There are tons of panels to choose from this year for Comic-Con@Home, which starts Wednesday. With so many options, some educational and entertaining panels will be looked over; however, if one has the chance to look at some of the more under-the-radar panels, these ten are a great place to start, covering topics ranging from conspiracy theories to virtual worlds.
Conspiracy Theories and Propaganda Throughout Pop Culture (Wednesday, July 22, 5 pm PT)
While this panel is not tied to a specific IP like others, "Conspiracy Theories and Propaganda Throughout Pop Culture" is a must see for many reasons. This panel, featuring J.D. Lombardi (host/producer), Justin Montgomery (MentalXhaustion.com), Guadalupe De La O (STEM teacher) and G.L. Lambert (screenwriter), will not only go in depth about how comics, films and television reflect propaganda and conspiracies, but it will also explain why it is is so important nowadays, due to increased access to and interest in conspiracies, to combat misinformation.
Building a Geek Brand: Surviving a Pandemic (Thursday, July 23, 10 am PT)
This year's Comic-Con@Home has a number of panels for professionals trying to get their start or improve their businesses, portfolio and product, and "Building a Geek Brand: Surviving a Pandemic" is great for those working in the world of entertainment and fandom, especially during the current climate. Along with having panelists ranging from cosplayers to writers, this panel will discuss things like publishing, cosplay, apparel and starting a business. Join Linda Le, Rachel Litfin, Tony B Kim and Victor Dandridge as they tackle all of this as well as how young professionals in this field can contribute to Black Lives Matter while also surviving the pandemic.
Hollyweird Science: Creativity, Correctness and Collaboration (Thursday, July 23, 11 am PT)
As the years go by, science-fiction continues to blend in science fact and theories with the fantastical, as seen in Interstellar and The Martian. While some movies get science right, others fall flat, and the Hollyweird Science books, along with this panel, will expose both and make note of the parallels between those in STEM fields and those working in film. Ashley E. Miller (Lore), Nicole Perlman (Captain Marvel), Jessica Cail, Ph.D. (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Kevin Grazier, Ph.D (Gravity) come together to talk science in film.
Wonder Women: Superstars of Paranormal (Thursday, July 23, 1 pm PT)
Whether someone is a fan of paranormal shows or if they are curious about the strange and unusual, this panel will explore the unknown from the perspective of those who deal with it daily. From paranormal researchers Amy Bruni (Kindred Spirits) and Katrina Weidman (Portals to Hell), to paranormal explorer Chelsea Laden (Destination Fear), to psychic medium Cindy Kaza (The Holzer Files), fans will get advice and stories from the women who come face to face with the supernatural.
Shudder: 'Horror is Queer' (Thursday, July 23, 6 pm PT)
Shudder has a handful of documentaries exploring the genre's impact on society and its relation to certain communities, best seen in Horror Noire. Joining the catalogue is a documentary dedicated to queer representation in horror, and this panel will be a great precursor to the movie, featuring Bryan Fuller (Hannibal), Nay Bever (Attack of the Queerwolf Podcast), Don Mancini (Child's Play franchise), Lachlan Watson (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and the director of the upcoming documentary Sam Wineman. This panel is perfect for fans of the genre and LGBTQ+ cinema.
Howard Cruse: The Godfather of Queer Comics (Friday, July 24, 10 am PT)
There a number of panels dedicated to LGBTQ+ creators and stories. While there are many that focus on contemporary media, "Howard Cruse: The Godfather of Queer Comics" will look back at the legacy Cruse left behind. Cruse's work paved the way for contemporary queer creators, and this panel will go in depth about his work and life with moderators Justin Hall (No Straight Lines), Jennifer Camper (Juicy Mother) and Karen Green (Curator for Comics and Cartoons at Columbia University) leading discussions with those who knew Cruse.
Building Your Own Themyscira: Connecting With Other Geeky Bosses (Friday, July 24, 6 pm PT)
Community is key to fandom and entertainment. Hosted by co-editor of The Sartorial Geek, Jordan Dené Ellis, this round table discussion will go in depth about the importance of community, along with the best ways to network within these circles. With panelists like Robyn Warren (Geek Girl Strong), Matt Cox (playwright), Jazzlyn Stone (freelance comic marketer) and Rose Del Vecchio (FanMail), this discussion will cover many corners of nerd culture.
UltraLaywer Kaiju Patrol (Saturday, July 25, 1 pm PT)
Pop culture can be used as a tool to understand real world practices and theories; it can also be used to represent concerns of the times. "UltraLaywer Kaiju Patrol" does exactly this by applying legal practices and theories to giant monsters, with the help of its panel of attorneys - Bethany Bengfort (Durie Tangri), Nari Ely (U.S. Courts), Thomas Harper (Army JAG) and Joshua Gilliland (The Legal Geeks). From First Amendment rights to accountability, this panel will take Mothra, Ultraman, Godzilla and more to court.
Comic Shops: Preserving Through Crisis (Saturday, July 25, 5 pm PT)
The pandemic has hit the comic industry hard, and shops have needed to reevaluate business strategies. This panel is perfect for those who want to help their local shops during times of crisis as well as those working in the industry, with Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff), Marc Hammond (Aw Yeah Comics), Jeff Beck (East Side Mags) and Dr. Christina Blanche (Aw Yeah Comics) discussing how businesses can endure during a crisis.
World-Builders: The Evolution of Immersive Entertainment (Sunday, July 26, 3 pm PT)
In recent years, the advancements in technology have led to some of the most immersive sets. Those who work in effects can be overshadowed by the talent, directors and writers; however, as seen in The Lion King and The Mandalorian, these artists truly are the best of the business with the settings they bring to life. Isabelle Riva (Unity Technology), Ted Schilowitz (Paramount Pictures), Emilie Jolie (Apelab - Zoe in-VR Creation Software), Brooks Brown (ViRvi--Bringing Virtual Reality to Art), Kwaku Aning (Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking - CIET) and Asad Malik (1RIC, Jadu AR app) discuss the future of filmmaking.