Tom King, the author of a A Once Crowded Sky offers a step-by-step, practical approach to creating a superhero novel. Topics will include world building, character development, voice, POV, plot construction, experimentation, writing habits, revision, and publication. The class is intended to provide specific methods that work in putting comic book supermen into prose.
Saturday July 20, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 2
What does it take to create or develop an animated TV series? Do you have to be a writer? An artist or animator? Both? Neither? What do you have to have to pitch an idea, and what are the studios and networks looking for? Members of the Writers Guild of America's Animation Writers Caucus who have created and developed series and network/studio executives who buy them talk about it and answer your questions. Ted Biaselli (VP, programming and development, The Hub), Steven Melching (Transformers Prime, Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Craig Miller (Pocket Dragon Adventures, Trash Pack), Bob Roth (Disney's Legend of Tarzan, Penguins of Madagascar), and Dean Stefan (Matchbox Big Rig Buddies,Quack Pack) join the discussion.
Saturday July 20, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 9
Paris, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Tucson, and cities of our own imagination come to life when tales of myth and magic are blended with the urban landscape. These stories are collectively known as Urban Fantasy, and many of today's popular authors are adding their otherworldly ingredients to the melting pots of modern (and not-so-modern) society. Authors Jim Butcher (Cold Days), Max Gladstone (Three Parts Dead), Kevin Hearne (The Iron Druid Chronicles), Richard Kadrey (Kill City Blues), Marlene Perez (Strange Fates), Kevin J. Anderson (Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I.), and Liesel Schwarz (A Conspiracy of Alchemists) discuss the art of writing Urban Fantasy with Diana Gill of Harper Voyager US.
Saturday July 20, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 7AB
You've found your collaborators, you've worked hard and gotten some comics made. Oh God, now what? Co-moderators writer Christopher Sebela (High Crimes) and Oni Press editor Charlie Chu (The Sixth Gun) address having a career in comics, behaving like a professional, and managing expectations once you are a working creator. Panelists include writer Joshua Williamson (Captain Midnight), writer/artist Natalie Nourigat (It Girl and the Atomics), and cartoonist Sloane Leong (The Softest Shadow, Labyrinth’s Lament).
Saturday July 20, 2013 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 28DE
Christine Feehan (#1 New York Times bestselling author) and Anne Elizabeth (award-winning author creator) discuss the ever-growing genre and subgenres of paranormal/fantasy. Join Christine and Anne for this Q&A session moderated by Sheila English (author, CEO of COS Productions, international speaker).
Saturday July 20, 2013 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 5AB
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.]
Saturday July 20, 2013 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Aspiring creators, this is for you! Come listen to a team of IDW editors, including Chris Ryall, John Barber, Tom Waltz, and Jeff Webber, as well as some current IDW creators on what to do, definitely what not to do, and other arcane bits of information and tips on carving out some creative space in the comic industry!
Saturday July 20, 2013 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
From The Hunger Games' Katniss to Divergent's Tris, no one knows how to give a solid ass-kicking like a YA novel heroine. But when these young ladies aren't saving the world, overthrowing powerful regimes, or slaying everything from zombies to dragons, they still find time for romance. Ally Condie (Matched), Veronica Roth (Divergent), Holly Black (The Coldest Girl in Coldtown), Marissa Meyer (Scarlet), Lissa Price (Starters), and Veronica Wolff (The Watchers) discuss the delicate balance between killing and kissing, and what it takes to properly woo a YA heroine. Moderated by Sherri Smith (Orleans).
Saturday July 20, 2013 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
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
Some of the best zombie and apocalyptic authors-including S. G. Browne (I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus), Matt Mogk (Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Zombies), Nick Cole (Old Man and the Wasteland), Peter Stenson (Fiend), Alan Averill (The Beautiful Land), and Rick Yancey (The 5th Wave)- discuss the threat of zombies, how they imagine the end of the world, and the art of writing apocalyptic stories, alongside moderator Aaron Sagers (MTV/CNN pop culture contributor).
Saturday July 20, 2013 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Writers Lyricalkris(My Biggest Mistake), Audryii_fic (The Definition of Want), Abstractway (Dodge and Burn), Plummy (The Babysitter), TheFicChick (Departures), FarDareisMai2 (Finger Painting), and moderator Kimpy0464 (The Nightingale Journals) are on hand for laughs and fun at the Twilight Fan Fiction group. They'll answer questions about the challenges and joys of writing derivative fiction in the Twilight fandom and how to keep it fun.
Saturday July 20, 2013 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 29A
Learn about building audience as you create for your original stories, OC’s, and creative projects. Led by Ron Martino (techgnotic on deviantART) with Yuumei, author of Fish Eye Placebo and Knite, Dave Elliott, editor/producer/author of Weirding Willows, Brian Kesinger, renowned animator and author of Walking Your Octopus, and Hal Hefner, illustrator/author of Gates and managing director of Transmedia L.A.
Saturday July 20, 2013 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
Room 2
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
You'll get 20 years in an Iso-Cube if you miss this one! Join IDW's Dirk Wood and Chris Ryall, along with Judge Dredd writer Duane Swierczynski, 2000AD's Ben Smith, creators Henry Flint and John Higgins, and more for a drokkin' good time discussing everyone's favorite Mega-City One judge.
The multitudinously talented Roy Thomas shines in the spotlight as moderator Jon B. Cooke (Comic Book Creator magazine) quizzes the "All-Star" comics fan, award-winning comics scribe, and editor supreme about his early fanzine work, life with Stan Lee in the Marvel Bullpen, critically acclaimed writing on Conan and The Avengers (among others), and the Rascally One's Eisner Award-winning achievements for his Alter Ego magazine.
Ben Edlund (the creator of The Tick), Chris McCulloch (Tick Karma Tornado artist/writer and Venture Brothers creator), and Bob Polio (art director of The Tick comic series) discuss the 25-year history of The Tick.
Saturday July 20, 2013 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Experts from games and pop culture join together to discuss how zombies have invaded our lives through every avenue of entertainment. From TV and books to video games – especially video games! At the panel, fans will meet Dead Rising 3 developers from Capcom Vancouver and see gameplay from the upcoming Xbox One exclusive launch title, hear from internationally renowned author and zombie expert Max Brooks (Author, World War Z) and talk about zombies in video game culture with Game Informer senior editor Jeff Cork along with panelists Mike Jones (Producer, Capcom) and Josh Bridge (executive producer, Capcom).
Saturday July 20, 2013 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
Comics legends Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Coraline, The Ocean at the End of the Lane), Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, Making Comics), Jeff Smith (Bone, Shazam!, RASL), Denis Kitchen (Al Capp, The Art of Harvey Kurtzman), and moderator Paul Levitz (Golden Age of DC Comics, The Legion of Super-Heroes) discuss Will Eisner and his pivotal role in the American graphic novel as creator and evangelist, as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of Eisner's A Contract with God. Q&A session to follow.
Saturday July 20, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
comiXology is looking for the next big independent comic creator-is that you? Since its launch at SXSW, comiXology Submit has released over 150 independent comic book series from celebrated indie creators such as Becky Cloonan, Shannon Wheeler, Richard Stevens, Jake Parker, and Rachel Deering. In this tell-all discussion, comiXology co-founders David Steinberger and John D. Roberts are joined by New Yorker Cartoonist and Too Much Coffee Man creator Shannon Wheeler, Marvel and DC artist and creator ofDemeter, The Mire, and WolvesBecky Cloonan, Anathema creator and Kickstarter sensation Rachel Deering, and Bikini Cowboy creator FresherLuke to show you how easy it is to be a part of the new self-publishing revolution in comics!
Saturday July 20, 2013 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Lisa Henson (CEO, The Jim Henson Company) and Cheryl Henson (Labyrinth, The Muppet Show) are joined by Grosset and Dunlap's Francesco Sedita (president and publisher) and Rob Valois (senior editor) to discuss their exciting new contest to find the author of the first installment of the upcoming Young Adult book series set in the world of the classic Jim Henson fantasy film The Dark Crystal. The panel will feature information on how to participate in the Author Quest, an overview of The Dark Crystal world, and a look at the new fan destination darkcrystal.com, as well as a Q&A.
Saturday July 20, 2013 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
This year's Comic-Con marks the 20th anniversary of Mike Mignola's best-loved beast. Hellboy has achieved the status in the industry typically reserved for characters created 40 years before him. Following up on the first arc on one of his most popular miniseries to date, the all-new Abe Sapien ongoing series, and the continuing adventures of the supporting cast of the BPRD, this will be one of the biggest Hellboy panels to date! Join creator Mike Mignola and Dark Horse editor-in-chief Scott Allie, for an open forum on your favorite cast of characters.
Comic-Con special guest Gerry Conway, co-creator of The Punisher, Firestorm, Power Girl, and Man-Thing, along with too many supervillains to count, is one of the longest-running writers of the Justice League and is widely known as "the man who killed Gwen Stacy." Gerry will reveal the truth behind comicdom's most traumatic death, as well as the origins of the Spider-Man Clone Saga. In addition, he will entertain with his impression of Tony Orlando and Dawn having knitting needles thrust into their eyes. Parents are cautioned. Questions are welcomed.
Participants will assist in the scripting and layout of a six-page Donald Duck story using the same methods used by Patrick and Shelly Block for their freelance Duck Tales. Patrick will rough draw the story from scratch in front of the panel to show the procedures used in the creation of a short comic narrative.
This year Vertigo's flagship title The Sandman returns to comics in an all-new series written by Neil Gaiman (TheSandman)! Join Neil for a celebration of the 25th anniversary of this timeless series and an exclusive look at what is in store for the Lord of the Dreaming with Neil and his past and future legendary collaborators, Dave McKean, Sam Kieth, Todd Klein, and J. H. Williams III.
Saturday July 20, 2013 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
Room 6DE
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 15, 04:37PM Mixing romance, suspense, mystery, and humor, the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated True Blood kicked off its sixth season June 16 on HBO. The series follows waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Oscar and Golden Globe award winner Anna Paquin), who can hear people's thoughts and vampires Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård). Brian Buckner serves as executive producer of the series, which also features Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse, Sam Trammell as Sam Merlotte, Rutina Wesley as Tara Thornton, Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette, Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica Hamby, Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam, Joe Manganiello as Alcide, Anna Camp as Sarah Newlin, Michael McMillian as Steve Newlin, and Rob Kazinsky as Ben. Oscar and Emmy Award winner Alan Ballcreated and is also an executive producer on the series, based on the bestselling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. Moderated by Kate Huhn (TV Guide Magazine).
Saturday July 20, 2013 3:30pm - 4:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20
As a writer, producer, and creator, Comic-Con special guest Paul Dini enjoys a flourishing career in all aspects of popular culture. Join Paul and moderator Bill Morrison (Futurama, Bongo Comics) as they look back at fan-favorite career highlights (Batman: The Animated Series, Arkham City, Lost, Tower Prep), some current projects (Hulk and the Agents of Smash, Black Canary and Zatanna), and a few surprises for the future.
Saturday July 20, 2013 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Eisner Award winner and Comic-Con special guest Vera Brosgol (Anya's Ghost) talks about her background and influences in writing, art, and animation with YA rock star Holly Black (The Coldest Girl in Cold Town).
The hybrid comic book/prose novel is on the rise. What makes this form so compelling for creators? Where is the form going? A conversation with creators Jeffrey Brown (Star Wars, Jedi Academy), Cecil Castellucci (OddDuck), Tom King (A Crowded Sky), Jim Pascoe (By the Balls), Janet Tashjian (My Life as a Cartoonist), and Nate Powell (March: Book One). Moderated by Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics) about the possibilities and challenges of marrying these two forms.
Saturday July 20, 2013 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Along with Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm, Disney/ABC Television is home to some of the most creative storytellers in entertainment. Shalisha Francis (Co-Producer, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D); Chuck Kim (executive story editor, Heroes); and Rob Greenlea (director, Grey's Anatomy) joins talent development executives Frank Bennett Gonzalez and Janine Jones-Clark to share experiences and insight about the creative process and the necessary steps needed to break into television and land the job of your dreams. Discussion points include pitching and writing a compelling script, directing a solid episode of television, and the essentials of networking. Moderated by Ken Choy (Hyphen Magazine).
Saturday July 20, 2013 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 30CDE
Two of the industry's most successful and popular self-publishers Jeff Smith and Terry Moore once again join forces at Comic- Con! Don't miss your chance to listen to these longtime friends and industry colleagues discuss their best-known works (Bone,Strangers in Paradise), their current projects and future endeavors, and the state of self-publishing today. Q&A to follow.
Saturday July 20, 2013 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Just when we thought we'd gotten rid of him once and for all, Comic-Con special guest J. Michael Straczynski created Studio JMS and its subsidiary Joe's Comics, via Image, which debuted Ten Grand this past May and will be launching a special variant edition right here at SDCC. We consider this the worst kind of retribution for our prior panel descriptions and are considering our next move. This may lead to fisticuffs. Oh, yeah, and he writes movies and TV and stuff like that. Whatever.
Saturday July 20, 2013 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 7AB
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 12, 11:21AM Need money to produce your film or write that novel? Join this panel of experts on how to raise funds for your project using "Crowdfunding" sites such as Kickstarteror and Indiegogo. These panelists have raised money for their projects - find out how they did it! Marc Scott Zicree (Space Command, Star Trek TNG & Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5, Sliders, The Twilight Zone Companion), Michael Reaves (Blood Kiss,Star Trek: The Next Generation, Batman: The Animated Series, Hell on Earth), David Simkins (Warehouse 13, Adventures in Babysitting, Charmed, Blade: The Series, Dark Angel, The Dresden Files), Lynn Ayala (Lily,Starship Rising, Pain is Beautiful, Beauty Sleep Symphony, Carnies),Mark Gantt (Ocean's Eleven, The Bannen Way, Night Visitor, Annie Takes Off), Jimmy Diggs (The Crypto-Historians, Star Trek: Deep Sapce Nine, Star Trek: Voyager), Bryn Pryor (Cowboys & Engines). Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica, Cowboys & Engines). Moderated by Mark O’Bannon (The Dream Crystal, The Dark Mirrors of Heaven, Aia the Barbarian).
He's been called America's most knowledgeable film critic and historian, and he's the author of more than a dozen books on motion pictures and animation, in addition to his annual (and bestselling) Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, a book no lover of film can be without. This year, he's a Comic-Con special guest and for this hour, Leonard Maltin will be interviewed by his longtime friend Mark Evanier.
Saturday July 20, 2013 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 5AB
NEW: Mon, Jul 08, 01:59PM Editorial and marketing leaders from two of HarperCollins’s most popular imprints, Harper Voyager and Harper Teen/Epic Reads, present the hot new titles for fall—and beyond. Harper Voyager has much in store, including surprise author attendees, book giveaways, and an overview of upcoming urban fantasy titles, including Kill City Blues and The Dead Set, from Comic-Con special guest Richard Kadrey. Attendees will learn about the spine-tingling forthcoming thrillers by Adam Mansbach (The Dead Run) and David Wellington (Chimera), Queen of Dark Things, a dark and cinematic tale of magic from C. Robert Cargill, Abyss Deep, the new military SF by powerhouse author Ian Douglas, and The Undead Pool, one of the very last journeys into Kim Harrison’s beloved The Hollows series. In addition to some surprise appearances from special guests, HarperTeen will preview an incredible lineup of fall releases, including Allegiant, the third and final novel in Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy; Fortunately, The Milk, a new middle-grade novel by Neil Gaiman; The Fall of Five, the fourth novel in the bestselling Lorien Legacies series by Pittacus Lore; and some exciting debuts.
After all the interesting and exciting movie panels are over, Hall H belongs to a middle-aged man who hasn't made a flick in years! It's not Saturday night in Hall H 'til the Fat Lady sings...and that fat lady is the flight-challenged writer/director/podcaster/author/actor Kevin Smith! Ask ComiKev questions about the forthcoming Clerks III, or Jay and Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, or his AMC show Comic Book Men! Watch Kev over-answer while sweating profusely! Get in on a tradition and wrap up a busy Saturday with the Clown Prince of Comic-Con!
Intertwining the information you need within a compelling story is both craft and art. Hear our panel of expert storytellers share how they handle both while creating memorable characters readers love. With panelists Gini Koch, Robert Roach, Melissa Jarvis and Jeffrey Twohig.
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).
