First of all, click here to check it out. Obviously. Then once you obsessively scroll thorough it, read on for my thoughts and picks for best surprises.
So even with trying to balance TV and movies in Hall H this year, it looks like the con still hasn’t nailed it all down. For Thursday at least, there are some pretty cool panels like Disney stuck between terrible ones like a new Jackie Chan movie and some C-List horror flicks. Also, not starting the first panel (Twilight) until almost 1pm is just torture for fans that will still have to get in line really early to secure a good seat. I’m interested to see how the Hall looks in coming days (more exciting I’m sure) but for now I’m a bit disappointed.
As for everything else though, it looks good. Thursday’s never been a huge day for the con, but there are certainly enough solid panels to keep people occupied. Here’s my picks for the Top 5 best surprises. These are panels we didn’t hear much about (or know the full details of) before, but have now skyrocketed to the top of my must-see list.
- Image: The Walking Dead— 3:45-4:45 – The bestselling, award-winning comic The Walking Dead has been a critical and commercial success-and its TV adaptation on AMC holds its own weight as a record-setting juggernaut. Join creator/writer Robert Kirkman and series artistCharlie Adlard for a rare sit-down, where they will discuss the past, present, and future of the decade’s most talked about zombie phenomenon. A Q&A will follow the conversation between the visionary collaborators. Moderated by Sina Grace. Room 6A
- I Can’t Write, I Can’t Draw, But I Love Comics!— 3:00-4:00 – Just because you missed out on the writing and drawing genes doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for you in the comics, animation, and gaming industries. Companies still need managers, publishers, producers, directors, mo-cap and voice-over actors, game masters, and programmers. Panelists Scott Agostoni (manager of comic creators and comics expert), animation/motion capture supervisor Derron Ross (Blur Studio), gaming CEO Mike Fischer (Square Enix), composerJeremy Zuckerman (Legend of Korra), sound designer Benjamin Wynn (Avatar the Last Airbender), and film/mo-cap actor Joe Gatt (J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek 2), will alert you to some of these careers and tell you how to find your niche. Moderated by Susan Karlin (Fast Company). Room 32AB
- Battlestar: So Say We All— 10:30-11:30 – Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo) hosts a 35th anniversary preview panel and fan discussion of the Battlestar universe, politics, philosophy, and 35 year history. Joining Hatch for this exciting BG celebration, roundtable, and Q&A session are Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar and Caprica), Lili Bordan(actress, Blood and Chrome), Michael Taylor (Battlestar, Caprica, Blood and Chrome), Toni Graphia (Battlestar producer/writer), and Dr Kevin Grazier (science consultant for BSG andDefiance), plus surprise guests. Room 6BCF
- The Science of Science Fiction: Canon Fodder— Aliens, robots, wormholes, superheroes…there’s more than a little science in all of these, but how can that science be kept straight and consistent across multiple movies and seasons of TV shows? Panelists Jon Spaihts (writer, Prometheus), Jane Espenson (producer/writer, Battlestar Galactica, Caprica),Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller (writers, Thor, X-Men: First Class), Jaime Paglia(producer/writer, Eureka), and Dr. Kevin Grazier (science advisor, Battlestar Galactica, Defiance), talk about the ups and downs of respecting the science in ongoing science fiction TV and movie series. Moderated by Dr. Phil Plait (writer/host, Phil Plait’s Bad Universe, Discover magazine’s Bad Astronomy blog), and courtesy of The Science and Entertainment Exchange, a program of the National Academy of Sciences. Room 25ABC
- 6:30-7:30 Comedy Central: Workaholics— Comedy Central’s hit series Workaholics features three friends, Adam, Blake, and Ders, who work together from 9 to 5, live together from 5 to 9, and party together 24/7. Whether they’re getting ready to rage at a Renaissance Faire or take the stage as their gangster rap alter egos “The Wizards,” the guys find trouble wherever they go. Stars, co-creators, writers, and executive producers Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm, and Kyle Newacheck take fans behind the scenes and give a sneak peek into upcoming new episodes, including a few special guests that are guaranteed to be “Tight Butthole.” Fans will also be able to compete for a chance to have their name written into a future episode. S’Go! Room 24ABC