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.
Animation History with Jerry and Mark – 10:00am – 11:00am – Room 9
This panel features two guys who know a lot about cartoons answering questions from the audience about cartoons. Jerry Beck is one of the foremost experts on animation history, and he even teaches classes about it. Mark Evanier has seen a lot of cartoons, written a lot of cartoons, and worked in the industry for 50 years. Bring your questions, and they’ll give you answers, maybe even the right ones.
Buy The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes CartoonsAm a fan of Beck and Evanier and cartoons. Looking forward to their stories. Not looking forward to the questions, but maybe the audience will surprise me.
Star Trek’s Family Tree – 12:30pm – 1:30pm – Room 24ABC
For Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, this panel explores the creative lineage that shaped the final frontier and the legacy it created in return. From early influences like Forbidden Planet and mid-century science fiction to the groundbreaking ideas explored by Gene Roddenberry and the countless films and series inspired by Trek, the panel maps the franchise’s place in pop culture history. Featuring creators, historians, and surprise guests, this conversation highlights the ideas, ethics, and imagination that continue to define Star Trek across generations.
Buy The Star Trek Book New EditionAs a longtime fan, I typically enjoy celebrating the history and influence of Star Trek, but it is a little curious that no name is given regarding who is putting on the panel. Feels like they couldn’t get any confirmations by the time these entries had to be submitted, so will there be anyone associated with the show or some random fans/podcasters who found a way to get themselves free passes.
Good Grief! The Enduring Legacy of Peanuts, Snoopy, and Charles M. Schulz – 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Room 9
An all-star panel of Peanuts experts, historians, and editors celebrates Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the enduring legacy of Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip. Mark Evanier (The Essential Peanuts), Chip Kidd (Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts), and Charles Kochman (editor-in-chief of Abrams ComicArts) explore the past, present, and future of Peanuts, from classic comics and publishing projects to the characters’ lasting impact on popular culture, with video and images from the archives. Moderated by Alexis E. Fajardo (editorial director at the Charles M. Schulz Studio). Plus, be among the first to hear a special Peanuts announcement.
Buy The Essential Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz: The Greatest Comic Strip of All TimeAm much for interested in celebrating the past of Charles Schulz and Peanuts (the strips, TV specials, and movies) than I am exploring what the current caretakers have in store for the future, but I am curious what the special announcement will be.
Between the Pages of Marc Maron’s WTF: WTF Is a Podcast – 1:45pm – 2:45pm – Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Marc Maron’s WTF podcast established a gold standard for podcasting and helped define the lexicon of a new form of entertainment. In celebration of the show’s history and the release of Z2’s official graphic novel account, WTF Is a Podcast, Marc Maron is joined by his longtime partner-in-podcasting Brendan McDonald and New York Times best-selling cartoonist Brian Box Brown (Andre the Giant, The He-Man Effect). Josh Bernstein (Z2 president) discusses encapsulating nearly 20 years of podcast and personal history into a single graphic novel.
Buy Attempting NormalNot a surprise from his introspective comedy that Marc became a terrific interviewer on his podcast. Not sure how you tell the story in a single graphic novel, but am definitely curious to learn how
Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 Advanced Screening and Q&A with Cast and Crew – 3:30pm – 4:30pm – Room 6BCF
A world-premiere screening of the first episode of Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2, followed by a Q&A with the voice cast and creative team behind the animated noir series. Batman: Caped Crusader hails from Warner Bros. Animation, DC Studios, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho. Along with Abrams, Reeves, and Bruce Timm, executive producers include James Tucker, Geoffrey Thorne, Sarah Geismer, Rachel Rusch Rich, and Sam Register.
Buy The BatmanI have not watched this show yet but this second-season premiere seems like a good place to start.
Aliens 40: The 40th Anniversary of One of the Best Sequels Ever Made! – 5:30pm – 6:30pm – Room 6A
The 40th anniversary of Aliens (1986) is marked with a panel honoring James Cameron’s landmark sequel and its lasting impact on sci-fi action and pop culture. Cast members Michael Biehn, Jenette Goldstein, Mark Rolston, and Ross Rico share behind-the-scenes stories, discuss groundbreaking effects, and trace Ripley’s evolution into an action icon. Moderated by Mark Atkinson (actor, filmmaker), the session includes rare anecdotes, a Q&A, and retrospective insights.
Buy AliensCan’t believe it’s been 40 years since were concerned a different filmmaker was going to make a sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien. Cameron proved the worry was for naught as he took a different approach to the mythos.
Brad Bird: My Cinematic Journey – 6:00pm – 7:00pm – Hall H
Brad Bird, Academy Award–winning filmmaker behind The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol, takes part in a wide-ranging conversation celebrating his career. Bird discusses his creative process, storytelling approach, and the unforgettable characters and worlds that have defined his films. He also shares an exclusive first look at his upcoming Skydance Animation and Netflix feature, Ray Gunn, with new details about the film’s story, style, and what audiences can expect from his next film. Guiding the conversation is Collider’s editor-in-chief, Steven Weintraub.
Buy The Iron GiantBird is a talented filmmaker, who has made some classics. Am very curious to learn about him and what he has coming next.
Fear and Loathing in Aztlan: Hunter S. Thompson, the Chicano Movement, and Comics – 7:00pm – 8:00pm – Room 29AB
This panel examines the continued and intertwined impact of both the writings of Hunter S. Thompson (writer of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) and the Chicano Movement (including the Chicano Moratorium against the Vietnam War) in comics. Topics include the writings of Oscar Zeta Acosta, the art journal Con Safos, the journalism of Ruben Salazar, the art of Ralph Steadman, prints from the East L.A. art center Self Help Graphics, and the recent production of the play Aztlan (m)otherland. Featuring Xaviera Flores (librarian/archivist, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center), Lalo Alcaraz (cartoonist/TV producer, La Cucaracha, Coco), Jeaux Janovsky (cartoonist/animator, Animation Magazine, Orwell: 2 +2=5), and the cast of Aztlan (m)otherland—Crismar Chacin-Ruiz (actress, Netflix’s Two Graves), Alejandro Bravo (actor, upcoming Coyote film with Esai Morales), Alan Corvaia (actor, El Sonambulo), and Seth Alexander Ernsdorf (actor/artist/designer, Ernsdorf Design). Moderated by Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca (artist/writer, MoMA, LACMA, Aztlan (m)otherland).
Buy The Revolt of the Cockroach PeopleAm a fan of Thompson’s writings and am always curious about those with whom he aligned himself, so am hoping to learn some things as my day wraps up.
Any of these panels look of interest to you? Or check out the main link and tell me what panels interest you the most.
