By Christopher Baggett
Prism Comics has announced their San Diego Comic-Con plans ahead of the convention’s start date.
The non-profit LGBTQ publisher will be hosting signings at booth #2414, including talent like P. Craig Russell (Norse Mythology, Sandman), Brandon T. Snider (Lazarus Planet, Marvel Storybooks Collection), Tim Sheridan (DC Pride 2023, Titans Academy), and Nicole Maines (Supergirl, Yellowjackets).
Prism is also bringing four panels to the convention, which fans will be able to attend, including the 36th consecutive year of Out in Comics, hosted by writer Andy Mangels.
Prism also publishes Prism Comics LGBTQ+ Guide to Comic-Con 2023, spotlighting panels, people and events of LGBTQ+ interest at Comic-Con. It’s available as a free booklet at the Prism Comics Booth 2144, or you can download a digital copy from the Prism Comics website – prismcomics.org and https://www.prismcomics.org/prism-comics-at-comic-con-2023/
PRISM COMICS COMIC-CON 2023 PANEL DESCRIPTIONS V5 7/16/2023
Prism Comics Booth: #2144 in Hall C
Transgender and Nonbinary Stories in Comics: Past, Present, and Future
Thursday, 7/20/23, 4:00PM – 5:00PM, Room 9
In recent years, transgender and nonbinary comics readers have been fortunate enough to find stories that reflect their own experience. However, all over the country comics by trans creators are being banned by culturally conservative authorities, and harsh legal measures threaten the rights and well-being of trans and nonbinary Americans themselves. Now more than ever the trans community needs its comics creators to share their perspectives and offer glimpses into their shared history and challenging future. How can comics address transgender history? How can autobio comics reach not just trans readers but sympathetic allies? How can trans and nonbinary creators thrive despite the threats of book banners and hostile culture warriors? Join Prism Comics and moderator Tara Madison Avery (We’re Still Here, The Transgender Heroes Coloring Book) and panelists Sonya Saturday (The Greatest Thing You’ve Ever Seen in Your Life, J.K. Rowling and the Ungrateful Fans), Maddie Jacobus (The Out Side, Bummer Corp), A.C. Esguerra (Eighty Days), Kristen Enos (Berserker, Active Voice), Rebecca Kaplan (The Beat, Prism Comics Board Member), and Gaia WXYZ (We Belong) for a lively discussion of these and other questions!
Queer Horror
Friday, 7/21/23, 3:00PM – 4:00PM, Room 4
As a genre, horror has always attempted to bring us to the threshold of our fears and use a dark lens of the fantastic to force us to come face-to-face with issues the mainstream may otherwise dare not address head on. For those in the LGBTQIA+ community, this sense of otherness within the genre is not only terrifying and titillating, it’s quite often also relatable. The queer community has had a long history with the horror genre, from the lesbian vampires of Gothic literature to modern fare like Hellraiser and The Boulet Brothers Dragula. Does a queer horror genre exist, and if so what makes it different from mainstream horror? Furthermore, how does the current political climate alter the lens through which we celebrate and connect to the macabre? Join Prism Comics and moderator/filmmaker Michael Varrati (There’s a Zombie Outside, The Midnight Mass Podcast) and an array of panelists including Teri Gamble (Horror Movie Survival Guide, Mrs. Davis), Viktor Kerney (StrangeLore, the upcoming Black queer anthology We Belong), Andy Mangels (A Nightmare on Elm Street/Child’s Play Comics, the upcoming Castle of Horror: Queer Dread anthology), and Adam Sass (Award-Winning Author: Surrender Your Sons, Your Lonely Nights are Over) and Juan Valencia (Poking Holes, Plagued by Visions).
Out in Comics: Year 36
Saturday, 7/22/23, 6:00PM – 8:00PM, Room 4
The comic world’s longest-running panel is back for its 36th record breaking year. The Comic Book world has become a celebrated part of the Pop Culture world. LGBTQ comics and graphic novels for all ages are being produced and acclaimed in incredible numbers, and queer characters are finally starting to show up in genre movies and TV shows. And yet, in our politicized and polarized world, LGBTQ comics and graphic novels and LGBTQ characters in popular media are facing more censure and opposition than in previous years. This means that telling stories of queer characters of diverse backgrounds and identities is more important than ever before. Join Prism Comics, moderator Andy Mangels [he/him] (the Founder of the “Out In Comics” panel; bestselling author of Wonder Woman ‘77 Meets The Bionic Woman, Star Trek and Star Wars books and comics) and special guest panelists as they discuss what being “Out In Comics” means now and in the future. Panelists include:
Lena Atanassova [she/her] (editor for Tokypop’s Love x Love imprint and other manga)
Darcie Little Badger [she/her] (award-winning writer – Elatsoe, A Snake Falls To Earth)
Nicole Maines [she/her] (actress and writer – “Dreamer” on Supergirl, Yellowjackets, DC Pride)
Jimmy Sherfy [he/himI] (San Diego’s Cosplay King AND Princess)
Tim Sheridan [he/him] (comic and screenwriter – Alan Scott: The Green Lantern, Masters of the Universe, Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Flashpoint Beyond)
William O. Tyler [he/him] (artist and cinephile – Siren.o, Anxious Ax, The Goth Queen Needs A Mate)
The Rise of LGBTQ Comics And Animation For Young Audiences
Sunday, 7/23/23, 10:30AM – 11:30AM, Room 10
We are in exciting times for comic and animated LGBTQ-inclusive stories for young audiences. These groundbreaking successes have made unique creative opportunities for LGBTQ storytellers. We are bringing animation and publishing storytellers together to discuss their projects and answer the questions: How do they approach LGBTQ content and characters for kids & teens? How do new LGBTQ creators find their voice and get their start? What are the new and upcoming projects to watch for? Join Prism Comics, moderator Cort Lane (My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, No Straight Lines: The Rise Of Queer Comics) and talented panelists Tilly Bridges (Monster High, Begin Transmission: The Trans Allegories of The Matrix), Sam Maggs (Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars, Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas), Brandon T. Snider (Lazarus Planet, Marvel Storybook Collection), Michael Vogel (Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic), and Brittney Williams (Craig of the Creek, Marvel and DC Pride compilations) as they look at the world of LGBTQ storytelling for the young fans of today and creators of tomorrow.
Miss any of our earlier SDCC ’23 coverage? Find it all here!
