Baltimore Comic-Con 2013 is coming up this weekend and FTS is preparing to bring you the latest coverage. If you’ll be attending this year, take a look to see what to expect for the weekend. If you won’t be able to make it out take a peak anyway and tell FTS what we should check out!
Here is the press release for the official Baltimore Comic-Con 2013 Panel Schedule:
11:00-12:00 – Tools of The Trade For Comic Writers: Writer of The C-Listers, Jon Jebus discusses some of the technology he uses to write anywhere, collaborate virtually, keep projects organized, and interact with his audience.
12:00-1:00 – Powered by Creators: Bryan J.L. Glass Comes to Dark Horse: Bryan J.L. Glass, known for his Harvey Award-winning series The Mice Templar, unveils his new creator-owned Dark Horse comic! Be the first to learn about this exciting new series!
1:00-2:00 – Twenty Years of Strangers in Paradise: Terry Moore’s Strangers In Paradise turns 20 this year and you’re invited to join the celebration! Join Terry and CBLDF’s Charles Brownstein as they discuss the life and times of Katchoo and Francine and Terry’s new series, Rachel Rising. This is a panel no fan will want to miss!
2:00-3:00 – Usagi Yojimbo Celebration: Usagi Yojimbo turns 30 next year, and we’re starting the party early! Creator Stan Sakai and editor Diana Schutz talk about bringing the adventures of the rabbit ronin to the page. Plus, Thom Zahler (Love and Capes) discusses designing the Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook celebrating Usagi and David Petersen (Mouse Guard) talks about his contribution to the Yearbook.
3:00-4:00 – We Are BOOM!: You will not want to miss this jam-packed, inspiring hour as BOOM! Founder & CEO Ross Richie and Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon along with special guest creators reintroduce BOOM! Studios to the world of comics. This won’t be your average publisher panel droning on and on through a series of press releases and stale cover images. Find out what makes BOOM! Studios different than every other comic publisher in the market and why 2013 has been a transformative year for us. We are BOOM! Come Innovate With Us.
4:00-5:00 – The World of Archie: Want to know what’s up with Archie and the gang? Interested in exciting heroes like The Fox? Can’t get enough of Sonic? Then this is the panel for you!
5:00-6:00 – CBLDF: Banned Comics!: Every year comics are banned in libraries all over the United States; learn how you can fight back! In recent years, comics that have been targeted for bans include all-ages classics like Bone by Jeff Smith and Dragonball by Akira Toriyama, as well as acclaimed books for adult readers like Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home, Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, Alan Moore’s League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and others. Learn more about what comics have been banned and challenged, why comics are banned, and how you can help by being a part of CBLDF’s efforts for Banned Books Week!
11:00-12:00 – The British Invasion: In the 1980s, a number of British writers and artists started producing work for American comics and brought a new attitude to the stories. That spirit is kept alive today by creators such as Mike Carey (The Unwritten), Paul Jenkins (Deathmatch), and Roger Langridge (Popeye). Join them, and moderator Robert Greenberger, for a lively look at the current state of the British Invasion.
12:00-1:00 – A Marvel-ous Panel: Some of Marvel’s top creators – including Mark Waid, Mark Bagley, and Ed McGuinness – talk about their work for The House of Ideas with moderator Robert Greenberger. Marvel fans- you know you gotta be here!
1:00-2:00 – Spotlight On George Perez: Artist and writer George Perez has a career that spans four decades and has the rare distinction of being one of the top creators in the comic book business consistently for the mass majority of his career. His credits are too numerous to list and his contributions to the mythology of Marvel and DC comics are profound and enduring. After over a decade working exclusively with DC Comics, Perez is embarking on a new chapter in his career at BOOM! Studios. Join BOOM! Founder and CEO Ross Richie in a reflection of Mr. Perez’s first four decades of work and a discussion of what the future holds for this comic book luminary. Plus be the first to find out what Mr. Perez’s new project at BOOM! will be!
2:00-3:00 – Valiant Comics: The Road to Unity: Join an all-star panel of Valiant insiders for a must-see round of news and announcements about the most talked-about publisher in comics! Featuring creators J.G. Jones (Eternal Warrior), Barry Kitson (Harbinger, Bloodshot), Robert Venditti (X-O Manowar), and Jim Zub (Shadowman), alongside Publisher Fred Pierce and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani, find out everything you need to know about the massive repercussions of UNITY and what’s next for Valiant’s greatest heroes – only at Baltimore Comic-Con!
3:00-5:00 – The Official East Coast Fables Panel: The Official East Coast Fables Panel will feature Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Adam Hughes, Barry Kitson, Chrissie Zullo, and more of the extended Fables family for a whole TWO HOURS. Join them as they discuss the past, present and future of the series, do giveaways and more for the first hour and then go behind-the-scenes and delve inside the construction of a new Fables story in the second hour.
5:00-6:00 – IDW Presents: Joe Hill: As the Locke family’s long ordeal comes to a close with Locke & Key: Alpha, join IDW’s VP of Marketing, Dirk Wood, as he moderates a discussion with award-winning author, Joe Hill. Come find out Joe’s thoughts on the end of his run on Locke & Key, and his plans for the future! Featuring Q&A, hi-jinx, and tales told in the inimitable Joe Hill style!
12:00-1:00 – CBLDF’s Comics on Trial, Part 1-A National Disgrace: Moral Panic and the Birth of the Comics Code : CBLDF proudly debuts Comics on Trial-a new lecture series covering the history of comics censorship and the court cases that changed the medium. In part 1, witness how comics were under attack from the very beginning! Attacks in the popular media gave way to comics burnings in the 1940s. This sparked a wildfire of moral panic culminating with the U.S. government investigating comics before a national audience in 1954 where the face-off between Frederic Wertham and William Gaines changed the medium forever. CBLDF executive director Alex Cox tells the sordid tale.
1:00-2:00 – “Use Your Words (& Pictures)”: Cooperative Comics Lessons to Transform: Professional Development for Early Childhood Education provides a foundational balance of individual and group achievement. Share and learn ways creating comics together can deliver content and life lessons to your students. An elementary mini-lesson addressing anti-bullying strategies and integrating comics characters will be demonstrated, followed by a hands-on activity, then Q&A for reflection and refinement. Presentation and materials available via email.
2:00-3:00 – Self Publishing: You Can Do It: Alpha Girl Comics’ Amy Chu and other successful self publishers talk candidly about how they got their first comics off the ground. Be prepared to take notes – we’ll talk nuts to bolts about collaboration, print vs. digital, marketing, and importantly, the money stuff.
3:00-4:00 – CBLDF’s Comics on Trial, Part 2: Counter Attacks: How Prosecution of Retailers Changed the History of Comics: In 1970, two Manhattan bookstore clerks were arrested and convicted of selling obscene material for Zap #4, featuring work by R. Crumb, Spain, and other underground greats. Later in that decade, convention promoter and high school English teacher Phil Seuling was busted for selling a book in the same series, hastening a chain of events that would create the comics specialty market, where the CBLDF has been defending retailers since 1986. Learn the true story of how retailers have been prosecuted for selling comics and how their struggle changed the face of the medium from CBLDF executive director Alex Cox in the second part of CBLDF’s Comics on Trial. Some of the visual material in this presentation may not be appropriate for all audiences.
11:00-12:00 – DC New 52 Panel: Introduced by: DCE Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. Hosted by: DC Comics Editor In Chief Bob Harras. DCE Panelist(s): Cliff Chiang, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, David Finch, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Robert Venditti. See what DC Entertainment has in store for DC Comics – The New 52 in this panel hosted by DC Comics Editor In Chief Bob Harras and featuring top creators including Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman), Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn, All-Star Western), Amanda Connor (Harley Quinn), David Finch (Justice League of America, Forever Evil), Ivan Reis (Justice League), Joe Prado (Justice League), and Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps). This panel gives you a chance to step up and ask questions about your favorite comic books!
1:00-4:00 – Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Event: Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes have come to Baltimore! Best known for their roles as Jay and Silent Bob in the View Askewniverse films, Smith and Mewes are fan-favorites among comic and movie enthusiasts alike. This special three-hour event includes: A screening of the all-new animated film: Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, and a live podcast Q&A with Kevin and Jason. This private event is available as a separate event ticket which is on sale at the ticket booth (separate from convention admission) and seating is limited. As part of the Baltimore Comic-Con, admission to the show is also required.
Art Auction (Booth #2505)
5:00 – Auction of 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook art: The art created for the 2013 Baltimore Comic-Con Yearbook celebrating 30 years of Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo will be auctioned at this special event! Don’t miss this opportunity to own original art featuring Stan’s characters as depicted by artists including Frank Cho, Brandon Peterson, David Petersen, Michael Golden, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Chrissie Zullo, Mark Texeira, Steve Conley, Thom Zahler, Craig Rousseau, Frank Cho, and many others!
11:00-12:00 – Team Cul de Sac: When Richard Thompson, the creator of the comic strip Cul de Sac, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his friend Chris Sparks began a fundraising effort to honor his friend. With Richard’s support, he asked others to donate artwork featuring the Cul de Sac characters for a Team Cul de Sac book with proceeds going to the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research. The resulting book was nominated for four Harvey Awards. How did it do? Come to the panel and Chris Sparks and Mike Rhode will let you know! The fundraising continues as Joe Sutliff talks about the Drink and Draw event from this past Friday and Carolyn Belefski talks about the upcoming Moving Day Parkinson’s walk. Any other contributors are welcome to join in on stage. Plus, there will be fun things for sale!
12:00-1:00 – Spotlight on Ramona Fradon: Ramona Fradon is one of the few major female freelancers of her generation. The legendary artist co-created Metamorpho, and is well known for her art on Aquaman, Plastic Man, Super Friends, and Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy. Join Ramona and moderator Robert Greenberger as they look at her amazing career in comics.
1:00-2:00 – Color In Comics: A conversation between award winning colorists José Villarrubia (Batman Year 100, King Conan, Sweet Tooth) and Laura Martin (Thor, The Stand, X-Men). They will discuss all aspects of modern comic book coloring: history, industry, aesthetics and techniques. Samples of work will be shown. If you want to learn about color from two of the best professionals in the industry, this is your chance.
2:00-3:00 – Spotlight on Frank Stack: Frank Stack, sometimes working as Foolbert Sturgeon, is one of the legends of Underground Comix. His book, The New Adventures of Jesus (1962), is considered by some to be the first underground comic. He’s also the creator of Dorman’s Doggie and has contributed to Rip Off Comics, Snarf, and illustrated Our Cancer Year by Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Frank, along with moderator Denis Kitchen, talk about his life and work.
11:00-12:00 – Toy Design: From Paper to Plastic: Toy sculptor Paul Harding and comic artists Cliff Chiang & Mark Buckingham discuss statue and action figure design from the concept stage to the finished sculpture. How do they approach control art? What do they enjoy most about the process? Do they use traditional or digital media? Stay for a special look at how Paul translates concept art to three dimensional sculptures. Other guests: TBA
12:00-1:00 – Spotlight on Mike Mignola: The famed creator of Hellboy, the B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson, and more, is also known for his work on the Hulk, Batman, and even Rocket Raccoon! Here’s your chance to spend an hour with Mike and learn more about his work in comics.
1:00-2:00 – Spotlight On Mike Carey: Eisner Award-winning writer Mike Carey’s work spans comics, novels, film, and television. Carey made his initial impact in the US comic market with the longest running and most successful SANDMAN-related spinoff series from Vertigo – LUCIFER. Since then he’s solidified himself as a nuanced, character-driven creator on other critically-acclaimed Vertigo series such as CROSSING MIDNIGHT and THE UNWRITTEN; while becoming a mainstream fan favorite on series like X-MEN and ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR. This year, Carey launched his first ongoing, original series with from an independent publisher SUICIDE RISK from BOOM! Studios. Join BOOM! Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon as he moderates a lively discussion with Carey about his career, his process, and his inspirations.
2:00-3:00 – IDW: The Big Panel : Join IDW’s VP of Marketing, Dirk Wood, with industry legend Walter Simonson, and a host of special surprise guests! Find out what IDW has planned for the rest of 2013 and beyond! Madcap laughs, Q&A, announcements, prizes, and a guest appearance from a creator you won’t believe!
3:00-4:00 – CBLDF Presents: Spotlight On Brian Wood : Since 1997, Brian Wood has been one of the most popular creators in comics, writing, illustrating, or designing comics for almost every major publisher. He has worked on modern classics as diverse as DMZ, STAR WARS, and NORTHLANDERS, and in almost every genre, including hard sci-fi, historical fiction, horror, and young-adult. This panel takes a look at his work, starting with CHANNEL ZERO, and up through to current hits such as THE MASSIVE, MARA, and X-MEN. Moderated by CBLDF Deputy Director Alex Cox.
11:00-12:00 – Mission in a Bottle: From Honest Tea to a Graphic Novel: Join Honest Tea co-founder Seth Goldman as he discusses Mission in a Bottle, the new graphic novel he co wrote with Barry Nalebuff, illustrated by Sungyoon Choi. Mission in a Bottle is the graphic novel telling the story of the founding of Honest Tea-in addition to being a funny story about two guys learning how to make tea, it’s also a business book with insights into making a successful start-up. Goldman will discuss the making of a business book in graphic novel format, using comics to present complex information, how to run a mission driven business in a profit driven world, and keys to successful entrepreneurship. Moderated by The Beat’s Heidi MacDonald.
1:00-2:00 – Genderizing Comic Books – Christina L. Blanch and Jeff Barbanell (CAPE): Using comic books to teach about gender may seem unorthodox to some, especially in higher education. However, its usage can make the material less daunting to the students. Students also seem to open up more to discussion when using comic books. In this presentation we will view a selection of the Superman Family of Comics to show how gender is represented and how that can be used to discuss gender roles. With this presentation, seeing comics through the lens of gender, ideas can be garnered to show education how to use comics books to engage students in a subject that most dislike analyzing.
1:00-4:00 – Costume Contest sponsored by Stylin’ Online!: The fun begins at 1:00 pm! With $1,000 up for grabs for the best overall costume and prizes for each of the 10 categories, this is one event all of you cosplayers don’t want to miss! Adult Categories have a $5 entry fee per person. Contest registration at booth #2505.
“This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con will be held September 7-8, 2013. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, September 7th.”