Emerald City Comicon's first two days of programming on Thursday, March 2 and Friday, March 3 offers an eclectic mix of panels. My highlights are below. Their entire listing is available on the official website.
Build A World Workshop
Mar 02, 2017, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, WSCC 603
A panel of professional authors will build a science fiction and/or fantasy world right before your eyes, taking tropes, themes, and ideas from audience suggestions and developing a setting as well as brainstorming stories one could write in that setting. A great hands-on workshop for learning how to take your setting from the kernel of an idea into something that can inspire a larger creative work.
Real-Time Game Design!
Mar 02, 2017, 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM. WSCC 210
Join four local game designers as they take audience suggestions and design a tabletop game live in under an hour! They'll also be discussing their design processes, basic game design principles, and sharing useful resources for aspiring game designers!
Throughout the Whedonverse: 20 Years in the Making
Mar 02, 2017, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, TCC 303
Dark Horse is thrilled to celebrate 20 years of Buffy and 15 years of Firefly! Dark Horse’s continuations of Joss Whedon’s cult favorites in the series Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel remain some of the most-talked-about comics in the industry. Join Whedonverse writers Chris Roberson (Serenity: No Power in the ’Verse), Christos Gage (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Seasons 10 and 11, Angel & Faith), Kel McDonald (Buffy: The High School Years—Glutton for Punishment), and Corinna Bechko (Angel Season 11) for an in-depth look at what it’s like to work on franchises with a cult-like following. WhedonCon’s Marisa Powers will impress fans with her knowledge of the Whedonverse as moderator of the panel!
The Nerdist Comics
Mar 03, 2017, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, TCC 303
Ben Blacker (Thrilling Adventure Hour; Dead Men; Star Wars: Resistance) and Heath Corson (Bizarro; Scream) host a rotating roundtable of comics professionals to discuss the process and business of writing comics.
The Annual Doctor Who Celebration Panel
Mar 03, 2017, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM, TCC 304
The tenth season of the new Doctor Who, since its revival in 2005, is just around the corner. Our annual Doctor Who panel looks back at the previous nine seasons, and ahead to what’s coming up in the new season, as well as the new spinoff show Class. Plus, a look at the local Doctor Who scene, our annual costume contest, and our Who experts answer your questions about all things having to do with the Doctor.
Star Wars: Thrawn
Mar 03, 2017, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM, WSCC 611
The legendary Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned. Join author Timothy Zahn and Del Rey Books associate publisher Keith Clayton, as they discuss the popular character.
Inside IDW's Star Trek Comics
Mar 03, 2017, 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM, ECCC Live Stage - Level 4 Skybridge Lobby
The creative team and the editor behind IDW's new line of Star Trek comics discuss what fans of the franchise can look forward to.
John DiMaggio Spotlight
Mar 03, 2017, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM, Main Stage - WSCC 4A
Voice actor John DiMaggio has won over countless Fans as foul-mouthed robot Bender on Futurama and as the magical Jake the Dog on Adventure Time.
Anna Silk Spotlight
Mar 03, 2017, 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM, WSCC 611
ECCC is proud to present Anna Silk, the talented actress that brought the fierce and feisty Bo Dennis to life. Join Anna as she talks about Lost Girl.
Animaniacs: Tales from the Water Tower
Mar 03, 2017, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Main Stage - WSCC 4A
It’s time to get zany to the max! Come join the Warner brothers (Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell) and their Warner sister Dot (Tress MacNeille).
Todd McFarlane Interview
Mar 03, 2017, 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM, ECCC Live Stage - Level 4 Skybridge Lobby
The legendary creator of Spawn and Image Comics co-founder sits down to discuss his career, his books and what's next.
Guardians of ECCC with Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn
Mar 03, 2017, 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM, Main Stage - WSCC 4A
What does the universe have in store for Emerald City Comicon Fans? Find out as Michael Rooker (Yondu Udonta) and Sean Gunn (Kraglin) take the ECCC Main Stage.
Cards Against Humanity
Mar 03, 2017, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, TCC 303
The Cards Against Humanity team will listen to your dumb questions and share the weird stories that have come out of their Chicago office space and on the road.
Jeremy Renner Spotlight
Mar 03, 2017, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Main Stage - WSCC 4A
It’s been said you miss all shots you don’t take… Hawkeye takes them all and makes them all. Come join Marvel’s The Avengers, Jeremy Renner, and get the inside scoop.