UPDATED: Wed, Jul 16, 11:37AM Panelists explore both the role of gender in mainstream and independent comics, as well as the impact of gender politics on the business side of the industry and in the media. Moderated by comics editor Janelle Asselin, the panel inclides ComicsAlliance.com senior editor Andy Khouri, BOOM! Studios editor Dafna Pleban, comics writer James Tynion IV (The Woods), Image comics director of trade book sales Jennifer de Guzman, and WIRED writer Laura Hudson and IDW publishing editor Sarah Gaydos.
Back by popular demand! The Big Bang Theory writers are back in San Diego and ready to share secrets behind TV's #1 comedy, which is coming off its most climactic season yet (a first kiss! an engagement! Professor Proton became one with The Force!). Uncover the writers' room mysteries and learn how intimidating it was to write for Darth Vader. (Answer: Very.) The hit show's executive producers and writers take the stage for a lively discussion to discuss the creative process. From Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television, The Big Bang Theory returns for season 8 this fall, Monday nights at 8/7c on CBS. The Big Bang Theory: The Complete Seventh Season will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 16.
Friday July 25, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Ballroom 20
Vengeance: punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense. Villain: a character in a story who does bad things. Hear your favorite authors talk about the dubious bad guys they write about and the characters that teach them a lesson. Moderated by Michael Carroll (The Super Human Series) and featuring Rachel Caine (Prince of Shadows), Marie Lu (The Young Elites), Arwen Elys Dayton (Seeker), Ann Aguirre (Mortal Danger), Kimberly Derting (The Taking), Kiersten White (In the Shadows), and Allen Zadoff (The Unknown Assassin).
Friday July 25, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 32AB
Superstar Evangeline Lilly (The Hobbit, Lost) introduces her first illustrated children's book The Squickerwonkers (Titan Books)-a mischievous and uproarious tale about a clever and unruly child called Selma who meets the remarkable Squickerwonkers of the fabulous Squickershow, a band of traveling marionettes. Evangeline will discuss this enchanting and gorgeous project and her collaboration with illustrator Johnny Fraser Allan of WETA.
Friday July 25, 2014 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 6A
Spiro Skentzos (Grimm), Karen Horne (VP, NBC programming talent development and inclusion), Keto Shimizu (Arrow), David Schulner (Emerald City), and David Slack (Person of Interest) come together to share their TV writing experiences on such topics as getting started, basic script mistakes, how to get representation, writing programs, staying motivated, and negotiating today's turbulent TV terrain. There will be a large Q&A component, so bring your questions.
Friday July 25, 2014 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 24ABC
Understanding when and how to use physical conflict in your story is all well and good. But how do you write it? How do authors paint such a vivid, action-packed fight scene that readers can "see" in their mind using only the written word? Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake peels back the mystery and looks at using words to craft action that your readers will not simply read, but experience.
Romance anthologies were once the most popular American comics genre, with over 150 titles published each month; by the end of the '70s, they'd vanished, never to return. Michelle Nolan (Love on the Racks), Colleen Coover (Gingerbread Girl), and moderator Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics) reveal the glories and heartbreak of comics' lost romances.
Friday July 25, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Watching your favorite science fiction and fantasy stories come to life is a thrilling adventure; fiction is fabulous fodder for film, and graphic tales make for great games. Books often inspire multimedia projects that allow fans to fully immerse themselves in the interactive worlds authors have created. From books to movies to TV shows and games, these tales resonate with fans beyond the pages of a novel. James Frey (Endgame), Chris Weitz (The Young World), James Dashner (Maze Runner & The Rule of Thoughts), Andrew Kaplan (Homeland), Fred Van Lente (Make Comics Like Pros), James Silvani (Draw-a-sauras), and Melissa De La Cruz (Ring and the Crown) discuss life as writers in the Digital Age and how technology has transformed both their projects and the publishing industry as a whole. Moderated by Walter Jury (Scan).
Friday July 25, 2014 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
If an artist is paid for his or her work, does that mean it's not personal? The creation of art is such a personal thing, but does it always have to be this way? Hear creators Ray Billingsley (Curtis), Michael T. Gilbert, (Mr. Monster), David Lasky (The Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song), Mimi Pond (Over Easy), and Jim Rugg (Supermag) share their views on when or if a project can be for love and money.
Friday July 25, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Comic-Con special guest writer/artist Batton Lash celebrates 35 years of is characters Wolff & Byrd Counselors of the Macabre, from newspaper strip to the Supernatural Law comic books, webcomic, and graphic novels. Interviewed by author/futurist Rob Salkowitz, Batton will discuss his influences, self-publishing, crowdfunding, the mixing of humor and horror, writing for Archie and Bongo, and his new series for Aces Weekly, "The First Gentleman of the Apocalypse."
Top Shelf is so excited to debut the The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century hardcover that they flew artist Kevin O'Neill all the way from England for his first U.S. visit in years! You think in his 15 years of collaboration with Alan Moore on the League, he's picked up a good story or two? Plus: Top Shelf continues to innovate with new digital projects; meet the genius minds behind their latest graphic novels, and get a look at the much-anticipated Book Two of March, the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic memoir trilogy by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell!
Friday July 25, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
2014 marks the 75th anniversary of Batman, but also several other anniversaries for the character. It's the 100th birthday of writer Bill Finger who wrote many of the character's adventures through the 1960s, and is responsible for many additions to the legend and some of the Dark Knight's most infamous villains. It's the 50th anniversary of the "New Look" Batman, which started in 1964 under editor Julius Schwartz and including artist Carmine Infantino's interpretation of the Caped Crusader, which saved Detective Comics from possible cancellation. And it's the 25th anniversary of Tim Burton's Batman movie, which brought the character back to a whole new audience, in a new-and much darker-form. Comic-Con special guest Denny O'Neill (writer/editor, Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow) will moderate fellow Comic-Con special guests Chuck Dixon (writer, Batman, Airboy), Kelley Jones (artist, Batman, Deadman), Graham Nolan (artist, Detective Comics, The Phantom, Joe Frankenstein), and Brian Stelfreeze (artist, Shadow of the Bat, Daymen) in a discussion on how they kept the world's greatest detective going strong through the '80s and '90s.
Friday July 25, 2014 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
Comic-Con special guest Mike Mignola celebrates the 20th anniversary of his iconic creation Hellboy, star of comics, movies, and animation. Ask Mike about the Mignolaverse in this casual Q&A.
Friday July 25, 2014 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Coming up with creative ways to commit mayhem and murder is the lifeblood of these talented thriller authors. A fatal chimera virus; hybridized bioengineered parasites; murderous microchips; lethal electric stimuli; deathstrike via satellite targeting-how many ways can you kill someone? Top thriller authors Tobias Buckell (Hurricane Fever), Alex Hughes (Marked), M. A. Lawson (Rosarito Beach), Stephen Blackmoore (Broken Souls), Gregg Hurwitz (Don't Look Back), and moderator Jeff Ayers (Long Overdue) discuss the art of delivering deadly thrills. But don't worry too much. A little light reading never killed anyone.
Friday July 25, 2014 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Comic-Con special guest Veronica Roth, author of FOUR: A Divergent Collection, joins authors Walter Jury, Leigh Bardugo and Laini Taylor as they divulge what led them on the road to writerdom. From books to movies to comics and more, what are these authors geeking out about? Hear about their literary muses, their author crushes, and all things awe-worthy that inspire them to write the books they write. Moderator Aaron Hartzler will coax the most titillating answers out of these panelists as they dish on their evolutions and revolutions.
Friday July 25, 2014 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
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 fourth season in June and will begin filming its fifth season this summer. The series, executive produced and written by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, is an epic story of treachery and nobility, set on the continent of Westeros, where summers and winters can last years. Featured cast include (in alphabetical order) Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister, Natalie Dormer as Margaery Baratheon, Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Rose Leslie as Ygritte, Rory McCann as Sandor Clegane ("The Hound"), Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martell, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark.
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 21, 05:42PM Even after 75 years of stories, the Bat-family comics couldn't be any hotter! Join the talent behind the Dark Knight for an exclusive look at what's in store for the World's Greatest Detective. With Marc Andreyko (Batwoman), Brian Buccellato (Detective Comics), Pat Gleason (Batman and Robin), Greg Pak (Batman/Superman), Scott Snyder (Batman, Batman Eternal), Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin) and others, there has never been a better time to walk the streets of Gotham City!
Comic-Con special guest Brian K. Vaughan, the Eisner Award-winning co-creator of Saga, Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina and Runaways, takes the stage for no-holds-barred Q&A session about writing, Image Comics, his time in the Hollywood trenches, gin, his new pay-what-you-want digital comics initiative PanelSyndicate.com, money, and just about anything else YOU feel like asking.
Friday July 25, 2014 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
The new era of Star Wars storytelling begins in September with Star Wars: A New Dawn. New York Times bestselling author John Jackson Miller, Shelly Shapiro (editor, Del Rey), Frank Parisi (editor, Del Rey), Jennifer Heddle (senior editor, Lucasfilm), Pablo Hidalgo (Lucasfilm Story Group), Vanessa Marshall (Hera in Star Wars Rebels), and Dave Filoni (executive producer, Star Wars Rebels) discuss the planning and process of Star Wars: A New Dawn and present the list of upcoming Star Wars novels from Del Rey.
Starz presents its highly anticipated new TV series Outlander with writer/executive producer Ronald D. Moore, author Diana Gabaldon, and cast members from the series, including Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, and Lotte Verbeek.
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 21, 03:31PM First-time Comic-Con attendee and star of HornsDaniel Radcliffe joins co-star Juno Temple, director Alexandre Aja, and novelist Joe Hill to debut the world premiere of the Horns movie trailer, chat about the film, and hold an audience Q&A. In addition, Salma Hayek and filmmaker Joe Lynch will be introducing new footage from the kick-ass film Everly. The panel will also reveal new scenes from upcoming RADiUS titles with some special surprises.
Ralph McQuarrie's art for the original Star Wars trilogy is introduced to a new generation of young readers in Star Wars: The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight. New York Times bestselling author Tony DiTerlizzi a talks about the conceptualization of this project and the process, challenges, and privileges of writing to the works of a legend; along with Troy Alders (art director, Lucasfilm), J. W. Rinzler (executive editor, Lucasfilm), and Joanne Chan (children's book editor, Lucasfilm)
Writer/artist Terry Moore (Rachel Rising, SIP Kids, Strangers In Paradise, ECHO) discusses new projects, describes upcoming storylines, and answers all of those burning questions you have always wanted to ask. This fan-favorite event is chock full of fun and games!
Presenting some of the most exciting voices in graphic novels today: Michael Cho (Shoplifter), Faith Erin Hicks (Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong), Lucy Knisley (Relish), Jen Wang (In Real Life), and Gene Luen Yang (The Shadow Hero). The age of the graphic novel is truly beginning in the comics industry, and these panelists will discuss their own work, their process, and the future they see for graphic novels today. Moderated by Lev Grossman (TIME).
Sheyne Fleischer (assistant editor, The Bachelor, Hells Kitchen), Tess Fowler (writer/illustrator Game of Thrones Exclusive Animation, The Rascals), Alicia Minette (prop fabrication: Sushi Girl, Man at Arms), and Aubriana Zurilgen (creature creation: Steve Wang's Creature Workshop, MasterFX), will explore the nontraditional roles of women in the comic and entertainment industries. Female editors, illustrators, prop fabricators, and creature creators will relate their success stories and how to follow your dreams in the industry, while exploring gender roles in the creative professions. Moderated by Glenn Freund (League of S.T.E.A.M.).
Friday July 25, 2014 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
From the critically acclaimed classic pulp feel of The Black Beetle to the unnerving horrors of Afterlife with Archie and everything in between, join Comic-Con special guest Francesco Francavilla for this Q&A session moderated by Jimmy Aquino (Comic News Insider podcast).
Friday July 25, 2014 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 24, 12:40PM We couldn't imagine our favorite comic book, TV show, novel or film without our beloved superheroines. However, the journey for them has not been easy. Whether it's cultural barriers or societal sexism, super women have had to fight more than just crime in order to survive. Creators Genese Davis (The Holder's Dominion, MMORPG.com, The Gamer in You), Adrianne Curry (America's Next Top Model), voice actor Susan Eisenberg (Justice League, Jackie Chan Adventures, Injustice, Skyrim), (Michele R. Wells (Disney Publishing Worldwide, DK Publishing, Penguin), and Adam Simon (Man Down, Synapse) discuss the challenges and obstacles to creating relevant female protagonists in today's male-dominated industries.
Prepare to redefine your definition of hero! The status quo of your favorite characters is jettisoned for a new beginning as Grayson, Teen Titans, and Harley Quinn bring a fresh and gritty edge to DC Comics. Join the talent behind this group of new comics-Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn), Tom King (Grayson), Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn), Sean Ryan (New Suicide Squad), Tim Seeley (Grayson) and others-in a panel that is unlike any out there.
Literary agents Holly Root (Waxman Leavell Literary Agency) and Jane Putch (Eyebait Licensing and Literary Management) team up with film agent Brandy Rivers (Gersh Agency) to take your questions and discuss the wild world of manuscript querying, the role of agents in the publication and film rights process, and more! No pitches, please.
Friday July 25, 2014 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
Following FM's giant Godzilla issue with Hugo winner Bob Eggleton, it's time once again to invade SDCC. Join FM publisher Philip Kim and executive editor Ed Blair as they discuss the future of the world's first monster fan magazine, including celebrating its legendary cover art with FM artists 2014 Rondo Award winners Jason Edmiston (Planet of the Apes, Vincent Price) and Simon Thorpe (Doctor Who, Wicked Witch), and Terry Wolfinger (Ghostbusters). New covers revealed, included Terry's Bruce Campbell and Jason's Big Trouble in Little China. Plus new projects and exciting surprises!
New York Times bestselling author Max Brooks (The Zombie Survival Guide) is renowned for his zombie survival lectures but this year he returns to provide intel and anecdotes on how to survive a Vampires vs. Zombies apocalypse! Moderated by William Christensen (Avatar Press publisher), this panel and Q&A introduces readers to Max Brooks's new all-original comic book series, Extinction Parade: War!
Michael Cho and his four-time Eisner Award-winning editor Chip Kidd talk about comics and the making of graphic novels, specifically Michael Cho's upcoming debut, Shoplifter (Pantheon Books, Sept. 2). Shoplifter tells the story of a young woman's search for meaning, happiness, and self-fulfillment as she works as a millennial urban professional. She dabbles in small time shoplifting as a means of coming to terms with her conflicting emotions. Cho is an illustrator, cartoonist, and writer based in Toronto. Kidd is designer and author of Batman: Animated, Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schulz, and Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross.
Friday July 25, 2014 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Get updated on everything Mouse Guard, including news on upcoming projects, collectibles, and other surprises with creator, writer, and artist David Petersen. Plus, enjoy a live reading of several Mouse Guard short stories with David and panelists Hal Lublin (The Thrilling Adventure Hour), Meredith Salenger (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Hollywood Heights), and a surprise guest! Moderated by BOOM! Studios marketing manager Mel Caylo.
Friday July 25, 2014 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 32AB
Max Allan Collins (Mike Hammer), co-founder of the IAMTW, will announce the winners of this year's Scribe Awards for excellence in tie-in writing, including honoring this year's Grandmaster Award "Faust" winner, Diane Duane (Star Trek). Join panelists Michael A. Black (Executioner), Stacia Deutsch (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs), Nathan Collins (Battle Royale), Glenn Hauman (Star Trek), Nancy Holder (Chicago Fire), Robyn King (Shadowrun), and Jonathan Maberry (Wolfman) for a freewheeling look at one of the most popular and yet underappreciated branches of the writing trade. Followed by a Q&A session.
Friday July 25, 2014 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Jeff Goldsmith (publisher of Backstory on the iPad) interviews screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (Mr. & Mrs. Smith) about what it took to write and produce the worldwide box office smash hit X-Men: Days of Future Past. Kinberg will take you behind the scenes as to how he and the film's creative team evolved the longstanding film franchise to an all new high. From the standout Quicksilver sequence to managing the same comic characters at different points in time and beyond-he'll discuss how the film was made and take your questions.
Neil Gaiman is one of our most beloved modern storytellers, crafting amazing fantasy worlds across comics, novels, films, and music. But what is his story? This new documentary takes you along for the ride on Neil's record-setting 2013 signing tour, and explores a life as fantastical as one of his stories. Filmmakers Patrick Meaney (Grant Morrison: Talking With Gods) and Jordan Rennert (Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts), Neil's "Pepper Potts" Cat Mihos, and a special guest present an exclusive first look at the film.
Anne Sowards (executive editor, Ace/Roc), Diana Gill (executive editor, Ace/Roc), and Mia Garcia (Penguin Young Readers Group) give you the dish on forthcoming books from their exciting authors and licensed properties, such as Cherie Priest, Rick Yancey, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Rachel Caine, Marie Lu, Morgan Rhodes, Ilona Andrews, Katherine Howe, Adventure Time, and many more. You can expect giveaways like finished books or advanced reading copies!
Have you ever thought of a perfect idea for a TV series? Find out how to write it! Gray Jones (host, TV Writer Podcast, partner of Script Magazine) moderates a discussion and Q&A with powerhouse panelistsJen Grisanti (writing instructor, NBC's Writers on the Verge), Lisa Alden (Entourage), William Rabkin (author, Writing the Pilot), Bill Taub (author, Automatic Pilot), and Carole Kirschner (director of the WGA Showrunner Training Program).
Friday July 25, 2014 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
Zombie Research Society and experts Max Brooks (World War Z), Matt Mogk (AMC's Talking Dead), Steven Schlozman (Harvard Medical School), Scott Kenemore (Zombie, Indiana), Brendan Riley (Columbia College, Chicago), Cameron Carlson (U.S. Navy), Brad Voytek (UCSD), and Craig Engler (Syfy's Z Nation) discuss the evolution of the modern zombie in science, survival, and pop culture, with a special focus on little known facts and common misconceptions.