As always, CCI:SD promotes diversity with programming and events covering the LGBT side of comics. This year, there will be special guests, parties, panels, and more. Highlights include appearances by Howard Cruse and the sixth annual “Heroes vs Villains” party. Stop by the PRISM Comics booth for more information.
Prism Comics, a nonprofit supporting LGBT comics, creators, and readers, has unveiled its slate of activities for San Diego Comic-Con International 2010, one of the world’s largest pop-culture gatherings, at the San Diego Convention Center from Wednesday, July 21st through Sunday, July 25th. Prism will host four jam-packed panels including Andy Mangels’ legendary “Gays in Comics” panel, the 6th annual “Heroes vs. Villains” party, appearances by Howard Cruse (Stuck Rubber Baby) and the largest roster of LGBT Creators ever at its expanded booth, now filling three exhibit spaces (#2049/2146/2148). Pick up a copy of The Gay Agenda, Prism’s guide to everything LGBT at Comic-Con, at the Prism booth, or download a copy in PDF format.
Expanded Booth Space
“We’re very excited to be able to expand our presence at Comic-Con,” said Prism Co-President David Stanley, “With 50 percent more booth space, we can host more LGBT creators than ever, and some of the most prominent LGBT comics pros working today will be our guests, including Howard Cruse, Tim Fish, Paige Braddock, Bob Schreck, Ed Luce and many, many more!”Prism is thrilled to feature nearly a dozen comics creators under its banner, which has long been considered “Queer Central” at Comic-Con. These creators will be exhibiting their wares and meeting their fans each day of the Con: Charles “Zan” Christensen (Mark of Aeacus), Dave Davenport (Hard To Swallow), Dylan “NDR” Edwards (Politically InQueerect), Justin Hall (Glamazonia), Jeff Krell (Jayson), Ed Luce (Wuvable Oaf), Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter), Jon Macy (Teleny and Camille), Brad Rader (Fogtown), Chance Whitmire (Fanboys of the Universe, Fanaticon), and Sean-Z (Myth).
Other LGBT creators appearing at the Prism booth include Brian Andersen (So Super Duper), Paige Braddock (Jane’s World), Abby Denson (Tough Love: High School Confidential), Tim Fish (Cavalcade of Boys), Sina Grace (Books with Pictures), and Michael Troy (The Blonde Squad), among many others. The most up-to-date schedule will be posted daily at the booth.
Special Guest: Howard Cruse
Comic-Con Special Guest Howard Cruse, creator of Wendel and founding editor of Gay Comix, will make several appearances at the Prism booth, signing the recently published 15th Anniversary edition of his Eisner and Harvey award-winning graphic novel Stuck Rubber Baby. Comic-Con is throwing a “Spotlight on Howard Cruse” on Thursday, July 22, from 3:30-4:30pm, in Room 8. He is also appearing at two Prism-sponsored panels, detailed below.
Queer Press Grant Portfolio Review
Cruse will also provide portfolio review at the Prism booth, along with many other comics professionals including Bob Schreck (IDW, Jurassic Park), Paige Braddock and Brian Andersen, with more reviewers to be added. Portfolio review is provided exclusively for those interested in applying for Prism’s Queer Press Grant. Potential applicants are encouraged to read the grant guidelines online before coming to the Con. Past winners of the grant will speak at the “Queer Press Grant Roundup”, a panel taking place on Saturday, July 24th (see below).
Prism Programming at Comic-Con
Prism is proud to present four entertainment-filled panels at the Con. Prism’s panels are lively, hilarious, heartfelt and sometimes headline-making, featuring some of the top creators in the comics industry, who in the past have included Stan Lee, Paul Levitz, Phil Jimenez and Geoff Johns (the latter two will be returning this year, as well).“Divas and Golden Lassoes: The LGBT Obsession with Super Heroines”, Thursday, July 22, 10:30-11:30am. Why do LGBT comic book fans, especially gay men, worship female superheroes? Going beyond just collecting the comics of Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Donna Troy, Saturn Girl, and many more, LGBT fans intensely identify with and take great inspiration from these iconic heroines. Moderator Charles “Zan” Christensen has assembled an esteemed panel featuring Marc Andreyko (Manhunter), Phil Jimenez (The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia), Andy Mangels (founder, “Wonder Woman Day”), and Michael Troy. Room 8.
“Writing Queer: Creating and Writing LGBT Characters“, Thursday, July 22, 6:00-7:00pm. Creating genuine and well-rounded LGBT characters is a challenge for writers, as they must give voice to a population whose stories have been kept hidden for so long. How do writers, both queer and straight, as well as mainstream and independent, create narratives that reflect the diversity and humanity of LGBT individuals, as well as the obstacles they face? Moderator Justin Hall (Prism Comics’ talent chair) leads a spirited conversation with some of the best writers working in comics today: Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets), Greg Rucka (Detective Comics), Gail Simone (Wonder Woman), Judd Winick (Pedro and Me), Paige Braddock and Howard Cruse. Room 32AB.
“Queer Press Grant Roundup”, Saturday, July 24, 3:00-4:00pm. Prism Comics started the annual Queer Press Grant in 2005 to help queer cartoonists self-publish their comics. Five years and many thousands of dollars later, the QPG has helped out an impressive lineup of some of the best upcoming LGBT cartoonists and remains one of the only grants available for comics creators today. Prism will kick off the submission process for the 2010 Queer Press Grant at Comic-Con. Join moderator Roger Klorese (Prism Comic’s Publications Chair) and past recipients Justin Hall, Ed Luce, and Steve MacIsaac as they discuss applying for the grant, what they’ve been up to since receiving it, and what’s next for both their comics and the grant in 2010. Room 3.
“Gays in Comics: Year 23!”, Saturday, July 24, 5:45-7:15pm. An all-star panel examines the rising diversity in the comics world today as Andy Mangels’ long-running “Gays in Comics” panel continues into its third decade at Comic-Con. As mainstream companies DC and Marvel continue to frontline gay characters such as Batwoman and Northstar and hire top-level gay or gay-friendly creators, independent publishers and creators are publishing unequivocal content spotlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters, to the cheers of the thousands of fans who are out of the comic book closet. Welcome a top-level panel of GLBT and straight creators, who will give amazing insights and glimpses of surprises to come! Joining founding moderator Andy Mangels, the USA Today best-selling author of Star Trek novels and Iron Man: Beneath The Armor, are Howard Cruse, godfather of the gay comic movement; Geoff Johns, writer of Green Lantern, Flash, Brightest Day, and DC Entertainment’s chief creative officer; Marjorie M. Liu, the New York Times bestselling author and writer of Black Widow, X-23, and co-author of Dark Wolverine; Daniel Way, writer of Wolverine and Deadpool and co-writer of Dark Wolverine; Jim McCann, writer of Hawkeye & Mockingbird, Dazzler, and Return of the Dapper Men; Charles “Zan” Christensen, founding member of PRISM Comics and new publisher of gay-themed Northwest Press; Dan Parent, writer and artist for Archie and Betty & Veronica and creator of Archie’s new gay character, Kevin Keller; and Tim Fish, creator of Cavalcade of Boys and writer/artist for X-Men: Nation X, and Iron Man: Designed Intelligence! Plus, there’s always a surprise or two! Room 6A
Afterward from 7:15 to 8:15pm, stick around for the hour-long “Gays in Comics Mixer and Silent Auction”, hosted by PRISM Comics, with prizes and surprise special guests! Meet your favorite LGBT creators and fellow comics fan, plus stay for the special free drawing of a “Comics Gift Basket” and the silent auction of hot comics items! Room 6A.
Heroes Vs. Villains Afterparty
Party with Prism on Friday, July 23rd, from 9:30pm to 2:00am, at the 6th annual “Heroes vs. Villains Comic-Con After Party” at Rich’s Nightclub in the Hillcrest district of San Diego! Enjoy go-go dancing heroes and villains and a special performance by Happy Feet, get your keepsake photo at a special photo booth, win Comic-Con passes, participate in the Costume Contest with over $200 in cash and prizes, enter the Sexy Underoos contest where the coolest Hero or Villain undies will win prizes, get your face painted, buy jello shots to help Prism, check out the Obelisk Book Shop booth to buy specially made action figures and other comic book based items, plus meet surprise guests. Cover is $10 at the door, $3 off with Comic-Con Badge till 11:00pm. Free until Midnight if you come in costume. Come and get your Geek on! Rich’s Dance Club San Diego is located at 1051 University Avenue. For more information, go to richssandiego.com.
Good to see these panels, of course, but it’s interesting to note the distinct lack of panels covering race-based diversity topics, aside from Reginald Hudlin’s Black Panel. Was it just a matter of no one stepping up to organize them this year?
They’re doing a good job selling my series. I think you can pick up the latest two issues of Deposit Man: Playgod at their booth.
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Coat
@Art: The Black Panel is organized, produced and hosted by Michael Davis, not Reggie Hudlin. Hudlin just talks the most.
Prism’s been working for years to increase LGBT visibility at the Con; the LGBT panels (except for Andy Mangels’ GAYS IN COMICS panel which he’s been moderating for quite some time) wouldn’t exist if we didn’t plan them and propose them to Comic-Con.
It takes a good amount of effort, but if you’re not seeing the programming you want, I say get involved and make it happen! Anything that improves diversity in the industry (and expands all of our audiences) is a good thing.
The panel on celebrating female superheroes doesn’t have any women on it. Just an observation.
Regarding the African-American panels, a careful reading of the program shows two clearly A-A panels, and I vaguely recall a third but can’t find it at this moment.
FYI, African-American panels:
* Nappy Hour (Fri 10:30)
* The Black Panel 2010 (Sat 10:00)
Regarding no women on the Divas panel, I didn’t put it together, but you do notice the line that says “especially gay men,” right? And perhaps it’s not an anti-woman conspiracy; maybe no females said “yes” to being on it (since there are already SIX all-women heroine panels going on with the appropriate suspects)?
FYI female panels:
* Divas and Golden Lassoes: The LGBT Obsession with Super Heroines (all-gay men, THurs 10:30)
* Geek Girls Exist— Really? (all-women, Thurs 5:30)
* Comics Arts Conference Session #8: Where Are the Action Chicks? (all-women but one, Fri 2:00)
* Girls Who Kick Ass: A New Generation of Heroines (all women, Fri 4:00)
* Girls Gone Genre: Movies, TV, Comics, Web (all-women, Fri 5:00)
* Her Universe: Shining The Spotlight on Female Fans (all-women, Sat 6:30)
* Marvel: The Women of Marvel (all-women, Sun 11:00)
and for verisimilitude, because someone always says “Christians don’t get equal time” (maybe because they don’t ask for it), the Con is open to ANY group who can clearly do an interesting panel, as these four show:
* Spirituality in Comics (Sat 11:00)
* After Hours with the Christian Comic Arts Society (Sat 7:30)
* Christian Comics: The Word in Pictures (Sun 10:00)
* Military in Comics (Sat 4:30)
Hi,
I did help organize the Divas and Lassoes panel for Prism Comics and the lack of females was not planned. There is a very small pool of potential female comics creators to start with (unfortunately) and the ones we did invite either weren’t coming to Comic-Con, declined outright or had scheduling conflicts. Also, we are given a very short window of time to invite, confirm and send in our list of panelists to Comic-Con. Of course, we find this problem every year and it does not seem to get better. Anyhow, we always strive to do better, but I wanted to give an insight of the challenges we face in populating our panels.