Here's another day's worth of what I'll be doing two weeks from today. The entire day's schedule can be found here.
• FRIDAY •
Friday, July 25 – 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in Room 10
THE GROO PANEL
Since 1981, Groo the Wanderer — the creation of cartoonist Sergio Aragonés — has wandered from comic book to comic book, company to company, and weird adventure to weirder adventure. Where did he come from? What's he up to now? And most important, how do we avoid him? Sergio's accomplice Mark Evanier will tell you all about the stupidest character in any multiverse anywhere, aided by the comic's longtime letterer Stan Sakai (the creator of Usagi Yojimbo) and its newest colorist, Carrie Strachan. And they may even try to get Sergio on the phone.
Friday, July 25 – 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM in Room 10
SPOTLIGHT ON TODD KLEIN
Your favorite comic book would be nothing without a skilled letterer, and one of the most skilled (and most honored with awards) is Todd Klein, who is also an expert on all those who have plied his craft, past and present. Come hear Todd interviewed by Comic-Con Special Guest Mark Evanier and learn all about this too-often-unappreciated part of just about every comic book you've ever loved.
Friday, July 25 – 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM in Room 10
TWO MARKS EXPLAIN EVERYTHING
Do you have a burning question about the world of comics? About some character or writer or artist or publisher? Well, if writer Mark Waid doesn't know the answer…and if writer Mark Evanier also doesn't know the answer…then probably no one knows. The two of them fielding questions from the audience made for one of the most popular panels at WonderCon earlier this year, and they've agreed to give more of you the opportunity to get the answers you seek.
Friday, July 25 – 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM in Room 10
FOCUS ON DON GLUT
Don Glut is the writer/creator of the popular comics Dagar the Invincible, The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor, and Tragg and the Sky Gods. For Warren Publishing, he authored tales for Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella, and for Marvel, his writing could be found in, among others, Captain America, The Invaders, Kull the Destroyer, Solomon Kane, Star Wars, and What If…? Don also has more than 80 books to his credit, including The Dinosaur Dictionary and the authorized novelization of the movie The Empire Strikes Back. This year, he's receiving the coveted Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing, and he'll discuss his amazing career in this spotlight interview with Finger Award chairman (and Comic-Con Special Guest) Mark Evanier.
Friday, July 25 – 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM in Room 10
WALT KELLY'S POGO
Walt Kelly (1913–1973) was one of the most honored cartoonists of his day, primarily (but not exclusively) for his popular newspaper strip, Pogo. He brought to life not only the highly quotable possum Pogo but also all the creatures Pogo fraternized with in the Okefenokee Swamp, including Churchy LaFemme, Howland Owl, Mam'selle Hepizbah, and Albert the Alligator. Walt Kelly was also a Disney animator, a writer-illustrator for Dell Comics, and a pretty quotable guy himself. His work and legacy will be discussed by cartoonist Liniers, writer Paul Dini, and the folks who bring you Fantagraphics' award-winning reprintings of The Complete Pogo: Maggie Thompson, Eric Reynolds, Jane Plunkett and your moderator, Mark Evanier.
Friday, July 25 – 8 PM to Whenever in the Indigo Ballroom the Bayfront Hilton
THE WILL EISNER AWARDS
Sometime during the ceremony, Mark and Bill Finger's granddaughter Athena Finger will be presenting the annual Bill Finger Awards for Excellence in Comic Book Writing, which this year are going to Don Glut and the late Sheldon Mayer.