Like clockwork, Comic-Con International organizers have released the programming schedule for Friday, July 13, the second full day of the San Diego convention. It sees publishers kicking things into high gear, with Marrvel’s “Cup O’ Joe” and DC Comics panels on the New 52 and Justice League and Green Lantern groups, as well as presentations from IDW Publishing, Oni Press, BOOM! Studios, UDON, and Fantagraphics and Drawn & Quarterly.
That’s only for starters, though, as AMC’s The Walking Dead, Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The CW’s Arrow make Comic-Con appearances, and creators as diverse as Joss Whedon, Kate Beaton, Larry Hama, Scott Snyder, Lynn Johnston, Dan Piraro, James Robinson and Jeff Lemire get the spotlight. There are also tributes to legendary creators Jerry Robinson and Joe Simon, as well as Comic-Con co-founder Richard Alf.
And to keep off the day, there’s the 24th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.
We’ve selected some of the comics-related highlights below; visit the Comic-Con website to see the complete schedule.
10:00-11:00 DC Comics: From Concept to Page— What does it take to create a new comic book? Find out at this amazing panel, where for the first time DC has assembled the entire creative team of a comic book, including the editor, writer, penciler, and inker. Learn how a new project is developed before the script is even written, and the many steps that happen after the artwork is complete, with DCE’s group editor Mike Marts, editor Brian Cunningham and the creative team behind Flash — Brian Buccellato and Francis Manapul. Room 6DE
10:00-11:00 Remembering Jerry Robinson and Joe Simon— Jerry Robinson was a key artist on Batman in the 1940s, the co-creator of The Joker, and later an accomplished newspaper strip artist and political cartoonist. Joe Simon was half of the legendary team of Simon and [Jack] Kirby, the co-creator of Captain America and other Simon-Kirby classics, and later the creator/editor of Sick magazine. We’ve recently lost both of these legendary figures in comics, so let’s pause to remember them along with Paul Levitz, Michael Uslan, Anthony Tollin, Marv Wolfman, Paul Dini, Batton Lash, and moderator Mark Evanier. Room 9
10:15-11:15 Go Green! With the Lean, Mean, Ninja Team -Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!— Experience Nickelodeon’s very first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Comic-Con panel, as executive producer Ciro Nieli (Super Robot Monkey Team Hyper Force Go!) sets up the new series and unveils never-before-seen footage. Meet the incredible Ninja cast: Jason Biggs (voice of Leonardo), Sean Astin (voice of Raphael), Greg Cipes (voice of Michelangelo), Rob Paulsen (voice of Donatello), Kevin Michael Richardson (voice of Shredder), Hoon Lee (voice of Splinter), and Mae Whitman (voice of April O’Neil). Hear and see the radical undertaking of this 25-year-old property and some of the creative insights that have taken it to new and reinvigorating heights. Prepare to be shell-shocked! Moderated by Rich Magallanes, senior VP of current series for Nickelodeon. Room 6BCF
10:30-11:30 Dan Piraro and Bizarro: 10,000 Cartoons and Counting— Comic-Con special guest Dan Piraro (Bizarro) presents an overview of his 27-year career, including his favorite cartoons, some unpublished sketchbook images, travel stories, and anecdotes about his auxiliary career as a stand-up comic. The talk will conclude with a short Q & A session. Room 8
10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 202: Royalties, Residuals and (No) Regrets— With record-setting box office returns comes renewed interest in comic book and popular culture properties. Don’t be dazzled by the prospect of having your name up on the big screen or big potential paydays without the legal background necessary to understand what the contract actually says. And even the most brilliant negotiators cannot hope to succeed without an understanding of the business models used by the companies making an offer. Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the acclaimed The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, is back and ready to tackle a number of the more advanced issues facing authors, artists, and designers, particularly once they’ve “broken through” and have started publishing and selling (and maybe merchandising or media, too). This second Comic Book Law School session addresses some of the complicated issues surrounding marketing properties and creative ideas, including: transfers and licensing of rights; production, merchandising, and distribution agreements; and the key things you should know when Hollywood comes knocking. This interactive seminar gives attendees the opportunity to participate in the discussions as Lovitz (ably assisted by entertainment attorney Mona Metwalli) covers various means for profiting from creative works and explores the many important elements that form the foundation of every contract (and time permitting, maybe participate in a mock contract negotiation). This year they are joined by CPA/CFF Dean Bower, who will be presenting tales of Hollywood and big business audits. (Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.]) Room 11AB

11:00-12:00 Mike Mignola and Friends— As we watch the world collapse in the pages of B.P.R.D.-Hell on Earth and gear up for the most-anticipated series in Hellboy’s history later this year, this may be the most important panel in the history of one of modern comics’ most storied series. Join creator Mike Mignola, editor Scott Allie, Cameron Stewart, James Harren, B.P.R.D. artist Tyler Crook and others, for exclusive news and insight into why the world of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. is truly “going to hell in 2012

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