2009 SDCC Panels, Part One
Hey, who wants to see panels that are webcomics-themed at SDCC? Everything on this list either came up with the searchable keyword “webcomics”, or my reading of the description indicated that it would be damn interesting to webcomickers, or it’s just so unrelentingly cool that it deserves a mention on its own. But please be aware that not everything with the “webcomics” tag is likely to be recognizable as what readers of this blog consider webcomicky. For instance, consider this:
Marvel Digital Comics…and Beyond! — Since its groundbreaking November 2007 debut, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited has been all the Internet rage! It’s the greatest collection of Marvel comics ever assembled online and it’s only getting better. Featuring over 6,000 titles with newly digitized comics added every weekday, the site now features its own line of digital-first exclusive comics. Members of the Marvel Digital Media Group will tell you all about the state of Marvel digital comics, casual games, original streaming video and the future of Marvel’s ever-growing digital endeavors. Room 6DE
… which refers to Marvel scanning old back issues and putting them up behind a subscription wall. Yep, it got tagged as “webcomics”. I’ll be chopping down the descriptions to something less breathless, and if I feel the need to comment further, [I’ll do so in an editor’s note]. Naturally, there are probably omissions and you should feel free to point out other sessions (full listing here) in the comments.
Thursday
10:30-11:30 Motion Comics: Graphic Novels in The Digital Age — Motion Comics are short-form videos that use subtle movements, voice-overs, sweeping music scores, and comic book artwork. Panel includes Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and Paul Dini (Batman The Animated Series & related shows). Room 6DE
[Clutch Cargo fans welcome!]
10:30-11:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #1: Comics, Courts, and Controversy — Contemporary legal cases dealing with comics and copyright. Includes a detailed analysis of the 70-year battle by the Siegel family to terminate the grant of copyright in the character, art and story of Superman. Room 30AB
[If you plan to ‘go pro’, you need this information.]
10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 101: Let’s Get It Started — This first workshop covers the basics of protection and ownership of ideas, works of authorship, characters, names, and logos, from conception through publication and beyond. Room 30CDE
[You also need this one; why are they up against each other?]
12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Bryan Lee O’Malley — Comic-Con special guest Bryan Lee O’Malley talks with Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, Zot!) about Scott Pilgrim. Room 5AB
[Oh, yeah.]
12:30-1:30 Indie Comics Marketing 101 — Too Much Coffee Man‘s Shannon Wheeler, Heidi MacDonald and Chip Mosher of BOOM! Studios talk marketing. Room 4
1:30-2:30 Dumbrella — My not-so-secret lords and masters answer your questions, along with special guests Chris Yates and Meredith Gran. Room 3
[Basically, if you wanted to steal stuff from the Dumbrella booth, this is the time to do it.]
2:30-3:30 Spotlight on Gene Yang — In conversation with his The Eternal Smile collaborator, Derek Kirk Kim. Room 4
2:30-3:30 Sergio and Mark — Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier reunite for their yearly discussion on all things Groo and beyond, with their Groo-horts Stan Sakai and Tom Luth. Room 8
[Consistently one of the most entertaining hours of SDCC.]
3:30-4:30 Digital Comics Now! — Quoting here: “Join a panel of the best and brightest in the new wave of digital comics in a wide-ranging discussion of everything from comics on the iPhone to new digital comic platforms, motion comics, webcomics, and day-and-date-releases. Big announcements will be made!” Room 4
[Panel consists of people in charge of companies trying to corporatize webcomics, and nobody that actually makes one.]
5:00-6:00 Indie Cartoonist Survival Guide — Navigating the economic downturn, with Keith Knight, Shannon Wheeler, Lark Pien, Dave Kellett, Jim Mahfood, Paul Friedrich, and Miriam Libicki. Room 10
[Listen to these people. Indy comics and webcomics are essentially the same thing; get your survival lessons here.]
5:30-6:30 Cartoon Books & Abstract Studios Happy Hour with Jeff Smith and Terry Moore — Self-explanatory, really. Room 7AB
[Speaking of making it as an independent cartoonist ….]
Friday
12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Fábio Moon — Moon talks about working with his twin brother Gabriel Bá, collaborating with high-profile creators Matt Fraction, Joss Whedon, and Mike Mignola. Room 10
[There’s nobody better in comics right now than Moon and Bá.]
2:30-3:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #8: The Institute for Comics Studies — Director of ICS Peter Coogan discusses the organization’s mission, goals, accomplishments, and plans. Room 30AB
[Time to learn a bit about the broader medium and movement that you’re a part of.]
3:30-4:30 Comic Book Law School: Hot Topics — Topics will include the new online copyright application process, preregistration of copyrights, fair use, piracy, and the growing popularity of the CopyLeft movement. Room 10
5:30-6:30 Spotlight on Kazu Kibuishi — Comic-Con special guest Kazu Kibuishi talks about his work as both creator and editor in this Spotlight panel. Room 3
[I hear that Amulet‘s been greenlighted for at least books three through five.]
6:30-7:30 Digital Painting Seminar — Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. Room 30CDE
[Anybody in comics could probably benefit from this.]
7:30-9:30 The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, Bone and the Changing Face of Comics — The Cartoonist, a new feature-length documentary, screened for your viewing pleasure. Ken Mills and Mike Meyer, producers of the documentary, will be present to introduce the film and answer questions. Room 5AB
8:30-11:00 Darksiders Presents: The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards — Admission to the Eisners is free to all Comic-Con attendees. Doors open for pro and VIP seating at 7:30 and for attendees at 8:15. Indigo Ballroom / Hilton Bayfront
[Go cheer webcomic’s own David Malki ! to victory. Or defeat. Whichever.]
That’s all for now; come back tomorrow for the weekend programming.
[…] It’s not that easy. Despite Marvel apparently thinking so (by the way, that link goes to a must-read article if you’re going to San Diego Comic-Con). […]
By Books on making webcomics on 07.16.09 4:34 am
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