San Diego Comic Con returns to the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding area. Thursday’s programming schedule has been revealed and a couple Sentries who are attending will be sharing their thoughts on the panels they hope to attend at the convention. But will they? Only time and their post-convention posts will tell. You can follow them on X: Gordon S. Miller and Shawn Bourdo.
Marketing Movies and Writing Cartoons – 11:30am – 12:30pm – Room 29CD
Craig Miller, whose Hollywood career dates back to working on the original Star Wars, tells tales of marketing genre films of the 1980s including Superman II, The Thing, Krull, The Dark Crystal, The Last Starfighter, The Black Cauldron, and more, as well as writing animation ranging from Curious George and The Smurfs to The Real Ghostbusters, G.I. Joe, and Beast Wars.
No relation as far as I know, but it’s safe to say, I know Craig’s work and look forward to this trip back to the ’80s.
Shellebrating 40 Years of TMNT – 12:00pm – 1:00pm – Room 29AB
Cowabunga! TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman reflects on 40 years of his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1 bookIn the past couple years, I finally took part in the TMNT franchise by reading collected editions of the original comics and enjoyed them. This will be my first chance to hear from the co-creator since then.
Celebrating 25 Years of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants – 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Hall H
What’s funnier than 24? 25! Nickelodeon is celebrating SpongeBob SquarePants’ landmark 25th anniversary with a panel that will take fans down to Bikini Bottom and beyond for a special look at its iconic origins, including a live cast table read of “Help Wanted,” exclusive content, and the nautical nonsense to come. Join the voice cast, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton), along with executive producers Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller, and special guests as they celebrate one of the most popular characters and beloved animated series of all time. It’s going to be the “Best Day Ever!” Moderated by Good Burgers’ Ed (Kel Mitchell).
Buy SpongeBob SquarePants: The Next 100 EpisodesIt would be fun enough gather cast and hear their stories of working on SpongeBob, but to get a live table read, that should be an absolute delight.
What We Do in the Shadows’ Farewell Tour Kick-Off – 3:30pm – 4:30pm – Hall H
You are summoned to join America’s favorite vampire roommates as they kick off their farewell tour at Comic-Con! Join the cast and producers for a high-spirited conversation, and be among the first to see a brand-new episode from the sixth and final season. The first five seasons of the hit FX award-winning comedy are available to stream on Hulu. BAAAaaaaat!
Buy What We Do in the Shadows: The Complete First Season DVDMissed the cast last year due to the SAG strike, and with the (currently) final season announced, it’s going to be a while before these funny people are gathered together.
85 Years of Batman: A Look Back with Professionals – 4:15pm – 5:15pm – Room 6A
Jessica Tseang (Eisner judge 2022, international comics historian), Mark Waid (writer DC Comics, Kingdom Come, World’s Finest, Eisner winner), Michael Uslan (executive producer Batman (1989), The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Batman: Part 2, Joker: Folie A Deux), Athena Finger (Bill Finger-co-creator of Batman, legacy estate), and more, as they discuss being a significant part of Batman’s history, and dive into what has made The Dark Knight stand out among other superheroes for over eight decades.
Buy Batman Family 80th Anniversary Collection bookIf you like Batman (and who doesn’t like Batman?), this looks like a great panel to look back on the character’s history.
Bonus Pick: Deadpool & Wolverine: With the hugely anticipated superhero movie releasing this day, seeing it in San Diego this evening with the convention in full swing guarantees an enthusiastic audience.
