Comic-Con International continues to roll out their programming schedule, as Saturday's schedule of activities went live earlier today -- a day that starts off with a philosophical discussion between Deepak Chopra and Grant Morrison, and ends with the annual masquerade.

In between you'll find a tribute to Harvey Pekar, as well as spotlight panels on Jerry Robinson, Ernie Chan, Jim Steranko, Terry Moore, Anders Nilsen, Robert Kirkman, Peter Kuper, Jamal Igle, Garth Ennis, J. Michael Straczynski, Mell Lazarus, Peter Tomasi, Walter and Louise Simonson, Jim Lee and Jonathan Hickman. Companies like Archie, Top Cow, Fantagraphics, Top Shelf, Legendary, BOOM! and Archaia will share their publishing plans, while Dark Horse will focus on their Joss Whedon books, DC highlights their Green Lantern, "Dark" and "Edge" titles, and of course, Marvel brings you the annual Cup O' Joe panel with Joe Quesada.

To help you with your Comic-Con planning, we’ve highlighted the comics-specific programming below. To see the full Saturday schedule, complete with television, film and video game content, visit the convention website.

Saturday, July 23

10:00-11:00 DC: Talent Search— DC's editorial art director, Mark Chiarello, presents an informative orientation session to explain how DC's Talent Search works and discuss the different needs of DC Comics, Vertigo, and MAD magazine. If you want to learn what DC Comics looks for in artists and how to improve your chances of becoming a working professional, this is the panel for you. If you want to have your work reviewed, attendance at this orientation session is mandatory. (Please note: Not all attendees are guaranteed a one-on-one review.) Room 4

10:00-11:30 Activision— Legends from across the Marvel landscape and the entertainment industry come together in one epic panel to discuss their roles in upcoming Activision Marvel video games X-Men Destiny and Spider-Man: Edge of Time. Comic book legend Stan Lee reflects upon the latest adventures of his creations with famed Marvel writer Peter David (creator of Spider-Man 2099) and Marvel VP of Games TQ Jefferson. Dee Brown, studio head of Beenox, and Jullian Spillane, project director of Silicon Knights, give everyone an inside look into how they balance staying true to the Marvel universe while bringing something original and exciting to fans in a video game. A talented voice cast of known celebrities rounds out the legends to discuss bringing Marvel characters to life in the games (check Facebook.com/HeroHQ for announcements). Finally, see an exclusive preview of never-before-seen footage for the upcoming games, and enter a chance to win a one-of-a-kind poster signed by Stan Lee himself at the panel! Moderated by Ryan Penagos, editorial director of Marvel.com. Room 5AB

10:00-11:00 From Buddha to Batman: Deepak Chopra and Grant Morrison Discuss The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes— Five years ago, New York Times bestselling author and internationally renowned spiritual guru Deepak Chopra joined legendary comic book writer Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman, Supergods) at Comic-Con to discuss the role superheroes play in the social fabric. What started as a thought-provoking panel discussion has since become a profound new teaching manual for discovering the superhero within -- Chopra's new book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Superheroes. Now Chopra and Morrison are back to elaborate on what the superhero archetype means for us today. Joined by Deepak's son Gotham Chopra (founder of Liquid Comics) and moderated by Chris Carle (editorial director of IGN Entertainment), the discussion will cover the seven essential laws that govern the realm of superheroes and the cultural importance of superheros -- why they matter, why they will always be with us, and what they tell us about who we are...and what we may yet become. Q&A to follow. Room 6A

10:00-11:00 DC: Green Lantern— Enlist in the Corps at DC's annual Green Lantern panel! DCU executive editor Eddie Berganza, Green Lantern Corps writer Peter Tomasi, Red Lanterns artist Ed Benes, and others offer a look at the aftermath of "War of the Green Lanterns" and more! Room 6DE

10:00-11:00 Spotlight on Jerry Robinson— Comic-Con special guest Jerry Robinson, creator of the Joker, will discuss his legendary career from Batman to Broadway and beyond with the publisher of Dark Horse Comics and Emmy Award winner Mike Richardson in this one-on-one interview and Q&A session. Room 9

10:00-11:00 Steampunk Influences on Mainstream Media and Entertainment— Phil Foglio (Girl Genius), Kaja Foglio (Girl Genius), Greg Broadmore (WETA), Lon Muckey and Aaron Ginn-Forsberg (Mantecoza), and Thomas Willeford (Brute Force Leather) discuss the appeal of the Steampunk aesthetic and the reasons for its increasing popularity in media, the arts, and the entertainment industry, including literature, graphic novels, costuming, props, prosthetics, Internet, and film. Room 23ABC

10:00-11:30 50 Years of Comic Fandom: The Founders— It's hard to believe but it's been fifty years (more or less) since that peculiar institution called Comic Book Fandom was born. Meet some of those who were there at the inception, including Jean Bails, Paul Levitz, Dick and Pat Lupoff, Richard Kyle, Bill Schelly, Roy Thomas, and Maggie Thompson along with moderator Mark Evanier, as they discuss how fandom came to be and just what it was. Room 24ABC

Tags: Anniversaries | Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Fandom

10:30-11:30 Marvel Television— Marvel's head of TV Jeph Loeb brings the inside scoop on Marvel's latest series that take your favorite heroes from page to screen. Get a first look at the premiere of The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes season two, a sneak peek at a certain ultimate webslinger, and a few other surprises from Marvel Television. Room 6BCF

10:30-12:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #9: Sequential Artistry— Keegan Lannon (Southern Illinois University) uses Craig Thompson's Blankets as a case study to analyze how the relationship between the frame and the gutter, and individual frames themselves, can suggest duration and create the passage of time. Fabio Luiz Carneiro Mourilhe Silva (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro) applies Gaston Bachelard's concept of rupture to comics, showing the evolution of comics along with their evaluation in terms of the instant and the articulation of time. Tof Eklund (Full Sail University) turns the work of Thierry Groensteen, Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari, and Donald Ault onto Alex Robinson's Too Cool to be Forgotten, revealing a narrative that is by turns eerie, enlightening, and wrenching, and, most of all, illustrative of the function and potential of time in comics. Martin Schuewer (German Society for Comics Research) explores how the graphic construction of space contributes to the narrative in comics, looking particularly at perspective drawing and at how spatial fragments are linked to form a coherent narrative in the work of such experimental artists as Windsor McCay and in more conventionally narrative comics. Room 26AB

10:30-12:00 Comic-Con How-To: Sketching with Adam Hughes— Award-winning artist Adam Hughes demonstrates sketching with grayscale Copic Markers. Adam is best known for his cover art for DC Comics, some of which was collected in Cover Run: The DC Comics Art of Adam Hughes, a hardcover coffeetable book. Room 28DE

10:30-12:00 Comic Book Law School 303: To Tweet or Not to Tweet— And other important questions facing creators and business owners each day in our uber-connected world. Creators aren't the only ones facing potential problems and issues -- publishers, distributors, retailers, and even the ultimate consumers can find themselves facing legal issues they never expected. Infringements, misuse, tarnishment, dilution, knockoffs, lawsuits, satires, parodies, fair use, blogs, podcasts, tweets, and cybersquatters are just some of the many potential problems that may arise once creative works and products become accessible to others. Noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the sold-out The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, addresses some of the more advanced (and often complicated) issues facing the creative community, particularly in light of the ever-expanding worlds of new media. And this time, he's not alone, as attorneys David Branfmanb, David Lizerbram, and Marc Greenberg join him toshare insights into some of the more interesting and cutting-edge legal issues faced by the creative and business communities. Plus, time permitting, they'll discuss recent legal decisions and pending cases that are likely to affect the field of popular culture and how they might play an important role in your creative and business plans. Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. [This program is approved for 1.5 credits of California MCLE.] Room 30CDE

11:00-12:00 Spotlight on Ernie Chan— Comic-Con special guest Ernie Chan has done it all! Known for his stunning run of covers at DC in the 1970s, he also did a huge amount of work at Marvel on everything from Conan to Luke Cage. Ernie talks about his career in comics and what he's up to now. Room 4

11:00-12:00 MTV Comics— Join executive editor Tom Akel to hear about new and ongoing titles with MTV creators. Marc Silvestri will discuss the new MTV/Top Cow collaboration September Mourning, a multiplatform project blending comics and music through video, comic books, and live events. And the legendary Stan Lee will reveal the story behind MTV Comics' upcoming digital book The Seekers and let artists and writers know when to start sending submissions to collaborate with Stan on the comic! Room 7AB

11:00-12:00 Will Eisner: Visionary— Will Eisner -- artist, storyteller, entrepreneur -- played a central role in comics from the Golden Age to the Computer Age. During his career, Eisner reinvented sequential art and himself to overcome obstacles and create new media. A combination of idealist and realist, he led the way and helped create the comics and graphic novels that we know today. Learn about Will Eisner from those who personally knew and worked with him. Join moderator Charles Brownstein (executive director of the CBLDF, author of Eisner/Miller), Denis Kitchen (artist, author, publisher, Eisner's agent and longtime friend), Paul Levitz (writer, former president/publisher of DC Comics), Scott McCloud (artist, author, theoretician about comics and sequential art), Diana Schutz (executive editor, Dark Horse Comics), and Jeff Smith (writer/cartoonist, Bone, RASL) to learn more about the "Father of the Graphic Novel." Room 9

11:00-12:00 Archie Comics: The Future of Riverdale and Beyond— Archie Comics has continued to be a trailblazing publisher in comics, and there's much more in store! Archie's co-CEO Jon Goldwater, president Mike Pellerito, and editor-in-chief Victor Gorelick, iVerse's Michael Murphey, creators Dan Parent (Kevin Keller) and Michael Uslan (Batman, Life with Archie), and Archie executive director of publicity and marketing Alex Segura (Archie & Friends) present a look into the future of Archie stories, major announcements, special guest stars, digital plans, and much more! Room 23ABC

11:00-12:00 Marvel vs. Capcom— Fighting fans! Come to this panel to hear the fantastic news about this legendary fighting game franchise straight from producer Ryota Niitsuma. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek as well as a chance to come onstage to showcase your fighting skills against each other for fantastic prizes. Followed by a Q&A session. Room 25ABC

11:15-12:15 Spotlight on Sherrilyn Kenyon— The New York Times bestselling author and Comic-Con special guest Sherrilyn Kenyon talks about the joys of juggling numerous series, family life, and a collection of swords (we're pretty sure she doesn't really juggle the swords). With books that cross over into manga and graphic novels, Kenyon has captured the number-one bestselling slot 14 times in the past two years! Room 6A

11:15-12:30 DC Comics - The New 52— DC Comics explodes in September with 52 new number one issues and one panel is not enough to cover it! With a "DC Comics - The New 52" panel each day, there's sure to be something for everyone! Join Dan DiDio, DC Entertainment Co-Publisher, Bob Harras, DC's Editor-in-Chief, and DC Comics Executive Editor, Eddie Berganza, for an up-close look at this unprecedented wave of new series, from the first-ever re-launches of Action Comics and Batman titles to the latest thrills from comics' cutting-edge! Room 6DE

11:30-12:30 Spotlight on Steranko— Comic-Con special guest Jim Steranko, the Eisner Hall of Fame-winning writer/illustrator/filmmaker/escape artist, presents a provocative forum featuring his work on Captain America, X-Men, S.H.I.E.L.D., The Shadow, Indiana Jones and more, including a new series of Batman covers and his groundbreaking graphic novel Red Tide. Moderator J. David Spurlock promises to reveal a new storm of secrets from the Steranko bag of tricks. Room 5AB

11:30-12:30 Top Cow: We Create...Excitement— Join Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri (The Darkness, X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia), president Matt Hawkins (The Darkness II: Confession), and publisher Filip Sablik (Last Mortal), along with a bevy of Top Cow creators, for the most dynamic, news-packed hour at Comic-Con! Be the first to get exclusive news about the future of the Top Cow Universe, the announcement of the 2011 Pilot Season titles and creative teams, and a metric truckload of Top Cow film and television announcements. Plus special surprise guests and a free gift for every attendee! Room 8

11:30-12:30 Bill Blackbeard: The Man Who Saved Comics— In the 1960s, while writing a history of the American comic strip, Bill Blackbeard learned that most of the nation's libraries were discarding their newspaper archives in favor of microfilm, destroying countless pages of comics in the process. Over the course of the next three decades, Blackbeard and his volunteers at the San Francisco Academy of Comic Art amassed a collection of more than 2.5 million comics, including virtually every comic strip ever syndicated in U.S. newspapers. When he passed away earlier this year, Blackbeard had contributed to more than 200 comic strip collections, including the beloved Smithsonian Collection of Newspaper Comics, and his work had inspired generations of cartoonists, historians and fans. Cartoon Art Museum curator Andrew Farago, publishers Gary Groth and Dean Mullaney, editor and herstorian Trina Robbins, and Jenny Robb, curator/assistant professor from Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum celebrate Blackbeard's life and legacy. Room 24ABC

11:45-1:00 Quick Draw!— It's the annual Heavyweight Championship of Cartooning as three of the fastest minds (with the fastest pens) go mano a mano to create cartoon mirth before your very eyes! Be there as Sergio Aragonés (MAD magazine), Scott Shaw! (The Simpsons), and Mike Kazaleh (Futurama) are put through their paces by the Quizmaster of Quick Draw himself, Mark Evanier! Room 6BCF

12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Yves Bigerel— An international champion at the forefront of digital comics, Comic-Con special guest Yves "Balak" Bigerel talks to writer/editor Mark Waid about the differences (and similarities) between digital and "traditional" on-paper storytelling. Take note of his "do's and don'ts" of digital art, and watch as he demonstrates how a print story can be told on-screen using the unique tools digital allows. Your understanding of how the electronic format can enhance the reading experience without simply mimicking a paper comic will be transformed. Room 4

12:00-1:00 Terry Moore— Cartoonist Terry Moore fills you in on the latest news about his upcoming new series, Rachel Rising, as well as updates on the Echo movie and plans for celebrating the 20th anniversary of Strangers in Paradise in 2013. Room 9

12:00-1:00 The Art of Adapting Comics to the Screen— It's a landmark summer for comic-based films and with millions of dollars and the reputations of the properties being adapted at stake, it's important to examine the process by which these films come to life. Moderator Jeff Goldsmith (host of The Q&A with Jeff Goldsmith podcast) interviews screenwriters Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (co-writers of Cowboys and Aliens) and Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (Captain America) as they shed light on their unique screenwriting habits and process of adaptation. Room 23ABC

12:00-1:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #10: The Wit, Whimsy, & Wisdom of Weisinger— Comic book historian and illustrator Arlen Schumer (The Silver Age of Comic Book Art) presents the work of Mort Weisinger, editor of the Superman line for 30 years (1940-1970), told in Weisinger's own words and artist Curt Swan's images. Room 26AB

12:00-1:00 CBLDF Master Session 5: Matt Wagner— For more than three decades, Matt Wagner has developed a singular approach to depicting heroism through a unique design ethic that couples muscularity with precision. Witness how his approach to line, color, and form combine to produce heroic results at this CBLDF Master Session. The pieces created during this event will be available for bidding in Saturday's CBLDF Benefit Auction! Room 30CDE

12:30-1:30 Marvel Interactive: Marvel Video Games— Learn all about Spider-Man: Edge of Time, X-Men Destiny, Captain America: Super Soldier, Super Hero Squad Online, Super Hero Squad 3DS and uDraw, Marvel Pinball, and the Marvel Universe MMO. Also, find out some exciting new details about the future of Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and other Marvel games via exclusive trailers, surprise reveals, and Q&A with the game creators from some of the industry's top publishers. Room 6A

12:30-1:30 Fantagraphics 35th Anniversary— Fantagraphics Books was founded in 1976 with the launch of their first publication, The Comics Journal. Since then, they've grown to become one of the world's foremost publishers of literary comix and comic strips. Publishers Gary Groth and Kim Thompson offer a multimedia presentation highlighting their favorite works from the past 35 years, as well as previewing some of their upcoming favorites. Expect a major announcement or two, as well! Room 24ABC

12:45-1:45 DC: The Dark and The Edge— From the shadowy corners of the new DC Universe comes a startling array of new series featuring some of comics' top creators! Join DC Editor Pat McCallum and get acquainted with new DC titles from "The Dark" and "The Edge," including Swamp Thing, written by Scott Snyder, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. and Animal Man, written by Jeff Lemire, Deathstroke, written by Kyle Higgins, Demon Knights and Stormwatch, written by Paul Cornell, I, Vampire, written by Josh Fialkov, Suicide Squad, written by Adam Glass, Swamp Thing, drawn by Francesco Francavilla, All Star Western drawn by Moritat, and more! Room 6DE

1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Anders Nilsen— Comic-Con special guest Anders Nilsen debuts his magnum opus, the 800+-page Big Questions, which he began self-publishing over 10 years ago and which quickly placed Nilsen at the forefront of alternative cartoonists. He is part of the Chicago comics collective The Holy Consumption with Jeffrey Brown, John Hankiewicz, and Paul Horsnchemeier and was recently featured in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Join him as he presents a slideshow of his work from his haunting postmodern fable. Room 4

1:00-2:00 Remembering Harvey Pekar— The legendary Harvey Pekar died in July 2010, leaving behind a huge legacy of work with a veritable who's who list of comics collaborators on his American Splendor and graphic novels. Joyce Brabner and Danielle Batone join editor Charles Kochman and moderator Jeff Newelt to talk about Harvey's life and comics career. This is an open invitation to anyone whoever worked with Harvey or cared about him to come and share their memories. Room 7AB

1:00-2:00 Designing the SuperHero Costume: Costume Designers, Costume Illustrators and Superhero Costume Builders— Costume designers work with costume illustrators to translate graphic artists' renderings into wearable, functioning, cinematic costumes. Hear the inside stories from the people who bring the superhero costume to life. Moderator Deborah Nadoolman Landis (member of Costume Designers Guild, Local 892, costume designer, Raiders of the Lost Ark, director of the David C. Copley Center for Costume Design at UCLA) is joined by costume designers Christine Bieslin-Clark (co-costume designer, Tron: Legacy) and Ellen Mirojnick (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra), Christian Beckman of Quantum FX, Inc. (specialty costume fabricator, Tron: Legacy, Watchmen), costume manufacturers Mary Ellen Fields of Bill Hargate Costumes (Iron Man 2), and Marilyn Madsen (Star Trek TV series), and costume illustrators Constantine Sekeres (Thor, Green Lantern) and Christian Cordella (GI Joe 2: Cobra Strikes, Captain America: The Last Avenger). Room 23ABC

1:00-2:00 Robert Kirkman— One of the most prolific writers in comics today, Robert Kirkman is known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible, Super Dinosaur, Astounding Wolf-Man, Marvel Zombies, and the upcoming series with Rob Liefeld, The Infinite. After becoming an Image Comics partner in 2009 and introducing the internationally renowned hit TV show based on the comic he created, The Walking Dead on AMC, he has proven to be an unstoppable creative force. In 2010, Kirkman launched his own imprint at Image Comics, Skybound, providing him the opportunity to hand pick up-and-coming creators and maintain an active role in promoting and expanding their properties as Skybound Originals. Here he offers fans some insight behind their favorite hit comics. Room 25ABC

1:00-2:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #11: Psychology of the Dark Knight: How Trauma Formed the Batman and Why He's Got a Thing for "Bad Girls"— How realistic is it that a young Bruce Wayne would vow to spend the rest of his life avenging his parents' murders and "warring on all criminals"? How did these seminal events shape the man Wayne becomes? And why is he attracted to "bad girls"? For answers to these and other questions, psychologists Travis Langley (Henderson State University) and Robin Rosenberg (Psychology of Superheroes) ask Batman writer Grant Morrison, one-time Catwoman Lee Meriwether (Batman: The Movie), journalist Jill Pantozzi (Newsarama), and executive producer Michael Uslan (The Dark Knight Rises). Room 26AB

1:00-2:30 Comic-Con How-To: Sketching with Allison Sohn— Trading card and sketch card artist Allison Sohn demonstrates sketching with color Copic Markers. Allison works primarily with Copic Markers for her printed works as well as her sketchcards. Room 28DE

1:00-2:00 CBLDF Master Session 6: Camilla d'Errico— Working at the nexus of fine art, western comics, manga and illustration, Camilla d'Errico fuses a diversity of influences into a style that speaks to the heart of 21st Century aesthetics. Get an inside look at d'Errico's approach to designing characters with an emphasis on eyes, and her original headpiece creations at this CBLDF Master Session. The pieces created during this event will be available for bidding in Saturday's CBLDF Benefit Auction. Room 30CDE

1:00-2:00 Little Lulu Fan Group— One of the most memorable kids' comics ever created, Little Lulu has generated a fan following around the world. Learn more about this classic comics character and the renewed interest in the other delightful works of the great John Stanley, and join in for the annual scripted reading of a Golden Age Little Lulu story. All are welcome! Santa Rosa Room, Marriott Marquis & Marina

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Peter Kuper— From MAD to World War 3 Illustrated, Comic-Con special guest Peter Kuper (Spy vs. Spy) has for three decades been blowing up spies and politicians and creating graphic novels ranging from Franz Kafka adaptations to autobiographies that would scare Kafka. Get an inside look at how he comes up with Spy vs. Spy ideas and his other idiotic projects! Room 8

1:30-2:30 Is the Comic Book Doomed?— Is the 32-page, stapled, monthly serial comic book reaching the end of its long road? What might force it out of existence -- and what might keep it alive for another generation? And if the comic book as we once knew it vanishes, what does that mean for the future of the comics medium? Mark Waid (Irredeemable), Vijaya Iyer (Cartoon Books), Laura Hudson (Comics Alliance), Amanda Emmert (ComicsPRO), and moderator Douglas Wolk hash it out. Room 24ABC

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Jamal Igle: From Fanboy to Pro— Comic-Con special guest Jamal Igle (Supergirl) Has done it all in the comics industry, from being intern to becoming one of the industries most successful and popular pencillers working today. Join Jamal and writer/moderator Keith Dallas for an entertaining one-on-one interview and Q&A session filled with stories, laughs, and brutal honesty! Room 4

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Garth Ennis: Crossed, Stitched, and Beyond— Superstar writer and Comic-Con special guest Garth Ennis has created quite a home for himself at Avatar Press with the runaway success of Crossed, a brutal, uncompromising vision of a world overrun by pure, sadistic evil. As the Crossed comic series grows into a fearsome franchise featuring the hottest talents in the industry (David Lapham, Si Spurrier, Jacen Burrows), Ennis has expanded into film work, writing and directing Stitched, a chilling horror tale that premieres at Comic-Con and continues in an ongoing monthly comic book. Join Garth as he discusses his future plans with Avatar. Room 6DE

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski— Comic-Con special guest J. Michael Straczynski (Thor movie and comic, Superman Earth One, World War Z movie, Babylon 5) talks about...well, we're never quite sure. He's fairly incomprehensible. Have you heard him? Stunning, really. Can't make out a word. We imagine he'll be talking about writing for movies, TV, comics and so on, but honestly, he could be talking about hydroponics for all we can tell. Translators may be provided if we can ever figure out what language he's speaking. Room 7AB

2:00-3:00 Hasbro: Marvel— The marketing and design teams for this year's Thor, Captain-America: The First Avenger, Spider-Man and Marvel Universe lines present all the latest toys. Also, get a sneak peek into the 2012 lines! Includes Q&A time. Room 9

2:00-3:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #12: Poster Session— Want to go in depth with a comics scholar? Or a whole room of comics scholars? Rather than presenting from the stage, the Poster Session scholars will be ranged around the room to discuss their presentations in small-group and one-on-one discussions. Marko Head and Nicole Smith (Henderson State University) present "The Workday Comic," an 8-hour student-project variation on Scott McCloud's 24-Hour Comic, including the daunting task of painting original art drawn by special guest contributor Kabuki artist David Mack.

--Real-World Consequences Poster Group- Kalani Largusa (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) explores the significance of Kato in his role as the Green Hornet's sidekick and the shaping of Asian identity; Nathan Wilson (The Comics Journal) looks at the real-world consequences of the representation of Native Americans in comics.

--Medical Issues Poster Group- Erica Ash (Henderson State University) traces the history of addiction and drug use in comics in the context of the Comics Code; Brian Lott (Henderson State University) outlines how Harvey Dent/Two-Face changed to meet criteria for dissociative identity when he became The Judge.

--Adaptation Poster Group- Joyce Havstad (University of California, San Diego) charts the role of comics as a hybrid medium in facilitating adaptation to and from other media; David Mitchell (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) critically reads Enki Bilal's epic Nikopol Trilogy and its film adaptation Immortal to consider how the comic seamlessly integrates the unreal with the real, whereas the film separates the real and unreal between live action and CGI.

--Superheroes Poster Group- Renee Lynn Couey and Lauren Penick (Henderson State University) surveyed college students, prison inmates, and fan convention attendees to examine correlations between respondents' self-concepts and their character preferences; Evan Moreno-Davis (University of Southern California) examines the assumptions of the genre that drive role-playing game designers; Dana Anderson (Maine Maritime Academy) defines the superhero phenomenologically through the visceral experience of "superheroness" in the world.

--Comics History Poster Group- Adriana Estrada (University of Houston) uses moral panic theory and labeling theory to investigate the social construction of deviance that became associated with comic books in the anti-comics crusade of the 1940s and 1950s; Sam Doerge (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) finds Marvel's creation of the anti-heroic superhero rooted in the national identity crisis of the Cold War era.

--Queer Poster Group- Courtney Schneider (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) compares the treatment of homosexuality in mainstream and nonmainstream serialized media; Ashley Pitcock (Henderson State University) asks whether Buffy the Vampire Slayer's movement into bisexuality was a sign of the times or a gimmick to sell Season Eight comics; Michael Harrison (Monmouth College) investigates how Spanish comics authors La Penya in Mondo Lirondo and Ivan Garcia in Capitan Eclipse use fantasy in distinct ways to communicate a 21st century queer Spanish identity.

--Gender Poster Group- April Murphy (University of North Texas) seeks to examine how fears of female power, depicted in the new Batwoman and the relaunched Wonder Woman, are tied to a pattern of historical uneasiness with same-sex bonding; Independent scholar Ariel Schudson argues that the figure of Hit-Girl in Kick Ass maintains more positive iconography than negative and is really only behaving in a kind of "teen superhero normalcy," even if it does seem a bit violent.

--Manga Poster Group- George Tsouris (Touro College) examines shared features of Yokoyama's manga and interviews to imagine what his manifesto for neomanga might look like; Kotaro Nakagaki (Daito Bunka University) focuses on the viewpoints of shojo in Sirato Sanpei's A Vanishing Girl and Kono Fumiyo At the Corner of This World to examine war representations, reconstruction and economic growth, and racial/social minorities and discriminations in war manga.

Room 26AB

2:00-3:00 WOW! ZAP! BANG!: Prismacolor Tips and Techniques— Shelley Minnis, Prismacolor specialist, demonstrates products and techniques that will make your comic drawings come to life. Samples and door prizes included with the presentation. Room 30CDE

2:00-3:00 Legendary Comics— For its inaugural year at Comic-Con, join iconic writer/artist Frank Miller (300), Legendary Comics editor-in-chief Bob Schreck (All-Star Superman), and other artists from the Legendary stable to find out about upcoming releases, including Miller's Holy Terror. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

2:30-3:30 Digital Disruption: Comics, Webcomics, and the Business Model of the Future— The explosion of online digital distribution -- not all of it authorized -- has created both challenges and opportunities for comics creators and publishers. What is the business model of the future? What can we learn from the webcomics movement? How have other media created innovative money-making solutions for creators? Comics industry legend Mark Waid (Daredevil) and webcomics pioneer Scott Kurtz (PvP) conduct a no-holds-barred discussion on competing with "free," confronting the torrents, and bringing marketable value to the comics audience today. Moderated by Bruce Lidl (PeerPress.net). Room 8

2:30-3:30 The Art of the Graphic Novel— Andrew Farago (curator, Cartoon Art Museum) talks with graphic novelists Chester Brown (Paying for It), Seymour Chwast (Dante's Divine Comedy), Eric Drooker (Blood Song), Joyce Farmer (Special Exits, A Memoir), Joëlle Jones (Troublemaker), Jason Shiga (Empire State: A Love Story (Or Not)), and Craig Thompson (Habibi) about their work in the genre that has elevated comics to mainstream bookstores all over the world. Room 24ABC

2:30-5:00 Comic-Con How-To: Mixing Color with Felipe Echevarria— This expanded demo/session will open your eyes to a foolproof method for mixing color based on what actually happens when paint is mixed, rather than elusive color theories. Artist Felipe Exchevarria demonstrates the breakthrough Michael Wilcox Bias Color Wheel system, which is for beginners and professionals alike and is applicable for any pigmented media (watercolors, oils, acrylics, printer's inks, gouache, etc). Room 28DE

2:45-3:45 Marvel: Cup O' Joe— This is it, Mighty Marvel fans -- the no-holds-barred, anything goes, full of surprises panel you wait all year for! Marvel's chief creative officer Joe Quesada takes on all questions, shocks the audience with jaw-dropping announcements, and keeps you guessing with surprise guests. You never know who will show up, but you better be here, because this is the panel that everyone will be talking about! Room 6BCF

3:00-4:00 Spotlight on Mell Lazarus— Legendary cartoonist and Comic-Con special guest Mell Lazarus talks to Tom Gammill (The Simpsons) about his long career in newspaper strips, from his early years with Al Capp (Li'l Abner) to his own work on the comic strip smashes Miss Peach and Momma. Room 4

3:00-4:00 Creator-Owned Comics with Robert Kirkman— Image Comics partner and bestselling writer Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) is joined by Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson and some very special guests to discuss the exciting present and future possibilities of creator-owned comics. Be one of the first to hear some major announcements from the leading publisher of creator-owned comics. Plus: an exclusive print for first 100 attendees! Room 7AB

3:00-4:00 CBLDF: 25 Years of Protecting Creativity— When the CBLDF was established in 1986 it was to defend a retailer who faced jail time for selling mature comics to an adult reader, because the common belief was that comics were for kids. Today, comics are a widely respected literary form, and they got there in part thanks to the Fund's 25 years of protecting the industry's creativity in court. Learn how the CBLDF has stood up for comics in this informative presentation of its history, and look ahead toward the issues facing readers today. Room 9

3:00-4:00 The Write Stuff III: Writing for Genre Television and Beyond— Meet the writers and producers who make genre entertainment what it is today, and get an incredible insider look from the scribes behind some of today's hottest genre shows as they share their candid thoughts on how to make the series we love (and sometimes loathe). Find out the secrets to getting TV shows made and how to break in and break out in today's highly competitive broadcast environment -- and why network executives actually care about what you write on message boards. No canned speeches and press releases here -- get the straight scoop from television's most talented writers and producers, including Javier Grillo-Marxuach (The Middleman, Lost), Ashley E. Miller (Fringe, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Alphas, The Gates, Riverworld), Steve Kriozere (NCIS, Femme Fatales), Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: The Series), Gabrielle Stanton (The Vampire Chronicles, Haven), Jose Molina (Firefly, Terra Nova), Amy Berg (Eureka, Leverage), and Mark A. Altman (Femme Fatales, Castle). Moderated by Jeff Goldsmith (The Q&A With Jeff Goldsmith) hosts. Room 23ABC

3:00-4:00 Dark Horse: Joss Whedon— Long before signing on to helm one of the most anticipated superhero films in history, Joss Whedon rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plot lines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here's your chance to find out what he has in store for us next, including a sneak peek at the brand-new Angel & Faith and Buffy Season 9 comics, plus exciting news about Buffy digital comics! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Peter Tomasi: Questions and Answers— Comic-Con special guest Peter J. Tomasi established his own corner of the DC Universe, currently writing for DC's top franchises (Batman and Robin, Green Lantern Corps, and Brightest Day), along with critically acclaimed creator-owned projects (The Mighty and Light Brigade). Join Peter for a lively session about writing for comics and other media. Room 5AB

3:30-4:30 Love & Comics Panel— Who's showing the love in comics? Comics creators extraordinaire Jason Shiga (Meanwhile; Empire State), Kazu Kibuishi (Explorer, Amulet, Copper, Flight), Amy Kim Kibuishi (Sorcerers and Secretaries), Raina Telgemeier (Explorer, Smile, The Baby-Sitters Club), and Dave Roman (Explorer, Astronaut Academy, Agnes Quill) talk about how their love of comics plays out in the game of life, about how the collaborative process works, and about their most important pictures from the heart. Panel moderated by Sheila Keenan, senior editor, Abrams ComicArts. Room 8

3:30-4:30 How to Get News Coverage— Small press publishers: what makes the difference between an item that will get news coverage, previews, interviews and one that won't? A lot of publishers have no idea what to submit to the press, how to submit it, and why they are being overlooked for coverage. Comic journalist Rik Offenberger (First Comics News, Archie Comics) moderates this panel with the comic journalists themselves telling you what they are looking for in your submissions. Panelists include Holly Golightly (BroadSword Studios), Laura Hudson (Comics Alliance), Rich Johnston (Bleeding Cool), Kiel Phegley (CBR), Alex Segura (Newsarama, Wizard, Archie Comics), Chris Thompson (First Comics News), and J. C. Vaughn (The Scoop). Find out what it takes to self-promote and make a significant impact on your ability to sell your comics project. Room 24ABC

3:30-4:30 Spotlight on Anina Bennett and Paul Guinan— Join Comic-Con special guests Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett with moderator (and Eisner Award nominee) Shannon Wheeler for a multimedia panel spotlighting the creative couple's past and future work. Paul and Anina will perform excerpts from their book Boilerplate, which has been optioned by J. J. Abrams; talk about their comic book careers and becoming accidental apostles of steampunk; and give a sneak peek at their upcoming book Frank Reade: Adventures in the Age of Invention. Room 26AB

4:00-5:00 Bent Comix: The Next Wave of Gay Cartooning— A small band of independent gay cartoonists joined forces in 2008 to create Bent Comix. Initially intended as a distribution cooperative, Bent has morphed into something much more dynamic: a true creative community. Last year they created Bent Con, the world's first queer comics show. Now they're expanding the convention, their membership, and their mission. In a world where the queer media are disintegrating and publishing is a risky venture, Bent Comix shines a light. Moderator J. D. Glass (Core, Prism Comics secretary) grills the panelists about their part in creating the future of gay comics. The include Dave Davenport (Hard to Swallow), Jeff Krell (Jayson), Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter), Brad Rader (Harry and Dickless Tom), Jody Wheeler (DoorQ.com), and Sean Z (Myth). Room 4

4:00-5:30 Scott Shaw!'s Oddball Comics— As seen in the pages of Geek Monthly magazine, cartoonist Scott Shaw! (Captain Carrot and the Final Ark, Bart Simpson Comics, Simpsons Summer Shindig) brings back his ever-popular digital slide show featuring "the craziest comic books ever published!" 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!" Room 7AB

4:00-5:00 IDW Digital— The IDW digital team lives on the bleeding edge where creativity meets technology. From iPads to phones to game devices to TVs, each platform brings something different to the digital comics experience. And what about original digital comics? Learn all from IDW's director of ePublishing Jeff Webber, iVerse CEO Michael Murphey, and Dr. Who writer Tony Lee, along with special announcements and surprise guests! Room 9

4:00-5:00 Dark Horse and BioWare: A Comic and Video Game Partnership— Star Wars: The Old Republic and Mass Effect are creations of one of the most distinguished developers in video games -- BioWare! Join Star Wars: The Old Republic senior writer Alexander Freed, Mass Effect 3 lead writer Mac Walters, Mass Effect comics scripter John Jackson Miller, Dark Horse editor Dave Marshall, and a cast of celebrities, as BioWare and Dark Horse announce their next collaboration and reveal exclusive details about the games and comics they're working on. Room 23ABC

4:30-6:00 Spotlight on Walter and Louise Simonson— Comic-Con special guests Walter & Louse Simonson recount their various adventures through the comics landscape both together and apart, at Marvel, DC, Warren, and several points in between. Plus, Walter will be giving away an autographed copy of the newly released Walter Simonson's The Mighty Thor: Artist's Edition to one random fan in attendance. Moderated by IDW special projects editor Scott Dunbier. Room 5AB

4:30-5:30 DC Focus: Jim Lee— Comic-Con special guest Jim Lee is by far the most in-demand artist in comics, from his spectacular work on Batman, Superman, WildC.A.T.S. and so many other comics to his groundbreaking designs for the DC Universe MMO game. Now, as co-publisher of DC Entertainment, Jim has led the way to the start of DC Comics - The New 52 with his exciting new looks for the World's Greatest Super Heroes. Room 6DE

4:30-5:30 Top Shelf Productions— Join Top Shelf PR guy Leigh Walton and an all-star cast of creators! You'll hear from incredible author/artists with brand-new books, including Kagan McLeod (Infinite Kung Fu), Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole, Any Empire), Robert Venditti (The Surrogates, The Homeland Directive), Mike Huddleston (The Homeland Directive), and James Kochalka (Johnny Boo, Dragon Puncher, American Elf)! Plus some wicked video trailers, a look at the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: 1969, and sneak peeks at what's coming next from Top Shelf! Room 8

4:30-5:30 Transforming Super-Powered Comic Book Readers into Super-Powered Comic Book Writers— This presentation focuses on how parents, teachers, and librarians can build on the popularity of graphic novels and transform present-day readers of graphic novels into future writers of graphic novels. Panelists include Dr. Katie Monnin (Teaching Graphic Novels, Teaching Early Reader Comics and Graphic Novels), Belle Yang (Forget Sorrow: An Ancestral Tale), Dr. James Bucky Carter (Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels), John Hogan (editor at graphicnovelreporter.com), Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle), Jimmy Gownley (Eisner Award-nominated graphic novelist of Amelia Rules!), Matt Holm (Babymouse, Squish), and Meryl Jaffe (Teaching Content Area Graphic Novels). Room 26AB

5:00-6:00 How comiXology Is Empowering Retailers to Sell Digital Comics to Increase Sales for All!— A traditionally fragmented market, the comic book industry has come a long way in terms of closing the gap between publishers, retailers, and creators. comiXology's recently announced Digital Storefront Affiliate program has further catapulted the industry into transition by empowering publishers and retailers to strengthen synergies and tap into the vibrant digital marketplace to sell more comics. On the verge of another breakthrough within the industry, creators and independent publishers will soon be able to increase visibility in the digital marketplace through a standard format and ubiquitous platform using comiXology's Guided View Authoring Tools. Learn more with David Steinberger (CEO of comiXology), P. J. Bickett (CEO of Archaia), Riley Brown (comic artist), and more to gain an inside perspective on how our recent programs are empowering and unifying the comic book industry to leverage the full the power of the digital marketplace. Room 4

5:00-6:00 BOOM! Studios/KABOOM!/BOOM! Town Panel— The BOOM! team -- Ross Richie, Matt Gagnon, and Chip Mosher -- take over Comic-Con for one full hour. You will not believe what you will hear at this panel. The publisher that is full of surprises...surprises once again! It's not a panel. It's a publishing event as the team at BOOM! take publishing panels to the next level. You will never be the same after this one! Room 9

5:00-6:00 Costume Designers & Costume Illustrators— Meet the men and women who are the costume designers and costume illustrators on this year's blockbuster films. Moderator Susan Nininger (member of Costume Designers Guild, Local 892; costume designer, The Bodyguard) talks to panelists and costume designers Julie Weiss (Twelve Monkeys, The Ring), Joseph Porro (Stargate, Ultra Violet), Wendy Chuck (Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Twilight), and costume illustrators Christian Cordella (G.I. Joe 2: Cobra Strikes, Captain America: The Last Avenger), Constantine Sekeres (G.I. Joe 2: Cobra Strikes, Superman: Man of Steel, Thor, Green Lantern), Phillip Boutte (Superman: Man of Steel, Twilight Saga), and Brian Valenzuela (Super 8, Mission Impossible 4). Room 23ABC

5:00-6:00 Webcomics Weekly Live!— Join Scott Kurtz (PvP), Kris Straub (Chainsawsuit), Dave Kellett (Sheldon), and Brad Guigar (Evil Inc) for a live performance of their rollicking podcast. They'll discuss the latest in webcomics and digital downloads and end with a lightning-round Q&A. Room 25ABC

5:00-6:00 Pitch Perfect— Andy Schmidt (Comics Experience founder, former Marvel and IDW editor) and panelists John Layman (Chew) and Mike Costa (G.I. Joe: Cobra) reveal the keys to creating the perfect pitch for a comics publisher: what must you have, what to leave out, and how to conduct yourself with interviews and correspondence. This might be the most valuable panel you ever attend! Room 30CDE

5:30-7:00 Gays in Comics: Year 24!— As mainstream companies DC and Marvel continue to frontline gay characters such as Batwoman and Northstar and hire top-level gay or gay-friendly creators, independent publishers and creators are publishing unequivocal content spotlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters, to the cheers of the thousands of fans who are out of the comic book closet. Founding moderator Andy Mangels (USA Today bestselling author of Star Trek novels and Iron Man: Beneath The Armor) hosts Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, head of Image Comics's Skybound imprint), Chip Kidd (author, editor and designer, Bat-Manga, Rough Justice), Dan Parent (writer/artist, Archie, Betty & Veronica, creator of Archie's new gay character and series, Kevin Keller), Jon Macy (writer/artist Teleny and Camille and Prism Queer Press grant recipient for Fearful Hunter), Paul Cornell (writer, TV's Doctor Who and DC Comics's upcoming Stormwatch and Demon Knights), and Greg Pak (writer, Incredible Hulks, co-writer, Alpha Flight, Herc). Plus a special video appearance by J. H. Williams III (co-writer/ artist, Batwoman). And there's always a surprise or two. Afterward, stick around for the hour-long gay comics fan mixer/social, hosted by Prism Comics, with prizes and surprise special guests! Room 6A

5:30-6:30 The UK Invasion— American comics have welcomed an incredible influx of talent from the United Kingdom over the years. This year, Comic-Con has a great lineup of that talent. CBLDF executive director Charles Brownstein talks with Alan Davis (Excalibur), Garth Ennis (Preacher), Dave Gibbons (The Originals), John Higgins (Watchmen), David Lloyd (V for Vendetta), and Grant Morrison (All Star Superman) about their individual careers on both sides of the big pond. Room 7AB

5:30-6:30 Everyone's Favorite Red Head, Little Orphan Annie— No, not Archie, but Annie! Famed cartoonist Chester Brown, Dean Mullaney (creative director, The Library of American Comics), Brian Doherty (senior editor of Reason magazine and author of Radicals for Capitalism), and Tom Devlin (Drawn & Quarterly creative director) discuss the importance of the legendary comics strip Little Orphan Annie and the profound influence and life of the strip's creator, cartoonist Harold Gray. Room 8

5:30-6:30 Comics in the Classroom— Teachers Anastasia Betts (UCLA), Christina Blanch (Ball State University), Thien Pham (Bishop O'Dowd High School), and Cheryl Wozniak (San Francisco Public Schools) discuss the place of comics in the classroom. Moderated by Chris Duffy (Nursery Rhyme Comics). Room 26AB

5:45-6:45 Spotlight on Jonathan Hickman— Marvel Architect and Comic-Con special guest Jonathan Hickman has not only reinvigorated one of the company's oldest -- and most loved -- franchises (The Fantastic Four), but he is now poised to help remake an entire corner of the Marvel Universe in what's bound to be one of the biggest books of the fall: The Ultimates. Join Jonathan for this one-on-one interview and Q&A session with Word Balloon's John Siuntres. Room 6DE

5:45-7:30 An Early Evening with Kevin Smith— You know Comic-Con is over for the night on Saturday when the fat man sings. Kevin Smith takes to the Hall H stage for his annual Q&A. Fair warning: he works bluer than Doctor Manhattan (though, unlike Doctor Manhattan, Smith will wear clothes for this performance). Hall H

6:00-7:00 Spirituality in Comics: Is Mass Media Our New Church?— In comics, movies, and even Broadway musicals like The Book of Mormon, spiritual themed work seems to be unexpectedly coming from the least religious of sources. Panelists Sergio Cariello (The Action Bible), Buzz Dixon (Hits & Misses), Mike Shields (Blue Blazes), and Russell Dalton (Marvelous Myths: Marvel Superheroes and Everyday Faith) discuss how a new media world of comics and pop culture is exploring timeless truths. Special giveaways for those in attendance. Brought to you by the Christian Comic Arts Society. Room 4

6:00-7:00 Archaia Entertainment: The Making of a Graphic Novel: Behind the Scenes on Bleedout, Everlast, and Mr. Murder Is Dead— Three new graphic novels coming from Archaia Entertainment's Black Label have some very interesting stories behind them, and if you ever aspire to create your own graphic novel someday, you may pick up some pointers! Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy goes behind the scenes on Everlast, a pre-apocalyptic tale about one's destiny, created by Chad Michael Murray (One Tree Hill); Bleedout, based on Vogster Entertainment's MMO RPG franchise CrimeCraft, with writer Mike Kennedy (Star Wars); and Mr. Murder Is Dead, a clever whodunit that evokes memories of the classic Golden Age comics of yesteryear, with writer Victor Quinaz (Before After) and illustrator Brent Schoonover (Astronaut Dad). Plus special announcements from Mouse Guard creator David Petersen and Rust creator Royden Lepp. Room 9

6:00-7:00 The Penny Arcade Q&A— After establishing their tiny media empire in the gaming space with PAX, PAX East, Child's Play, Penny Arcade: The Series and the recently announced animated feature film The New Kid, Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik do their first Comic-Con panel in two years. Business, life, art, games, parenting -- all topics are on the table. Room 25ABC

6:00-7:00 Photoshop in Comics, Film, and TV— Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard in digital imaging and is used by professionals worldwide for design, photography, video editing, and more. View a quick demo and meet members of the Photoshop team: Zorana Gee (Photoshop product manager), Daniel Presedo (Photoshop QE and consultant for Tracking Shot Films), Chris Cox (Photoshop engineer and industry icon), Nikolai Svakhin (Photoshop engineer), and Yuyan Song (Photoshop engineer). Then prepare for a lively Q&A. They will be giving away a free copy of Photoshop Extended CS5. Room 30CDE

6:30-7:30 Dawn of the Digital Era— RawStudios.com's Thomas Jane (Hung, The Punisher) and Tim Bradstreet (The Punisher) are joined by industry stars Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex, Painkiller Jane), David Uslan (Branded Entertainment), and Pepe Moreno (Batman Digital Justice, Rebel) to discuss the rapidly emerging digital distribution platform of comics. They'll provide an in-depth look at the creative and business aspects of the digital medium, aiming to demystify the taboos associated with digital comics and demonstrate how these comics can be more accessible for consumers and profitable for artists. You will learn how it all works together, from social media marketing to worldwide simultaneous distribution on multiple devices. With a moderator like Geoff Boucher (LA Times Hero Complex), this will be a panel you won't want to miss! Room 8

7:00-8:00 Gays in Comics Mixer and Silent Auction— Mingle with comics fans and creators plus stay for the special drawing of a Comics Gift Basket and the silent auction of hot comics items! Hosted by Prism Comics, the nonprofit organization that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered comics, creators, and readers. Room 6A

7:00-8:00 Fables— The annual Fables panel has become a Comic-Con tradition -- and with the original graphic novel Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland on the way this fall, there's no better time to hear what Bill Willingham, creator of the multi-Eisner Award-winning series, has to say. Join Bill, artists Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha, group editor Shelly Bond, and others for a panel that is truly legendary. Room 6DE

7:00-8:00 Halo-8 Comics, Animation, and Creator-Owned-Transmedia— Halo-8's Godkiller is one of the most broadly distributed creator-owned properties of the past year, a feat accomplished through Halo-8's experimental "illustrated film" format that merges comics with digital-cinema. Halo-8 president Matt Pizzolo (creator, Godkiller) leads an in-depth conversation on how marrying art with technology can empower creators like never before and can help launch a new renaissance of sustainable creator-owned storytelling. The panel will also unveil new transmedia experiments such as an interactive-film version of Patrick Meaney's Warren Ellis: Captured Ghosts and previews of upcoming illustrated films such as Tim Seeley's Hack/Slash and Ben Templesmith's Black Sky. The panel will include numerous creators and stars of Halo-8 projects, plus a special announcement: Seeley and Pizzolo will introduce the actress playing Cassie Hack in the Hack/Slash illustrated-film! You're probably already her fan, and she'll talk about how excited she is to bring Cassie to life. Room 9

7:30-9:30 CBLDF 25th Anniversary Gala Benefit Auction— Now held at the Hilton Bayfront, the CBLDF's benefit auction at Comic-Con is open to everyone! Come celebrate the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's 25 years of protecting the First Amendment rights of comics and win incredible original art by the most talented creators in the industry at the CBLDF's Comic-Con Benefit Auction. Featuring guest appearances by comics greats and astonishing original art, you won't want to miss this celebration benefiting the CBLDF's important work. Visit the CBLDF Booth for a full list of the items on auction. Sapphire Ballroom IJ, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

8:30-9:30 Metal Hurlant Chronicles— In the lineage of cult series such as The Twillight Zone and Tales from the Crypt, Metal Hurlant Chronicles is the science fiction live-action adaptation of stories from the eponymous world-renowned magazine (from which Heavy Metal magazine was adapted). This panel features a TV series pilot special screening, followed by a detailed presentation of the TV series and Q&A session with creator and director Guillaume Lubrano, producer Fabrice Giger (Humanoids), writers Geoff Johns (Green Lantern) and Dan Wickline (Sinbad), and artist Christian Gosset (The Red Star). Room 8

8:30-11:30 Fandom's 50th Meet-and-Greet— Meet some of the founders of comic book fandom at this mixer that will feature Comic-Con special guests Jean Bails, Richard Kyle, Paul Levitz, Dick and Pat Lupoff, Bill Schelly, Roy Thomas, and Maggie Thompson. Room 28DE

8:30-11:30 HBO's True Blood Presents the Comic-Con International Masquerade— Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands, with impressive awards and cash prizes bestowed to those judged most outstanding. Doors will open for audience seating at 7:45 pm, but the line will start much earlier! Tickets will be required for seating, and will be given out free to those lining up near Ballroom 20 beginning at 2:00 pm Saturday until all tickets are gone. The masters of ceremonies will once again be writer/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio. (Note: overflow seating is available in Rooms 5AB, 6A and in the Sails Pavilion; tickets not required for overflow areas) Ballroom 20