UPDATED: Mon, Jul 15, 04:41PM Ten years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has created a body of law big enough for Nowhere. Hear from this panel of judges and lawyers as they journey into legal tales to astonish of how Dr. Strange saved the world with contract law; whether Bucky committed treason as the Winter Soldier; and could Thanos be prosecuted as a war criminal for “The Snap”? A panel of true believers including U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitch Dembin,Megan Hitchcock (Esurance), Courtney McNulty (Sony Pictures Entertainment), Jordon Huppert (Public Defender in Oregon), Christine Peek (McManis Faulkner), and Joshua Gilliland (The Legal Geeks) will assemble to tackle these issues and more from the Marvel Universe.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 16, 08:29PM Over three decades ago, four men, the iconic Ecto-1, and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man entered our lives. Since then, the proton pack is a constant cosplay want, and fans can’t help singing along to the classic theme song. The franchise spawned countless comics and animated series. Jessica Tseang (founder, Positive Pop Culture/Persisted Media Group) leads a fan appreciation discussion about the longevity of this franchise, and the deep love of the fandom.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 16, 07:31PM Let’s settle this inside! Fearless captain Aisha Tyler (Archer, Criminal Minds) returns with a new group of celebrity nerds for one of Comic-Con’s most popular panels. Join Felicia Day (The Magicians, Supernatural), Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, The Odd Couple), Travis McElroy (My Brother, My Brother and Me; The Adventure Zone), Amber Nash (Archer), Naomi Ekperigin (co-host of podcast Couples Therapy), and Dani Fernandez (iHeartRadio’s Nerdificent, Ralph Breaks the Internet) as they debate some of the biggest, best, and funniest issues in the geekverse. Is Darth Vader a worse parent than Homer Simpson? Were you sadder to see the MCU end, or Game of Thrones? Who is science fiction’s ultimate coolest Captain? You’ll vote on all the winners, so remember: with great paddle comes great responsibility. Plus, you can get your own questions argued by Earth’s Mightiest Debaters!
Thursday July 18, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Ballroom 20
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 11, 06:31PM Industry producers and writers discuss how to take fandom properties and adapt them for the big or small screen. Panelists include David Alpert (executive producer, The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead), Maggie Bandur (Co-EP, Deadly Class, Powerless), M. Raven Metzner (Co-EP and writer, Sleepy Hollow, Iron Fist), and Akela Cooper (producer; Luke Cage, American Horror Story). Moderated by Geoff Boucher (Deadline).
Thursday July 18, 2019 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 6A
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 04:53PM Today our world needs real heroes. Through example and practice, this panel empowers and harnesses the potential of fans and creators to communicate and inspire social good. Starting with a guided audiovisual tour of POC writer-director Andres Useche's collaborations with artist-activists like Ben Stiller, Paul Rudd, Woody Harrelson, and Jennifer Aniston as well as leaders like Barack Obama, the presentation will dig into how everyone, including underrepresented and oppressed folks, have taken a stand for themselves and for others. Learn about how comics, films, and transmedia can engage others and voice your calls for social and environmental justice, equality, and diversity. Includes short screenings, live performance, and Q&A.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 16, 04:08PM Celebrate the centennial of a true swashbuckling icon as Zorro turns 100 this summer! John Gertz (president Zorro Productions, Inc.), moderator Scott Cherrin (Zorro historian), comics scribe David Avallone (Zorro Swords of Hell), and keynote speaker Don McGregor discuss the incredible events surrounding the historic anniversary and all things of interest to the Zorro fandom. From the development of the new Zorro movie, to The Mark of Zorro Art Archive, to the ongoing comic book adventures from American Mythology, this panel is celebrating 100 years of the Masked Avenger!
Thursday July 18, 2019 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 10:27PM Are you struggling about the upcoming ending of your favorite TV shows? Do you feel connected to certain TV shows' stories and characters? So do these panelists! This team of actors, TV writers, and psychologists will discuss the psychology of your favorite TV shows, such as Supernatural, Game of Thrones, Arrow, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Young Justice, and others. Psychologist Dr. Janina Scarlet (Harry Potter Therapy; Dark Agents), actors Ruth Connell (Supernatural) and Rachel Miner (Supernatural), builder and actor Tamara Robertson (MythBusters), writer Deric Hughes (Flash; Beauty and the Beast), and NYT bestselling author Jonathan Maberry (V-Wars) will discuss your favorite TV shows. Dustin McGinnis (Superhero Therapy podcast) moderates.
Thursday July 18, 2019 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 25ABC
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 15, 05:25PM The 90s gave us everything, from scrunchies to grunge to a vampire-fighting high schooler. It also birthed a generation raised on The X-Files and The Secret Life of Alex Mack that became the genre obsessed fans of today. So lace up your Doc Martens and dust off that plaid shirt! SYFY WIRE is bringing host Dave Holmes (editor-at-large for Esquire) and panelists Jason Mewes (Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), Orlando Jones (Evolution, American Gods), Jonah Ray (Mystery Science Theater 3000, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail), Milana Vayntrub (Marvel Rising: Initiation, Dallas & Robo), Eliza Skinner (writer/performer on Adam Ruins Everything; head writer, Drop the Mic) and Maude Garrett (creator of Geek Bomb & Whut Apparel) together to test their wits (and memories!) about some of the greatest movies, TV, and gaming of the 90s. It’ll be as fun as playing Myst but way less impossible to beat!
Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Ballroom 20
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 08, 08:53PM Jessica Chobot (Nerdist News, G4), Amy Vorpahl (Nerdist News, Mothership!) Dan Casey (Explainiac,Nerdist News), Rachel Heine (Nerdist and Geek & Sundry editor-in-chief), Brian Compton (Nerdist producer), Erin Vail (Nerdist producer), Stephen Czerwinski (Nerdist producer), and Kate Meyers (Nerdist head of production) dig in to what's happening in pop culture as only Nerdist can. Go behind the scenes of Nerdist News, and bring your questions for the cast and crew. As always, you can expect hot takes, deep cuts, and theories, theories, theories!
Friday July 19, 2019 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 17, 10:38PM Rick Loverd (National Academy of Sciences, The Science and Entertainment Exchange) will moderate a discussion with Dr. Rebecca Thompson (physicist, Fire, Ice, and Physics: The Science of Game of Thrones), Dr. Donna J. Nelson (chemist, The Science of Breaking Bad), and Dr. Clifford Johnson (physicist, science advisor for Marvel, author of the graphic science book The Dialogues) discuss the science behind some of the most remarkable scenes on TV. What do they get right? What do they get wrong? And what's it like to be a science advisor on set?
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 12, 04:23PM Jessica Tseang (co-host, The Kaiju Kingdom podcast) and Chris Eaton (co-host, The Kaiju Kingdom podcast) sit down with guests to discuss their love and fan appreciation of Godzilla: King of the Monsters, reflect upon 65 years of franchise history, the popularity of TOHO's greatest creation, and their hopes for future kaiju films.
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 07:48PM Film reviewers have gotten a bad reputation lately and a lot of it is deserved. Star Wars, Godzilla, Game of Thrones, and DC and Marvel movies have divided fandom, so let's talk about it. And in the age of social media, do we really even need movie critics? Join Chris Gore (Film Threat) along with April Wahlin (novelist), Steele Saunders (Steele Wars), Dante James (Film Threat), Robert Meyer Burnett (Robservations), Alan Ng (Film Threat), Anthony Ray Bench (Film Threat), and a panel of film pundits for your chance to talk back!
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 15, 10:54PM Established in 2012, Geek & Sundry has continued to produce groundbreaking original programming created around the theme of using play to both inspire and connect their dedicated audience. Whether it's in front of or behind the camera, this panel will examine the G&S brand and what it takes to produce the unique content fans love. Moderated by G&S head of production T. J. Rotell, get the lowdown from a panel of G&S cast and creators, including Daryl Crittenden (Asinine Wisdom), Jake Bennett (Asinine Wisdom, TBD RPG), Erika Ishii (Game Engine, Vampire: The Masquerade: LA by Night, Sagas of Sundry), Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, We’re Alive: Frontier), Becca Scott (Game the Game, TBD RPG), Ivan Van Norman (Sagas of Sundry, We're Alive: Frontier), Vince Caso (Vampire: The Masquerade – L.A. by Night, We’re Alive: Frontier), and G&S head of video Sean Becker (The Guild).
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 11, 08:08PM Entertainment industry professionals Ted Biaselli (executive of development, Netflix original programming), Gordon Bellamy (CEO, Gay Gaming Professionals/visiting scholar), Michael Vogel (animation showrunner/producer), Patrick Gomez (senior editor, Entertainment Weekly), Cat Staggs (comic book artist), and Chandler Poling (White Bear PR) discuss how to turn your favorite geeky fandoms into flourishing careers, the challenges and rewards of growing up gay, and how being a member of the LGBT community influenced their work. Moderated by Chris Riley.
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 19, 06:26PM The Sunday Night Watch has ended, and Game of Throne fans around the world are in mourning. Jessica Tseang (founder, Positive Pop Culture/Persisted Media Group) discusses with panelists from the cast, television critics, and authors, on how to fill the void from the legacy George R. R. Martin left behind and take a look back on all eight seasons. Panelists include Joseph Gatt (actor Game of Thrones-Styr, Magnar of Thenn), K.L. Bone (international bestselling fantasy author; Creative Writing PhD, Queen’s University Belfast), Alana Jordan (Afterbuzz-Game of Thrones rewatch), Markeia McCarty (host for The Nerdist, DC Daily), and more.
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 09, 04:15PM Come learn about Muslim comics creators, gamers, cosplayers, and superfans! David Anthony (The Scarlet Spire), Huda Fahmy (Yes, I'm Hot in This), Charles 3X Alexander (We Are Our Ancestors' Keepers), Blair Imani (Modern HERstory), and Nabi H. Ali (The Bright Agency) will discuss their work and what's happening in the industry. Moderated by Dr. Shamika Mitchell (State University of New York, Rockland/Women in Comics).
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 08, 05:55PM From Walt Disney's Comics & Stories to Doctor Who, and from Star Trek to Planet of the Apes, licensed comics are a vibrant part of the fan experience. What makes great licensed comics? IDW Publishing's Chris Ryall (Rom), Mark Wheatley (Jonny Quest), Andy Mangels (Wonder Woman '77 Meets the Bionic Woman), Ed Catto (Captain Action), BOOM! Studios' Dafna Pleban (Planet of the Apes), Topps Comics veteran Charlie Novinskie (Jurassic Park), and former Malibu publisher Dave Olbrich (Tarzan) join Overstreet' s J. C. Vaughn (Stargate Atlantis) to hash it out!
Saturday July 20, 2019 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 8
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 08, 08:17PM Blind and visually impaired people love comics, gaming, TV, movies, and all the sorts of science fiction/fantasy/horror artforms just as much as their sighted counterparts. How do they enjoy such things with little or no eyesight? Totally blind martial artist, competitive surfer, and unashamed geek Joshua Loya and actor/audio book narrator/writer Scott Brick will share available options for nonvisual entertainment. Panelists include Joshua Loya (champion surfer, martial artist, public speaker, and professional adventurer), Charles Constant (actor; studied with renown acting teacher Ted Liss in Chicago, and is currently participating in a two-year Meisner Technique program at the prestigious Baron-Brown Studios), Christina Stevens (audio description writer under Anna Capezzera at Deluxe; Christina has written for a significant number of titles, including Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Stranger Things, and Aquaman), and Scott Brick (American actor, writer, and award-winning narrator of over 850 audiobooks by bestselling authors, including Michael Crichton, Frank Herbert, and Isaac Asimov).
Saturday July 20, 2019 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 2
UPDATED: Mon, Jul 08, 08:54PM Star Wars,The Lord of the Rings,The Matrix. All beloved stories that follow the hero's journey-the mythic structure of all great stories. Though many have explored why this ancient template has inspired so many great works, it's time to adjust our thinking for a modern age. What exactly is the hero's journey? How do some of pop culture's newest heroes-Captain Marvel, Miles Morales, Rey-follow or subvert this pattern? And what does the reaction to these characters say about the state of fandom and storytelling? Nerdist editor-in-chief Rachel Heine, Preeti Chhibber (author, Peter and Ned's Ultimate Travel Journal), Hector Navarro (host, DC Daily), Joshua Yehl (senior features and news editor, IGN), Danielle Radford (writer, ScreenJunkies), and Jessica Delfanti (narrative lead, Fable Labs) break down what it truly means to be a “hero.”
Saturday July 20, 2019 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 5AB
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 16, 07:57PM Talks Machina host Brian W. Foster hosts a conversation with Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, Liam O'Brien, Travis Willingham, Laura Bailey, and Sam Riegel.
Saturday July 20, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 6BCF
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 12, 10:10PM TheOneRing.net (TORn) staffers Clifford "Quickbeam" Broadway (host of TORn Tuesday), Josh "Elessar" Long (host of Collecting the Precious), Jon "Tookish" Ben-Asher (former associate editor for TORn), Hannah "Took" Greenwood (co-host of TORn Tuesday, associate staff at WETA Workshop), Kellie Rice (author K. M. Rice and Happy Hobbit), and Josh "Sarumann" Rubinstein (former host of TORn Bookclub) celebrate 20 years of talking Tolkien and all things Middle-earth. They will be discussing all the current known news and maybe a rumor or two, reminiscing about some of their biggest stories and events in the past, and laying out a schedule of some of their 20th anniversary events. The Tolkien movie has already hit theaters, but the Amazon Lord of the Rings (LOTR) series is full-steam ahead in preproduction and this panel's got some tantalizing news on that front. Bring your favorite stories about a TORn event or story they posted to discuss-they really want to focus on the community that TheOneRing.net has created these past 20 years. Costumes are welcome and encouraged. Cathy "Garfeimao" Udovch (special events coordinator) moderates.
Saturday July 20, 2019 6:45pm - 7:45pm PDT
Room 6DE
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 09, 05:49PM Spiritual Themes in Comics continues the always-lively discussion of spiritual themes in comics, television, and movies. This panel delves into how spirituality influences the entertainment industry and in turn impacts the culture's perception of spiritual influences. This is the 23rd year of the Spiritual Themes in Comics panel and panelists include Scott Mercano (Diablo Publishing), Travis Hanson (Beanleaf Press), B. Dave Walters (Vampire the Masquerade), Buzz Dixon (G.I. Joe), Hector Miray (Faith and Fandom), Goldie Chan (Forbes), and Kyle Keene (moderator).
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 05:30PM This year we look behind the curtain and see how collectibles get made by talking with the license owners of your favorite properties, the toy makers themselves, and the retail buyers that decide what you see on the shelf. We explore the relationship between the licensor, licensee and buyer so you can see how toys get made and into your collections. And as always, we’ll get some great anecdotes from the people on the inside. Come ask any burning questions you’ve ever had about the collectible business and be a fly on the wall as some of the top names in the industry sit down together, as they only do once a year at this event and talk toys. Daniel Pickett (ActionFigureInsider.com) leads the fun with a great line up of insiders including Dolly Ahluwalia (VP, Licensing and Business Development, Funko), Steven Anne (Category Manager – Toys, Walgreens), Jason Labowiz (President/Co-Founder, EntertainmentEarth.com), Jimmy Liu (Manager Global Brand Marketing, Mattel), Jeremy Padawer (Co-President, Wicked Cool Toys) and James Zahn (Senior Editor, The Toy Book, Pop Insider).
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 09, 04:38PM Godzilla has been a destructive force of legal liability since 1954. Who is financially responsible for acts of Godzilla? Does the United States have a duty to defend Japan? And just who is the legal owner of Mothra's egg? Hear from this panel of attorneys including U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman, Monte Cooper (grand nephew of the creator of King Kong, Merian Cooper), Kathy Steinman (Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego), Bethany Bengfort (US Courts), and Joshua Gilliland (The Legal Geeks) as they wade into the depths of Godzilla's destructive legal issues over the last 65 years. Moderated by Matt Weinhold (Monster Party).
Saturday July 20, 2019 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 12, 04:41PM Horror veterans Jocelin Donahue (The House of the Devil, Doctor Sleep), Alex Essoe (Doctor Sleep, Starry Eyes), Alaina Huffman (The Perfection, Supernatural), Heidi Honeycutt (Etheria Film Night), Mali Elfman (Before I Wake, The Party's Just Beginning), and Ruth Connell (Supernatural) lead a discussion of how horror roles can empower women by giving them the opportunity to be the hero of the story-or the villain. Moderated by John Marcotte (Heroic Girls).
Saturday July 20, 2019 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 26AB
UPDATED: Tue, Jul 09, 04:49PM In its 22nd year, the Open Meeting of the CCAS is where Christian professionals in the entertainment and education fields discuss their faith and how it influences them in their professions, their decisions, and the creative process. Panelists will include Sergio Cariello (Action Bible), Carmi Greene (actress/talent agent), Hector Miray (Faith and Fandom), Luis Serrano (Sampson), Joe Queen (Geeky Guys and Gals 4 God), Mario DeMatteo (Bear Truth Collective), and Kyle Keene (moderator).
Sunday July 21, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 28DE
UPDATED: Fri, Jul 12, 07:37PM Are you a comic fan who is also interested in anime and manga but don't really know how to dive in? These panelists are here to help. ComiXologist Taylor Morgan and Ivan Salazar ask an amazing panel of comics luminaries and tastemakers to recommend the best of manga past and present. These panelists include Deb Aoki (Anime News Network), Kel McDonald (The Stone King), Gabriela Downie (Looney Tunes Comics), and Chris Butcher (artistic director of The Toronto Comic Arts Festival). Tell them your favorite comic, movie, or TV show, and they'll give you a manga to match.
Sunday July 21, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 24ABC
UPDATED: Thu, Jul 11, 10:30PM Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Stranger Things, Firefly . . . it's a great time for those who love mystical, magical worlds. Bestselling and award-winning YA authors geek out over their favorite fandoms, discuss what's next now that Endgame and Game of Thrones are over, and chat about how a love of all things fandom translates into the world of YA lit! Panelists: Tricia Levenseller, author (Daughter of the Pirate King, Warrior of the Wild), Mary E. Pearson, author (The Kiss of Deception, Dance of Thieves), A. G. Howard, author (Roseblood, Stain), Mary Weber, author (To Best the Boys, The Evaporation of Sofi Snow), C. B. Lee, author (Not Your Sidekick, Seven Tears at High Tide).
Sunday July 21, 2019 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 23ABC
UPDATED: Wed, Jul 10, 07:00PM Whether it's tugging heartstrings in Always Be My Maybe, battling Tongs in the drug-infested streets of Warrior, or hunting down serial killers in Killing Eve, never have Asian faces and voices been so prominent in Western media. Join Racebending for our 9th annual discussion of all things Super Asian American, featuring Andrea Walter (Empty by Design), C.B. Lee (Not Your Sidekick), Wesley Chu (The Lives of Tao), Alyssa Wong (Overwatch), Jake Choi (Single Parents), and Vinny Chhiber (The Red Line).