Rose City Comic-Con announces programming, guests, promise of fun

Rose City Comic Con, Portland’s own comics fest, is coming up on September 9-10th, and they’ve just announced their programming, which you can read below.

Portland, is of course, America’s First City of Comics, and the guest list includes Stan Lee, Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Bendis!, and an ecletic nerdlebrity list including BOTh Cusaks, Joan and John, Phil LaMarr, Ming Na Wen and so on. In other words: a full fledged all around comic-con.

The show takes place at the ORegon Convention Center. The Beat will not be attending, but if you’d like to report on it for us, hit us up!

SATURDAY

10:30 AM

THE KAREN FUKUHARA HOUR
Room 1
She made her big screen debut in this Summer’s Suicide Squad as Katana. Come hear what it took to bring that classic DC character to life, and what’s next for Karen.

BEHIND THE SCENES: VINTAGE TOMORROWS
Room 2
A look behind the scenes of the recently-released Portland-produced feature Steampunk documentary, including never-before-seen deleted scenes, stories from the production team, and tips for aspiring Steampunk filmmakers.

EDITING COMICS: WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
Room 4
With the shifting landscape of comics today, this is your invaluable guide to breaking into the industry and working with a powerhouse publisher. Join Dark Horse editors Katii O’Brien, Cardner Clark, Freddye Miller, and Hannah Means-Shannon for a rare behind-the- scenes look share the secrets of building successful comic and graphic novel programs!

CELEBRIGEEK: BUILDING YOUR BRAND
Room 6
A guide to build your social media presence and brand in the geek world. We’ll cover content, branding, audience selection, and social media marketing. We will get deep into how to run a social media brand; what to post on what channel, who to talk to, how to network, and how to keep your content fresh, consistent, and relevant in a rapidly changing media landscape. Relevant to cosplayers, filmmakers, product reviewers, and any geek who wants to share their unique vision with the world.

A SPOTLIGHT ON CHARLES SOULE
Room 8
An inhuman, man without fear who in just the last few years has redefined power couples and killed Wolverines. Come hear how one of the fastest rising stars in the comics industry thinks.

11:00 AM

NO CACKLING, NO CAULDRON: REINVENTING WITCHCRAFT IN CONTEMPORARY COMICS
Room 3
The archetypal fantasy figure of the witch has received a makeover in some of the best independent comics of the last few years. Join Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott (Black Magick), Terry Moore (Rachel Rising) and Jennifer Van Meter (Dr. Mirage) for a discussion of the ways they have transformed an ancient and misogynistic trope into something fresh and empowering.

WORLD BUILDING
Room 5
Enjoy a discussion with these two long time industry professionals, Chris Pramas and Nicole Lindroos as they discuss World Building. They’ll discuss personal thoughts on the topic and will also answer questions about the various settings that they’ve developed over the years. This is your chance to get an inside scoop on Titansgrave among others!

CREATE YOUR COSPLAY WORKSHOP – WHAT EVERY BEGINNING COSPLAYER NEEDS TO GET STARTED
Room 7
In this panel, cosplayer Kristy Podelnyk will describe the basic supplies needed to create a Cosplay Workshop. From sewing to soldering to building, she will share her insights and budgets on how to stock different workshops for different projects.

QUEER COMICS TAKE OVER THE WORLD
Room 9
Queer comics are taking over the world! Join LGBTQ comics editors and creators in a discussion about mainstream and indie queer comics and the importance of queer representation. Panelists include Taneka Stotts (Beyond), Ari Yarwood (managing editor of Oni Press/Limerence Press), Genue Revuelta (Love & Sprockets), Terry Blas (Briar Hollow), and D.J. Kirkland (Black Mage)!

11:30 AM

MING-NA WEN: CALLING IN THE CAVALRY
Room 1
You know her best as the most dangerous SHIELD agent, Melinda May, but Ming-Na has a career that spans over 20 years that includes voice acting, shows like E.R. and as Chun Li in Street Fighter. Get a front row seat, and maybe catch some SHIELD secrets.

ROOMIES – KNIGHTMARE: A SHORT FILM BY THE PORTLAND FILMMAKING COLLABORATIVE
Room 2
Samuel is a huge comic book fan living in a world where toys are ALIVE! He buys an action figure of his hero with hopes of it being the best roommate ever, but things don’t go quite as expected. What do you do when the Dark Knight won’t do his share?

COMIC SHOP QUIRK: COMIC SHOPS WITH PERSONALITY
Room 4
Join Oni Press Editor-in-Chief James Lucas Jones and Portland comic retailers Books with Pictures, Floating World, and Cosmic Monkey for a lively discussion about selling comics and establishing a unique store identity in Comic Book Town, USA.

KAMISHIBAI: THE ROOTS OF COMICS IN JAPAN’S PERFORMATIVE COMICS
Room 6
Almost a century before manga became mainstream, a different form of pop culture swept Japan. Part performance and part comics, Kamishibai (“paper theater”) established many of the tropes of manga, and gave us some of the world’s first superheroes.

A SPOTLIGHT ON GAIL SIMONE
Room 8
Award winning creator with such titles under her belt such as Secret Six, Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Birds of Prey, Action Comics, and so many more, Gail has proven to be an unstoppable force in comics.

12:00 PM

A SPOTLIGHT ON MIKE MIGNOLA
Room 3
Creator (and killer) of Hellboy, Mike has been a staple of the comic world for decades. Come pick his brain about anything from creating one of the most iconic characters in modern comics to how he write and draws.

JAY & MILES X-PLAIN THE X-MEN – LIVE!
Room 5
Confounded by clones? Terrified by time travel? Join X-Perts Jay Edidin and Miles Stokes, Cullen Bunn, and Greg Pak as they return to RCCC for a live episode of the smash-hit podcast!

TRIBUTE TO SHIGERU MIZUKI-MASTER OF MONSTERS AND MANGA
Room 7
In 2015, comics lost one of it’s greatest artists when 93-year old Shigeru Mizuki died. His yokai comic Kitaro inspired games like Pokémon and films like Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. Learn more about this unique genius from his English translator.

HIDDEN HISTORIES, UNFAMILIAR NARRATIVES: COMICS IN THE MARGINS
Room 9
This presentation investigates comics and characters that exist in the margins of the canon., offering various lenses through which we might better understand comics in the mainstream and in the margins.

12:30 PM

THE JOHN AND JOAN CUSACK SHOW!
Room 1
For decades these two siblings have been creating iconic movie moments, now come hear them talk about their amazing careers.

DARK DARKNESS-SEASON ZERO
Room 2
In this FUN new WEB SERIES, meet Ronald, Mordecai, Ganamazol and Snakeman as they navigate the pitfalls of their personal lives and receive a mysterious invitation to a Darkness Convention. It’s REVENGE OF THE NERDS meets ARMY OF DARKNESS!

GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE COMICS DOOR!
Room 4
Are you still having trouble getting that first gig? Don’t know where to start or what’s best to include in (or more importantly leave out of!), your portfolio? Join comics veteran and Legendary Comics EIC, Bob Schreck, in this one hour presentation pinpointing the most common mistakes made and how to best represent your skills when putting your portfolio in front of an editor. Writers also welcome, as there will be time left for a Q&A and some free, Legendary goodies!

WOMEN IN HORROR
Room 6
The Women in Horror movement has gained a lot of steam in the past few years, but what is it and why does it matter? Join Morgue Anne and guests as they dive into the darker side of pop culture and explain why this movement is good for everyone.

A SPOTLIGHT ON ERIC POWELL
Room 8
A Spotlight on Eric Powell
The Goon has a cult hit since it’s release, and multiple Eisner winner Eric Powell isn’t slowing down. Come pick the brain of this monster expert to see what’s cooking up next.

1:00 PM

CASANOVA-THE FIRST 10 YEARS!
Room 3
Take a backward glance at the future of comics with this panel celebrating the ten-year anniversary of CASANOVA ⎯ the most genre-bending, dimension-jumping, time-traveling, postmodern-head-spinning comic book of the 21st century! With writer Matt Fraction and artists Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon. Moderated by Professor Ben Saunders.

MAGIC WHEELCHAIR
Room 5
Magic Wheelchair is a nonprofit organization that makes epic costumes for children in wheelchairs. Our mission is to give kids in wheelchairs an unforgettable experience by creating custom costumes for them at no expense to their families. Come hear how you can get involved and see the revealing of one of our newest creations.

DRAWN TOGETHER: ART & THE ARTIST
Room 7
This will be an intimate discussion of creating art for comics with two artists currently working for local publishers. Hear from Patric Reynolds, artist on Dark Horse’s Aliens comic as well as another working artist.

THE SECRETS OF WRITING NERD MUSIC
Room 9
“How do I come up with ideas? How do I write a whole song? What is a bridge?” Local nerd musicians, The PDX Broadsides,give you the inside scoop on how to take your song from concept to concert!

1:30 PM

PETER MAYHEW AND BRIAN HERRING’S WAR STORIES
Room 1
Chewbacca himself is here to talk almost 40 years of Star Wars. Brian Herring brought to life the cutest new edition to a the franchise. Come hear all their stories from a galaxy far far away.

SECRETS OF MIDDLE-EARTH
Room 2
An insider’s tour of all of the Tolkien Easter eggs and references peppered throughout The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films with self-confessed Tolkien nerd and designer on the films, Daniel Falconer. ‘So many of us working on these movies were huge fans of the books, so we took every opportunity to infuse them with little details that referenced things from the books and suggested a bigger world than we saw on screen. Some, folks may have caught, others they might have missed.’

POWER UP! THE ART OF VIDEO GAMES
Room 4
With Dark Horse, video game franchises found a foothold in comics. With a line of video game–related comics and deluxe art books, including the best-selling World of Warcraft: Chronicle, the publisher now works with the biggest studios and brands in the business. Join Dark Horse editors Patrick Thorpe, Ian Tucker, Rachel Roberts and Cardner Clark for a discussion on video game art and stories for Tomb Raider, ReCore, and more!

IN RETROSPECT
Room 6
From movies, comics, and tv shows a lot is consumed at an early age. Have you ever revisited some of these and realized just how horribly inappropriate it all was? Or discovered everything you knew about mutants was a lie?

A SPOTLIGHT ON GREG RUCKA
Room 8
Multiple award winning writer currently writing such blockbuster hits like Wonder Woman, Lazarus, Stumptown, and Black Magick. Wonder what makes one of the best writers in comics tick? Come find out.

2:00 PM

COSPLAY 101
Room 3
Have you ever wanted to cosplay but don’t know where to start with making your own cosplay? Learn the basics of cosplay construction from experienced cosplayers and get a chance to answer any construction questions you may have from Ani-Mia and Ivy Doomkitty

KAIJUCAST: MONSTER ODDITIES OF JAPAN
Room 5
Come celebrate giant monsters from Japan with Portland’s own podcast dedicated to the genre, the Kaijucast, as they shed some light on some of Japan’s more obscure movie monsters.

WHAT IF CTHULHU REALLY ROSE?
Room 7
H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu, something between a super-powerful alien and a god, shows up in everything from RPGs to plush toys. But what if the Old One actually showed? How would the world — governments, cultists, the rest of us — handle the threat?

WHEDONESQUE FEMMES
Room 9
Love Joss? Love strong female characters? We do, too! Please join us in discussing Slayers, soldiers, Dolls, Companions, witches, and psychic assassins with our feminism goggles on!

2:30 PM

JON BERNTHAL AND ELDEN HENSON: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Room 1
You know Jon best as Shane from The Walking Dead and as The Punisher on Daredevil, and Elden as hockey tough guy Fulton Reed from the Mighty Ducks and Foggy Nelson on Daredevil. Come see them on stage talking about their experience working together on the Netflix/Marvel hit series.

SEX, DEATH, AND LIVE TV: BEHIND THE SCENES OF SATELLITE SAM
Room 4
Matt Fraction and Howard Chaykin’s Satellite Sam, is a classic crime-noir mystery set during the rise of TV culture in the 1950s. This panel will offer a “behind the scenes” look at the making of the series and the sleazy realities of television history that inspired the story. Travel back to the lost televisual world of the 1950s with two of the most pop-culture savvy comic book creators in the business! Moderated by Professor Ben Saunders of the UP Comics Studies Program.

CREATING A FANTASTIC WORLD
Room 6
Join Leia Weathington (The Legend of Bold Riley, Deep Engines), Chad Cole (Deep Engines), and Benjamin Dewey (Autumnlands), as they break down what goes into conceiving and detailing lush and real fantasy worlds.

A SPOTLIGHT ON STAN SAKAI
Room 8
For 32 years and over 150 issues, Stan has been crafting the unique world of Usagi Yojimbo. What goes into a life’s work? Here’s your chance to find out while he does live demonstrations of his art.

3:00 PM

A SPOTLIGHT ON BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Room 3
An icon in the industry, Bendis is without a doubt one of the most important creators in comics. Author and former student, Joshua Williamson (The Flash, Birthright, Nailbiter), will interview his mentor on stage, peer-to-peer about his career in comics.

KICKSTARTING AND CROWDFUNDING
Room 5
Get an amazing spectrum on this topic from some of our guests. Ryan Laukat is a true success story that got his start via Kickstarter and Chris Pramas and Nicole Lindroos provide the perspective of how even established creators can be involved with this “new” source of funding creative endeavors such as games.

WRITE ON! CREATORS OF COLOR WORKING IN COMICS
Room 7
Creators of color discuss writing comics in this current climate for both indie and mainstream outlets. Featuring Taneka Stotts, Jenna Salume, and Genué Revuelta.

WE’LL RETCON THAT LATER
Room 9
Continuity mavens Al Ewing (Mighty Avengers), Douglas Wolk (Reading Comics), and Jay Edidin (Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men) discuss writing, reading, and finding buried treasure in shared-universe superhero timelines.

3:30 PM

DANTE BASCO: FROM RUFIO TO ZUKO
Room 1
25 years ago, Dante brought to life the lost boy Rufio. Since then he’s racked up over 100 acting credits, including the cunning Prince Zuko on Avatar: The Last Airbender. Come to this panel and celebrate 25 years of Neverland with him.

IT’S MORPHIN TIME WITH AUSTIN ST. JOHN AND DAVID YOST
Room 2
The original Red and Gold Ranger and the original Blue Ranger are here at Rose City Comic Con. Come hear the stars that helped launch a 20+ year franchise, and get the details on what they’re working on now.

VALIANT: THE FUTURE OF VALIANT AND BEYOND
Room 4
With a record-setting 50 Harvey Award nominations, Valiant Entertainment is the most acclaimed publisher anywhere in comics today. Now, find out what’s next for powerhouse series like FAITH, GENERATION ZERO, BRITANNIA, BLOODSHOT U.S.A., HARBINGER RENEGADES, SAVAGE, and DIVINITY III: STALINVERSE. The future of Valiant starts here at Rose City Comic Con!

THE IMPORTANCE OF STREET HEROES
Room 6
Not all superheroes fight cosmic battles to save the known universe. Some take the fight to the streets in gritty tales set just around the corner from the world we live. The down-and-dirty world of Street Level superheroes is discussed in this panel featuring creators of such titles as Daredevil, Nighthawk, Kingpin, Power Man & Iron Fist (Charles Soule, David Walker, Ramon Villalobos, Matthew Rosenberg).

A SPOTLIGHT ON JIMMY PALMIOTTI AND AMANDA CONNER
Room 8
Two comic powerhouses and longtime collaborators join forces to discuss their career, working together, and what’s to come.

4:00 PM

GETTING WONDER WOMAN RIGHT
Room 3
She’s one of the most famous superheroes in the DC pantheon. But as reboot follows reboot it seems that getting Wonder Woman right is also one of the toughest tasks in contemporary comics. Join Professor Ben Saunders for a conversation with Greg Rucka, Matthew Clark, Liam Sharp, and Nicola Scott ⎯ the team behind Diana’s current adventures ⎯ for an in depth discussion about the unique joys and challenges of working on this great “legacy” character.

GOSH DARN FIASCO
Room 5
Fiasco is a tabletop role playing game where terrible things happen. Gosh Darn Fiasco is a podcast where Angela Webber (THE DOUBLECLICKS) and Richard Malena (GOINGLAST) and funny people play Fiasco. Angela Webber, Aubrey Webber, Richard Malena, special guests as they play a very special game-show-style version of Fiasco for your entertainment, with audience interaction, special guests, dice, deaths, goofs, gags, and so on.

FRIGHTTOWN PRESENTS HORROR MOVIES AND YOU!
Room 7
FrightTown’s Mayor of Scare, Baron Von Goolo, and a panel of horror experts explain the psychology behind the popularity of horror movies and offer their picks for some must-watch & under-the-radar horror gems. Pack that Netflix queue for Halloween!

WORKING WITH WORBLA
Room 9
Join Abi Sue Cosplay and Air Bubbles Cosplay as they delve into the world of the thermoplastic, Worbla! Through demonstrations and samples, they will get you ready to tackle your next dream build! Come ready to learn and have fun!

4:30 PM

GETTING GRIMM WITH RUSSELL HORNSBY
Room 1
You know him best as Detective Hank Griffin on the Portland produced show, Grimm. Get a front row seat and hear how your favorite show gets made. You can bet it’s no fairy tale.

ROCKETJUMP STATE OF THE UNION
Room 2
Matt Arnold, Dez Dolly and Freddie Wong started the New Media Production Company RocketJump in 2012. Following the success of their web series Video Game High School, they did a Hulu Original called RocketJump: The show. They are now working on their second Hulu Original Dimension 404. Here they’ll discuss the next steps they’re taking and projects they’re working on including: RocketJump Film School, RocketJump Shorts, Dimension 404, VGHS the animated series and more!

IMAGE COMICS: COMICS IN #YOURIMAGE
Room 4
Kurt Busiek and Benjamin Dewey create Autumnlands. Brian Schirmer co-creates Black Jack Ketchum. Jim Zub writes Glitterbomb. Meredith McClaren masterminds Hinges. Leila del Duca draws Shutter. We can create the comics industry we want to see by checking out the books that are out-there, fascinating, or just plain ol’ emotionally resonant. What’s the next big thing in comics? Whatever you want it to be.

THE FIFTH BEATLE: EXCLUSIVE TV PILOT READING
Room 6
A reading of scenes from “The Fifth Beatle” TV pilot script, adapted from the award-winning graphic novel based on the life of Beatles manager Brian Epstein, and shooting in 2017. This will be followed by a discussion of the process of adaptation, using the selected readings to highlight and explore how the TV series will be both similar and different to the hit graphic novel. Additionally, exclusive new Kyle Baker art from the “The Fifth Beatle: Expanded Edition” graphic novel (Dark Horse / in stores Oct 25) will be revealed.

A SPOTLIGHT ON TERRY MOORE
Room 8
A comics pioneer and creator of Strangers in Paradise and Rachel Rising is here to talk about his decades in comics creating original and innovative stories.

5:00 PM

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH TEAM BITCH PLANET
Room 3
Non-Compliance with Team Bitch Planet
KELLY SUE DECONNICK, VALENTINE DE LANDRO, KELLY FITZPATRICK, Milkfed managing editor LAUREN SANKOVITCH and Lt. Trouble, KIT COX. A LOT OF ANGRY WOMEN. Probably the most fun you’ll have all year.

IS MS. MARVEL ENOUGH TO SAVE COMICS?
Room 5
As with other forms of entertainment—movies, video games, kids’ books—comics and graphic novels are struggling with diversity. Race, gender, sexual orientation. Over half of comic fans are non-white and/or female, yet that audience is still woefully underrepresented in stories and publishing houses. Superhero comics are making progress and graphic novels have more minority creators and characters than ever. Join our panel to explore what changes are still needed and how we can make art that shares all our stories. Trackers Earth offers outdoor education programs for youth and adults telling stories that reflect our appreciation for nature and diversity.

BUILDING THE SCENE: STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR FANTASTIC FICTION
Room 7
Sean Hoade, author of 8 published novels with 7 more contracted, will lead attendees through planning and writing that most important of fictional units: the scene. In addition, transitions between scenes will be explained. We’ll wrap with a fun Q&A!

COMICS AND DISABILITY
Room 9
How is disability represented across different comics genres? How might comics help support disability rights and neurodiversity? We’ll address these questions and more in a thought-provoking panel on the relationship between disability and comics.

5:30 PM

JON HEDER: A MAN OF MANY SKILLS
Room 1
Since his big screen debut as Napoleon Dynamite, Jon has been making us laugh with his offbeat yet genuine characters. Come ask your questions and maybe he’ll teach some of his sweet skills.

OCCUPANTS
Room 2
Come join the OCCUPANTS feature film and comic book tie-in cast and crew who will show behind the scenes clips and a short segment of the movie itself, and then take questions from you! Starring STAR TREK’s Robert Picardo, WWW.OCCUPANTSTHEMOVIE.COM!

30TH ANNIVERSARY OF DARK HORSE
Room 4
Thirty years ago, Dark Horse arrived with an agenda different from that of any other publisher in comics. The young company was founded on the belief that comics creators should have the option to retain the rights to their own work, and it continues to be a highly fertile breeding ground for new characters, concepts, and more! Now, the publisher is poised to make headlines again with some of the biggest news about new original work since Frank Miller brought Sin City to the pages of Dark Horse Presents! Join Dark Horse founding father Mike Richardson, Senior editors Chris Warner and Randy Stradley along with Geoff Darrow (Shaolin Cowboy), Mike Mignola (Hellboy), Eric Powell (The Goon), Cullen Bunn (Harrow County) and Gail Simone (Wonderfall) for an exclusive look at upcoming and unannounced creator-owned work from some of the biggest names in and outside the industry.

THE ART OF FAMILY COSPLAY: SURVIVAL TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
Room 6
Cosplaying as a family or wondering where to begin? Learn valuable tips and tricks from expert cosplayers that have spent years making epic costumes and props as a family and have survived (and enjoyed) the convention weekend together!

A SPOTLIGHT ON DUSTIN NGUYEN
Room 8
One of the most prolific and versatile artists in the industry. He’s done countless comics, designed toys, and has done concept art for game and animation. There’s nothing he hasn’t done, and you can hear all about it here.

6:00 PM

MONETIZE YOUR COMICS – LINE WEBTOON DISCOVER
Room 3
Making comics and you can too! LINE Webtoon’s Tom Akel will walk you through how to publish and monetize your own IP on the Discover platform and Patreon’s Heather Wilder will provide details on a new partnership between LINE Webtoon and Patreon and how creators can take advantage of a new Webtoon creator investment program. Hear from creators who have published their work through Discover while building huge audiences, including Vivian Lin (Kind of Confidential), Stephen McCraine (Spaceboy), and Tracy Butler (Lackadaisy).

LIP SYNC BATTLE ROYALE
Room 9
Newcon PDX presents the greatest mic battle the convention world has ever seen has hit the road, this time we are bringing the performance fight to Rose City Comic Con! Plan your costume, pick your song, and prepare to attempt to win the crowd over!

6:30 PM

SUMMER GLAU: NO POWER IN THE VERSE
Room 1
Whether it’s in Firefly, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse, or Arrow, Summer has consistently been one of the biggest butt kickers in television. Come hear how she does it.

IT’S GONNA BE OKAY
Room 4
It’s Gonna Be Okay is a stand up comedy showcase that is funny, smart, progressive, feminist, unique, nerdy, quirky, positive, and often heartwarming. The show showcases the best comedians in Portland along with national acts and is hosted by the very funny Barbara Holm. Featuring Jen Tam, Lucia Fasano, Caitlin Weirehauser, and Randy Mendez.

7:30 PM

MILKFED LOUNGE PARTY
Room 9
After the crowds disperse, join Team Milkfed for a mixer of music, nosh and art demos! Bonus points for Milkfed cosplay! In addition to Milkfed mainstays Kelly Sue DeConnick and Matt Fraction, get your nerd on with Gabriel Bá & Fábio Moon, Christian Ward, Valentine De Landro, Kelly Fitzpatrick and more!

SUNDAY

10:30 AM

BEST OF GEEKFEST FILM FESTS
Room 2
The World’s 1st and Largest Traveling Comic Con Film Fest is back for its third year! Showcasing the best in indie geek film, we bring the best to you with an amazing lineup of award winning scifi, horror, fantasy, fan film shorts, and webseries!

KIDZ COMIX READING LIST – BACK 2 SCHOOL
Room 4
Comics are a great way to get kids interested in art, reading, and storytelling—and, well, they’re fun! Join Dark Horse editor Shantel LaRoque Dryer, Matt Kindt and Brian Hurtt (Poppy and the Lost Lagoon), Eric Powell (Chimichanga), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo) and Kel McDonald (Misfits of Avalon) to discover and discuss the ever-growing library of incredible all-ages comics!

1. BASHIR, I PRESUME
   Room 6
   From Star Trek to Star Wars to Battlestar Galactica, genetic mutations can make you stronger, faster, smarter. Or does it? We’ll discuss the science fact and science fiction behind gene splicing, diving, and cloning.

A SPOTLIGHT ON CULLEN BUNN
Room 8
Whether it’s Sixth Gun, Deadpool, or Uncanny X-Men, Cullen brings the hurt. Join one of the most prolific writers in comics as he breaks down how he does it.

11:00 AM

BUSTING MYTHS WITH GRANT IMAHARA
Room 1
As an electronics and robotics expert, Grant helped expose the truth for years on the hit show Mythbusters. Now he’s here to answer all your questions about science and debunking myths.

MEET THE R2 BUILDERS
Room 3
Come join local members of the R2-D2 Builders Club at this year’s Rose City Comic Con! Our presentation covers droid building, our role with LucasFilms, Q&A with the audience and a behind the scenes history of everyone’s favorite astromech hero.

QUEERING UP COMICS: LGBTQIA AND BEYOND
Room 5
They’re queer and they’re here–and they have been for ages. Join queer cartoonists as they discuss the developments in their industry that allow them to create and explore new themes and narratives, in indie and mainstream publications alike.

GHOSTWRITING FICTION FOR FUN AND PROFIT
Room 7
In a world where it’s tough for independent authors to make enough even to starve on, the not-so-new trend of ghostwriting fiction for pulp publishers may be just the boost your bank account needs. Author Sean Hoade will tell all his tips and tricks!

PANEL ON PANEL ON PANELS
Room 9
Come join a live recording of the Portland-based comic book podcast Panel on Panels! For this special episode our three typical (we use that term loosely) hosts will be joined by comics artists Dan Schkade (Will Eisner’s The Spirit, San Hannibal) and Ibrahim Moustafa (High Crimes, Godzilla in Hell) to break down and discuss classic superhero origins. Which ones work? Which ones don’t? Why do we keep telling them? And much, much more!

11:30 AM

COLOR ME INTRIGUED! STORYTELLING THROUGH COLOR
Room 4
Join Oni Press Editor-in-Chief James Lucas Jones and a group of insanely talented pixel pushers (Bill Crabtree, Kelly Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Hill) for a discussion on the role of on the role of colorists in comic book storytelling. You’ll never look at color comics the same way again!

ANSWER THIS! TRIVIA GAME SHOW
Room 6
Are you a geek culture expert? Now is your chance to prove it! Answer This! is a real game show here at Comic Con. Come be a contestant or watch from the audience as we find out who knows their stuff. And there will be special guests! And prizes!

A SPOTLIGHT ON DAVID FINCH
Room 8
Artist and writer, David Finch burst onto the scene over a decade ago, and since has set the standard for art and storytelling. Join the artist of Batman, The Avengers, Justice League, and so much more as he tells you how it’s done.

12:00 PM

HEARING VOICES WITH JIM CUMMINGS, BILL FARMER, PHIL LAMARR, DANTE BASCO, STEVE BLUM, MARY ELIZABETH MCGLYNN, ELIZA SCHNEIDER, AND MARK MEER
Room 1
Jim is the voice of such greats like Darkwing Duck, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. Bill is the voice of Pluto and Goofy. Phil is Green Lantern and Samurai Jack. Dante is Prince Zuko and Jake Long. Mary is Dr. Maheswaran, Steve is Wolverine, Eliza is Liane Cartman, Mark is Commander Shepard. All are legends in the field of voice acting, and they’re about to read you something special.

FROM THE ODYSSEY TO ODY-C: RE-MAKING MYTHS WITH FRACTION AND WARD
Room 3
Matt Fraction and Christian Ward have re-written one of the foundational epic myths of Western culture in ODY-C ⎯ and in the process have produced a book that looks and reads like nothing else on the stands. Join the creators in discussion with Professor Ben Saunders of the UO Comics Studies minor.

DEVELOPING YOUR GAME: FROM IDEA TO FINISHED PRODUCT
Room 5
Join a discussion on developing your game with industry professionals Paul Peterson and Ryan Laukat. Topics include: Idea phase and first prototype, knowing your audience, iteration,getting the best out of playtester comments, knowing when it’s done, and publishing options.

GODS, CATS, AND YOKAI: THE WAY FORWARD WITH WAYWARD
Room 7
Yokai; New gods and old; Real Japan and fantasy; And lots and lots of cats. The hit series Wayward from Image Comics is a clash of modernism and tradition. Now into its second year, come see what lies ahead and behind with series.

TAKING FANDOM SERIOUSLY
Room 9
Being a professional fan gets complicated, but we think it’s worth the trouble! Join us for a freewheeling conversation about turning fandom into a job and walking the fine line between geeking out and critically engaging with the material we love.

12:30 PM

CREATING CREATURES WITH WETA WORKSHOP: LIVE TRANSFORMATION Q&A WITH MAKEUP EFFECTS EXPERT WARREN DION SMITH
Room 2
What maketh a monster? Witness the magic of filmmaking in an exclusive live transformation and Q&A with Weta Workshop hair and makeup technician, Warren Dion Smith. In this live demonstration, Warren will reveal his tricks of the trade, answer your burning questions about life at Weta Workshop, and share his experiences working on The Hobbit, The Amazing Spider-man 2, Man of Steel, and more. If you’ve ever wondered how a scrap of silicone, a lick of paint and some liquid latex can morph a mere mortal into a character straight out of Middle Earth, this is your chance to see it in action.

ARTISTS WHO WRITE: ON THE CRAFT AND CREATION OF COMICS
Room 4
Whether it’s an underwater murder mystery or a retelling of past histories, there’s a lot of thought put into the sequential art that drives stories told in comics. Join the industry’s best artists Matt Kindt (Dept H, Ether), Patric Reynolds (Joe Golem), Kel McDonald (Buffy: The High School Years), Jonathan Case (Dear Creature) and Mike Oeming (Aleister & Adolf) as they discuss turning an idea into a full-fledged story—and how they continue to keep their writing fresh.

THE LEGO LIFESTYLE
Room 6
Join a group of LEGO artists, and discover what it is that makes them turn a plastic building toy into a lifestyle choice. These master builders will be sharing personal stories about how LEGO first came into their lives.

A SPOTLIGHT ON TERRY DODSON
Room 8
There isn’t much superstar Terry Dodson hasn’t done in comics. Come watch him give live art demonstrations and answer your questions.

1:00 PM

THE MANY FACES OF DENISE CROSBY
Room 1
You know her best as Tasha Yar from Star Trek: The Next Generation, but Denise has a 30+ career in film appearing on some of the biggest shows such as The Walking Dead, The X-Files, as well as starring and producing the documentary Trekkies. Boldly attend this hour to have your questions answered.

THE PROPS OF SUPERNATURAL
Room 3
Jeff Budnick and Rick Blevins work for WB and will answer questions for the show Supernatural, on the props, the car, what goes on behind the scenes to make the show such a hit, and they’re going to bring real props used in the show.

GEEKS VERSUS NERDS
Room 5
Since 2010, Geeks versus Nerds have been asking the nerdy questions no one else has the guts, tenacity, or interest to investigate! The live comedy/debate podcast sees 2 teams verbally duke to out for their respective candidates using facts, obscure knowledge and trash talk. Currently they perform regular shows in both Halifax and Vancouver, Canada. Join the Geeks and Nerds as they decide who is the best intergalactic peace keepers: The Green Lantern Corp vs Jedi Knights.

TEACHING THE SUPERHERO
Room 7
This panel will examine the ways in which superhero comics might be incorporated into classrooms to help teach meet learning objectives in a variety of disciplines and subject areas.

GODS AND MONSTERS: H.P. LOVECRAFT’S HORRIFYING CREATURES
Room 9
From Cthulhu to Yog-Sothoth, from Dagon to the Elder Race, the work of H.P. Lovecraft and his circle wrote about, swapped, and adapted one another’s inhuman creations. What were the best? The silliest? The scariest? Audience participation welcome!

1:30 PM

TRANSITIONING FROM START UP TO PRODUCTION STUDIO
Room 2
Matt Arnold, Dez Dolly and Freddie Wong started their careers together on the Freddie W. Youtube channel, which turned into the RocketJump channel when they founded their company RocketJump in 2012. Known for their action comedy shorts, their webseries Video Game High School, and Hulu Original RocketJump: The show, here they talk about their journey as a Youtube channel and the struggles and success they’ve had trying run a business and continue their careers in film.

VALIANT 101: NEW FANS START HERE!
Room 4
You’ve seen the reviews, you’ve heard the buzz… Now find out why Valiant Entertainment has taken fans and critics by storm as the most acclaimed comic book publisher! Join us here for a one-of-a-kind introduction to the largest and most acclaimed independent superhero universe in comics! From X-O MANOWAR and FAITH to BLOODSHOT REBORN and DIVINITY, get the stories behind Valiant’s biggest heroes and find out where to jump on board right here with an in-depth tutorial that’s perfect for new fans!

MONSTER BATTLE TIME!
Room 6
It’s MONSTER BATTLE TIME once again! Three artists team up to draw monsters described by audience members IN THE MOST EXTREME BATTLE OF 2016! Featuring the talents of Cat Farris (Emily the Strange, The Last Diplomat), D.J. Kirkland (Black Mage), and Vinny Navarrete (Booger Beard, Sketch Monsters)! Free comics for ALL attendees!

A SPOTLIGHT ON JONATHAN HICKMAN
Room 8
Marvel architect and writer Jonathan Hickman has made a big impression on the industry leading two recent events (Infinity and Secret War), and launching many creator-owned titles such as East of West, The Manhattan Projects, The Nightly News, and more. Come ask your questions to this story mastermind.

2:00 PM

THERE AND BACK AGAIN WITH BILLY BOYD
Room 1
Known for playing the fun and brave hobbit, Peregrin “Pippin” Took, Billy Boyd has many stories from Middle Earth. Come ask this actor/musician your questions, and maybe even learn a few things concerning hobbits.

BODY POSITIVITY IN COSPLAY
Room 3
Cosplaying can take guts to put yourself out there in costume. So what are some tips on overcoming shyness, negativity and other issues in the community. Featuring Ani-Mia and Ivy DoomKitty

IMPORTANCE OF FANDOMS
Room 5
It seems like everything has a fandom these days. From Doctor Who to My Little Pony, nerds across the world are able to come together to create tight knit communities. But what exactly IS a fandom? And why are they so important to geek culture?

WONDER WOMAN IN BONDAGE
Room 7
Many fans are aware of the high preponderance of bondage imagery in early Wonder Woman comics. But few people know the story behind these images. Join Professor Ben Saunders for one of his most popular illustrated lectures ⎯ a carefully researched but highly entertaining exploration of the way early Wonder Woman comics reflect the psychological and sexual theories of Wonder Woman’s creator, William Moulton Marston.

STEP UP YOUR DIY GAME: CRAFTING A GAMING TABLE
Room 9
Level up your woodworking and crafting skills. Covering the topics of design, wood selection, joints, tools, working on a budget and with limited space, and paint/finish you’ll walk away with the basic knowledge necessary to construct a gaming table.

2:30 PM

D20: THE SERIES
Room 2
D20: The Series give you a look into the mind eye of a group of tabletop roleplayers. It is being filmed this April in Portland. The cast and crew for this series are all local to the pacific northwest. Come see the first four episodes and then Q&A with actors and crew.
IMAGE COMICS: TOMORROW’S COMICS TODAY!
Room 4
The future of comics is bright, and that future will include comics of all types. Join Joshua Williamson (Nailbiter, Birthright), Joe Keatinge (Shutter, Ringside), Christian Ward (ODY-C), Nicola Scott & Greg Rucka (Black Magick), Steve Lieber (The Fix), and Jason McNamara (The Rattler) as they discuss branching out, telling new stories, and connecting with fans on a new level.

PLAYING WITH OTHERS
Room 6
Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly are a rare writing partnership in comics and definitely have a lot of insight on working with a collaborator to achieve a unified vision. Join them along with Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti as they get into what it takes to make a successful collaboration.

A SPOTLIGHT ON GABRIEL BA AND FABIO MOON
Room 8
We’ve seen siblings in comics before, but these artist twins have taken their success and art to another level. With titles such as Casanova, Daytripper, Umbrella Academy, and more under their belt, a lot can be learned here about collaboration and technique.

3:00 PM

STAN LEE: ‘NUFF SAID!
Room 1
The co-creator of some of the biggest names in comics is here for his final appearance in the Northwest. Come see this living legend and have the questions you’ve waited your whole life to ask answered.

SUPER IS THE NEW NATURAL
Room 3
Join members of the Portland Supernatural Family for a panel discussion of the longest running genre series in American television history along with trivia, costume contest and even a few surprises. Keep Calm and Carry On My Wayward Son.

HISTORICALLY INACCURATE: THE TRUE STORY BEHIND PIRATES, PRIVATEERS, AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF SAIL
Room 5
The privateers of PDXYAR answer questions and discuss some of the truths, lies, myths, legends, and Hollywood “tall tales” regarding those who sailed the seas during the “Golden Age” of piracy. Expect a rousing discussion and perhaps even a shanty or two. Huzzah!

KEITH TUCKER TALKS 80’S & 90’S CARTOON STORYBOARDS FROM PINKY & THE BRAIN TO SPIDER-MAN, GI JOE, AND MORE!
Room 7
Veteran storyboard artist Keith Tucker will talk about his extensive work on classic cartoons of the eighties and the nineties like Pinky & the Brain, Animaniacs, Tail Spin, Rescue Rangers as well as Spiderman, X-men, Transformers, Jem and the Holograms, Gi. Joe as well as his Disney comics work!

BITCH PLANER: NC MEETUP!
Room 9
Bitch, be with us! Join Kelly Sue DeConnick, Valentine De Landro, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Lauren Sankovitch, Kit Cox and your fellow NCs for an hour of games, gab and good old-fashioned patriarchy smashing!

3:30 PM

STAR WARS COSTUMING WITH THE 501ST LEGION AND REBEL LEGION
Room 2
Members of Cloud City Garrison and Kashyyyk Base will discuss how to create your favorite Star Wars costumes and how to join the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion. Learn how you can become a member of a worldwide community, support charity, and have fun!

DARK HORSE MANGA
Room 4
Dark Horse’s history with Japanese comics can be traced back to the company’s earliest years, with a legacy that includes such legendary series as Lone Wolf & Cub, Berserk, and many more! Now Dark Horse continues to publish some of the industry’s best-selling titles, like Unofficial Hatsune Mix, I Am a Hero, Danganronpa, and the works of the creative powerhouse CLAMP. Join Dark Horse editors Carl Horn, Philip Simon, Jemiah Jefferson and translator Zack Davisson for a look at the past, present, and future of manga at Dark Horse!

TEACHING COMICS WITH BENDIS & WALKER
Room 6
For years now, Brian Michael Bendis has been passing on his wisdom through a class at PSU. This last year he was joined by rising star David Walker (Powerman & Iron Fist, Cyborg, Nighthawk). Come get a taste of the knowledge they can impart in the special comics lecture.

A SPOTLIGHT ON HOWARD CHAYKIN
Room 8
Over a career spanning four decades, Howard Chaykin has consistently broken new ground in terms of both form and content. From American Flagg (1983) — a major influence upon such creators as Alan Moore and Frank Miller — through Black Kiss (1988) to his latest Image title, Midnight of the Soul (2016), Chaykin has pushed pulp conventions to their limits, exploring sex and violence for satirical as well as sensationalist purposes. Join Chaykin in conversation with Professor Ben Saunders and learn more about his remarkable body of work.

4:00 PM

CHAD COLEMAN: ZOMBIE SLAYER
Room 1
You know him best as Tyreese from The Walking Dead, Cutty from The Wire, and Fred on The Expanse, and soon to appear on Arrow. An undeniable force in your favorite show, and one on the stage. Come see him and get your questions answered.

THE DOUBLECLICKS IN CONCERT!
Room 9
The Doubleclicks are a pair of sisters from Portland, Oregon who write songs that are snarky, geeky, & sweet about topics ranging from Dungeons & Dragons to burritos & Velociraptors. In this panel, the Doubleclicks play a family-friendly concert of their nerdy, sweet, sciencey songs.