In the world of fantasy, the only limit is one's imagination. Panelists (and Comic-Con 2013 special guests) Frank Brunner (MYTHOS), Todd Lockwood (Dungeons and Dragons), Wendy Pini (ElfQuest), Ruth Sanderson (The Twelve Dancing Princesses), Adam Hughes (Fairest), and Christopher Shy (Soul Stealer) discuss how they bring fantasy to life with moderator Andrew Farago (Cartoon Art Museum).
Thursday July 18, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 5AB
Which side of the convention table do you want to be on: professional or fan? And what's keeping you from getting there? If you're having trouble bringing your creative ideas into reality, you need to attend this fun and informative workshop, designed specifically for the Comic-Con crowd and back for its seventh straight year. Douglas Neff, the "Tony Robbins of Geeks," will give you simple and proven techniques for bringing your most important goals to life. Whether you want to write your first novel, draw your own comic, or shoot your independent film, you'll walk away from this workshop with practical tools for helping you reach your dream.
Thursday July 18, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 23ABC
Ideas, characters, plots, designs, stories, paintings, photos, titles, names, logos, brands-it's enough to drive one crazy if you don't know your copyright from your trademark from your trade secret. But never fear-help is only a 90-minute program away. Noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz, author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, is back for his 20th anniversary of enlightening creators at Comic-Con. His series of programs are designed to provide you with a basic legal foundation in intellectual property and related areas, including securing and enforcing your rights, contracts and licensing, fair use, social media, and much more. This first installment focuses on the basics-that is, understanding your intellectual property rights and how to protect them, focusing on protection and ownership of ideas, inventions, works of authorship, characters, brands and names, from conception through publication and beyond. Attendees are invited to participate in an interactive discussion about basic rights provided under U.S. copyright and trademark laws, including their intersection with new media, as well as new decisions and changes in the law and how they could affect those rights. Along the way, there will be plenty to learn about the protections available, as well as the numerous potential pitfalls, under the U.S. trademark and copyright systems. Please note: The Comic Book Law Schoolseminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.].
Thursday July 18, 2013 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Comic art, beginning in the early 20th century as comic strips before evolving into comic books, has always been a fount of incredible, and incredibly beautiful pure illustration. Comic book historian and member of The Society of Illustrators Arlen Schumer (author/designer of the award-winning coffee table book The Silver Age of Comic Book Art) presents a "VisuaLecture"-his super-graphic approach to staid art history presentations-that provides a historical overview of the twin mediums and how they've intersected.
Thursday July 18, 2013 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Join a discussion of Comic-Con special guest Dan Parent's 26-year career at Archie Comics. Moderator ChrisThompson (Orbital Comics) and colleague RikOffenberger (Archie Comics) will take part in a lively discussion concerning what it's like writing and drawing America's favorite teenage line of comics. Topics will include developments Dan has spearheaded in moving Archie comics forward, such as redesigning and revamping Betty and Veronica, creating new and diverse storylines like "Archie Loves Valerie," and the creation of Archie's first gay character, Kevin Keller.
Thursday July 18, 2013 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 8
Two-time Oscar-nominated director Bill Plympton (Idiots and Angels) will preview his new animated feature Cheatin'. He will screen pencil tests and finished sequences and discuss the successful Kickstarter campaign that raised funds to complete the film, plus his plans for distribution. Bill will also screen some of the short films from his new DVD release Dogs and Cows and answer questions about his career. Plus, all attendees will receive a free Bill Plympton sketch!
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Stop by for a chat and Q&A session with Comic-Con special guest and Eisner Award nominee Chris Samnee, moderated by his collaborator, Mark Waid (writer of Daredevil, Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom, Irredeemable).
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Award-winning illustrator and Comic-Con special guest RuthSanderson (The Twelve Dancing Princesses) will give a visual presentation on her career as a fantasy artist and fairy tale author/illustrator, and on her move to a more graphic format for a fairy tale for older children. Ruth's work has appeared in fantasy magazines and on many book covers, and she has illustrated over 80 books for children. Her artwork can be seen in Spectrum, and she was the 2011 Artist Guest of Honor at the World Fantasy Convention in San Diego.
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9
Tree roots as neural networks, the lunacy of Luna, the creation of wolves, the cooking of compost and glimpses of Sandman -- all this and more in an interview panel with artist/writer/musician/director/Mac worrier Dave McKean.
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 4
Comic-Con special guest Gene Deitch is a legendary cartoonist, animator, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and creator of Tom Terrific. Join him for a tour thru his 70-year career, including his years directing cartoons for UPA and Weston Woods, as well as creating the comic strip Terr'ble Thompson and crossing paths with everyone from Pete Seeger and John Lee Hooker to Maurice Sendak and Jules Feiffer. Moderated by animation historian Jerry Beck and famed movie critic and author-and Comic-Con special guest-Leonard Maltin!
Thursday July 18, 2013 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 8
In celebration of Superman's 75th Birthday, we look back at the Man of Steel in comics' Bronze Age. In 1970, veteran editor Julius Schwartz assumed command of the primal hero and charted a course for a new generation. On hand to discuss it are many of the writers who worked with Julie in keeping Superman flying high: Gerry Conway, Martin Pasko, Marv Wolfman, Elliot S! Maggin, and moderator Mark Evanier.
Thursday July 18, 2013 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 5AB
Learn how to digitally ink and take all your black-and-white artwork to the next level. Comics artist Brian Haberlin will delve into Photoshop's treasure trove of features old and new-as well as features in other programs-that not only enhance comic applications but make possible countless creative pen and ink opportunities rarely seen before. If you're serious about your black-and-white artwork, this session is a must.
The fruitful collaboration between Steven T. Seagle and Teddy Kristiansen began in 1996 with House of Secrets, blossomed with 2004's It's a Bird, for which Kristiansen won an Eisner Award, and continued to grow with the experimental The Red Diary/The Read Diary, for which Kristiansen is again up for an Eisner. Seagle and Kristiansen will talk about their long relationship as collaborators and what it takes to be a successful creative team-even when an ocean and a language may separate you.
Thursday July 18, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Neville Page (Star Trek Into Darkness) demonstrates his latest techniques for creating unique creatures and characters for entertainment. A variety of techniques will be shared, from traditional to digital. Multiple examples will be shown from his personal work to the latest films he has worked on, such as Star Trek and Prometheus.
Thursday July 18, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 5AB
Comic-Con special guest FredPerry (Gold Digger, Action Time Buddies, Zombie Kid Diaries) draws a page of Gold Digger (layout to inks) before a live audience, providing commentary on his preferred drawing tools, techniques, and more.
Thursday July 18, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Same guys, same panel, same stupid barbarian. The folks who've brought you Groo the Wanderer (and vow to do so again soon) will tell you what's up with that and what's up with all their other silly projects. Featuring the world's most honored cartoonist, SergioAragonés, and his faithful sidekick MarkEvanier, plus the creator of UsagiYojimbo,StanSakai, and the world's hardest-working colorist, Tom Luth.
Daniel Presedo (Photoshop), Chris Cox (Photoshop), Nikolai Svakhin (Photoshop), Brian Haberlin (Witch Blade, Anomaly), Liam Sharp (MadeFire, Marvel, DC), Bill Sienkiewicz (Marvel, DC), and Freddie E Williams II (DC) prepare for a lively discussion and Q&A. They will be giving away a membership to the Creative Cloud and more.
Thursday July 18, 2013 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Earlier this year, Lenorecreator Roman Dirge was almost killed in a Sunset Boulevard hit-and-run that left him lying in hospital with a shattered leg. After months of painful physical therapy, Roman is back-better, stronger, but not necessarily faster-and here to discuss his long road to recovery, his return to the drawing board with Lenore issue #8, and his fourth Titan Lenore collection: Purple Nurples (which will be debuting at the show). One-on-one interview followed by Q&A.
Thursday July 18, 2013 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
New York Times and UK Guardian cartoonist-and Comic-Con special guest-TomGauld gives a presentation on his artistic process and his most recent work. The presentation features readings from his Eisner Award-nominated book Goliath and his 2013 book You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack, a collection of comics about literature and pop culture originally published in the Guardian Saturday Review section.
Subtle guerilla art tactics provide a way of sharing your vision with the world. They can be used for a variety of reasons: to make a political or personal statement, to share your ideas, or just for fun. Artist Lori Gordon will address what it means to make art when you don't necessarily consider yourself an artist, and what it means to make art without an interest in the outcome. Participants will be invited to make their own project.
Join Artist's Edition editor Scott Dunbier with moderator (and fellow art lover) Greg Goldstein, IDW President along with a surprise guest or two as they give attendees a guided tour of what will be happening in the coming year -- including some really incredible announcements, and at least one that will have people saying, "Didn't see that one coming!" Plus special giveaways, trivia contests, and more! Original art fans, this is the one panel you must attend!
So you want to make comics? This program is your first step toward actually doing it! Top comic book creators Brandon Siefert (Witch Doctor) and Bobby Curnow (IDW editor, Night of 1,000 Wolves) discuss the ins and outs of the comic industry-specifically, what it takes to break into comics and how it's done! This is the panel that no writer or artist dare miss. Bonus: In addition to breaking in, learn how to stay in the comics business! Moderated by Comics Experience's Andy Schmidt (Marvel and IDW editor, writer).
Thursday July 18, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Special guest JeffSmith discusses a slew of upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated hardcover Rasl in full color, the Bone Artist's Edition from IDW, Best American Comics 2013 (edited by Smith), and the upcoming new digital comic Tuki: Save the Humans. Presentation and Q&A to follow.
For over 60 years Abrams has been the country's premiere art book publisher. With the launch of Abrams ComicArts in 2009, the tradition of excellence continues with award-winning original graphic novels by Derf Backderf (My Friend Dahmer), Frank M. Young and David Lasky (The Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song), Brian Fies, Jason Shiga, and Barry Deutsch, as well as monographs on such seminal creators as Jack Kirby, Harvey Kurtzman, Daniel Clowes, and Jaime Hernandez. Join Charles Kochman (editorial director of Abrams ComicArts), Carol Burrell (senior editor of Abrams ComicArts), William Stout (author and artist of Legends of the Blues), and other special guests as they talk about the publisher's current titles, including Legends of the Blues, Good Riddance: A Graphic Memoir of Divorce by Cynthia Copeland, Darryl Cunningham's How to Fake a Moon Landing, and Bazooka Joe by The Topps Company. They'll also reveal details and images from upcoming collaborations with Rube Goldberg's granddaughter, Jennifer George (The Art of Rube Goldberg), Paula M. Block and Terry J. Erdmann (Star Trek: The Original Topps Trading Card Series), Michel Daubert and the Hergé Museum (Tintin: The Art of Hergé), Kazu Kibuishi (Explorer: The Lost Islands), and Laura Lee Gulledge (Will and Whit), and other forthcoming projects.
Are you ready to experience the Creepiest of the Creepy? An evil assemblage of ghoulish creators discuss all things Creepy and Eerie. Artist Jason Shawn Alexander (House of Gold and Bones), Creepy writer and editor Dan Braun, producer Josh Braun (Button Man), and moderator J. C. Vaughn (Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide) discuss the influence of the original Warren Creepy and Eerie magazines relaunched at Dark Horse in hardcover archival editions, new comic books, and artist compilation formats. They'll also divulge details about the upcoming Creepy feature film. With very special guests and extra-spooky giveaways!
Thursday July 18, 2013 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
This award-winning creator on such notable works as Promethea, Batwoman, and the upcoming Sandman with Neil Gaiman talks about why he loves comics, moderated by John Bultena (Lecturer Merritt Writing Program, UC Merced). Visual presentation, discussion, and Q&A session.
If you're a writer or artist attending the Comic Creator Connection, this is your chance to practice giving your pitch before the big event and to get some free coaching from a pro. Pitch Reviews will be conducted by Douglas Neff, an experienced presentation coach and professional public speaker who hosts the Comic Creator Connection and From Fan to Creator: Goal-Setting for Creative Types. This is not a panel. Instead, these are 3- to 5-minute individual coaching sessions for as many people as can be accommodated in the scheduled time. Please note that showing up is not a guarantee that you'll get a review session. Spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thursday July 18, 2013 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 29A
Comic-Con special guest Gary Frank is known for his incredibly powerful depictions of characters, from Superman to the Incredible Hulk. Gary will talk about his career as one of the comics world's best storytellers, including his recent collaboration with Geoff Johns on Shazam!.
Thursday July 18, 2013 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 5AB
In the last year, Thrillbent.com has been a leading innovator in digital comics. Mark Waid (Daredevil, Superman: Birthright, Insufferable),James Tynion IV (Batman, The Eighth Seal), John Rogers (Leverage, Dungeons and Dragons, Arcanum), Nicholas Rucka (Kitchen Death Match), Christina Blanch and Troy Peteri (The Damnation of Charlie Wormwood), and Lori Matsumoto (Thrillbent general manager) join other Thrillbent talent for an in-depth tutorial on how to write, draw, and color for the Thrillbent format in an hour-long "how-to" with Q&A.
The iPad has transformed the way you read comics but did you know you can create comic art on it too? See a comic book character come to life as Hi-Fi's Brian Miller (Wolverine: An Origin Story) and Kristy Miller (Meet the Marvel Superheroes) demonstrate how to paint comics on the iPad. Learn the basic tools and techniques, including which apps work best and how you, too, can transform your iPad into a portable art studio. Q&A session.
Thursday July 18, 2013 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Moray Rhoda (South African publisher and mastermind of the Velocity Anthology), Neville Howard (Australian publisher and mastermind of the Velocity Anthology), and Ray Whitcher (chair/comic scholar, Legionink.com) present the Southern Hemisphere's emerging comic talent in a collaborative effort between South African and Australian comic artists and writers in the annual Velocity Anthology. They will discuss how the initiative arose, outline future goals, and display the incredible skill and talent that the two countries have to offer. Audience interaction is highly encouraged; samples will be distributed.
From comics to movie monsters and authenticity to alternate universes, how "real" does a fake need to be in order to be believable? Cesare Asaro (creator, Finding Frank and His Friend), Kim Hutsell (Steampunk designer and prop maker, founder of the annual Starburner Awards), Luke Khanlian (special effects creature creator, Alien Resurrection, Starship Troopers), Peter Maresca (editor, Sunday Press Books), and Kirstie Shepherd (author, Gadabout Time Machine User's Manual) discuss how to get the details right when creating a believable fake world. They'll be looking at what materials say about an object and how those materials can be manipulated to create the suspension of disbelief.
Thursday July 18, 2013 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
For five years at Comic-Con, Ain't It Cool News's Mark L. Miller has led a panel full of comics most frightening creators in a lively discussion on what it takes to incite horror and suspense in graphic storytelling. Join a star studded panel of writers, artists, and other spooky characters to find out what makes them scared, how they scare others, and what to do and not to do in horror comic books.
Thursday July 18, 2013 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 5AB
Greg Spalenka (artist in publishing, film, and higher education; Sandman, The Ant Bully, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) moderates a panel discussion on art career sustainability. Learn strategies on how to create an income from your talent on your own terms. Stephan Martiniere (artist in publishing, film, and games; Star Wars 2 and 3, I Robot), Donato Giancola (artist in publishing, film, and games; Tor, National Geographic), Alfred Paredes (sculptor, ZICA Toys, Sota Toys), Daniel Davis and Dawna Davis (husband and wife team of Steamcrow, publishers of monster books and toys). In addition there will be a drawing for free consultations with Greg Spalenka to help you create a living from your art on your own terms.