Action figures, statues, busts, PVC figures-DC Collectibles has them all and more! Join the DC Collectibles crew, including VP creative services Kevin Kiniry, director creative services Jim Fletcher and a few surprise panelists, to hear how they come up with so many great products, and what's coming up from comics' top makers of awesome collectibles!
Thursday July 21, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 9
Love and Rockets by brothers Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez is one of the most influential comic series to ever be published. Rounding on 35 years, the characters and stories within Love and Rockets have inspired countless cartoonists, musicians, and writers with their unique world building and stories. Hear about the series from the very beginning with Gilbert and Jaime, publisher Gary Groth (Fantagraphics), co-creator Mario Hernandez (Love and Rockets), and fans like Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals, Hawkeye), with exclusive art and announcements.
Thursday July 21, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 9
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 13, 10:46AM Diehard fans know comics aren't just picture books for children and geeky adults. Comics have a long history of addressing complex issues, from science lab accidents to ethics, moral issues, and social justice. This panel will look at the art, science, and technology featured in some of their favorite comics and answer questions like: How do writers develop the stories? Are they communicating realistic scientific concepts? Could comics writers be predicting in the future of science and technology? Join us as Chris Ryall (editor-in-chief at IDW), Chris Mowry (writer, Godzilla comics), Sarah Gaydos (group editor at IDW), Dean Kamen (entrepreneur and engineer), Matt Grob (EVP and CTO, Qualcomm), Dr. Ronald Coleman (researcher, The Scripps Research Institute) discuss the true science behind comics and science fiction.
Thursday July 21, 2016 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9
Octavia E. Butler once argued that Kindred was the only one of her novels that wasn't science fiction. She called the time travel tale of slave times a "grim fantasy," because aside from the time travel, everything in the novel is powerfully, painfully real. Join moderator Erika Alexander (Concrete Park) for a conversation with artist John Jennings (The Blacker the Ink) and writer Damian Duffy (Black Comix) about their process translating Butler's fierce prose into the forthcoming graphic adaption, published by Abrams ComicArts.
This fall, Transformers, G.I. JOE, ROM, Micronauts, and M.A.S.K. are drawn together and nothing at IDW will ever be the same! Take a stand with universe-builders Cullen Bunn, Christos Gage, Mairghread Scott, Brandon Easton, Chris Ryall, John Barber, Aubrey Sitterson, David Hedgecock, and Hasbro's Michael Kelly. Get a free Revolution preview comic, just for showing up!
Authors Nidhi Chanani (Pashmina), Ben Hatke (Mighty Jack), Nilah Magruder (M.F.K.), Raina Telgemeier (Ghosts), and Ron Wimberly (Prince of Cats) discuss the current state of diversity in the comics industry, what's changed over the past decade, and what changes still need to happen. Moderated by Petra Mayer (NPR).
Many people often think of the artist and the writer as the masterminds who bring us our weekly comics. However, much credit should go to the colorists, inkers and letterers who put in hours of work to bring us what we love. A lively discussion with Dave Lanphear (veteran DC and Marvel letterer), Joshua Reed (letterer for Aspen'sSoulfire and Fathom), Beth Sotelo (colorist for IDW, DC Comics, Aspen), Matt "Batt" Banning (DC Rebirth: Batman, Superman/Wonder Woman), and Jessica Tseang (comic book historian) about how the comic book industry can change, the importance of their work, a brief look into their daily lives, and how to break into the career. There will a Q&A for budding colorists, inkers, and letterers.
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 18, 03:43PM Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America has been wielding his shield, donning red, white, and blue, and fighting the good fight for 75 years. From Captain America Comics #1 to Captain America: Civil War, Steve Rogers has had a pretty decent 75 years, to say the least. Come celebrate "Cap" with Allen Bellman (artist, Captain America) all while being interviewed and questioned by former Kirby assistant, moderator Mark Evanier (author, Kirby: King of Comics).
After a disastrous crash and recession in the late '00s, translated Japanese entertainment has come back, not as the bubble of the mid-'00s, but as a steady seller for the companies who survived the burst bubble. And more Japanese companies are becoming directly. But is everything as rosy as it seems? And what is it like to work in the industry? Panel moderator, former Animerica editor Julie Davis and an expert panel of freelancers and industry insiders talk about the craft of translated entertainment, share stories, and take audience questions. Panelists include Mari Morimoto (Naruto), Michael Gombos (director, international publishing and licensing, Dark Horse), Lillian Diaz-Przybyl (Princess Jellyfish), Stephen Paul (One Piece), and Mark Simmons (Gundam: The Official Guide).
Returning for its fourth straight year of fun, prizes and rare movie clips. A game show where you can be a contestant and win (marginally) valuable prizes! Inkpot Award winner and show creator, John Field has edited a fun-tastic program of 50 different sci-fi, horror, and fantasy film clips, ranging from the 1920s to today. Four contestants will be chosen from the audience to try to guess the names of the movies the clips are from. If any of the panel members cannot guess the clip, the audience gets the chance! That audience member gets a prize as well. Whichever contestant names the most clips will be the grand prize winner. The second to fourth places will get prizes as well.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 19, 05:14PM Let’s share our memories and adventures of our pal and mentor for over 40 years. George wrote “The Man Trap” the very first Star Trek episode that aired. He also wrote 8 original Twilight Zone episodes, Oceans 11 movie and the “Logan’s Run” novel with William F. Nolan. Panel participants include David Gerrold, Craig Miller, Greg Koudoulian, Gene Henderson, Clayton Moore, Scott Smith, Jimmy Diggs, Anthony Keith and Floyd Norman.
Thursday July 21, 2016 9:00pm - 10:30pm PDT
Room 9
Bjo (legendary art show and costume contest organizer) and John (Equicon chair, long time SF fan) discuss their 1967 Save Star Trek campaign, their viewpoints on Star Trek today, and how cosplay grew from early costume activities. Moderated by Maggie Thompson (Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award winner and Comic-Con blogger).
Frank Mastromauro (publisher), Peter Steigerwald (co-owner), Vince Hernandez (vp/editor-in-chief), Mark Roslan (vp/director of design and production), Siya Oum (Lola XOXO), J.T. Krul (Aspen Universe: Revelations), Joshua Hale Fialkov (Aspen Universe: Revelations), Paolo Pantalena (Jirni), and Aspen creators will discuss upcoming titles and reveal projects for 2016 and beyond. The Aspen team will partake in a Q&A session with fans. All panel attendees will receive a gift courtesy of Aspen Comics.
J. M. Lee (author), Sierra Hahn (Archaia/BOOM! Studios), Rob Valois (Penguin Young Readers), and others will discuss the extremely creative and imaginative original young adult novels and graphic novels, delving into the magical world of Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal in a Q&A session moderated by Halle Stanford (The Jim Henson Company). Fans will also be treated to a screening of the winning "Dark Crystal Fan Film" submission.
More than any other industry, comics provide a unique opportunity for fans to become professionals and to work on the very things they loved as fans. Dinesh Shamdasani (Valiant), J. C. Vaughn (The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide), Melissa Bowersox (Geppi's Entertainment Museum), Michael Polis (Captain Action), and Dan Braun (Creepy, Eerie) discuss and explore their "legacy" professional adventures on their fanboy and fangirl passions! Moderated by Ed Catto (Captain Action).
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 11, 09:07AM Uncle three (best-selling author, original story and writer of Time Raiders), Huang Shan (cosplay icon from China) and Liu Peiyao (vice president of Le Vision Pictures) will discuss how the “ACGN” phenomenon is driving Chinese pop culture and how Chinese industry leaders create entertainment to inspire the super fan lifestyle and how Chinese comic content to “Go Global”. Moderated by Joe Wong (Chinese American comedian).
Author Mike Barrier (Funnybooks: The Improbable Glories of the Best American Comic Books)will talk about the challenges and rewards of pursuing an interest in comic books that bypasses superheroes in favor of artists like Carl Barks, Walt Kelly, and John Stanley. Randy Duncan (author of The Power of Comics: History, Form and Culture) will moderate, with PowerPoint visuals.
Storytelling is entering a new golden age in the computer gaming industry. This panel of insiders share their experiences in creating some of the best-reviewed narrative-driven titles in gaming history. Neal Hallford (Betrayal at Krondor: Remastered), Chris Avellone (Divinity: Original Sin II), Anne Toole (Horizon Zero Dawn), John Zuur Platten (Ingress), Geoffrey Thorne (The Librarians), Jean Leggett (Betwixt), and Blair Leggett (StoryStylus) promise an entertaining and informative hour. Moderated by Jana Hallford (Swords & Circuitry: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games).
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 18, 01:38PM Every hero has an origin story, the defining moment where they thrust themselves to greatness. So do the comics industry's best and brightest! Comics luminaries and tastemakers David Steinberger (comiXology CEO and co-founder), Bobbie Chase (DC VP talent development), Denis Kitchen (cartoonist/publisher/agent, The Best of Comix Book), Derf Backderf (cartoonist, Trashed, My Friend Dahmer), and Ed Luce (cartoonist, Wuvable Oaf) offer a look at the extraordinary events that transformed them from comics fan to comic industry heroes!
Karen Hallion (artist/illustrator), Tom Hodges (comic artist and illustrator), "Artist Abe" Lopez (artist/illustrator), John "Captain Ribman" Sprengelmeyer (award-winning illustrator/syndicated cartoonist), Austin "RebelArt" Frankel (artist/illustrator), and Craig "Wotto" Watkins (artist/designer) share their experiences as pioneers in the pop culture apparel world and provide practical advice on building your brand, along with a live drawing of a fan-suggested shirt design. Q&A moderated by Tom Kurzanski (art director for TeeFury).
Neville Howard (writer, Sugar and Space), Cristian Roux (creator, Falling Star), W. Chew Chan and Christopher Sequeira (artist/writer, The Exoneration of Doctor Fu Manchu), and Darren Koziol (publisher, Dark Oz comics) explore the renaissance of independent Australian creators using comics as a medium to tell unique and interesting stories. The panel will provide an overview of their projects and host a Q&A moderated by Alana Marshall (editor, Melbourne Comics).
Filmmakers Michael Fiore (producer and 2nd unit director, Sony Screen Gems' Keep Watching) and Erik Sharkey (director, Drew: The Man Behind the Poster)will show clips from their original feature-length documentary, announce upcoming release dates, and reunite animation's "troublemaker" Floyd Norman (legendary Disney animator and story artist) with many animators and producers he worked with over his storied 61-year career. Panelists will include notables featured in the documentary, including Don Hahn (producer, Maleficent), Gary Trousdale (co-director, Disney's animated Beauty and the Beast), Leonard Maltin (film critic and historian), Ken Mitchroney (writer, director, and story artist), Tom Sito (animator and professor of animation, USC), and Leo Sullivan (animator, producer, and publisher). The documentary also features interviews with Whoopi Goldberg (actress), Sergio Aragonés (cartoonist), Richard Sherman (Disney music composer), Scott Shaw! (cartoonist), and Ralph Guggenheim (former Pixar VP of animation). The documentary is supported with a wonderful jazz music score by Ryan Shore (composer, Disney's Penn Zero, WB's Scooby-Doo!, and The Oscars) and original animation by up-and-coming artist and animator Nirali Somaia. The filmmakers will moderate a Q&A session and give away exclusive SDCC miniposters designed for the documentary by legendary illustrator Drew Struzan.
Want to write for animation? How do you break in? What's it take to get that first job? After that, how do you get a second gig? And a third? What are the skills and secrets of maintaining a career in the field, including becoming a story editor/showrunner, and perhaps creating and selling your own show. Craig Miller (Curious George, Beast Wars) leads a panel of animation writers with extensive careers and others who have recently broken into the field, including Kaita Mpambara (Ultimate Spider-man, Elena of Avalor), Steve Melching (X-Men: The Animated Series, Star Wars Rebels), Nicole Dubuc (Young Justice, Transformers: Rescue Bots), Dean Stefan (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, CatDog), and Rachel Vine (Rainbow Brite, Wander Over Yonder) who will share their knowledge and answer your questions.
Saturday July 23, 2016 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 9
TheTop Cow staff and talent discuss the role and value of comics in the current market, stretching back to Top Cow's legacy and the Image Revolution. Stick around as Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri and president Matt Hawkins talk about current and future projects, including series relaunch announcements and new series teases. All attendees will receive a special limited-edition lithograph available only to those that attend the panel.
Saturday July 23, 2016 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 9
Expert collectors, dealers, historians, and creators discuss what makes reading and collecting comics so great, and how The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide has played a major role in fandom. Find out what's coming up in the months ahead from staffers J. C. Vaughn and Mark Huesman, along with contributors Maggie Thompson (former Comics Buyer's Guide editor), Gary M. Carter (former Guide editor, CBM founder), Ed Catto (Bonfire Agency), Steve Borock (CBCS), and Matt Nelson (CCS).
Saturday July 23, 2016 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9
This program will focus on the profession of storyboarding in animation for TV and features as well as for live action and how those that work in the field are finding their voices in comics and graphic novels-and visa versa. Moderated by Jim Higgins (former DC Comics editor, comic arts professor), panelists are Peter Paul (storyboard artist at Warner Bros., Dreamworks, Disney, comic artist, instructor), Johane Matte (animator, storyboard artist, comic artist), Steve Ahn (storyboards on Legends of Korra, comic artist), Shannon Denton (storyboard artist, writer, comics artist), Fran Krause (professor, animator, comics artist), and Dan Panosian (professional comics artist and storyboard artist).
Words are important. But how are they made? Claudia Christian (Wolf's Empire), Gini Koch (The Alien Series), Seanan McGuire (the October Daye and InCryptid series), Brandon Mull (Five Kingdom's Series), Scott Sigler (The Generations Trilogy), and Jon Skovron (Hope & Red) discuss how they set the stage for their stories and explore the dos and don'ts of building a living, breathing world for their characters in a panel moderated by Cindy Pon (Serpentine).
From Underwire to the webcomics S'Crapbook and Rushes to her Eisner-nominated masterwork The Story of My Tits,Jennifer Hayden has embraced a comics narrative that goes beyond the personal to the visceral. An artist, a musician, a wife and mother, a goddess: Hayden synthesizes many roles into a single, distinctive style. Join her in a discussion of how these roles transmute into art. Moderated by Karen Green.
The Motion Picture Costumers Local 705 present the journey your favorite superhero fabrics take both before and after becoming a wearable garment. Industry leading artisans Marilyn J. Madsen (costume manufacturing foreperson, Captain America Civil War, Hunger Games: Mockingjay), Mary Ellen Fields (owner, Bill Hargate Costumes; Batman v Superman,Man of Steel), Dorothy Bulac-Eriksen (specialty costumer,Guardians of the Galaxy Vo.l 2, Fantastic Four), Doug Stewart (textile artist-ager/dyer, X-men Apocalypse, 10 Cloverfield Lane), Maureen O'Heron (costume buyer, Interstellar, Ender's Game), and other treasured talents discuss and answer questions about your favorite superheroes' costume trials and tribulations.
The past decade has seen an explosion in the number and scope of journalism - from the rise of citizen-journalism to blogging to vloggers, podcasters, and online-only news sources. Nationally-known writers and hosts Mary Anne Butler (AggressiveComix.com), Jeff Bond (Geek Magazine), Aaron Sagers (Blastr, Syfy), moderator Bill Watters (TrekMovie.com, BleedingCool.com), and a few surprise guests will talk about the role new-media plays between readers and their beats. If you've ever wanted to find out about the trials and tribulations behind the scenes or how to find out more about becoming a writer as well.
Comic-Con special guest and Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Jonathan Case (The New Deal) presents an in-depth look at creating and publishing your first graphic novel. Explore one book's tumultuous journey from conception to delivery as Case offers anecdotes about the creation and promotion of his first book, Dear Creature (returning to print this fall as a deluxe hardcover from Dark Horse Comics).
Del Rey has been publishing some of the best science fiction and fantasy since 1977. Del Rey editor Michael Braff and authors Pierce Brown (Red Rising), Indra Das (The Devourers), Jason Hough (Zero World), Sylvain Neuvel (Sleeping Giants), Scott Sigler (The Generations Trilogy), and Alan Smale (Clash of Eagles) discuss current projects and preview other books to come in 2016 and 2017 from Terry Brooks, China Mieville, Naomi Novik, Star Wars, Minecraft, StarCraft, and more.
Home to some of the industry's biggest names in fantasy, Harper Voyager is also a breeding ground for new talent. This fall, they will announce such stellar additions to their list as Sarah Beth Durst, Amy S. Foster, and Patrick Hemstreet, as well as publish horrific new tales from the likes of Brom and Richard Kadrey. Experience the latest in teen fiction from the publishers of Red Queen and Divergent.Immerse yourself in everything from epic blood rebellions to teenage clones as HarperCollins presents what's hot on the forefront of YA. Get ready to grab plenty of Epic Reads giveaways, limited-edition goodies, and advance copies. Panelists include Stephanie Hoover, Shawn Nicholls, David Pomerico, and Gina Rizzo.
Shimajiro and the Mother Tree Isamu Hirabayashi Meant to be a child's first movie experience, Shimajiro and the Mother Tree combines sing-alongs, puppet animation, and traditional anime. (A)(Japan)
The Adventures of Pelican Pete: A Bird Is Born Dani Bowman A pelican egg hatches into young Pete. (A) (USA)
Somebody Needs You Dani Bowman/Ruth Elliott A little girl thinks she's not important, until she looks around to find she is needed wherever she goes. (A) (USA)
The Big-Headed Boy Nelson Fernandes A big-headed boy learns to make his way in the world. (A) (Portugal)
The Worm Alex Rafael Rose Why is there a worm on your arm? (A) (USA)
Arctic Adventure Reed McFeeley Two penguin friends cross a dangerous ice floe. (A) (USA)
Friends Christophe Defaye/Oliver Defaye A shy musical note meets other musical notes and discovers that singing with friends extends the melody. (A) (France)
Rosso Papavero Martin Smatana One starry night, a boy's circus dreams come true. (A) (Slovakia)
Otter of the Underground Christina Benenati When their goldmine experiences a mysterious power outage, Otter and Mole's journey to restore the mine spirals into a wild adventure. (A) (USA)
Heads or Tails Kate Isenberg Sometimes you just take a chance on life and love. (A) (USA)
Made by Children! Various A few short animated films from around the world made by children, presented in partnership with the Varazdin Croatia Animation Festival. (A) (Global)
Exquisite Zombies: Stampede Yak Films/ Animation by Yasmine Joyner, Nick Mastrangelo, Daniel Graf, Takahiro Masuda, Maria-Clara Santos, Stephanie Delazeri, Gabrielle Todisco A series of eclectic street dance moves performed by various dancers. Animators added their unique touch of artistry to each performance.Highlighting the growing trend of creative connection across the digital space and turning dance moves into messages in cinematic bottles sent across theglobe. (L/A) (USA)
I Bee-Lieve You Can Fly Jabril Mack A bee and his buddy form a dream team, building their confidence. (A) (USA)
Alex and Sylvia Christian Lachel When Sylvia, a successful scientist, must take over her grandmother's small-town bread bakery, she discovers that life sometimes has different plans foryou. (A) (USA)
The Family Blend: Scoobeeman Begins Sebastian Foxworth Someone has stolen some peanut-butter cups and it's up to a (possible) hero to retrieve them. (A) (USA)
The Wishing Well Rod Maxwell One woman's quest for love takes her to a wishing well. An all-time festival favorite. Directed by and starring Rod Maxwell, star of the Syfy Channelseries Face Off. Rod Maxwell in person at the screening! (L/A) (USA)
Isa and the Frog Prince Yinxiang Huang After Isa says her frog is a prince, she is challenged to prove it. (A) (USA)
Aunt Marulan and the Magic Soap Michelle Lia Captain Longtail needs Lisa's help to find his remaining crew, who have been turned into soap figurines. (A) (Australia)
Theodora Henry Chaisson/Travis Bogosian A resourceful young girl prepares dinner for a friend. (A) (USA)
Otter of the Underground Christina Benenati When their goldmine experiences a mysterious power outage, Otter and Mole's journey to restore the mine spirals into a wild adventure. (A) (USA)
Hey Deer! Ors Barczy A deer shovels snow at his home. Suddenly, something extraordinary happens. (A) (Hungary)
Best of Fest Various A few of the best worldwide short films and animation from the last 13 years of the festivals, to close things out. (L/A) (Global)
