As San Diego Comic-Con rapidly approaches those planning on attending are still hammering out their schedules for the weekend. With the vast amount of panels taking place many are faced with several conflicts. Too many panels and not enough time lead to hard decisions. Even I was faced with making some tough choices. So to help all of you out I made a list of my top 10 must see panels for this year’s event. Perhaps my list can help you make a final decision for the weekend or maybe you think its complete utter shit. Let me know in the comments. On second thought, don’t.
10. Black Mask: Bringing a Punk Rock Sensibility, Activism, and Wu-Tang to Comics, Thursday 8:30-9:30, Room 8
Black Mask has taken the comic book industry by storm, not even a year old and the company is already making headlines with its sales numbers. With titles ranging from animal rights activism influenced “Liberator” to the Ghostface Killah inspired “12 Reasons to Die” the company offers a wide range of stories that has something for everyone. Now the company, headed by Brett Gurewitz of Epitaph and Bad Religion fame, makes its Comic Con debut in a panel you would be a fool to miss. Sure it’s a bit late but you can still hit all the cool after parties once the panel is over. Besides, all the cool people show up late anyway.
9. Spotlight on Chris Samnee, Thursday 1:00-2:00, Room 7AB
Daredevil is quite possibly Marvel’s best ongoing series at the moment, second only to perhaps All New X-Men or Hawkeye. The book itself is hands down my favorite ongoing series at the moment and with good reason. The creative team of Mark Waid and Chris Samnee knock it out of the park every issue. Just when I think they can’t outdo themselves I am proven wrong yet again. So when I read that Samnee would have his own panel moderated by Waid I was instantly sold.
8.Adventure Time, Friday 11:00-12:00, Indigo Ballroom
What time is it? That’s right it’s Adventure Time! Arguably one of the biggest if not the biggest cartoon currently airing on television today the panel promises to be all that and a bag of chips which is good because the panel gets out right at lunch time. The panel itself will include Pendleton Ward, show creator and voice Lumpy Space Princess, as well as the voices of Finn, Jake, and Marceline. Can someone say algebraic? Best part, and possibly the worst, is this panel is right after the Regular Show Panel which means you’ll have to show up early because there is a good chance that no one will be leaving between panels. However, if you do get in during the Regular Show panel you’ll have back to back two hours of awesomeness. If you don’t then…well, let’s not think about such horrible things. ADVENTURE TIME THEME
7. Regular Show, Friday 10-11:00, Indigo Ballroom
YEAAAAH! Is all I really need to say about this panel but given Chief Racketeer Yostradamus demands I meet a minimum word count (Emperor’s note: I have no idea what he’s talking about, the less I have to edit, the better), I guess I could write a little more to hype you up on this panel. Regular Show is easily one of the best cartoons created in the past decade or so. Mixing classic songs into its soundtrack, interweaving relevant pop culture references, and appealing to both young children and twenty somethings alike the show has truly set the bar high for future cartoon shows. So with this all in mind how could you miss this panel? Did I mention creator, as well as the voice of Mordecai and High Fives Ghost, J.G. Quintel will be present alongside the rest of the principle voice cast? As I mentioned earlier this panel is right before the Adventure Time Panel which means Friday morning at Comic-Con is definitely going to rule if you’re in the Indigo Ballroom. OHHHH!
6. Psychology of Star Trek vs. Star Wars: Episode II, Friday 7:30-8:30, Room 24 ABC
The decades long argument as to which franchise reigns supreme strikes back and it is sure to be one of the more interesting panels all weekend. Two geeky psychologists, Dr. Andrea Letamendi and Dr. Ali Mattu, duke it out in a battle of words which should hopefully have nerds screaming in their seats for more. The original panel took place at this year’s Wondercon and one can only assume that the sequel will be even better. It is an even numbered sequel after all. Hopefully this panel doesn’t end with a bunch of red shirts and stormtroopers bodies littering the floor, the convention center’s staff probably doesn’t get paid enough to deal with that kind of clean up. Episode 1
5. Batman: The Animated Series Turns 21, Saturday 5:45-6:45, Room 6DE
Batman: The Animated Series is THE definitive comic book cartoon hands down. From its amazing storytelling to the beautiful artwork very few comic book inspired cartoons have come close to its greatness and none have come yet to surpass it. The cartoon itself has shaped the DCAU years after its end and its core creative team will be in one place to talk about the dynamics that went into making the show. Perhaps we’ll hear/see some never before seen tales and footage? We can’t really be certain to be honest; regardless this panel is going to be a doozy. BATMAN INTRO
4. Pinky and the Brain 20th Anniversary Voice Reunion, Saturday 3:00-4:00, Lyceum
Pinky and the Brain was one of the cartoons that defined my child hood growing up, beginning as a short in the popular Animaniacs cartoon series before being given it’s own show which at one point featured Elmyra of Tiny Toons. So to see that Paulson and LeMarche are reuniting is just another chance to relive my childhood. Even if Pinky and the Brain wasn’t your favorite cartoon character you should hit this panel up solely for the fact that Rob Paulson and Maurice LaMarache, arguably two of voice acting’s biggest stars, will be there. From G.I. Joe to Futurama and everything in between the duo have probably starred in at least one episode of about every cartoon you’ve ever enjoyed in the past 3 decades. So to miss them would be foolish. I mean have you HEARD LeMarche’s Orson Welles impersonation? Pinky and the Brain Panel
3. Go Green! With the Lean, Mean, Ninja Team: Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Friday 2:15-3:15, Room 6A
I’ve loved the turtles since I was about 3 or 4 years old, every incarnation and every film. Well maybe not the next mutation but that’s because it was pretty damn horrible, though with the way things are going with the current movie in the works Next Mutation might look good in comparison. Regardless, my love has never wavered and with the current cartoon and comic series kicking ass it’s a no brainer that this panel would be on my top 10. Perhaps the highlight will be having some of the voice talent from the Nickelodeon show present including Mae Whitman, Rob Paulsen, Sean Astin and Greg Cipes. TMNT Theme
2. DC Comics Batman: Zero Year, Saturday 11:15-12:30, Room 6DE
Truth be told I am not really sold on the upcoming Zero Year storyline that is set to take place in Batman. However, I feel that given Snyder’s previous track record with the title the story could be better than I am giving it credit for. Hence, I am attending this panel in hopes that I will be swayed by learning more about what’s in store for the caped crusader. No self-respecting fan of Batman would dare miss this panel which is why it’s so high up on the list.
1. X-Men , Sunday 12:30-1:30, Room 6DE
The number on spot in my book goes to X-Men, no contest. Being the huge X-Fan that I am I couldn’t live with myself if I missed this one. Not to mention with so much going on in the X-Universe this year this will be the place to get loads of sneak peaks for some upcoming events like “Battle of the Atom” and “Arms of the Octopus”. Basically you can’t miss this panel and if you do we can’t be friends. All I’m saying.
-Armando Olivas