Hannah Means-Shannon (Georgian Court University), Robert Weiner (Texas Tech University), and Christina Angel (Metropolitan State University of Denver) examine the teaching of comic books in the classroom and the variety of opportunities for publishing in comics studies, including journals, forums, blogs, and social media. The group contemplates the future of comic studies for educators, librarians, and scholars of many kinds.
Friday March 29, 2013 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight) explores the history of journalist characters in comic book stories and why so many news folk date, harangue, or are themselves superheroes. Dr. Sarah Boslaugh (Kennesaw State University) describes a history of comics journalism in the real world and offers a prediction for its future. Joining them are comics journalists Alan Kistler (Comic Book Resources), Tony B. Kim (Crazy4ComicCon.com), Molly Mahan (Geekscape.net), and Michael Worthan (Comic Book Therapy) to set these professors straight on the reality of it all.
Friday March 29, 2013 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Can comic books and graphic novels help us understand the world in richer and more complete ways? Sarah Boslaugh (Kennesaw State University) discusses the roots and development of comics journalism, focusing on how this graphic medium complements both reporting and the growth of Internet journalism. Nicole Rehnberg (California State University, Fullerton) focuses on how the graphic memoirs Persepolis and Maus provide new viewpoints for understanding conflict in the Middle East and the horror of the Holocaust. Molly Hall (University of New Hampshire) shows how graphic novels can be serious literature and points out the potential benefits of using them in a humane literary studies curriculum.
Friday March 29, 2013 2:30pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
What does it take to remake a universe? Immensely talented artists! Join DC Comics artists for a unique peek into their visual approach in shaping DC Comics!
Friday March 29, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Javier Hernandez (Los Comex) presents his popular comic book workshop for kids. Participants will create a one-page comic, using an interactive storytelling exercise where everyone can join in the creation of the story. You don't have to be a great artist to make comics, just have a desire to tell stories with words and pictures! Paper and pencils will be provided.
Friday March 29, 2013 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Richard Hatch (actor, writer, teacher) will share cutting-edge acting and role-playing techniques that will take your game, performance, and art to the next level. Includes a lecture, exercises, and practical acting and role-playing applications. For actors, role-players, or anyone interested in learning the art and craft of powerful acting and dynamic and entertaining character development.
Friday March 29, 2013 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
In 2012, Thrillbent.com brought you a new way to read digital comics with Insufferable -- and now WonderCon Anaheim plays host to the official launch of Thrillbent 2.0! See what's in store from Eisner and Harvey Award-winning writer Mark Waid as he and his collaborators John Rogers (Leverage), Nate Watson, and others premiere several all-new digital series!
Friday March 29, 2013 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
From a performance studies perspective, Maria Patrice Amon (University of California, Irvine) argues that cosplaying is the ultimate embodiment of Scott McCloud's assertion of universal identification with characters through the simplification of the cartoon image. Rooted in contemporary comic and Foucauldian theory, Cameron McKee (University of California, Berkeley) argues that Tom of Finland's comics were seminal to the emergence of a radical gay identity pre-Stonewall through the AIDS crisis. Christine Ferguson argues that Batman illustrates the superpower of S&M and, in the process of exploring the submissive side of Batman, demonstrates the importance of aftercare, bonding, and how not to call the Commissioner down.
Saturday March 30, 2013 10:30am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Karma Waltonen (University of California, Davis) argues that the form and content of David Mazzucchelli's masterwork Asterios Polyp are wedded in such a medium-specific way that it resists adaptation completely, and, through the relationship between form and content, it serves as a unique example of the medium. John Rodzvilla (Emerson College) discusses how Wallace Wood's unpublished handout of "22 panels that always work" has influenced the pacing and layout of comics over the last 30 years in everything from superhero stories to independent graphic novels. Michael J. Muniz (Liberty University) presents a philosophical introspection on the fourth wall as a device to manifest narrative worlds that, when broken, becomes more transparent and even metaphysically malleable to the reader.
Saturday March 30, 2013 12:00pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Harvey Award-winning independent voice and CAC special guest Matt Kindt (Mind Mgmt) discusses his approach to making comics with CAC co-chair Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight). They will discuss Kindt's use of sequential artistry in his works and the creative process in formulating elements like character and plot as well as the way he draws on his background in book production to design the physical books.
Saturday March 30, 2013 1:30pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
It's no surprise that if your job is to be creative, that's going to be your focus, but losing sight of important business issues has been the downfall of more than one artist in the past. Luckily, the popular Comic Book Law School® will help by supplying the "ABCs" of legal protections for creators, and maybe help you discover how to make protecting yourself an every-day part of the creative process. Join noted IP attorney Michael Lovitz, author of The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book, as he sets down a solid foundation on intellectual property for attendees of this informative seminar. Starting with the basics on the ownership and protection of ideas, an understanding of copyright and trademark rights, including for works of authorship, characters, and names, this seminar will help guide you from conception through publication and beyond. Attendees are invited to participate in an interactive discussion about basic rights provided under U.S. copyright and trademark laws, as well as the registration process for each (and time permitting, how recent court decisions and changes in the law could affect those rights). Along the way, there will be plenty to learn about the protections, and pitfalls, of the U.S. trademark and copyright systems. Please Note: The Comic Book Law School seminars are designed to provide relevant information and practice tips to practicing attorneys, as well as practical tips to creators and other professionals who may wish to attend. However, the seminar is presented for information and entertainment purposes only, and the information presented and opinions expressed at the seminars do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. [This program is approved for one (1) credit of California MCLE.]
Saturday March 30, 2013 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Hey kids! Kristian Andrew Sather(Jetsons, kristiansather.blogspot.com) returns to WonderCon Anaheim with his popular cartooning workshop. Kristian will demonstrate the techniques used in drawing funny cartoon characters. You will learn how to draw your own funny cartoon characters using basic geometric shapes and more. Join Kristian for this unique & exciting session!
Saturday March 30, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
DC Comics colorist Alex Sinclair will show you how he uses textures to enhance his work on comic book panels, pages, and covers. He will share tips on how to use the Adobe Photoshop brush tool to its full potential and to help you create different textures. Alex will do various demos and answer questions about his techniques.
Saturday March 30, 2013 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Author/historian/producer Larry "Dr. Trek" Nemeck (Trekland: On Speaker, TNG Companion) shares his archives while we party for the 25th anniversary of The Next Generation and the 20th for DS9. He'll give you behind the scenes, humor, the what-ifs, the bizarre-and some all-new blooper stills to boot. And there's that flick still coming: The Con of Wrath, of course -- Larry's documentary. Oh, yes -- and then that OTHER movie, too, in May.
Saturday March 30, 2013 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
UPDATED: Mon, Mar 25, 03:47PM What's the point in examining fictional characters, especially fantastic superheroes unlike any people we encounter in real life? Psychologist Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight) and Andrea Letamendi (Barbara Gordon's therapist in Batgirl #16), comics scholar Kathleen McClancy (Wake Forest University), and comic book writer Bryan Q. Miller (Batgirl) explore how the filter of fiction can allow people to face some of the worst events that happen in real life without turning away and how that, in turn, helps us learn more about the way actual crises affect living human beings.
Sunday March 31, 2013 11:30am - 1:00pm PDT
Room 210BCD
James Medina (University of Dundee) compares the politics, style, and purpose of postapocalyptic narratives from different countries. Lindsay Kerstetter (California State University, Fullerton) applies trauma theory to explore the motivations of The Walking Dead characters, who are forced to exist in a world where trauma has become a part of everyday life. Rachelanne Smith (California State University, Sacramento) explains how satirizing the dark, gritty attitudes of contemporary comic book film adaptations actually makes the case that the traditional, altruistic hero is the one society needs.
Sunday March 31, 2013 1:00pm - 2:30pm PDT
Room 210BCD
Kamila Tuszyńska (University of Warsaw) examines how Enki Bilal's Julia & Roem plays with conventions drawn from the classical cultural heritage to focus attention on contemporary issues. Hannah Diaz (California State University, Fullerton) explains how the female cosplay world has responded to the limited variety of body types and outfits from which to choose by modifying designs to reflect a female character with a wider variety of qualities than those found in mainstream comic books.
Sunday March 31, 2013 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 210BCD
The hero (protagonist) and the villain (antagonist) are the two most important characters in stories. They have opposing goals and are bound through conflict. Young adult author Cecil Castellucci (Year of the Beasts) will teach you how to develop compelling heroes and villains for your own fantastic stories in this workshop for teens.
Sunday March 31, 2013 3:30pm - 4:30pm PDT
Room 210BCD
