The best place to find out what is going on at Comic-Con International: San Diego is by heading over to the site and looking at the massive list of panels and programs occurring on Thursday, July 22, 2010.
Take the jump for a selection of highlights of events we would attend if we were there.
10:15-11:15 DC Comics Writers Unite!— Originally a successful panel at WonderCon 2010, “Comics Writers Unite!” (see the Comic-Con Souvenir Book for a transcript) brought together a number of special guests to talk about the art of writing. Part of a series of programs at this year’s Comic-Con celebrating “The Year of the Writer,” this panel features special guests Paul Levitz (Legion of Super-Heroes), Dennis O’Neil (Batman, The Question), and J. Michael Straczynski (Superman, Wonder Woman), along with Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Secret Six), Judd Winick (Justice League: Generation Lost, Power Girl), and moderator James Robinson (Starman, Justice League of America). Room 6DE
10:30-11:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #1: Comics in the Classroom— Lisa Vizcarra (Carquinez Middle School) explores the pedagogy for creating a middle school biology curriculum based on the book Becoming Batman by E. Paul Zehr, who will join the discussion. Kathy Hall (El Camino College) gives an overview of techniques and assignments for teaching Watchmen in the first-year composition course. Robyn A. Hill (National University) and Bill McGrath (National University) provides illustrations and examples of how comics formats can be used for differentiated instruction to English learners. Room 26AB
11:15-12:45 Walt Disney Pictures: TRON: Legacy— Returning for an unprecedented third year to the fans and convention that started it all, Walt Disney Pictures is pleased to present a special insider look at the upcoming TRON: Legacy. Panelists include filmmakers and talent from the film: director Joe Kosinski, producers Sean Bailey and Steven Lisberger, and cast members Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, and Bruce Boxleitner. The discussion, moderated by Patton Oswalt, is set to include exclusive glimpses of the film, as well as a Q&A involving all panel participants, along with special surprise guests. Hall H
12:45-1:45 Marvel: Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way— Welcome to the House of Ideas, where the doors have never been more open to new talent than today! Talent liaison C. B. Cebulski is joined by special guests Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Skottie Young, Humberto Ramos, and more to talk about what it takes to make yours Marvel as a profession, from writer to artist to editor and more! Do you have what it takes? Come find out! Room 6DE
2:00-3:00 DC Focus: Geoff Johns— Geoff Johns’s storytelling and creativity fueled event blockblusters Blackest Night and the new Brightest Day and the character rebirths of Green Lantern and The Flash. As the new chief creative officer of DC Entertainment, Geoff can be expected to deliver even more thrills and excitement as his focus shifts to bringing the DCU to life outside of the comics, starting with the Green Lantern film and many other surprises! Don’t miss this panel hosted by Eddie Berganza, group editor, interviewing one of the most exciting talents in comics. Room 6DE
2:30-3:30 BrickJournal: Looking at the LEGO Community— In the past decade, a community of adult LEGO builders has sprung up and created models, websites, and even conventions. The staff of BrickJournal, the magazine for LEGO enthusiasts of all ages, invites you to take a look at the community (and what it builds) at this presentation, with Brandon Griffith (top LEGO builder), Jonathan Bender (author of LEGO: A Love Story), Nathan Sawaya (LEGO certified professional builder), and Jim Foulds (community operations manager for the LEGO Group). The panel is moderated by BrickJournal editor Joe Meno. There will be a Q&A afterward, so if you have any questions about the community, events, builders, or even the LEGO company, this is the place to be! Room 7AB
3:15-4:15 Marvel: Mondo Marvel— It’s the panel about all things Marvel! We’ve got top talent on hand to talk about all of your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements! Panelists include Jeph Loeb (Hulk), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Marvel’s talent liaison C. B. Cebulski, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (The Thanos Imperative), Jim McCann (Hawkeye & Mockingbird), senior editor Mark Paniccia, and more as they take on all questions! Room 6DE
4:00-5:00 Robert Kirkman— He examines survival among The Walking Dead. He makes superheroes relatable in Invincible. He made lycanthropy dramatic in The Astounding Wolf-Man. Join Image Comics for an in-depth discussion and Q&A with writing juggernaut Robert Kirkman. Moderated by Sina Grace. Room 5AB
4:30-5:30 Digital Comics Now!— Digital comics are happening right now. A panel of the best and brightest in the new wave of digital comics engage in a wide-ranging discussion of everything from comics on the iPad and iPhone to digital comics on the web and day-and-date-releases. This is your one-stop panel for all the latest digital comics news! Panelists include David Steinberger (CEO of comiXology), Micah Baldwin (CEO of Graphic.ly), Michael Murphey (CEO of iVerse), and Wade Slitkin (CEO of Panelfly). Moderated by Chip Mosher (marketing director, BOOM! Studios). Room 4
5:00-6:00 ComicBase User Group Meeting— See a presentation of the newest features in ComicBase 15 with ComicBase creator Peter Bickford. This is the perfect place to get all the answers you need about the world’s premiere software for managing your comic book collection. Room 9
5:00-6:00 The 5th Annual Comics Podcasting Panel!— Five years ago, the comics podcasting stars came together on one panel for the first time in San Diego, and now they’re back to discuss comics, podcasting, and how the comic book industry has changed since that first panel. Podcasters appearing on the panel include John Siuntres (Word Balloon), Josh Flanagan (iFanboy), Jimmy Aquino (Comic News Insider), Brian “Pants” Christman (Comic Geek Speak), Bob Bretall (The Comic Book Page), and Cameron Hatheway (Cammy’s Comic Corner). Don’t miss your chance to see all your favorite podcasters on one panel! Room 32AB
6:00-7:00 Universal: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World— Genre-bending filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz), graphic novel author Bryan Lee O’Malley, and the cast of Universal Pictures’ Scott Pilgrim vs. the World provide a sneak peek of summer 2010’s epic of epic epicness. Joining Wright will be our hero, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera of Superbad); Scott’s two current girlfriends, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead of The Thing) and Knives Chau (Ellen Wong of Unnatural History); his band, SEX BOB-OMB: Kim Pine (Alison Pill of Milk) and Stephen Stills (Mark Webber of Broken Flowers); SEX BOB-OMB super-fan Young Neil (Johnny Simmons of Jennifer’s Body); Scott’s awesome roommate, Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin of Igby Goes Down); and four of Ramona’s seven evil exes: Matthew Patel (Satya Bhabha of Fair Game), Todd Ingram (Brandon Routh of Superman Returns), Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman of Funny People) and Roxy Richter (Mae Whitman of Parenthood); plus Scott’s younger sister, Stacey Pilgrim (Anna Kendrick of Up in the Air), and the obnoxious Julie Powers (Aubrey Plaza of Parks and Recreation). Q&A to follow. Hall H
7:30-9:30 First Look! Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics— Behind the amazing tales of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Watchmen is the equally impressive story of the challenges, creativity and triumphs of the company that brought those characters to life. Warner Home Video and DC Entertainment present a first look at the new documentary Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics, a compelling insider’s tale and a 75th anniversary celebration as seen through the inkwells of those who created and lived it, balanced with insights from key historians and filled with interviews, archival footage, and a dazzling parade of those forever riveting and splashy DC covers. Included in the premiere event is a panel of distinguished representatives of DC’s storied history. Produced by the Academy Award–nominated team behind Spellbound, this documentary is narrated by Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern) and will be distributed by Warner Home Video in November 2010. Room 7AB
