Each year, San Diego’s Comic-Con is a feast for those who want to find out about the latest and greatest comics, movies and television. There’s also lots for fans of classic and cancelled TV shows as well. If you’re attending this year’s festivities, here are some events you might want to check out:
THURSDAY, JULY 21
11:45-12:45 Battlestar: So Say We All — Richard Hatch hosts a panel and fan discussion of the Battlestar Galactica universe, politics, and philosophy. Richard (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo), Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica, Caprica, Blood and Chrome), Dr Kevin Grazier (BG science consultant), and surprise guests for this exciting round table and Q&A session. Room 6BCF
3:00-4:00 Classic Warner Bros./Hanna-Barbera Cartoons Going Blu-ray — Animation historian Jerry Beck and Warner Archives’ George Feltenstein lead a panel of renowned animation and restoration experts, including Spike Brandt (The Looney Tunes Show), Tony Cervone (The Looney Tunes Show), and Paul Dini (Lost, Tower Prep), in presenting and discussing selected vintage cartoons from Warner Home Video’s fall 2011 Blu-ray release of the newly remastered Tom and Jerry Golden Collection and Looney Tunes Platinum Collections. Room 32AB
5:00-6:00 Beavis and Butthead — In 1993, Mike Judge (creator of Beavis and Butthead) and MTV knocked their heads together and launched a cartoon series starring a couple of lunkheads and unwittingly started an animated pop culture revolution. Now, Beavis and Butthead are coming back to MTV in 2011 to unleash on music videos, Jersey Shore, viral videos, and more. See the first footage from the new episodes, and join Mike as he discusses the duo’s return to MTV! Room 6A
5:00-6:00 Buffy The Vampire Slayer and LGBT Comics Fandom — LGBT fans hailed the revelation in the long-running television hit that one of its main characters, Willow, had fallen in love with another female character, Tara. This groundbreaking depiction of queer love in the TV show has been built upon in the Buffy comic books published by Dark Horse Comics, and Buffy remains one of the most queer-friendly properties in pop culture. Moderator Charles “Zan” Christensen (Prism Comics president) discusses the special relationship between the Buffyverse and LGBT comic book fans with Buffy creators and actors, including Scott Allie, Andrew Chambliss, Jane Espenson, Drew Greenberg, Tom Lenk, and a special guest! Room 32AB
FRIDAY, JULY 22
10:00-11:00 Conversations with Sid and Marty Krofft: A Look at the Past, Present and Future — Sid and Marty Krofft changed Saturday mornings forever when the sibling puppeteers unleashed colorful characters like H.R. Pufnstuf and Sigmund & the Sea Monsters on a generation of sugary-cereal-fueled kids growing up in the 1970s and ’80s. Join Sid and Marty for a look back at what they have achieved, then take a look to the future with their new partnerships with Vivendi Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation. Room 23ABC
10:15-11:15 Star Trek: The Captains — William Shatner is joined by fellow Star Trek captain Avery Brooks to present a preview of the EPIX Pictures original documentary produced and directed by Shatner, in which he travels the world to interview all the actors who’ve played Starfleet captains. This lively discussion and Q&A session is moderated by Comic-Con fave Kevin Smith. Room 6BCF
3:30-4:30 Entertainment Weekly Presents…Totally LOST: One Year Later — EW’s Lost gurus Jeff “Doc” Jensen and Dan “Dan” Snierson wax nostalgic about the past, perhaps with a surprise guest or two, and discuss how they’re “moving on” in the wake of Lost’s departure from the air a year ago. The duo will look to the future by previewing promising TV obsessions. Room 5AB
Tags: Fandom | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television
3:30-4:30 ThunderCats Premiere Episode Screening and Q&A — Comic-Con, ho! From the moment this series was announced, fans have answered the call — now, the wait is over as Warner Bros. Animation is proud to bring you the world premiere of this new reimagining of the beloved ’80s franchise. Lion-O, Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara, Wily Kit, and Snarf are back! After the screening, producers Michael Jelenic (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and Ethan Spaulding (Avatar: The Last Airbender), art director Dan Norton (G.I. Joe: Resolute), and members of the voice cast will discuss what viewers can expect in the first season of this exciting new series. ThunderCats premieres in a special one-hour episode on Friday, July 29 at 8/7c on Cartoon Network. Room 6A
6:00-7:00 The Hub: Batman: 45th Anniversary of the Original Series — Holy Comic-Con Panel, Batman! For the first time ever, three stars of the iconic 1960s TV series are together at Comic-Con: Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin), and Julie Newmar (Catwoman) team up to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the landmark television series now airing on The Hub TV Network. The cast will share memories from the show and introduce and discuss their favorite scenes, followed by an audience Q&A. Bang! Pow! Woosh! Room 23ABC
SATURDAY, JULY 23
2:00-3:00 Lost: A Year Later with Jay and Jack — Along with special guests, podcasters Jay and Jack Glatfelter (The Lost Podcast) discuss ABC’s television series Lost a year after its controversial finale and check in to see what former Lost cast members are involved in now. Santa Rosa Room, Marriott Marquis & Marina
3:00-4:00 Dark Horse: Joss Whedon — Long before signing on to helm one of the most anticipated superhero films in history, Joss Whedon rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plot lines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here’s your chance to find out what he has in store for us next, including a sneak peek at the brand-new Angel & Faith and Buffy Season 9 comics, plus exciting news about Buffy digital comics! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
5:00-6:00 Charlie’s Angels — The cast and creative team from Sony TV’s highly anticipated action-packed series Charlie’s Angels for ABC — Annie Ilonzeh (General Hospital), Minka Kelly (Parenthood, Friday Night Lights), Rachael Taylor (Grey’s Anatomy), Ramon Rodriguez (The Wire, Daybreak) and executive producers Alfred Gough (Smallville) and Miles Millar (Smallville) come to Comic-Con to discuss their new series. The series is also executive-produced by Drew Barrymore (Charlie’s Angels movies), Leonard Goldberg (the original Charlie’s Angels), Nancy Juvonen (Charlie’s Angels movies), and Marcos Siega (Vampire Diaries, Dexter). Join the cast & producers for a dynamic discussion and Q&A session about what’s in store for viewers this fall! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
7:30-8:30 Star Trek: Between the Cracks — Larry Nemecek (TNG Companion) has lived and worked in “Trekland” for 18+ years as author, editor, interviewer, consultant, talking head, and now producer of his first documentary, The Con of Wrath. Join Larry as he rifles through 45 years of Star Trek’s “attic trunk” from the Paramount stages via his photo archives — the goofy, the what-ifs, the bizarre…and more than one new tale you’ve never heard on any DVD before. Room 7AB
SUNDAY, JULY 24
10:00-11:00 Archaia Entertainment and The Jim Henson Company: The Early Works of Jim Henson Screening with Special Tale of Sand Discussion — Jim Henson was a creative genius responsible for some of the most iconic properties today, including The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, and The Dark Crystal. But what was he like leading up to that success? Archaia and The Jim Henson Company explore his early works and creative process, complete with archival, rarely seen footage, brought to you by Henson archivist Karen Falk. Then, get an advance look at Tale of Sand, the new original graphic novel coming in September, based on a never-before-seen screenplay written by Jim Henson and his longtime collaborator, Jerry Juhl. Falk, Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy, and A Tale of Sand artist Ramsn Pirez will discuss the behind-the-scenes production of the book and debut some new images. Moderated by Archaia CEO P. J. Bickett. Room 4
1:00-2:00 Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Screening and Q&A — The gang from Crystal Cove is packing up its best traps and bringing them to San Diego, and it’s no mystery as to why fans have embraced this most recent take on Scooby-Doo from Warner Bros. Animation. Supervising producers Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone (both veterans of Duck Dodgers) and producer Mitch Watson (Ben 10: Race Against Time) present a special screening of the first-season finale and a lively panel discussion on the adventures that await Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma in season two. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated airs Tuesdays at 7:30 E & P/6:30 C on Cartoon Network and the original movie Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur will be released on DVD September 13. Room 6A
2:00-4:00 Browncoats — Fans of Firefly and Serenity are welcome to join the California Browncoats. You can expect announcements about new happenings from all over the ‘Verse, including shindigs, products, and Browncoats: Redemption. Then stick around for some entertainment provided by Browncoat-friendly musician Marian Call. You never know what else might happen! Room 32AB
2:15-3:15 The Looney Tunes Show Screening and Q&A — Comic-Con can be a crazy place, but it’s about to get Looney! After an extended break from the limelight, animation’s favorite mismatched duo of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck (along with all your other favorite Looney Tunes characters) return in The Looney Tunes Show, an animated half-hour comedy series from Warner Bros. Animation. Following a special screening, the laughs continue when supervising producers Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone (both from Duck Dodgers), story editor Hugh Davidson, writer Rachel Ramras and other members of the creative team take the stage to answer your questions. Just don’t ask them, “Eh, what’s up, Doc?” From Warner Bros. Animation, The Looney Tunes Show airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Cartoon Network. Room 6A
4:00-5:00 Buffy the Musical — Let’s end this show with a bang! The powers that be behind Fandom Charities Inc. and Whedonopolis.com present a screening of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer musical episode “Once More With Feeling” as Comic-Con 2011’s big Hall H closing event! Many say this is the finest, funniest, most ingenious episode ever to come out of the Buffyverse. But remember, the best part of the show is up to you! This episode was made for talkin’ — back, that is — and singing and shouting and dancing in the aisles, with or without your dry cleaning! Audience participation: it isn’t just for Rocky Horror and mob riots anymore. Hall H
What do you think? Which panels will you attend or would you attend if you were going to Comic-Con this week?
