San Diego Comic Con returns again to the San Diego Convention Center. The Saturday’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.
Usagi Yojimbo and Friends – 10:00am – 11:00am – Room 23ABC
Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo, Chibi Usagi) talks about his new Dogu Publishing imprint with Dark Horse Comics, featuring new Usagi Yojimbo comics, new titles with up-and-coming creators, and what’s next for Stan and the team at Dogu.
As a huge fan of Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo series, I am very curious to learn what’s next for Stan and Usagi.
Scott Shaw!s Oddball Comics: The Fan-Favorite Edition – 3:00pm – 4:30pm – Room 7AB
This cartoonist’s been presenting Oddball Comics since the early days of Comic-Con and is one of the Comic-Con’s co-originators, and Scott Shaw! knows which memorable funny books get the biggest laughs. But can he demolish 300 vintage comic covers in 90 minutes? Only The Rifleman knows for sure!
Scott’s slideshow presentation of the weird, wild, and wacky in comic book history is always one of the funniest panels.
Star Trek Universe – 1:30pm – 3:00pm – Hall H
The fan-favorite Star Trek universe panel returns to Comic-Con, featuring exclusive content from Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Not being a Paramount+ subscriber (or user of someone’s account), I am out of touch with the current state of the Trek universe aside from being aware that Nu Trek has divided fans, so am curious what is and what will be happening.
William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill – 4:30pm – 6:00pm – Hall H
The icon himself, William Shatner, hosts an entertaining discussion about his illustrious career, spotlighted by his two most recent adventures: Legion M’s new documentary, You Can Call Me Bill, and the famed sci-fi captain’s real-life journey into space! Beam into Hall H for a lively chat between Shatner, doc director Alexandre O. Philippe (The People vs. George Lucas, Lynch/Oz), Legion M executives Jeff Annison and David Baxter, and some very special surprise guests. Publicist Gary Miereanu moderates the festivities.
Am a long-time Shatner devotee, I have seen him in person many times over the years. He is always entertaining and has recently become more philosophical since his trip into space aboard Blue Origin. While his mind remains sharp, it’s safe to say that at 92 he doesn’t have many more summers to spend with us, so better see him in person while you can.
Out in Comics: Year 36 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm – Room 4
The comic world’s longest-running panel is back for its 36th record-breaking year. The Comic Book world has become a celebrated part of the Pop Culture world. LGBTQ comics and graphic novels for all ages are being produced and acclaimed in incredible numbers, and queer characters are finally starting to show up in genre movies and TV shows. And yet, in our politicized and polarized world, LGBTQ comics and graphic novels and LGBTQ characters in popular media are facing more censure and opposition than in previous years. This means that telling stories of queer characters of diverse backgrounds and identities is more important than ever before. Join Prism Comics, moderator Andy Mangels [he/him/his] (the founder of the “Out in Comics” panel; bestselling author of Wonder Woman ‘77 Meets The Bionic Woman, Star Trek and Star Wars books and comics) and special guest panelists as they discuss what being “Out In Comics” means now and in the future. Panelists to be announced.
Every year, I take in a new-to-me, long-running SDCC panel to get a better sense of the convention’s history and of fandom in general. This has introduced me to fans of Little Lulu comics, to collectors of ball-jointed dolls, and to plays about Klingons. As the “longest-running panel,” I need to check this off my SDCC Bingo card.
Live Celebrity Gameshow: ITATYWOYCTSATATIWOMC – 7:30pm – 8:30pm – Room 7AB
“Is The Answer That You Wrote On Your Card The Same As The Answer That I Wrote On My Card” pays homage to the original Hollywood game show, The Match Game. Watch two contestants try to win by matching wits with celebrated talent including some of the most iconic voice-over artists in the industry. Check back on the app for an updated list of panelists. Past panelists have included: Maurice LaMarche (Pinky & The Brain, Futurama) Tom Kenny (Sponge Bob Square Pants) Tara Strong (Batgirl) Richard Horvitz (Invader Zim), and Cissy Jones (The Owl House).
Even without knowing the panelists, a bootleg version of The Match Game sounds like a good way to unwind after a long day at the con.
