What do you think of Thursday and Friday panels?

 7 JULY 2023

We're in those magic days when CCI releases the line-up of SDCC panels. So far we have slightly more than half the Con. Let's review.

Wednesday

Preview Night shows include:

• World premier of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake
• New episodes of Riverdale and Teen Titans Go!
• Screenings of Mrs. Davis and Superpowered: the DC Story. 

Thursday

CCI served up some changes this year. Archer is today in Ballroom 20 and not on Friday in the Indigo Ballroom? Tegan and Sara created a graphic novel about middle school? 

Overall, today confirmed that SDCC is moving in a ReedPop direction in terms of offering more pop culture that is not as tethered to traditional concepts of nerddom. Take Cruel Summer, for instance. That's been happening for a while but it feels more and more pronounced as time goes on. Like I can't imagine a Friends or Pretty Little Liars panel in Hall H back in the day when I first went to Comic-Con, but now I absolutely think one would fit right in.

Ballroom 20 is decent, offering Ghosts, Archer, What We Do in the Shadows and Twisted Metal. 

Hall H is scant - that's the only word for it. There are just 3 panels: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Project K (which does look interesting) and Spider-Man 2. If you're looking for Kevin Smith, he's in room 6BCF.

CCI continues their much-appreciated efforts to bring forth marginalized voices, with panels presenting Indigenous, neurodiverse, Indian, and LGBTQ perspectives. Even Mormon gaming culture gets a panel.

We've always had creative panels on Thursdays, and this year that includes practical advice on freelance tax tips (something I know from personal experience very few tax advisors understand) and financial management for creatives.

Overall, this feels like a scattershot day. It's good news in that you should be able to access most any panel you want. And if this is your first day in the Con, you'll have plenty of time to ransack the Exhibit Hall and wander off to cross offsites off your list. Maybe even go to the Comic-Con Museum.

Friday

There have been years where Friday offered up riches that made Saturday look tepid. This year is not one of them. It's interesting, for sure; some of the smaller literary and comic panels caught my eye and who knew that Jamie Lee Curtis wrote an eco horror graphic novel or that Disney is collaborating with the ghost of Ernest Hemingway. (Answer - everyone but me, probably.) 

But I can't pretend that this is one of those Fridays where Ballroom 20, Indigo, and Hall H are blazing with beautiful options. I think we can call this a dilettante's Comic-Con, where you can safely weave in and out of panels, the Exhibit Hall, offsites, and social events without committing too much time in any one spot. I don't mean that as a bad thing; I think people might actually come out of this with a higher net satisfaction because they won't be spending 12 hours waiting for just one thing.

Here are a few highlights.

Todd McFarlane, Junji Ito, Ben Templesmith, and Jim Lee all have panels.

Today offers up good Star Wars and Star Trek content. Special shoutout to my friends' panel, Star Wars Fandom in the Immersive Frontier, which you absolutely will want to attend in your best Sith Lord finery. 

Today seems the official spooky day. A new paranormal series calls Haunted Discoveries premieres tonight; there's also a panel called Mary Shelley Presents, the title of which made my soul twinge, and several horror comic panels. Madelaine Petsch's new film trilogy The Strangers has a panel too, which will be catnip for every Cheryl Blossom fan. Show up early.

While Thursday has also been a ripe day for creatives, this Friday offers lots of good how-to panels on storyboarding, breaking into comics, ghostwriting, comic writing, fiction writing, designing tabletop games, cosplay, podcasting and a whole lot more. Put your genius hat on!

I haven't watched Invincible but I know people who like it, and I suspect the panel with Robert Kirkman and hopefully Steven Yeun and maybe Sandra Oh will be super popular.

Hall H offers up 3 panels again - and one of them is from Collider. Ouch. You'll see Haunted Mansion footage and get a Creator poster, true. Then there's the Walking Dead universe and Entertainment Weekly's Brave Warriors which is code for your TV boyfriends.

The Indigo Ballroom offers up a decent day with Rick and Morty, Bob's Burgers and Metalocalypse, among others. 

The sun goes down and multiple entertainment options rise up:

Justice League Warworld premieres. These DC premieres are a Friday night staple and it's nice to see them continue. If I wasn't going to Mosh Eisley, I would go to this.

Or maybe I would go to the 8:15 premiere of Sand Land from the creator of DragonBall, which also should entice anime fans. 

The Eisners are tonight and so is a Christian mixer.

And so is a panel that says it is NOT a special screening of Invincible Season 2. I'm convinced!

So.... there's half the programming. So far I'm seeing about 40% of attendees insist this is as good as every other year and 60% say ".....Oh." And then there are the uncounted attendees who maintain a diplomatic silence.

The other day I was reminiscing about the years we hustled back and forth between Nerd HQ and Conan and ScareDiego and other events that made SDCC feel like such a rich, nonstop party. I think the absence of those is contributing to a sort of empty feeling many of us have - without them, we naturally look to official Con programming so much more. 

And I think that programming is still quite good, if lacking the "It" factor of earlier years.There's a huge difference between looking at the programming as a whole and experiencing panels one by one. I'm sure the Big Room attendees, who spend the entire Con in Ballroom 20, Hall H, or Indigo, have thoughts about this year. But that just means they now have the time to explore something new. 

And as Ted Roosevelt reminded us, comparison is the thief of joy - so we're probably all best served by focusing on this year for what it is. Once we're there, I think SDCC will feel as emotional and exciting as it always does. 

Thursday programming looks good

 8 JULY 2022

So! CCI has offered up half of San Diego Comic Con's programming. What do you think?

Thursday Highlights

Thursday has traditionally been a strong day for creatives and this was somewhat the case again. There are panels for artists, photographers, writers, game creators - both creative and practical, such as maximizing tax deductions for freelancers and getting news coverage. Normally I skip these panels but I am interested in the one about using AI to break through creative barriers.

There is also a fair amount of panels focusing on diversity - from Indigenous storytelling to "supporting LGBTQIA+ and Neurodiverse communities" to increasing diversity in comics.

Unbelievably, the Lost panel came back! I guess the pandemic didn't kill everything. As a former Lost fan, I've long since lost the desire to discuss the show but I appreciate that the flame of fandom can burn for decades in some hearts.

And speaking of fandom.... hats off to whoever put together the genius idea of a Jaws trial panel. Last summer at a random horror Con, I met the actor who played Chrissy, the skinnydipper who got eaten in the opening moments of the movie. She was an interesting woman; it was one of those unexpected Con moments that make everything worthwhile. I love that some devoted Jaws fans created an entire trial to work out their feelings - the intersection of creativity and fan passion is what makes SDCC so irreplaceable. 

The museum gets a few panels as well, including what seems to be a focus on the Archie exhibit. I know I'm being repetitive, but I really hope attendees will make the effort to catch a shuttle over to the museum. I feel like it will probably get overlooked by most, though.

Also nice on Thursday: some brainy science panels that offer explorations of AI, robotics, medicine, futurism, and NASA's next jaunt to the moon.

In terms of the big rooms.... I don't think any of them are unattainable, provided you're willing to do your line time. I very much want to see Beavis and Butt-head Do Comic-Con at 4:45 in Ballroom 20 but will be at the Love and Rockets panel until 4, so that might not work for me. But if you have your heart set on something in Hall H or Ballroom 20, I feel like your standard big room line strategy will suffice.

Once the sun goes down, we've got some exciting options: the annual Kung Fu extravaganza, an advance screening of Harley Quinn season 3 episodes 1 and 2, the "Un-Masquerade" where cosplayers reveal their secrets, and a chance to hear from Spanish comic creators.

All in all, a good day. Onto Friday!

Thursday programming is up

4 JULY 2019

Happy Independence Day. As expected, CCI has pulled back the curtain on Preview Night and Thursday panels - so put Stranger Things 3 on pause and find out how you'll be spending your first full day at San Diego Comic-Con.


Preview Night Thoughts
We already knew what was on deck, but it's still nice to see. Legendary actress Ruby Rose will blow you away with her performance in Batwoman; the Pennyworth pilot will show us young Alfred's adventures in swinging 60's London; The 100 enthusiasts will get a sneak peek and ditto for Rooster Teeth.

I think this sounds like one of the better Preview Night lineups in a while.

Thursday Panels
This is traditionally one of my favorite days at Comic-Con, with the schedule often peppering good comic book and science panels throughout the day. This is not one of those years. But that's okay because the one panel I have fixated on - a Ray Bradbury panel at noon - is at the museum, which reroutes my day in a fun and meaningful way. Of course my only other panel, The Order, is at 12:30 in the Indigo Ballroom, but that's SDCC for you.


Thursday is also a day attendees often devote to offsites, which I think will definitely be the case this year. Anyhow, let's dive in because there are some good options today.

In the big rooms...

Hall H: Terminator starts the day; the 20th anniversary of Batman Beyond sounds fun, and then we have Marvel Games and Agents of SHIELD; then His Dark Materials. I think this is a decent Hall H day that should allow people to actually get in later in the day.

Ballroom 20: I'll say the same here. I think people will come and go, allowing moderate line times. The lineup includes Musical Anatomy of a Superhero, screenings of Evil and Nancy Drew (2 separate shows, unfortunately), followed by the always fun Syfy's Great Debate; Cobra Kai ends the day.


Indigo Ballroom: Van Helsing will draw people in at 11:15, followed by The Order at 12:30, followed by Undone, The Emergence, Stumptown and... Superstore? Wasn't expecting that.


We also have:

Podcasts and YouTube. Funko is having their first live SDCC podcast at 10 in room 6. On the Mic is back at the library at 1, and then a beauty YouTuber takes over at 3.

A few comic creators get their due. That includes a Jim Lee panel in 6DE at 12:45 and Jim Starlin at 10 in room 7AB. Maggie Thompson is in room 32AB at 10, followed by Rick Geary. Robert Kirkman  is at 3 in room 6A.

We have 2 Stan Lee panels. I thought there would be some kind of special memorial event and maybe there is? For now we have a celebration at 2 in room 5AB; then attendees remember him again at 3:30 in 6BCF.

Other good picks:

My Hero Academia in 6BCF at 10:30.

Comic-Con in the 1970s: Silver nerds gather in room 5AB at 11 to fondly recall the old days. This will be us in 30-40 years, albeit on an asteroid where we explain the concept of "California" to skeptical youngsters.

SuperheroIRL: Avengers of Bullying and Injustice: Joe Gatto from Impractical Jokers and friends talk about fighting bullies, racists and generally bad people.

Ray Bradbury and the World of Comics is at the Museum at noon. Come with me.

Dragon Ball Z turns 30 in 6BCF at 2:15....

.... and Ghostbusters turns 35 at 3 in the Museum.

How Science Fiction Shapes Our Reality: Mensa comes to Comic-Con to reveal the future. Room 24AB at 12:30.

Stargate Command sounds like one of those emotionally rewarding fan treats that make some attendees very happy. Room 7AB at 1.

Syfy's The Great Debate is one of the most fun panels you'll ever go to. Ballroom 20 at 3:30.

Batman and the Secret Origin of Bill Finger is in 23ABC at 4.

Spike and Mike are in 25ABC at room 4.

DC Fireside Chat offers Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo in room 8 at 4:30.

The Art of Ghibli is in the Horton at 4:30. Wish I could go to this.

Geek and Sundry is back in room 7AB at 5.

Nerd Strong talks about living with invisible illnesses in our world. Marriott at 6.

The Shazam Documentary in the Horton at 6 looks amazing.

The Superhero Kung Fu Extravaganza is in room 6A at 8 and I can attest to its funness.

The Banana Splits Movie has its world premiere at 10 in the Horton. I thought I was the only person in the world who knew what the Banana Splits were and now there's a movie about them. Comic-Con is magic.


What are you looking forward to? Is this an inside or outside day for you?

What do you think so far?

19 JULY 2018

So Comic-Con 2018 is fully underway and so far it's been business as usual. What are you thinking?

Preview Night was pretty average. It wasn't quite as capacious as last year but was still manageable in terms of getting around. Once we got in, there was the usual surge of energy and desperation as everyone fought their way to their desired hunting area; then it settled down and people got to their usual ambling and shopping.

I didn't see any of the Ballroom 20 pilots but I did hear favorable reviews for Manifest.

So far the lines haven't been terrible unless you're a first-timer who is shocked, shocked, by all this. I've gotten an earful from my first-timers so far who seem to expect that logic and order should prevail at all times. It doesn't, it won't, it's Comic-Con. Apparently they were told this morning to line up for the C doors, where the staff told them to go down to E, where I met up with them; we were then redirected (after a very long time in the sun) to go back to C. I barely blinked but they were incensed.

I was in panels all morning so I haven't been back in the Exhibit Hall yet but it too seems business as usual. I noticed one of my favorite booths, Bud Plant, is gone completely after shrinking last year. That felt like the end of an era. But a lot of old favorites back and honestly, sometimes it seem even the same merchandise returns every year. I didn't buy anything until 6:47 pm last night, which is probably a record.

As for panels, I heard The Predator panel was fantastic. That's a nice way to start off the Con. I went to Anatomy of a Robot where I sat right in front of Mother, the robot from I AM MOTHER. This is a dystopian SF flick where a little girl is raised by a devoted robot in an underground bunker after humanity perishes. When the girl is a teenager, Hilary Swank busts into their bunker to tell a different story. The trailer looked good; put it on your list. Also saw the National Geographic panel for the second season of Mars, starring my celebrity crush Jihae, with NASA astronaut Leland Melvin and The Martian author Andy Weir.

Overall, I heard that most panels have been accessible.

Good photo ops include the NASA astronaut, Jurassic Park and the Walking Dead. Topic of bar conversation last night: are computerized photo ops as fun as ones with a physical props? We all agreed that the "A real T Rex is about to eat me" looks cool but the ones with mannequins and fake beasts are probably more satisfying to pose in.

I haven't done any offsites yet but am collecting reviews. I did hear the American Horror Story was better than last year's and that Cartman's Escape Room was decent. My friends left the Adult Swim State Park because the humidity got to be too much for them but they'll go back. What people seem to really like: the giant laptop at the Dell activation.

If there's one dynamic that I've walked into both last night and today, it's the split between people who are still peeved that Marvel, HBO and Netflix pulled out and the people who are sick of hearing about it. (Team Over It, personally, but I do understand why the rest of you are still bristling.) Some attendees seemed especially rankled that they bought their badges last year, their hotels in the spring, and then found out in June that their favorite shows and movies won't be here.

All I can say is - that's San Diego Comic-Con. Most Cons, really. It's ultimately a grab bag. But I still think there is plenty here even for those of you who come strictly for Hollywood trailers and panels.

Back to the first timer indignation issue. Maybe I need to run another post on security guards and staffers - because I saw a number of people trying to argue their way inside the convention center or into forbidden areas. Look, I am as anti-authoritarian as anyone, but this is not a fight you will win. You will get further with these people if you're polite and reasonable and accept it when they give you a hard no. Even if you think they're wildly mistaken, it's best just to move on and ask someone else or try another entrance. I'm sure that sounds passive to some of you but ultimately you're here to have a good time, not start a scrap. I've never seen any kind of victory come from antagonizing a staffer or guard but I've seen several bad outcomes. Just my two cents.

I'll report back in a bit.

What do you think of Thursday panels?

5 JULY 2018

Today made it official: we got our first day of programming before ConanCon tickets went on sale. Did you think that would happen? Yeah, me neither.

Before we get into it, I want to say something to first-timers. One of mine (mine in the sense I bought her badge for her) has "only" a Thursday badge. She's no longer sure if she wants to go to SDCC (there's a lot of that this year) because well, it's just one day so why take the train from L.A. and bother with it all.

I know some of you are thinking the same. So let me explain a few things - one, starting out small on your first Comic-Con is a smart move. Doing the Exhibit Hall and a few panels on Thursday, going out Thursday night, then doing the offsites on Friday, is plenty of Con for anyone. You're going to get tired at SDCC, even if you're energetic. Also, skipping this year and waiting for next year is overconfident. You're only eligible for Returning Registration if you actually walk in the doors of Comic-Con. Otherwise you'll be relying only on Open Reg next year and likely winding up with another partial badge or none at all.

Okay, I'm done with my lecture. I just want to stress that yes, SDCC is worth it for one day or the Thursday/Sunday split. Now let's see what Thursday brings us - or at least a few highlights.

Hollywood

Ballroom 20 is a mixed bag. Pokemon, A Discovery of Witches, Bobcat Goldthwaite, Marvel, Charmed - I'm sure some attendees will stay for all of it, but most will stream in and out. Shouldn't be too hard to get into Ballroom 20 today.

Same for Hall H. Obviously you Predator fans will be there, same with Dragon Ball, and we also have Chris Hardwick hosting Doctor Who - kidding! just seeing if you were paying attention - and then Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Wait, what? This is Hall H, not room 6BCF. Well, as someone who slept outside to see an X Files panel years after it went off the air, I suppose I can't judge. All in all, this sounds like an accessible day in Hall H once you manic Whovians get your fix.

Indigo Ballroom is for lovers of paranormal TV and John Barrowman fans. Vampires, mermaids, zombies, soft sci fi, it's all there.

Oh and speaking of the X-Files: you can go to the library at 1pm for "an open conversation on the effects of the plot of the show in the 21st century, "The Scully Effect," and the fandom's self-sufficiency to create a preferable narrative." I.e., if you hated the Cigarette Smoking Man reveal, you can bitch about it/Chris Carter here.

And doubly speaking of shows we used to love, you can go to a Battlestar Galactica panel at 2 pm in room 5AB. You might also win an autographed 700+ page hardcover book about the show. There's also a Westworld panel at 4 pm but apparently it's more about legal this and that than the meaning of the season finale.

Room 6A has a weird but compelling mix of panels: TMNT, the anniversary of 2001: Space Odyssey, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Magnum PI and Kevin Smith.



Comics

Room 23ABC offers a range of comic book content: webcomics, comics journalism, being a comics editor, getting your youngsters started on the comic nerd path and more.

And so does 29AB, with panels on British comics, manga, comics and professional wrestling and more.

You can honor Michael Turner's legacy at 1 pm in room 9.

Do you rely heavily on Comic Buyer's Guide? You can celebrate it at 10:30 in room 4 and stick around to discuss YA comics and women in comics.

Mexican comics get the spotlight at 7:30 pm.

Vampirella is 50! Go to room 8 at 5:30 to celebrate.

Nerd Life

The Marriott Marquis always hosts cosplay and lifestyle panels and this year is no different. Cosplay 101, RPGs, managing your nerd finances, bringing up baby geeks - you could spend all day in here. Solitary attendees, know that these panels can be a better way to make friends than your typical TV pilot or comic creator discussion. If you want to expand your social network at SDCC, consider these.

The Horton Theatre has some comforting panels for you on friendship, mental health, body positivity, woman power and fairytales/speculative fiction.

You can discuss diversity in comics at 11 in room 9.

28DE has several options for rainbow nerds: you can hear about LGBTQ in pop culture at noon and then come back at 5 pm to talk about being black and queer in popular media. 

Are you a feisty Resistance activist? Go to 32AB at 8 pm to meet other "politically engaged geeks."

Creatives

If you were born under the scribbling star, you've got several writing workshops to attend. Some are brought to you by Comic-Con fixture Maxwell Alexander Drake. You can find out how to write action scenes in a novel at 10 in room 2, go to a Writing 101 workshop at 3 in room 11 or go to the Marriott at noon for a 2 hour writing session - followed by a writer's coffeehouse.

Discuss pitching and media relations in room 8 at 10:30 and 11:30.


Room 2 has multiple drawing workshops and digital inking advice, followed by figure drawing advice. Room 11 talks more about digital color at 2 pm.

Letterers, inkers and colorists have their moment at 3 pm in room 9.

Miscellaneous

National Geographic's Mars panel kicks off my day at 11 in room 7AB.

Goths and fans of the English Romantics, please join me in the Mary Shelley panel at 4:30.  Oh, and it's preceded by a Ray Bradbury panel at 3:30, all happening in room 26AB. This is why I love Thursdays.

Curious how MIT geniuses are inspired by comics? Find out about their future breakthroughs at 2:00 in 28DE. Then stick around to hear about the time Snoopy went to his space and NASA played a role in it at 3:00.

Or you can hear from real women scientists - what will they think of next! - including from the Fleet Science Center at 1 in 25ABC.

Favorite title of the day: "Finding Comfort in the Apocalypse." Cory Doctorow, Elizabeth Hand and others want to discuss our imminent mass extinction at 1 pm in 32AB.

Art During The Holocaust will feature an actual camp survivor in room 4 at 1:30.  Real propaganda and art from the era will be shown.

The Science of Cool is at 5 pm in room 5AB, where various scientists wander over from the Tech Pavilion at the Omni (you should go to this, don't skip it) and talk about AI, robotics and more.


So what do you think? I like Thursdays precisely because they dish up science panels; I know some of you consider Thursday your offsite day, but I'm guessing most people will mix up their day, attending a panel or two but also staking their claim on whatever offsite line calls to them the strongest. (Assuming they find one.)

First-timers, one more plea for Thursday. You will get into these panels more easily than say on Saturday. Instead of spending 6 hours in line for 1 panel, you can cruise around the Exhibit Hall and catch your favorite panels and generally maximize your day. Which means I expect to see you Thursday.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Thursday programming is up

6 JULY 2017

Today is the day you've been waiting for: SDCC Thursday programming is up. We've got a tribute to Adam West, a welcome for R.L. Stines, a special Trump panel, creative panels for writers, artists, gamers and more, lots of comic and film sneak peeks, and plenty of nerd games and screenings. Who says Thursday's weak? Not me.... for the most part.


Let's start with Preview Night on Wednesday. If pillaging the Exhibit Hall is not to your taste, you can head up to Ballroom 20 to see some of the year's most anticipated TV pilots. Those would be Deception, Krypton, Black Lightning and an episode of Teen Titans Go.

(People without a PN badge: these pilots will screen a second time during the Con.)


Onto Thursday programming. Let's look at the big rooms:

Hall H: 20th Century Fox gets it all started at 11:30, then we have Brigsby Bear cast and crew at 12:45. The ever-enduring Teen Wolf is at 2, and then Netflix brings us Bright and Death Note at 3:15. Finally we have the Nerdist panel with Chris Hardwick.

Ballroom 20: The Animation Show of Shows starts the day at 10. The "world premiere sneak peak" of Medinah is at 11:45, followed by Syfy's Great Debate and then - be still my fluttering heart - the Battlestar Galactica Reunion at 2:30. The afternoon closes with The Strain at 3:45, Legion at 5 and Marvel's Inhumans at 6:15.

Indigo Ballroom: The 5th Annual Musical Anatomy of a Superhero kicks off at 10, followed by Con favorite John Barrowman at 11. Stitchers is at noon, followed by Shadowhunters at 1; then Colony is back at 2, followed by Van Helsing at 3 and Z Nation at 4. Doctor Who is at 5 and then Sega and Sonic in Concert at 6.

Hollywood

If you don't want to do one of the big rooms, you can still catch some good panels in 6BCF: Voltron is at 10:30. DC Universe movies is at 2:15, Timeless is at 3:30, followed by Ghosted at 4:45 and The Exorcist at 6. 12 Monkeys is at 7:15.

Room 6A also has some good showings: Teen Titans Go! is at 10, followed by Unikitty at 11:15, then Justice League Action at 12:30, followed by Rocko's Modern Life at 1:45 and Batman's 25th anniversary at 4:15. There's also an IMDb panel with our friend Kevin Smith at 5:30.

Women in Animation are in 7AB at 10.

Ghostbusters - the movie and comic book - will be discussed in room 6E at 10:15. "Be there or be slimed."

If you're a Venture Bros fan, report at room 23ABC to talk about the show and art book.

Curious about the creative process behind the various monsters, dragons and creatures in your favorite movies and games? Room 29AB at 11 will discuss Monsters, Mutants and Mysteries.

"Roddenberry Presents" will share "some rarely seen treasures" from the vault and talk Star Trek and an upcoming animation project. Swag is hinted at.

"IFC's Stan Against Evil" will be in 5AB at 2.

Howard Lovecraft and The Undersea Kingdom has a panel at 3 in room32AB. Swag is good: plush toys, shirts and free DVDs.

The Watcher in the Woods is back, and will have an Q&A at 3 in room 7AB.

Spike and Mike have a screening at 4 in room 25ABC. It's appropriate for anyone 10 and up, so this isn't the "sick and twisted" one you may have expected.

Stargate fans can celebrate the fandom at the Marriott at 6 pm.

Comics, Books, Gaming and Collectibles

DC Collectibles is at 10 in Room 9.

DC meets YA at 10 in room 23ABC.

The "kookiest, kraziest" Golden Age comic book heroes are revived from obscurity at 10 in room 28DE.

Are you old enough to remember the 1960s? Underground Comix will be celebrated at 11 in room 9 with oldsters recounting "the artistic, political and pharmaceutical revolutions that transformed comics from the streets of San Francisco to the wilds of Wisconsin."

Hasbro Transformer collectors will gather in room 25ABC at 11.

IDW graphic novels are in 28DE at 11.

Call of Duty brings you Nazi Zombies in room 6BCF at 11:45; Marvel Games follows at 1.

The CBLDF talks censorship in room 11 at noon, followed by "She Changed Comics" at 1.

Room 29AB has a JAKKS Pacific preview at noon.

If you want a free gift, go to the Sherlock Comics panel at noon in 5AB.

Karen Berger and Paul Levitz talk Legion, Vertigo and comics at 12:30 in room 4.

Are you an armchair psychiatrist who wants to diagnose every inpatient at Arkham Asylum? Go to the Marriott at 1.

ComiXology holds an AMA at 2:30 in room 8.

Did you know that Japan has a special relationship with Snoopy? A panel on Peanuts in Japan will be at 3 in room 23ABC.

Robert Kirkman tells all at 3 in room 6A.

Did you see the Gumby comic on the new release shelves yesterday? He's back with his own series, which has a panel at 3:30 in room 26AB.

Marvel shares sneak previews at 4 in room 5AB.

Oh look, R.L. Stine is coming to SDCC for the first time. You can visit him in 6DE at 4:30.

If you like the American Gods comic, come meet some of the creators in room 2 at 4:30.

And you can find out "the challenges of creating, publishing and distributing comic books in Mexico under the shadow of the American industry." 5:30 in room 26AB.

Disney Kingdoms has its own panel at 6 in room 7AB.

Simon & Schuster will hand out swag, prizes and look at the "hottest books and properties" coming your way.

The Femme Magnifique anthology will be featured at 7 pm in room 2.

If you're anticipating Netflix's Castlevania, report to 5AB at 7 for behind the scenes stories from cast and crew.


 

Cosplay

Visit the Marriott for your cosplay education: the annual Cosplay 101 panel will be at 11. Then you can study Doctor Who cosplay at 2.

At 6, you can head to 23ABC for "Masquerade 101" which promises "an overview of fan convention competitions."

And finishing the evening at 8, the 501st Legion talks "Introduction to Villainous Costuming in the Star Wars Universe."


Science

We get to talk about nanotechnology at 1:30 in room 8 - both how it's portrayed in Hollywood and "cutting edge research applications today."
 
"Iron Man Tech" is in room 32AB at 2, featuring "innovations that could have come straight out of Stark Industries." A flying scientist with a jet engine-powered suit will be there.

"Art Heroines" will discuss using science to make art at home. Room 26AB at 4:30.

"Hollyweird Science" will talk about the motivation and inspiration of sci-fi films vs. actual scientific veracity. 7:30 pm in 26AB.

Creative

The illustrious Maxwell Alexander Drake sweeps back into Comic-Con at 10 in room 2 to improve your storytelling skills.

But if you're already an ace writer, you can brush up your PR chops by attending "How to Get News Coverage" at 10:30 am in room 8.

"New Methods in Digital Painting and Coloring" is at 11:30 in room 2.

The first of what I'm sure will be several "Break into Comics" panel is at noon in 28DE.

"The Pitching Hour" is also at noon in 7AB and covers everything from pitch docs to agents to IP law.

But if you're tired of listening at this point, you can do actual writing exercises in the Marriott under the aegis of "The Writer's Danger Room."

Find out how to cross over from web comics to print at 1 in 28DE.

Or find out how to use Adobe to go "From Illustration to Animation" at 1 in room 2.

And yep, here's the second "Break into Comics" and this time it's the "Marvel Way." At 1 in 25ABC.

"Editing Comics" is at 1:30 in room 4.

If you want to learn Jack Kirby's tricks, report to room 2 at 2.

"The Art of Story" as told by Disney is ready to share their story development process. Room 7AB at 2.

You can find out "How to Color Comic Art" at 2 in room 11.

And you can find out how to make comics "the Image Comics way" at 2 in 23ABC, following by a painting panel at 3.

A "Writing 101" panel is in room 11 at 3.

"Creating Immersive Game Story" discusses game story strategy in room 24ABC at 3:30.

The "Be a Financial Superhero" panel is back for creatives who are struggling to balance healthcare and income concerns with the creative life. In the Marriott at 4.

Another "Breaking into Comics" is at 4 in room 11.

At 5, you can find out "Secrets to Greenlight Your Indie Project" at 5 in the Marriott.

"Comics PR and Marketing101" will be in room 8 at 6:30.

"Making a Living Off Your Art" is at 6:30 in 24ABC.

Find out how to brand yourself as an artist at 7:30 in room 8.

Nerd Culture

The Nerdstrong panel on fitness is at 10 in the Marriott.

The first diversity panel of the Con is at 10 with various creators discussing the "diversity of background and thought" in your favorite franchises.

"Intersectional Feminism in Comics" is in room 32AB at noon.

"Raising Fankids" is at noon in the Marriott to help your offspring "grow up nerdy without the negative connotation."

"A Bunch of Jews" will discuss the anthology at 12:30 in 24ABC.

The latest year up for a nerd retrospective is 1987. Room 5AB at 3.

Apparently "Nerd Living" is a thing and this panel will teach you about incorporating nerdery into "crafts, cooking and fashion." At the Marriott at 3.

"Moonlight and Magic" discusses black LGBTQ contributions to sci-fi, comics and genre work at 5 pm in room 28DE.

Rainbow nerds can discuss the "LGBTQ Geek Year in Review" at 6 in 28DE.

The Women in Comics Collective will talk about "Race, Gender and the Comic Book Medium" at 6 in 32AB.

You knew we'd have some kind of Trump panel this year, so here's one: "The Trump Presidential Library Panel" at 6:30 in 26AB. "Can satire keep up with reality?" I'll say no but you'll have to attend this to find out.

If you were hoping for an Adam West tribute at SDCC, go to 6DE at 7 to "celebrate his beloved performance." Lots of special guests for this one and probably a very long line. Hopefully this sparks some1960s Batman cosplay.

"It Gets Geekier" talks about queer representation at 7:30 in 24ABC.

Are you trying to hold gaming tournaments in your comic shop?  "Successful Gaming Tournaments" will explain how at 7 in 28DE.

Evening

When the sun goes down, there's still plenty to do - mostly game shows and screenings.

Play the Fan Game Show is at 8 in room 32AB, hosted by Marc Thompson.

Or you can play "Name That Movie" in room 9 at 8.

Luke Cage fans, you will want to go to his trial at 8 in 23ABC.

Cartoon Network brings back their screening and cosplay contest: 7AB at 8 pm.

There's a Kung Fu Extravaganza at 8 in room 6A.

SF and Fantasy Book Trivia is at 8:30 in room 4, with special guest appearances.

A Spanish-speaking episode of Comics Con Comics is at 8:30 in 26AB.

And of course, we have Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along at 8:30 in 6BCF.

If you've lasted till 9 pm, you can catch the Will Eisner documentary in room 9 at 9.

And of course, Netflix will have a surprise screening at Horton at 10.



So what do we think? Thursday is always strong on comics and creative panels and that's true this year. The science aspect is weak and the cosplay panels are hit and miss, depending on your skill level. The evening offerings are business as usual. Hollywood is slightly lower wattage than the weekend, but still good; still, I don't see too many people trading their Thursday Conan tickets for this. In fact, I think a lot of people with Preview Night badges will spend Thursday on offsites.

Just my take. If you're in love with Thursday, have at it. In the meantime, start filling out your agenda and be ready for tomorrow's Friday announcements.

It's Thursday. Where are we going?

21 JULY 2016

Everyone ready for their first full day of Comic-Con? Let's see what our options are.


This isn't Hall H's strongest day, but it's still got a lot to offer. Dreamworks is at 10, followed by Snowden at 11:45. The afternoon brings Valerian at 1, then Feral Audio Live podcast and geeky festival fare in Under the Radar at 3:30.


Ballroom 20 will probably be a bigger draw. You've got CBS giving you Scorpion, American Gothic and MacGyver from 12-3, then The Strain at 3:15 and Teen Wolf at 4:30. Finally you get to see Luke Cage at 5:45. That's just a good, comfortable TV day.

Indigo Ballroom is more eclectic. Musical Anatomy of a Superhero kicks off at 11, then we have Geek & Sundry at noon, followed by Chris Hardwick's Nerdist Panel at 1. Then there's Comic-Con's HQ at 2. Then the day turns with the premiere of The Good Place at 3 with Kristen Bell and Silicon Valley at 4, then Van Helsing at 5. Finally, we have Comedy Central's Drunk History & Legends of Chamberlain Heights at 6. While all of this is appealing, I think there will be some mass exoduses throughout the day that makes this room somewhat accessible.

Outside the Con, you can catch MAC's release of their Star Trek makeup line at their store, do the Game of Thrones Hall of Faces, or do Syfy's Live from Comic-Con or EW's Con-X. There's also the Adult Swim extravaganza.

But let's look at the "smaller" rooms - some of which have some very big panels.

Hollywood shows and movies abound. 

Sure to be popular: Nickelodeon celebrating 25 years of animation in 6A at 11:15 a.m. with talent from Hey Arnold! Invader Zim, The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, and Danny Phantom.

But you can also see producers and cast members of Teen Titans Go! at 10:15-11:15 a.m. in 6DE, and then see the new Justice League Action in 25 ABC at noon.

"Relaunching the Battlestar Franchise" is at 10:30 in 6BCF.

SpongeBob and the Simpsons are at 1 in 23ABC.

The first of several Star Trek panels kicks of:f: the 50th celebration of Star Trek is in 24ABC at 1:30.

The premiere of Falling Water is at 1:45 in 6A if you're in the mood for a pilot.

Arrive early for this: Colony has a panel with cast and creators at 4:45 in 6BCF, followed by the Mr. Robot panel at 6. And the Mr. Robot fanbase is not to be trifled with.

Sausage Party with Seth Rogen is at 5:45 in the Horton. This hasn't gotten much attention but I think it will be fun.


It's a good day for comics and gaming, though not the best day of the Con.

Disney will explain how movies become comics in 28DE at 10.

It's the 30th anniversary of Jim Henson's Labryinth - and a bunch of new books are coming out. Find out about them at 11 in 5AB.

Or you could join me in room 9 at 11 to hear The Hernandez Brothers talk Love and Rockets,

DC wants to give you "all access" at 11:30 in 6DE. You'll find out about Rebirth, upcoming digital books, etc.

You can fight censorship by "Navigating the Power & Perils of Banned Books" with CBLDF at noon in 30CDE. They're also having banned authors do a live podcast in the library at 4.

The "Comixologist Traveling Podcast Party" is in the library at noon. They're also holding an AMA at 2:30 in room 8.

The Joss Whedon fandom society meets at noon in 23ABC.

Grant Morrison is back with another panel on his newest comic involving Indian mythology. Room 24ABC at 12:30.

"Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare" will be in 6BCF at 1. Then "Warcraft: The Road to Legion" is at 3:30.

Image is at 2 in 23ABC.

"Skybound's The Walking Dead" panel will discuss the comic book at 4:30 in 6DE.

"The Core of Collecting" will offer you experts from Dark Horse, LootCrate, Gentle Giant and more.
5:45 in 6DE.

The "Queer History in Comics" is in 28DE at 5.


We can also get scientific on a variety of fronts.

Don't forget the VR Con over at the Hilton Gaslamp.

You can also listen to IDW & the Reuben H Fleet Science Center explore the intersection of comics and science at noon in room 9.

How do you make science plausible in the Hollywood world? That's in room 8 at 1:30.

Then there's more VR wizardry is in "State of the Holodeck" at 2 in 32AB. Expect this to be super popular.


Cosplayers have a few panels on deck.

Beginning cosplayers may want to attend "Cosplaying 101" at 11 at the Marriott. Others can find out about foam costume and cosplay fabrication at 2 in the Marriott.

The 501st Legion explains their costuming brilliance at 8 in the Marriott as well.



Like every SDCC Thursday, there is a motherlode of creative panels.

If you want to move from fan to creator, visit 23ABC at 10/.

Aspiring bloggers, podcasters & others can find out how to be a "Master of the Web" at 11 in 7AB.

Brian Haberlin helps you turn your idea into a graphic novel at 11:15 in room 2.

What role does an art model play in our world? Find out at 11:30 in 24ABC.

You can also find out news about Capcom Pro Tour news and "Street Fighter Nation" at 11:45 in 6BC.

Or you can firmly launch yourself into the comics industry by going to room 28DE at noon. If you miss this one, you can learn how to break into Marvel Comics at 1 in 25ABC.

Become a pro at noon at pitching and development in "The Pitching Hour" in 7AB.

"Art as a means of reaching hard-to-reach kids" will be at 12:30 in room 2. This includes special needs kids and those who are at-risk and incarcerated.

Balancing creativity with comics industry realities: talk about it at 12:30 in room 4.

"Digital Color for Comics" is at 2 in 30CDE; also at 2 is "Comic Book Women: Understanding Coloring and Letting" in Comics in 28DE.

Want to cut your publishing ties and go it alone? Find out how in "Tales from the IP Jungle" at 3 in 28DE. Or, if you're just getting started as a scribe, try"Writing 101" in 30CDE at 3.

Important: Financial smarts for creatives is at 4 in the Marriott.


We also have quite a few panels on nerd culture. 

Want to start the Con on a healthy note? Go to "Nerdstrong" at 10 in the Marriott Marquis. Then you can teach your offspring to be "Self Confident and Successful" at noon in the same place.

"Geek Cosmetics" is a thing, and some of its stars will explain why at 1 in the Marriott.

The year 1986 is explored for its movie magnificence at 3. room 5AB.

"Fandom Diversified" is at 5 in the Marriott.

The LGBTQ geeky year in review is at 6 in 28DE.




Then the sun goes down and we have what seems to be the busiest night of the Con.

At the convention center, you can go see Spike & Mike at 7:15 in 6BCF or play "Ghost of Name That Movie" game show at 8 in room 9. You've also got the Dr. Horrible Sing-A-Long screening at 8:30 in 6BCF.

And this will be a big draw:The Rocky Horror Picture Show from 8:15-10:45 p.m. in 6DE. The same goes for The Cartoon Network Costume Ball at 8:30 in 7AB.

But outside the Con is where the real action is. Nerd HQ is hosting a party at their home in the Children's Museum, and you've also got the MTV Fan Fest in Petco Park. If neither of those appeal, there's also the Power Rangers party, also at Petco. There's also the Slayer concert and Fatman on Batman with Kevin Smith.

And of course we have the Her Universe fashion show at the Hyatt, Wootstock, the Archer yacht party, and Boom's party and the Rave of Thrones.

Today will be a day and night of hard choices - so choose wisely. Friday will be even more demanding.

Thursday programming is up

7 JULY 2016

One of the most exciting days in Comic-Con season is here: the first day of scheduling is announced! So how will you spend Thursday at the Con?


Well, first let's start with Preview Night on Wednesday. There are mostly 2 components here: unleashing all of your consumer zeal in the Exhibit Hall and/or going upstairs to Ballroom 20 to watch new TV pilots. Which we've already noted are pretty appealing this year.

You'll see: Riverdale, Time After Time, People of Earth, Powerless, a new episode of Teen Titan Go! and the Justice League debut.


Onto Thursday scheduling. Let's start with the big rooms.

Hall H: Dreamworks at 10, followed by Snowden at 11:45 (Oliver Stone's new film, not Edward himself), Valerian at 1, then Feral Audio Live podcast and geeky festival fare in Under the Radar at 3:30.


Ballroom 20: CBS occupies Ballroom 20 from noon - 3 pm to show off Scorpion, American Gothic and MacGyver. That's followed by The Strain at 3:15 and Teen Wolf at 4:30. Finally you get to see Luke Cage at 5:45.


Indigo Ballroom: Musical Anatomy of a Superhero kicks off at 11, then we have Geek & Sundry at noon, followed by Chris Hardwick's Nerdist Panel at 1. Then there's Comic-Con's HQ at 2, followed by the premiere of The Good Place at 3 with Kristen Bell. Then there's Silicon Valley at 4, then Van Helsing at 5. Finally, we have Comedy Central's Drunk History & Legends of Chamberlain Heights at 6. The only problem here: the meals you'll need to skip to see all of it.


Onto highlights from the other panel categories.


Hollywood

You can see producers and cast members of Teen Titans Go! at 10:15-11:15 a.m. in 6DE.

Or you can hear all about "Relaunching the Battlestar Franchise" with Richard Hatch & co. at 10:30 in 6BCF.

Big draw: Nickelodeon celebrates 25 years of animation in 6A at 11:15 a.m. with talent from Hey Arnold! Invader Zim, The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, and Danny Phantom.


Also at noon: your sneak peak at the new Justice League Action in 25 ABC.

It's time for SpongeBob and the Simpsons at 1 in 23ABC.

The 50th celebration of Star Trek is at the same time in 24ABC at 1:30.

See the premiere of Falling Water at 1:45 in 6A.

Colony has a panel with cast and creators at 4:45 in 6BCF.

Sausage Party with Seth Rogen is at 5:45 in the Horton.

Mr. Robot has a panel at 6BCF at 6.


Comics, Gaming & Collectibles

Kick off the day at 10 am by considering "The Graphic Novel as Medium" in 29AB.

Or you could find out how Disney movies become comics in 28DE - also at 10.

It's the 30th anniversary of Jim Henson's Labryinth - and a bunch of new books are coming out. Find out about them at 11 in 5AB.

The Hernandez Brothers will talk Love and Rockets in Room 9 at 11. Hello, my first panel of the day.

Find out all about Transformers' future at 11 in 25ABC.

DC wants to give you "all access" at 11:30 in 6DE. You'll find out about Rebirth, upcoming digital books, etc.

Fight censorship by "Navigating the Power & Perils of Banned Books" with CBLDF at noon in 30CDE. You can also hear banned authors do a live podcast in the library at 4.


Discover your next favorite comic book at the "Comixologist Traveling Podcast Party" in the library at noon.

Or revel in your Joss Whedon fandom at noon in 23ABC.

Grant Morrison is back with another panel on his newest comics involving Indian mythology. Room 24ABC at 12:30.

What is like to translate Octavia Butler into a graphic novel? Find out at 1 in room 9.

"Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare" will be in 6BCF at 1.

Image talks about how cool they are at 2 in 23ABC.

ComiXology holds an AMA at 2:30 in room 8.


"Warcraft: The Road to Legion" is at 3:30 in 6BCF.

"Skybound's The Walking Dead" panel at 4:30 in 6DE is about the comic book, of course, and will be packed. But you knew that.

"The Core of Collecting" will offer you experts from Dark Horse, LootCrate, Gentle Giant and more.
5:45 in 6DE.

The "Queer History in Comics" is in 28DE at 5.


Science

IDW & the Reuben H Fleet Science Center explore the intersection of comics and science at noon in room 9.

How do you make science plausible in the Hollywood world? In room 8 at 1:30.

The latest in VR wizardry is in "State of the Holodeck" at 2 in 32AB. Expect this to be super popular.


Cosplay

Beginning cosplayers may want to attend "Cosplaying 101" at 11 at the Marriott.

Find out about foam costume and cosplay fabrication at 2 in the Marriott.

The 501st Legion explains their costuming brilliance at 8 in the Marriott as well.


Creative

Talk about going from fan to creator through goal-setting at 10 in 23ABC.

The Little Fish Comic Book Studio shares their developments at 10 also in 32AB.

Aspiring bloggers, podcasters & others, find out how to be a "Master of the Web" at 11 in 7AB.

Brian Haberlin helps you turn your idea into a graphic novel at 11:15 in room 2.

What role does an art model play in our world? Find out at 11:30 in 24ABC.

You can also find out news about Capcom Pro Tour news and "Street Fighter Nation" at 11:45 in 6BC.

Or you can firmly launch yourself into the comics industry and stay there forever by going to room 28DE at noon.

How good are your pitching skills? Do you understand the development process once you dare to show your work to the industry? Become a pro at noon in "The Pitching Hour" in 7AB.

"Art as a means of reaching hard-to-reach kids" will be at 12:30 in room 2. This includes special needs kids and those who are at-risk and incarcerated.

Balancing creativity with comics industry realities: talk about it at 12:30 in room 4.

How do you break into Marvel Comics? Find out at 1 in 25ABC.

"Digital Color for Comics" is at 2 in 30CDE; also at 2 is "Comic Book Women: Understanding Coloring and Letting" in Comics in 28DE.

Want to cut your publishing ties and go it alone? Find out how in "Tales from the IP Jungle" at 3 in 28DE.

"Writing 101" is in 30CDE at 3.

Financial smarts for creatives is at 4 in the Marriott.

Want to paint in acrylic? Report to room 2 at 4.



Nerd Culture

Want to start the Con on a healthy note? Go to "Nerdstrong" at 10 in the Marriott Marquis.

Raising tiny nerds? Teach them to be "Self Confident and Successful" at noon in the Marriott.

"Geek Cosmetics" is a thing, and some of its stars will explain why at 1 in the Marriott, including goth celebrity Elizabeth Barrial of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab.

The year 1986 is explored for its movie magnificence at 3. room 5AB.

"Fandom Diversified" is at 5 in the Marriott.

The LGBTQ geeky year in review is at 6 in 28DE.



Evening

Then the sun sets on the first day of the Comic-Con and you choose between these option....

Grant Morrison will talk about captaining Heavy Metal at 7 in 7AB.

Spike & Mike return at 7:15 in 6BCF.

Play "Ghost of Name That Movie" game show and win prizes maybe at 8 in room 9.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is from 8:15-10:45 p.m. in 6DE. You get "a first-look at the two-hour musical event."

The Cartoon Network Costume Ball is at 8:30 in 7AB.

You've also got the Dr. Horrible Sing-A-Long screening at 8:30 in 6BCF.


Again, please see the complete list - these are only highlights.

So what do we think? Once again, Thursday is highly instructive for creatives and exciting for comic book nerds; if TV/movie fans don't do the big rooms, they've got plenty of panels and screenings to keep them busy. There do seem to be some overlaps but that always happens.

I only have 2 can't-miss panels today but that's enough for me. How about you?

What are you doing today?

24 JULY 2014



Good morning, everyone. Are we ready?

So we know that people started lining up yesterday evening for the big rooms. Congratulations on being a zealot and ruining it for the rest of us, crazies. (Just kidding, I know that camping is some people's thing.) Obviously people are stoked for Benedict Cumberbatch and Batman. My Penny Dreadful dreams are pretty much dust right now but we'll see how the day goes.

I don't know if there's an Indigo Ballroom line yet (I'm guessing yes) but I've heard a ton of people mention the illustrious George RR Martin and Jack Black and the Goonies, so this could be a bigger draw than Ballroom 20.

We have NASA at 3 in 6A. That'll be a draw for sure. What I also heard a lot about at breakfast: the Mattel and WWE panel this morning. Also Heroes of Star Wars Rebels later this evening.

I haven't heard a whisper about the Battlestar Galactica panel, but it'll probably be a good panel that you can actually get into.  If you fall on the bookish side of nerddom, remember that there's an Avatar panel with Alan Moore, Max Brooks and Garth Ennis at 1:30 and a Batman 75 panel with Scott Snyder, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison, Neal Adams at 3:30. And Robert Kirkman and the Walking Dead at 4:15.


In other words, don't be bitter if you don't get into the big rooms. And remember, all of the outside events go live today. If you're not otherwise engaged, this is the day to do them - because word hasn't spread through the crowd yet and the lines won't be as bad. 

 

Thursday programming summary

10 JULY 2014



And we're off to the races.

To rehash what we already knew: Preview Night Pilots in Ballroom 20 are The Flash, Constantine, and iZombie , with a new episode of Teen Titans Go!  Onto the cornucopia that is Thursday.


Hall H will have Dreamworks at 11:30, The Giver at 1:30, Paramount Pictures at 3, EW at 4:30, Batman '66 with Julie Newmar and Adam West at 6:00.

I'll say it again: I saw the original Batman show/cast panel last month and they were fantastic. Lots of energy from the cast and audience.

Ballroom 20 has 24 at 10, Under the Dome at 11:15, Scorpion (world premiere) at 12:05, Reign at 1:15, Community/Greendale Forever at 2:15, Teen Wolf at 3:30, Hannibal at 4:45 and Penny Dreadful at 6.

Oh, how I wish I could get  into Penny Dreadful. Maybe all the Teen Wolf fans will clear out and open up the room. But most of the Hannibal fans will probably stay for it.

Indigo Ballroom has Legends of TV Land with Betty White at 10:30, Dig at 11:30, Sony/Goosebumps/Jack Black/Pixels at 12:30, Key & Peele at 1:30, The 2nd Annual Musical Anatomy of a Superhero at 3, George RR Martin at 4, the Hobbit at 5, and Goonies Never Say Die at 6.

Random panel called out for its sheer awesomeness: NASA's Next Giant Leap. Report to room 6A at 3:00 to discuss NASA's plans for the future and see Buzz Aldrin, Seth Green and famous-for-5-minutes Bobak Ferdowsi, he of the Mohawk fame. I can't decide if I'm semi-unique in my bloodlust to see this, or if other attendees will be just as excited and line up well in advance. Probably the latter. NASA at Comic-Con! I hope they pass out t-shirts.

Anyway.

Hollywood and pop culture panels roll out with:

"#FreeBabylon5: A Fan Campaign" is from 10 - 11 am in 29A.

"Mattel & WWE" - I'm not sure how to classify this, since it includes TV, books and video games, but Hulk Hogan, Daniel Bryan, Michael Cole and Paul Heyman will all be there. 10:15 in 6DE.

"Toy Story That Time Forgot" is at 11:15 in 6A and will show a sneak peek at the upcoming holiday special.

"The Legacy and Return of Battlestar Galactica" is at 10:30-11:30 is in 6BCF. Richard Hatch will be there and they'll discuss both the series you loved and the upcoming movie. Fingers crossed that beautiful cylon Tricia Helfer will be a "surprise guest;" we know she's going to be at Saturday's Syfy Ascension panel.

Kaiju forever! "Godzilla and the Master of Monsters" will show rare footage of how the original Godzilla movies were made. 23ABC at 11.

"1984's Greatest Geek movies" is in 5AB at 2. I swear we had the exact same panel last year. I'm surprised that mainstream blockbusters like Indiana Jones, Repo Man and Gremlins are categorized as "geek cinema" but well, nostalgia is a powerful drug.

"The Art of Big Hero Six" - Disney shares its magic at 2 in room 7AB.

More animation: "Meet the Flintstones and George Jetson" talks about Hanna Babera's beginnings at 3 in 30CDE.

"Star Trek at 50". 23ABC at 4:00.

"Breaking Barriers: Transgender Trends in Pop Culture." 5:00 in 28DE. I love that CCI is getting more and more inclusive of LGBTQ content.

"Costume Designer's Guild" is at 5 in 23ABC.

"Witches of the East End" is at 5:45-6:45 in 6DE.Looks like the cast will be there, which is nice for Twin Peaks fans who'd like to see Madchen Amick.

"Children's Hospital Special Video Presentation" is at 6 in 25ABC.

"Heroes of Star Wars Rebels" is at 6 in 6BCF and will show an exclusive preview.

"LGBT Geek Year In Review" is at 6 in 28DE.

"Firefly Online!" 6:30 in 24BC.

"The 90's Live On": Clinton-era collectibles. 7:00 in 29A.

"PodCRASH with That Chris Gore Live" is at 7:00 in 25ABC.

"Sharknado 2" is at 7:15 in 6BCF. Seriously? Sharknado got a bigger room than American Horror Story? I wonder if AHS was a last-minute addition, because I'm baffled that the most ridiculous show on television, Reign (don't get me wrong, I still watch it) is in Ballroom 20 and Ryan Murphy's crown jewel is a room that seats fewer than 900. That has to be it.

"Freddy Vs Jason" is at 8 in 7AB.

"Nerdist Science" is at 8 in 25ABC. "The science hidden in your favorite fandoms." I think that might be a polite way of calling out all the terrible non-science parading through our favorite shows and movies.

"Psychology of Cult TV Shows." 8 in 23ABC.

"Adventure Time Royal Ball" is at 9 in 7AB. Wear your favorite AT outfit and you could win a prize; even if you don't, you still get to see some of your favorite episodes.



On the publishing, comic book side and toy side:

"God Is Disappointed In You" is at 10 in 32AB.

The Witcher panel will show upcoming publications and a demo of the new video game. 10:00 in 6A.

"Hasbro: Transformers" is in 25ABC at 11.

"Charles Schulz and Social Commentary" is in 25ABC at noon.

Lots of panels on Digital this year, including: "The Switch to Digital" in 7AB at noon and "ComiXology: Ask Me Anything" which invites your digital questions at 2:30 in room 8.

"Batman in the 70's" is in 5AB at 1.

CBLDF shares the "History of the Comics Code" at 1 in 30CDE.

Fans of Dark Horse horror will want to go to "Drawing on Your Nightmares: Modern Horror in Comics" at 1 in 23ABC. And then they'll want to hit "Reinventing Horror" at 7 in 5AB.

"Female Heroes, Then and Now" - sexism, comic books, geeks and science fiction. 32AB at 1:00.

Avatar Press brings us Alan Moore, Max Brooks, Garth Ennis and others at 1:30 in room 4. Is one hour really enough for all of that literary wattage?

Blizzard Entertainment shows off its upcoming collectibles, books and more at 2:15 in 6BCF.

"Maybe you didn't win tickets to the Outlander premiere, but you can hear Diana Gabaldon read aloud from her 8th installment at 3:00 in the Horton Grand Theatre.

"When Magic & Myth Meet Main Street" - Jim Butcher again, with Seanan McGuire, Amber Benson and current It boy Greg van Eekhout. 25ABC at 3.

"Batman 75" has Scott Snyder, Neal Adams, Greg Capullo, Frank Miller, Grant Morrison - you get the idea. 3:30 at 6BCF. Once again, it just seems cruel to stuff that many visionaries in a room and only give them an hour to divide up between them.

Skybound's The Walking Dead is at 4:15 in 6A. Yes, Robert Kirkman will be there.

"The World of Capcom" is at 4:45 in 6BCF.

"Skylanders" is in 7AB at 6.

Vertigo "is ready to blow your mind" at 6 in room 5AB.



Thursday has always been a creative-heavy day and this year is no different. On the writer/artist side of things we have:


"Don't Tell Your Story, Show It!" 10:00 in room 2.

"Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way" is also at 10 in 7AB. Later we have "The Writer's Journey: Breaking into Comic Books and Scriptwriting" at 3 in 32AB, then "Breaking into Comics Right Now" at 1 in 28DE and "Breaking into Comics and Staying In" at 4 in 30CDE.

"Wonderbook: Writers on Creativity and Inspiration" is also at 10 in 25ABC. Jeff Vandermeer (whose Booklife I recommend to every writer) will lead, but Charles Yu, Lev Grossman and other writers will be there. This could be one of those "obvious is obvious" panels but the caliber of panelists make me think it will be a thoughtful and useful discussion.

"Taming the Web: the Nuts and Bolts of Web Series Creation" is at 10:30 in 24ABC.

"Comic Book Law School 101" is back at 10:30 in 30CDE.

"Comic Creator Connection All-Stars" is at 11 in 32AB. If you're considering being a walk-in at CCC, this panel could help you decide.

"Point of View: What's the Point" is in room 2 at 11 and led by Maxwell Alexander Drake, which is probably the best writer name I have ever heard.

How "Fan Fiction Can Lead to Being a Professional" is at 11 in 29A.

"Science Fiction and Fantasy Lit" is at 11 in 5AB with Marie Lu, Rachel Caine, Jim Butcher, Jason Hough, Dr. David Brin and other writers. So far all of the creative panels sound great, but there's no doubt this will draw fans and writers in like flies.

"How to Get News Coverage" is at 11:30 in room 8. Panelists cover the gamut from HuffPo to Comic Book Resources to the Mary Sue to Broadsword Comics, so I'm guessing they'll share some valuable wisdom.

It's unfortunate that "The Pitching Hour" is at the exact same time in 5AB, because a lot of creatives would probably like to attend both.

"Color Me RADD" is at noon in room 9 and focuses on colorists and storytelling.

At the same time is "Editing Comics the BOOM! Way" in 28DE and "Advanced Digital Inking Techniques" is at 12:15 in Room 2.

"Beyond Cliches: Creating Awesome Female Characters" is in 28DE at 2. I'll interject here that this panel isn't just for women, it's for everyone. Back when I read manuscripts from unpublished authors, a depressing number of heroines were virtually interchangeable.

"I Can't Write, I Can't Draw But I Love Comic Books" is a job panel for those who can't, well, you know. 3:00 in Room 9.

"Insights for Indie Creators" is at 4 in 32AB and "Indie Comics Marketing & PR" is at 6:30 in room 8.

"Tips on Pitching" is in room 2 at 4:45. Last year SDCC had a pitching workshop before Comic Creator Connection; they did away with that this year, but you've got 2 panels today to help you with this specific skill.

"Artist as Brand: Rise of the Artist Entrepreneur." 7:30 in room 8. Much as I hate the title of this panel, it reflects an accurate reality.




That, my friends, is a whole lot of panels. CCI is continuing to add more panels in the evening hours, which I really like. And while there are some tough choices to be made, on the whole it looks like people will be able to fit in panels for all their different interests.

I think this stands as proof that there's nothing second-rate about having a Thursday badge. While this day may not offer the same Hollywood starpower as Friday and Saturday, it still serves up high-profile shows & movies - and the workshops and panels for creatives can't be beat.