San Diego Comic Con returns again to the San Diego Convention Center. The Thursday’s programming schedule has been revealed and listed below are what I am most interested in seeing, although whether I attend them is anyone’s guess at this point. There’s no telling what factors will pull me in as of yet unforeseen directions once I am within the convention grounds.
Spotlight on Jerry Beck – 11:30am – 12:30pm – Room 24ABC
Animation historian Jerry Beck (Cartoon Research) curates cartoon Blu-ray compilations (Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Vol. 1), writes books (The 50 Greatest Cartoons, The Hanna Barbera Treasury), hosts a monthly cartoon club at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinemas in Hollywood (using Quentin’s own cartoon film prints), and teaches animation history at Cal Arts. He’s worked at Nickelodeon and Disney, and even brought landmark anime like Akira and My Neighbor Totoro to the U.S. What will he do next? Spider-Man comics editor, author, and historian Danny Fingeroth moderates this one-on-one interview and Q&A session.
I have been a fan of Beck since first discovering his Worst Cartoons Ever! presentation years ago in the Aughts and have enjoyed and purchased Blu-rays and books he has worked on. Can’t wait to hear what’s next.
Celebrating 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever on the CW – 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Room 5AB
Go behind the scenes of Greatest Geek Year Ever: 1982, premiering this month on The CW, with an exclusive in-depth look at the making of this series spotlighting the incredible films of 1982, including Blade Runner, The Beastmaster, Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan, Poltergeist, Firefox, First Blood, The Thing, Tron, Dark Crystal, Diner, Fast Times Forbidden World, and, of course, Megaforce. Film critic Scott “Movie” Mantz and producers Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, The Librarians, Castle), and Roger Lay Jr. (Aliens Ate My Homework, Remembering Rod Serling) take you back four decades and remind you that the good guys always win . . . even in the ’80s.
As a Gen-Xer, the ’80s were a glorious decade to grow up. A major reason were the movies. This upcoming TV miniseries explores one of the greatest years at the box office. Take that, 1939!
FX’s What We Do in the Shadows – 4:30pm – 5:30pm – Ballroom 20
We’re sending ravens—500 ravens!—to invite you to join America’s favorite vampire roommates at Comic-Con! Be among the first humans to set eyes on a brand-new episode, complete with surprises! What We Do in the Shadows airs Thursdays at 10:00 ET/PT on FX, streaming the next day on Hulu. BAAAaaaaat!
What a coincidence. They are my favorite vampires. Can’t wait to see what’s next for them, especially Guillermo now that he’s become one of the undead.
FX’s Archer: 14th and Final Season Exclusive Screening and Q&A – 5:45pm – 6:45pm – Ballroom 20
Get ready to party, folks! Archer, the hit animated comedy series, returns to San Diego for one last blow-out celebration in advance of its upcoming 14th and final season, premiering August 30 on FXX. The landscape of the spy world is changing, and The Agency is now finding its way with Lana at the helm. Her goal is to make money while also making the world a better place, but running a spy agency isn’t so cut and dried. Come for a can’t-miss exclusive screening of the season opener and additional surprises.
It’s going to be a bittersweet day as I say goodbye to a couple of cherished animated shows.
The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart – 9:00pm – 11:00pm – Room 6BCF
Be among the first fans to experience the all-new original animated movie The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart at this World Premiere screening. The R-rated film picks up immediately after events from Adult Swim’s shocking season 7 finale. In addition to the screening, join the filmmakers and cast for a panel discussion and audience Q&A. The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart will be available to own on Digital starting July 21 and on Blu-ray on July 25.
Have been a Venture Bros. fan since the beginning and I must be there with hundreds of like-minded folks for the show’s finale, although I hope for more adventures.
