In the literary world, there are mystical beings, futuristic landscapes, magic and mayhem, heroes and villains, and slowly but surely, more diversity in our heroes. Panel participants are the creators that have made a more diverse world with their novels. Join authors Gene Luen Yang (The Shadow Hero), Josephine Angelini (Trial by Fire),Sherri L. Smith (Orleans), Adele Griffin (The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone), Greg Weisman (Spirits of Ash and Foam: A Rain of the Ghosts Novel), and Lydia Kang (Control), as moderator David Mariotte of Mysterious Galaxy leads the discussion of what is "diversity" in genre writing, what it looks like, and why it is important.
Saturday July 26, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 7AB
The production designer opens the script, reads, and literally dreams up the most perfect of all possible worlds in which to tell the tale-whether the story is set in the mythic past, the here and now, or any imaginable future. And then the designer must gather and lead the army of artists who, over months or years, in plaster or in pixels, will actually make the design real. Four top production designers-Patrick Tatopoulos (Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, 300: Rise of an Empire), Philip Messina (The Hunger Games franchise), Oliver Scholl (Edge of Tomorrow, Independence Day ), and John Myhre (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides)-discuss their art, the business, and their careers. Moderated by John Muto (Species, Terminator 2-3D).
Saturday July 26, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 23ABC
Warner Bros. returns to Hall H with a look at three upcoming movies:
Jupiter Ascending- The first original science fiction film from filmmakers Lana and Andy Wachowski since their game-changing "Matrix" trilogy is an action adventure starring Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis. The story will take audiences from the streets of Chicago to the furthest galaxies of space, as Caine (Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track down Jupiter Jones (Kunis), a young woman whose genetic signature marks her for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos. Written, directed and produced by the Wachowskis, with producer Grant Hill and many of their longstanding creative collaborators, the film, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, also stars Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas Booth, and Tuppence Middleton.
Mad Max: Fury Road- Seminal director George Miller returns to the post-apocalyptic universe he created three decades ago with the cultural phenomenon Mad Max. Tom Hardy reinvents Max Rockatansky in Mad Max: Fury Road, Miller's extraordinary new take on the legendary character for a new generation of fans. The film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, also stars Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, Riley Keough, Hugh Keays-Byrne, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies- This December, Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson will unleash the epic final film in The Hobbit Trilogy, based on the timeless masterpiece by J. R. R. Tolkien, from New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures. Bilbo's journey culminates in a desperate and dangerous choice as darkness converges on the Lonely Mountain, and the races of Dwarves, Elves, and Men must decide: unite or be destroyed. Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, with Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. The ensemble cast is led by Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Ken Stott, and James Nesbitt, with Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, and Orlando Bloom.
Saturday July 26, 2014 10:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Hall H
Please note: these rebroadcasts and playbacks will include only the panel discussions and special on-stage moments with the panelists. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.
These authors know how to thrill readers with stories of kick-ass heroines who traverse the boundaries of other worlds and dimensions. Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy), Marjorie Liu (Labyrinth of Stars), S. J. Harper (Reckoning), Christina Lauren (Sublime), Tonya Hurley (Blessed series), and moderator Chris Marie Green (Only the Good Die Young) discuss the paranormal elements in their action-packed novels that keep their protagonists on their toes and readers on the edge of their seats.
Saturday July 26, 2014 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 8
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 14, 09:47AM Once Upon a Time has Frozen over! As Elsa enters Storybrooke, she brings an icy new twist to the lives of the rest of the fairytale inhabitants. Co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis (Lost), and Adam Horowitz (Lost) along with Lana Parrilla (24), Josh Dallas (Thor), Emilie de Ravin (Lost), Colin O'Donoghue (The Rite), Jared Gilmore (Mad Men), Robert Carlyle (SGU) and Jennifer Morrison (House) discuss the upcoming season of new characters, new adventures and new rivalries.
Saturday July 26, 2014 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Ballroom 20
Get the inside scoop on designing costumes from the costume designers of some of the biggest blockbuster television series and movies. Panelists include Ann Foley (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Lizz Wolf (The Expendables 3), Arianne Phillips (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Mary Vogt (Men In Black I, II & III) and Kristin Burke (Sleepy Hollow). Moderated by J. August Richards (Deathlok, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.).
Saturday July 26, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 25, 07:39PM From "Marvex the super robot" to the Metal Men to the Sentinels, robots have been a prevalent theme in comic books and science fiction. Historically, robots and androids have been depicted as both loyal servants (Rosie the Robot) and/or metallic menaces (Ultron). In this session, moderator Steve Broback (Tweet House, Parnassus Group) joins Brian David Johnson (resident futurist at Intel), Jennifer Barry (Rethink Robotics), Jason Crusan (director, Advanced Exploration Systems Division at NASA), Ross Ingram (community manager for Sphero), and none other than Brent Spiner (known as the beloved android Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation) to survey and demonstrate our coming robot reality, what the next few years hold in store, and how it reflects on the futures depicted by the pop culture robots and androids of our time.
Saturday July 26, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Get top line security clearance for behind-the-scenes secrets from Syfy's hit show Helix. Kyra Zagorsky (Dr. Julia Walker), Mark Ghanime (Major Sergio Balleseros), Jordan Hayes (Dr. Sarah Jordan), Neil Napier (Dr. Peter Farragut), and executive producers Ronald D. Moore and Steven Maeda give you exclusive access to Arctic Biosystems and divulge details about what's in store for season 2 when the series returns. Moderated by journalist and author Geoff Boucher.
Every day, our present begins to look more and more like science fiction. We converse with AIs on our phones, communicate by digital avatars, and maintain entire social presences online. Movies like Her demonstrate how familiar-and how close-we are to a world where Cylons co-mingle with humanity. Authors Daniel H. Wilson (Robogenesis), Andy Weir (The Martian), Jason Hough (The Dire Earth Cycle), Daniel Price (The Flight of the Silvers), M. D. Waters (Prototype), and Nick Cole (Soda Pop Soldier) discuss potential robot uprisings with moderator Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy!
Saturday July 26, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Meet some of Magic: The Gathering's top creators answer your questions and share a sneak peek at upcoming releases, including September 2014's Khans of Tarkir. The panel, moderated by Mark Rosewater (head Magic designer), includes Doug Beyer (senior creative designer), Mark Purvis (brand director), and Gavin Verhey (R&D game and experience designer).
Saturday July 26, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
As Steampunk becomes increasingly popular with the masses, many of its longtime devotees have begun to discover new genres to focus their creative energies and explore new time periods and mash-ups. Panelists will discuss the origins of Steampunk, delve into the popular Dieselpunk and Cyberpunk movements, and then start exploring some new niche areas like Nerfpunk, Rococopunk, and any other fun styles that the audience can dream up! Join moderator Glenn Freund (The League of S.T.E.A.M.) and XYZ-Punks Dina Kampmeyer (Lady Steam Designs), Royden Lepp (creator of the GN series Rust), Russell Isler (The League of S.T.E.A.M.), and Shawn Strider (Sypher Art Studios) for this discussion and Q&A.
Saturday July 26, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 29A
The explosive second season of Defiance has kicked into gear, and nothing is as it seems. Grant Bowler (Nolan), Julie Benz (Amanda Rosewater), Jaime Murray (Stahma Tarr), and the rest of the cast of Syfy's groundbreaking multi-platform series discuss the big changes-and huge chances-their characters have taken in this dark and daring chapter of the show. Moderated by entertainment journalist and professional nerd Aaron Sagers.
Whether it's a dystopian society, the aftermath of an apocalypse, or an unknown intergalactic landing point, the way YA novels envision the future is often complex and layered with problems and untapped possibilities. A dynamic group of authors including Emily Lloyd Jones (Illusive), Benny Zelkowicz (Foundry’s Edge), Romina Russell (Zodiac), Michael Johnston (The Heart of Dread series), Pierce Brown (Red Rising), Cam Baity (Foundry's Edge), Charles Yu (How to Survive in a Science Fiction Universe), Benny Zelkowitcz (Foundry's Edge), and Cecil Castellucci (Tin Star) discuss how they create their worlds of tomorrow, the architecture and outlining involved, and what we learn about our contemporary selves as a result of these future landscapes.
Saturday July 26, 2014 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
You know Saga. You love Saga. You can't get enough of Saga. Luckily, this year, series creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are ready, rested, and eager to talk to you about Saga. What's coming up next on you-know-what? How could they do that thing to you-know-who? Whether you're coming in your finest cosplay or street clothes, you need to come to this panel..
Saturday July 26, 2014 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
S.H.I.E.L.D. science advisors Ricardo Gil da Costa (Neuroverse Inc.), Preston Dyches (JPL), Randii Wessen (JPL), Leonidas Moustakis (JPL), and Sebastian Alvarado (Thwacke) will brief participants on the case files of the superheroes who make up the Avengers Initiative. For the first time, S.H.I.E.L.D. divulges some of its most confidential scientific findings on what makes these superheroes unique. Moderated by Agent Phil Plait (Bad Astronomy), this training session is for S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents at Level 4 and above.
Saturday July 26, 2014 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
Endgame: The Calling is an engrossing apocalyptic adventure novel at the core of a groundbreaking interactive project that will be published on October 7. A YA trilogy by international bestselling author James Frey and New York Times bestselling author Nils Johnson-Shelton, the Endgame trilogy follows 12 teens as catastrophic events lead them on a global quest in search of three ancient keys that will save not only their bloodlines but the world. Each book in the series is also the focal point of an interactive experience within the Endgame universe, consisting of a sequence of challenging puzzles that, when solved, will ultimately lead to the location of a hidden key. The first eligible reader to solve the final puzzle for the first book will find the key and win $500,000 dollars' worth of gold. Google's Niantic Labs is developing a location-based augmented reality game that will bring Endgame to life in the real world and allow players to join in battle to unlock the mysteries of Endgame. Panelists James Frey (co-author of Endgame and creator of Full Fathom Five), 20th Century Fox's Wyck Godfrey (producer of the Endgame film, The Maze Runner, and The Fault in Our Stars), John Hanke (leader of Google's Niantic Labs and creator of Google Maps) and Mat Laibowitz (Ph.D., founder of Futuruption) discuss the Endgame universe they've created.
Saturday July 26, 2014 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a reception with an angry wesen village! Adalind with an empty baby carriage?! Nick's Grimm powers pillaged?! Captain Renard's blood spillage?! Season 3 left us screaming for answers! Join your fellow "Grimmsters" for a panel filled with wesen, season 4 themes, and of course, a Q&A session with the cast and producers: David Giuntoli, Russell Hornsby, Bitsie Tulloch, Silas Weir Mitchell, Reggie Lee, Sasha Roiz, Bree Turner, Claire Coffee, and executive producers/writers Jim Kouf, David Greenwalt, and Norberto Barba. Moderated by Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times.
Saturday July 26, 2014 3:00pm - 3:45pm PDT
Ballroom 20
Please note: these rebroadcasts and playbacks will include only the panel discussions and special on-stage moments with the panelists. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 15, 09:51AM In 1963, the U.S. government launched a covert space mission sending hundreds of people on a century-long voyage to find a new home for humanity. Lucky for us, three of those people were Tricia Helfer (Viondra Denninger) and Brian Van Holt (Captain William Denninger) and Andrea Roth (Juliet Bryce). Join them, the rest of the cast and executive producer Philip Levens as they give you an exclusive look deep into space-and the mysteries that unfold there-in Syfy's hotly anticipated event series, Ascension. Moderated by Adweek reporter Sam Thielman.
Saturday July 26, 2014 3:15pm - 4:15pm PDT
Room 6DE
Go behind the scenes of the unprecedented collection of the groundbreaking cult phenomenon from David Lynch and Mark Frost, Twin Peaks-The Entire Mystery. Join actress Kimmy Robertson ("Lucy Moran"), Blu-ray producer Charles de Lauzirika, Blu-ray co-producer Brian Kursar, and restoration and remastering executive project managers David Grant and Ryan Adams. Get an advance look at not only the staggering results of the high-definition upgrade of both the series and feature film, but also an exclusive sneak peek at the Blu-ray's massive array of bonus features, including the "holy grail" of Twin Peaks fandom, The Missing Pieces, the long-awaited deleted and extended scenes from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, directed and edited by David Lynch himself! Moderated by Robert Meyer Burnett.
Saturday July 26, 2014 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
The cast and creative team behindThe Vampire Diaries return to San Diego for a sizzling sixth appearance! Series stars Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Paul Wesley (Roll Bounce), Ian Somerhalder (Lost), and Kat Graham (Honey 2) join executive producer/writer Julie Plec (The Originals, Kyle XY) for a video screening and Q&A session. The CW's #1 series returns for season 6 this fall with more of its hallmark twists and turns, a few familiar faces-and to answer the burning question: What the hell happened to Damon and Bonnie?! 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 Fifth Season will be released on Blu-ray combo pack, DVD and digital HD on September 9.
Saturday July 26, 2014 4:00pm - 4:45pm PDT
Ballroom 20
Fan favorite John Barrowman (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Arrow, Sing Your Face Off) discusses his past, present and future projects, from Captain Jack Harkness to Malcolm Merlyn.
Joe Abercrombie (Half a King), Diana Gabaldon (Outlander), Lev Grossman (Magicians Trilogy), George R. R. Martin (Game of Thrones), and Patrick Rothfuss (The Kingkiller Chronicle) have written some of the most memorable books of their time, pushing genre fiction into the mainstream. Join these bestselling authors along with moderator Ali T. Kokmen (Barnes & Noble/NOOK Media) for a discussion on fantasy literature, fandom, and how they mastered their craft.
Saturday July 26, 2014 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 6A
Mixing romance, suspense, mystery, and humor, the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated True Blood kicked off its 10-episode seventh and final season June 22 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, Carrie Preston as Arlene Bellefleur, and Chris Bauer as Andy Bellefleur, AnnaCamp as Sarah Newlin and NathanParsons as James. Oscar and Emmy Award winner Alan Ball created and is also an executive producer on the series, which is based on the bestselling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. Moderated by Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly.
Saturday July 26, 2014 5:00pm - 6:15pm PDT
Ballroom 20
Please note: these rebroadcasts and playbacks will include only the panel discussions and special on-stage moments with the panelists. None of the film clips or footage shown at the live events will be shown here.
The star-studded cast -- including Shane West (Nikita, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), Janet Montgomery, Seth Gabel, Ashley Madekwe, Iddo Goldberg, and Elise Eberle -- along with executive producers Brannon Braga (Star Trek, Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey), Adam Simon, and Josh Barry look back at intriguing footage from the groundbreaking first season of the series, from WGN America and Fox 21. Set in the volatile world of 17th-century Massachusetts, Salem explores what really fueled the town's infamous witch trials and dares to uncover the dark, supernatural truth hiding behind the veil of this infamous period in American history. Followed by an audience Q&A.
Saturday July 26, 2014 5:45pm - 6:45pm PDT
Room 6DE
Authors James Dashner (The Maze Runner) and Christina Lauren (Beautiful Bastard), together with their publishing teams-literary agent Michael Bourret (Dystel & Goderich Literary Agency), executive editor Krista Marino (Random House, Delacorte), literary agent Holly Root (Waxman Leavell Literary Agency), senior editor Adam Wilson (Simon & Schuster, Gallery), and associate director of publicity Kristin Dwyer (Simon & Schuster, Gallery)-discuss their roles and interactions navigating the path from story idea to bestseller. Moderated by author Nathan Bransford (How to Write a Novel).
Saturday July 26, 2014 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Aaron St. John (artist), Paul Bailey (writer), and story creator Kim Hutsell (Starburner Galactic Courier Service founder) discuss the process of taking the Starburner Steampunk saga from mythos to graphic novel, with teaser pages from the first issue in progress. Moderated by Jeffrey Vaca (Maker).
Saturday July 26, 2014 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 29A
Many new adventures are afoot in the world of ElfQuest! With Dark Horse's Final Quest, a new ElfQuest saga by creators Wendy and Richard Pini, flying off shelves and EQ merchandise from WeLoveFine and Badali Jewelry adorning more fans each day, the ElfQuest fan tribe continues to grow. Come hear the scoop from producers Stephanie Thorpe (Night of the Zombie King) and Paula Rhodes (The New Adventures of Peter & Wendy), who hold the film/TV rights to this 35+-year-old beloved comic series. Fans of ElfQuest since they were kids, they've been working to expand the World of Two Moons into more outlets and are excited to introduce you to their new team of fellow fans: Angela Song Mueller (Legend of Korra), Joshua Hamilton (Avatar: The Last Airbender), and Luke Ryan (Harold & Kumar). Moderated by Jenna Busch (Cocktails With Stan).
Saturday July 26, 2014 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
Who's the baddest witch in town? For the first time ever, the critically acclaimed miniseries visits Comic-Con with an exclusive look back at AHS: Coven followed by an all-star panel featuring AHS cast members Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Michael Chiklis, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Emma Roberts, and executive producer Tim Minear. The panel will also treat fans to some exclusive secrets from the set of the next franchise instalment, AHS: Freak Show.
Saturday July 26, 2014 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 6DE
David Pomerico, executive editor from Harper Voyager US, provides an overview of the upcoming season's best new fiction. From the publishing powerhouse that brought you Divergent, comes the latest and greatest in teen fiction. Christina Colangelo and Lauren Flower of HarperTeen present major upcoming YA book releases that will transport you from a dystopian version of Oz to an apocalyptic battleground and beyond. Get ready to grab plenty of HarperTeen giveaways, limited-edition goodies, and advance copies!
Iconic weird tale author H. P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), in his introduction to the story The Call of Cthulhu wrote: "We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the deadly light into the peace and safety of a new dark age." Was he right? A panel of scientists and Lovecraft experts will discuss the science behind Lovecraft's stories and what modern research has revealed about humanity's place in the cosmos. With Cody Goodfellow (Deepest, Darkest Eden: New Tales Of Hyperborea), Shane Haggard (Chemistry instructor, San Diego City College), Leslie S. Klinger (The New Annotated H. P. Lovecraft), Andrew Leman (The H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society), and Lisa Will, Ph.D. (astronomy and physics professor, San Diego City College). Moderated by Aaron Vanek (The H. P. Lovecraft Film Festival and CthulhuCon-Los Angeles).
Education's all-things-nerd networking resource returns to Comic-Con. This year's after-school-special edition features understanding dyslexia with Max Brooks (The Harlem Hellfighters, World War Z), classroom gamification with Janina Scarlet (Alliant International University), elementary and special education with David Ross (Toronto District School Board), and English with Eric Bailey (Henderson State University). Moderating is Patrick Murphy (Fremont High, Weber State University). Topics include curriculum development strategies, national standards, and increasing student engagement. This is a great networking opportunity for professional educators and nerds alike.
Saturday July 26, 2014 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 28DE
Step into the pop culture ring with geeky psychologists Dr. Andrea Letamendi (The Arkham Sessions) and Dr. Ali Mattu (Super Fantastic Nerd Hour) as they bring their popular, intergalactic sci-fi battle back to Comic-Con for round 4! Special guests Sam Witwer (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Being Human) and Rod Roddenberry (Trek Nation, Roddenberry Entertainment) join the psych pros to debate, tackle, and explain some of the most fascinating aspects of both universes. Pick a side and cast your vote as they crown one the winner! Impartially refereed by Brian Ward (Shout! Factory).
Saturday July 26, 2014 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 26AB