at Booth 1918. Thank you.