Georgia O'Keeffe's Paintbox

One week from today we will be amongst the nine million (not literally, but pretty damn close when you see the size of the crowd) other people descending upon the San Diego Convention Center for COMIC CON 2008!

Yes, it really does look like this. This was taken last year on the top floor of the convention center looking out onto downtown San Diego.
This will be us in line...probably waiting to get into Hell Hall, I mean Hall H. That's where they show the movie preview stuff...that's where you may see me stalking, I mean looking for Christian Bale and Gerry Butler.


This will be us Wednesday afternoon, Thursday morning, Friday morning, Saturday morning...get my gist?
This is us at night (and yes, Tristan and I are in this picture):

Can we see this again this year? ;)

This will be Tristan at the end of each day. Yes, he really does sleep like that.
Here's the low down on what panels we hope to be attending:

Note, this list does not include "special appearance autograph signings" which we won't find out about until we get there... Nor does it include us in a mad rush shopping daze (haze)?

THURSDAY-

10:45-11:45 Reinventing the Page: Stan Lee and Grant Morrison Talk Virgin Comics— Two of the most important creators in the history of comic books team up to discuss the bold new frontiers being explored in the art of storytelling. Legendary creator Stan Lee (Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men) shares his insights on the world of comics and presents never-before-revealed hints of his new superhero universe with Virgin Comics. Joining Stan is prolific creator Grant Morrison (New X-Men, All Star Superman, Final Crisis), contemporary comics' most active mind, who will discuss his new Virgin Comics animated online series MBX while offering his own insights on comics and engaging with Stan in a once-in-a-lifetime conversation about the long history and boundless future of their beloved medium. Ballroom 20

11:30-12:30 From the K Chronicles to The Knight Life: Keith Knight— Help celebrate the release of Comic-Con favorite Keith Knight's The Complete K Chronicles, a 500-page omnibus collection of the Harvey Award–winning comic strip. Knight will present his hilarious slideshow, chronicling his jump from self-published zines to award-winning comic strip, ending with his new syndicated daily strip, The Knight Life, recently launched by United Features Syndicate. Room 4

1:00-4:00 PM Lynda Barry Signing LYNDA BARRY SIGNING D+Q #1529

12:30-1:30 Spotlight on Eddie Campbell— Comic-Con special guest Eddie Campbell talks about his books, including From Hell, The Fate of the Artist and his latest, due for release at Comic-Con, The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard, His co-writer on the latter, Dan Best, will also be on hand to answer questions. Room 3

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Jim Woodring: Please Stand By— Comic-Con special guest Jim Woodring (The Frank Book) presents a slide show with commentary providing a rare overview of his life, career, motivations, methods, and dark personal secrets. Q&A session to follow. Room 10

3:30-5:00 Golden and Silver Age of Comics— It's the amazing annual gathering of the resident greats from the Golden and Silver Ages of comics! Moderated by Mark Evanier, this year's list of luminaries includes Comic-Con's special guests Al Feldstein (EC editor/writer/artist), Victor Gorelick (Archie Comics), Al Jaffee (MAD Magazine), plus Sid Jacobson (Harvey Comics), Marvel comics writer/artist Larry Lieber, and artists Russ Heath (G.I. Combat, Sgt. Rock) and Jerry Robinson (Batman). Filled with personal reminiscences and anecdotes, this panel promises to be a treasure trove of comics history! Room 8

Fri, Jul 11, 08:38AM 5:30-6:30 Dark Castle: RocknRolla— Launched in 1999, Dark Castle Entertainment was founded to create a unique brand of horror movies inspired by the works of legendary filmmaker William Castle. Recently, Dark Castle entered into an arrangement with CIT Group Inc. to broaden the company into a full genre label encompassing feature films, Home Video and comic books. Under the supervision of producer Joel Silver, Dark Castle's upcoming roster includes the action film RocknRolla, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Gerard Butler, scheduled for an October 2008 release; Ninja Assassin, directed by James McTeigue and starring Korean music sensation Rain; and Whiteout, directed by Dominic Sena and starring Kate Beckinsale. Its Home Video titles will include The Hills Run Red, starring Sophie Monk, William Sadler and Tad Hilgenbrink, and comic book projects will include Ferryman, by Marc Andreyko and Jonathan Wayshak. Appearing in person: Gerard Butler and Guy Ritchie (Rocknrolla), Rain (Ninja Assassin), and producer Joel Silver. Hall H

6:25-8:00 Independents: A Guide for the Creative Spirit— What does it really take to be a successful comic book creator? This documentary explores the personality traits and driving passions of the successful writer/artist, through interviews with dozens of acclaimed comic book creators. Post-screening Q&A participants include Wendy Pini (Elfquest), Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Jim Woodring (Frank), Shannon Wheeler (Too Much Coffee Man), Keith Knight (The Knight Life), Dr. James Kaufman, and director Chris Brandt. Screening as part of the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI:IFF). Room 26AB

FRIDAY-
a.k.a. Star Wars Woop De fucking Doo Day or as Tristan calls it ULTIMATE Nerd Day (and everyone in this family should know NERD).

My two cents on Friday-EVERYTHING is happening on Friday and EVERYTHING is overlapping!! GRRR!! I told the family that Lynda Barry events take precedence over everything else so "see ya" if David & Tristan want to go to another panel (love you both, D & T!)

10:30-11:30 Spotlight on Max Brooks— America's favorite zombie expert is a Comic-Con special guest for the first time! Author Max Brooks, whose groundbreaking work in the walking dead genre could possibly save your life some day (see his The Zombie Survival Guide), talks about his work and what's up next for him. Room 5AB


TRISTAN-
11:15-12:15 Powerpuff Girls 10th Anniversary and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends— Believe it or not, it has been 10 whole years since the Powerpuff Girls flew out of Professor Utonium’s lab and into our hearts. Along the way Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles have kicked the butt of every major villain in Townsville. Celebrate their 10th Anniversary with show creator Craig McCracken and the voices of the Powerpuff Girls—Cathy Cavadini, Tara Strong, and Elizabeth Daily. They will answer all of your questions and accept all of your praise! And Craig will also be talking about his other Cartoon Network hit, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, along with co-creator Lauren Faust and voice talent Keith Ferguson (Bloo) and Tom Kenny (Mayor, Eduardo). Room 6A

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Jim Starlin— The most cosmic comics creator of them all is a Comic-Con special guest. In Jim Starlin's 30+ years in comics he's produced some of the great cosmic sagas—Captain Marvel, Warlock, Dreadstar—and shown a penchant for death—The New Gods, Robin, and...well, Captain Marvel and Warlock! Starlin talks about his career and what's coming up for this talented writer and artist. Room 10

11:55-1:00 Warner Bros.: Watchmen— A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the "Doomsday Clock"— which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union—is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up —- but no less determined —- masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion—a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers —- Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity...but who watches the Watchmen? Guest appearances TBA. Hall H


12:30-2:00 That ’70s (Comics) Panel— It started with Nixon and ended with Carter, but in between the 1970s showcased an incredible influx of new comics talent unheard of since the beginning of the industry in the 1930s. Moderator Mark Evanier (who worked with Jack "King" Kirby on DC’s "Fourth World" books in the ’70s) hosts Comic-Con special guests Mike W. Barr (Camelot 3000, Batman), Howard Chaykin (American Flagg!), Mike Grell (Warlord, Green Arrow), Paul Gulacy (Master of Kung Fu, Sabre), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar, Captain Marvel), Joe Staton (Green Lantern, E-Man), Len Wein (Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk), and Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing, Frankenstein). Wow! That’s almost one panelist for each year in the decade! Room 8

2:00-3:00 The World of Graphic Novels— International is part of Comic-Con’s name for a reason! An impressive roster of worldwide talent who create graphic novels—Nick Abadzis (UK, Laika), Eddie Campbell (Australia by way of Scotland, The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard), Rutu Modan (Israel, Exit Wounds), Alex Robinson (U.S., Too Cool to be Forgotten), and Adrian Tomine (U.S., Shortcomings)— join moderator good ol’ American Tom Spurgeon (comicsreporter.com) to discuss graphic novels and why they make the world go ’round. Room 3

2:45-3:45 Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment: The Spirit— Writer/director Frank Miller and producer Deborah Del Prete are joined by film stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, and Eva Mendes in unveiling an exclusive preview of the new film based on the classic comic by Will Eisner. Hall H

David-
3:00-4:00 Spotlight on James Warren— he legendary publisher of Famous Monsters of Filmland, Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella joins Comic-Con in a rare convention appearance! Jim Warren celebrates the 50th anniversary of FM along with the legendary Hollywood makeup artist Verne Langdon, also a Comic-Con special guest! Famous Monsters fans will recognize Langdon’s name from the pages of that beloved magazine. Room 4


Kelly-
3:00-4:00 Spotlight on Lynda Barry— Iconic alt-cartoonist and Comic-Con special guest Lynda Barry is the author of the recently released—to much acclaim—graphic-how-to-memoir, What It Is. Barry has been at the forefront of alternative comics since Matt Groening published her first comics while they were both students in college. This presentation takes an inside look at Barry's creative energy, genius, and approach to making art. "The ordinary is extraordinary" in Barry's world, and everyone can write and be creative—we just have to ask ourselves the right questions. Have your pencils ready and your mind prepared to be blown with this once in a lifetime chance to meet the! Lynda! Barry!, creator of Ernie Pook's Comeek, One! Hundred! Demons! and The! Greatest! of! Marlys!. Room 7AB

4:00-7:00 PM (Post Panel) Lynda Barry Signing LYNDA BARRY SIGNING D+Q #1529

4:00-5:00 Spotlight on Al Feldstein— Continuing our mini "Al's at MAD magazine" programming theme, the dean of EC Comics, triple threat editor/writer/artist Al Feldstein returns to Comic-Con. Feldstein—who edited the EC line in its glory days and took MAD to new heights of popularity—talks with Mark Evanier about comics, painting, that magazine, and much more! Room 8

5:00-6:00 Spotlight on Bernie Wrightson— Comic-Con special guest Bernie Wrightson brought a whole new face to horror comics when he broke into the industry in the late 1960s. He went on to co-create Swamp Thing and produce numerous work in both the horror and superhero genres. His magnum opus is his illustrated version of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, to be reprinted later this year by Dark Horse Comics. Room 3


5:30-6:30 Spotlight on Kim Deitch— Underground and alternative comix legend Kim Deitch (Boulevard of BrokenDreams, Alias the Cat) presents work from his new book Pictorama and a sneak peek at an upcoming project. As Kim puts it, he'll be showing "a touch of the past, a whole lot of the present, and a pretty generous look at the future as well!" Room 10


8:30-11:30 The Spirit Presents the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards— The 20th annual Eisner Awards, the "Oscars" of the comics industry, will be given out at a gala ceremony. This year's special them is "The Magic of Comics." Presenters include comics creator/director Frank Miller (Sin City, 300, The Spirit), Spongebob Squarepants creator Tom Kenney, and Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Gos, plus several other celebrities from comics, animation, and film. Other prestigious awards to be given out include the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award and the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award. The master of ceremonies is Bongo Comics' Bill Morrison. Admission to the Eisners is free to all Comic-Con attendees—just be sure to bring your badge. Doors open for pros and VIPs at 7:30 and for attendees at 8:15. Ballroom 20


SATURDAY-

10:00-11:00 Spotlight on Forrest J Ackerman— The mayor of Horrorwood, Karloffornia returns to Comic-Con after a two-year absence. The beloved Forry celebrates the 50th anniversary of his seminal movie monster magazine, Famous Monsters of Filmland. Room 3

11:00 AM-1:00 PM Lynda Barry Signing LYNDA BARRY SIGNING D+Q #1529

Tristan-
10:15-11:15 Ben 10: Alien Force and The Secret Saturdays Sneak Peek— Join über-cartoon-creator-genius Glen Murakami and his crew as they discuss their hit new Cartoon Network show Ben 10: Alien Force. It’s your chance to get the inside story on all the new alien heroes—and, of course, all the bad guys! Accompanying Glen are story editor Dwayne McDuffie and voice talents Yuri Lowenthal (Ben), Ashley Johnson (Gwen), Greg Cipes (Kevin), and Dee Bradley Baker (Aliens). And that’s just half the excitement! Jay Stephens will also be on hand to talk about his mysterious and cool new show The Secret Saturdays. Room 6A


10:15-11:15 Spotlight on Ralph Bakshi— On par with such auteurs as Walt Disney, Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and art spiegelman, Comic-Con special guest Ralph Bakshi redefined animation and became a hero to countless generations of fans and filmmakers. His name is synonymous with the great tradition of American cartooning. Bakshi is responsible for such memorable films and television shows such as Fritz the Cat (the first X-rated animated feature film), The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse, Spider-Man, Heavy Traffic, Wizards, Cool World, and The Lord of the Rings, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Join Ralph Bakshi for a rare, in-person appearance as he discusses his legendary career. Moderated by Jon M. Gibson and Chris McDonnell, co-authors of Unfiltered: The Complete Ralph Bakshi, the only book chronicling the career of one of the pioneers of animation. Room 6B


11:00-12:00 50th Anniversary Famous Monsters— It's a celebration of your favorite movie monster magazine! Famous Monsters of Filmland started in 1958, spiraling out of the huge interest in classic monster movies being shown on TV to a brand new audience. Editor/writer Forrest J Ackerman, who gave FM much of its charm and wit with his "punny" style of writing and amazing collection of photos and anecdotes, joins publisher James Warren, and Hollywood makeup artist Verne Langdon—whose incredible masks were a staple of FM's "company store," Captain Company, in the back of each issue—to talk about this big anniversary. Moderated by Phil Kim. Room 10


11:30-12:30 Image Comics/Tori Amos— 17 years ago, history was made at Comic-Con, when a kid gave Neil Gaiman a tape of her music. Now, Indie music icon and multiplatinum recording artist Tori Amos comes to Comic-Con to talk about Comic Book Tattoo, the new 480-page coffeetable-format anthology from Image Comics containing over 50 stories based on songs and music from her entire discography. Tori is joined by project editor Rantz Hoseley, as well as some of the contributing creators, including David Mack, Elizabeth Genco, Ted McKeever, and Kelly Sue DeConnick. Seating is limited, so be there early to hear Tori, the panel, and moderator Douglas Wolk talk about the long journey that resulted in one of the most exciting comics projects of the decade! Room 6B

12:45-1:45 Exclusive Q&A with the writers of The Office— Meet the writers of the EmmyAward–winning comedy The Office and hear them talk about their favorite episodes, characters, and fun behind-the-scenes stories. Moderated by cast member Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute), panelists include executive producer/showrunner Greg Daniels (The Simpsons) and writers Jennifer Celotta (Andy Richter Controls the Universe), Michael Schur (Saturday Night Live), B.J. Novak, Lester Lewis (The Larry Sanders Show), Gene Stupnitsky (Year One), Lee Eisenberg (Year One), Mindy Kaling (Matt and Ben), Justin Spitzer (Scrubs), Ryan Koh (various commercials), and Anthony Ferrell (The Audacity). Room 6A

Kelly-
1:15-2:00 Warner Bros.: Terminator Salvation— In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in has been altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind. Hall H

2:30-3:30 Scott Shaw!: Oddball Comics— Now regularly seen in the pages of Geek Monthly, cartoonist Scott Shaw! (Captain Carrot and the Final Ark, Bart Simpson Comics) brings back his ever-popular digital slide show featuring “the craziest comic books ever published!” This year, Scott celebrates Herbie, The Fat Fury, now back in print from Dark Horse! See why Stan Lee said, “Wow, True Believers, I thought I'd seen it all, but Scott Shaw's hysterically hilarious Oddball Comics is the wildest, wackiest exposé of some of the craziest comic books I've ever seen! Or, to put it mildly, Scott's outrageous opuses are a blast, blast, blast!” [Okay, so I added those last two “blasts.” —SS!] Room 5AB

2:15-3:15 Grant Morrison and Gerard Way: Born Under a Black Sun— Grant Morrison (The Invisibles) and Gerard Way (The Umbrella Academy) discuss death, death, and everything: comics, culture, the war on youth, and how you can fight back. This panel will change your life! Room 6B

3:00-4:30 MAD in the ’60s— Comic-Con special guests Sergio Aragonés, Al Feldstein, and Al Jaffee join Mark Evanier for this free-wheeling discussion about the go-go years of one of America's biggest publishing success stories, the one and only—but often imitated—MAD magazine! Room 8

5:00-7:00 PM Lynda Barry Signing LYNDA BARRY SIGNING D+Q #1529

4:30-5:30 The Story of an Image— Comic-Con special guests Kim Deitch (Shadowland), Jim Woodring (Frank), Jim Ottaviani (Two-Fisted Science), and Kyle Baker (Nat Turner) will each show and discuss a single comics panel from their own work—how it came together and how it resonates in its context. Moderated by Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics). Room 4

4:30-5:30 Treasures of ASIFA Archive— Legendary animation director Ralph Bakshi along with ASIFA-Hollywood president Antranig Manoogian and ASIFA-Hollywood archivist Steve Worth will be screening rare films and discussing the finer points of story, animated filmmaking, and the history of animation and what it means to be an artist in today's world. Room 10

5:30-6:30 The World of Steve Ditko Panel Discussion— Author Blake Bell (Strange and Stranger: The World of Steve Ditko) presents a slide show and discusses the artwork and career of Steve Ditko (co-creator of Spider-Man and Dr. Strange) with panelists Jim Starlin (Captain Marvel, Dreadstar), Kim Deitch (Shadowland, The Stuff of Dreams), Carl Potts (Alien Legion), Dean Mullaney (IDW's Library of American Comics), and Gary Groth (co-publisher, Fantagraphics). Room 4

Sunday-other wise known as Kids day and "if we stay" day...

Oh God, Sunday is KIDS' Day. So, every frigging Cartoon Network Panel that is going on that day, Tristan wants to attend.

I would go to:

11:00 AM-1:00 PM Adrian Tomine and Lynda Barry Signings D & Q BOOTH

10:30-11:30 Kids Draw!— Join a great lineup of kids' cartoonists as they draw their hearts out—right in front of you! Cartoonists including Nick Abadzis (Laika), Debbie Huey (Bumper Boy) Johann Matte (Flight Explorer), Scott Morse (Visitations), Andy Runton (Owly), Kean Soo (Jellaby), and Dave Roman (Nickelodeon) will create art as you watch—with your help! Room 30CDE

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Kyle Baker— Between the rich history of Nat Turner, the family hijinks of The Bakers: Babies & Kittens, and the wild war in Special Forces, it’s been a busy year so far for Kyle Baker! The Eisner Award–winning writer/artist talks about all this stuff and what’s next. Room 2