Comic-Con special guest Neal Adams (Batman, X-Men, Ms Mystic) is one of the living legends of comics. His impact on the Dark Knight, nearly 30 years ago, paved the way for a darker Caped Crusader, one that echoes in the movies and animated shows that we all love. From being a champion of creator rights to drawing just about every iconic comic book character who ever graced a page, Neal Adams has done it all, and he talks about some of it in this Spotlight panel!
Frank Mastromauro (co-owner), Peter Steigerwald (co-owner), Vince Hernandez (VP, editor-in-chief), Mark Roslan (VP, director of design and production), David Wohl (Executive Assistant: Iris), J. T. Krul (Jirni), Siya Oum (Lola XOXO), Scott Lobdell (Superman), Paolo Pantalena (Jirni),Giuseppe Cafaro (Fathom: Kiani), Jordan Gunderson (EA: Assassins), Lori Hanson (EA Assassins), and Beth Sotelo (Fathom) will reveal upcoming Aspen titles as well as projects on the horizon. They will also hold a Q&A session with fans. All fans in attendance will receive a gift courtesy of the publisher.
Comic-Con special guest Sara E. Mayhew (Legend of the Ztarr, Secrets of Sorcerers, Love Pet) introduces her new Kickstarter-backed manga series Legend of the Ztarr and how she works to promote humanism and critical thinking through pop culture entertainment. Learn all about this new rising star in the manga scene with Q&A about creating manga, storytelling, and popularizing science and skepticism.
Comic-Con special guest Rina Piccolo (gag cartoonist and creator of Tina's Groove syndicated comic strip) presents her comic narrative: A Career In The Comics: How I Started & What I Learned, followed by some fun cartoon videos, comics, and Q&A.
Comic-Con special guest June Brigman will discuss the creation of Power Pack, as well as her 30-year career as a comics penciler. A PowerPoint presentation will be followed by a Q&A session with Ms. Brigman.
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).
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.
Be the first to see the premiere, concept, and design of Peter David and Sal Velluto's New Phantom comic book series together with a multimedia presentation about the history of the The Ghost Who Walks. Sal Velluto (The Phantom, Flash, Justice League Task Force, Black Panther), the artist for the new series, will discuss the direction and philosophy of the book and show off artwork from issue #1. Daniel Herman (publisher, Hermes Press), Graham Nolan (Batman, The Phantom, Rex Morgan, M.D.), and Thomas Andrae ( Batman and Me, Creators of the Superheroes, Walt Kelly: the Life and Art of the Creator of the Art of Pogo) will discuss the history of the character, the classic strip and comic books, and the all-new version (which brings back the classic Phantom) of this iconic character.
A rare behind-the-scenes look as leading pop culture entrepreneurs share the secrets of building successful pop culture businesses! J. K. Parkin from Comic Book Resources and Robot 6 moderates an inspirational talk with comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger, the Harvey Award-nominated cartoonist behind Nimona and Lumberjanes co-creator Noelle Stevenson, Dark Horse president and founder Mike Richardson, and Valiant CEO & chief creative officer Dinesh Shamdasani. It's an inside look at the business side of pop culture no future comics entrepreneur can miss!
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!
In his book Seduction of the Innocent, published 60 years ago, psychiatrist Fredric Wertham claimed that comic books were a leading cause of juvenile delinquency. Forever cast as a villain in the eyes of comic fandom, Wertham is, at worst, represented as an enemy of free speech and, at best, a misguided moral crusader. But is either characterization correct? Was Wertham right, wrong, or both? Do his mid-century hypotheses about media violence have any relevance today? And why are we still talking about him? Author Bradford W. Wright (Comic Book Nation) will offer an historical perspective of Wertham. Library and information science professor Carol Tilley (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) will explore and critique Dr. Wertham's research methodology, while psychiatrists Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D. and Praveen R. Kambam, M.D. (Broadcast Thought) will discuss Wertham' s views on juvenile delinquency within the context of current media violence research. Professor Robert A. Emmons, Jr., director of the forthcoming documentary film Diagram for Delinquents, will share his insights in his effort to create a more complete picture of Wertham. Emmons will also discuss the zeitgeist of America during the crusade against comics as one of the first media backlashes in American history. Attorney Jeff Trexler (The Beat, The Comics Journal) moderates.
