Legendary comic book creator Christian Gossett appears in conversation with GEEK magazine editor-in-chief David E. Williams, as he discusses his pioneering award-winning comic book series The Red Star, soon to be a major motion picture from Chronicle director Josh Trank for Warner Bros. The duo will be joined by Ana Alexander, Catherine Annette, and Ashley Noel, who appear in an all-new Red Star adventure, Rapidfire, published exclusively in the pages of GEEK magazine. Gossett will also talk about his work on such films as Peter Jackson's King Kong and Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland as well as inventing the famous two-sided light saber for Tales of the Jedi.
Friday July 19, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 32AB
Comic books and popular culture properties are hotter than ever. But actually making money from your creations that end up on screen requires understanding the legalities and pitfalls of contracts and license agreements in general, along with an understanding of the business models used by the companies looking to make you an offer. Attorney Michael Lovitz, author The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, will tackle a number of the more advanced issues facing authors, artists, and designers, particularly once they've "broken through" and have started publishing and selling. This session is directed to some of the complicated issues surrounding marketing properties and creative ideas, including transfers and licensing of rights; production, merchandising, and distribution agreements; and key things you should know when Hollywood comes knocking. This interactive seminar gives attendees the opportunity to participate in the discussions as Lovitz covers various means for profiting from creative works, and explores the many important elements that form the foundation of every contract (and time permitting, contract negotiation role playing). With in-depth discussions about the options and opportunities for generating income from your creative endeavors, along with identifying some of the many problems and pitfalls that go hand in hand with each decision, you'll agree this session shouldn't be missed. Please note: The Comic Book Law School seminars 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.]
Friday July 19, 2013 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Cartoonist Ellen Forney presents her New York Times bestselling graphic memoir, Marbles: Depression, Michaelangelo, and Me, a darkly funny chronicle of her struggle with bipolar disorder. Nominated for a 2013 Eisner Award, "Marbles isn't just a great story; it's proof that artists don't have to be tortured to be brilliant. 'A'" -- Entertainment Weekly.
Come to a Q&A with Comic-Con special guest Jose Delbo. The Argentinean-born artist has worked on classics like Billy the Kid, Judge Colt, and The Lone Ranger, as well as illustrated the Beatles' Yellow Submarine. Some of his many other works include Twilight Zone, Brady Bunch, Hogan's Heroes, Monkees, Mod Squad, Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Transformers, Thundercats, Brute Force, 101 Dalmations, Little Mermaid, Mighty Ducks, Raggedy Ann, Little Lulu, Barbie, and Wonder Woman. Delbo has illustrated cartoons for the past 50 years for comic book fans across the world!
Join cartoonist and Comic-Con special guest Lincoln Peirce for a slideshow and discussion of Big Nate's journey from newspaper comic strip to bestselling children's book series. A lively Q&A session will follow.
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 05, 03:09PM Fan Art can be more than a hobby, pastime or training exercise. Learn how fan art can turn you into a contributor to the business world of comics and pop culture in this follow-up to last year’s highly popular Fan Art Law panel. Featuring Joshua Wattles, advisor in chief to deviantART and professor of copyright at USC, Brian Kesinger, renowned animator and author of Walking Your Octopus, Guy Brand and James Kim from Mighty Fine Inc., Bob Self, owner/publisher Baby Tattoo Books, Kay Purcell, also from deviantART and a Fandom expert, and Stanley Lau (artgerm), creative director and co-founder of Imaginary Friends Studios that produces artworks for the likes of Capcom, DC Comics, Square Enix and other giants in the entertainment and gaming industry.
MTV Comics executive editor Tom Akel conducts a live pitch competition between three of the top creators in the business. Last year's winner David Petersen (Mouse Guard) will be back to defend his crown against two new challengers. Creators are presented with a topic just a few weeks out from the convention and then develop original pitches that you, the fans, vote on to determine the winner!
Friday July 19, 2013 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
How do as few as five - or as many as 50 - artists work together to create a coherent, believable world in which to stage the action of the modern motion picture? Members of the art department of Captain America: First Avenger discuss working on the film in Los Angeles while the film was shooting in London. Panelists include moderator and supervising art director John Dexter (also Pirates of the Caribbean 2 & 3), conceptual model maker Jeff Frost (Star Trek Into Darkness), lead vehicle designer Daniel Simon (Tron: Uprising), graphic designer Karen TenEyck (The Lone Ranger), and set designer and assistant art director Clint Wallace (Men in Black 3, Enders Game as art director).
Friday July 19, 2013 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
From Star Wars's little princess to marbles and depression, from jetpacks and goliaths to dirty dumb eyes, writer/artists Jeffrey Brown (Vader's Little Princess), Ellen Forney (Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, & Me,), Tom Gauld (You're All Just Jealous of My Jetpack), and Lisa Hanawalt (My Dirty Dumb Eyes) have the entire spectrum of humor-gag cartoons, self-deprecation, irony, to name just a few- covered in their graphic novels. Moderated by Andrew Farago (Cartoon Art Museum).
This lecture will provide clear technical insight into making figures and figurative decisions for the comic artist, storyboard artist, illustrator, or concept artist, offering guides to posing characters and creating believable actions, gestures, and expressions. Ron Lemen will cover several approaches to designing the character or facial expression that will facilitate a strong armature for any style of finish. This lecture is for everyone from the enthusiast to the working professional.
How does a graphic novel get made? Comic-Con special guest Christopher Shy (I Sleep in Stone) and writer Michael Easton (Vertigo's The Green Woman with Peter Straub) talk about the process behind the creation of such books as Soul Stealer (Ain't It Cool News' "Graphic Novel of the Year"), The North End of the World, their online tie-ins to the hit video games Dead Space and God of War, and much more in this session moderated by Zack Smith (Newsarama, MTV Geek). Includes visual presentation, audience Q&A, and more.
Origami Master folder Chris Alexander (author of Star Wars Origami) demonstrates and teaches the master folding techniques to make Star Wars origami figures. Attendees will fold an exclusive Comic-Con model along with other art from the Star Wars universe. Materials included!
Nationally renowned artist and owner of Watts Atelier of the Arts Jeffrey R. Watts walks you through a drawing demonstration in the Watts Method. Jeff will be talking about how traditional training is an absolute must in today's increasingly competitive art markets. If you ever wanted to study at an atelier, Jeff will be announcing Watts Atelier's Online Program, launching this summer. Now you can train in these amazing techniques and methods from anywhere in the world. With Jeff's over 21 years of teaching experience you will not want to miss this opportunity to watch a captivating demo and get insight into your future training options.
Friday July 19, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
The ins and outs of rendering female superhero comic characters using Copic brand markers (also applicable to PrismaColors) are demonstrated by artist Mark Brooks. Mark will provide all attendees with a copy of an inked face and detailed instructions on grayscaling, shadows, and blending. Bring your markers! Also, there will be a Q&A covering any questions regarding art and business of comics. At the end of the session, Mark will raffle off his original inked and Copic-rendered artwork.
DC Entertainment is proud to have some of the brightest and most talented artists working in comics today. DC Comics artists share their unique approach to the page, with Chris Burnham (Batman, Incorporated), Gary Frank (Batman: Earth One, Justice League), Moritat (All-Star Western), and others.
Friday July 19, 2013 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Carmine Infantino (May 24, 1925-April 4, 2013) was one of the most important men in the history of the comics industry. He helped create more characters than any living person other than Stan Lee, including The Flash, Black Canary, Batgirl, Human Target, Poison Ivy, Animal Man, Kamandi, and many, many more. After decades as a top penciler, Infantino became an innovative art director, editor, publisher, and ultimately, president of DC Comics. Longtime Infantino associate J. David Spurlock, moderates this panel remembering Carmine.
Writer/artist Phil Jimenez interviews comic colorist and San Diego native Jeromy Cox. The discussion will include an overview starting with Image Comics at the outset of digital coloring 20 years ago, up until his present work on DC Comics Justice League Dark and Detective Comics. Jeromy will also discuss how contemporary technology allows for the production of art and self- publishing, from sketch to final colors. Technique discussion will highlight his own current comic creation Vampyrates.
Fan favorite and Comic-Con special guest Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise, ECHO, Rachel Rising) talks about 20 years of living and writing with Francine and Katchoo. Terry is also sure to fill you in on the latest from his hit horror series Rachel Rising.Don't miss the opportunity to ask Terry about your favorite characters!
Friday July 19, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
In print or digital comic books need color, but do you know how comic books are colored? Learn about the creative art of comic book coloring as Hi-Fi's Brian Miller (Batman: The Dark Knight) and Kristy Miller (Spongebob Squarepants) demonstrate the step-by-step transformation of a comic book page from black and white to full color. Learn the basics of flatting, rendering, color holds, and special effects, along with top digital coloring tips. Q&A session follows.
Friday July 19, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
The Thrilling Adventure Hour World Domination Tour Created in 2005 by Ben Acker and Ben Blacker,The Thrilling Adventure Hour (TAH) is a popular staged production in the style of old-time radio. It has since also become a much- downloaded podcast with Nerdist Industries, and-premiering here at Comic-Con-a stunning graphic novel anthology! Each show consists of a selection of genre- bending stories, advertisements from fictional sponsors, musical numbers, and more, performed by a core group of actors known as the WorkJuice Players, and featuring cameos by stars from Firefly, Doctor Who, Community, and many more. Last fall, Acker and Blacker launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a TAH graphic novel, and they set a record at the time for the fastest graphic novel campaign to reach its goal. Now, almost a year later and with award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment on board to publish the book, the graphic novel is ready to debut! Acker, Blacker, and panelists who may include editor Joe LeFavi; WorkJuice Players Paget Brewster, Mark Gagliardi, Marc Evan Jackson, Joshua Malina, Autumn Reeser, and Paul F. Tompkins; and artists Casey Crowe, Joanna Estep, Lar deSouza, Natalie Nourigat, Chris Moreno, and Jeff Stokely share behind-the-scenes stories about The Thrilling Adventure Hour show, podcast, and graphic novel.
Friday July 19, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Meet the entire all-star creative team of the highly acclaimed Superman: Unchained, including the editor Eddie Berganza, writer Scott Snyder, pencilers Jim Lee and Dustin Nguyen, inker Scott Williams, and colorist Alex Sinclair. Get an unprecedented look behind the scenes at what's sure to be the most talked about comic book of the year!
Learn what it takes to present a proper pitch to a client or company. In this panel you will learn about presentation, body language, elevator pitches, standing out, interview skills and how to make an opportunity when there isn't one. Back by popular demand, this is the perfect panel for those who are looking to make a name for themselves or trying to get their ideas in front of their company of choice.
Illustrators and storyboard artists use their skills and imaginations to develop the transcendent visuals of the big screen, be it adventures on distant worlds or life in earthly hovels. Moderator Tim Burgard (White House Down, Rise of the Planet of the Apes) talks to illustrators Donna Cline (Bones), Gabe Hardman (Inception), Patrick Rodriguez (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides), and Peter Rubin (Man of Steel).
Friday July 19, 2013 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
New York Times bestselling author and indie comics hero Jeffrey Brown (Clumsy, Incredible Change-Bots, Cat Getting Out of a Bag, Darth Vader and Son) speaks about his wide-ranging career and his three new books this year: the Star Wars parenting comedy Vader's Little Princess (Chronicle), the thrilling adventure Jedi Academy (Scholastic), and the heartfelt autobiography A Matter of Life (Top Shelf). Moderated by Leigh Walton of Top Shelf.
Comic-Con special guest Fred Perry (Gold Digger, Action Time Buddies, Zombie Kid Diaries) discusses his career, including how he got started in comics, key moments in his life and the story of his seminal series Gold Digger, and what it's like to solo-create a comic for over 20 years. Includes a Q&A session moderated by Antarctic Press office manager/editor Douglas Dlin.
Friday July 19, 2013 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
If you’re an aspiring comic book creator, this is a panel you don’t want to miss! Join some of comic book publishing’s top decision makers, including BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon, Dark Horse Editor-in-Chief Scott Allie, Avatar Press Vice President of Publishing and Managing Editor Jim Kuhoric, and Archaia Editor-in-Chief Stephen Christy as they give you the most up-to-date and practical advice on how to break into the comic book industry right now.
Friday July 19, 2013 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
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 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.
Be the first to see a multimedia presentation about Frank Frazetta Jr.'s new book abouthis father and hear stories and anecdotes about this legend. Frank Frazetta, Jr. (author, Frank Frazetta: Art and Remembrances) shows off unpublished art and reminisces with never-before-told stories about his dad. Daniel Herman (publisher, Hermes Press), Steven Morger (Big Wow Art), Brian Peck (author, graphic designer, John Buscema Michelangelo of Comics), and Phil Kim (publisher, Famous Monsters of Filmland) discuss Frank Frazetta and his place in popular culture and fantasy/science fiction art, along with an extended Q&A session.
Comics are a collaborative medium. Do you know how to bring out the best from your collaborators? Join former Marvel and IDW editor/writer and Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt, artist Klaus Janson (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), writer Josh Fialkov (The Ultimates, Echoes), and writer Brandon Siefert (Witch Doctor) as they discuss collaborative best practices, tips for writers and artists, and strategies for handling editor feedback. Become the kind of creator everyone wants to work with!
Friday July 19, 2013 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
The creator of one of comics' great newspaper strips, Walt Kelly, would have been 100 years old on August 25th of this year. His magnum opus, Pogo, is now receiving its first ever complete reprinting in an Eisner Award-nominated series from Fantagraphics Books. So it's a good time to remember him with Kelly fans Jeff Smith (Bone), Paul Dini (Batman), comic historian R. C. Harvey, Maggie Thompson (ComicBuyer'sGuide), Carolyn Kelly (co-editor of the Complete Pogo series and Walt's daughter), and moderator Mark Evanier (GrootheWanderer).
Learn how a good business plan can lead to great creative results and how great creative can inform an even greater business plan. The minds behind Brand + Entertainment Solutions believe that the two go hand in hand—or more to the point—SHOULD go hand-in-hand, but often do not. Developing keys to successful business and creative execution are the focus of this panel. Featuring B+E Solutions’ Andy Schmidt (CEO, B+E Solutions), Jon Bresman (Star Wars/Mad Magazine veteran), Steve Drucker (VP of IP Development, Hasbro), Josh Fialkov (award-nominated screenwriter, graphic novelist, and video game writer), and Marc Guggenheim (Executive Producer, Arrow).
Friday July 19, 2013 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Comic-Con special guest Todd Lockwood (Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: the Gathering) talks about upcoming projects, shares images, and answers questions. Moderated by Shawn Speakman (author, webmaster for Terry Brooks, Suvudu contributor).
Wendy and Richard Pini (ElfQuest, Masque of the Red Death), Paula Rhodes and Stephanie Thorpe (ElfQuest-A Fan Imagining), and Rob Beschizza (managing editor at Boing Boing) celebrate three and a half decades of "the first American manga" and longest-running fantasy graphic novel series. Even if you've followed ElfQuest from the beginning, prepare to be surprised by what's planned as the story builds to its most ambitious chapter yet, Final Quest. Plus, meet ElfQuest's newest partners in the worlds of publishing, licensing, and even academia in a visual presentation followed by Q&A.
Movie poster artist Drew Struzan (creator of the Star Wars, Back to the Future, and Indiana Jones movie posters) is joined by celebrity guests and the film crew behind the documentary feature film about his career, set to premiere this summer. Enjoy movie clips, poster giveaways, and free movie tickets.
Futuristic insight into the next 100 years of comic cons, publishing, media, art galleries, and museums-what will history record and our legacies produce? Panelists include Steve Geppi (CEO, Diamond Comics Distributors), David Brin (SF author, scientist), David Gerrold (SF author/screenwriter, Star Trek), Missy Geppi (president, Geppi Entertainment Museum), Phil Yeh (mural artist, creator of Cartoonists across America), Ron Turner (publisher/founder of Last Gasp), David G. Brown (cartoonist/writer, 2009 winner of the NAACP Image Award), Mike Towry (SDCC co-founder, founder of San Diego Comic Fest), and William R. Lund (SDCC co-founder, actor/writer). Moderated by Greg Koudoulian (early SDCC film program contributor, producer of first minicons on West Coast).