Comic-Con 2013

Representatives from Hasbro Studios and The Hub TV Network's My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic share details of the making of the popular animated series and how the "friendship" and "magic" are brought to life. Also includes Q&A time.

On Thursday, you learned the basics, and on Friday you gained a better understanding of contracts, licenses, and agreements. It's now time to learn about some of the more complex issues facing creators, publishers, and other business owners. Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the classic The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, returns to address some of the more advanced (and often confusing) issues facing the creative and business communities, particularly in light of the ever-expanding worlds of new media, self-publishing and social networking. And this time, he's not alone, as attorneys David Branfman and David Lizerbram and Professor Marc Greenberg join Michael to share their collective knowledge and insights in some of the more cutting-edge legal issues faced by creators and businesses and discuss important recent legal decisions. Still interactive and four times as informative, the panel will touch on as many of the topics as time allows, including recent rulings in comic book creator and publisher litigations; the interplay of copyright terminations and work-for-hire agreements; blogs, podcasts, tweets, and cybersquatters; knockoffs, tarnishment, and dilution; satires, parodies and fair use; and the legalities of fan art and fan fiction. Plus: practical advice on how recent legal decisions and pending cases are likely to affect the field of popular culture and the role they may play in your creative and business plans. 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.]

Celebrate the freaky fabulous year of 13 with the Monster High Team! Get a freak peek at exclusive scenes from the newest Monster High DVD, 13 Wishes (this fall from Universal Studios Home Entertainment). The freaky talented Monster High voice actors, including Erin Fitzgerald (voice of Abbey, Spectra, Scarah, and Rochelle), Debi Derryberry (voice of Draculaura), and America Young (voice of Howleen and Toralei), will discuss the making of the ghouls' latest adventure. Moderated byEmmy Award-winning executive producer of Monster High, Audu Paden. But that's not all...the Monster High team is just dying to share more secrets lurking the halls of Monster High! Garrett Sander, Rebecca Shipman, Natalie Villegas, and Javier Meabe (toy designers), Roy Juarez (packaging designer), and Eric Hardie (copywriter) will reveal uhhh-mazing new Monster High ghouls and how they came to un-life! Don't forget to dress your monster best for a chance to win some scary cool prizes!

You're in for an hour of fun and surprises in the most ambitious Marvel video games panel to date! Hear the latest on all upcoming Marvel video games, including the highly anticipated LEGO Marvel Super Heroes! Find out what's next for Marvel Avengers Alliance, Marvel Heroes, Marvel Pinball, and Marvel War of Heroes. This panel wouldn't be the same without a few special guests, so stop by and see who takes the stage!

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.

Adam Biehl (vice president, Global Marvel line at Hasbro), Jesse Falcon (Director of Hardlines, Marvel), Dwight Stall (senior Marvel product design manager, Hasbro) and Maalvika Mantraprigada (senior manager, Global Marvel line) discuss Hasbro's popular Marvel action figure lines. Attendees will also get a sneak peek of upcoming action figures. Adam, Jesse, Dwight, and Maalvika will also host a Q&A for your burning Marvel action figure questions!

As the most recognizable superhero in the world, Superman has flown high in film, TV, radio, animation and, of course, comics for 75 glorious years. Join a star-studded panel, including cast, filmmakers, artists and writers from Superman's illustrious history-from Jack Larson (the original Jimmy Olsen from Adventures of Superman) and first-time Comic-Con panelist Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series) and reigning animated Supergirl Molly Quinn (Castle), to comics luminaries Paul Levitz, Grant Morrison, and Dan Jurgens, plus talent from the current blockbuster, Man of Steel -- as they reminisce and discuss the beloved character's many personifications, impressive history, and ongoing relevance within society and entertainment. And courtesy of Mattel and Warner Bros. Consumer Products, all fans attending the panel will receive a special Superman Quick Shots figure!

BrickJournal presents a unique look into how artists are using LEGO bricks to construct amazing works of art and how building with the toy has gained popularity among adult artists worldwide. Jump into the world of LEGO-built art by joining top builders Joe Meno (BrickJournal), Nathan Sawaya (BrickArtist), Brandon Griffith (BrickStuds), and Tommy Williamson (BrickNerd) as they explain how they take an idea from conception to design and build amazing art completely made of LEGO bricks.

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.