With San Diego Comic-Con going completely online this year, we’ve rounded up all the big publishing panels you’ll want to watch (and how).
Because of the pandemic, this year’s San Diego Comic-Con is going fully digital, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Sure, we’ll miss the excitement of the show floor and Hall “H”, but the organizers have put together an impressive line-up of virtual panels nonetheless. Not to mention there’ll be a ton of exclusive merchandise available from all the usual vendors.
Each year, SDCC is a publishing fan’s dream with all the big houses present and accounted for, eager to show off their latest and future titles. You could fill most of your con schedule with just publishing/author panels, signings, workshops, and shopping. And while it will be a different experience this year, the last few months have shown us that virtual panels can be just as fun and even more accessible. Not to mention, it’s totally free!
So, in that spirit, here are just a few of the virtual publishing panels to look out for at next week’s first ever digital San Diego Comic-Con@Home. This is by no means the complete lineup, for that, please check out the schedule for the entire list.
Enjoy!
Legendary Comics 2.0: Sci-Fi, YA, Romance, and More!
You can watch this panel on Thursday, July 23rd from 1:oopm – 2:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE!
The Legendary Comics team chat to find out who they are and what they publish. Built on a solid foundation of world-class storytelling, Legendary Comics is bringing amazing and inclusive tales of Sci-Fi, YA, Romance, Horror, and Fantasy to life . . . but not all at once because that would be confusing.
Image Comics Spotlight
You can watch this panel on Thursday, July 23rd from 5:00pm – 6:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE!
Get the exclusive scoop on an exciting new project by a best-selling powerhouse creative team returning to Image for an all-new series.
Howard Cruse: The Godfather of Queer Comics
You can watch this panel on Friday, July 24th from 10:00am – 11:am (PT) by clicking HERE!
Howard Cruse, widely recognized as the “godfather of queer comics,” passed away on November 28th, 2019. He left behind a remarkable legacy as the creator of Gay Comix, Wendel, and Stuck Rubber Baby (back in print from First Second Books in a 25th Anniversary Edition). Howard Cruse not only broke open doors with his prodigious talent, but he held them open for those who came after him. Join Prism Comics and moderators Justin Hall (No Straight Lines, professor, California College of the Arts), Jennifer Camper (Juicy Mother, Queers & Comics Conference organizer) and Karen Green (curator for Comics and Cartoons at Columbia University) for three panels discussing Cruse’s life and work featuring creators who worked with or knew Howard – Trina Robbins, Denis Kitchen, Roberta Gregory, Robert Triptow, Diane DiMassa, Robert Kirby, Ivan Velez Jr., Rupert Kinnard, Ajuan Mance, Steve MacIsaac, Tara Madison Avery, William O. Tyler, and Andy Mangels.
Star Wars Audiobooks: Doctor Aphra
You can watch this panel on Friday, July 24th from 11:00am – 12:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE.
Get the inside scoop on the newest Star Wars Audiobook Original, “Doctor Aphra”, from inception to the incredible finished product performed by a full cast. You’ll hear from audiobook narrators Marc Thompson and Emily Woo Zeller, author Sarah Kuhn, and “Del Rey” editor Elizabeth Schaefer as they discuss this adaptation of the critically acclaimed Marvel comics series where Dr. Aphra teams up with Darth Vader, in a conversation moderated by audiobook producer Nick Martorelli.
Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories From a Galaxy Far, Far Away
You can watch this panel on Friday, July 24th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE.
Some of the biggest and best Star Wars authors talk about some of their exciting new projects set in a galaxy far, far away. Featuring Timothy Zahn, Alex Segura, Justina Ireland, George Mann, Preeti Chhibber, Tom Angleberger, Rebecca Roanhorse, Greg Pak, and Alyssa Wong. Moderated by “This Week In Star Wars” host Kristin Baver and Lucasfilm Publishing senior editor Robert Simpson.
From Idea to Hired: Books, TV, Film, and Comics
You can watch this panel on Friday, July 24th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE.
Agents, managers, and book editors come together to answer questions about how to take your writing career from the blank page to sold. They’ll answer questions about writing the breakout project, getting representation, what it takes to sell a book to film, industry scoop, and more. Moderated by Nathan Bransford (author of How to Write a Novel), this year’s panel features Quressa Robinson (Nelson Literary Agency), Holly Root (Root Literary Agency), DongWon Song (Howard Morhaim Literary Agency), and Lars Theriot (Industry Entertainment).
Sinless, Fearless, Ruthless – A look at science and social science in a YA sci-fi book
You can watch this panel on Friday, July 24th from 4:00pm – 5:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE.
Imagine a world where your looks depend on “being good” and adhering to social norms and morality. That is the premise of Sarah Tarkoff’s new Young Adult book series “Eye of the Beholder”. The book’s young heroine is part of a future where all countries in the world are governed by a new religion. A future where not following the doctrine and the morality of the religion has physical implications. Could there really be a higher being so powerful or are there other powers at play? Join the Fleet Science Center, author Sarah Tarkoff and scientists, as they discuss the story, the science and the social science behind the “Eye of the Beholder Trilogy”. Moderated by Andrea Decker (Fleet Science Center).
Panelists: Nicole Henniger (PhD and assistant professor in the department of counseling & psychology at the Tennessee Tech University), Amy Lawton (PhD candidate, Department of Sociology at University of Connecticut), Samantha Russman (PhD student at the Jacobs Engineering School at UC San Diego), Sarah Tarkoff (author of the new YA sci-fi series Eye of the Bolder and writer for TV shows, such as Arrow and Witches of East End).
The Official Dune Publishing Panel
You can watch this panel on Saturday, July 25th from 11:00am – 12:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE.
Bestselling science fiction authors Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson discuss the exciting new “Dune” graphic novels, comics, and original novels coming out this fall. Joined by their editors, Herbert and Anderson will discuss content from their past and upcoming projects, including Frank Herbert’s masterpiece “Dune” (Ace) with senior editor Jessica Wade, the graphic novel adaptation of Frank Herbert’s masterpiece, “Dune: The Graphic Novel, Book 1” (Abrams ComicArts), with editor Charlotte Greenbaum, the prequel trilogy of books beginning with “Dune: House Atreides” (Del Rey), with executive editor Anne Groell, the prequel comic series “Dune: House Atreides” (BOOM! Studios) with company CEO & founder Ross Richie, and “Dune: The Duke of Caladan” (TOR), with editor Christopher Morgan.
The Art of Adapting Comics to the Screen: David S. Goyer Q&A
You can watch this panel on Saturday, July 25th from 11:00am – 12:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE!
The writer behind such iconic comic book film and TV adaptations including Blade, Batman Begins, Constantine (TV), and Man of Steel–David S. Goyer–discusses his creative writing process and what it took to bring these beloved characters and tales from the page to the screen. Moderated by Backstory Magazine publisher Jeff Goldsmith.
Calling All Book Lovers: A Sneak Peek at New Books from Tor, Tor Teen, and Tor.com Publishing
You can watch this panel on Saturday, July 25th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE.
From Brandon Sanderson to V.E. Schwab, from Christopher Paolini to Cory Doctorow, “Tor” publishes some of the greatest sci-fi, fantasy, and horror stories around. This will be a panel to shine a spotlight on some of the exciting books that Tor, Tor Teen, and Tor.com Publishing have to offer. Join the book lovers from the Tor team as they share a sneak peek at new and upcoming SFF, and updates from fan-favorite authors, as well opportunities to win some fabulous freebies.
Women of Color in Comics: Race, Gender & the Comic Book Medium
You can watch this panel on Saturday, July 25th from 12:00pm – 1:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE!
The Women in Comics Collective International is an organization that focuses on the merit and craftwork of Women and Non-Binary People working in the comic book industry. They host comic book education events across the country, including their own convention, Women in Comics Con. In this segment of their ongoing panel discussion series, they will discuss the current state of the comic book industry and how it’s been impacted by the events of 2020; from COVID19 Pandemic to Racial unrest due to Police Violence. Panelists include, Jonita Davis (film reviewer, and pop culture journalist), Jules Rivera (comic book artist), Vanee Matsalia (writer, educator), Camilla Zhang (writer, editor, consultant), Marqueeda LaStar (tech & pop culture journalist), and moderator Regine L. Sawyer, (writer/publisher).
LGBTQ Comics and Popular Media for Young People
You can watch this panel on Sunday, July 26th from 2:00pm – 3:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE!
Comics and animation are universal mediums that have recently made huge leaps in presenting LGBTQ-inclusive stories and characters for young audiences. These groundbreaking successes have made unique creative opportunities for LGBTQ storytellers. A mix of animation and publishing storytellers discuss their projects and answer the questions: How do they approach LGBTQ content and characters for tweens & teens? What are the new and upcoming projects to watch for? And how do new LGBTQ creators find their voice and get their start? Join Prism Comics, moderator Cort Lane (Marvel Rising, Ultimate Spider-Man) and talented panelists Gina Gagliano (publishing director, Random House Graphic), Trung Le Nguyen aka Trungles (The Magic Fish, Twisted Romance), Alex Sanchez (You Brought Me The Ocean), Noelle Stevenson (Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power), Mariko Tamaki (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass), Brittney Williams (Goldie Vance, DC Super Hero Girls), and Michael Vogel (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Young Justice) as they look at the world of LGBTQ storytelling for the young fans of today and creators of tomorrow.
How to Create Your Own Novel: From First Idea to Publishing and What You Need to Sell Your Work Into TV and Film
You can watch this panel on Sunday, July 26th from 3:00pm – 4:00pm (PT) by clicking HERE.
The Winner Twins, Brittany and Brianna, multiple award-winning and national-bestselling science fiction and fantasy authors, will explain how to create your own novel step by step, from building your universe to overcoming writer’s block to the different paths to publishing. They will be joined by Todd McCaffrey (New York Times bestselling author, Dragonriders of Pern), Kevin J Anderson (New York Times bestselling author and publisher of Wordfire Press, The Saga of Seven Suns, The Star Wars Universe, The Dune Universe), and Rebecca Moesta (national-bestselling author, publisher and CEO of Wordfire Press, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Junior Jedi Knights, A Christmas to Remember). They will share their war stories, their writing secrets, and discuss their insights and advice on writing through the Covid-19 era.
For the complete line-up, schedule, vendor information, and exclusive merchandise, be sure to head over to Comic-Con.org for the latest!
Have a great Con!
