With just three weeks to go until Comic-Con Special Edition in San Diego kicks off, Comic-Con International unveiled the programming schedule today. And for anyone who was confused that this event was San Diego Comic-Con — they need look no further than the panel schedule.

Compared to that mega-event (or even smaller sister show WonderCon), the programming is very light. The largest room utilized for the convention, which will also see events held at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, is room 6DE with a capacity of 1,000 (it’s also the only room that will see a small break between panels). The one exception to this is that Ballroom 20, which seats 4,250, will be used for the Masquerade on Saturday night.

There are lots of new room layouts and CCI has answered most questions over on their page, which is definitely worth reading.

The programming schedule itself is very heavily focused on cosplay and gaming. For those hoping for Hollywood presence, probably the biggest panel in that regard is NBC’a La Brea on Saturday at 2:45PM in Room 6DE — however, this will be a virtual discussion.

In person, you’ll find Janet Varney and Dante Basco of Avatar: The Last Airbender as they record a new episode of their podcast, live, on Saturday at 12:15PM in Room 6DE. There’s also a tribute to the great Mythbusters‘ Grant Imahara on Sunday at 11AM in 6DE, as well as a spotlight on Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s Brent Spiner as he discusses his new book on Friday at 3PM in 6DE.

Fans of The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us will want to check out the Friday 3:45PM panel in Room 6DE for a talk with Nacelle Company. And anyone who loved Rod Sterling’s classic 1970’s horror series Night Gallery is in for a treat with the Friday night panel, which features the artist who created the original Night Gallery paintings, an author, and “surprise guests” for a 7:30PM panel in Room 8. Fans of Harry Potter can catch up with both each other and the fandom on Saturday at 1PM.

For a combined film/comics experience, you can check out Lumpia with a Vengenance on Friday at 6:30PM in Room 26AB, all about a seven year journey from indie film to companion indie comic book (and if you visit this blog often, you will probably recognize artist Patrick Ballesteros among the list of attendees).

Continuing into the world of comics, artist Bill Sienkiewicz will be on hand to unveil news on the continuing Alliances Universe in a story by Stan Lee and Luke Lieberman, on Saturday at 1:30PM in Room 6DE. Legendary comic creator, artist, and writer Jim Starlin will be sharing news of his latest graphic novel in 24ABC at 2:30pM on Sunday.

For those seeking deeper meaning in their comics, we’re excited about “How to Apply the X-Men and Other References: Learning and Supporting the Needs of Neurodiverse, BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and Others” in Room 2 at 1PM on Sunday.

For fans of gaming, we’re excited about Winchester Mystery House’s panel on Saturday at 1:30PM in 5AB. The company is best known for their escape room designs, but have an upcoming online game. And over on the toy side, JAKKS Pacific’s Friday 2PM panel in Room 7AB should offer a fun look at new figures.

Comic-Con itself has a fandom around it (hi, hello, we probably wouldn’t exist if it didn’t!) — and there’s plenty to be found about both the history and the future of the convention. First, look to the future on Saturday at 2PM in Room 29AB with Rod Roddenberry, CCI’s director of programming Eddie Ibraheim, and more as they look to both Roddenberry and the Comic-Con Museum. Shortly later, you can join both some of Comic-Con’s founding generation and Comic-Con Begins podcast producer for a look back at over 50 years of the con on Saturday at 5PM in 29AB.

So there is plenty of fun, smaller panels — if you know where to look. We recommend checking out the programming schedule for yourself.