We pull out some highlights from the Thursday programming at San Diego Comic-Con International.
We're less than two weeks out from San Diego Comic-Con International and itching with anticipation. As is always the case, the convention slowly ekes out its programming schedule, first dolling out Wednesday and Thursday. We've scrolled through the massive list of Thursday panels and events and selected a few standouts.
2023 will mark our eleventh year attending Comic-Con. While many sites report the lack of major movie studios dragging out their stars and clogging up the infamous Hall H, we're here to tell you that this year is quickly becoming a real banger. Marvel Studios skipping its big presentation is not catastrophic, nor is it anything new. They usually do two years on and one year off. Minus the pandemic break, they're sticking to the pattern. So, relax everyone. Enjoy yourselves.
For us, this will be the first year where we're officially designated Press (cue the angelic trumpets and whatnot). Not only that, Comic Book Couples Counseling's very own Lisa Gullickson finds herself on a super rad panel. So, if you're attending SDCC this year, ensure you're in Room 24ABC at 4:30 PM on Thursday for the Comics Journalism: Looking at Panels Beyond the Page.
Here's a brief synopsis of what to expect:
"How do you cover comics in multimedia? How do you build a community around comics writing? In this annual look at comics journalism, panelists talk about moving into podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and beyond, and how the medium changes coverage. They’ll also talk about comics, the big stories of the show, and anything else that you want them to. The mic is open. Join Heidi MacDonald (The Beat), Jimmy Aquino (Comic News Insider), Lisa Gullickson (Comic Book Couples Counseling), Brett Schenker (Graphic Policy), Avery Kaplan (The Beat), and Chris Arrant (Popverse), and others for all the tea."
If you want to check out the entire programming schedule, jump to the San Diego Comic-Con International's official website. Below you'll find the presentations that immediately sprung to our attention. Jeff Smith is moderating a "Comic Book Couples" panel! What? Is our favorite cartoonist infringing on our brand? Lol. Nope, but you can bet we'll run to that panel once Lisa finishes hers.
Finally, if you want to track us throughout San Diego Comic-Con International, follow the #CBCCatSDCC hashtag on your favorite social media channel.
San Diego Comic-Con Programming - Thursday
11:00 AM
Horror at the Library: Junji Ito
Join Comic-Con Special Guest and legendary horror master Junji Ito (Uzumaki, Black Paradox) at the San Diego Public Library for a Q&A that’s sure to bring your nightmares to life.
Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Library
The Making of the Eisner Award-Nominated Barnstormers
Award-winning Batman, Wytches, We Have Demons, Clear, and Book of Evil writer Scott Snyder and acclaimed artist Tula Lotay discuss the concept, story, art design, coloring, and their collaboration on their Eisner Award–nominated comic series Barnstormers. Moderated by Will Dennis, editor.
Room 25ABC
11:30 AM
Between Two Toms
DC’s Tom King (Wonder Woman) and Tom Taylor (Titans) kick off San Diego Comic-Con together by discussing comics and more. Joining them are Nicola Scott (Titans) and Mitch Gerads (Batman: The Brave and the Bold).
Room 6DE
Comics for Ukraine
Comics for Ukraine is a new and important book that is raising funds to aid people whose lives have been devastated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Some of the top names in comics have donated their time and artistry to this book, which is debuting at Comic-Con. Come join several of those folks as they talk about their stories and why this project is so important. Mark Evanier, John Layman, Stan Sakai, and Billy Tucciwill be on hand, as well as Richard Walden, the founder of Operation USA, the charity that is funneling funds to help the struggling people of Ukraine. Moderated by book organizer Scott Dunbier.
Room 10
Paramount Pictures: TMNT - Mutant Mayhem
Hall H, baby.
12:00 PM
Image Comics: Focus on Jeff Lemire
Room 25ABC
Star Trek: More Bold Than Ever
Never before has Star Trek been bigger (or bloodier)! IDW Group Editor Heather Antos and writers Chris Cantwell, Collin Kelly, and Jackson Lanzing give an inside look into Star Trek: Day of Blood, the first ever Star Trek comics crossover event. Plus: Marc Guggenheim, Sam Maggs, Malachi Ward, Chirs Sequiera,and Liana Kangas share all the exciting things happening across IDW’s line of Star Trek comics.
Room 28DE
12:30 PM
Jack Kirby, Not Superheroes
Bruce Simon (cartoonist), Mark Badger (cartoonist), John Morrow (editor and publisher, The Jack Kirby Collector), Sydney Heifler (romance comics scholar), and Tracy Kirby (Jack Kirby's granddaughter) take a tour through Jack Kirby's work that isn’t the superheroes he's so well known for. A slide show of Kirby romance, kid gang, crime, and funny animals and a video of Kirby will illustrate the discussion, presented by Rand Hoppe and Tom Kraft of the Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center.
Room 4
12:45 PM
Gotham City
Whether it’s in the past, present, or future, Gotham City has been the backdrop for some of the greatest stories in DC history featuring Batman, his allies, and his foes. Join DC storytellers Tom King, Tini Howard, Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Ram V, Belén Ortega, and others to find out what’s to come for The Dark Knight and the other DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains who make Gotham City the place to be in the DCU.
Room 6DF
1:00 PM
A Family Affair
Scott Snyder (By a Thread), Curt Pires (Wyrd), and Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn) discuss creating stories and following in the footsteps of their family members. Moderated by Fletcher Chu-Fong.
Room 23ABC
2:00 PM
Out of their Heads: Graphic Novelists Bring Their Stories to Life
Everyone has a great idea for a graphic novel, but how do you get those concepts out of your head and onto the page? Rina Ayuyang (The Man in the McIntosh Suit), Jeffrey Brown (Thor and Loki: Midgard Mayhem), Simon Hanselmann and Josh Pettinger (Werewolf Jones & Sons), Thien Pham (Family Style), and Jeff Smith (Tuki, Bone) join Cartoon Art Museum curator Andrew Farago in conversation as they discuss their latest books and the creative process behind them.
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
3:00 PM
Ultraduck Unleashed
Step into the extraordinary world of Ultraduck with an exclusive clip from this sensational superhero adventure. Immerse yourself in the captivating tales of Ultraduck as Arcana hands out collectible pins, comics, and graphic novels for those in attendance. Gain valuable insights and diverse perspectives from the legendary Danny Trejo (one of the stars of Ultraduck), as he shares his experiences.
Room 32Ab
3:15 PM
Superheroes and Not So Super Villains with Patton Oswalt
Patton Oswalt (Minor Threats, Black Hammer: Visions), Jordan Blum (Minor Threats, Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K.), Scott Hepburn (Minor Threats), James Tynion IV (The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos, Something Is Killing the Children), and Jeff Lemire (Black Hammer, Mazebook) discuss creating their own heroes, villains, and worlds in their creator-owned comics. Moderated by Ben Blacker (Thrilling Adventure Hour, DC's Hex Wives).
Room 6DE
3:30 PM
Publisher’s Weekly: Pans Vs Fans - What’s the Point of Comics Criticism
Meg Lemke (comics reviews editor, Publishers Weekly) brings together comics critics and culture writers to talk shop. Who publishes comic book reviews and who reads them? Why should they matter to fans? How do comic books get noticed by the larger literary and media landscape? They’ll dig into the pitfalls of boosterism and whether unbiased comics criticism is possible—and the future of the field. Featuring Shaenon Garrity (comics reviewer, Publishers Weekly; creator, Skin Horse), Tiffany Babb (deputy editor and critic, Popverse), Douglas Wolk (comics critic and author of All of the Marvels), and Zack Quaintance(reviews editor, The Beat).
Room 24ABC
4:30 PM
Comics Journalism: Looking at Panels Beyond the Page
How do you cover comics in multimedia? How do you build a community around comics writing? In this annual look at comics journalism, panelists talk about moving into podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, and beyond, and how the medium changes coverage. They’ll also talk about comics, the big stories of the show, and anything else that you want them to. The mic is open. Join Heidi MacDonald (The Beat), Jimmy Aquino (Comic News Insider), Lisa Gullickson (Comic Book Couples Counseling), Brett Schenker (Graphic Policy), Avery Kaplan (The Beat), and Chris Arrant (Popverse), and others for all the tea.
Room 24ABC
5:00 PM
Telling Our Stories: Making LGBTQIA+ Anthologies
Michele Abounader (The Color of Always, Sharp Wit & the Company of Women), Liana Kangas (Know Your Station, Trve Kvlt), Jazzlyn Stone (Trve Kvlt, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts 40x40), Tilly Bridges (The Color of Always, Begin Transmission: The Trans Allegories of The Matrix), and Kat Calamia (Bi Visibility, Slice of Life) explore the process of creating LGBTQIA+ comic anthologies with LGBTQIA+ creators, highlighting and encouraging authentic stories and voices within the community. They will discuss the planning and creation of crowdfunded anthologies and the importance of allowing creators to tell their own stories without sanitizing the content or messaging.
Room 9
5:30 PM
Happy Hour with the Comic Book Couples
Celebrate Inkpot recipients Amanda Conner, Brian Pulido, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Billy Tucci as they’re joined by Coffin Comics’ Francisca Pulido and Crusade Comics’ Deborah Tucci. The couples discuss being married to a comics creator, running a publishing company, and how you too can find mainstream and crowdfunding success. Multi-Eisner Award winner Jeff Smith moderates the return of one of Comic-Con's most popular, entertaining, and educational panels.
Room 10
7:00 PM
Fleischer Cartoons: The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer
Here’s your chance to see a batch of newly restored cartoons featuring Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Popeye, and more. On hand will be Jane Fleischer, granddaughter of Max Fleischer, as well as animation historian Ray Pointer, to give an update on the restoration of the Max Fleischer library. Learn about the legacy and influence of Fleischer Studios.
Room 28DE
8:00 PM
80 Years of Superhero Cereal Boxes
You are invited to a late-night cereal box breakfast with 3 cerealologists. Panelists will take you on a sugary cereal box tour, starting with the first 1942 Superman box to one of the coolest boxes ever made in 2022. See: how to collect cereal boxes flat, collapsed, or full. Learn: where to find these priceless pieces of cardboard. View: the first Spider-Man, Batman, Hulk, TNTs, Justice League, Iron Man, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, and more boxes. Hear: cereal bits of information (not on the web). See: beautiful graphic art. Highlighted by videos, web pages, books, and articles relating to and about superhero cereal box collecting. Featuring Mike Becker (founder Funko, artist, actor, and musician, created/made/distributed over 70 cereal boxes), MIKAL Vollmer (artist, first cereal box fanzine Free Inside, YouTube), and moderator Duane Dimock (engineer, artist, nude model, has 10, 000 cereal boxes).
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina