How will you spend your last day at Comic-Con?

8 JULY 2018

Two weeks from tonight, the San Diego Convention Center will close its doors to you and you'll be left to plot and hope and hoodoo your way into a 2019 badge. Hard to believe, isn't it? On the one hand, we can't say Comic-Con came up fast this year when we've had our badges since last year - but on the other hand, this protracted waiting has altered my inner clock and probably some of yours.

Let's look at Sunday programming. First-timers, Sunday is known for a few things - there are a lot of panels and activities for children, there's a slightly lighter schedule overall, and there are also plenty of sweet deals to be had in the Exhibit Hall. It's also the day Hall H turns into a magnet for several obsessive fandoms, like Supernatural.

We'll start there.

Hollywood

Hall H brings you Riverdale, Supernatural, Mayans MC/Sons of Anarchy and Legion. Many, many attendees will spend all their Hall H capital on this day so you'll really need to be prepared if you want to get in - never mind get a good seat.

So many appealing premieres in 6BCF! Scooby Doo and the Gourmet Ghost kicks off the day at 10 with real celebrity chef voice actors. DC Super Hero Girls: Legend of Atlantis premiers at 12:15 and that's followed by Aquaman: Rage of Atlantis at 1:45 pm. Everyone there will get an exclusive mini LEGO figure.

Super Asian America talks about the gains made in Hollywood at 2:45 in 5AB.

Westworld science and the mysteries of human nature will be discussed in the Marriott at 3 pm. 

Finally, you can end the day with Buffy's musical episode at 3:45 in room 6BCF.


 Nerd Life

Are your kids ready to break out their best costumes? Go to the Indigo Ballroom at 11:30 for the Cartoon Network Costume Ball, with prizes, activities and clips from favorite shows.

Costuming and Cosplay Support for the Mature Player is in the Marriott at noon. This sounds like the broadest panel topic ever, promising to cover the history of comic culture, dating, bullying in your community, family and oh yes, cosplay.

Starship Smackdown XXV is in 6A at 2:45 pm.

If you're a shipper - regardless of whether your ardor applies to TV shows, books, gaming or movies - you'll want to go to the Marriott at 2 to talk about "how psychological factors influence character pairing preferences."

Diversity in tech and gaming gets examined at 2 in 24ABC.


Creatives


The annual Winner Twins panel on How to Create Your Own Novel is back at 10:30 in room 8.

Kids of all ages get a manga tutorial at noon in room 11.

If you want to brush up your interviewing skills, go to Proper Pitching and Promoting at 1 pm in room 2.

Are your bambinos interested in drawing cartoon characters? There's a workshop for them in room 11 at 2.

If you're trying to make a creative career happen but have limited free time, report to 24ABC at 4 pm for the annual panel, Full Time Creative Work on a Part Time Schedule.

And if you're a game dev or writer trying to create effective VR narratives, go to 28DE at 4 pm.



Comics

The Beatles: Yellow Submarine is now a graphic novel. Room 25ABC at 10:00.

Or you can pay homage to Jack Kirby at 10 in room 5AB.

You can unleash your X-Men love in at 11:15 in room 5AB and get a special variant comic.

Social justice warriors and comics: it's the panel you've been waiting for. 11:30 am in room 2.

Your kids can yell out suggestions to artists who will draw their wishes at 1:30 in 23ABC.

What's the connection between mental health and comics? You can find out in room 2 at 2:30.

A pretty cool panel closes out the day: the comic book origins of Black Panther. 4:00 in 32AB.


Miscellaneous

The Christian Comic Arts Society will talk about their faith at 10:00 in 28DE.

If you haven't yet had enough panels on how to make a living being nerdy, there's another one in the Marriott at 10.

This is intriguing: are you burning with curiosity about the Comic-Con Museum? You can get a look at it by going to room 29AB at noon.

And finally, we have what some might call the most important panel of SDCC - Talkback, where CCI president John Rogers invites your most candid feedback. You can give him the gift of honesty at 3:30 in 23ABC.


So - the verdict is in and yes, this is a mild year. Frankly, I'm all about it. But if you're not, remember that next year is San Diego Comic-Con's 50th anniversary - and I'm sure you'll get all kinds of flash and dazzle then. For now, enjoy the fact that you'll probably encounter shorter lines and have more time to spend with your friends.

Sunday programming

9 JULY 2017

It’s Sunday: kid’s day at Comic Con, the day of the best dealer’s floor deals, and the time to say goodbye. What do we have to console ourselves with?

Hollywood

 

Hall H is business as usual: Supernatural kicks off at 10:30; The Last Ship takes over at 11:45 and then there’s BBC Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency at 1 and finally Doctor Who at 2.

What a nice way to start the day: Carrie Fisher gets a special tribute at 10 in room 6DE.

Steven Universe shows new art and hosts a Q&A. 10 in room 29AB.

World premiere time: Marvel Animation's newest series, Marvel's Spider-Man ! room 6A at 10:15.

It’s a Scooby-Doo Blowout Beach Bash involving Ghost Pirates. 10:30 at 6BCF.

It’s a very Buffy year. If you didn’t get enough at the Buffy Fandom party the night before, you can talk slayers at noon in 7AB.

Another world premiere: LEGO DC Super Hero Girls: Brain Drain. 12:15 in 6BCF.

Firefly fans are meeting at 1 in the Marriott.

Stephen King’s bestselling novel Mrs. Mercedes is becoming a TV show, and you can meet the cast at 1:30 in room 8.

Starship Smackdown is back in the ultimate fan battle: 2:15 in room 6A.

More Buffy, this time with your favorite episode: end your Con on a high note in 3:15 in room 6BCF.

Kids

At the Cartooning Snack Shop, kids learn to draw cartoon characters using fruit as models. In room 11 at 10.

IDW Kids’ Panel is at 10 in room 23ABC.

 For all ages: Disney veterans show How to Make A Comic in room 2 at 10.

Creating Comics with Kids offers a hands-on workshops for your school-age youngsters. Room 11 at 11.

“Monsters, Mayhem, Magic, and Machines for the Next Generation” is at 11 in 28DE.

Find out how to use colored pencils in a hands-on event at 2 in room 28DE. All ages are welcome.

Comics

I actually forgot we were getting an Emily the Strange film. Creators talk about the film and the comic in room 32AB at 10.

The Lumberjanes panel is at 10 in room 25ABC.

We have another Jack Kirby panel at 10 in room 5AB.

“Comics Beyond the Wall”  feature Eisner Award winners Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon on “how everything can be mixed together to end up with something unique and outstanding.” Room 29AB at 11.

Marvel ResurrXion talks X-Men at 11:15 in 5AB.

Show off your Korra knowledge in a panel and trivia game at noon in room 24ABC.

There’s a CBLDF Live Art Jam at 12:15 in 5AB.

Find out “what it's like working as a woman in comics today and what it means for the future of the industry” by talking to Marvel women at 12:30 in 6DE.

What’s going on with comics in Latin America? Find out in “Chicano Comics” at 1 in 25ABC.

YA authors tell “What’s Hot in Young Adult Fiction!” 1:00 in room 29AB.

Get a look at upcoming Image Comics projects at 1:45 in room 5AB.

ComiXology peddles their Unlimited subscription service in “So You Want to Start Reading 

Comics?” while writers tell you where to get started. 2:00 in room 29AB.

Some comics promote global awareness and support for the UN's sustainable development goals. Join the cause in “United Nations + Comics = Saving the World” at 2:30 in 23ABC.

“Women Creators Breaking Stereotypes” talks about “creating female heroes, what they think about when creating a female lead or collaborating on female superheroes, and what they foresee happening to female stereotypes in the future.” 3:00 in room 32AB.

  

Nerd Culture

The Christian Comic Arts Society is meeting at 10 in 28DE.

Duff Goldman from Food Network talks about: the explosion in popularity of nerd-themed cakes and weddings, how Instagram changed the way we view food.” Marriott at 11.

We talk about diversity, but has there been an impact on comics creatively? Economically? Find out in “A Conversation about Inclusivity and Diversity” at 11:30 in room 8.

“Mental Health and Comics” talks about reversing the stigma of mental illness in room 2 at 11:30.

“Bizarre States” explores “the weird, wacky, and wonderful world of the paranormal, true crime, occult, and just plain odd.”  Yep, that’s a Sunday panel. 1:00 in 6A. 

How do you raise heroic girls? A panel of experts will decide. In the Marriott at 2.

Super Asian America will talk whitewashing, the success of Asian leads and other relevant topics. 3:00 in 29AB.

Creative

“How to Create Your Own Novel” features the Winner Twins in Room 8 at 10:30.

“Capturing Teen Angst” features Mark Waid, Erica Henderson and other adolescent experts at 11 in room 25ABC.

The “triumphs, sorrows, tricks, and craft of illustrating comics.”  At 11 in room 24ABC.

Fanfic writers can discuss its “healing, restorative qualities for readers, writers, and fans.” Noon at the Marriott.

If you dream of writing fantasy novels that one day show up at a multiplex, visit room 8 at 12:30.

“Full-Time Creative Work on a Part-Time Schedule” is at 4 in room 24ABC. 1 attendee will win a year’s subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Moving Beyond the Strong Female Character: how to get “Well-written, fully-developed women in their media.” 4:00 in 32AB.

Polish your pitching and self-promotion skills at 12:30 in room 2.

How did DC writers and artists break into comics? Find out in room 6DE at 1:45.

Science

“Science Fiction, Science Future” features the Fleet Science Center, Andy Weir and other sci fi writers to talk about the future. Room 6DE at 11:15.

You can find out how to build your own droid at noon in room 11. This panel claims it will be “fully functional.”

Pessimists and dystopia fans, go to room 25ABC at noon to discuss how “The Future is Bleak”.

“No Tow Trucks Beyond Mars” has NASA brainiacs sharing “adventures of real-life solar system exploration.” 2:00 in room 32AB.

CCI

Here’s your chance to dialogue with CCI on a very primal level and share all those bloodthirsty thoughts you had during the hotel sale. “Comic-Con Talk Back” gifts you CCI president John Rogers, who wants to hear your most honest and brutal thoughts. 3:30 in 23ABC.

And that's it! We're released back into our regular lives and worrying about Returning Registration.

So what do you think of the panels overall?  I'll share my thoughts tomorrow.

Sunday panels are up

10 JULY 2016

How will we spend our last day at Comic-Con? It's Kids' Day, which means we have a lot of panels for youngsters - but some of those will draw oldsters as well. Let's look at the Sunday programming.


Hall H: A short but mighty day in Hall H: Sherlock kicks off at 10, Supernatural follows at 11:15, and then Fox rolls out Prison Break and 24:Legacy.

So you can do Hall H and swoop in for all those sweet Sunday deals in the Exhibit Hall.  We also have...


Kids

"The Great Draw-Off" will have color commentary and sound effects, plus a lot of names you might recognize. 10 in 30CDE.

IDW thinks Kids Rule, which is why they're only letting kids ask the questions about their favorite comics. 10 in room 4.

"How To Make a Comic" is an all-ages workshop. Room 2 at 10.

The how-tos of drawing cartoons: creative kids can learn how at 11 in 30CDE.

Or they can just laugh a lot instead at a panel on hilarious children's books. 11 in 25ABC.

Free comics for all attendees in "Monster Battle Time" at 11. You tell the artists what monster to draw and they obey.

If you want to build your own R2-D2 - and who doesn't - there's a workshop just for you at noon in 30CDE.

Steampunk crafts for kids: they'll get a hat or bracelet/keychain project. 30CDE at 1.

Kids draw their own superheroes at 3 in room 2.


Hollywood

DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year premieres at 10 in 6BCF.

And so does Batman Unlimited: Mech vs Mutants at 12:15 in 6BC.

Firefly fans are gathering at 1 in the Marriott.

Your Comic-Con friend John Barrowman will be in 6BCF at 2.

Are you ready for the next Starship Smackdown? 2:15 in 6A.

Animaniacs Live! is in 6DE at 3.

The always popular Buffy Musical: Once More with Feeling is back and it's in 6BCF in 3:15.


Comics, Gaming & Collectibles

"Camp out with Lumberjanes" will discuss both the original series and the new Gotham Academy crossover. 10 in 25ABC.

"Emily The Strange" returns at the same time in 32AB.

Discuss Harry Potter fandom and more at 10:15 in 6A.

Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba muse on how they're changing the world with comics. 11 in 28DE.

Do you want a LEGO Green Arrow minifigure? Or to find out more about LEGO dimensions?
Go to 6DE at 11:15.

At the same time: a Spider-Man panel on Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy in 5AB.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is at noon in 24ABC.

Skybound has another panel at noon in 7AB.

"The Complete Wimmen's Comics" features a number of cartoonists and discusses the comic series that covered the taboo side of womanhood. The interesting side. Noon in 28AB.

Are you a fan of Dead Rising? Come to room 8 at 12:30 and discuss the game and the movie.

It's not often you get Derf Backderf, Kate Beaton and Chester Brown all in one room. This will be a discussion on "researching and writing comics inspired by history" which means you can ask Backderf about being high school friends with Jeffrey Dahmer.

Sailor Moon is at 1 in 6A.

"The 50-Year Mission: Star Trek" is at 1 in 25ABC.

Are you reading Marvel's comics about Disney "theme park storytelling?" Room 8 at 1:30.

Comixology hosts another AMA at 2 in 29AB.

If you're a pin collector, you might want to go to "Disney Pin Trading & Collecting" at 3 in the Marriott.


Nerd Culture 

The Christian Comic Arts Society is meeting at 10 in 28DE.

Pay tribute to Jack Kirby and hear about his influence at 10 in 5AB.

How are writers creating worlds beyond Western cultures? Find out at noon in 28DE.

"Bisexuality and Beyond" is at 3in 28DE.

"Super Asian America" is also at 3 in 29AB.


Creative

Practice your pitch before Comic Creators Connection at 10 in the Santa Rosa room at the Marriott.

If you want to "create" your own novel, television series or film franchise - this is for the ambitious - room 8 at 10:30 holds all the answers.

"Are you fan enough to make comics?" Challenge extended. This panel on illustrating comics is in 24ABC at 11.

Another panel on pitching, but this one also covers interviewing and "how to make an opportunity when there isn't one." Room 2 at 11:30.

And we also get another panel on VR storytelling in 23ABC at 1:30.

Do you write children's books? Lit agents tell all at 2 in 24ABC.

Are you doing full-time creative work on a part-time schedule? Anyone who attends this panel on managing the struggling artist's life gets a one-year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Another panel on careers in gaming. Room 29AB at 4.


San Diego Comic-Con Feedback

SDCC sits down for its annual performance review. CCI Board of Directors President John Rogers wants to hear your most candid thoughts and honest opinions about this year's event. That includes the hotel sale, registration, parking, the new RFID badges, all of it. Don't hold back! CCI welcomes your tough love. 3:30 in 23ABC.



So.... a typical Sunday in terms of topics, but still kind of light? Yes, Sunday has always been light. But this year it feels a tad lighter than usual. A fun day for kids but the only panel I'd hit is the bisexual one and I'll probably be on the road by 3.

First-timers, I wasn't kidding about Sunday deals - vendors do not want to ship a lot of stuff home, so they'll be offering some great sales. If you don't see one, haggle deftly but politely. This is something to keep in mind on Weds and Thursday when you're in that first flush of Veruca Salt "I want it now" thirst for everything you see. Plenty of it will be marked down by Sunday - and of course, some of it will be gone, too. Use your best judgement.

So Comic-Con panels have been announced. How do you feel, now that the bones of your agenda are falling into place? Still glad you have a badge? Shifting priorities?

I'll post my thoughts on the programming tomorrow.

Sunday programming is live

28 JUNE 2015



Sunday programming is up. You know what that means; the last day of the Con is just 2 weeks away.

My summary in a bit.

ECCC Sunday programming

1 MARCH 2015




The final day of Emerald City is lighter than the two preceding days but still pretty good; probably a day for sleeping in and doing the Exhibit Hall for those of you who will be camped out in the Main Hall on Friday and Saturday.

Creative

Not as many creative panels today, after the bonanza that Friday and Saturday offered.

Hire Me! From Comics Fan to Comics Professional is in Hall D at 12:30PM: "the knowledge you need to get foot in the door and become a comics industry rock star."

What Makes Fantasy Epic? Hall B at 1:30PM: how authors create complex and engaging worlds.

Tabletop Game Prototyping Workshop in in Hall J at 2:00PM. People should bring in their prototypes to learn how to make an attractive and professional-looking game prototype without being a graphic designer or spending a fortune.

Bad Ass Business Lady in Hall G at 2:10PM will have Marissa Louise, Georgia Webber, Jen van Meter, and Gwendolyn Lynch talking business.

 

Cosplay

Cosplay Q and A with Ivy Doomkitty and Friends is in Hall J at 12:00PM.

Prop & Mask Making 101 is in Hall I at12:50PM. Crash course on how to make, and wear, masks and props of all shapes and sizes.

Working with Worbla is in Hall I at 3:50PM.

Comics

#Graphix10: Past, Present, Future is in Hall E at 10:50AM: the depletion in graphic novels and comic books for younger readers.

I Say A Little Prayer: Hearbreakers Gillen and McKelvie is in Hall A at 11:00AM. Q&A with Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie

Q&A with Michael A. Stackpole is in Hall B at 11:30AM.

Marvel Animation Presents in Hall C at 12:00PM offers an exclusive first look at the future of Marvel Animation.

Science Fact In Comics is in Hall F at 12:30PM. The real science underpinning some great new books and how artists bring speculative scientific ideas to life

Redesigning Heroes for the Modern World in Hall A at 1:00PM talks about reinventing modern superhero costumes.

IDW Presents: The New Class of Licensed Comics is in Hall C at 1:00PM with Kate Leth, Corinna Bechko, Jody Houser, Editors Dafna Pleban and Shannon Waters, Chris Roberson, and Gabriel Hardman.

The Complete Graphic Novel: From Idea to Market is in Hall G at 1:10PM. Panelists will discuss idea structure, talent searches and important, oft overlooked business issues.

10 Years of Mouse Guard will be celebrated in Hall D at 1:30PM.

Marvel: Next Big Thing is in Hall C at 2:00PM. Marvel's VP of International Development C.B. Cebulski and Executive Editor Mike Marts, Kieron Gillen (Darth Vader), Terry Dodson (Princess Leia), Stacey Lee (Silk), Robbi Rodriguez (Spider-Gwen).

Image Comics Presents: Something For Everybody. Hall D at 2:30PM: Ivan Brandon (Drifter), Kelly Sue DeConnick (Bitch Planet), Jay Faerber (Copperhead), and Megan Levens (Madame Frankenstein).

DC Entertainment Master Class: Art History. Hall C at 3:00P. What it's like drawing for DC.

By Design: Fantagraphics Books in Hall C at 4:00PM will talk about the challenges inherent in visually interpreting narrative art, translating archival comics into today's marketplace, and more.

 

Cultural

Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations in Hall B at 10:30AM will talk about writing compelling characters who aren’t you.

They're Coming to Get You, Barbra: The Appeal of Horror in Hall A at 12:00PM will explore the popularity of horror in entertainment.

Transmedia Storytelling in Hall B at 12:30PM will cover “storytelling and fan interaction across various media.”

Reinventing Iconic Monsters is in Hall B at 2:30PM. Creating fresh monster stories

The Future of Fandom Conventions in Hall F at 2:30PM will discuss the evolving business, technology and culture of fan conventions.

Exploring the Human Condition with Robots and Monsters in Hall E at 2:50PM has Evan Dahm (Vattu), Blue Delliquanti (O Human Star), Kory Bing (Skin Deep), Sfe Monster (Eth's Skin), and Diana Nock (The Intrepid Girlbot).

Women in the Gaming Industry in Hall I at 2:50PM: Panelists include The Lady Planeswalkers Society, Wizards of the Coast, Microsoft (Xbox), Valve, Riot, Signal Studios, and more.

Discussing Diversity and Representation in Fantasy and Sci-fi Comics is in Hall E at 3:50PM.

Hollywood

The Doctor in Hall D at 10:30AM will feature a participatory and unscripted time traveling comedy.

Michael Bell: The Voice of Afternoon Cartoons will be in Hall A at 4:00PM.

Personhood in Battlestar Galactica in Hall G at 4:10PM - Cylons, racial slurs, and humanity in BSG.

The Main Hall has a shorter day, but a pretty strong one all the same:

11: Stan Lee

12: Curtis Armstrong: The Scribe of God
1: Scott Wilson

2: Firefly with Gina Torres and Morena Baccarin
3: John Barrowman


And that's it for Emerald City. On the whole, the preponderance of comic panels is to be expected and should make ECCC an attractive contender for comic book nerds tired of the SDCC drama. Most of the cultural panels seem characterized by women and diversity while writing clearly dominates the creative panels; I like all of these things but I do wonder if other people would like more variety.

Of course, ReedPOP's influence could change Emerald City quite a bit next year. My best guess would be that they'll keep the comic book focus and progressive slant while amping up the starpower and bringing more of a focus on gaming. We'll see. For now, 2015 looks rather incredible.

Sunday programming is up

14 JULY 2014




The final day of the Con is up. Those of you who only nabbed a Sunday badge will hopefully feel reassured that you're in for a fun day.


My summary will be up this afternoon.

Outlook for Sunday

20 JULY 2013

So ready to go home tomorrow.

We know what's the top attraction on Sunday; that would be Hall H, with Supernatural at 10, followed by Breaking Bad at 11:15, Doctor Who 50th Anniversary at 12:30, Community at 1:50, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia at 3 and finally Sons of Anarchy at 3:50.

If you're a parent who brought your kids to the Con, you probably already know that it's Kids' Day, and there is a ton of panels and movies and workshops for them.

Neil Gaiman's spotlight panel is today. Actually, I'm going to list all of them: Adam Hughes, Jerry Ordway, Charlotte Fullerton, Dan Jurgens, Ted Naifeh. The line for the Sandman panel today was massive, so line up early for Neil if you can't go home without seeing him.

George R. R. Martin discusses his new Skin Trade comic book series at noon in 25ABC. I've heard 5 strangers mention this so far.

If you didn't get enough of Jim Lee's panel yesterday or the 75th anniversary Superman panel, you can drink your fill of both at Superman at 10:00 in 6DE.

Did you go to a live art show this weekend? I feel like these used to be more of a thing. In any case, you can watch live art being made and bid on the pieces at the CBLDF's "Banned Comics Jam" with Jeffrey Brown, Chris Burnham, Terry Moore, Tim Seeley and others at 12:15 in 5AB.

More Jim Lee at 3:00 in room 2. This time he'll impart his drawing genius to you.

A reprise of  the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode Once More with Feeling closes out Comic-Con again at 3:30 in 6BCF.

And finally: now that you've experienced Comic-Con in all its frustrating, illogical, maddening reality, you can share your thoughts with president John Rogers at 3:30 in 23ABC. He wants to hear them; he wants you to be as candid and raw and direct as possible; he wants you to pour your heart out as you expound on your experience with Registration Day, Hotel Day, picking up your badge, all of it. He is waiting and ready to dialogue with you on a very honest and primal level.

And if none of that sounds good, prowl through the Exhibit Hall one final time to get all the good markdowns, then go do the attractions around town or hit the beach. That last can go far to soothe the Con-ravaged soul.