Saturday at SDCC

6 JULY 2019

Saturday panels went up today. That's 3 of 4 days, which was enough for several people to contact me and weigh in. So far it's an even distribution between people who think this year is great and those who think it's not quite worthy of a year 50 Comic-Con. What do you think?

Big rooms:

Hall H: Not quite as tight as Friday, but still good. Star Trek, Westworld, EW's "Women Who Kick Ass" and finally Marvel before Kevin Smith. I wish Marvel was earlier in the day, before Westworld, but it is what it is.

Ballroom 20: Excellent day. Once you're in, you'll never leave: you'll see Batwoman's pilot, the Simpsons, American Dad, Family Guy, Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl and more.

Indigo: Mixed blessings in here. I think all of these will appeal to people, but not necessarily the same people. The Magicians, Wynonna Earp, DC Universe, Snowpiercer, The Good Place, The Expanse.

And then we have....

In the new genre of How Comic-Con Used To Be

Memories of the First Comic-Con is at 10:00 am. Originals from 1970 share their memories in room 28DE. 

Then we have Comic-Con in the 1990s – from people who were there, of course – in room 8 at 12:30 pm.

There’s also a panel on the background of Comic-Con awards like the Eisners and the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer award. 5:30 pm in room 7AB.

I really hope Sunday has a panel on Comic-Con’s future. Not the annual talk back session, but an actual panel where CCI talks about what we can expect going forward. As in, the Cons we’ll actually attend, rather than the ones that happened before we were born. Or maybe they can have a panel revealing all the shady secretive CCI things that we always suspected but have never been able to confirm. Don’t get me wrong, I think all these “Comic-Cons of Yore” panels are cool but they’re beginning to seem like the only way CCI knows how to mark their 50^th birthday. Have a mid-life crisis and do something wild, CCI!

Movies and TV

Jetson fans: you can see “remastered footage and giveaways” at 10:00 am in room 6A.

The Horton Grand is rich with spoils today. Starting off: actual Sesame Street characters do improv at 11:30. Later Sesame Street talks about its future in room 6BCF at 2:45.

Scooby-Doo was born the same year as SDCC and will celebrate that in room 6A at 12:30 pm.

If you’ve ever wondered how Mean Girls would work in iambic pentameter, you can see a Shakespearian version at the Horton at 2:30 pm.

My heart pounds just typing this: Guillermo del Toro and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark will be at the Horton at 4:00 and we’ll get to see “an original monster created specifically for the film.” If the only way I could get tickets to this is Mephistopheles showing up in my room at the Marriott, I’d probably go for it.

Bear McCreary presents his musical genius in room 25ABC at 5:00 pm.

Joe Hill returns to talk about his NOS4A2 show in room 6A at 5:30. The book was a hit but the show has earned mixed reviews so far; I still think the panel is worth it.

What We Do in the Shadows, labeled here as “TV's #1 vampire comedy,” will be in room 6BCF at 6:30

Science, Kind Of

The Art of Infection. Go to the Marriott at 3:00 pm and squirm as you imagine “real-life outbreaks of fictional infectious diseases.”

Another 50 year panel: engineers who actually built Apollo 11 will share “rare photos” and somehow tie old comics into it. Room 5AB at 3:30 pm.

Fleet Science Center experts tell you the truth about time travel and the quantum realm in room 25ABC at 6:00 pm.

What happened this year in space? Find out from “some of the leading scientists in the cosmology world” in room 25ABC at 8:00 pm.

Nerd Culture and Comics

What’s happening in the Dark Horse world? Find out at 11:00am in room 23ABC.

Watch a historical slideshow on Jack Kirby’s life in room 7AB at 11:00 am.

Star Wars Fan Groups (beyond just the 501st Legion) meet at the museum at noon.

One of the top panels this year: George Takei talks about his new graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy, about being a kid in American internment camps. Thank god that would never happen today! Room 25ABC at 2:00pm. I feel like this needs a bigger room.

J. Michael Straczynski shares his autobiography, which debuts at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore at SDCC, at 1 pm in room 7AB. Later he shares his writing wizard secrets in room 2 at 7:30 pm.

Chris Ware is back at 1:30 in room 8.

You can find out about the latest Marvel comics news at 1:45 pm in room 6A.

Geek Travel: do you know the secrets? 2:00 pm at the museum theatre.

Usagi Yojimbo, your favorite samurai rabbit, takes center stage at 3:00 pm in room 28DE.

Fantagraphics is always a good panel, and they’ll be in 26AB at 4:30.

The annual LGBTQ panel is back to celebrate the 50^th year of Stonewall. This will be followed by the usual mixer, hence why this runs from 7:00pm - 9:00pm. In room 29AB.

And now it’s Saturday night. What should you do?

The Horton serves up a screening of Kiki’s Delivery Service – but with trivia and prizes. 7:00 pm.

Or you can go see Kevin Smith in Hall H. This has been a walk-in before so don’t let the Hall H part intimidate you. Marvel fans will clear out and go get dinner after camping all day. Then you can see the world premiere of Shooting Clerks in room 5AB at 10:00 pm.

Crunchyroll prepares you for new anime and gives you a “special gift.” 8:30 pm in room 7AB.

 And that brings us to Sunday.

Saturday programming is up; are you into it?

7 JULY 2018

Saturday - it's the most crowded, odiferous day at San Diego Comic-Con and the first day to sell out each year. So does this year's programming live up to it? I found Thursday and Friday more to my liking, but maybe you feel otherwise.

Let's look.


Hollywood

In the big rooms, we have Hall H letting Warner essentially dominate the day. Deadpool 2, "Women Who Kick Ass" - this is a humdrum Hall H Saturday over all. But that's good news for fans who will have an easier time getting in to see their favorites.

Indigo Ballroom is a mixed bag. The Good Place, TV Fan Favorites, The Magicians and Cosmo - we can expect different fan demographics to pass in and out of the room today. Twin Peaks tops out the day at 8 and I'm thinking it'll be fairly accessible.


Then we have Ballroom 20, which seems to yield the most consistently good time. Black Lightning, The Simpsons, American Dad, The Flash, Supergirl, Arrow, etc - if you're tired of trudging around the Con by Saturday, you can park yourself in here and enjoy a day of passive entertainment.

While I'm hearing mixed things about it, you can see Matt Groenig's new Netflix show Disenchantment in room 6A at 5:30 pm.

Kevin Smith returns to Hall H at 6:45 pm. Yes, this is probably a walk-in.

Are you one of those people who's never seen My Neighbor Totoro from Studio Ghibli? Then go watch it at the Horton at 7.

Nightmare Before Christmas fans who watched movie on Friday night can hear the creative team speak tonight at 7:45 pm in 6BCF.

You can also catch an uncut screening of Deadpool 2 at 10 pm at the Horton.

Comics and Anime

One of the shining gems of the day is Kohei Horikoshi talking about My Hero Academia and doing a live drawing. 11:15 am in room 6A.

IDW reveals their upcoming secrets in room at 1 in 25ABC. Or you can hear about the next big developments in Marvel comics at 1:45 - room 6A.

Did you know there's a Ray Bradbury Experience Museum? I didn't. The owner will discuss Ray's career in comics at 2 in room 9.

Yoshitaka Amano graces Comic-Con in room 24ABC at 2:30. Get there early.

 Latinx comic creators expand your mind at 3 in room 28DE.

Skybound writers talk about their work and the comics industry at 4 in room 8.

You can hear about alternative comics from various creators in 26AB at 4:30 pm.

Have you always wanted to get into manga? Go to this 101 panel at 5 pm in 28DE.

If you like to mix activism with your comic book life, at 8 pm you can go to Radical Activism in Comics in 23ABC - and if you're an LGB comic nerd, you can see the Prism Awards at the same time in 29AB.

Funimation favorites get highlighted at 7:30 in 7AB.

What's Crunchy Roll got up its sleeve? You can find out at 8:30 in room 7AB.


Creatives

Themes - they're not just for English 101 term papers. Find out what they mean for writers like you at 10 am in room 2.

Comic writers, find out how to better communicate with your artist in room 11 at 2.

How ever will you break into comics? You have two shots at discovering: in room 4 at 11 am and at 3:30 pm in room 2.

Special guests tell you how to draw distinctive characters at 4 in 23ABC. You can also get better at figure drawing at 6 in room 11.

Self-publishing comes in for examination at 6:30 in room 2.

Nerd Life

Are you tired of being accused of being a fake geek girl? Of walking into comic shops and hearing snide remarks? Come and revel in your outage at 10 am in 29AB.

We also have several cosplay panels, including the ubiquitous how to be body positive panel and special focus panels on Doctor Who and Star Wars.

Disability, race and gender in comics come under a microscope at 10 am in room 4.

Remember the annual "Gays in Comics" panel? It's still at 6 pm but it's bowed to the inevitable influence of our ever-expanding acronym and changed its name to "Out in Comics." It's in 29AB and will be followed by a mixer in the second hour.


Miscellaneous


Frankenstein turns 200 this year and everyone is feeling the morbid love. Talk about his influence at 10 am in room 7AB.

NASA scientists want to tell you about their alien-hunting activities at 4:30 in 24ABC. Weirdly, they refer to Jabba the Hut as an alien.

Genetic Mutations! Will our grandchildren be part wizard? The Fleet Science Center will tell you at 6 pm in room 25ABC.




So those are some Saturday highlights. What do you think? I think it's the lightest day so far. But, even though I was planning on leaving SDCC Saturday night this year, the NASA panel at 4:30 and Twin Peaks at 8 may change my mind.

I know there have been many complaints that Comic-Con didn't bring the Hall H starpower this year. I feel like the programming thus far pretty much bears that out. I'm okay with that; but I know those of you who wanted to dwell in Marvel and HBO and AMC big screen glory may be feeling shortchanged. Try to look at that as opening up your SDCC schedule for more spontaneity. You will find something to do and I'm sure by Sunday evening, you'll feel satisfied.

I hope so, anyhow.

A look at Saturday programming

8 JULY 2017

Saturday: it's often the most obnoxious day at the Con. It seems more crowded, the Exhibit Hall smells like a swamp, and when you step out for a break, the Gaslamp is jam-packed with outsiders. Sometimes the only thing you can do is escape into a panel or five, and today offers plenty of options.

The Big Rooms
 

Hall H shows it’s almost as good as Friday with Warner Bros., that EW Women Who Kick Ass panel at 2, then Stranger Things at 3 and Westworld at 4:15. Marvel comes in at 5:30. 

Ballroom 20 has a very big day. Once Upon a time kicks off at 10, followed by Riverdale at 11; we’ll see some people leave after that, which could make room for fans of Simpsons at 12, Family Guy and American Dad at 1, Star Trek at 2:30, Supergirl at 3:30, Legends of Tomorrow at 4:10, Black Lightning at 4:50, then Flash and Arrow. At night we have the Masquerade.

Indigo goes in several directions. We have Saturday morning cartoons at 10 and Cartoon Network at 10:50. Then we have The Originals at 12, Krypton at 1:15, Lucifer at 1:50, Gotham at 2:50 and The Magicians at 4. The Expanse follows at 5, then there’s the Guilt 10^th Anniversary Reunion and then – coming out of left field – Broad City at 7.

Hollywood

Room 6BCF starts out with the case of Critical Role at 10:30 and then Quick Draw panel at 11:45. Then we go to Cartoon Voices at 1 – then we have panels for Happy!, the Midnight, Texas premiere, TV Guide Favorites at 5:30 and then Seth Rogen’s Future Man. I’d expect traffic in and out all day.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is in 25ABC at 10.

Univision talks about their first multicultural animated special for US and Mexico at 10 in Room 6a.

Find out “the deep dark secrets” of “Inside the Writers’ Room" with various TV luminaries at 10 in room 24ABC.

You can see a sneak peak of SpongeBob’s new Halloween special at 11:15 in 6A.

Are you a fan of old monster and dinosaur flicks? Come to “Warner Archive’s Monsters from Hell” at 11:30 in room 5AB.

“The Science of Rick and Morty” features Nerdist’s Kyle Hill in 7AB at 2.

Line up early: Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously is at 2:05 at the film festival in the Marriott.

Wynonna Earp has a strong SDCC fanbase, so expect this 2:30 panel in room 5AB to involve a line.

Mystery Science Theatre 3000 comes to the Horton at 3.

Did you read the creepy little gem that was My Friend Dahmer? It’s now a film and you can see the teaser at the Horton at 4:30.

The cast and crew of new Syfy horror series Ghost Wars will be in 6A at 5:30.

Indie horror fans can see sneak peeks of upcoming movies in 23ABC at 6.

 

Nerd Culture

“Comics Are for Everyone” will tackle “the intersections of disability, race and gender”  at 10 in room 4.

“The Business of Geek Fashion” is at 10 in the Marriott.

Did you know not all women are about shoe shopping and kittens? Shocking!... To someone, apparently. You can come meet “Women on the Dark Side” at noon in 28DE.

You can see a tour of Forrest Ackerman’s “Ackermansion” which shows his massive collection of horror and fantasy props, costumes and magazines. 12:30 in the Marriott.

Or you can visit “Women and Writers of Color Breaking Barriers” at 4 in room 4 to discuss “what issues they continue to face, and what it will take before there is real change.”

“The Most Dangerous Women at Comic-Con” talk about creating richer female characters at 6 in the Marriott.

Cosplay

Learn about “Costume Design for Screen” and ask questions at 11 in room 23aBC.

You don't have to be Irina Shayk to pull off your cosplay. Find out how to be cospositive and strut with confidence at noon in the Marriott.

“Makeup Effects for Cosplay” will show “how to create a character makeup using generic foam latex prosthetics.” Marriott at 2.

 

Science

“Space… The Final Escape” talks about why we keep writing stories set far from earth. Literary cosmonauts should report to room 7AB at 10.

You can join me at the Horton at noon to see “Rising Stars in Tech: Drivers of Innovation and Entertainment” and talk VR, AR, AI, robotics and sustainable tech with leading companies.

“Living in the Future” will talk robots, planetary matters and more. 23ABC at 3.

Comics, Books and Collectibles

Skybound talks about their latest comics in room 29AB at 10.

Congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis, recently called "all talk" by our president, is back with his March trilogy co-creators. They'll talk about their graphic novel, the first to win the National Book Award, Coretta Scott King Book Award, Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, the first since Maus to be a New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller, and the first book in history to receive four simultaneous awards from the American Library Association. At 10 in 23ABC.

If you want to talk Justice League characters, go to room 6DE at 10.

Diamond Minimates gets the spotlight “with prizes for the best questions” in room 8 at 10:30.

First must-see panel of the day for me: Roxane Gay sharing her brilliance in room 5AB at 10:30.

Top Cow founders will reminisce and hand out a special limited-edition comic at 11 in room 9.

Or maybe you want to reminisce about Will Eisner’s The Spirit at 11 in room 4.

Crackdown 3 news is shared at 11 in room 7AB.

CBLDF talks activism in comics at noon in room 11.

DC Essential helps comic book neophytes take those first steps into full-blown addiction. Room 6DE at 11:15.

Kevin Eastman talks about “the events of IDW's biggest summer of TMNT publishing ever!” at 11:30 in room 24ABC.

If you want to talk Japanese manga and get free books and promo items, report to room 8 at 11:30.

Disney is certainly a presence this year and now they’re previewing Disney Comics at noon in room 25ABC.

Memoir, biography, history and journalism on the page get discussed at noon in room 29AB.

Aspen Comics has its usual panel in room 4 at noon.

BOOM! shares previews and news at 12:30 in room 24ABC.

Calling all you Harley fans: you can celebrate her 25th birthday with some of her creators in room 6DE at12:30.

Marvel animation offers “eyefuls of never-before-seen information and sneak peeks-plus, as always, some surprise guests who'll reveal waaay too much!” room 6A at 12:30. 

The Archie comics panel is at 1 in room 4. Given the success of the Riverdale show and comics, this might be more crowded than it usually is.

CBLDF wants to protect comic shops “from police visits and community complaints.” At 1 in room 11.

Celebrate Jack Kirby’s 100th birthday at 1 in room 25ABC.

Image tantalizes you with upcoming titles in room 7AB at 1.

Sailor Moon fans will get news, updates and special guests at 1:30 in room 5AB.

If you like comics but steer clear of superheroes and their superpowers, visit Unconventional Comics at 1:30 in room 8.

Jack Kirby gets another panel with a multimedia retrospective at 2 in room 29AB. Why is this back to back in a different room with his other panel?

Drawn & Quarterly previews upcoming books at 2:30 in room 8.

Doctor Who and Torchwood Comics are on deck in room 5AB at 3:30.

Oh look, it’s Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman having a chat. Room 6DE at 3:30.

Mark Waid, Gail Simone and Erica Henderson talk about revitalizing old comics at 4 in room 23ABC.

Find out about Hasbro Marvel Legends line in room 25ABC at 5.

 “DC Master Class” has your favorite artists sharing their new projects. Room 6DE at 6.

It’s Kevin Eastman again and he’s in room 5AB at 6.

There’s a Magic: The Gathering panel in 24ABC at 6:30.

Creative

Maxwell Alexander Drake is back to help you “improve your craft” as a writer at 10 in room 2.

Comic Creator Connection All-Stars “will focus the discussion on how each team built a successful creative partnership from their first handshake to their first draft to their first sale.” 10:00 in 28DE. If you're attending the Sunday session, you might want to take in this panel.

 

See “advanced cutting-edge 3D and computer graphics comic art techniques that will speed up and improve your storytelling” in room 2 at 11:30.

Are you a genre bender? Come to room 28DE at 1 to “discuss the benefits and tricks of genre blending.”

Do you live a creative lifestyle? Are you inspired, disciplined and healthy? Report to room 29AB at 1 for help if not.

J. Michael Straczynski  will share his knowledge via a Q&A format in “Writing for Television, Film and Comics.” Room 11 at 2.

If you're an indie game developer, learn the keys to success at 6 in room 4.

Evening

The annual Gays in Comics is back at 6 in room 29AB. The usual mixer will follow, along with the art auction. Don't be too literal about the title - this is for the BTQ nerds too.

This X-Files panel calls itself a conversation between David Duchovny and Dirk Maggs, which doesn’t tell us what we want to know: will Gillian Anderson be there? 6:45 in room 6A.

Bronies can celebrate their unholy love at the Marriott at 7.

You can join “the Dark Horse Celebration of Diversity” at 5:30 in room 8.

The Arkham Sessions podcast is in room 25ABC at 7.

Channel Zero is back with the premiere of the second season. At the Horton at 8.

Crunchyroll dispenses anime details and special gifts in room 25ABC at 8.

The Temple of Art documentary about various comic giants will be in room 29AB at 8.

You can see the next episode of Blood Drive (new Syfy series where cars run on human blood) at 9:30 at the Horton.

I know how my Saturday looks; how about you? Syfy seems to have its claws firmly in SDCC, there's obviously a bad girl theme happening, and comics panels stay strong. It's not the most exciting day but I would think everyone can find something they like. I know some people will attempt the triple hat-trick of catching Riverdale in Ballroom 20 in the morning and then making it into Hall H for Stranger Things but... well, good luck with that. 

So far I'd say Friday is the best day of panels. (I apologize for my post vanishing, but I don't have time to rewrite it.) But Saturday certainly isn't weak by any means - and if you've done Thursday and Friday, this can be a great day to hit the pool or beach or just meet your friends for an afternoon of drinking. Or just nap so you're fresh for the debauchery of Saturday night.

Tomorrow we'll find out about Sunday. Stay tuned.

Saturday panels are up

9 JULY 2016

Panels for Saturday, what used to be considered THE day at San Diego Comic-Con, have been posted. At this point, we all have a pretty good idea about what our Con will look like.

So what do we have today?

Hall H: Warner Bros opens the day at 11:30 with the Star Trek panel at 2. Aliens 30th anniversary is at 3:15, followed by EW's Women Who Kick Ass. Then prodigal son Marvel Studios returns at 5:30 and finally Kevin Smith at 7. Please show up for him this time after you heartlessly rejected him last year.

Ballroom 20: There's.... Once Upon a Time at 10, The Vampire Diaries at 11, The Simpsons at 12, followed by Family Guy 1 at 1, American Dad at 1:45, Grim at 2:30, and then Supergirl at 3:30. Legends of Tomorrow follows at 4:15, then The Flash at 5 and Arrow at 5:45. At that point they will clear the room for the Masquerade later that night.

Indigo: We Bare Bears is at 10, followed by Powerpuff Girls; then we have Blindspot at 12, The Originals at 12:50, Lucifer at 1:30 and Gotham at 2:10. Then Syfy rolls in with The Expanse at 3 and The Magicians at 4. Son of Zorn is at 5, followed by Last Man on Earth at 6 and then the screening of Incorporated at 7.

Your call on which of those rooms is the best spend of your day. We also have...


Hollywood

Nickelodeon plunges you into the 90s in 6A at 11:15. SO popular this will be.

It's Monster High time at 11:30 in 5AB. A fan costume contest will offer "fantastic prizes."

Crack open "The Roddenberry Vault" at 12:30 in 5AB for rare Star Trek clips and photos.

Did you know "tomorrow's movie production super-triangle" is Hollywood, Bollywood and Dubai? Me neither. But you can find all about financing, shooting & other practical details in 23ABC at 1.

Or you can revel in the "Kaiju Kingdom Podcast" at 1 in the library.

What's it like to make and sell a TV pilot? Find out at 1:30 in 24ABC.

"Women Rocking Hollywood" is at 2 in 25ABC.

Disney XD fans will see exclusive clips of Pickle and Peanut and Future Worm at 2:30 in 5AB.

What a long line we'll have: Wynonna Earp is at 2:30 in 24ABC.

At the exact same time, HBO's Vice Principals appears in the Horton.

Just 15 minutes later at 2:45: Scooby-Doo and WWE in 6BCF.

The 10th annual Lost panel is at 3 in the library. Yes, THAT Lost. 

Everyone who attends this panel gets a free model Starship: "Star Trek The Official Starships Collection" in 28DE at 3.

Bear McCreary is honored for his musical genius at 3:30 in room 8.

Want to discuss Game of Thrones - books and show - with other superfans? Go to the library at 4.

Also at 4: BBC's new Dirk Gently show with Elijah Wood.

If you missed the Timeless pilot on Preview Night, you can see it at 4:15 in 6A.

Talk about Outcast with Robert Kirkman at 5:15 in 6BCF.

In the Horton at 5:30: The Final Girls, with "a surprise slate of actual final girls from horror film history."



Comics, Gaming & Collectibles

The graphic novels of Avatar the Last Airbender is at 10 in 25ABC - and there will be a cosplay contest.

Find out how DC is teaming up with other companies and universes to create interesting crossovers. 6DE at 10.

"Dig Deep" explores the complex subjects tackled in YA and kids' graphic novels. 28DE at 10.

John Lewis is back with March: Book Three, exclusively available at SDCC right now. So if you missed him last year, report to 23ABC at 10.

Mexican comics and media: learn all about them at 11 in room 4.

Or you can find out about the comics of the future, like ones with motion sensors, at 11 in 29AB.

Marvel games, comics and more are in 7AB at 11.

Top Cow talks future and current comics at 11 in room 9.

Titan comics wants to give you "lots of free books and exclusive promo items." 11:30 in room 8.


"Reading without Walls" is at noon in 29AB.

Boom! wants you to discover new worlds at 12:30 in 24ABC.

If you're vision-impaired and looking for new games, movies and comics, head over to room 2 at 12:30.

How is the YA genre changing? Find out in 28DE at 1.

Archie celebrates its 75th anniversary and maybe, just maybe, offers up a cast member from Riverdale. Which shows later tonight. Room 4 at 1.

Image is "Riffing on Reality" at 1 in 7AB.

Kids' comics: what is "so awesome" about them? Find out in 29AB at 1.

TMNT everything is in 25ABC at 1 with Kevin Eastman and crew.

Or you can see Pokemon creators in the Horton at 1 and take home a poster.

Invader Zim and Jhonen Vasquez tell "horrible, horrible secrets" in 29AB at 2.

Drawn & Quarterly gives you a groundbreaking group of their cartoonists at 2:30 in room 8.

Dark Horse will show off unannounced work from "some of the biggest names in and outside the industry." 3 in 7AB.

ComiXology is at 3 also in 29AB. And so is Wonder Woman's 75th birthday party in 6DE.

Celebrate 20 years of Tomb Raider at 3:30 in 24ABC.

Or opt to celebrate 40 years of Fantagraphic at the same time in 26AB.

Or choose Doctor Who and Torchwood comics at 3:30 in 5AB.

Skybound takes over 6DE at 4:14.

Are your "jaws agape and minds blown away" from REBIRTH - "the biggest event of 2016"? DC thinks so. And they want you to come to 6DE at 5:30 and join "the industry's most creative and influential people!" I feel unworthy.

Magic: The Gathering gives you head designer Mark Rosewater in 7AB at 6:30.

Black Comix takes over 28DE at 8.



Cosplay

Are you a cosplayer who wants to help your community? Find out how at 11 in the Marriott.

"Adding Dimension to Your Cosplay Makeup" is at 2 in the Marriott. Designer Cosplay follows at 3.

Cosplay storytelling is in 6DE at 6:45.

Nerd Culture

"The Business of Geek Fashion" features not only Ashley Eckstein of Her Universe but panelists from WeLoveFine and Hot Topic. 10 in the Marriott.

Celebrate Famous Monsters of Filmland and its editor Forrest J Ackerman at 10:30 in 6BCF.

Do you want to start "Investing in Original Art"? Get the 411 in 24ABC at 10:30.

"Rise of the Fangirls:" 25ABC at 11.

Do you want that "chiseled superhero physique?" Report to the Marriott at noon.


"The Female Geek" is at noon in 7AB.

Nerdiest News Live is at 4 in the Horton.

"The Changing Landscape of Comics, Geekdom and Fanboy Culture" is at 4 in the Marriott. At 6 in the same room: "The Evolution of Geek Culture."

"Crazy Talk: Mental Health, Pop Culture and Empowerment" is at 5:30 in 24ABC.

Remember when this panel was called "Gays in Comics?" Now it's "Gays (and more) in Comics (and more)"- but you get the drift. 6-8 in 29AB and will maybe include the usual mixer although I didn't see that mentioned.


Science

I love how CCI starts this panel with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. We know who he is, CCI. And we're thrilled he and others "will discuss how universes are formed with imagination and science." A live painting exhibition will happen too. Horton at 11:30.

"NASA & Angry Birds on a Journey to Mars:" this includes not only NASA's "best and brightest" but a special preview of the new NASA and Angry Birds short. 1:30 in 5 AB.

Trek Talks is at 6 in room 5AB: find out how NASA's vision of the future mimics the world of Star Trek.

New science programs will amaze and dazzle you in "Turning Science Fiction into Science Fact" at 6 in 30CDE.

And if they don't, maybe "The Rise of Machine Intelligence" will at 7 in 25ABC. 

 
Creative

How do you launch and sustain a career in writing animation? Find out at 10 in room 9.

The 3-act story structure is explored in room 2 at 10.

"Take your Ideas to 3D Sculpts and Prints" is at 11:15 in room 2.

"Career Paths into Game Development" is at noon in 28DE. If you can't make that, try "How to Get a Job in Video Games" at 6 in 25ABC.

DIY Comics is at noon in 25ABC.

The profession of storyboarding: room 9 at 1.

Kim Jung Gi helps you draw your imagination at 1:30 in room 2.

Find out how to "Get Your Artwork/Graphic Novel Published with only Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator" at 3 in 30CDE.

Are you an untalented hack? You can learn to draw anyhow thanks to Wei Xu, Ph.D. if you go to 30CDE at 5.

Find out how to make your own documentary on a minimal budget in room 2 at 6.


Evening

It's date night at Comic-Con! Did you get invited to the EW party? Me neither. But there's still a lot to do...

You can settle in for a night of TV pilots: The Riverdale pilot is at 6:30 in 6BCF, followed by Frequency at 7:25, followed by Time after Time.

Ash vs. Evil Dead is in 6A at 6:45. This is not the Season 2 premiere - that's at 10 in 6DE.

You can see a screening of new series Designated Survivor with Kiefer Sutherland and Maggie Q and Kal Penn at the Horton at 7.

You can see the full Final Fantasy trailer and some footage at 7:30 in 7AB.

If you want to honor the memory of one of comics' brightest talents, the Darwyn Cooke Tribute is at 8 in 25ABC.

This is at the same time: a discussion of 3 different films featuring Neil Gaiman in 29AB. 3, really?

Ah, Mystery Science Theatre 3000. It's back at 8:30 in 24ABC.

And so is - of course - the Masquerade. Ballroom 20. If you can't get into this, you can watch in on big screens in the Sails Pavilion and elsewhere.




This day has a scientific and nerdy bent that I quite like, but several friends have expressed boredom. And I think I know why; if you go to SDCC every year, some of the panels seem repetitive. The same titles, the same panelists. I'll talk more about that when I summarize the entire programming but for now I will say that I saw some fresh content - and as always, Comic-Con is what you make it.

If you weren't wild about today's panels, that's not necessarily terrible. You'll probably have an intense Thursday and Friday, so sleep in Saturday, eat a leisurely hotel breakfast and relax a bit. Hit up NerdHQ. Or see if someone with Saturday Conan tickets will adopt you. (Again - people WILL change their mind about Conan once they're too tired to get out of bed that morning, or have a panel they can't miss.) That said, I wouldn't recommend dedicating all of Saturday to offsites because you'll be competing with locals who've come on down to see the sights.

Tomorrow will bring the final panels, including Kids Day. What's your favorite day so far?

Saturday programming is up

27 JUNE 2015


Saturday panels are live. I'll post my summary in a while.

ECCC Saturday programming

28 FEBRUARY 2015



As might be expected, Saturday at Emerald City brings a lot to choose from.

Creative Panels

While Friday was a writer’s day, Saturday’s creative panels are a little more spread out. 

 
People in the comics industry or visual arts will like:

Building a Career in Comics: The First Stretch - Hall G at 11:10AM

Advanced Digital Inking with Brian Haberlin in Hall D at 11:30AM
Cover Artist Confidential in Hall A at 12:00PM
The Role of the Artist on the Electronic Frontier in Hall F at 12:30PM
ComiXology Submit: The Future of Self-Publishing - Hall E at 2:50PM

Draw Your Imagination in Hall F at 4:30PM -

In Brief: Writing Short Comics - Hall G at 6:10PM – “anthologies, backup stories, digital shorts."

 

Any creative can benefit from these:
 

Trapped in an Elevator: How to Pitch Your Idea. Hall B at 10:30AM

How to Be a Nerd for a Living: Your Career in Nerd Culture in Hall E at 11:50AM.

Defense Against the Dark ARCs: Dealing with Trolls, Controversy and Criticism in Hall B at 3:30PM. “When to turn the other cheek, when to respond, and how to avoid making yourself a bigger target.”
 

Gigs and Careers in Fandom and Geek Culture in Hall E at 4:50PM. “Gender, race, and age from the perspective of women working in the fan industry, as well as forging a freelance career."

How to be a Negotiation Ninja! In Hall G at 5:10PM.

 

Writers might like Finding the Story in Hall B in 1:30PM or Beyond the Children's Section in Hall B at 2:30PM which will cover “the specific characteristics of the young adult market."

There's also Designing and Writing for Video Games in Hall I at 4:50PM.


Cosplay

Building Your Next Epic Cosplay Costume! Part 1 is in Hall I at 10:50AM.

Cos Fit in Hall J at 1:00PM tackles fitness for Cosplayers and nerds of all kinds.

Body Confidence and Positivity in Cosplay in Hall J at 2:00PM addresses body image, skin color, age, crossplay (Rule 63), and more.

Building your Next Epic Cosplay Costume! Part 2 is in Hall I at 2:50PM.

 

 

Cultural

 

We have a whole bunch of general/cultural panels, with quite a few on diversity.

How Can You Help Diversity in Gaming? is in Hall J at 12:00PM.

Nerd Rock Jamfest in Hall G at 12:10PM will have three bands from the growing Nerd Rock movement.

Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Gaming Spaces is in Hall I at 12:50PM.

Convention Horror Stories in Hall E at 1:50PM promises to be “ridiculous, embarrassing, always entertaining.”  18+

Gothic Charm School: In Real Life! In Hall I at 1:50PM. Jillian Venters shares her black-clad wisdom.

God is Disappointed in You (The Sequel) is in Hall C at 2:00PM for “an hour of unforgettable irreverence, including Q&A, audience sketches, and the hilarious-yet-accurate "ten-minute Bible."

It's a (Straight White Cisgendered) Man's World is in Hall I at 3:50PM. People from tech, video game, board game and other industries tell you what’s like to share that world.

Incredible Girl Presents: Geeks and Kink in Hall D at 5:30PM. “The correlation between loving sci-fi and fantasy and loving BDSM and other alternative sexualities.” 18+

The Realm of You: How media has positively affected the LGBTQIA community.  Hall E at 6:50PM. Themes of LGBTQIA life in movies, games, and other mediums.

 

Comics, Books, Collectibles
 

No surprise: there are a big number of comic-related panels.

Fight Club 2 in Hall D at 10:30AM will have Chuck Palahniuk, Dave and Cameron Stewart and other Dark Horses go beyond Tyler Durden.

Image Comics Presents: Your New Favorite Comics is in Hall C at 11:00AM.  Frank Barbiere (Five Ghosts), Matt Fraction (Sex Criminals), Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine), Brandon Graham (Prophet), and Kurtis J. Wiebe (Rat Queens).

Star Wars Action Figures is in Hall F at 11:30AM. The history of Star Wars figures from their beginnings to today.  

Celebrating Will Eisner's The Spirit at 75 is in Hall D at 12:30PM.

DC Entertainment All Access: Weeklies Coverage will be in Hall C at 1:00PM and discuss the upcoming Convergence with James Tynion IV, Marguerite Bennett, Ray Fawkes, Dan Jurgens, and Jeff King. I feel like James Tynion is the king of panels this year at ECCC.

Push Diversity Forward: The Continuing Rise of Webcomics. Hall D at 2:30PM: “the unique opportunities webcomics provide in terms of diversity both in content and readership, and how webcomics are affecting the comic book industry as a whole.”

Marvel: From Black Vortex to Secret Wars is in Hall C at 3:00PM. Bring your questions about upcoming Marvel events - Guardians of the Galaxy and X-Men Crossover: The Black Vortex, Secret Wars, and more.

Rat Queens Social Club in Hall D at 3:30PM will feature series writer Kurtis J. Wiebe.

Comics in the Real World: The Non-Fiction Revolution! In Hall F at 3:30PM: the explosion of non-fiction/historical-fiction titles.

Reinventing Horror in Hall E at 3:50PM will talk about revitalizing the genre. Matt Pizzolo, Cullen Bunn, Brandon Seifert, Kaare Andrews, and Rachel Deering.

Behind the Scenes with Titmouse Animation in Hall C at 4:00PM. Jim Mahfood talks the animation projects behind Titmouse, Inc, including television shows, feature films, and video games.

DC Comics: Champions of Justice is in Hall D at 4:30PM.

Oni Press Launch Panel in Hall C at 5:00PM will have a game show-style panel full of surprises.

The Valiant Comics: 25th Anniversary Celebration will be in Hall C at 6:00.
 

The Mignolaverse: Hellboy and Beyond in Hall C at 7:00PM will have Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, Max Fiumara, Scott Allie, Dave Stewart, and Tyler Crook.

 

Hollywood
 

I think the today is going to bring a bigger crowd than Friday.

 

There are two fan discussions: Teen Wolf in Hall E at 10:50AM and Red Dwarf in Hall J at 3:00PM.
 
The Voices of the Avatar in Hall A at 11:00AM has Janet Varney, Dante Basco, and Steve Blum.

Veronica Taylor is in Hall A at 3:00PM, followed by Finn Jones at 4 and then Janet Varney at 5.

Expect lines for the Main Hall today to see:

11:  Anthony Daniels: The Golden Droid

12:  Amanda Tapping

1: Steven Yeun
2: Gina Torres
3: Patrick warburton
4: LeVar Burton
5: Orlando Jones
6: Clark Gregg and Chloe Bennet
 

 

 

After dark, you have:

She Makes Comics: A Documentary Celebration of Women in Comics. Hall A at 6:00PM. A film telling the storied history of women in comics.
 

The Real Nerds of Comedy in Hall F at 6:30PM. Stand-up comedy that celebrates nerds and nerd culture. 16+

Steampunk Murder Mystery in Hall I at 7:00PM.

Of Dice And Men: Screening and Q&A in Hall G at 7:10PM. A screening of the film about tabletop roleplaying gamers Of Dice And Men and a Q&A with members of the cast and crew.

 

All in all, a good day. I'll probably be at more of the cultural panels than anything else. If anything surprises me, it's the lack of Star Wars. Maybe the organizers figured with Star Wars Celebration right around the corner, all the hardcore Star Wars fans would go there? I did think we'd see a little more emphasis in that direction. But that's not a complaint - ECCC has shown in its programming exactly why it's so beloved by comic fans.