The 2009 San Diego Comic-Con kicks off with preview night on Wednesday, July 22 and runs through Sunday, July 26. If you are a publisher, creator, retailer or any other kind of exhibitor who would like to let folks know about any special plans you have for the show (panels, signing schedules, exclusives, debuts, etc.) drop me an email and I'll run it here.
Organizations | The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Things From Another World have teamed up to create a set of limited edition cards by various comic creators that will be handed out by various publishers, the CBLDF and TFAW. The original artwork for the cards will be auctioned off at the con, with proceeds going to the fund. Contributors include Mike Mignola, Phil Hester, Eric Powell, Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon, Steve Lieber and many more.
Panels | Although the official programming schedule hasn't been released yet, a few companies have started sharing their panels via press releases and such. Thursday at the con brings a panel on Disney animator Walt Stanchfield, who is profiled in a new book called Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes.
Also, FOX TV has released their schedule. They'll have panels dedicated to the Simpsons, Family Guy, The Cleveland Show (a Family Guy spinoff), 24, Futurama and Bones. They'll also have Joss Whedon and Eliza Dushku on hand to introduce a never before seen episode of Dollhouse. And they'll have a panel dedicated to their new show Glee, where they'll show another episode. You can watch the first one on Hulu; it is hilarious.
Interestingly enough, the release doesn't mention Fringe, but there will be a panel with several members of the cast.
Creators | Ryan Ottley will sell his sketchbook -- Violence & Piggybacks -- at the show.
Retailers | ComicsPRO, the comic retailer's association, will host several panels aimed at retailers -- as well as potential retailers -- on the Friday of the con.
Scalping | Over at Bleeding Cool, Rich Johnston posts about scalpers selling San Diego passes for $400-600 on eBay.
False Hope | Laura Hudson fact checks the recent Penthouse article on how to hook up at comic conventions.
Eisners | I mentioned this in yesterday's Slash Print, but just in case you missed it ... Uclick, which has brought titles like Bone and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the iPhone, announced that they’ve released an Eisner Award iPhone application, available now for free on iTunes. The application will update with icons indicating the winners in each category shortly after the voting results are announced on Friday, July 24.
Toys | Underground Toys has released images of their Dr. Who Comic-Con exclusive action figures.
Video games | Joystiq highlights all the video game companies who will be at the con.