What makes the difference between an item that will get news coverage, previews, or interviews, and what doesn't? Many publishers have no idea what to submit to the press, how to submit it, and why they are being overlooked for coverage. Comic journalist Rik Offenberger (First Comics News, Archie Comics) moderates this panel on just what it takes to get coverage, with the comic journalists themselves telling you what they are looking for in your submission. Panelists include (in alphabetical order) Albert Ching (Newsarama), Glenn Hauman (Comic Mix), Holly Golightly (BroadSword Comics), Rich Johnston (Bleeding Cool), Alan Kistler (Comic Mix), Heidi MacDonald (The Beat), Chris Squires (Buckley Radio), Tanya Tate (First Comics News), Chris Thompson (First Comics News), J. C. Vaughn (The Scoop), Josh Waldrop (M1W Entertainment), and Bryan Young (Huffington Post, Big Shiny Robot). Find out what it takes to self-promote and make a significant impact on your ability to sell your comic.
Thursday July 18, 2013 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 8
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
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
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 15, 02:15PM Experts discuss digital development and marketing for your digital projects, including your comic, web series, app, game, or Kickstarter. Panelists include BernieSu (The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, showrunner), MattEnlow (Squaresville), BrianNorgard (Chill CEO), NicoleWilke (Fox Animation Domination High-Def, digital producer), SarahPenna (Big Frame, Co-Founder), MariaPacheco (DreamWorks Animation, mobile marketing), MeganWesterby (Collective Digital Studio, VP marketing - Video Game High School, Hannah Hart's Hello Harto Tour) and YomiAyeni (Clockwork Watch, creator), moderated by KevinWinston (Digital LA CEO).
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.
Is that 40,000 comics in your pocket, or are you just happy to see us? Join comiXology co-founders David Steinberger and John D. Roberts for an open discussion on the past, present and future of your favorite cloud-based digital comics platform. This is your opportunity to discover what's next and ask any questions that you've been dying to ask! All topics are game!
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.
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.
Need tips on how to market your comic and yourself to voracious fans and the comic industry at large? Have questions on the best way to do PR? Then this panel is for you! Some of the best and brightest in comics today bring you a roundtable discussion, revealing all the secrets of doing effective marketing and PR to get your comic noticed. Join moderator Chip Mosher (comiXology's PR and marketing maven), J. K. Parkin (from Comic Book Resources and the Eisner Award-nominated blog Robot 6), and Fantagraphics Books's marketing and PR team Jacq Cohen (director of publicity and promotions) and Jen Vaughn (marketing and outreach coordinator) for an inspiring and wide-ranging discussion you won't want to miss!
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.
Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion), and Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller, Occupy Comics) have joined forces to bring confrontational, daring, and unique stories to comics. With a lead-off roster including Wu-Tang's RZA and Ghostface Killah, Darick Robertson (Transmetropolitan, The Boys), and Occupy Comics's star-studded team ranging from Alan Moore to Charlie Adlard to Art Spiegelman, Black Mask has already hit the ground running. Niles, Pizzolo, and Robertson will be joined by Matthew Rosenberg (12 Reasons To Die) and Adam Egypt Mortimer (Ballistic) for a discussion of breaking new ground in comics, and then Pizzolo will welcome additional panelists for a peek at what's coming next.
In the tapestry of human experience is the essence of myth. While life's common threads remind us of a shared heritage, our diverse backgrounds color these expressions. Thankfully, emerging technologies offer the chance to share perspectives and experiences. Moderator Sohaib Awan (CEO of Jabal Entertainment and creator of IDW Publishing's Jinrise) will lead a discussion centered on the challenges and potential stories global myths offer comic fans here and overseas. Joining Sohaib will be Chris Ryall (IDW Publishing's editor-in-chief and chief creative officer), Andrew Huerta (artist on IDW Publishing's Jinnrise), Tom Taylor (Creator of Gestalt Comics' The Deep and lead writer on DC Comics' Injustice), Alexis Kirsch (Editor of VIZ Media's Weekly Shonen Jump), Wolfgang Bylsma (Editor-in-Chief of Gestalt Comics) and Greg Broadmore (WETA Workshop Lead Concept Designer). Each attendee will receive a signed copy of IDW Publishing's Jinnrise and other items from our panelists' publishers.
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.
Comic-Con special guest Duane Swierczynski writes violent, bloody, pulpy comics (Judge Dredd, X, Bloodshot) and violent, bloody, pulpy novels (Fun & Games, Point & Shoot, Severance Package). But deep down inside, he's a sweetheart. Which is why he's inviting you to hang out with him for a special afternoon of prizes! Surprise guests! A soul-searching Q&A! And a hug. (Okay, maybe not a hug.)
Secrets will be revealed and hints will be dropped, courtesy of the IDW editorial team of John Barber, Bobby Curnow, and Carlos Guzman, plus Hasbro's director for global publishing Michael Kelly. They'll be joined by a powerhouse lineup of fan-favorite creators, including artist Phil Jimenez, ready to answer your questions!
"Digital First" comic releases have electrified fans by breaking print publishing conventions and pushing the boundaries of comic storytelling. Now you can join the major players in the "Digital First" movement-comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger, SVP Vertigo & Integrated Publishing for DC, Hank Kanalz, Thrillbent co-founder and Eisner Award-winning creator Mark Waid, MonkeyBrain Comics co- publisher Allison Baker, and IDW director of ePublishing Jeff Webber -- to hear all about the future of the medium! Moderated by Rob Salkowitz, futurist and author of Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture.
Join film agent Brandy Rivers (Gersh Agency) and literary agents Michael Bourret (Dystel & Goderich Literary Management), Barry Goldblatt (Barry Goldblatt Literary), Sara Megibow (Nelson Literary Agency), Jane Putch (Eyebait Licensing & Literary Management), Kate Schafer Testerman (kt literary) and Pam van Hylckama Vlieg (Foreword Literary) for a Q&A session about the wild world of manuscript querying, the role of agents in the publication and film rights process, and more. No pitches, please.
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.
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).
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.
Face off with your favorite Rotten Tomatoes critics such as Leonard Maltin (Badass Film Critic and historian), Ben Lyons (Extra), and Scott Mantz (Access Hollywood) when they join editor-in-chief Matt Atchity and senior editor Grae Drake of Rotten Tomatoes along with their editorial team. As Matt and Grae name popular movies of 2012 and 2013, everyone in the room uses their "Personal Tomatometer Paddle" to dis/agree with the score-and debate questions such as "Do reviews even matter anymore?" Courageous members of the audience who openly debate their opinion with the critics receive super cool prizes! Remember: Fortune favors the bold. The panel will be broadcast on Rotten Tomatoes Radio on SiriusXM.
Comic-Con special guest Val Mayerick is best known for his Marvel Comics work in the 1970s, including Man-Thing and the introduction of Howard the Duck. Val talks about his career in comics, past, present, and future in this special guest spotlight event.
Saturday July 20, 2013 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 8
Comic-Con special guest and legendary artist and co-writer of Dr. Strange, TV's X-Men, Red Sonja and more, Frank Brunner will appear for a Q&A panel moderated by historian and artist's rights advocate J. David Spurlock.
Saturday July 20, 2013 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 8
Comic-Con special guest Richard Kadrey discusses his work, from Metrophage to The Smurfs (yes, those Smurfs), to the Sandman Slim series to what's coming in the future. Join him for an interview about his writing (and possibly photography). The interview will be followed by a moderated Q&A session.
Saturday July 20, 2013 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 8
Chuck Terceira (director) and Zach Oat (marketing supervisor) preview upcoming Minimates from Marvel, Walking Dead, Aliens, Ghostbusters, and a new license, with a Q&A to follow.
A conversation moderated by Kent Osborne (head of story, Adventure Time) with Martin Olson (voice actor, The Lord of Evil), and Olivia Olson (voice actor, Marceline The Vampire Queen) about their new book from Abrams, The Adventure Time Encyclopedia, including a slide show and a dramatic reading from the book. Surprises may include a terrifying appearance by Hunson Abadeer himself, a music video from the Nightosphere, and Olivia singing with special surprise guests. Audience participation is encouraged for maximum chance of survival!
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 11, 05:34PM What time is it? It’s Adventure Time! The top-rated Cartoon Network show and bestselling comic book published by KaBOOM! is bigger than ever in 2013! Join KaBOOM! editor Shannon Watters as she has a lively and fun conversation featuring series writer Ryan North along with series artists Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb, and writer/artist Natasha Allegri (Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake).
Award-winning publisher Archaia Entertainment (Mouse Guard, Jim Henson's Tale of Sand, Return of the Dapper Men), well known for its eclectic slate of stories and beautiful-looking publications, unveils the rest of its 2013 lineup, and there's something for everyone! For fantasy fans, hear about The Reason for Dragons from writer Chris Northrop and Will o' the Wisps from writer Tom Hammock and artist Megan Hutchinson. Like noir? Writer Matz is here all the way from France to tell you about his newest volume of The Killer! Sci-fi fans will be represented with a blast from the past by writer Andrew E. C. Gaska's new collection, Space: 1999-The Classics Remastered. You'll get exclusive sneak peeks of Giannis Milonogiannis's follow-up, Old City Blues Vol. 2, and Archaia's first-ever 3D graphic novel, The Joyners in 3D. Actress/producer Alyssa Milano will be on hand to announce her upcoming cyber-thriller graphic novel. If you like horror, actor/writer/director Dan Fogler has got another volume of his anthology graphic novel series Moon Lake up his sleeve. And finally, titles that are all- age appropriate include new volumes of Cow Boy, Spera, and Hopeless, Maine. All attendees will receive a copy of Archaia's 2012 Free Comic Book Day hardcover book.
After four grueling days of comic making, the students from the "Little Fish Artist Intensive" will be presenting the collaborative comic they had four days to create during the days leading up to Comic-Con. Students will reflect on their experience as well as present their work alongside special guest instructor Klaus Janson (Daredevil: End of Days, Dark Knight Returns). Join Klaus and the students for this session moderated by Alonso Nunez and Patrick Yurick (Little Fish Comic Book Studio and American BOOOM!).
All through the 1980s action figures were small, shiny, fun but oftentimes crudely sculpted toys. In 1994 Todd McFarlane took a huge risk to his new empire and started his own toy company (Todd Toys) to make figures based on the characters in Image Comics and in so doing turned the action figure market on its ear. A taller format, better sculpting, and a radical change in paint ops reset the industry standard and raised the bar for everyone. The ripple effect lead to changes at Toy Biz and the appearance of new players in the market such as Art Asylum, The Four Horsemen, and Mezco. The alumni from McFarlane went out into the world and changed smaller companies that were just starting in the action figure world such as NECA and Diamond Select Toys. This tectonic shift is still being felt in the industry as companies focus more on art and realism in their lines. Industry leaders, sculptors, and people who were there discuss the changes and what it meant for collectors then and now. Moderator Daniel "Julius Marx" Pickett from ActionFigureInsider.com will be joined by Joe Ferstl (McFarlane Toys), Jesse Falcon (Marvel), Jean St. Jean (Jean St. Jean Studios), Eric "Cornboy" Mayse (The Four Horsemen Design), Digger T. Mesch (Dig Deep Entertainment, Agent 88, Founder of Art Asylum), and maybe a surprise or two.
Lela Lee (creator of Angry Little Asian Girl, Angry Little Girls), Phil Yu (blogger, www.angryasianman.com), and Wesley Chan and Ted Fu (Wong Fu productions) discuss the ways that each of them create content and how they grow an engaged fan following. Join them for this Q&A session moderated by fan and dedicated follower Victor Lee.
2013 marks the 75th anniversary of the History of the Necronomicon, a short essay written by iconic horror author H. P. Lovecraft and published a year after his death. Since then, the dreaded tome written by the Mad Arab Abdul Alhazred has appeared in movies, books, comics, cartoons, art, music, and games. Although originally a literary hoax, hundreds of products bear its name today. Come explore the truth and legend behind the greatest creation of the 20th century's greatest weird fiction writer, and learn how and why the book and its creator continue to influence all aspects of culture. With Brian Callahan (owner of Arkham Bazaar), Mike Dubisch (illustrator of The Black Velvet Necronomicon: Black Velvet Cthulhu), Cody Goodfellow (writer, All-Monster Action), Leslie S. Klinger (editor, The New Annotated H.P. Lovecraft, 2014), Mark Kinsey Stephenson (Randolph Carter in The Unnamable and The Unnamable II), Bryan Thao Worra (Innsmouth Free Press columnist), and Brian Yuzna (producer/director, Necronomicon: Book of Dead). Moderated by Aaron Vanek (organizer of the H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival-Los Angeles).
Comic-Con special guest Tom Batiuk will be taking you on a humorous and informative journey through the Funkyverse as he delves into the origin and history of his syndicated comic strip Funky Winkerbean. Joining him is DC Comics colorist Alex Sinclair, whose current credits include Superman: Unchained, Green Lantern, Astro City, and Teen Titans, and the talented guy who was the colorist on Batiuk's Pulitzer Finalist book Lisa's Story.
Comic-Con special guest Faith Erin Hicks (Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong) discusses her creative process, her comics career, and her recent and upcoming graphic novels with Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Jeff Smith (Bone).
Join Ben 10 himself, Yuri Lowenthal as he interviews Comic-Con special guest Charlotte Fullerton, the co-head writer of Ben 10: Omniverse, about her extensive career in children's TV, writing for a wide variety of shows such as My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic and Green Lantern: The Animated Series, as well as her involvement in making the now-legendary Star Wars comedy fanfilm Troops. On a personal note, Charlotte is the widow of renowned writer/producer Dwayne McDuffie, co-founder of Milestone Comics. Q&A session.
Comic-Con special guest Ted Naifeh talks about his work on the all-ages titles Courtney Crumrin and Polly and the Pirates and reveals what's in store for the Eisner Award-nominated writer/artist.
Saturday night's impressive costuming event is reviewed, audience questions can be answered, and a big-screen video of all the costume entries is presented for those who missed it or who simply want a second look. Hosted by Masquerade director Martin Jaquish and Masquerade assistant John Ruff. (Sorry, we cannot sell copies of the show).
