Comic-Con 2008 kicks off in San Diego soon — July 24-27 — and the web/indy/whatever–comic presence seems to grow bigger each year. If you’re going you’re already set b/c this thing, as a practical matter, sold out long ago (I think you can still get a hotel room in the next state over…).
Some awesome panels this year include:
THURSDAY
2:00-3:00 Clickwheel: On-Demand Digital Comics for iPod and iPhone— Is the new comic shop right in the palm of your hand? Join Clickwheel editor-in-chief Tim Demeter for a demonstration of the latest in mobile comics’ technology. Tim will discuss the emergence of mobile content and digital delivery in the comic book industry and how it’s changing the landscape of the business. Learn how to download and sync comics on your iPod or how to receive them on demand on your iPhone or iPod Touch! Creators interested in taking advantage of these new methods of distribution won’t want to miss the site demonstration, as Clickwheel.net is free for anyone to use. Room 32AB
2:30-3:30 Dumbrella— Artists from Dumbrella, one of the most popular online comics collectives, discuss webcomics, independent publishing, and subverting popular culture. Feel free to quiz Andrew Bell (The Creatures in My Head), Sam Brown (explodingdog), Jon Rosenberg (Goats), and Richard Stevens III (Diesel Sweeties), along with special guests M.C. Frontalot and Meredith Gran (Octopus Pie), about anything your Internet heart desires. Room 3
4:30-5:30 UClick: Mobile Comics— GoComics, the leader in online and mobile comics and manga, looks at a market truly coming in to its own. Panelists will discuss the evolution of comic strips and comic books in the digital age and examine new publishing platforms that make mobile viewing part of a complete comics experience. They’ll introduce new content from their partners: Stan Lee, Tokyopop, Virgin Comics, IDW, Devil’s Due, Papercutz, TMNT and more. Learn about what the future of mobile comics promises for fans and creators alike. Room 30AB
FRIDAY
3:00-4:00 An Introduction to Webcomics— The single largest explosion of new comics talent in history is happening online. Did you know that there are over 18,000 webcomics? Some of them have millions of readers. Most of these comics are free. Is this news to you? Then come and find out what you’ve been missing from Phil Foglio (moderator and writer/artist Girl Genius), Brad Guigar (Evil, Inc.), Dave Kellett (Sheldon), Scott Kurtz (PVP), and Kris Straub (Starslip Crisis). Room 3
5:30-6:30 Penny Arcade— The creators of Penny Arcade are on hand for a one-hour open Q&A session about the game industry, their own foray into making games, PAX, webcomics, Child’s Play, and more! (Please do not bring them food. They do not know any better and will, in fact, eat it.) Room 5AB
6:00-7:00 How To Make Webcomics: Live!— The four authors of Image Comics’ breakout book How to Make Webcomics present a live version of their popular weekly podcast. Scott Kurtz (PvP), Dave Kellett (Sheldon), Kris Straub (Starslip Crisis), and Brad Guigar(Evil Inc) discuss some of the core issues in webcomics: making money and building communities. Room 8
SATURDAY
6:30-7:30 Blatant Keenspot 2008— Pioneering webcomics powerhouse Keenspot returns for their 8th annual Comic-Con panel, and they’re bringing high-concept funny-book factory Blatant Comics with ’em! Panelists scheduled to appear include Blatant president Bobby Crosby (Last Blood, Marry Me), R.C. Monroe (Out There), R. Smith (Funny Farm, Banished!), Keenspot CEO Chris Crosby (Sore Thumbs, Superosity), and surprise guests to be announced! Get the latest on the Last Blood feature film adaptation from producers BenderSpink (The Ring, A History of Violence), new developments at Keenspot and ComicGenesis.com, and more. Room 4
SUNDAY
10:30-11:30 Zuda Online Comics— Read. Vote. Create. With those three little words, Zuda is changing the face of webcomics. Panel participants include Zuda staff Richard Bruning, Ron Perazza, Kwanza Johnson, and Dave McCullough, along with creators Jeremy Love (Bayou), Bobby & Peter Timony (The Night Owls), David Gallaher & Steve Ellis (High Moon), Nick Doan (Pray for Death), Johnny Zito & Tony Trovarello (The Black Cherry Bombshells), Sheldon Vella (Supertron), and Caanan Grall (Celadore). Listen as they ramble incoherently, pausing occasionally to make a good point. Room 4
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