God Is Disappointed in You, published by Top Shelf, is the tongue-in-cheek "condensed" version of the Bible you never knew you needed-hilariously modern, but surprisingly authentic-with illustrations and gags by New Yorker cartoonist Shannon Wheeler (Too Much Coffee Man). Wheeler and writer Mark Russell join together for an hour of unforgettable irreverence, including Q&A, audience sketches, and the hilarious-yet-accurate "ten-minute Bible." Plus: a taste of the new audiobook, read by Dr. Venture himself, James Urbaniak (The Venture Bros.)!
Thursday July 24, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 32AB
Through the unassuming medium of a daily comic strip, Charles Schulz gently communicated the social and political climate of the changing world around him. Explore the intersection of Peanuts and topical issues through the lens of today's socially attuned humor in cartoons and television. Presentation by Corry Kanzenberg (curator, Charles M. Schulz Museum). Panel discussion and Q&A to follow with Seth Green (Robot Chicken, Family Guy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Art Roche (content director, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates). Moderated by Tom Gammill (The Simpsons, Futurama, Seinfeld).
Thursday July 24, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
From mail to photographs and now comics, everything is making the move to digital. Comic-Con International special guests Colleen Coover (Bandette), Batton Lash (Supernatural Law), Jeff Smith (Bone), Rina Piccolo (Tina's Groove), and Paul Tobin (Bandette) discuss with moderator Mark Waid (Daredevil) when and why they make the switch to digital.
Thursday July 24, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 7AB
Comic-Con special guest Brian Crane discusses his 25 years of creating the Pickles comic strip, using a PowerPoint presentation. He will give a behind-the-scenes look at how he got started and how he creates his daily comic strip, which is syndicated in over 800 newspapers around the world. The presentation will be followed by a short Q&A session.
Thursday July 24, 2014 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 4
Oscar-Pulitzer-Eisner Hall of Fame winner Jules Feiffer turns to the noir genre with his new graphic novel Kill My Mother. Come hear a conversation with this comics pioneer who started with Will Eisner, went on to become one of the world's most-read comic strip creators, and eventually conquered the Broadway stage and Hollywood. Now, preview his return to his first love with a daring new work that stretches his talent yet again. Questioning by comics historians Mark Evanier and Paul Levitz, as well as audience members.
Usually, this is the panel where Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier make empty promises of more Groo the Wanderer to come. This time though, there actually is new Groo with the release of the long-awaited Groo Vs. Conan miniseries from Dark Horse, to be followed closely by a new series of new Groo stories and a new series of old Groo stories and you'll hear all about it at the panel with Sergio and Mark and Stan Sakai and the world's hardest-working colorist, Tom Luth.
MAD, the country's #1-selling humor magazine (in a field of 1), is dumber than ever! MAD editor John Ficarra and art director Sam Viviano take a ridiculous peek at what's happening at the magazine, and an epically moronic Q&A that's bound to be, well, MAD! (Prizes will be awarded for most moronic questions!)
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 17, 03:39PM In celebration of the new documentary film, Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, co-creator Kevin Eastman will lead this fascinating panel including Randall Lobb (writer/director), Isaac Elliott-Fisher (executive producer), Mark Hussey (executive producer), and Galen Walker (executive producer), taking fans behind-the-scenes and beneath the streets into the incredible 30-year journey and reveal the real origin story of four of pop culture's most enduring heroes. Featuring clips from the documentary, followed by a Q&A discussion, fans will get to see how this so-called "happy accident" defied every naysayer to become one of the most popular and beloved franchises in the world.
Thursday July 24, 2014 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT
Room 6DE
In celebration of the 55th anniversary of Rocky and Bullwinkle, join Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation for the U.S. premiere of a new Rocky and Bullwinkle short that will appear on the upcoming release of Mr. Peabody & Sherman on Blu-ray and DVD on October 14. Director Gary Trousdale (Beauty and the Beast) and executive producer and Bullwinkle Studios president Tiffany Ward (daughter of Jay Ward) discuss the film and the legacy of Rocky and Bullwinkle on animation, followed by a Q&A session moderated by film critic and animation expert Leonard Maltin (Of Mice and Magic).
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."
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
Learn about the story that shocked the world-the Death of Archie-and find out more about the hit horror series Afterlife with Archie. Get exclusive news on upcoming classic Archie storylines, the new Sabrina ongoing series, and what's to come from Archie's superhero imprint. The panel features Jon Goldwater (co-CEO/publisher), Victor Gorelick (co-president/editor-in-chief), Mike Pellerito (president), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (chief creative officer/writer of Afterlife with Archie), Francesco Francavilla (artist of Afterlife with Archie), Dan Parent (writer/artist, Kevin Keller), Michael Uslan (writer, Farewell, Betty & Veronica), and moderator Alex Segura (SVP-publicity and marketing/editor of Red Circle Comics). Plus, an exclusive gift bag ticket!
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.
For the first time at Comic-Con, a detailed look at the origins of the American Sunday comic strip-the art form that gave birth to modern comics. Learn about the artists and publishers who launched a completely new type of entertainment that would influence all popular culture for a century to come. Host Peter Maresca (editor, Sunday Press Books), along with cartoonist and publisher Denis Kitchen (editor, The Yellow Kid, plus dozens of strip collections) and writer and historian R. C. Harvey (The Genius of Winsor McCay and Meanwhile...A Biography of Milton Caniff), will guide you through the earliest days of American comics. View rare examples of the seminal work of Outcault, Dirks, Swinnerton, McCay, Herriman, and dozens more known and unknown "Founders of the Funnies."
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).
Last year, we had such a good time celebrating the 100th birthday of the creator of one of comics' great newspaper strips that we've decided to keep the party going. Kelly's magnum opus, Pogo, is now receiving its first ever complete reprinting in an Eisner-winning series from Fantagraphics Books. Let's remember him with David Silverman (The Simpsons), Jeff Smith (Bone), comic historian Maggie Thompson (Comics Buyer's Guide), film critic Leonard Maltin, Carolyn Kelly (co-editor of the Complete Pogo series and Walt's daughter), and moderator Mark Evanier (Groo the Wanderer).
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
Moderated by the Comics Reporter himself, Tom Spurgeon, this panel will explore the use of humor by today's best cartoonists slash illustrators. Drew Friedman (Old Jewish Comedians)'s newest bookHeroes of the Comics debuts right here at Comic-Con, and his comics and illustrations have appeared in National Lampoon and High Times. Lisa Hanawalt is the James Beard Award winner for humor for her comics in Lucky Peach and is the cartoonist behind My Dirty Dumb Eyes. Mimi Pond wrote the pilot of The Simpsons, the cult classic The Valley Girl's Guide to Life, and her new fictionalized memoir Over Easy. Spurgeon will get out of these cartoonists' way when they lay it on thick, explain when to go easy, and share how to always get a laugh.
Friday July 25, 2014 4:30pm - 5:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
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
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.
For the 10th year, Jerry Beck (Cartoon Research) presents a new selection of the most terribly written, ugliest drawn, and unintentionally funniest animated films ever made. Cartoons include Mighty Mr. Titan (a physical fitness superhero) and Super President (a one-man weapon of mass destruction)! Be sure to enjoy some of the worst there is out there in this hilarious salute.
Friday July 25, 2014 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Though he himself was an only child, Charles Schulz recognized the potential for drama and humor inherent in sibling relationships, which are among the most influential and enduring associations in our lives. Over the years Peanuts portrayed many familial antics, including bossy older sisters, embarrassment caused by a brother's inept kite-flying or chronic blanket toting, and the petty bickering that can be a staple of brother-sister interactions. However, Schulz's comic siblings were also capable of tenderhearted softness-help with homework, sage advice, comfort, and understanding. Kelly Osbourne (E!'s Fashion Police), Corry Kanzenberg (curator at The Charles M. Schulz Museum), Lisa Shirai (director of international licensing, Peanuts Worldwide), and Monte Schulz (son of Charles Schulz) discuss the many sibling relationships present in Charles M. Schulz's classic Peanuts strip with a special focus on Snoopy's siblings: Spike, Olaf, Andy, Marbles, and, of course, his sister Belle, the breakout fashion darling. Damian Hollbrook (TV Guide) will moderate the discussion and Q&A session.
Saturday July 26, 2014 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 5AB
American cartoonist and Comic-Con special guest Don Rosa is best known for his Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck stories, especially his prize-winning Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. Join Fantagraphics publisher and life-long friend Gary Groth as he interviews the man in the ink-stained gloves who wrote and drew a whopping two decades' worth of ripping Scrooge and Donald yarns.
Saturday July 26, 2014 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 4
It's still the fastest, funniest panel in the whole convention! Once again, your Quick Draw Quizmaster Mark Evanier pits three super-speedy cartoonists against one another as they go mano a mano and Sharpie to Sharpie to create great cartoon art right before your very eyes. Competing this year are (as usual) Sergio Aragonés (MAD magazine, Groo the Wanderer) and Scott Shaw! (The Simpsons) and they're joined by Disney Legend Floyd Norman, plus a couple of surprising surprises!
Saturday July 26, 2014 11:45am - 1:00pm PDT
Room 6BCF
Legendary creator Berkeley Breathed (Bloom County, Opus, Flawed Dogs) makes a rare appearance at Comic-Con-International and-even more rare-will be hosting his second (and probably final) presentation. He's a bit mysterious about what he'll be presenting. However, there is unofficial word that he may be revealing recent illicit photos and art of his best friend Bill Watterson, "borrowed" from the latter's secret retreat in the foothills of Colorado.
Saturday July 26, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 9
Acclaimed syndicated cartoonist and Comic-Con special guest Ray Billingsley talks about literally growing up in the cartooning industry, from being a child-professional at 12 to a career that has spanned over 40 years. Join Ray for this frank discussion, with a Q&A session moderated by Andrew Farago (artist and curator of the Cartoon Art Museum).
Saturday July 26, 2014 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 4
One of the most memorable kids' comics ever created (yet with remarkable "all-ages" appeal), Little Lulu has generated a worldwide fan following. Learn more about this classic comics character and the renewed interest in the other delightful works of the great John Stanley, and join in for a scripted reading of a Golden Age Little Lulu story. All are welcome!
Saturday July 26, 2014 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 29A
With nearly 60 years as an animation artist, Comic-Con special guest Willie Ito has done it all. He worked at Disney on Lady and the Tramp's spaghetti scene with mentor Iwao Takamoto and on One Froggy Evening and What's Opera Doc at Warner Bros' famed Termite Terrace under Chuck Jones' direction. He went on to The Beany and Cecil Show with Bob Clampett and then Hanna Barbera for the beginnings of The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and many other cartoons. Ito has great stories and experiences to share. After HB he went to Disney Consumer Products and spearheaded implementation of collectibles and licensed products worldwide. He has also designed comic books, comic strips, coloring books, and more. Join animation expert Leslie Combemale of ArtInsights for a spotlight on Willie's life, including the part of his childhood spent in a Japanese internment camp that inspired his most recent venture, a series of children's picture books based on the experience.
Comic-Con special guest Jeff Smith discusses his foray into the world of online comics with his new title TUKI: Save the Humans, as well as the 10th anniversary of Scholastic's color version of Bone. Moderated by Tom Spurgeon (The Comics Reporter).
Everyone loves comics, and the only thing better than reading comics is sharing them with your friends and family. An all-star panel of cartoonists discuss what makes a great all-ages comic book that the whole family can enjoy. Panelists include Comic-Con special guests Brian Crane (Pickles), Eleanor Davis (Stinky, The Secret Science Alliance), Brian Haberlin (Anomaly Productions), Willie Ito (The Flintstones, Bugs Bunny), and Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge); moderated by Andrew Farago (curator, Cartoon Art Museum; author of TMNT: The Ultimate Visual History).
Sunday July 27, 2014 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 23ABC
Comic-Con special guest Jim Rugg (Street Angel, The PLAIN Janes, Afrodisiac, Rambo 3.5, The Guild) discusses his experience as a cartoonist/designer/illustrator/podcaster through a visual presentation and an audience Q&A.
Comic-Con special guest Michael T. Gilbert (comic book writer/cartoonist since 1973/columnist for Alter Ego magazine since 1998) will talk about Mr. Monster, Disney Comics, and his other projects. He'll also discuss how the comics field has changed since he began his professional career 40 years ago. Questions welcome. The panel will be moderated by cartoonist Batton Lash, creator of Supernatural Law.
Robert C. Harvey (Meanwhile: A Biography of Milton Caniff, Creator of Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon) reviews the career of Bill Hume: sculptor, artist, actor, playwright, magician, ventriloquist, author, clown, newspaper man, photographer, animator, television and film producer, corporate art director and cartoonist, and artist of pretty girl cartoons featuring the friendly relations between American G.I.'s and the female population of Japan. Melissa Loucks (University of Florida) reminds us of the work comic strips do toward thwarting the distortions and suppressions of the dominant civil rights narrative, looking at the work of Oliver Harrington, George Herriman, and Jackie Ormes. And Dwain C. Pruitt (University of Louisville) considers the roles that Matt Baker's race and sexual orientation may have played in his work and in his most celebrated contribution, the "Baker Girl," asserting that Baker's work was shaped by the unique African-American expressive and visual culture of 1930s-1950s Harlem.
Sunday July 27, 2014 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
The Beat's Heidi MacDonald will get today's best literary cartoonists to spill their guts on just how they use moments and memories from their lives with actual facts from the time period and how they combine everything into the art of nonfiction or the fictitious memoir. Gilbert Hernandez is the cartoonist behind Marble Season, Bumperhead, and Love and Rockets that touches on his childhood but never tells the full story of his life as one of the famous Hernandez Brothers. Mimi Pond'sOver Easy tells the story of Madge, an art school drop out in the '70s when hippy met punk, a story close to her own life. David Lasky's The Carter Family is a biography of the first superstar group of country. MacDonald will ask: Do they draw likenesses from memories or from photographs? Do they take liberties with the facts to tell a more engrossing story? "Fictionalized Nonfiction" will peek into the creative process of today's leading graphic novelists.
Sunday July 27, 2014 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 32AB