Nerd Prom’s Fantastic Conclusion – Sunday Programming For San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Now Available

Sunday is Kids’ Day at Comic-Con. Much of the day’s programming is kid-centric, but if you poke around there’s also some panels that will be of interest for fans of any age. The full list is available at the official site. Here’s a selection of the offerings:

10:00-11:00 Comic-Con How-to: Publishing Industry: From Manuscript to Industry— So you have the desire to write a book and get it published, but what does that really mean? Agents, editors, publishers, reviewers, self-publishing, traditional publishing, print on demand, ebooks, foreign language-the list goes on. What does it mean to “write for profit,” and what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Award-winning author Maxwell Alexander Drake gives you some insights into the real world that is the Publishing Industry. Warning: this seminar is not for the weak of spirit. Room 2
Tags: Comic-Con How To | Seminars & Workshops | Writers & Writing

It’s 10am and you haven’t had your dreams crushed yet today. Sure, you could call home and listen to your mom tell you, yet again, that your college academic program of Creative Studies wasn’t a “real major” and that Uncle Phil still has an entry level accounts job waiting for you, whenever you finally decide to grow up. Or you could go to Room 2.

10:00-11:00 The Annual Jack Kirby Tribute Panel— There might not be comic book industry were it not for Jack Kirby…and if you don’t know who that is, you really don’t belong at this convention. Each year, his friends and co-workers gather to talk about Jack and his work and to marvel (no pun intended) at the length and breadth of his influence, not just on comics but on TV, movies, and all the arts. This year, the dais will include Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Stan Goldberg (Marvel colorist), Paul Dini (Batman), and Charles Hatfield (Hand of Fire), all chatting with moderator Mark Evanier (Kirby: King of Comics). Room 5AB
Tags: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Superheroes | Tributes

or

10:00-11:00 DC Comics: Young Justice— They may be young-but they’re still heroes! Find out what’s happening for The Legion of Super-Heroes, Teen Titans, Blue Beetle, and more as more DC Comics-The New 52 unfolds in this panel featuring Tony Bedard (Blue Beetle), Paul Levitz (Legion of Super-Heroes), and Scott Lobdell (Teen Titans, Red Hood and the Outlaws). Room 6DE
Tags: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Superheroes

If breaking into the writing industry isn’t your thing, you could go pay tribute to Jack Kirby – whose comics career is also an education of the highs, lows, and realities of the industry. Or you could go see the panel full of good soliders who know people and got jobs. Pick your lesson.

10:00-11:00 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 characters using basic geometric shapes. Join Kristian for this fun and informative session! Room 11AB
Tags: Art and Illustration | Cartooning and Comic Strips | Comics | Kids | Seminars & Workshops

I should take little Billy to this panel. Just imagine what this panel could have done for a young Rob Liefeld…

10:00-11:00 Stunted Fools, Scary-Ass Clowns, Enlightened Orangutans, and Other Devilish Charmers: Humor in Science Fiction and Fantasy— “The pen is mightier than the sword if the sword is very short, and the pen is very sharp.” And these authors’ pens are…very sharp. But, as The Hitchhiker’s Guide so sagely advises, DON’T PANIC. Humor is everywhere you look in science fiction and fantasy. So wrap your towel around your head to ward off noxious fumes, and join in for an irreverent hour celebrating sly wit and unholy humor with some of the most devilish quipsters, wisecrackers, and satirists writing today. Warning: you will snicker. And you may just laugh out loud. John Scalzi (Redshirts) plays ringmaster to panelists Richard Kadrey (Devil Said Bang), Doyce Testerman (Hidden Things), Rob Reid (Year Zero), Ned Vizzini (The Other Normals), Gini Koch (Alien Diplomacy), Nathan Long (Jane Carver of Waar), and Nick Hurwitch (co-author of So You Created a Wormhole). Room 25ABC
Tags: Humor & Satire | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Writers & Writing

This one would be worth it just for John Scalzi alone, but the art of humor is one one which it is worth being schooled (she said, trying not to end on a preposition). Also, we recommend starting with dick jokes and beer. Thanks, college education!

11:00-12:00 Digital Comics Price Fight— Every one 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 a la iTunes? The conversation has been heated online and today it jumps into the physical realm! Join legendary comic writer Mark Waid, webcomics innovator and PvP creator Scott Kurtz, IDW Publishing’s ePublishing director Jeff Webber, and Top Shelf Productions’ director of digital Chris Ross for a lively discussion on the price of digital comics. Moderating this fight is comiXology’s Chip Mosher. Room 7AB
Tags: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Web

Yes, what is the right price for the file you’re letting me rent? Enlighten me.

11:15-12:15 Marvel: Women of Marvel— From Ms. Marvel to the X-Men, from tumblr to Twitter, women in comics has been one of the most talked-about topics in comics for the last year. Join the conversation as women from every discipline in the creative process at Marvel discuss what it’s like working as a woman in comics today and what it means for the future of the industry. These ladies are smashing through the four-color ceiling! Panelists include editors Jeanine Schaefer and Sana Amanat. Room 5AB
Tags: Comics

or

11:15-12:15 DC Entertainment: 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, Before Watchmen, and much more. This up-close-and-personal panel gives you a chance to step up and ask questions about your favorite comic book publisher’s publishers! Say that five times fast! Room 6DE
Tags: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Superheroes

That’s right. Schedule a DC panel at the same time as Women of Marvel. Probably wise to keep DiDio away from the wimmenz. It’ll keep SDCC 2011 Batgirl distracted for an hour at least.

Also, Mr. DiDio – where the hell is your “Why We Love Comics” panel this year? This is the second year in a row without it. I’m seriously bummed, man.

12:00-1:00 Espenson: an Anagram for Openness— Writer Jane Espenson (Once Upon a Time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Game of Thrones, Husbands) discusses past and current work with moderator Jenna Busch (Zap2It). Artwork from an upcoming Buffy comic will provide the first look at an anticipated new character, and Husbands’ Brad Bell (Pop-Up Videos), Sean Hemeon, and Jeff Greenstein (Will and Grace, Desperate Housewives) will be on hand to discuss the upcoming season 2. Attend to learn which sci-fi superstar is joining the Husbands cast. Room 7AB
Tags: Horror and Suspense | Humor & Satire | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television | Web | Writers & Writing

A clever title for a panel about a clever and talented writer! Fans of genre television and aspiring writers should make an effort to go listen to this woman drop knowledge.

12:00-1:00 What’s Hot in Young Adult Fiction— Strong protagonists, engrossing romance, humor, action, and angst! Panelists offer a Q&A session and chat about the hottest new titles and trends in YA fiction. Moderated by Nathan Bransford (Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe) and featuring Leigh Bardugo (Shadow and Bone), James Dashner (The Maze Runner series), Kami Garcia (co-author of the Beautiful Creatures novels), Tahereh Mafi (Unravel Me), Melina Marchetta (Froi of the Exiles), Lish McBride (Hold Me Closer, Necromancer), Myra McEntire (Hourglass trilogy), and Scott Westerfeld (Uglies). Room 25ABC
Tags: Horror and Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Writers & Writing

Young Adult fiction is a guilty pleasure – it reads quickly and is often more fun than literature for “adults”. If you’re looking for books to interest kids, or just yourself, check this panel out.

12:30-1:30 Marvel: Amazing Spider-Man— There’s no turning back for Spider-Man! The Lizard is back, and only Spider-Man has a chance of curing him! Find out all the details on what’s going on with your favorite wall-crawler on the eve of his 50th Anniversary in August. That’s right, Marvel’s editor-in-chief Axel Alonso and others will be taking any and all questions from you, the fans! With earth-shattering announcements that will change the life of Peter Parker for another 50 years, this is one panel that no Spidey fan can miss! Room 6DE
Tags: Anniversaries | Comics | Superheroes

Well, they’ve already broken Peter and Mary Jane up, infected Manhattan’s citizens with wacky spider powers, and made J. Jonah Jameson the mayor of New York. How will they continue to shake things up? I predict a My Little Pony crossover. Friendship is magic!

12:30-1:30 BBC America’s Doctor Who— The Doctor and the Ponds land in San Diego. BBC America’s Doctor Who stars Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Arthur Darvill join award-winning lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat (Sherlock) and award-winning executive producer Caroline Skinner (The Fades) for a Comic-Con panel and Q&A. As fans eagerly await the new season’s premiere, BBC America is making sure Steven Moffat brings new footage to reveal on the big screens in Hall H. Ahead of the new season, BBC America will premiere new Doctor Who specials-The Science of Doctor Who, The Women of Doctor Who, The Timey-Wimey Stuff of Doctor Who, and The Destinations of Doctor Who-as part of the Supernatural Saturday programming block starting Saturday, August 4 at 9pm/8c. For those new to Who, the previous two seasons from Steven Moffat are available now on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download. Hall H
Tags: Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television

With the lack of movie programming last year, this Doctor Who panel was one of the few offering that actually filled Hall H. Expect it to do so again this year.

1:00-2:00 Image Comics’s 20th Anniversary— Twenty years ago, a group of young artists left their work-for-hire jobs to create Image Comics, a publisher dedicated to creators’ individual visions and a champion of creative ownership. Image Comics partners and some of the original founders now come together to talk about what Image Comics has meant for the present and future of comics. Panelists: Marc Silvestri, Rob Liefeld, Jim Valentino, Whilce Portacio, Erik Larsen, and Robert Kirkman. Moderated by Eric Stephenson. Room 6A
Tags: Anniversaries | Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics

It’s usually a good time when the Image guys get together to talk comics. And, regardless of how I you might feel about Rob Liefeld’s some of the individual creators’ work, 20 years of success is nothing to sniff at. Worth a listen.

1:00-2:00 DC Nation Screening and Q&A— The Nation is coming to San Diego! DC Nation — a one-hour action and comedy programming block on Cartoon Network starring some of the most beloved and legendary heroes of the DC Universe — will be making its very first appearance at Comic-Con. In addition to exclusive video content for fan-favorite series Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Young Justice, the panel will also be presenting sneak peeks of two highly anticipated series that will be coming soon to DC Nation: Beware The Batman and Teen Titans Go! Bringing you all this superhero goodness is a panel featuring top animation producers Glen Murakami (Teen Titans), Mitch Watson (Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated), Michael Jelenic (ThunderCats), Aaron Horvath (MAD), and Jeff Prezenkowski, director of series and shorts at Warner Bros. Animation. From superheroes to sidekicks, the DC Nation panel will have something for everyone. DC Nation airs Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 11:00 ET/PT on Cartoon Network. Room 6BCF
Tags: Animation | Comics | Kids | Television

However, here’s where I’d prefer to be at 1pm if I can get in. DC Nation‘s Saturday morning programming block has brought the fun back to my typically hangover riddled weekends. Now why can’t someone from DC Nation sit Scott Lobdell down to watch Young Justice so that Teen Titans wouldn’t suck quite so much? Do people in different DC departments just not talk to each other?

2:00-3:00 Max Brooks: Zombie Survival 101— Max Brooks, screenwriter and author of bestselling books The Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z, and The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks, is the world’s leading authority on the defense against a ghoulish uprising! Renowned for his campus and convention lectures nationwide, Brooks comes to San Diego Comic-Con to share his insight into the rotting minds of the undead, reveal how the Zombie Survival Guide came into existence, and field questions from zombie-phobic fans! You dare not miss this lecture — your very life may depend on it! Room 7AB
Tags: Horror and Suspense | Humor & Satire | Writers & Writing

Max Brooks knows what he’s talking about when it comes to zombies. Just don’t make direct eye contact or try to talk to him later. I think he may relate to zombies better than people.

2:15-3:15 Buffy Turns 20: Celebrating 20 Years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer— Once upon a time, Buffy Summers became the Slayer, the Chosen One who proved a young heroine could battle the forces of darkness instead of playing damsel in distress. Stars from the hit TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer) join forces with Dark Horse editor Scott Allie, writer/producer Jane Espenson, illustrator Georges Jentry, and the original Buffy herself (Kristy Swanson, star of the 1992 motion picture), not to mention a surprise guest or two, to celebrate 20 years of slayage. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Tags: Action/Adventure | Anniversaries | Comics | Fandom | Horror and Suspense | Humor & Satire | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television

Whedon fans, set your watches! Remember to bring a hat and sunscreen to protect you in the very long line you will be in while waiting for your chance to get into the Indigo Ballroom. Hope to see you inside!

2:30-3:30 Comic-Con How-To: Drawing with Jim Lee— Scott Brick interviews Jim Lee, artist and co-publisher of DC Comics, as Jim draws for an hour. See how he does it on the big screen! Room 2
Tags: Art and Illustration | Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Superheroes

or

2:30-3:30 Super Secrets: Lifting the Curtain on the Man of Steel— Mark Waid (he wrote Superman comics longer than just about anybody) and Larry Tye (author of the new biography Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero) reveal things you didn’t know but will be glad to learn about Superman. Like the wrenching story of his birth and nurturing by a parade of young creators yearning for their own absent dads, and how he took on everyone from Adolf Hitler to the KKK long before the rest of America did. And why Tye at least is convinced this supermensch is Jewish. Room 23ABC
Tags: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Superheroes

There’s no denying that Jim Lee has put a very large stamp on comics art that has influenced the look of superheroes not just across comic books, but in the visual design of movies as well. On the other hand, Superman – Jewish? You have my attention, Mr. Tye.

3:30-4:30 Buffy the Musical “Once More with Feeling”— 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”! 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. Room 6BCF
Tags: Fandom | Horror and Suspense | Music | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television

Run back to the convention center from the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton for this annual sing-a-long. Not sure why they didn’t just decide to have both in the same room. Also, this used to be the last event of the day. Hope this shifting up in the schedule doesn’t bode ill for future engagements.

3:30-4:30 The Nerd in the Classroom: Sci-fi as an Educational Tool— With a decade of experience teaching science fiction as literature to high school and graduate students, Patrick Murphy (Fremont High, Weber State University) discusses science fiction as a device for improving reading comprehension, critical thinking, and enjoyment. The presentation will include the scope and sequence for a year-long course, unit breakdowns, costs, and discussions examining core standards and end-of-level testing. Room 26AB
Tags: Science Fiction & Fantasy | Seminars & Workshops

I would have totally signed up for an English class that was based on a science fiction set of core texts when I was in high school or in college. Where the hell was this when I was in school?

4:00-5:00 Full-Time Creative Work on a Part-Time Schedule— Learn the secret to using part-time collaboration to achieve full-time results! No matter which industry (comics, illustration, movies, design, animation, costuming/cosplay), breaking into today’s media is a full-time job, even if you have only part-time hours to accomplish it. 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), Tara Strand (co-founder, Gotham Public Works), Mario Martinez (co-creator, TomatoTV.net), Kevin Flessing (TheGeekGirlProject.com), Ron Coleman (molecular geneticist and writer), Jody Patterson (main contributor, RatBoxProductions.net), Cat Smith (voice actress, CatSmith.net), and moderator Chad Welch (illustrator, ChadWelchArt.com) talk about how they successfully juggle time between the creative and business sides while being involved in goal-oriented groups and discuss the process, pitfalls, and potential of part-time collaboration from their experiences in illustration, writing, design, animation and costuming/cosplay 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 without mortally wounding each other, or simply want to know how to get your foot in the door, this panel is for you! Room 24ABC
Tags: Animation | Anime & Manga | Art and Illustration | Comics | Costuming | Seminars & Workshops | Writers & Writing

This is…relevant to my interests. But, I’ll probably be at Once More With Feeling.

And there you have it. Once again, the full schedule of programming is available on the official site. Go take a gander and see what things I’ve left off that might be relevant to your interests.

See you in San Diego!