Posted in: Comics | Tagged: comic con, Comics, wondercon

WonderCon Programming – Just The Comics

Some people complain that there's just too much movies, TV, toys, games, cartoons and cosplay at comic conventions., And not enough of the comics.

Well, just to prove that wrong, here's the programming schedule for WonderCon from March 16th to the 18th, with all the non-comics programming removed. And it's stil massive. What will you be going to see?

Friday

12:30-1:30 IDW Presents: THE IDW Panel!— Chief creative officer Chris Ryall and sergeant of marketing Dirk Wood, give out prizes, make announcements, and evade questions! Featuring a host of creators, including Steve Niles, Ben McCool, Jason Ciaramella and more! All this, plus the Smoke & Mirrors boys, Mike Costa and Jon Armstrong, perform live magic! Yes, you read that right! Room 203

12:30-1:30 Insight into Indy Publishing— The Antidote Trust, America's #1 indy collective, returns with more insights on everything related to independent comics. Professional screenplay writers of Leverage, Ben 10, and other programs, published novelists (Book Strand), an online comics award nominee, and a winner of the inaugural Glyph award for Indy comics are among the half-dozen panelists who share their input and experiences on everything needed to create, produce, market, and distribute comics in multiple media. You're invited to share your insights, too! Room 208

12:30-1:30 CAC Session 1: Iron Man, Robopocalypse, and the Future of Humanity— In E. Paul Zehr's speculative nonfiction book Inventing Iron Man: The Possibility of a Human Machine, the real-life implications of linking humans to robotic technologies in the form of brain machine interface are explored. Daniel H. Wilson's novel Robopocalypse is set in a future where human biology and technology have become seamlessly integrated. Society has become increasingly reliant on automation and robotics and comes face to face with its own extinction when a sentient artificial intelligence is unleashed on the world. This panel contains a discussion on robotics and technological fusion now and in the future using concepts in Iron Man comics, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, robotics, and the dystopian novel Robopocalypse. Room 210

12:30-1:30 Hollywood and Comics— With its combination of words and visuals in one attractive package, a comic book can be a great sales tool when pitching your project to studios. To sell the movie rights to your comic you need to know how Hollywood deal making really works. Join comic creators who have successfully navigated the movie business in this discussion of best practices. Panelists include Martin Shapiro (Chopper), Scott Mitchell Rosenberg (Cowboys and Aliens), Jesse Berger (untitled Tom Cruise sci-fi project), Andrew Cosby (Eureka), Derek Hoffman (X-Men: First Class), Chris Tongue (Dark Horse), and Benjamin Jackendoff (Zenescope). Room 211

1:00-2:00 DC Comics: All Access— A lot can happen in a year! Come by for unfiltered access to DC editors as they talk all things DC! Find out what they have to share from behind the scenes at your favorite and most talked about comics publisher. Joining the All-Access party will be some of the industry's top talents, so don't miss out! Room 204

1:30-2:30 Monsters Anonymous— Comics and prose authors discuss the pros and cons of world-building with monsters and whether or not to make them known to that world's public. Panelists include WonderCon special guest Mike Mignola (Hellboy), with Amber Benson (How to Be Death) and Christopher Farnsworth (The President's Vampire), in discussion with Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 207

1:30-2:30 CAC Session 2: All I Really Need to Know, I Learned from Batman and Bart, Man: Embiggening Brains Without Crayon Implants— Sure, they're entertaining, but can comic book superheroes and cartoon characters teach us anything useful in the real world? A trio of professors discuss how they're using fictional characters to introduce students to nonfictional subjects. Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight) and Dr. E. Paul Zehr (Becoming Batman, Inventing Iron Man) explore the psychology and biology of Gotham's Dark Knight, his allies, and his many foes. Dr. Karma Waltonen (The Simpsons in the Classroom) explains how instructors can use comics as a jumping-off point to introduce concepts in literature, composition, linguistics, cultural studies, gender studies, and media appreciation. Room 210

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Mark Waid— WonderCon special guest Mark Waid is the author of Daredevil, Kingdom Come, Irredeemable, and much, much more. Mark will discuss his 25-year career in comics, peppering the discussion with advice, inside stories, and talk of his vision of the medium's future — where he will announce his biggest undertaking yet! Room 211

2:00-3:00 Quick Draw!— It's another battle to the death with Sharpies at twenty paces! Three of the fastest cartoonists alive draw and duel in what is always a standing-room-only event at Comic-Con in San Diego. This time, we have Scott Shaw! (The Simpsons), Disney legend Floyd Norman, and a player to be named later, all sketching like mad on the command of Mark Evanier. If you've never seen one of these, you need to experience it! Room 204

2:30-3:30 Spotlight on Ryan Sook— WonderCon special guest Ryan Sook, current DC The New 52 cover artist, participates in a Q&A session about his art and career. Find out about his process in creating covers for the Justice League Dark and DCU Presents. Learn who his favorite artists are and what comics he loves, and hear what he has to say about whatever other topics you want to bring to the discussion. Room 203

2:30-3:30 MARVEL: House of Ideas— Love having the best comics in the industry on your mobile devices? Want to know how Marvel stays on the cutting edge of technology while bringing you fans what you've come to love? Well, this panel is for you, True Believer! Get exciting news on what's happening on the Marvel Comics App, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited, and more in this can't miss panel. Room 207

2:30-3:30 Shonen Jump Fan Meet-Up— Listen to a thrilling pitch about the benefits of being an SJ Alpha member! Grill the Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha editors in a live Q&A session! Then hang out with them and a room full of Shonen Jump fans! Win prizes at the trivia contest! Join the live fan art jams! Celebrate all things SJ-related! Meet Urian Brown, lead hype-man of #TEAMJUMP, specializing in video games, anime, and wacky antics, and Misaki Kido, female leader of #TEAMJUMP, and challenge her manga knowledge or ask for advice about your own manga…if you dare! Room 208

2:30-4:00 CAC Session 3: Comics and Form— Ever consider how comics work? This panel examines the structures that create the stories. Amber Bowyer (University of Southern California) explores the relationship among comics, semiotics, continuity, and history to better imagine the history of comics' materiality, interactivity, and affect. Dr. Kathleen Dunley (Rio Salado College) looks at Seth's The Great Northern Brotherhood of Canadian Cartoonists as a palimpsest, in which as the new text is written, the original text remains visible, creating a ghosting between past and present. She explores how Seth's visual representation of the palimpsest relates to how the past is created and reconfigured across the narrative. Dr. Nhora Serrano (California State University, Long Beach) looks at Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, and in particular the veiled and unveiled narrator, arguing that this self-portrait is a representation of the concealment, exposure as well as erasure, that is inherent in comics. Room 210

2:30-3:30 Spotlight on Eric Powell— Special guest Eric Powell (The Goon) and his collaborator Tracy Marsh (Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters) discuss things they don't like over pastries and disillusionment. New projects might also be discussed. If this isn't the most fun panel at WonderCon, it will without doubt be the worst episode of Intervention ever. Room 211

3:00-4:00 It Was 30 Years Ago Today: Celebrating 1982 — Greatest Geek Year Ever!— It's time to celebrate, it's time to light the lights, it's time to fete (not Boba, just fete) the greatest geek year ever; three decades later and we're all here to tell about it. Geek Monthly editor Jeff Bond is joined by screenwriter Ashley E. Miller (Thor, X-Men: First Class), director Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise, The Hills Run Red), writer Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: The Series), Daren Dochterman (ST: TMP Special Edition), and Bill Hunt (The Digital Bits) along with guests as they discuss the year that gave us Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Blade Runner, E.T., Tron, Poltergeist, Conan: The Barbarian, The Road Warrior, The Thing, Liquid Sky (Liquid Sky? Really?!?), Battletruck, The Sword and the Sorcerer, and many more. Plus a look forward at the summer of 2012, including The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man, Prometheus, Dark Shadows, and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Can it compare? You be the judge. On second thought, they'll be the judge. Room 204

3:30-4:30 comiXology Open Discussion: Everything Digital!— Digital comics are the hottest topic and fastest-growing segment of the comic industry — with comic fans, retailers, and publishers embracing this new distribution and retail model. From self-publishing to same-day-as-print sales, digital retailer storefronts, and more, comiXology is the undisputed leader in this, the digital charge. Join CEO and co-founder of comiXology David Steinberger along with guest panelists for an open discussion on everything digital. All topics are game! Room 203

3:30-4:30 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski— Normally, special guest JMS does his spotlights all by himself. This year, the event is moderated by DC editor-in-chief Dan DiDio, who will attempt to get pertinent information by asking impertinent questions about the writer, his work, and his life. We expect this to end in a Tunguska-sized crater. Room 207

3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Rebekah Isaacs— WonderCon special guest Rebekah Isaacs (artist of Angel & Faith) discusses her artistic process, breaking into the comics industry, and being a cat lover in a dog lovers' world. Audience Q&A will follow. Room 211

4:00-5:00 MARVEL: Amazing Spider-Man— It's Spider-Man's 50th anniversary and Marvel is celebrating all year long! With Peter Parker about to go to "The Ends of the Earth" in a battle against Doctor Octopus, they're only getting started! Join superstar artist Humberto Ramos (The Amazing Spider-Man) and others as they give you insight into what's down the line for everyone's favorite web-slinger. And with issue #700 just a few months away, there's no telling what may happen before then! Room 213

4:30-5:30 Spotlight on Renae De Liz— Meet one of the rising stars of the industry! Acclaimed artist and WonderCon special guest Renae De Liz (The Last Unicorn) was building a rabid following even before she masterminded the Kickstarter runaway smash success project Womanthology! Room 203

4:30-5:30 Spotlight on Mike Mignola— Hellboy creator and WonderCon special guest Mike Mignola talks about his signature creation and the upcoming year in the Hellboy universe, when the big red horned guy visits…Hell! Room 207

4:30-5:30 Triumph of the Small Screen— Angry Birds and Pocket God are just two entertainment brands that were born as smartphone apps before jumping to the worlds of comic books, animation, movies, plush toys, and more. Chris Ulm (former editor-in-chief, Malibu Comics), Farzad Varahramyan (designer, Aliens vs. Predator, Jumanji, Escape From Witch Mountain, The Thing), Emmanuel Valdez (game director, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing, Darkwatch, Bourne Conspiracy), and Paul O'Connor (game designer, Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee, author of the Longbox Graveyard comic book blog) will discuss the promise and special challenges of this exploding new art form. Room 208

4:30-5:30 The Writer's Journey: Breaking into Comic Book and Hollywood Scriptwriting— Every aspiring writer wants to know one thing: "How do I break into the business?" If you are an unpublished writer with dreams of making it in the transmedia marketplace and you don't know how or where to begin, this is the panel for you. Hollywood screenwriters and graphic novel producers Brandon M. Easton (Warner Bros. Animation's ThunderCats), Geoffrey Thorne (TNT's Leverage), Keto Shimizu (Syfy's Being Human), and Jonathan Callan (Generator Rex) share insider information, publishing secrets, and the professional realities on how to develop your ideas into a viable comics proposal. Topics include how to hire artists and build a strong contract, how to seek out a publisher, and how to navigate the tough new world of intellectual property management in the digital frontier. Room 211

5:00-6:00 Marv Wolfman: Writing Q&A— For years WonderCon special guest Marv Wolfman (writer/editor in comics, animation, video games, and other media) has conducted writing seminars at Comic-Con International as well as many other conventions around the world. This time, rather than give a formal writing lecture, Marv wants to answer your questions (specific to material you're working on or more general in nature) and discuss how to think about your writing even before you begin. Please come to the workshop with questions. Room 210

5:30-6:30 BOOM! Studios/KaBOOM! Panel— Join BOOM! Studios as they take over Room 203 at WonderCon for one full hour. Learn what is next from BOOM! as Ross Richie and Matt Gagnon run down the most exciting new projects from BOOM! Studios, KaBOOM!, And BOOM! Town. Room 203

5:30-6:30 Vertigo: New Blood— They come from the cutting edge of comics…and Vertigo has never been edgier, with thought-provoking titles from some of comics' most acclaimed creators. Senior editor Will Dennis, all-star writer and WonderCon special guest Scott Snyder (American Vampire), and others appear on this must-see panel featuring the latest news on all your favorite Vertigo titles, plus details about the new, upcoming wave of Vertigo titles! Room 207

5:30-6:30 CBLDF: History of Comic Censorship— Learn the shocking history of comics censorship and how even today comics and the people who make, sell, and read them are still threatened. CBLDF executive director Charles Brownstein tells the sordid tale, from the public book burnings and Senate hearings that led to the Comics Code Authority in the 1950s through the attacks on retailers in the 1980s, artists in the 1990s, and readers today that the CBLDF is working to combat! Room 211

6:00-7:00 Comics on Comics LIVE!— ComicsOnComics.com, the innovative web series that matches comedians against comic book creators in geek debates, makes its first appearance at WonderCon. Host Jonathan London (Geekscape.net) and Javier Grillo-Marxuach (Middleman, Ramiel: Wrath of God) engage with the greatest comic minds and the greatest minds in comics! Room 204

6:30-8:00 Detecting Deviants in the Dark Knight: Profiling Gotham City's Serial Killers— From the dark corners of Crime Alley to the bleak cell blocks of Blackgate Penitentiary, Gotham City has been plagued by murderous villains who stalk the night. Mr. Zsasz, Abbattoir, and even Commissioner Gordon's son, James Jr., have preyed on Gothamites for reasons that seemingly defy logic. How should Batman, the world's greatest detective, apprehend these and other notorious serial killers? With updated content, the forensic psychiatrists of Broadcast Thought, H. Eric Bender, M.D., Praveen R. Kambam, M.D., and Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., team up with Mark E. Safarik, M.S., V.S.M., and FBI (retired) supervisory special agent, Behavioral Analysis Unit (Killer Instinct), to explore the dark world of Gotham City's serial killers. Are serial killers psychotic, psychopathic, or neither? Do Gotham City's serial killers have real-world counterparts? Are common traits shared among serial killers, and can "profiling" lead to their successful apprehension? Learn how real FBI agents profile and arrest serial murderers. With that knowledge, don the mantle of the Bat, profile the Dark Knight's deadliest villains, and plan their capture. Bring your questions and your curiosity, and discover once again that real life is, in fact, stranger than fiction! Room 207

6:30-7:30 Prism Comics: The Bad and The Bold: Pushing the Boundaries with LGBT Characters— There are more LGBT characters in mainstream comics, independents, Yaoi, and Yuri than ever before. Some comics push for truer portrayals of all people in the LGBT community and others push for shock and awe. How do you balance portrayals of LGBT characters in today's comics market? Prism Comics (the nonprofit organization promoting awareness of LGBT comics, creators, and fans), Brian Andersen (So Super Duper), Marc Andreyko (Manhunter, Torso), Tara Madison Avery (Gooch), Agnes Czaja (Acrobats), Jim McCann (Mind the Gap, Return of the Dapper Men), Bob Schreck (Legendary Comics), and other creators explore what makes a strong, realistic depiction of an LGBT character, what makes or breaks an edgy depiction of an LGBT character, and what is going too far. Moderated by Charles "Zan" Christensen (publisher, Northwest Press, Mark of Aeacus). Room 211
Categories: Anime & Manga

6:30-8:00 WonderCon Exclusive World Premiere: Superman vs. The Elite— Be among the first to see the latest release from the popular series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies when Warner Home Video, Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Animation present the World Premiere of Superman vs. The Elite. In the film, Superman's effectiveness as a superhero comes into question when a new group of super-powerful crusaders, known as "The Elite," appear on the scene. As superheroes, the Elite know no bounds and are more than willing to kill, even on a massive scale, to stop villainy — putting them on a collision course with the ever-ethical, preferably nonlethal Man of Steel. The voice cast is led by George Newbern (Father of the Bride), reprising his Justice League/Justice League Unlimited role as Superman, NCIS star Pauley Perrette as Lois Lane, and versatile voice actor Robin Atkin Downes (Batman: Year One, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) as Manchester Black, the leader of The Elite. Award-winning comics writer Joe Kelly has adapted his original story from the heralded Action Comics #775 ("What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way") into a script directed by Michael Chang (Batman: Brave and the Bold) and executive produced by Bruce Timm (Batman: Year One). See the film, then stay for the panel, where members of the filmmaking team and voice cast will take questions from moderator Gary Miereanu and the audience. Prizes will be awarded, and new details about future DC Universe films will be revealed! Ballroom, Third Level

7:00-8:00 IDW: Artist's Editions— IDW senior editor Scott Dunbier presents an in-depth discussion of the publisher's massively successful Artist's Edition line! Launching in 2009 with Dave Stevens' Rocketeer and continuing last year with Walter Simonson's The Mighty Thor and this year with John Romita's Amazing Spider-Man and a host of others, these brilliant tomes have turned the industry on its ear by having their pages scanned directly from the original art. Come hear exciting announcements about upcoming additions to the line, including one from a surprise guest you won't believe! Room 204

Saturday

10:30-11:30 From Fan to Creator: Goal-Setting for Creative Types— Which side of the convention table do you want to be on, professional or fan? And what's keeping you from getting there? If you've been inspired to create something but you're having trouble bringing it into reality, you need to attend this fun and informative goal-setting workshop, designed specifically for the WonderCon crowd and back for its sixth year in a row. Douglas Neff (the "Tony Robbins of Geeks") will give you simple and proven tips for achieving what's most important to you. Whether you want to write your own screenplay, draw your first comic, or shoot your independent film, you'll walk away from this workshop with new ideas and useful tools to help you reach your dream. Room 203

10:30-11:30 Spotlight on Scott Snyder— WonderCon special guest, writer Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire, Severed), answers your questions in this open discussion on the craft and business of writing comics. Room 207

10:30-11:30 CAC Session 4: Focus on Bob Schreck— WonderCon special guest Bob Schreck (Legendary Comics) joins the Comics Arts Conference to discuss his life in the comics industry. Stanford Carpenter (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) talks with Bob about his time as an art director, writer, and editor at both Dark Horse and DC Comics, the founding of Oni Press, and his new venture at Legendary Comics — and last but not least, his impressions of the industry as both a creative and an editorial force. Room 210

10:30-11:30 Spotlight on Richard Starkings— Writer Joshua Fialkov (Tumor, Last of the Greats), talks to WonderCon special guest Richard Starkings about the success of his sleeper hit Image Comics series Elephantmen, progress on the movie, and all other aspects of Richard's career in comics as a writer, publisher, colorist, cartoonist, editor, and digital lettering pioneer. Room 211

11:00-12:00 Womanthology— Get the story behind the hottest Kickstarter project of the year, a graphic novel produced entirely by the top women in the industry! Over 200 creators combined to create Womanthology, and all profits go to the charities of GlobalGiving.org! Project mastermind Renae De Liz and a host of surprise creators offer sneak peeks, inside tips on how to break into comics, and more! Room 213

11:30-12:30 Comic Book Law School— "C" Is for creator (and Copyright!) and "P" is for preparation, the cornerstone of any creative enterprises. After all, rushing a new property out the door without the proper IP protections in place could be more costly down the road. Luckily, the popular Comic Book Law School ® will help by supplying the "ABCs" of legal protections for creators. Noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz, author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, assists attendees in establishing a basic foundation for their copyright and trademark rights. Up first is the basics of protection and ownership of ideas, works of authorship, characters, and names, from conception through publication and beyond. Attendees are invited to participate in an interactive discussion about basic rights provided under U.S. copyright and trademark laws, as well as the registration process for each (and time permitting, how recent court decisions and changes in the law could affect those rights). Along the way, there will be plenty to learn about the protections, and pitfalls, of the U.S. trademark and copyright systems. 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. However, the seminar is presented for information and entertainment purposes only, and the information presented and opinions expressed at the seminars do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. [This program is approved for one (1) credit of California MCLE.] Room 203

11:30-12:30 Digital Comics Price Fight— Everyone is talking about what the "right" price is for digital comics. Should it be full price for same day as print? Or should every comic be 99 cents à la iTunes? The conversation online has been heated, and today it jumps into the physical realm! Legendary comics writer Mark Waid, comiXology's David Steinberger (the CEO and co-founder of the leading digital comics retailer and platform), and ‪Marvel's senior VP of sales David Gabriel present a lively discussion on the price of digital comics. "Refereeing" this panel will be publisher and writer of Our Love Is Real and Sacrifice, Sam Humphries, who was the driving force behind MySpace Comics. Room 208

11:30-12:30 CAC Session 5: Batman vs. Iron Man: Can Biology Best Technology?— Batman and Iron Man belong to a very small group of accessible superheroes — that is, the group of superheroes who have a veneer of reality related to their powers and abilities. This reality makes them appealing and accessible to many and captivates the imagination in a way other heroes cannot. Both Iron Man and Batman are defined by the combination of their human frailty with extreme training and use of technological enhancements. E. Paul Zehr (Becoming Batman, Inventing Iron Man) compares these two heroes and their two approaches to transcending human limitation. The concept of Batman is one of extreme human performance — Bruce Wayne creates the Batman persona through extreme training. That of Iron Man is the story of Tony Stark, a genius scientist and engineer who amplifies human performance with technology in the form of the fantastic suit of armor. Considering the scientific realities behind these two icons presents a revealing look at how close we are to technological fusion between brain, biology, and technology. It also brings to mind a question truly grounded in popular culture. With these two superheroes in action, who beats whom? Answering this question involves a fascinating examination at the outer limits of human performance where neuroscience, kinesiology, brain-machine interface, and Kung-fu fighting converge. Room 210

12:00-1:00 Marvel Television Presents— Be among the first to go inside the Marvel Universe on Disney XD with the head of Marvel Television, Jeph Loeb, as he presents the world premiere of the highly anticipated Ultimate Spider-Man animated series and a look at the premiere episode of the The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Season 2. He'll also reveal the inside scoop on animated and live-action series in development, and more surprises from Marvel TV. Room 213

12:30-2:00 CBLDF Live Art Jam— Witness amazing live art created before your eyes by the industry's greatest superstars! WonderCon special guests Jim Lee, Rebekah Isaacs, and Eric Powell plus special surprise guests will make original art on the big screen, giving you a one-of-a-kind glimpse of their creative process, and then a chance to bid to take their work home. The proceeds of this auction benefit Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, who protect the industry's First Amendment rights. Stop by the CBLDF booth (417) for your bidder number, then come watch great art happen before your eyes at the CBLDF Live Art Jam! Room 203
Categories: CBLDF

12:30-1:30 Fairy Dust: LGBT Disney Fandom— We're lucky to be right next door to the "Happiest Place on Earth." Disney characters, films, comics, media, and theme parks are popular around the world. But Disney is especially popular among the LGBT community. Young or old, LGBT folk identify with the stories, characters, fantasy, and imagination of Disney. Prism Comics (the nonprofit organization promoting awareness of LGBT comics, creators, and fans) joins Tommy Kovac (The Royal Historian of Oz; Wonderland, Skelebunnies), Worthie Meacham (Disney Gay Days, expert on Disney Parks and Disneyana), Dusty Sage (founder and CEO of MiceChat.com), and other fans and creators as they explore why the queer community loves all things Disney. Moderated by Ted Abenheim (Prism Comics board member). Room 207

12:30-1:30 Where Do Ideas Come From?— For artists and writers who face the fear of the blank page, veteran writer/editor Barbara Randall Kesel (New Teen Titans, Meridian, Hawk & Dove) brings proven tips, tricks, and strategies for vanquishing those dead brain and deadline demons! Room 208

12:30-1:30 CAC Session 6: Lessons Learned from Batgirl about Female Superheroes and Trauma: Resilience, Recovery, and Relaunch— Is it healthy to be a female character in today's comics? Do comic book superheroines still face different traumas from those faced by their male counterparts? Psychologists Andrea Letamendi (UCLA), Robin Rosenberg (The Psychology of Superheroes), and Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight), with the help of writer Bryan Q. Miller (Batgirl, Smallville), explore how gender differences figure into storytelling issues and reflect on the dangers, support, and expectations encountered by women in real-world high-risk and life-threatening environments. Room 210

12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Michael Golden— WonderCon special guest, artist Michael Golden is known for his dynamic and beautifully designed cover work and his exciting storytelling in series such as Dr. Strange, Micronauts, and The 'Nam. Michael talks about his career — past, present, and future — in this special spotlight panel. Room 211

1:00-2:00 DC Comics: The New 52— The New 52 is comics' most talked about industry-shattering event of the last year. Although the landscape has changed, DC's not done making news! Be a part of history as DC editor-in-chief Bob Harras, executive editor Eddie Berganza, and group editor Matt Idelson are joined by Brian Buccellato (Flash), Dustin Nguyen (Batman Beyond Unlimited), Scott Snyder (Batman), Ryan Sook (DC Universe Presents), and more of your favorite top-notch talent to discuss the books that are shaping the dawn of this new era! Room 204

1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Joe Hill— WonderCon special guest Joe Hill, Eisner Award-winning creator of Locke & Key, talks about the final chapters of the series, who will be the next person to wear The Cape, IDW's Road Rage, his next novel (and accompanying comic series), and future projects. His discussion with editor Chris Ryall will be followed by a Q&A and pole-dancing demonstration. Room 213

1:30-2:30 I Can't Write, I Can't Draw, But I Love Comics!— Comic-Con International's annual jobs panel comes to WonderCon! Just 'cause you missed out on the writing and drawing genes doesn't mean there isn't a place for you in the comics, animation, and gaming industries. Companies still need managers, publishers, producers, directors, mo-cap and voice-over actors, game masters, and programmers. Panelists Scott Agostoni (independent manager of comic creators and comics expert), Derron Ross (Blur Studio), actor Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead), writer/director James Gunn (Lollipop Chainsaw), and Mike Fischer (Square Enix) will alert you to some of these careers and tell you how to find your niche. Moderated by Susan Karlin (Fast Company). Room 207

1:30-2:30 How to Get News Coverage— Small press publishers, what makes the difference between an item that will get news coverage, previews, and interviews and an item that doesn't? A lot of publishers have no idea what to submit to the press, how to submit it, and why they are being overlooked for coverage. Comics journalist Rik Offenberger (First Comics News, Archie Comics) moderates this panel on just what it takes to get coverage, with the comics journalist themselves telling you what they are looking for in your submission. Panelists include Alan Kistler (Comic Mix, Newsarama), Heidi McDonald (The Beat), Kiel Phegley (Comic Book Resources), and Josh Waldrop (M1W Entertainment). Find out what it takes to self-promote and make a significant impact on your ability to sell your comics project. Room 208

1:30-3:00 CAC Session 7: Females and Feminism— Christin Green (The George Washington University) looks at how Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra's series Y: The Last Man confronts stereotypes, breaks traditional formulas, steps out of comfort zones, and makes potentially bold statements about gender norms, masculinity, sexuality, and feminism, defining Y: The Last Man as a postfeminist narrative while drawing critical conclusions about its relative success in re-imagining contemporary popular discourses about feminism. Ayanna Dozier (Chapman University) examines the costumes of female superheroes, uncovering the meaning of such overtly sexual representations of female superheroes and their costumes, which themselves create a power struggle between the character and her costume. When are these designs sexist and when are they an expression of female liberation? Diana Martinez (University of Oregon) studies the many shifts in Wonder Woman's body and costume design, arguing that Wonder Woman in particular has still not reached physical stability because she has no ideological stability. Wonder Woman's body is important because she is not just a character, she is an encoding of ideology — an ideology reliant on her body and the way she is perceived. Room 210

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Fiona Staples— WonderCon special guest Fiona Staples is known for her art on series such as Mystery Society (created with fellow special guest Steve Niles) and North 40 and her cover work on titles such as T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. Now she embarks on a whole new phase of her career with the new Image Comics series Saga, co-created by Brian K. Vaughan. Fiona talks about her newest work and more in this special Spotlight panel. Room 211

2:00-3:00 Bongo Comics Sneak Peek— Creative director Nathan Kane and managing editor Terry Delegeane showcase Bongo Comics Group's brand-new look and preview upcoming projects and a few other surprises. Find out what's in the future for Futurama Comics and what to surmise about Simpsons Comics. This is a "must-attend" panel for all fans of The Simpsons and Futurama and anyone looking for a place to sit down! Room 203

2:00-3:00 Geek & Sundry— Felicia Day (The Guild), Wil Wheaton (Awesome), Veronica Belmont (Tekzilla), and Tom Merrit (Sword & Laser) present a sneak preview of Day's new Geek & Sundry YouTube channel lineup. Room 204

2:00-3:00 MARVEL: Avengers vs. X-Men— Are you ready for the biggest superhero war ever in Avengers vs. X-Men? Get the scoop on the groundbreaking event of 2012 as Earth's Mightiest take on the Children of the Atom with the Marvel Universe at stake. One side believes the Phoenix Force will save their race, the other believes it will destroy the world! What do you believe? Find out everything you need to know as Marvel's SVP of publishing/executive editor Tom Brevoort (Avengers vs. X-Men), superstar writer Jeph Loeb (Avengers: X-Sanction) and others give you the inside track, right here! Room 213

2:30-3:30 Spotlight on Arthur Adams— WonderCon special guest Arthur Adams is known for his intricate and design-oriented covers and interior art, and his penchant for all things ape, including his own creation, Monkeyman and O'Brian. Arthur talks about his work and what's coming up next for him in his career. Room 211

3:00-4:00 The Official Aspen Comics Panel— Aspen creators Frank Mastromauro (Shrugged), Peter Steigerwald (Lady Mechanika), Vince Hernandez (Charismagic), Mark Roslan (Broken Pieces), Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika), Oliver Nome (Fathom: Kiani), Scott Lobdell (Fathom), J. T. Krul (Soulfire), Beth Sotelo (Fathom), David Wohl (Executive Assistant: Iris), David Schwartz (Idolized), and letterer Josh Reed discuss exciting new Aspen projects and reveal never-before-seen art. A special Q&A session with fans will take place, and every person in attendance will receive a gift courtesy of Aspen Comics! Room 203

3:00-4:00 DC Comics: All Access Special Edition— Don't miss this panel about the sure-to-be most talked about project of 2012! DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio, editor Will Dennis, and writers J. Michael Straczynski and Len Wein talk about this next game-changing event. No comics fan will want to miss this! Room 204

3:00-4:00 Kids Can Draw Cartoons with Kristian Sather— Hey kids! Kristian Sather (Bonkers, Jetsons, kristiansather.blogspot.com) will demonstrate the techniques used in drawing funny cartoon characters. You will learn how to draw your own funny cartoon characters using basic geometric shapes. Join Kristian for this fun & informative session! Room 210

3:30-4:30 Fallout: New Vegas DLCs: Games as a Graphic Novel— After Bethesda and Obsidian released Fallout: New Vegas, there came an opportunity to continue the story in the Mojave Wasteland through four narrative downloadable content packs (DLCs). What were the challenges and the rewards? Obsidian's creative director Chris Avellone discusses the design methodology and narrative constraints for the DLCs that followed the hit video game. Room 208

3:30-4:30 Comic Book Entrepreneurs— Self-publishing success Sam Humphries leads a discussion about building your business around comic books with some of the comic book industry's leading entrepreneurs. CEO and co-founder David Steinberger of comiXology, Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Comics, Jonah Weiland of ComicBookResources.com, Peter Levin of Nerdist Industries, and Thomas Gaul of Beach Ball Comics describe how each built a business from the ground up around their love of the comic book medium. Don't miss this rare look into the business side of comics. Room 211

4:00-5:00 Kotobukiya Spring Preview— Representatives offer an exclusive look into what products are in development for 2012 and beyond, a Q&A session, and surprise giveaways! Room 203

4:00-5:00 MARVEL: Talk to the Hat— This is it, Mighty Marvel fans — the no-holds-barred, anything goes, full-of-surprises panel you wait all year for! Tom Brevoort, Marvel's SVP of publishing/executive editor, takes on all questions, shocks the audience with jaw-dropping announcements, and keeps you guessing with surprise guests. You never know who will show up, but you better be here, because this is the panel that everyone will be talking about! Room 204

4:00-5:00 Coloring with Alex Sinclair— Spend an hour talking with comic book colorist Alex Sinclair. He will show a video demonstration of how he takes a page from start to finish as well as answer any questions you may have about the process, special effects, breaking in, tips and tricks, and, of course…COLOR! Room 210

4:00-5:00 MTV Comics with Tom Akel and J. Michael Straczynski— MTV Comics executive editor Tom Akel and creators J. Michael Straczynski ( The Adventures of Apocalypse Al ), Karl Altstaetter ( Me2 ), Heather Kenealy ( Stan Lee's The Seekers ), and Joshua Hale Fialkov (PUNKS ) reveal and discuss art and information on their new MTV series! Room 213

4:30-5:30 Geek Slant: How the East Meets West— From comics and film to television and new media, Asian Americans have been making their mark on pop culture. Racebending-Media Consumers for Entertainment Equality hosts this no-holds-barred conversation featuring Phil Yu (Angry Asian Man), Jen Wang and Diana Nguyen (Disgrasian), Freddie Wong (YouTube's freddiew), and other mavens of their industry to discuss the state of Asian Pacific Americans in niche and mainstream media. Room 207

4:30-5:30 SLG Publishing and Going Digital First— Company president Dan Vado previews some of the digital only comics being published by SLG and discusses what the future for comics distribution might look like. Apocalyptic scenarios will be bandied about for sure! Room 211

5:00-6:00 The Myth of Nostalgia: Collecting and Memory— Cesare Asaro (creator, Finding Frank and His Friend), Peter Maresca (editor, Sunday Press Books), Kirstie Shepherd (Gadabout Time Machine User's Manual), and James T. Walker (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) have been collecting, creating, and selling nostalgia for over 40 years. Join them for a panel discussion on how collecting allows us to revisit memories from the past — even a past that we might have been too young to have seen or may never have existed at all. They'll explore how nostalgia can be invented, whether it goes in and out of fashion, and what happens when the collector becomes the creator. Room 203

5:00-6:00 DC Nation Special Video Presentation and Q&A— From the pages of DC Comics to the television screens of fans across the country comes DC Nation, a new one-hour exclusive kids programming block from Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation, and DC Entertainment. DC Nation stars some of the most beloved and legendary heroes of the DC Universe, brought to life by some of the most talented directors, writers, and producers working in animation today. Anchored by Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Young Justice, DC Nation airs Saturdays 10:00-11:00 AM ET/PT. Fans attending the WonderCon 2012 DC Nation panel will be treated to exclusive video content filled with plenty of sneak peeks from the DC Nation block. In addition, an all-star panel featuring Young Justice producers Brandon Vietti (Batman Under the Red Hood) and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles), Green Lantern: The Animated Series producers Jim Krieg (Ben 10: Alien Swarm) and Giancarlo Volpe (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), and DC animated shorts producers Lauren Faust (The Powerpuff Girls, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic) and Ben Jones (Batman: The Brave and The Bold) will take the stage for a moderated Q&A. Learn more about DC Nation at www.dcnation.com. Room 204

5:00-6:00 Workshop with Ryan Sook— Join artist Ryan Sook for an informative discussion on the value of sketching, doodling, and drawing for illustration and comic art. Ryan will be doing a live projected sketching workshop and speak on the importance of keeping a sketchbook and working in it, as well as taking questions on the subject. If you are interested in drawing comics or doing illustration of any kind, this is a must attend workshop! Room 210

5:00-6:00 East Meets West— Paul Power Publications talk about the sci-fi western comic East Meets West with Paul Power, Steve Leialoha, Tom Luth, Tim Burgard, Steve Oliff, Terry Wilson, and a mystery guest. Gift prizes of East Meets West will be handed out during a comics quiz. Fun tales of storyboarding films in Hollywood will be told, plus news on the graphic novel. Room 213

5:30-6:30 BOOM!: Adventure Time Comic— What time is it? It's Adventure Time! The top-rated Cartoon Network show now has its own comic book! With the show exploding in the ratings, garnering rave online reviews and major cosplay at comic conventions, it's clear fandom is obsessed and 2012 is the Year of Adventure Time! Don't miss out this panel, and be sure to hear all the exciting news and the latest details about the hit comic book series. Room 211

6:00-7:00 Archaia Entertainment Presents: How to Build a Better Story— Are you an aspiring storyteller? Archaia has a tradition of publishing great stories, such as Mouse Guard, Return of the Dapper Men, and The Killer. Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy and founder and chief creative officer Mark Smylie lead an information-packed session on what it takes to create a better original graphic novel. From world building to storytelling to what Archaia looks for in submissions, if you're an aspiring graphic novelist, this is the panel you don't want to miss. Plus, get a sneak peek of some of Archaia's upcoming titles, with never-before-seen art and exclusive information! Please note: Archaia will not be accepting submissions or reviewing portfolios during this panel. Room 203

6:00-7:00 J. Michael Straczynski Writing Workshop— It's a rare event when JMS conducts one of his writing workshops, but this year we've got him. This is a Q&A about writing for comics, TV, movies, and anything else the man's done. We prefer only attendees who are actively pursuing a career in writing, and we ask those who attend to come armed with really good, salient questions about technique, the business, and so on. The workshop is only as good as the questions. This is your chance to get the inside scoop from one of the most successful writers in the biz. Room 210

6:00-7:00 Horror in Comics— Whether it in movies, TV shows, books, or comics, everyone loves to be scared. This panel focuses on horror in comics with WonderCon special guests Joe Hill (Locke & Key), Rebekah Isaacs (Angel & Faith), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, B.P.R.D.), Eric Powell (The Goon), and Scott Snyder (American Vampire), as they talk to the not-scary-at-all Mark Waid about things that go bump in the night in comic books. Room 213

6:30-8:30 The 99 Unbound— From the American heartland to the capitols of Europe and the Middle East and to the jungles of Indonesia and beyond, a young group of international superheroes battle a time-traveling megalomaniac in The 99 Unbound, the surprisingly controversial new animated feature from Endemol UK and Teshkeel Media. See the new animated movie based on the acclaimed comic book series The 99. The film presents the origin story for the upcoming TV series of the same name. Please join (tentatively scheduled) panelists Naif al-Mutawa (executive producer), Subniv Babuta (executive producer), Henry Gilroy (writer), Stan Berkowitz (story editor), and Marie Javins (managing editor, The 99 comics) for a discussion and Q&A after the movie. Room 211

7:00-8:00 Tournament of Nerds!— Who would win in a fight, Batman or Wolverine? Superman or Gandalf? Debates like these have raged for decades. In dorm rooms, cubicles, classrooms, comic shops, and video stores, fans have pondered these questions that seemed unanswerable…until now. Tournament of Nerds pits two fans, or "Nerds," against each other to battle it out in heated debate. Which comic book, sci-fi, action, or horror character has the stuff to take down a fellow iconic character? The action is fast and furious, as debaters pick characters to debate on behalf of. A compelling argument can slay a more powerful foe. Nerds are screaming, laughing, and crying as titans clash. Their goal: to advance their character through a "March Madness" set of brackets in hopes of being crowned the ultimate Nerd and having their character reign supreme! The regular group of debaters includes Thomas Lennon and Ben Garant (Reno 911, The State), Maddox (The Alphabet of Manliness, The Best Page in the Universe), Alex Fernie (Funny or Die, Reno 911), Roger Barr (I-Mockery, Doc Mock's Movie Mausoleum), Chris Tallman (Reno 911, Crossballs), and more! Room 204

Sunday

11:30-1:00 Secret Origin of Good Readers— Talking comic books, why we need them in our classrooms and libraries, and how to use them with Dr. Robyn A. Hill (National University), Bill Morrison (The Simpsons, Bongo Comics), Steve Rotterdam (Bonfire Agency), Nancy Silberkleit (anti-bullying and literacy advocate), David Rojas (education consultant), and Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics). An overview of the comic book medium will include helping educators and librarians navigate the wonderful world of comic books, highlighting specific ways comic books and graphic novels can be used to engage a variety of learners while promoting reading and literacy. Educator comic book packages will be provided for attendees on a limited basis (or until supplies last) at the conclusion of this presentation. Free online 70-page The Secret Origin of Good Readers companion resource book [PDF] and other exciting materials at www.night-flight.com/secretorigin courtesy of XMission.com. Room 203

11:30-12:30 MARVEL: The Next Big Thing— From the Marvel U to the Ultimate Comics U and everything in between, Marvel's top talent is on hand to talk about all your favorite heroes and villains as well as make a few surprise announcements! Room 207

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Carol Lay— Weird enough to have stories in Weirdo and straight enough to illustrate for The Wall Street Journal, WonderCon special guest Carol Lay has been contributing stories, strips, and drawings to a variety of media outlets for over three decades. Cartoonist Lay will discuss "Story Minutes," The Big Skinny, and her current work for Bongo Comics (The Simpsons). Room 208

11:30-12:30 CAC Session 8: What's the Matter with Batman?— Batman clearly has "issues." Aside for running around in a form-fitting costume, he's got an alter ego, he broods a lot, he can be a bit neurotic, and he at times experiences alarming flashbacks — not to mention the problems he has in his relationships with women. Psychologists Robin Rosenberg (Psychology of Superheroes, What's the Matter with Batman?), Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight), and surprise guests explore Batman's issues and determine whether he has a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, and if so, which one(s). Room 210

11:30-12:30 Tribute to the Legends: Kirby, Simon, Robinson, and Eisner— We salute four greats of the comic book field. They may not be with us any longer, but their creations will live forever. Mark Evanier, Marv Wolfman, Len Wein, Batton Lash, Scott Shaw!, and others discuss the lives, times, and genius of Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Jerry Robinson, and Will Eisner. Room 211

12:00-1:00 Avatar Press and Max Books— Max Brooks (Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z) joins the folks from Avatar Press to discuss the latest zombie news and horror comics. Enjoy Brooks' fan-favorite lecture on the zombie genre and tips for surviving the holocaust, while simultaneously learning about the industry's most risk-taking comics publisher, Avatar Press. Room 204

12:30-2:00 Cover Story: The Art of the Cover— It's WonderCon's yearly look at what makes a great cover. This year moderator Mark Evanier talks to special guests Arthur Adams (Monkeyman and O'Brian), Michael Golden (The 'Nam), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Eric Powell (The Goon), and Fiona Staples (Saga) on their individual approaches to cover design and illustration. Room 207

12:30-1:30 Indie Comics Marketing and PR 101— Need tips on how to market your comic? Have questions about doing PR? This is the panel for you! Some of the best and brightest in comics today present a roundtable discussion, revealing all the secrets of doing marketing and PR for your comics. comiXology marketing and PR maven Chip Mosher is joined by Dark Horse's director of PR Jeremy Atkins; creators Sam Humphries (writer, Our Love Is Real, CBGB, Fraggle Rock) and Ben McCool (writer, Choker, Superman, Memoir, JLU); and Marvel's senior VP of sales David Gabriel. Room 208

12:30-2:00 CAC Session 9: History and Continuity— Kane Anderson (UC Santa Barbara) recognizes the emotional toll of having whole decades of "truth" eradicated, and reframes DC's "New 52" initiative as a kind of story genocide. With the ongoing publishing of stories collected in trade paperbacks and digital comics, DC's "older" stories become refugees from this event — ghosts of fictional universes that no longer exist but somehow still continue to emerge from the publisher that perhaps disavowed them. Nick Langley (GeekNation) examines the history of the Man of Steel to explore what compels the last son of Krypton to act as Earth's savior and what has shaped his relationship with humanity. Dr. John M. Ulrich tracks the history of the literary hero Beowulf through comics, arguing that these re-envisionings of Beowulf as a superhero align well with the poem's complex representation of its hero and monsters. Room 210

12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Steve Niles— WonderCon special guest Steve Niles (creator, 30 Days of Night), talks about his career, including his new ventures in film (Remains, based on his zombie comic story and appearing on Chiller Network) and what's coming up next for him with fellow writer Joshua Fialkov (I, Vampire). Room 211

12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Jim Lee— DC's co-publisher and one of comics' hottest artists, Jim Lee takes the spotlight to talk about his art, DC's New 52, his role as the executive creative director for the DC Universe Online (DCUO) massively multiplayer action game, and anything else he wants to talk about. Room 213

1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Marv Wolfman— Writer/editor, Eisner Hall of Fame inductee, and WonderCon special guest Marv Wolfman talks about his 45-year career in comics, animation, novels, and videogame writing. He'll discuss his work, the companies he's worked for, and the many characters he's worked on. Marv will also answer all questions (well, maybe not all!) Room 203

1:00-2:00 Behind the Music with CW3PR: Composing for Fan-Favorite Projects— Featuring the musically creative minds behind this year's top sci-fi/fantasy/action/animated television series and highly anticipated films. A group of talented composers describe how they elevate scoring to new heights, provide sneak peaks to their projects, and participate in WonderCon's exclusive debut of a LIVE composing demo. Prolific composers include Nathan Barr (True Blood), James Horner (The Amazing Spider-Man), James Levine (American Horror Story), Mark Isham (Once Upon a Time), Robert Duncan (Castle), Jim Dooley (Wilfred), David Ari Leon (The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes), and Danny Jacob (Phineas and Ferb). Composer Joey Newman (The Middle) moderates. A Q&A session and exclusive giveaways will follow the discussion! Room 204

1:30-2:30 How to Write Action for Kids' TV— Writing action for kids presents unique and exciting challenges. Dani Michaeli (The Aquabats Super Show!) moderates as the secrets and mysteries are explored by veteran writers Nicole Dubuc (Transformers: Prime), James Krieg (Green Lantern: The Animated Series), Joelle Sellner (Teen Titans), Eugene Son (Iron Man: Armored Adventures), and Matt Wayne (Ben 10). Room 208

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Todd Nauck— WonderCon special guest Todd Nauck (Young Justice, Amazing Spider-Man) is a popular comic artist working for Marvel, DC, and Image Comics with 18 years of credits. Meet Todd and discuss his comic book art, breaking into the business, his past and current projects, and what's he has to come for 2012 during this Q&A! Room 211

2:00-3:00 Stump Mark Waid— Superstar comics writer Mark Waid (Daredevil, Irredeemable, Kingdom Come, Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, and more) is joined by Jonah Weiland of ComicBookResources.com in a contest of wits! Drawing on questions submitted by CBR readers, and throwing in some of his own, Weiland will desperately try to "Stump Mark Waid" on a variety of comics trivia. Will the comics Internet prevail or will Mark Waid stand triumphant? Show up and find out! Room 203

2:00-3:00 DCE: Meet the Publishers— As co-publishers of DC Entertainment, Jim Lee and Dan DiDio are the driving forces behind DC Comics — The New 52, DC's digital initiative, and much more, as well as being the artist of Justice League and the writer of O.M.A.C.! This up-close-and-personal panel gives you a chance to step up and ask questions! Room 204

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Humberto Ramos— WonderCon special guest Humberto Ramos talks about his 20-year career as one of comics' most sought-after artists, including his work on Spider-Man and his own creator-owned properties, such as Crimson, Out There, and Fairy Quest! Room 207

2:00-3:00 CAC Session 10: Adaptation and Media— Karma Waltonen (University of California, Davis) examines the newest trend in graphic novel adaptation, in which the graphic novel becomes a sequel to familiar stories from other genres. Using the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly series comics, she investigates this new trend in adaptation, questioning and commenting on the genre's ability to serve as a sequel to television. Rachelanne Smith compares The Wizard of Oz and Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie's Lost Girls, focusing on how the adaptation of Dorothy's story portrays her adventures as the hallucinations or imaginations of a sexually abused girl. Kathryn M. Frank (University of Michigan) discusses the controversy surrounding the casting of M. Night Shyamalan's The Last Airbender to uncover industry logics regarding casting and the potential success of comics/animation-to-live-action adaptations. Liam Burke (National University of Ireland, Galway) asks why the first decade of the 21st century became the "comic-book movie decade." He examines multiple factors to understand what fostered and shaped this trend in modern Hollywood filmmaking. Room 210

2:30-3:30 Editing Comics the BOOM! Way— Top creators Michael Alan Neslon (Valen The Outcast) and Sam Humphries (Fanboys vs. Zombies) join BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief Matt Gagnon to talk about the ins and outs of creating comics at BOOM! Studios. Don't miss this in-depth look into the editing secrets of one of the comic book industry's leading independent publishers as they discuss editing dos and don'ts at one of today's hottest comic book companies. Room 211

3:00-4:00 Comics for Kids— Despite the fact that most of us fell in love with the comics medium when we were children, good comics for kids seem few and far between…or are they? Join moderator and APE Entertainment editor Aaron Sparrow, artist James Silvani (Darkwing Duck, Richie Rich), artist Amy Mebberson (The Muppet Show, Strawberry Shortcake, Toy Story), Shane Houghton (Reed Gunther, Casper Scare School), Archaia editor Paul Morrissey, and more for a lively discussion on kids comics, their place in the industry, and how to break into the business! As a bonus, children attending the panel will be eligible to win comic books and sketches the artists will draw during the panel! Room 203
Kids

3:30-4:30 Full-Time Creative Work on a Part-Time Schedule— Learn the secrets to using part-time collaboration to achieve full-time results! No matter which industry (comics, illustration, movies, design, animation, costuming/cosplay or podcasting), breaking into today's media is a full-time job, even if you have only part-time hours to accomplish it. To meet that goal you have to find or form then work with a team of people while avoiding mortal casualties. Topher Davila (art director, GeekdomWear.com), Aleister Gilgrim (head of product for Readz/Star Labs Ltd), Sean Glumace (digital arts instructor at Golden West College), Kevin Flessing (TomatoTV.net), Mario Martinez (co-creator, TomatoTV.net), Ron Coleman (molecular geneticist and writer), Jonelle Cobb (creative director, GeekdomWear.com), Jody Patterson (main contributor, RatBoxProductions.net), and moderator Cat Smith (voice actress) talk about how they successfully juggle time between their creative and business sides and discuss the process, pitfalls, and potential of part-time collaboration from their experiences in illustration, writing, design, animation, and other fields from a variety of levels of administration and sizes of organizations. Whether you're a hobbyist or looking to go pro, if you struggle with deadlines, need help finding collaborators, want to know how to effectively work with a team, or simply want to know how to get your foot in the door, this panel is not to be missed! Room 208

3:30-4:30 Art Masters: Drawing DC— What does it take to remake a universe? Immensely talented artists! DC Comics artists Mike Choi, Jim Lee, and Dustin Nguyen offer a unique peek into their visual approach in shaping DC Comics! Room 210

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