Superheroes crossing over into each other’s comics to take on villains and occasionally fight each other was usually a thrill for readers. Clearly those running the major comic-book film franchises understand the appeal as it’s happening more often regardless what character’s movie it is. Following their lead, Sentries Shawn Bourdo and Gordon S. Miller are teaming together again for this post.
Shawn Bourdo’s picks:
1. THE BLACK PANEL (10am, Room 5AB) This panel reaches a 20-year anniversary. I’ve been going for the past three-four years and it is consistently the most chaotic and most political of all the panels. Judging by how angry at Trump this panel was last year, months before his election, I can’t wait to hear how they view the industry and nation now. Arrive early for the awesome music and usual laid-back fun that precedes the controlled chaos of the panel.
2. iZOMBIE (12:15pm, Ballroom 20) This is unabashedly one of my Top Ten TV shows currently. I enjoyed their panel a couple years ago and I realize the cast isn’t listed here but I’m hoping for at least some video appearances. Partially the show works because it runs a half season on CW instead of the full season run that kills Arrow and The Flash. The last season ended with a literal bang and I’m excited to hear what is in store for next year.
3. SAVE THE BEES WITH ART (2pm, Room 2) I’ve attended these small-room art events before and it’s like you just walked into a Hilton Hotel comic convention room. These are the people that come to the convention because they love art. They couldn’t care less about Game of Thrones and Spider-Man and The Walking Dead, but they know all the current manga artists and fantasy artists and carry a sketchbook with themselves everywhere they go. This panel has one of my favorite artists, Camilla d’Errico, and audience participation in coloring. I don’t color but I love to people watch in a room like this and hear about saving the bees.
4. TWIN PEAKS: A DAMN GOOD PANEL (2:45pm, Hall H) I don’t think there was a Twin Peaks panel in 1990 when I attended for a day. I am not totally geeked-out over this new season but I want to see my favorite cast ever at this panel. It’s an odd choice to put in Hall H, by the way. I can’t believe this niche show has that many fans at the Con. You’d have a better chance at filling the Hall with the equally odd Fargo or even Legion which has a smaller room on Thursday.
5. PREACHER (4pm, Hall H) My current favorite summer show had one of my favorite panels last year. I hope they repeat the script read they did last year because that’s one of the best ways to get a preview of a future episode. This cast is even more adorable the the iZombie cast, if that’s possible. There just needs to be a section where they all get down to their underwear.
All of that and we haven’t even got to any of my Science-related nerd rooms yet.
Gordon S. Miller’s picks:
1. YOUNG JUSTICE Q&A (10:00am – 11:00am, Room 6BCF) – Like many fans, I was glad to hear the recent news that this show is making a return and can’t wait to learn about it. The characters and stories are more interesting than other current DC Comics series, such as Teen Titans Go! and Justice League Action.
2. [adult swim]: RICK AND MORTY (1:15pm – 2:00pm, Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront) – One of the wackiest shows to ever hit the airwaves returns this summer for its third season and the co-creators and some cast members are on hand to preview it.
3. WISEGUY, THE SHOW THAT INVENTED BINGE TV: 30TH ANNIVERSARY (4:30pm – 5:30pm, Room 5AB) – The accuracy of that title aside, this is a great show starring Ken Wahl as an undercover agent that featured in multi-episode story arcs. Will be great to revisit with a couple of the executive producers.
4. THE TICK (4:45pm – 5:45pm, Room 6A) – Or I may do this panel. I am a huge fan of Ben Edlund’s comics and the animated series, so I am curious to see how this iterations stacks up.
5. BREAKING NEWS: SCREAM AND SHOUT! FACTORY (8:00pm – 9:00pm, Room 4) – Shout! Factory is one of the best labels out there, especially for genre films. I am very curious to see what’s be added to their roster.
Seeing a new episode early is always a plus, but Twin Peaks is a show that demands full attention and doesn’t seem well suited to a convention room. I can wait until I get home Sunday night.
