July 09, 2011
Update: We've now added the full schedule inside for Sunday, July 24.
Over the past few days, we've been weeding through the San Diego Comic-Con 2011 schedule to bring you to juicy bits that'll satisfy your hunger for horror. Compared to yesterday's schedule, it looks like Saturday, July 23 is light on film coverage and more geared toward television and comics (big surprise!).
On Saturday, Joe Lynch's Knights of Badassdom and Francis Ford Coppola's TWIXT get some love, the latter of which will involve the audience in a dress rehearsal of the completely unique and innovative way they plan on performing it (WTF). On the TV front, SyFy's Sanctuary and Being Human will be bringing their supernatural flavor to San Diego, while vampires prove they're still in vogue with panels for True Blood and The Vampires Diaries. Even Teen Wolf will be strutting its stuff. Robert Kirkman is also taking the stage again - multiple times, even - and Garth Ennis and Frank Miller discuss their genre works. Check out the full schedule inside.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 | THURSDAY, JULY 21 | FRIDAY, JULY 22 |
SATURDAY, JULY 23 | SUNDAY, JULY 24
DAY 3: SATURDAY, JULY 23
10:00-11:00 Immortality-- An obsession with "youth" has always been part of our culture. In this panel, authors explore the concept of "immortality" as a cultural fascination and as it is represented in their work, with a particular focus on paranormal, science fiction, and fantasy novels. Panelists discussing their immortal works include: David Goyer and Michael Cassut (Heaven's Shadow), Jason Starr (The Pack), Drew Magary (The Postmortal), Rachel Caine (The Morganville Vampires series), Heather Brewer (The Vlad Tod series), Michael Carroll (Superhuman, Judge Dredd), and Alma Katsu (The Taker). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 7AB
11:00-12:00 Terra Nova-- Star Stephen Lang (Avatar), executive producer Rene Echevarria (Castle, Medium, The 4400, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), executive producer Brannon Braga (24, Star Trek: Enterprise), and co-executive producer Jose Molina (Haven, Castle) premiere footage from the highly anticipated epic adventure series 85 million years in the making, set to premiere this September on FOX. This new event drama from the minds of Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park, The Pacific) and Peter Chernin follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a part of a massive expedition to save the human race. Ballroom 20
11:00-12:00 Sanctuary-- Thrilling action, revolutionary green screen sets, and more bumps in the night than you can count. Catch Amanda Tapping (Helen Magnus), Robin Dunne (Will Zimmerman), and moderator Josh Gates (Destination Truth) as they take you inside Syfy's hit series Sanctuary. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
11:30-12:30 Top Cow: We Create...Excitement-- Join Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri (The Darkness, X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia), president Matt Hawkins (The Darkness II: Confession), and publisher Filip Sablik (Last Mortal), along with a bevy of Top Cow creators, for the most dynamic, news-packed hour at Comic-Con! Be the first to get exclusive news about the future of the Top Cow Universe, the announcement of the 2011 Pilot Season titles and creative teams, and a metric truckload of Top Cow film and television announcements. Plus special surprise guests and a free gift for every attendee! Room 8
11:45-12:45 TWIXT: Francis Ford Coppola and Dan Deacon-- Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and acclaimed musician Dan Deacon present sequences from Coppola's latest film, TWIXT, and involve the audience in a dress rehearsal of the completely unique and innovative way they plan on performing it. Plus a Q&A session. Hall H
12:00-1:00 Being Human-- Find out why Being Human is harder than it looks -- especially when you're a vampire, werewolf, or ghost. Don't miss Sam Witwer (Aidan), Meaghan Rath (Sally), and Sam Huntington (Josh) as they join executive producers Jeremy Carver and Anna Fricke on Syfy's first Being Human panel, moderated by award-winning writer Nadira Hira (expert on Generation Y; contributor, Fortune magazine). Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
12:45-1:45 DC: The Dark and The Edge-- From the shadowy corners of the new DC Universe comes a startling array of new series featuring some of comics' top creators! Join DC Editor Pat McCallum and get acquainted with new DC titles from "The Dark" and "The Edge," including Swamp Thing, written by Scott Snyder, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. and Animal Man, written by Jeff Lemire, Deathstroke, written by Kyle Higgins, Demon Knights and Stormwatch, written by Paul Cornell, I, Vampire, written by Josh Fialkov, Suicide Squad, written by Adam Glass, Swamp Thing, drawn by Francesco Francavilla, All Star Western drawn by Moritat, and more! Room 6DE
1:00-2:00 Robert Kirkman-- One of the most prolific writers in comics today, Robert Kirkman is known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible, Super Dinosaur, Astounding Wolf-Man, Marvel Zombies, and the upcoming series with Rob Liefeld, The Infinite. After becoming an Image Comics partner in 2009 and introducing the internationally renowned hit TV show based on the comic he created, The Walking Dead on AMC, he has proven to be an unstoppable creative force. In 2010, Kirkman launched his own imprint at Image Comics, Skybound, providing him the opportunity to hand pick up-and-coming creators and maintain an active role in promoting and expanding their properties as Skybound Originals. Here he offers fans some insight behind their favorite hit comics. Room 25ABC
1:45-2:45 Vampires and Others-- How do you make a relationship work when you or your significant other lack a pulse or face other mortal-challenged issues? Get relationship advice from Patricia Briggs (The Mercy Thompson series), Nancy Holder (The Crusade series), Linda Thomas-Sundstrom (The Golden Vampire), S.G. Browne (Fated), Clay and Susan Griffith (The Vampire Empire series), and Christine Cody (Bloodlands). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 6A
2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Garth Ennis: Crossed, Stitched, and Beyond-- Superstar writer and Comic-Con special guest Garth Ennis has created quite a home for himself at Avatar Press with the runaway success of Crossed, a brutal, uncompromising vision of a world overrun by pure, sadistic evil. As the Crossed comic series grows into a fearsome franchise featuring the hottest talents in the industry (David Lapham, Si Spurrier, Jacen Burrows), Ennis has expanded into film work, writing and directing Stitched, a chilling horror tale that premieres at Comic-Con and continues in an ongoing monthly comic book. Join Garth as he discusses his future plans with Avatar. Room 6DE
2:00-3:00 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski-- Comic-Con special guest J. Michael Straczynski (Thor movie and comic, Superman Earth One, World War Z movie, Babylon 5) talks about...well, we're never quite sure. He's fairly incomprehensible. Have you heard him? Stunning, really. Can't make out a word. We imagine he'll be talking about writing for movies, TV, comics and so on, but honestly, he could be talking about hydroponics for all we can tell. Translators may be provided if we can ever figure out what language he's speaking. Room 7AB
2:00-3:00 Legendary Comics-- For its inaugural year at Comic-Con, join iconic writer/artist Frank Miller (300), Legendary Comics editor-in-chief Bob Schreck (All-Star Superman), and other artists from the Legendary stable to find out about upcoming releases, including Miller's Holy Terror. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
2:15-3:15 Knights of Badassdom-- In this humorous fantasy adventure from IndieVest Pictures, Joe (Ryan Kwanten) is a heavy metal rocker who's just gone through a painful breakup with his girlfriend, Beth (Margarita Levieva). His concerned roommates (Steve Zahn, Peter Dinklage) kidnap him to their LARP (Live Action Role Playing) gathering, where he enters a realm of fantasy escapism in which pretend knights, elves, and barbarians clash with foam weaponry on a mock battlefield. When Joe's "sorcerer" roommate (Zahn) inadvertently summons a deadly succubus that takes Beth's seductive form, bloody reality crashes down on their fantasy world. Once LARPers start to turn up dead, the make-believe wizards and warriors must become the real-life heroes they have been pretending to be in order to conquer the evil that has been unleashed. The panel will include a Comic-Con exclusive trailer and a discussion/Q&A with stars Ryan Kwanten (HBO's True Blood, Red Hill), Peter Dinklage (HBO's Game of Thrones, Station Agent), Steve Zahn, pending availability (HBO's Tremé, Saving Silverman), Summer Glau (Firefly, Serenity, The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Danny Pudi (NBC's Community), Jimmi Simpson, pending availability (A&E's Breakout Kings, Date Night), Margarita Levieva (The Lincoln Lawyer, Adventureland). and director Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2). Knights of Badassdom will be released in spring 2012. Hall H
2:30-3:30 TV Guide Magazine Presents: Super Supernaturals-- Moderated by TV Guide senior editor William Keck, this panel features the most super supernaturals, super witches, and super werewolves from new series and returning favorites. Panelists include John Barrowman (Torchwood), Kristin Bauer (True Blood), Thomas Dekker (The Secret Circle), David Greenwalt (Grimm), Theo James (Bedlam), Jim Kouf (Grimm), Britt Robertson (The Secret Circle), Phoebe Tonkin (The Secret Circle), and Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf). Room 5AB
3:00-4:00 Creator-Owned Comics with Robert Kirkman-- Image Comics partner and bestselling writer Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) is joined by Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson and some very special guests to discuss the exciting present and future possibilities of creator-owned comics. Be one of the first to hear some major announcements from the leading publisher of creator-owned comics. Plus: an exclusive print for first 100 attendees! Room 7AB
3:00-4:00 Dark Horse: Joss Whedon-- Long before signing on to helm one of the most anticipated superhero films in history, Joss Whedon rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plot lines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here's your chance to find out what he has in store for us next, including a sneak peek at the brand-new Angel & Faith and Buffy Season 9 comics, plus exciting news about Buffy digital comics! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
3:30-4:15 The Vampire Diaries Screening and Q&A-- All the way from Mystic Falls, the cast and creative team behind The Vampire Diaries descend on Comic-Con for a third time! Series stars Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Paul Wesley (Roll Bounce), Ian Somerhalder (Lost), Candice Accola (Juno), and Joseph Morgan (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World) join executive producers/writers Kevin Williamson (Scream) and Julie Plec (Kyle XY) to enthrall fans with a season two highlight reel and Q&A session. This edgy, romantic drama remains the number-one series on The CW and promises another round of twists, turns and "triangles" in season three. From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment, and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW, and The Vampire Diaries: The Complete Second Season will be released on Blu-ray and DVD August 30. Ballroom 20
4:00-5:00 Dark Horse and BioWare: A Comic and Video Game Partnership-- Star Wars: The Old Republic and Mass Effect are creations of one of the most distinguished developers in video games -- BioWare! Join Star Wars: The Old Republic senior writer Alexander Freed, Mass Effect 3 lead writer Mac Walters, Mass Effect comics scripter John Jackson Miller, Dark Horse editor Dave Marshall, and a cast of celebrities, as BioWare and Dark Horse announce their next collaboration and reveal exclusive details about the games and comics they're working on. Room 23ABC
4:15-5:15 Grimm: World Premiere Pilot Screening and Q&A with Cast and Producers from the New Supernatural Series-- From the creative minds behind fan-favorite series Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and X-Files, comes a new world of police work where all cases have a storybook connection...but not always happily ever after. Grimm, debuting on NBC this fall, is a provocative police procedural with a supernatural mythology, inspired by the classic Grimm Brothers' fairy tales. Those weren't stories -- they were warnings. Be the first to watch the pilot episode and participate in a Q&A session with the cast and producers: David Giuntoli (Turn the Beat Around), Russell Hornsby (Lincoln Heights), Bitsie Tulloch (Quarterlife), Silas Weir Mitchell (Prison Break), Reggie Lee (Persons Unknown), and Sasha Roiz (Caprica) and executive producers/writers Jim Kouf (Angel) and David Greenwalt (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Room 6A
4:30-5:15 Fringe Screening and Q&A-- Fringe returns to Comic-Con with series stars Anna Torv, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole, and John Noble and executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman for a Q&A with fans and an exclusive video presentation. Delve into parallel universes and alternate doppelgangers and join the discussion about this critically acclaimed thriller as Fringe continues to explore otherworldly cases with endless impossibilities. From Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fringe airs Fridays at 9/8c on FOX, and Fringe: The Complete Third Season will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 6. Ballroom 20
5:15-6:00 The Secret Circle Screening and Q&A-- The coven is coming to Comic-Con! The Secret Circle series stars Britt Robertson (Scream 4), Thomas Dekker (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Phoebe Tonkin (H20: Just Add Water), and Natasha Henstridge (Species) join executive producers/writers Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries), Andrew Miller (Nothing) and Richard Hatem (Supernatural) for a screening of the pilot and Q&A session. The ordinary becomes extraordinary when the new girl in town, Cassie Blake, learns that she is part of a circle of young witches living in Chance Harbor, Washington. As Cassie discovers her abilities and adjusts to her new surroundings, she uncovers some of the town's dark secrets...which may be tied to the death of her parents. Mystery, romance and danger await. From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Secret Circle premieres this fall on Thursdays at 9/8c on The CW. Room 6BCF
5:30-6:30 Teen Wolf-- MTV's critically acclaimed hit series Teen Wolf is coming back to Comic-Con! Join the cast -- Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O'Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Holland Roden, and Colton Haynes -- along with executive producer Jeff Davis (creator, Criminal Minds), and director/co-executive producer Russell Mulcahy (director, Resident Evil: Extinction) for a Q&A session, plus an exclusive sneak peek at the remaining four episodes. Room 24ABC
6:00-7:00 Twisted Metal-- David Jaffe, director and lead designer of God of War and co-director of the upcoming Playstation 3 exclusive Twisted Metal, reveals the newest Twisted trailer featuring the demented Dollface and shows off a near final cut of the game's opening live-action cinematic. David will also take the audience through the single-player campaign, including a sneak peek of a new boss: The Brothers Grimm! Plus lots more Twisted surprises! Room 5AB
6:00-7:00 Archaia Entertainment: The Making of a Graphic Novel: Behind the Scenes on Bleedout, Everlast, and Mr. Murder Is Dead-- Three new graphic novels coming from Archaia Entertainment's Black Label have some very interesting stories behind them, and if you ever aspire to create your own graphic novel someday, you may pick up some pointers! Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy goes behind the scenes on Everlast, a pre-apocalyptic tale about one's destiny, created by Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill); Bleedout, based on Vogster Entertainment's MMO RPG franchise CrimeCraft, with writer Mike Kennedy (Star Wars); and Mr. Murder Is Dead, a clever whodunit that evokes memories of the classic Golden Age comics of yesteryear, with writer Victor Quinaz (Before After) and illustrator Brent Schoonover (Astronaut Dad). Plus special announcements from Mouse Guard creator David Petersen and Rust creator Royden Lepp. Room 9
7:00-8:00 Halo-8 Comics, Animation, and Creator-Owned-Transmedia-- Halo-8's Godkiller is one of the most broadly distributed creator-owned properties of the past year, a feat accomplished through Halo-8's experimental "illustrated film" format that merges comics with digital-cinema. Halo-8 president Matt Pizzolo (creator, Godkiller) leads an in-depth conversation on how marrying art with technology can empower creators like never before and can help launch a new renaissance of sustainable creator-owned storytelling. The panel will also unveil new transmedia experiments such as an interactive-film version of Patrick Meaney's Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts and previews of upcoming illustrated films such as Tim Seeley's Hack/Slash and Ben Templesmith's Black Sky. The panel will include numerous creators and stars of Halo-8 projects, plus a special announcement: Seeley and Pizzolo will introduce the actress playing Cassie Hack in the Hack/Slash illustrated-film! You're probably already her fan, and she'll talk about how excited she is to bring Cassie to life. Room 9
8:30-11:30 HBO's True Blood Presents the Comic-Con International Masquerade-- Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands, with impressive awards and cash prizes bestowed to those judged most outstanding. Doors will open for audience seating at 7:45 pm, but the line will start much earlier! Tickets will be required for seating, and will be given out free to those lining up near Ballroom 20 beginning at 2:00 pm Saturday until all tickets are gone. The masters of ceremonies will once again be writer/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio. (Note: overflow seating is available in Rooms 5AB, 6A and in the Sails Pavilion; tickets not required for overflow areas) Ballroom 20
8:30-11:30 SIMULCAST in 5AB: HBO's True Blood Presents the Comic-Con International Masquerade-- Overflow simulcast viewing, no tickets required. Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands, with impressive awards and cash prizes bestowed to those judged most outstanding. The masters of ceremonies will once again be writer/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio. Room 5AB
8:30-11:30 SIMULCAST in 6A: HBO's True Blood Presents the Comic-Con International Masquerade-- Overflow simulcast viewing, no tickets required. Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands, with impressive awards and cash prizes bestowed to those judged most outstanding. The masters of ceremonies will once again be writer/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio. Room 6A
8:30-1:30 Party and Simulcast Under the Sails of HBO's True Blood Presents the Comic-Con International Masquerade-- Avoid the crowds and watch the simulcast under the Sails (no tickets required!). Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands, with impressive awards and cash prizes bestowed to those judged most outstanding. The masters of ceremonies will once again be writer/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio. Sails Pavilion
9:30-10:30 FX Pilot Sneak Peek Screening-- Surprise! Stop by for a special Saturday night sneak peek at one of FX's most highly anticipated pilots. At press time, details of this exclusive screening event were unable to be released by FX, so please check the room sign outside of Room 6DE for updated details. Room 6DE
DAY 4: SUNDAY, JULY 24
10:00-11:00 What's Hot in Young Adult Fiction: Sit Down with the Writers We Can't Stop Talking About-- Hosted by Nathan Bransford (Jacob Wonderbar Cosmic Space Kapow), and featuring panelists Andrea Cremer (Nightshade series), Amanda Hocking (Hollowland), Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me), Stephanie Perkins (Anna and the French Kiss), Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone), and Kiersten White (Paranormalcy), who discuss the YA phenomenon and their books. Room 23ABC
10:30-11:30 Wild Cards-- Top writers in the science fiction field discuss the positives and the pitfalls of re-creating the comic experience in a prose form. How can words ever compete with pictures? Or does the depth of characterization make up for the lack of visuals? Panelists include George R. R. Martin (Song of Ice and Fire), Melinda M. Snodgrass (Edge series, Wild Cards), Paul Cornell (Doctor Who and DC Comics), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty novels), Michael Cassutt (Heaven's Shadow), David Anthony Durham (Acacia Series), Caroline Spector (Wild Cards), Daniel Abraham (Leviathan Wakes, Dragon's Path), and Kevin Andrew Murphy (Supernatural Suburbia). Room 6BCF
11:00-12:00 Watchmen: 25 Years Later-- The first issue of Watchmen appeared in comic book stores in June 1986, and its shockwaves are still reverberating. The landmark series' artist Dave Gibbons, colorist John Higgins, and editor Len Wein discuss its legacy with moderator Douglas Wolk. Room 7AB
11:05-11:55 CCI-IFF Awards Presentation-- The films have been shown, now it's time to give the recipients of the 2011 Comic-Con Independent Film Festival Awards their trophies and recognition! Comic-Con's Gary Sassaman talks to this year's trio of judges, Michael Gross (art director, producer, Heavy Metal, Ghostbusters), Eric Vespe ("Quint" on Ain't It Cool News), and the producer of last year's CCI-IFF Judges' Choice and Best Documentary award-winner and Kevin Walsh (Marwencol), about this year's films. Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina
11:15-12:15 Supernatural Screening and Q&A-- For the first time ever, the Supernatural panel will be in Hall H! Series stars Jared Padalecki (Friday the 13th [2009]) and Jensen Ackles (My Bloody Valentine 3D) and additional cast members and executive producers present an exclusive sneak peek at footage from the highly anticipated seventh season of this thrill-ride series. The panel will answer questions from the audience, show a portion of the special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Sixth Season DVD and Blu-ray release (in stores September 13), and give Comic-Con fans a sneak peek at Supernatural: The Anime Series, coming to DVD and Blu-ray on July 26. Supernatural airs Fridays at 9/8c on The CW and is produced by Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television. Hall H
12:30-1:30 Marvel: Fear Itself-- The biggest comic book event of the year has everyone talking -- but just what comes after it concludes? You'll get the exclusive news here, with the big announcements that'll change the future of the Marvel Universe -- and send your favorite characters in exciting new directions. Be the first to know the biggest news of the weekend as the creators behind the comic blockbuster event answer your questions and leave you cheering! Join Greg Pak (Alpha Flight), Cullen Bunn (The Deep), Nick Spencer (Iron Man 2.0), editor-in-chief Axel Alonso, and others for the news you can't miss. Room 6DE
12:30-1:30 BBC America's Doctor Who-- Stars Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, along with writers and producers, make their first Comic-Con appearance for a panel and Q&A! They're bringing exclusive new footage of the new season to be shown ahead of its late summer return on BBC America. Doctor Who follows the adventures of the Doctor, the mysterious traveler who journeys throughout all of time and space, picking up companions along the way and almost always sidestepping danger. From award-winning lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat and starring BAFTA nominee Matt Smith as the Doctor and Karen Gillan as his companion Amy Pond, the second season's Part One delivered record ratings for BBC America and marked the first time Doctor Who filmed on American soil. Also starring Arthur Darvill and Alex Kingston, the Part One finale ended with the unveiling of a massive secret and the words "Let's Kill Hitler" on screen. Part One is now available on Blu-ray/DVD/iTunes, and Part Two premieres late summer on BBC America's Supernatural Saturdays. Hall H
1:00-2:00 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Screening and Q&A-- The gang from Crystal Cove is packing up its best traps and bringing them to San Diego, and it's no mystery as to why fans have embraced this most recent take on Scooby-Doo from Warner Bros. Animation. Supervising producers Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone (both veterans of Duck Dodgers) and producer Mitch Watson (Ben 10: Race Against Time) present a special screening of the first-season finale and a lively panel discussion on the adventures that await Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma in season two. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated airs Tuesdays at 7:30 E & P/6:30 C on Cartoon Network and the original movie Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur will be released on DVD September 13. Room 6A
1:00-2:00 International Hit Merlin Returns to Comic-Con with its Popular Cast-- Global sensation Merlin comes back to Comic-Con in advance of its fourth season premiere, offering more sneak peeks, greater behind-the-scenes reveals, and an unprecedented four members of its internationally beloved cast. Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) returns with three of his fellow castmates -- Colin Morgan, the beloved title character of Merlin; Bradley James, who portrays Prince Arthur; and Katie McGrath, the now-villainous sorceress Morgana. Co-creators and executive producers Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy join their cast to provide an exclusive Comic-Con glimpse into the twists and turns of the upcoming season, offer a special advance look at new footage, provide a few unique prizes for fans, and supply some special surprises from the series that airs in more than 180 countries. Room 6BCF
1:30-2:30 Editing Comics the BOOM! Studios Way-- BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief Matt Gagnon talks to three of fandom's favorite BOOM! writers -- Chris Roberson (Starborn, iZombie, Superman), Daryl Gregory (Planet of the Apes, Dracula Company of Monsters), and Michael Alan Nelson (28 Days Later, Dingo, Hexed) -- about the ins and outs of editing comics at BOOM! Don't miss this in-depth look into the editing secrets of one of the comic book industry's leading independent publishers as they discuss editing dos and don'ts at today's hottest comic book company. Room 23ABC
1:40-5:00 CCI-IFF Award Winners Showcase-- Stay tuned for an afternoon of great indie entertainment as the CCI-IFF rescreens the award-winning films from this year's Festival! Marriott Hall 2, Marriott Marquis & Marina
2:00-3:00 Max Brooks: Zombie Survival 101-- Max Brooks, screenwriter and author of bestselling books The Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z, and The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks, is the world's leading authority on the defense against a ghoulish uprising! Renowned for his campus and convention lectures nationwide, Brooks comes to Comic-Con to share his insight into the rotting minds of the undead, reveal how the Zombie Survival Guide came into existence, and field questions from zombie-phobic fans. You dare not miss this lecture -- your very life may depend on it! Room 7AB
2:00-3:00 Cover Story: The Art of the Cover-- Comic-Con's annual Cover Story panel explores what it takes to make a great cover. This year, moderator Mark Evanier talks to special guests Ernie Chan (known for his incredible run of DC covers in the 1970s), Jo Chen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer covers for Dark Horse), Alan Davis (numerous covers for Marvel), Dave Gibbons (his groundbreaking Watchmen covers integrated the cover with the story inside), Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL), and Ashley Wood (Popbot, World War Robot, Zombies vs. Robots) about their cover work and what makes a great cover. Room 25ABC
2:00-4:00 Browncoats-- Fans of Firefly and Serenity are welcome to join the California Browncoats. You can expect announcements about new happenings from all over the 'Verse, including shindigs, products, and Browncoats: Redemption. Then stick around for some entertainment provided by Browncoat-friendly musician Marian Call. You never know what else might happen! Room 32AB
2:45-3:45 High School Bites-- Let's face it: High school sucks enough without having to add a constant thirst for blood, going all furry under a full moon, or being hunted by all of the above. But for these YA authors, going back to high school was the best decision they ever made. Scott Westerfeld (The Uglies series), Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone), Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia (Beautiful Creatures, Beautiful Darkness), Debbie Viguie (Once Upon a Time series), Anna Carey (Eve), and Heather Brewer (The Vlad Tod series) discuss their characters' formative years with moderator Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 5AB
3:00-4:00 Keenspot 2011: Vampires and Zombies and the Moon!-- Pioneering webcomics publisher Keenspot returns for their unfathomable 11th annual Comic-Con panel! Creators scheduled to appear include Benny Powell (Wayward Sons), Brion Foulke (Flipside), John Joseco (The Lounge), David Campiti (Exposure), R.C. Monroe (Out There), and tentatively, writer/director Jay Weisman (Shockwave Darkside). Additionally, Aimee Schoof (Red Giant Media), co-producer of the upcoming shot-in-3D war on the moon feature film Shockwave Darkside as well as the movie adaptation of the Keenspot webcomic Last Blood (after zombies take over the Earth, vampires must protect the last surviving humans so they can live off their blood), will bring previews and announcements about both projects. And everyone who attends will receive a free...something. Room 4
3:30-4:00 Sons of Anarchy-- Get an inside look into the world of FX's highest-rated series ever, Sons of Anarchy, with creator Kurt Sutter (The Shield) and stars Charlie Hunnam (Children of Men), Katey Sagal (Married...With Children), and Ron Perlman (Hellboy). Hall H
4:00-5:00 Buffy the Musical-- Let's end this show with a bang! The powers that be behind Fandom Charities Inc. and Whedonopolis.com present a screening of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode "Once More With Feeling" as Comic-Con 2011's big Hall H closing event! Many say this is the finest, funniest, most ingenious episode ever to come out of the Buffyverse. But remember, the best part of the show is up to you! This episode was made for talkin' -- back, that is -- and singing and shouting and dancing in the aisles, with or without your dry cleaning! Audience participation: it isn't just for Rocky Horror and mob riots anymore. Hall H
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July 08, 2011
I love standing firm on a promise, having kept our San Diego Comic-Con news leading up to the July 20th event to an absolute minimum. But reader beware: Bloody Disgusting's front page is going to be a gooey explosion, an absolute onslaught of coverage come that Wednesday.
Speaking of Wednesday, July 20, the Con has revealed the official lineup for both "Preview Night" and Thursday, July 21. So instead of filling up the front page with an individual story on EACH announcement, we've jam-packed it all into this one tidy post (ok, I'm OCD about organization, what the hell do you want from me?)
We'll hit you up with the details on the other three days as soon as they're announced.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 | THURSDAY, JULY 21 | FRIDAY, JULY 22 |
SATURDAY, JULY 23 | SUNDAY, JULY 24
PREVIEW NIGHT: WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
6:00-9:00 Special Sneak Peek Pilot Screenings: Alcatraz, Person of Interest, The Secret Circle, and Supernatural: The Anime Series -- Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition with exclusive world premiere screenings of the pilot episodes of three of the most highly anticipated TV series pilots of the 2011-12 television season -- Alcatraz, Person of Interest, and The Secret Circle -- as well as Supernatural: The Anime Series, the first-ever anime adaptation of a U.S. television series. Ballroom 20
DAY 1: THURSDAY, JULY 21
10:00-11:00 Planet of the Apes in Comics Present and Past -- Planet of the Apes has come back to comics this year, thanks to BOOM! Studios. Current Planet of the Apes comics editor Ian Brill and writer Daryl Gregory talk about the new series, along with Tom Mason, who served as Malibu Comics' creative director and oversaw the last big Apes explosion. Learn what's next for Planet of the Apes and secrets behind the past of this comic franchise. Room 5A
10:00-11:00 Deadliest Warrior: Vampires vs. Zombies -- Vampires and zombies have terrorized and tantalized their way through pop culture for decades, from Dracula to the Twilight Saga to Walking Dead. SPIKE TV and its Deadliest Warrior franchise are going to finally answer the question: Which of these mythical creatures would come out on top in a fight to the finish? Deadliest Warrior steps outside the confines of history for this groundbreaking fantasy episode destined to rouse heated debates amongst fans in the blogosphere for months. The special episode features an array of icons of film and fiction who are authorities on the topic. Through these expert interviews, scientific tests, and careful analysis, They will determine who would win in a battle to the death between these two iconic groups, zombies and vampires. The Deadliest Warrior team of Richard "Mack" Machowicz, Dr. Armand Dorian, and Robert Daly, guests Steve Niles, Max Brooks, and horror legend Wes Craven, and executive producer of Deadliest Warrior and president of 44 Blue Productions Rasha Drachkovitch make their case for who is, indeed, the fiercest. Los Angeles Times writer and HeroComplex.com founder Geoff Boucher will serve as moderator. Room 25ABC
10:45-11:45 Oh, You Sexy Geek! -- Does displaying the sexiness of fangirls benefit or demean them? When geek girls show off, are they liberating themselves or pandering to men? Do some "fake fangirls" blend sex appeal with nerdiness just to appeal to the growing geek/nerd market, or is that question itself unfair? And what's up with all the Slave Leias? Action flick chick Katrina Hill (ActionFlickChick.com) asks Bonnie Burton (Grrl.com), Adrianne Curry (America's Next Top Model), Clare Grant (Team Unicorn, "G33k & G4m3r Girls"), Kiala Kazebee (Nerdist.com), Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Nerdy Bird Jill Pantozzi ("Has Boobs, Reads Comics"), Jennifer K. Stuller (Ink-Stained Amazons, GeekGirlCon) and Chris Gore (G4TV's Attack of the Show!) to discuss whether fans can be sexy and geeky at the same time -- and if they should! Room 6A
11:15-12:15 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 -- Summit Entertainment presents a sneak peek at the highly anticipated next chapter of The Twilight Saga. This is a must see for fans interested in the story's final chapters. You'll see exclusive footage from The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn Part 1 and be treated to a filmmaker and cast Q&A session providing details on the first half of the epic two-part finale. Hall H
12:00-1:00 Spreading The Darkness: From Comic Book to Video Games and Entertainment -- In a world of comic book icons, The Darkness has not only stood the test of time but flourished in various forms of media. Celebrate the upcoming 15th anniversary of The Darkness with the creators that know Jackie Estacado and his world the best. The Darkness creator Marc Silvestri (X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia) and team members from Digital Extremes and 2K Games discuss not only the comic but the upcoming video game, The Darkness II, arriving in October. Plus special surprise guests! And be the first to hear about an exciting announcement regarding The Darkness in other media. Room 9
12:00-1:00 Dark Horse: Fall Publishing Highlights -- Three supersecret surprise megastars from the entertainment and publishing worlds (revealed on Preview Night at the Dark Horse booth) discuss their thrilling new comics at this special panel. Discover their spine-tingling new projects coming in fall 2011 and get an exclusive San Diego Comic-Con print, which you'll be able to see larger than life at the Dark Horse booth! Room 32AB
12:15-1:00 Focus on Rick Baker -- The multi-Oscar winning master of makeup effects will take us on an overview of his remarkable career with a special emphasis on his work with director Barry Sonnenfeld on Men In Black 1 & 2, as well as a first look at some of his creatures and makeup for the upcoming Men In Black 3. Appearing on stage: Rick Baker in conversation with Geoff Boucher of the Los Angeles Times' Hero Complex. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
1:00-2:00 SKYBOUND Panel -- It's been an amazing year for SKYBOUND, Image COO Robert Kirkman's imprint at Image Comics. The premiere original Witch Doctor has sold out nationwide, the all-ages hit Super Dinosaur continues to soar, and Kirkman's team-up with Rob Liefeld, The Infinite, is about to rock fans to their core. So what's next? Robert Kirkman discusses the future of the imprint with his stable of creators, including Thief of Thieves writer Nick Spencer, Witch Doctor creators Brandon Seifert and Lukas Ketner, and others. Expect loads of surprises, announcements, and most important: AWESOMENESS. Room 25ABC
1:00-2:00 Archaia Entertainment: Immortals, the Graphic Novel -- Before you watch Relativity Media's epic 3D film Immortals when it opens on November 11, dive into Archaia's prelude graphic novel, Immortals: Gods and Heroes, coming in September! Featuring original tales that expand on the movie's characters and written and illustrated by some of the top names in comics, Immortals: Gods and Heroes promises to prepare you for the visionary film directed by Tarsem Singh (The Cell, The Fall). Editor Nate Cosby (Jim Henson's The Storyteller) and contributors Dennis Calero (X-Factor), F. J. DeSanto (The Spirit), David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Jim McCann (Return of the Dapper Men), Ben McCool (Captain America), and some surprise guests give you a sneak peek at the graphic novel, plus provide some cool behind-the-scenes info of its production. Meet the two winners of the "Become Immortal" contest, whose likenesses will be drawn into the book. Plus, everyone in attendance will receive a voucher for a cool Immortals: Gods and Heroes giveaway at the Archaia booth! Moderated by Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy. Room 32AB
1:30-2:30 AICN Comics: Horror on the Paneled Page -- Mark L. Miller (Ain't It Cool News) hosts a panel focusing on horror with some of comic books' darkest writers and artists. The discussion will breach such topics as how to create successful horror comics, what causes chills, and what doesn't. Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Joshua Hale Fialkov (DC's upcoming I, Vampire), David Quinn (Faust), Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash), Brandon Seifert (Witch Doctor), Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller), Brea and Zane Grant (We Will Bury You), and a few surprise guests will show you what makes them the best of the best in comic book horror. Room 24ABC
1:45-2:45 Ringer -- Sarah Michelle Gellar makes her highly anticipated television return in the gripping new thriller Ringer, as a woman who, after witnessing a murder, goes on the run, hiding out by assuming the life of her wealthy identical twin -- only to learn that her sister's seemingly idyllic life is just as complicated and dangerous as the one she's trying to leave behind. Be the first to see an exclusive sneak peek at the new series about family secrets and stolen identities, followed by a panel discussion with series stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), Ioan Gruffudd (Fantastic Four), Nestor Carbonell (Lost, The Dark Knight), Kristoffer Polaha (Life Unexpected), executive producer Pam Veasey (CSI:NY), and co-executive producers Nicole Snyder (Supernatural) and Eric Charmelo (Supernatural). Ballroom 20
2:00-3:00 FilmDistrict Studio Panel -- FilmDistrict, the new studio that brought you Insidious, celebrates two upcoming features: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, a Guillermo Del Toro production starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, and Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, and Christina Hendricks. Exclusive footage will be presented and a Q&A will be held for both films. Hall H
2:00-3:00 Warner Premiere: H+ and Mortal Kombat: Legacy -- From producer Bryan Singer (X-Men, X2, X-Men: First Class, Superman Returns) comes a Comic-Con exclusive first look at H+, the forthcoming Warner Premiere/Dolphin Entertainment web series directed by Stewart Hendler (Sorority Row) and written and created by John Cabrera and Cosimo De Tommaso. H+ takes place in a near-future world where a tiny and stunning new piece of technology lies at the center of a dark and epic mystery. Then, Mortal Kombat: Legacy, a hit web series with over 35 million views, takes the stage for a panel discussion with director Kevin Tancharoen (Mortal Kombat: Rebirth), Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager), Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight), Darren Shahlavi (Sanctuary), Peter Shinkoda (Falling Skies), and Matt Mullins (Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight). Fans will see -- for the first time -- the long-awaited final Mortal Kombat: Legacy episode! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
3:00-4:00 State of the Geek Report: From Avatar to Zardoz -- The world's foremost geeksperts once again converge at Comic-Con to discuss the state of contemporary sci-fi, fantasy, and horror cinema and television, ranging from the superhero smackdown of the summer of 2011 to the future of 3D films to why we'll never have a summer as good as 1982 again. Screenwriter Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X-Men: First Class), director Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red), writer Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: The Series), Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, DOA: Dead Or Alive), and Bill Hunt (The Digital Bits), along with guests, discuss the past, present, and future state of the genre, brought to you by the new Geek Monthly. Room 5AB
3:00-4:00 WTF, Dude? Spotlight on Charlie Huston -- Comic-Con special guest Charlie Huston (Wolverine The Best There Is) has written comics, crime, horror, and SF novels and pilots for HBO and FOX. Now he brutally interrogates himself to answer the question "WFT, Dude?" Included in your admission: Ask Charlie a stoopid question! Trivia and prizes! A one-man interpretation of A. R. Gurney's Love Letters! Surprise guests! And more! Room 7AB
3:00-4:00 IDW Publishing Presents: The Greatest Panel of All Time -- New creator-owned books? Ever-larger licensed titles? All-new creators, and even some major crossover events? How about prizes just for attending? Yep, you'll find all that and more, in The Greatest Panel of All Time. CCO Chris Ryall, editor Scott Dunbier, and creators Chris Roberson, Eric Powell, and Steve Niles, along with MC Dirk Wood, present a gamelike atmosphere as they spin the wheel on projects coming in 2011 and 2012. Come on down! Room 9
3:00-4:00 Game of Thrones Panel and Q&A Session -- Based on the bestselling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, HBO's Game of Thrones concluded its 10-episode debut season on June 19. The series, executive produced and written by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, follows kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and noblemen as they vie for power in a land where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime. Some of the cast featured in the first season and appearing on this panel are (in alphabetical order) Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Ser Jaime Lannister, Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, and Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo. Moderated by George R. R. Martin, who also serves as a co-executive producer and writer on the series. Ballroom 20
3:00-4:00 Magic & Monsters -- Adult and young adult science fiction and fantasy authors discuss the costs and consequences of "magic" in their novels and the scary, hairy, and dangerous creatures that lurk in the worlds they have created. Visit the worlds of Kim Harrison (The Hollows series), Andrea Cremer (The Nightshade series), Anton Strout (The Simon Canderous series), Lev Grossman (The Magicians), Ben Loory (Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day), J. F. Lewis (The Void City novels), and Diana Rowland (The White Trash Zombie series), guided by moderator Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 25ABC
3:15-4:30 20th Century Fox -- At past Comic-Cons, 20th Century Fox has previewed Independence Day, X2, Avatar, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. You won't want to miss the excitement this year, as Fox presents first-looks at some of its most anticipated pictures of 2011 and 2012. Hall H
4:00-5:00 No Damsels in Distress Here -- Female voices in sci-fi and fantasy create kick-ass heroines. Danger just might be these girls' middle name. But no amount of bad guys can keep these ladies from doing what's right. Whether standing up for friends and family, or just plain kicking some ass, these girls don't shy away from a fight. Damsels on the panel include Marie Lu (Legend), Kathy Reichs (Bones & Virals series), Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires series), Jeanne Stein (The Anna Strong Chronicles), Merrie deStefano (Feast: Harvest of Dreams), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville series), Seanan McGuire (The October Daye series), and Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter novels). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 25ABC
4:15-5:15 TV Guide Magazine: Fan Favorites -- TV Guide is back with an all-star panel for the fans! Moderated by editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum, Fan Favorites features your favorite talent from your favorite shows -- in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Panelists include Nestor Carbonell (Ringer), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Jorge Garcia (Alcatraz), Leslie Hope (The River), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Joe Manganiello (True Blood), Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries), Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood), and others. Ballroom 20
4:45-5:45 Robert Rodriguez's Quick Draw Productions -- Be the first to get a sneak peek at Robert Rodriguez's upcoming films. Robert presents Quick Draw's new slate featuring special guest collaborators. He will also show exclusive material from his latest top-secret project. Hall H
5:00-6:00 Resistance 3: Exploring a 1950s Altered America: The Continuing Creation of the Resistance Universe -- Critically acclaimed developer Insomniac Games presents a journey through the evolution of the universe surrounding PlayStation 3's bestselling Resistance franchise. Discover the secrets behind Insomniac's vision of a postapocalyptic '50s-era America, ravaged by the merciless Chimera, and explore the human experience of struggling to survive an alien invasion when nearly all hope is lost. Learn how the team is continuing to build the Resistance canon through books and social media integration. Attendees will be treated to an first look at new game content and other surprises, with special guest appearances by members of the Insomniac team, including Marcus Smith (creative director), Kevin Grow (animation director), and Grant Hollis (art director), as well as actors from the Resistance 3 cast, including Robin Atkin Downes (Joseph Capelli) and Crispin Freeman (Charlie Tent). A Q&A with the team will follow the presentation. Room 7AB
5:00-6:00 Buffy The Vampire Slayer and LGBT Comics Fandom -- LGBT fans hailed the revelation in the long-running television hit that one of its main characters, Willow, had fallen in love with another female character, Tara. This groundbreaking depiction of queer love in the TV show has been built upon in the Buffy comic books published by Dark Horse Comics, and Buffy remains one of the most queer-friendly properties in pop culture. Moderator Charles "Zan" Christensen (Prism Comics president) discusses the special relationship between the Buffyverse and LGBT comic book fans with Buffy creators and actors, including Scott Allie, Andrew Chambliss, Jane Espenson, Drew Greenberg, Tom Lenk, and a special guest! Room 32AB
5:30-7:30 Showtime: Tired of Ordinary Television? -- This year at Comic-Con, Showtime saves! The casts and creative forces behind Dexter and Shameless give sneak peeks into the new seasons. And be the first to see an exclusive look at the new Showtime original series Homeland. Ballroom 20
5:30-6:30 Creepy and Eerie: Comics That Can Still Scare You! -- Discuss the new Dark Horse Creepy series, the classic age of the Warren Creepy and Eerie magazines, and all the exciting things coming up in the Creepy universe with a bone-chilling panel including Jason Shawn Alexander (Abe Sapien), Overstreet's J. C. Vaughn (Doctor Solar), artist Nathan Fox (Haunt), and classic Creepy and Eerie cover artist Ken Kelly and writer Bruce Jones (Checkmate). Moderated by New Comic Company's twin engines Dan Braun (Creepy) and Josh Braun (A History of Violence). Plus, there will be Creepy trivia questions with extraordinary swag and prizes! Room 24ABC
5:45-6:45 Vertigo Editorial -- They come from the cutting edge of comics...and Vertigo has never been edgier, with thought-provoking titles from some of comics' most acclaimed creators. Don't miss this panel featuring Scott Snyder (American Vampire), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth), Michael Allred (iZombie), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Les Klinger (Annotated Sandman), Rebecca Guay (A Flight of Angels), Colleen Doran (Gone to Amerika), Bill Willingham (Fables), and many others. This is your opportunity to learn more about the entire Vertigo line. Hosted by Vertigo executive editor Karen Berger. Room 6DE
6:00-7:00 Gears of War 3 -- Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski, executive producer Rod Fergusson, and special guest contributors to the Gears universe offer a look ahead at the most-anticipated game of 2011. Includes a live game demo and key announcements. Moderated by X-Play (G4) co-host Adam Sessler. Room 6BCF
6:00-7:00 Entertainment Weekly: The Visionaries: A discussion with Jon Favreau and Guillermo del Toro on the Future of Pop Culture -- EW moderates an in-depth conversation with Jon Favreau (Cowboys & Aliens) and Guillermo del Toro (Don't Be Afraid of the Dark), two filmmakers at the forefront of bringing geek culture to the masses and making blockbuster art out of pulp fiction. They will discuss their inspirations, their current work, and how they strive to put a personal stamp on blockbuster entertainment. Plus: How is new technology changing the way stories are produced and viewed? And what do they think the pop culture universe will look like a decade from now? Moderated by Jeff "Doc" Jensen. Hall H
6:30-7:30 Shocker Toys: The Real Scoop -- Geoff Beckett and crew discuss the past 10 years of accomplishments by Shocker Toys, going from a small block figure sold at local shows in New Jersey to five toylines and a worldwide fanbase with retail chain store support. They'll talk of some of the pitfalls, bumps in the road, and challenges as well. They'll announce new series and licenses and future toylines, engage in a Q&A with fans, and offer toy and comic book giveaways. You can expect many great guests from the comics, toy, and entertainment industries, answering your questions and listening to your suggestions. Room 24ABC
7:00-8:00 History of the Modern Zombie -- Experts discuss the history and evolution of the modern zombie, from its first appearance in George Romero's 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead to the most recent work being done in zombie science, survival, and pop culture today. Panelists include Max Brooks, bestselling author of World War Z and Zombie Survival Guide; Matt Mogk, head of the Zombie Research Society and author of Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Zombies; Steven Schlozman, M.D., Harvard Medical School psychiatrist and author of The Zombie Autopsies; Scott Kenemore, bestselling author of Zen of Zombie, Z.E.O., and Zombie, Ohio; and Bradley Voytek, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley neuroscientist and author of Scanning the Zombie Brain. Room 7AB
8:00-9:00 H. P. Lovecraft in Comics and Film -- "That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons, even death may die." Famous words penned by H. P. Lovecraft, regarded by critics and fans alike as "Master of the Weird Tale." A horror writer from the early days of pulp magazines, his work inspired thousands of writers, artists, musicians, game designers, and filmmakers. Explore a few of the works influenced by the Great Old Ones and get a sanity-smashing peek into the latest Lovecraftian comics and movies. With Adam Byrne (The Strange Adventures of H. P. Lovecraft), Andrew Leman (co-founder of the H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society), Michael Alan Nelson (Fall of Cthulhu), and Frank H. Woodward (Lovecraft: Fear of the Unknown). Moderated by Aaron Vanek (The H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival). Room 9
8:15-9:15 Garth Ennis' Stitched Movie World Premiere -- Legendary comic book writer Garth Ennis (Preacher, Crossed) has written and directed his first-ever short film, Stitched, a visceral tale of terror. Meet the film's cast, monsters, producers, and Mr. Ennis himself. Learn behind-the-scenes secrets during the Q&A. See a sneak peak at the Ennis-penned ongoing Stitched comic book series. And thrill to the horror of Stitched in its one-night only Comic-Con viewing! Room 6DE
8:30-10:00 Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog -- Sing along with your fellow fans at this screening of the original three acts of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog hosted by the California Browncoats, complete with callbacks! Dr. Horrible stars Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Nathan Fillion (Castle, Firefly), and Felicia Day (The Guild) and was written by Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon (Dollhouse), Zack Whedon (Fringe), and Maurissa Tancharoen (Dollhouse). Room 6BCF
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A strange, abandoned city of impossible scale lies ready to give up its secrets, but at what cost? Jealously guarded by a half-mad group of planetary prospectors, the labyrinthine necropolis may be a treasure trove of incomparable wealth, or a funeral complex with no exit, as an archaeological team from Earth discovers too late. But these off-planet interlopers soon become the least of the prospectors’ worries, as their priceless possession offers up a monstrous surprise of murderous beasts from the darkest abyssal nightmare . . . and the prospectors only hope may lie in the unmarked graves of those they themselves betrayed.
