Comic-Con 2007 Countdown Part 1

Today we begin our countdown coverage. Sure, some folks might be more focused on the release of the next Harry Potter book. Not us. Today, we're focusing on what we see as some of the best or most interesting programming planned for the first day of Comic-Con 2007, Thursday, July 26. For the full list of programming, click here.

10:30-11:30 DC Talent Search Orientation— Learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and find out how to improve your chances at becoming a working professional. Remember, diversity is the key with DC: DC Universe, Vertigo, WildStorm, Mad Magazine, Minx, and more! This informative orientation session will explain how DC’s Talent Search works. If you want to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory, keep in mind that not all attendees are guaranteed a review. Room 4 Categories: Art and Illustration Comic Books

10:30-11:00 U.S. Postal Service Marvel Super Hero Stamps— U.S. Postal Service issues Marvel Super Heroes commemorative postage stamps. Please join Mickey D. Barnett, member, U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, for this official first-day-of-issue ceremony! Room 6A Categories: Action Figures, Toys and Collectibles Comic Books

10:30-11:30 A Fan's Guide to Comic-Con— Be treated to a humorous and comprehensive guide to your favorite convention as told by veteran attendees Wesley Strawther, Jesse Lopez, and Johann Joseph, each with over a decade of experience in attending the event. They'll be discussing how to make the most of your Comic-Con experience and how you can prepare better for the convention next year. First-time attendees won't want to miss this panel, and seasoned vets just might learn something as well. Room 8 Categories: Fandom

10:30-11:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #1: Comics in Educational Settings— Comics have long been stigmatized as a lesser medium of communication than text. However, for many years comics have been making inroads to classrooms as an effective medium for learning, from analyzing graphic novels as literature to using superheroes to teach philosophy and writing textbooks in the comic medium. Neil Cohn (Tufts University), Diana Green (Minneapolis College of Art & Design), Leonard Wong (Templeton Secondary School, Vancouver), and Danny Fingeroth (Disguised as Clark Kent) discuss the various roles comics and the comics medium can and do play in education. Room 30AB Categories: Comic Arts Conference Comic Books

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, artist or fan? If it’s artist, what’s keeping you from getting there? If you have an idea in your head that you’ve had trouble bringing into reality, you might benefit from this practical goal-setting workshop. Teacher and leadership trainer Douglas Neff will show you techniques for setting and achieving your most important goals. Whether you want to write your own screenplay, draw your first comic, or shoot your independent film, you’re sure to get something useful from this informative workshop. Room 30CDE Categories: Fandom Seminars & Workshops

11:00-12:00 Spike TV’s Scream Awards: Frak the Oscars!— Celebrate Hollywood's often-ignored genres of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and comic books with Spike TV's Scream Awards. Hear several masterminds of the genres discuss the challenges, surprises, and future of these categories. Be the first to hear as the recipient of the 2007 Comic Con Icon Award is announced. And Spike TV wants to hear from you, the fans! Let them know your ideas for categories that should be included at the 2007 Scream Awards. Room 3 Categories: Comic Books Fandom Horror and Suspense Science Fiction & Fantasy Television


11:30-12:30 Writing with Mark Verheiden— Comic-Con special guest Mark Verheiden, co-executive producer of Battlestar Galactica and writer of the upcoming live-action Teen Titans movie, offers advice to aspiring writers in a lively Q&A session. Want to write for television? Features? Comic books? Bring your best nuts-and- bolts questions! Room 4 Categories: Animation Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances Movies Television


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11:30-12:30 Too Much Coffee Man Opera— The Too Much Coffee Man Opera is laid bare as Shannon Wheeler details his experience with the high art of opera. Is this the first opera to be based on a comic book? What does the opera community think of it? How did it come about? Is it in English or Italian? How did it get performed at one of the most respectable performance spaces in Portland? Will there be a sequel? Will it be go "on the road"? Does Shannon sing in it? Is there nudity? These questions and more will be answered by a whisky-drinking Shannon Wheeler. Click for complete details on FREE Performances of the Opera for Comic-Con Attendees! Room 8 Categories: Comic Books Fandom

11:30-12:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #2: Comics and Literacy— Leonard S. Wong (Templeton Secondary School, Vancouver) investigates the ways the alternative views of culture, history, and human life made accessible through graphic novels aids the development of academic and critical literacy among students in multiethnic inner-city classrooms. Robyn A. Hill (National University) and Bill McGrath (National University) examine the effects of using comics and graphic novels within the juvenile court and community schools system to foster a greater interest in reading, stimulate creative writing and artistic expression, and improve overall literacy and academic success within this “at risk” student population. Jacqueline Bauder (Saint Louis University) illustrates how she uses the Punisher’s arguable status as superhero, vigilante, or supervillain to teach the principles of legal writing to law students. Room 30AB Categories: Comic Arts Conference Comic Books

12:15-1:15 DC Countdown...to the End?— The DC Universe survived 52, but will it survive Countdown Dan DiDio and senior group editor Mike Carlin, the panel includes Countdown writers Paul Dini (Detective Comics), Tony Bedard (Supergirl and The Legion of Super-heroes), Adam Beechen (Robin), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Justin Gray (Jonah Hex), Jimmy Palmiotti (Superman Confidential), and more. Room 6B Categories: Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances


12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Mike Ploog— One of the great artists at Marvel in the early 70s, Mike Ploog produced inspired work on books such as Werewolf By Night, and The Monster of Frankenstein. Ploog spent many years in the film industry as a production artist and storyboarder, working for Ralph Bakshi and The Jim Henson Company, among others. Most recently, he's been drawing the Abazad children's book series scripted by J. M. DeMatteis. Room 8 Categories: Animation Art and Illustration Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

12:30-2:00 Drawing Style and Storytelling— In a classroom-style workshop, Darwyn Cooke (The Spirit), Cameron Stewart (The Other Side), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), and Colleen Coover (Banana Sunday)—and maybe another special guest—discuss design, look-and-feel, and how they develop the visual style of specific projects. Moderated by Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics). Room 30CDE Categories: Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances Seminars & Workshops

1:00-2:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #3: Gender: Bending Masculinity and the Image of the Hero— Using interviews with Brian K. Vaughn, Esther N. Kim (Johns Hopkins University) explores the relationship between Vaughan’s views on gender identity and relations, portrayals of gender identity and relations in Y: The Last Man, and 21st Century notions of gender identity, gender relations, and feminism. Eric Schlegel (Washington High School, Atlanta) uses the synergy of Queer Studies to examine the rich possibilities of sexuality, gender, and marginalization presentation in figures like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Nightcrawler to help us question, examine, and construct our own gender identities. Shawn O'Rourke (CSU Stanislaus) argues that the Rawhide Kid's recently revealed sexual orientation is not an aberration or a deconstruction of the western hero but a reconciliation of actual history with the myth of the west as it has been represented in popular culture. Room 30AB Categories: Comic Arts Conference Comic Books

1:45-2:45 Stan Lee: True Believer— Featuring the new documentary currently being produced that looks at Stan Lee's Marvel-ous life both then and now. The film explores Stan's broad influence on modern pop culture and will try to discover the secret to Stan's youthful energy! Join Stan Lee, Chairman Emeritus Marvel Comics, and Chief Creative Officer/Chairman POW! Ent., along with Paul Levitz, President, DC Comics, Tom DeSanto, producer (X-Men, Transformers), legendary Marvel Comics artist Dick Ayers, and Michael Uslan, executive producer (Batman, The Spirit, The Shadow). Room 6CDEF Categories: Comic Books Fandom Movies

2:00-3:00 Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance: Sub-Genres Readers Love— Where are the borders between urban fantasy and paranormal romance? How did paranormal romance grow from a subgenre of romance to its current popular cross- genre status, and what does the future hold? Writers Laurell K. Hamilton (best-selling author of the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series), Jeanne Stein (Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles), Laura Anne Gilman (The Retrievers series), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Takes a Holiday), Marjorie Liu (Soul Song), and Samantha Sommersby (Forbidden: The Awakening) talk about love and monsters. Moderator: Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 5AB Categories: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances Science Fiction & Fantasy

2:00-3:00 LGBT New Creators— Who are the next LGBT comics superstars? With the astonishing breakthrough of Alison Bechdel’s award-winning Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic, Phil Jimenez’s run as lead artist on Infinite Crisis, and Allen Heinberg’s big splash into comics with Young Avengers and Wonder Woman, LGBT creators have shown themselves to be a major force within the comics world. Prism Comics, a nonprofit organization that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) comics, creators, and readers, not only champions these comics superstars but actively encourages, promotes, and develops tomorrow’s stars as well. Join moderator Terrance Griep (openly gay pro wrestler known as “SpiderBaby” and comic book writer of Scooby-Doo and Judo Girl) as he presents up-and-coming LGBT comics creators, including Steve MacIsaac (artist/writer of Shirtlifter, winner of Prism’s first annual Press Grant), Megan Gedris (writer/artist of YU+ME, winner of Prism’s second annual Press Grant), Tommy Roddy (writer of Pride High), and Sean McGrath (writer of Frater Mine). Room 10 Categories: Comic Books

2:30-3:30 Spotlight on Darwyn Cooke — One of comics' most distinctive cartoonists, Comic-Con special guest Darwyn Cooke made his mark with the epic DC: The New Frontier. Now he's tackled an almost-impossible job with incredible skill and joy: updating Will Eisner's classic The Spirit for a whole new audience. Join Darwyn in this Q&A event as he discusses his work. Read our special extended interview with Darwyn Cooke. Room 1AB Categories: Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances Movies

2:30-3:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #4: Reflecting and Refracting: Comics as a Social Mirror— Patrick Jagoda (Duke University) explores Brian K. Vaughan’s award-winning Y: The Last Man as a means of characterizing the political investments of dystopian narratives as commentaries on the present and the perverse counterforce within developed civilization that inspires the imagining of everything from sociopolitical decline to total destruction. Dana Anderson (Maine Maritime Academy) discusses the way comics generate meaning through the lens of Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology by examining the word/image interaction in E.C. horror comics and their suggestion that our capitalist system, with its emphasis on consumption, leads to a cannibalistic community. Room 30AB Categories: Comic Arts Conference Comic Books

2:45-3:45 Hanna Barbera Retrospective— Take a look back at the lives and times of two of the greatest characters in the history of animation, Bill Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Former colleagues and friends examine the toon titans’ nearly 70 years of creating some of the world’s most beloved animated characters. Animation author/historian Tom Sito moderates a panel that includes longtime Hanna-Barbera director Andrea Romano, the renowned Gary Owens (Space Ghost), Hanna-Barbera Cartoons author Michael Mallory, plus Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone, the producer-director team of the upcoming Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale, Joe Barbera’s final animated project. Room 6B Categories: Animation Kids Television

3:00-4:00 Fletcher Hanks: The Ed Wood of Comics?— Welcome to the bizarre world of Fletcher Hanks, Super Wizard of the inkwell. Hanks worked for only three years in the earliest days of the comic book industry and then...disappeared. Genius? Nutcase? Visonary? All of the above? Cartoonist Paul Karasik (co-adapter of Paul Auster's City of Glass) has spent years tracking down Hanks’ obscure buried stories and collected them in I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets: The Comics of Fletcher Hanks. But he saved one of the weirdest to present at this lecture. Hanks is the greatest Golden Age cartoonist that you never heard of—until now. Visit www.fletcherhanks.com for more information. Room 10 Categories: Comic Books

4:00-5:00 Where Did That Come From? Dark Fantasy and Suspense Authors Discuss Their Darkest Ideas— They’re the ones who made their parent/significant other/child/editor inquire, "Where did that come from?" Authors F. Paul Wilson (Repairman Jack novels), David Morrell (Captain America: The Chosen), Jeffrey J. Mariotte (Missing White Girl), Simon Wood (Accidents Waiting to Happen), Christopher Golden (The Myth Hunters), Stephen Woodworth (From Black Rooms), Mike Carey (The Devil You Know), and Richard Kadrey Butcher Bird) reveal their inner darkness with moderator Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. Room 2 Categories: Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances Horror and Suspense

4:00-5:00 Spotlight on Guy Delisle— Guy Delisle is the cartoonist behind the bestselling and critically acclaimed Drawn & Quarterly graphic novels Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea and Shenzhen: A Travelogue From China. In his first U.S. appearance, Delisle will be interviewed about his work by comicsreporter.com editor Tom Spurgeon. Room 3 Categories: Cartooning and Comic Strips Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00-5:00 Spotlight on Adam Hughes— Celebrating his 25th year in comics, Comic-Con special guest Adam Hughes is one of the premiere cover artists in the medium, and you need look no further than the cover of this year's Souvenir Book to see what we mean. Adam will talk about his career and art, including the upcoming All Star Wonder Woman. Room 5AB Categories: Art and Illustration Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:45-5:45 Mondo Marvel— 2007 has already been a major turning point for all things Marvel! Marvel creators, editors, and special guests discuss World War Hulk, Annihilation: Conquest, and all things Marvel! Room 6A Categories: Comic Books

4:45-5:45 Spotlight on George A. Romero— George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead) is the undisputed master of zombie genre films, and Max Brooks (World War Z, Zombie Survival Guide) has written the best-selling zombie novels. Join these two titans of the undead as Max sits down for a personal interview with George, talking about everything zombies! Room 6CDEF Categories: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances Horror and Suspense Movies
5:00-6:00 Spotlight on Brian Wood— Critically acclaimed creator Brian Wood is front and center in his first Comic-Con Spotlight. Whether it's his hit series DMZ or the highly anticipated Northlanders, Brian is here for you! With VERTIGO editor Will Dennis, this Q&A session that promises to entertain. Room 1AB Categories: Comic Books Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances


5:00-6:00 Cartoon Network Sneak Peek— Your first chance to catch a behind-the-scenes look at Cartoon Network’s newest project. Believe me, it’s going to me MASSIVE. Room 3 Categories: Animation Kids Television

5:00-6:00 Bill Plympton Goes to the Dark Side— Two-time Oscar-nominated animator Bill Plympton (The Tune, Mutant Aliens) will screen a couple of his brand new shorts, including Shuteye Hotel, and then show selected clips from his newest film, Idiots and Angels. A Q&A session will follow where he will discuss this truly dark and mysterious animated feature. Room 5AB Categories: Animation Movies

5:00-6:00 Masquerade 101— Thinking about taking your costume creations onto the stage? Looking for ideas on how to enhance your presentations? Curious what goes on behind the scenes for contestants, judges, and technical crew? Masquerade director Martin Jaquish hosts Nicole Miyamoto (award-winning fan costumer with 20 years’ experience) and Masquerade assistant John Ruff as they offer an overview of on-stage costume competitions and present tips for getting the most out of your costuming experience. Room 30CDE Categories: Costuming Fandom Seminars & Workshops

greatest super-heroes, and they have banded together in teams with one common goal in mind: justice. Whether they’re rambunctious teenagers from the future, WWII veterans teaching a new generation, the super-powered elite, or the sidekicks who have forged their own way, they are among the DCU’s greatest assets. Don’t miss this important panel featuring the best teams that define heroism in the DC universe Geoff Johns (Teen Titans, Justice Society of America), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Gail Simone (Birds of Prey) and Tony Bedard (Supergirl and The Legion of Superheroes) will be teamed with senior VP/executive editor DCU Dan DiDio, group editor Eddie Berganza, senior editor Mike Marts and editor Mike Siglain to bring you teamwork as you have never experienced before. Room 6A Categories: Comic Books

6:00-7:00 Fanboys— Fanboys is an uproarious comedy that follows a group of young friends on a cross-country quest to break into Skywalker Ranch and see Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace before it is released. Fanboys is a Weinstein Company presentation being released in theaters by MGM on January 18, 2008. Stars Dan Fogler (Balls of Fury), Sam Huntington (Superman Returns), Chris Marquette (Joan of Arcadia), and Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars) join writer/director Kyle Newman and producers Matt Perniciaro and Dana Brunetti for a Q&A session. Room 6CDEF Categories: Fandom Movies

6:00-7:00 How To Become an Internet Geek Super-Star— It is the age of video on the Internet, and geeks are leading the charge! If you have interesting stories to tell or a unique take on nerd culture, there is an audience out there for you. Ben Cote (DivX Stage6) will moderate a wide-ranging discussion on how some of the budding stars of the online world found a following of like-minded fans. Guests include Jarett Cale and Geoff Lapaire ("Jeremy" and "Kyle," PurePwnage), Jonathan London (Geekscape), and Zadi Diaz (JetSetShow). Room 30CDE Categories: Fandom

Nighttime Programs
7:15-8:45 The Pixar Story: To Infinity and Beyond— A look at Pixar, the amazing studio that revolutionized animation in a new film by Oscar nominated documentary director Leslie Iwerks (Recycled Life). The granddaughter of animation pioneer Ub Iwerks, Leslie continues the family tradition and legacy. Room 6CDEF Categories: Animation Fandom Movies Nighttime Programming

8:30-10:30 2007 Friends of Lulu Awards— Every year during Comic-Con, Friends of Lulu hosts their Lulu Awards as a way to bring honor and recognition to the most inspiring and noteworthy women in the comic book industry. Awards will be presented by Trina Robbins, Shaenon Garrity, and more. The 2007 Friends of Lulu Awards are sponsored by Minx/DC Comics. Room 10 Categories: Awards Ceremonies Cartooning and Comic Strips Comic Books Nighttime Programming

8:30-10:30 World Premiere! Superman Doomsday— Superman is dead—or is he? All will be revealed at Comic-Con's world premiere of DC Comics, Warner Bros. Home Video, and Warner Bros. Animation's Superman Doomsday. It's the highly anticipated first DC Universe made-for-DVD release presented by Warner Premiere and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Inspired by the best-selling graphic novel of all time, Superman Doomsday is an epic tale of heroism and tragedy, sacrifice and redemption. The film is rated PG-13 for action violence. The voice cast is led by Adam Baldwin (Serenity, Chuck) as Superman, Anne Heche (Men in Trees) as Lois Lane, and James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Lex Luthor. DC Comics' Gregory Novek will moderate the post-premiere panel that includes executive producer/director/writer Bruce Timm (Justice League Unlimited, Batman: The Animated Series), directors Brandon Vietti (Legion of Super Heroes) and Lauren Montgomery (Legion of Super Heroes), writer Duane Capizzi (The Batman), and, quite possibly, members of the voice cast. And stay 'til the end—there might just be a glimpse of future DC Universe films. Click here for more information. Ballroom 20 Categories: Animation Comic Books Movies Nighttime Programming

9:00-12:00 8th Annual Kung-Fu Superhero Extravaganza— Martial art movie master Ric Meyers is back with his annual clip fest of the wildest, craziest, funniest, and most amazing live Asian action you've ever laid your lacerated eye orbs on. As always, get ready to laugh, gasp, cheer, and maybe even grab a freebie or two. Last year was standing room only, so don't miss out on the fun! Room 6CDEF Categories: Fandom Movies Nighttime Programming

10:30-11:45 Encore Presentation: Superman Doomsday— Missed it the first time? Want to see it again? Here's your chance as we re-present the new DVD film in a special second screening. Ballroom 20 Categories: Animation Comic Books Movies Nighttime Programming