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CCI Indy/Arts Comics Programming
posted July 6, 2006

Thursday, July 20

12:00-1:00 Prism Comics: Increasing LGBT Visibility -- Meet the all-volunteer force behind the comics industry's only nonprofit organization supporting LGBT creators, stories, and readers, and learn how you can join in. Prism's accomplishments, activities, and upcoming plans will be discussed by the organization's officers and committee chairs, as well as members of its advisory board, which includes Paige Braddock (Jane's World), Colleen Coover (Banana Sunday), Tim Fish (Strugglers), Terrance Griep (Victoria's Secret Service), Patricia Jeres (former director of marketing communications for DC Comics), Andy Mangels (best-selling Star Trek author and DVD producer), Richard Neal (owner, Zeus Comics, Dallas, TX), Joe Phillips (artist, Cali Boys; writer-director, Stonewall and Riot), and JosÃ© Villarrubia (The Mirror of Love). Room 1B

1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Andy Runton -- Andy Runton has charmed audiences young and old with his series of Owly graphic novels, published by Top Shelf. The silent adventures of the little winged bird have earned him a 2006 Eisner nomination for last year's Owly: Flying Lessons. Andy talks about his creation and his work. Room 1B

1:00-2:30 Comic Arts Conference Session #3: Comics...When Pictures and Words Collide! -- Explore three unique and valuable perspectives on comics, from concept to creation to publication. Famed author RC Harvey (The Art of the Comic Book; The Genius of Winsor McCay) provides insights into the dynamic process of combining art and text. Legendary artist Rick Geary (Graphic Classics; Victorian Murders) describes how he transforms novels and biographies into comics literature. And renowned graphic designer Chip Kidd (Book One; Batman Collected) reveals his book selection process as editor of Pantheon's graphic novel line. Noted writer Michael Dooley (The Education of a Comics Artist) moderates this profusely illustrated session. Room 7B

1:30-2:15 Spotlight on Tommy Kovac -- This question-and-answer session with Tommy Kovac, writer of SLG's Wonderland comic book and the creator of Autumn, a creator-owned series that he writes and draws, will be conducted by SLG publisher Dan Vado. Room 9

2:30-3:30 Spotlight on Linda Medley -- The fan-favorite and Eisner Awardâ€“winning creator of Castle Waiting relaunches her book at Comic-Con. Linda Medley starts anew with Castle Waiting in a brand new series from Fantagraphics. Gary Groth interviews Linda about her career and the new CW series. Room 1A

2:30-4:00 New Challenges in Self-Publishing -- In recent years, comics self-publishers have had to take a hard look at the best way to present their work. Webcomics, pamphlet publishing versus graphic novel format, print on demand --all of these factor into the way creators publish their own work. Among the hardy band of successful long-term creators discussing these new challenges are moderator Batton Lash (Supernatural Law), Kyle Baker (The Bakers, Nat Turner), Paige Braddock (Jane's World), Rich Koslowski (The 3 Geeks), and Comic-Con special guest Phil Foglio (Girl Genius). Room 7B

3:00-4:00 Spotlight on John Wagner -- One of Britain's most popular comics writers has made a significant impact in American comics, too. John Wagner is best known for his work as co-creator of Judge Dredd, but he's also the writer behind the original graphic novel A History of Violence, which was made into a critically acclaimed motion picture by David Cronenberg last year. Wagner presents a visual presentation at this panel, titled "A Life in Comics," which includes a look at his career and British comics in general. Moderated by former DC/Paradox Press editor Andy Helfer. Room 9

3:30-4:30 The Sergio and Mark Show -- Yeah, it's them again. Sergio AragonÃ©s, Mark Evanier, Stan Sakai, and Tom Luth give you this year's excuse for why there have been no new Groo comics, along with their usual promises that this condition will not persist for much longer. Plus other funny stuff. Room 8

4:30-5:30 Spotlight on Daniel Clowes -- One of the most respected writer/artists in comics, Dan Clowes also has the distinction of being nominated for an Academy Award for best writing (screenplay based on material previously produced or published) for Ghost World in 2001. Art School Confidential, another film based on Clowes's comics, hit indie theater screens earlier this year. Clowes's evocative, character-driven work along with his distinctive drawing style has made books like Eightball, Ghost World, Ice Haven, and Caricature both fan and mainstream favorites. Fantagraphics' Eric Reynolds interviews Dan in this rare programming appearance. Room 8

5:00-6:00 Spotlight on Brian Fies -- It started as catharsis. Brian Fies chronicled the experience of his mother, going through treatment for cancer, in webcomics form. And before he knew it, Brian had found an audience of people with similar experiences, who told more people about his online comics. In 2005, Mom's Cancer won the first-ever Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic. The story was recently published in graphic novel form by Abrams Image. Brian talks about his work and what's next for this "accidental" graphic novelist. Room 1B

6:00-7:00 Komikwerks: Actionopolis -- Shannon Eric Denton (Jimmy Neutron), Dan Mishkin (Amethyst), Rob M. Worley (Young Ancient One), Rick Hoberg (Avengers), Gary Reed (Frankenstein), Mike Dubisch (Dungeons & Dragons), Bruce Zick (Pixar), and Michael Geiger (Sony) have established their own corner of the Actionopolis Universe with exciting new YA titles hitting bookstores this summer: The Forest King, Heir to Fire, Spirit of the Samurai, The Anubis Tapestry, and Blackfoot Braves Society. Join these creators for this one-on-one interview and Q&A session! Room 1A

6:00-7:00 Heroic Publishing: Liberty Girl -- Want proof that patriotism in the comics is far from dead? Dennis Mallonee (writer) and Mark Sparacio (artist) have teamed up to bring you the return of America's legendary bronze goddess of freedom, the Liberty Girl! They (and maybe a couple of surprise guests) will be fielding questions about the character, and talking about the deeper meanings of how and why the Liberty Girl came to be. Come find out what all the buzz is about! Room 1B

6:00-7:00 Gumby Comics -- Where has Gumby been? Is it true he's running for president? What's Pokey's last name? You may find the answers to these questions and more, as writer Bob Burden moderates a Q&A session with artist Rick Geary, colorist Steve Oliff, editor Mel Smith, and Premavision's Robert Thompson. They'll be discussing the new Gumby comics series from Wildcard Ink as well as what's coming next from the green boy of clay. Expect lots of sneak peeks at 2007 projects and the return of Gumby! The first 50 fans dressed up as characters from Gumby will win a special gift. Room 2

6:00-7:00 Webcomics 101: Getting Started -- It's easy to make a webcomic, but hard to do it well. Bill Barnes (Unshelved) asks fellow web cartoonists Dave Kellett (Sheldon), Jon Rosenberg (Goats), Brian Fies (Mom's Cancer), and Phil Foglio (Girl Genius) why they went online and what artistic, business, and technological choices they made. Room 3

6:00-7:00 Random House Publishing Group Graphic Novels -- The Random House Publishing Group are the publishers of Harvey Pekar's American Splendor and Flight 3, edited by Kazu Kabuishi. Two of the company's newest titles are the critically acclaimed Elk's Run and the highly anticipated Dark Wraith of Shannara. Join Kazu Kabuishi and Joshua Hale Fialkov, as well as the RHPG editors, to hear more about these books as well as Random House's graphic novel plans for the future. Room 7B

Friday, July 21

10:30-11:30 Blank Label Comics -- The groundbreaking independent comics co-op offers a look at its unique recipe for success and explains why "webcomics" are dead. Moderated by the hosts of the popular Blank Label Comics podcast, Dave Kellett (Sheldon) and Kristofer Straub (Starslip Crisis), the panel will include David Willis (Shortpacked!), Paul Taylor (Wapsi Square), Howard Tayler (Schlock Mercenary), Steve Troop (Melonpool), and Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.). Room 1A

11:30-1:00 Spotlight on Jean-Claude MÃ©ziÃ¨res -- For decades, Jean-Claude MÃ©ziÃ¨res has been thrilling science fiction fans worldwide with Valerian: Spatiotemporal Agent, a galaxy-roaming series of graphic novels whose grungy, lived-in world, wild alien life forms, and all-around visual inventiveness predated Star Wars by a full decade. Kim Thompson, who grew up reading Valerian in the pages of Pilote magazine, will quiz Monsieur MÃ©ziÃ¨res about his nearly 40-year career (including his involvement as a designer for Luc Besson's The Fifth Element). Room 1A

11:30-12:30 Dark Horse's 20th Anniversary -- Join Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson for a special celebration of 20 years of creative excellence! Mike, along with senior editor Randy Stradley, will spin tales of the early days and drop hints at a promising future. Special guests? With a creative pool of top industry talent, you can bet something special is in store. Eric Powell jumping out of a cake? We can't say for sure, but show up and you won't be disappointed! Room 5AB

12:00-1:15 Comic Arts Conference Session #5: Comics as Postmodern Narrative -- Jennifer K. Stuller (www.Ink-stainedamazon.com) uses Alan Moore's graphic novel Promethea in relation to Maurice Merleau-Ponty's phenomenological concepts of the elemental Flesh and the Chiasm to illustrate how comics narratives have the power to encourage us to experience the world as profoundly magical. Frank Verano (Temple University) casts the work of Grant Morrison in such comics as The Invisibles and Flex Metallo in the light of visual culture to explore Morrison's intriguing claims that fictional characters are "more real" than "real" people. Jason Bainbridge (University of Tasmania) explores how the establishment of the Marvel and DC universes and the prominence of the superhero therein embodies the tension between modern progress and premodern justice. Room 7B

12:00-1:00 Scott McCloud's Making Comics -- Scott McCloud (Zot!, Understanding Comics) unveils his new book, Making Comics, in this fast-paced visual presentation. Scott and his whole family will be on hand to discuss one of the most ambitious promotional tours in comics history, the year-long Making Comics 50 State Tour beginning in September! Room 8

12:30-1:30 Comic Book Heaven LIVE -- You like old comic books? Then you need to submit to the siren call of the fourth all-new trip down "What-the-Heck-Were-They-Thinking?" Comic Book Memory Lane presented by Scott Saavedra, noted curator of curious comics. It's the same affectionate, mad celebration of purple prose, red-blooded heroes, and yellowing newsprint as seen in Scott's magazine Comic Book Heaven (Slave Labor Graphics) and blog (www.comic_book_heaven.blogspot.com) only bigger, better, and in a room full of strangers. Witty comments and knowing glances will be provided free to all. Room 4

12:30-1:30 Vital Vertigo -- From the start, Vertigo has been at the forefront of cutting-edge comics and graphic novels for mature readers. Learn what smart and edgy projects are in store for you in this slide-show presentation. Hosted by VP/ executive editor, Vertigo, Karen Berger, with group editor Shelly Bond, editor Jonathan Vankin, writers Bill Willingham (Fables), Douglas Rushkoff (Testament), and Steven Seagle (American Virgin); artists Becky Cloonan (American Virgin) and Mark Buckingham (Fables); writer/artist David Lapham; and others! Room 5AB

12:30-1:30 Hey, Kids! Blogs About Comics! -- It seems like everybody has a blog these days, but here's a group of dedicated bloggers devoted to writing about comics and news about the comics industry. Moderator Heidi MacDonald (pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/) talks to Tom Spurgeon (comicsreporter.com), Ron Hogan (mediabistro.com/galleycat), Graeme McMillan (blog.newsarama.com), Chris Butcher (comics.212.net/) and Tom McLean (weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/) about the daily business of blogging, breaking news, and the comics world. Room 24A

1:00-2:00 It All Begins with the First Second -- Mark Siegel (:01 editorial director) leads Eddie Campbell (The Fate of the Artist) and Gene Yang (American Born Chinese) in a discussion of the new directions graphic novel publishing is taking. Room 1A

1:15-2:30 Comic Arts Conference Session #6: Visual Language -- Neil Cohn (Meditations: 1999-2002) reveals the "secrets" of sequential art: the grammatical rules and visual "parts of speech" underlying comics' use of sequence. Zon Petilla (Cal State Universityâ€“Fresno) asserts that there is a universal visual grammar operating in comics that can be used to teach language. Hal Shipman (Northwestern University) examines the contrast between the vocabulary and grammar of visual language in European and American comics, represented respectively by the adventure strips Tintin and Terry and the Pirates. Room 7B

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Phil Foglio -- The fan-favorite creator of characters such as Buck Godot and Girl Genius is a Comic-Con special guest. Join Phil Foglio in this special spotlight event as he talks about his work and answers your questions. Phil is also the master of ceremonies of this year's Comic-Con Masquerade on Saturday night! Room 1B

1:30-2:30 IDW Publishing: Ideas and Designs 2006 -- Learn about IDW's exciting plans for the next year, including an overview of licensed books such as Transformers and Angel/Spike, as well as a full rundown of upcoming horror titles and some special, never-before-heard-or-seen announcements. Join IDW publisher Chris Ryall, along with editor Dan Taylor, writers Brian Lynch (Spike: Asylum), Shane McCarthy (Zombies!), and Scott Tipton (Angel/Spike); artists Ben Templesmith (Wormwood) and Ashley Wood (Zombies Vs. Robots); and other special guests for the lowdown on the upcoming slate of books. Room 4

2:30-3:30 Graphic Novels: The Universal Language -- It's true. Graphic novels are sweeping the world! (Admittedly, we Americans were the last to get this, but we're playing catch-up hard and fast.) Comics historian Tom Spurgeon will moderate a panel made up of creators from around the world, including James Sturm (The Golem's Mighty Swing), Linda Medley (Castle Waiting), Roger Langridge (Fred the Clown), Jean-Claude MÃ©ziÃ¨res (Valerian), Yoshihiro Tatsumi (The Push Man and Other Stories), and John Wagner (A History of Violence, Button Man) in a discussion what makes the world go 'round. Room 5AB

2:30-3:30 Dumbrella -- Artists from Dumbrella, one of the most popular online comics collectives, discuss webcomics, independent publishing, and subverting popular culture. Feel free to quiz Andrew Bell (the Creatures in my Head), Sam Brown (explodingdog), Steven Cloud (B.O.a.S.a.S), Jon Rosenberg (Goats), and Richard Stevens III (Diesel Sweeties) about anything your Internet heart desires. Room 7B

3:00-4:00 Nickelodeon Magazine Carousel -- See interactive cartoon slide shows hosted by editors Chris Duffy and Dave Roman and featuring comic strip makers Sam Henderson (Magic Whistle), James Kochalka (Monkey vs. Robot), R. Sikoryak (RAW), and more! You can expect plenty of gags, goofiness, and audience participation. Definitely for kids and alt-comics-loving adults. Room 1B

3:00-4:00 The Black Panel -- Featuring Reggie Hudlin (president, BET), RZA (Wu Tang Clan), Jeffery Wright (CEO, Urban Ministries), Denys Cowan (senior VP, BET Animation), Mike Davis and Mark Davis (Blokhedz), and Axel Alonso (editor, Marvel Comics). This is the definitive panel for what's up in black content, and black content is hip content. Moderated by Michael Davis. Room 6A

3:00-4:30 Prism Comics: Evaluating LGBT Material: How May We Help You? -- With more material being published involving LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) characters and issues, audiences and retailers need strategies for encouraging and supporting diversity while providing an environment in which the only surprises are the twists in the plot. Prism Comics, the nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting LGBT creators, themes, and issues in comics, offers its services in this area to the broader constituencies of the comics community. This discussion focuses greatly on the retail community, addressing the topic of how to get more LGBT-friendly books in your store and how Prism can help you sell them. This panel is the beginning of what is intended to be an ongoing dialogue, with the participation of experts from every aspect of the industry, in order to establish action plans in the quest for greater diversity in content as well as in the customer base. Panelists include Roger B.A. Klorese, president, Prism Comics and founder of QueerNet; Rory Root, owner and operator of Comic Relief, Berkeley, CA; Chris Powell, general manager of Lone Star Comics, Arlington, TX; JosÃ© Villarrubia, artist and academician; Paige Braddock, cartoonist, Jane's World; Chris Ryall, publisher/editor-in-chief, IDW; Charles Brownstein, executive director, CBLDF; Brian Chase, Lambda legal attorney, LGBT rights activist; and Roger Fletcher, VP of sales and marketing, Diamond Comic Distributors. Moderated by Patricia Jeres, Prism advisory board member and former director of marketing communications at DC Comics. Room 24A

3:30-5:00 Spotlight on Robert Kirkman -- One of the hottest writers in comics today comes to Comic-Con as a special guest. Robert Kirkman's work on Invincible and The Walking Dead for Image Comics brought him industry-wide attention. For Marvel, Kirkman has written Marvel Team-Up and Marvel Zombies, and he is the writer of Ultimate X-Men and the upcoming Irredeemable Ant- Man. Join him for this special spotlight and Q&A session! Room 4

4:30-5:30 Webcomics 102: Finding Your Audience -- When will your genius get the adulation it deserves? Bill Barnes (Unshelved) asks fellow web cartoonists Jerry "Tycho" Holkins and Mike "Gabe" Krahulik (Penny Arcade), Scott Kurtz (PvP), R. Stevens (Diesel Sweeties), and Kristofer Straub (Starslip Crisis) how they attract crowds online. Room 1B

4:30-5:30 Fantagraphics 30th Anniversary -- Fantagraphics Books co-owners Gary Groth and Kim Thompson will be joined by Love & Rockets creators Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez and Eightball creator Dan Clowes for a trip down memory lane as they reminisce about Fantagraphics' 30 years history as "Publisher of the World's Greatest Cartoonists." Moderator Gary Groth talks to key figures in comics history about all aspects of the company, from the beginnings of the Comics Journal in the mid-1970s to its present-day profile as the publisher of cartooning powerhouses like Charles M. Schulz, R. Crumb, Daniel Clowes, and Los Bros Hernandez. Featuring special surprise guests! Room 7B

5:30-7:00 Masters of American Comics -- Masters of American Comics is the sensational new exhibition revolutionizing the art world. Co-curator Brian Walker (The Comics Before 1945; The Comics Since 1945) explains how the century's 15 top artists were selected. From the Hammer Museum, Cynthia Burlingham, coordinating curator, and Claudine Dixon, catalog coordinator, share amazing behind-the-scenes tales. And two lenders, cartoon entrepreneur Denis Kitchen (Steve Krupp's Gallery) and cartoonist/designer/writer Craig Yoe (Arf book series), reveal the joys and agonies of collecting original comics art. Masters events participant and author Michael Dooley (The Education of a Comics Artist) moderates this lively, illustrated discussion. Room 8

6:00-7:00 SLG Publishing's 20th Anniversary -- Dan Vado he looks back at the biggest mistake he ever made; the decision to publish comic books. Watch as Vado cries in his beer and laments over 20 years of misspent youth, wasted time, and lost money. Room 4

6:00-7:00 Keenspot 2006: Spotlight on Awesomeness -- The world-renowned Internet powerhouse that makes webcomics history with every new pixel returns to Comic-Con for its 6th annual panel discussion! Keenspot creators who may very well appear (assuming no cool Star Trek panels overlap with this one) include Dan Shive (El Goonish Shive), Jennie Breeden (The Devil's Panties), Aeire (Queen of Wands), R. Smith (Funny Farm), and Darren Bleuel (Nukees). The panei will be moderated by Keencast hosts Chris Daily (Striptease) and John Troutman (Flint Again), who will be podcasting this panel. Hear Keenspot's late-breaking big announcements and preview their newest comics and animation projects before anyone else! Free Keenspot giveaways for everyone who attends. Room 9

8:30-11:30 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards -- The 18th annual Eisner Awards, the "Oscars" of the comics industry, will be given out by celebrity presenters, along with such other prestigious awards as the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award and the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award. This year's master of ceremonies is Bongo Comics' Bill Morrison. Admission to the Eisners is free to all Comic-Con attendees --just be sure to bring your badge. Doors open for pros and VIPs at 7:30 and for attendees at 8:15. Room 20

Saturday, July 22

10:30-12:00 What Is Mainstream? -- Batton Lash (Supernatural Law), Andy Runton (Owly), Linda Medley (Castle Waiting), Eric Jones and Landry Walker (Kid Gravity/Super Scary Monster Show), Brian Fies (Mom's Cancer), Bryce P. Coleman (TOKYOPOP), and Charlie Kochman (senior editor of HNA Books) offer a lively discussion on the state of mainstream comics, the emergence of the "new mainstream," and the current rapid expansion of comics into mainstream culture and entertainment. Moderated by Chris Brandt (IFC's Comic-Con Chronicles). Room 2

10:30-11:30 Oni Press Spotlight -- Ande Parks (Capote in Kansas), Cameron Stewart (Apocalypstix), Ray Fawkes (Apocalypstix), Corey Lewis (Sharknife), Antony Johnston (Wasteland), Hunter Covington (TV's My Name is Earl), and others join Oni Press editor-in-chief James Lucas Jones for a look at what's coming up from the mischief makers at Oni Press in 2007 and beyond! Plus Q&A! Room 8

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Kazuo Koike -- Kazuo Koike, author of some of the greatest graphic fiction ever created (Lone Wolf and Cub, Crying Freeman), has attained legendary status not only in his native Japan but in all parts of the world. Within the comics industry, Mr. Koike is unusual in having achieved the pinnacle of fame and admiration as an author alone. SDCC 2006 marks the first-ever time that Mr. Koike has visited an American convention, here to help celebrate the 20th anniversary his English language publisher, Dark Horse Comics. July marks the release of Koike's Path of the Assassin, which will also see the end of the ten-part Samurai Executioner and the four-part Lady Snowblood. Room 6A

12:00-1:30 Masters of Alternative Comics -- The brothers who helped start the alternative comics movement with Love and Rockets, Gilbert Hernandez (Sloth) and Jaime Hernandez (Locas), are joined by other contemporary masters of the genre: Ivan Brunetti (Schizo), Mary Fleener (Life of the Party), Roger Langridge (Fred the Clown), and Souther Salazar (Kramer's Ergot). Meet all six as they show their best work, detail their influences, and engage in lively discussion with author Michael Dooley (The Education of a Comics Artist). Room 2

12:30-2:00 Quick Draw -- The awesome powers of three top cartoonists face their ultimate challenge: Can they think as fast as they can sketch? Can they sketch as fast as they can think? See whether Sergio AragonÃ©s, Scott Shaw!, and Kyle Baker are able to break the cartooning sound barrier! Mark Evanier, as usual, puts them through their paces. Room 6CDEF

12:30-2:00 Spotlight on Everett Raymond Kinstler -- Only one comic book artist has gone on to paint the official portraits of presidents, not to mention portraits of some of the top celebrities in the world. Everett Raymond Kinstler's evocative storytelling and line work in comics and on book covers made him a standout artist. His later career as a fine artist includes over 1,200 portraits, including the official White House portraits of Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. Comics and pop culture historian Jim Vadeboncoeur Jr. (author, Everett Raymond Kinstler: The Artist's Journey Through Popular Culture) interviews Kinstler on his life in comics and as one of the country's leading painters. Room 8

12:30-1:30 Flight: A New Kind of Comics Anthology -- The critically acclaimed Flight anthology has begun paving the way for a new vision in comics. Flight artists Kazu Kibuishi (Daisy Kutter), Phil Craven, Kean Soo (Jellaby), Jeff Smith (Bone), Steve Hamaker, and special guest Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, Making Comics) talk about creating comics for a new generation of readers and artists. Room 9

1:00-2:00 Comic Arts Conference Session #9: Comics as Philosophy -- Jeff McLaughlin (Thompson Rivers University) editor of Comics as Philosophy (University Press of Mississippi, 2005) and contributor R. C. Harvey (The Art of the Comic Book; The Genius of Winsor McCay) present an overview of their inventive essay anthology that uses comics to explore the tenets of philosophy via a wide variety of genres, from mainstream superhero comics to graphic novels of social realism to European adventure classics, including existentialism in Daniel Clowes's graphic novel Ghost World, ecocriticism in Paul Chadwick's long-running Concrete series, political philosophies in HergÃ©'s perennially popular The Adventures of Tintin, and how superhero comics have responded to 9/11 and reflect the anxieties of the contemporary world. Room 7B

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Roger Langridge -- The Eisner, Harvey, Ignatz, and Reuben Award --nominated cartoonist is a first-time special guest at Comic-Con! Roger Langridge's hilarious work includes Fred the Clown and Knuckles, the Malevolent Nun. He also publishes Hotel Fred on the web. Comics historian and journalist Tom Spurgeon interviews Roger. Room 9

2:00-3:00 Terry Moore -- Meet the creator behind Strangers in Paradise at this one-man panel where Terry Moore promises to dish the dirt and reveal all the shocking secrets behind the scenes at SiP. Find out why a romance comic can enthrall the comics industry for 13 years and what Terry plans to do when the series ends next May. Room 1B

2:00-3:00 Comic Arts Conference Session #10: Poster Session -- Want to go in depth with a comics scholar? The poster session provides that opportunity. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, scholars' PowerPoint presentations will be available to read in printed "poster books," then the scholars will be present at the poster session to discuss their presentations in small-group and one-on-one discussions. Dana Anderson (Binghamton University) examines social commentary in the intertwining of verbal and visual meaning in A Tale of One Bad Rat. Christian Hill (CSU Fullerton) surveys the genesis of a new branch to the comic art family tree: "gallery comics," which combine the language of comics with the properties of paintings and art prints. Matt Poslusny (Widener University) looks at the presentation of the theory of evolution and the image of Charles Darwin in comics of Darwin's generation and today. Leonora Soledad (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) examines Brazilian underground cartoonist Lourenco Murtarelli's recasting of the detective genre in his graphic novel trilogy The Saga of the Diomendes Detective. Artist Darick Chamberlin (www.noisetank.com) presents Earth X as a "canon-bending" example of the staging of metahistory, a process of critical reimagination of previous narratives. Patrick Jagoda (Duke University) examines the depiction of torture in Alan Moore's V for Vendetta and Grant Morrison's The Invisibles and how these works offer a new language to depict pain and to problematize the unjust practice of torture. Aaron Kashtan (Dartmouth University) explores the use of formal hybridity and cultural hybridity in Dylan Horrocks's graphic novel Hicksville. Matthew Smith (Wittenberg University) looks at ways scholars and fans have used the auteur theory to scrutinize and legitimize comics creators. Eric Schlegel (Dade County Public Schools) employs queer studies to examine the commonalities of our own mundane world heroics and those spandex and cape crowd via the concepts of the secret identity, gender identity, and outsider status in Superman, Wonder Woman, and Nightcrawler. John Walsh (Indiana University) defines and traces the development of a "Kirby genre" and looks at this genre in the context of antecedents from classic literature and the visual arts in which the work of a single artist, such as Shakespeare or Titian. Room 7B

2:30-4:00 National Cartoonists Society: Producing A Daily Comic Strip --How Hard Can That Be? -- Nationally syndicated comic strip creators pull back the curtain on their "glamorous" profession. Hear behind-the-scenes confessions from Brian Walker (Beetle Bailey), Dan Piraro (Bizarro), Jeff Keane (Family Circus), Michael Jantze (The Norm), and Andrew Feinstein (Girls and Sports). Room 1A

2:30-4:00 Spotlight on Yoshihiro Tatsumi -- 2006 marks the first Comic-Con appearance of Yoshihiro Tatsumi, who is known as the grandfather of alternative manga in Japan. Regarded highly by cartoonists --and fans --all over the world, Tatsumi's work has finally made it into English translation with the publication of Drawn and Quarterly's edition of The Push Man and Other Stories, reprinting classic stories from the artist's 1960s period. Tatsumi's work predated the advent of the literary graphic novel movement in the U.S. by 30 years. Tatsumi is interviewed by writer/artist Adrian Tomine, who edited the English edition of The Push Man. Room 9

3:00-4:00 Dark Horse Horror -- Dark Horse is the only major comics publisher with a strong focus on the genre of horror, and we've got the panel to prove it! A handful of comics' top horror creators, including Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre), Jason Alexander (Damn Nation), and Eric Powell (The Goon), plus editors Scott Allie and Shawna Gore, and Bernie Wrightson (the upcoming City of Others) will be on hand to discuss the ins and oozings of the horror genre with you, and they'll be making two exclusive announcements about upcoming Dark Horse horror projects. Not for the squeamish! Room 4

3:00-4:00 Judge Dredd: Still Crazy After All These Years -- Not even Sylvester Stallone could stop him! Comic-Con special guests John Wagner (co-creator of Judge Dredd and still working on the character almost 30 years after Dredd's creation) and Brian Bolland (one of the seminal artists on the strip) talk about their work on what is quite possibly Great Britain's most famous comics character. Joining John and Brian is the current editor of 2000 AD, Matt Smith. Moderated by Tom Spurgeon, comics historian and journalist. Room 7B

3:30-4:30 Image Comics -- This is your chance to get a first look at what red hot books Image Comics has in store for the rest of the year and into 2007! Join publisher Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon) along with creators Robert Kirkman (Walking Dead, Invincible), Joe Casey (GÃ¸dland), Rick Remender (Fear Agent, Sea of Red), Steve Niles (The Cryptics), C. B. Cebulski (Drain), and more as they discuss both current and upcoming projects from Image Comics! Room 2

4:00-5:00 Bongo Comics Sneak Peek -- Bongo Comics offers a mouth-watering preview of upcoming projects featuring The Simpsons and Futurama. Managing editor Terry Delegeane and creative director Bill Morrison will host a panel featuring the writers and artists who create the comics and books based on Matt Groening's phenomenal TV shows. Learn the answers to the questions that keep you awake at night! Will the Infinite Crisis alter Homer's craving for pork rinds? Will the Civil War cause a split between Fry and Bender? Will Bongo get sued if they actually do stories based on concepts from other comic book companies? Get the answers to these questions, plus find out what's in the future for Futurama Comics, who's lurking in this year's star-studded issue of Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror, and what to expect in Simpsons Super Spectacular. This is a "must-attend" panel for all fans of The Simpsons and Futurama and anyone looking for a place to sit down. Room 1A

4:00-5:00 How to Make Compelling Web Comics -- Lee Marrs (Pudge, Girl Blimp, Indiana Jones) will present the most direct methods and pitfalls of creating both webcomics and interactive hypercomics, with demonstrations and examples. The direct-from-the-trenches "Marrs Hypercomics Recipe" will be shared by this Inkpot Award winner and Emmy Awardâ€“winning TV art director. Room 3

4:00-5:00 Fantagraphics: The Ignatz Slide Show and Preview -- In 2005, Fantagraphics launched one of its most ambitious projects: a full line of deluxe comics from the international creme de la creme of cartoonists. Editor/translator Kim Thompson will present a slide show of current and upcoming projects from (among others) Marti, Lorenzo Mattotti, Igort, Kevin Huizenga, Gabriella Giandelli, David (Epileptic) B., Richard Sala, Anders Nilsen, Zak Sally, the Eisner awardâ€“nominated Gipi, as well as Gilbert Hernandez, who will be in attendance to discuss his upcoming Ignatz title, New Tales of Old Palomar, returning to his "Heartbreak Soup" stories after a ten-year break. Room 4

4:00-5:00 The Center for Cartoon Studies Summer Celebration -- The premier cartooning school in the country celebrates its one-year anniversary with faculty members Tom Devlin (Drawn and Quarterly), Kevin Huizenga (Curses, Or Else), James Kochalka (Super F*ckers, American Elf), co-founder James Sturm (Unstable Molecules, The Golem's Mighty Swing), and students Lauren O'Connell and Penina Gal! Hear James K. sing the CCS fight song! Grab a free copy of the school's spanking new brochure --an amazing 20-page Kevin Huizenga comic! Be the first to hear about the Diamond Comic Distributors "Diamond In The Rough" full-tuition scholarship! Room 7B

5:00-6:00 Eric Shanower's Road to Oz -- Journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the Land of Oz with Eric Shanower (Age of Bronze). Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Ozma, and all the rest cavort through Shanower's Oz stories and illustrations. Celebrate IDW Publishing's new compilation of Shanower's Oz graphic novels, Adventures in Oz, and see the many other Oz projects Eric has created. Room 1A

5:00-6:00 Pirates, Bikes, and Demons: The Art of S. Clay Wilson -- From the grungy streets of Haight-Ashbury to the high-falutin' walls of the Art Institute of Chicago, underground artist and Zap Comics co-founder S. Clay Wilson has been pushing art into an unfathomably vulgar realm for over 40 years. A mentor to R. Crumb, his fans include Leonardo DiCaprio and Chrissie Hynde. Come hear the legend tell stories about his art, characters, and the riffraff he's rubbed elbows with, as he celebrates his birthday weekend with the release of his long-awaited career retrospective, The Art of S. Clay Wilson. Room 7B

5:30-7:00 Gays in Comics, Year 19: Infinitely Out and Civil Pride -- From Young Avengers to Batwoman, Freedom Ring to Tough Love, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) characters are popping up more in mainstream comics, and GLBT creators are writing, drawing, or self-publishing more than ever. At its near-two-decade mark, the annual Gays in Comics panel takes the pulse of queer comicdom, showcasing some groundbreaking creators and their insights. Joining moderator Andy Mangels (writer of Star Trek novels, director of He-Man and She-Ra DVD documentaries) are Patty Jeres (past DC director of marketing communications, current PRISM board member), Abby Denson (creator of Tough Love: High School Confidential graphic novel), Greg Rucka (writer of Gotham Central, 52, Checkmate), Gail Simone (writer of Secret Six, Birds of Prey), Marc Andreyko (writer of Manhunter), and Phil Jimenez (artist/writer of Infinite Crisis, Otherworld). Afterward, stick around for an hour-long gay comic fan mixer/social, sponsored by PRISM Comics! Room 6A

5:30-6:30 Spotlight on James Kochalka -- One of the most prolific artists in alternative comics, James Kochalka is a first-time special guest at Comic-Con. His work, which includes American Elf, Monkey vs. Robot, and Peanutbutter & Jeremy, has been nominated for Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz awards. James will talk about his work and answer your questions in this spotlight event. Room 8

6:00-7:00 Webcomics 103: Making Money -- Can you really make a living posting comics to the web? Bill Barnes (Unshelved) leads fellow webcomic businessfolk Robert Khoo (Penny Arcade), Howard Tayler (Schlock Mercenary), Phillip Karlsson (Dumbrella Hosting), and Jennie Breeden (The Devil's Panties) in a discussion on how they turn bits into bucks. Room 3

7:00-8:00 Gays in Comics Mixer -- The follow-up to the 19th annual Gays in Comics panel. Stick around and socialize! Room 6A

7:00-10:00 CBLDF Free Speech Benefit Auction -- This is the big one! The CBLDF holds its biggest auction of the year at Comic-Con, and this year offers some amazing one-of-a-kind items to raise money for free speech! Primo items include original art by Jim Lee, Will Eisner, Matt Wagner, Neil Gaiman, Jaime Hernandez, Amanda Conner, Terry Moore, Mark Brooks, and many more. Plus a mind-blowing array of rare signed items, including scripts by Garth Ennis, JMS, and Alan Moore, plus scarce comics and books. Support the Fund's current casework in Georgia, and help them shore up reserves to protect comics' First Amendment rights against any threat on the horizon. Preview: 7:00; auction: 7:30. Room 8

Sunday, July 23

Sunday, July 23rd
10:30-11:30 Comic Arts Conference Session #11: Comics in the Classroom -- Phillip Troutman (George Washington University) and Cathy Eisenhower (George Washington University), a writing professor and a research librarian, present the results from a collaborative project designed to expand and enrich the constituency of comics scholarship through use of GWU's graphic novels collection. Kimberly Knight (UC Santa Barbara) and Elisabeth Swanstrom (UC Santa Barbara) explain how comics have been integrated into UCSB's Introduction to Literature course as part of the school's Culture of Information curriculum. Room 7B

10:30-11:30 History of Webcomics -- Join writer T Campbell (Penny and Aggie, Fans, Rip and Teri) and some possible surprise guests to discuss 13 years of online comics, the challenges, conflicts and controversies of chronicling them, and where the project goes from here. Room 9

11:30-1:00 Comics Podcasting -- Meet the faces behind the names of some of the web's most popular comic book podcasts. Find out what it takes to do a podcast and why they do it. Moderated by comics writer B. Clay Moore (Battle Hymn, Hawaiian Dick), the panel will feature podcasters Josh Flanagan (iFanboy.com), Bryan Deemer (Comic Geek Speak), Scott Hinze (Fanboy Radio), Lene Taylor (I Read Comics), Joe Gonzalez (Comic News Insider), John Siuntres (Word Balloon), Chris Marshall (Collected Comics Library), Charly La Greca (Indie Spinner Rack), Jose Brito (Los Comic Geekos), and Augie de Blieck Jr. (Comic Book Resources Pipeline). Room 8

12:00-1:00 Emily the Strange -- What's black and red and strange all over? Emily the Strange comics! Join the creators of the underground icon for this fun, freeform panel discussion about the world's most beloved 13-year-old weirdo, and get the inside scoop on the upcoming comic book issues, the first trade paperback collection, upcoming celebrity interviews, and whatever else you can dream of asking. Plus trivia, tall tales, and lots of rockin' Emily door prizes! A panel not to be missed, unless you are too square to know better. Room 2

12:30-1:30 What's Up With Graphix? New Comics Series for Kids -- Creative director David Saylor and editor Sheila Keenan will discuss with artists Raina Telgemeier (Baby-sitters Club) and Scott Morse (Goosebumps) how they adapted mega-bestselling children's prose series into graphic novels. Room 9

1:00-2:00 Vertigo Voices: The Fables Forum -- Vertigo group editor Shelly Bond will be joined by the talent behind the now-classic Fables and the spin-off series Jack of Fables. Meet Bill Willingham (Fables, Shadowpact), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Tony Akins (Fables, Jack of Fables), and amazing newcomer Matthew Sturges (Jack of Fables) as they reveal the secrets behind the magic of the Fable world. Room 5AB

3:00-4:30 24-Hour Comics Cartoonists' Readings -- Successful international 24-Hour Comics Day Challengers narrate PowerPoint presentations of their stories and share tips and challenges of creating with time constraints. Participating panelists include Nat Gertler (2005 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights), Stan Yan (The Wang), Ethan Wenberg (Mr. Flingpoo), Jenny Colaleo (Beanskin and the Internal Insanity), and Tod Parkhill (Young American Comics). Room 8