San Diego Comic-Con returns to the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding area. Thursday’s programming schedule has been revealed. Below are the panels I am most looking forward to attending, but once Comic-Com commences, who knows where the day may take me.
Great Cartoonists and Comedians We Have Known – 10:00am – 11:00am – Room 9
Film expert Leonard Maltin and writer Mark Evanier have thousands of years of show business between them and have met and sometimes even worked with some of the cleverest, funniest men and women. They’ll be sharing their experiences with people like Groucho Marx, Chuck Jones, Bob Clampett, Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, and as many others as they can squeeze into the time they have.
Buy Kirby: King of Comics paperbackAm a fan of Maltin and Evanier as well as a fan of people they have met and even worked with, so am looking forward to hearing their stories.
Funko: Welcome to the Funderdome – 10:30am – 11:30am – Room 6BCF
Funko’s main stage moment will be the place for fans to experience chaos, charm, and collectibles live! Think: exclusive reveals, first looks, giveaways, and celebrity guest stars Nathan Fillion (Superman, Firefly), Devora Wilde (Baldur’s Gate 3), Jon Bailey (Marvel Rivals), and Jenna Davis (M3GAN). This star-studded panel promises over-the-top antics, delightfully delicious fan service, and some SUPER secret celebrity surprises! Moderated by Katie Wilson and Jason Bischoff.
Buy Funko Pop Animation: Peanuts – Charlie BrownBut I am also a fan of Funko Pops. I am curious what’s coming next so I am already conflicted in the first hour, which is not a good sign.
Tales from My Spinner Rack Live! – 12:00pm – 1:00pm – Room 9
It’s the world premiere weekend for Fantastic Four: First Steps, and “Tales from My Spinner Rack Live!” returns to Comic-Con with Gary Sassaman (former director of programming and publications for Comic-Con) taking a nostalgic look back at Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four covers, alongside Kirby experts Mark Evanier (author, Kirby: King of Comics) and John Morrow (editor/publisher, Jack Kirby Collector). They’ll each pick their top ten Kirby covers from Fantastic Four 1-101 and Annuals 1-7. Learn the secrets and untold tales behind some of these covers at this graphics-filled presentation! FREE limited edition Tales From My Spinner Rack booklet and button for each attendee!
Buy Fantastic Four Epic Collection: The Coming Of Galactus paperbackI already have my tickets for First Steps this evening so this will make a good preview.
Collider’s Directors on Directing – 2:45pm – 4:00pm – Hall H
Rob Reiner (director of This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, Misery, When Harry Met Sally, and the upcoming Spinal Tap II) and Paul Feig (director of Bridesmaids, A Simple Favor, Jackpot!, The Housemaid, and creator of Freaks and Geeks) take part in a wide-ranging and in-depth discussion about the magic of directing and projects past, present, and future. Expect exclusive new footage and some surprises. Moderated by Collider’s editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub.
Buy This is Spinal Tap Blu-rayI would already have been excited to hear from two talented directors, but after revisiting Spinal Tap earlier this week, I am especially interested to hear from Reiner about any Tap-related details.
Inglorious Treksperts Live: Where Is Star Trek’s Andor? – 4:00pm – 5:00pm – Room 5AB
The co-hosts of the Inglorious Treksperts podcast Mark A. Altman (author, The Fifty-Year Mission; showrunner, Pandora) and Ashley E. Miller (screenwriter, Thor, X-Men: First Class) are joined by special guests to answer the eternal question: if Star Trek is the “smart” sci-fi franchise, where is the franchise’s Andor, and what is the future of Trek on television and film as it approaches its halcyon 60th anniversary?
Am interested in the answer but am curious if the hosts or anonymous special guests have any inside information or will it just be another panel of fans making presumptions?
The Blues Brothers: The Escape of Joliet Jake – 4:15pm – 5:15pm – Indigo Ballroom
Celebrate the 45th anniversary of The Blues Brothers film and the upcoming Z2 Blues Brothers graphic novel that delivers a new chapter in the saga of the beloved miscreants “on a mission from God.” Writers Luke Pisano (son of Judy Belushi), James Werner, and Stella Aykroyd (daughter of Dan Aykroyd) are joined by Rantz Hoseley (Z2’s editor-in-chief) and Josh Bernstein (president of Z2) to welcome the man himself, Dan Aykroyd (Hollywood legend, Elwood Blues), as they talk about challenges and thrills in creating the new graphic novel The Escape of Joliet Jake.
Buy The Blues Brothers Double Feature (The Blues Brothers / Blues Brothers 2000) Blu-rayAm a big fan of the Blues Brothers and would like to see another adventure, but minus the music, how interesting will the story be? The writers have a tough task following in their parents’ footsteps but am curious at this pitch to the audience.
The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra – 5:00pm – 6:30pm – Grand 5, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
(2001, directed by Larry Blamire, starring Fay Masterson, Andrew Parks; PG) The rarest of elements, Atmospherium, is wanted by Aliens, Mad Scientists, and Skeletons! This film lovingly homages classic B-movie science fiction from the black and white era.
I don’t normally recommend watching movies at Comic-Con but this is one of the smartest, funniest homages to ’50s sci-fi movies so I highly recommend fitting this rare screening into your schedule.
