Emerald City Comicon 2015 begins tonight, March 26th, launching us into quite possibly the most ComicsAlliance-filled convention of the con season. ECCC is a beloved convention not least because it is still very comics focused and has a great community feel. While ECCC is now owned by ReedPop, it's unlikely there will be a lot of ReedPop, it's likely to retain its unique character, especially given how recent the purchase was.

CA folks are quite active at ECCC every year, meaning you can see any number of past and present (and maybe future?) ComicsAlliance editors and contributors on panels.

If you want to hear us speak on panels, or if you want to talk about comics with us, here's where you can find CA folks at ECCC this weekend (and yes, we're pretty sure they cloned Kate Leth this year).

 

FRIDAY

Taking Fandom Seriously
Room: Hall I (WSCC 3A)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 10:50AM - 11:40AM

Join our panel of serious fans including Douglas Wolk (author, blogger, critic), Justin Warren (game blogger), Andrea Gilroy (comics teacher and graduate student), and Rachel Edidin (professional editor, critic) for a conversation about walking the fine line between geeking out as a fan and critically engaging with the material you love.

All Ages Comics Aren't Limiting
Room: Hall E (TCC 303)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 11:50AM - 12:40PM

Tired of dark and gritty? Looking to expand your market share? Want to make something your kids can enjoy? Just plain curious about why you should take all ages comics seriously? Join Rachel Edidin, Jen Van Meter, Janelle Asselin, Adam P. Knave, and Lucy Bellwood for a discussion of what creates an exceptional all ages comic.

Meet The Valkyries
Room: Hall E (TCC 303)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 12:50PM - 1:40PM

The Valkyries is a network of female comics retailers, founded by writer/artist Kate Leth. Come hear their insights on why such a group is necessary, individual experiences, projects they've undertaken, their future plans for world domination. [Moderated by Kelly Sue DeConnick]

None More Goth: Kate Leth vs. Kieron Gillen
Room: Hall D (TCC 302)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 2:30PM - 4:20PM

The time has come to settle it once and for all. With the best panel of impartial Goth judges that can be gathered (Drew Rausch, Ray Fawkes, Robert Tritthardt, and Jillian Venters) Kieron and Kate's claim to the title will be put to the test with contests in Gothic knowledge, fashion, and more. Only one can be Most Goth.

Diversity, Representation and the Changing Face of Mainstream Comics
Room: Hall F (TCC 304)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 3:30PM - 4:20PM

The big publishers have long been the domain of straight white men, but they’re slowly bringing in more diverse creators, creating diverse characters, and seeking out diverse audiences. Superstar artist Phil Jimenez and ComicsAlliance editor-in-chief Andrew Wheeler present a discussion of diversity and representation in mainstream comics, and look at the ways the mainstream succeeds and fails, featuring panelists Yasmin Liang, Stacey Lee, David Walker, Brooke Allen, and Noelle Stevenson.

Being Non-Compliant
Room: Hall A (WSCC 611-614)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 5:00PM - 5:50PM

Join the women at the forefront of the modern wave of feminism in comics. Kelly Sue DeConnick (Bitch Planet, Captain Marvel), Noelle Stevenson (Lumberjanes, Nimona), Kate Leth (Bravest Warriors, Edward Scissorhands), Erika Moen (Oh Joy Sex Toy), and Spike Trotman (Templar, Arizona) as they discuss their insight into where we stand, and where we can go from here, in order to help comics become more representative and inclusive of everyone.

Hip-Hop and Comics: Cultures Combining
Room: Hall E (TCC 303)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 5:50PM - 6:40PM

Hip-Hop and comics reflect each other in many ways: rappers and graffiti artists utilize superheroic imagery and adopt larger-than-life alter-egos, comic creators utilize Hip-Hop's rich visual vocabulary and social subtext. This program brings together a rich and wide-ranging group to discuss the ties between these creative cultures and features discussion by Patrick A. Reed, Jim Mahfood, David Brothers, Matthew Rosenberg, and 179.

Urban Dictionary Game Show
Room: Hall B (WSCC 602-603)
Date: Friday, March 27th
Time: 6:30PM - 8:30PM

Watch a panel-discussion type Game Show where panelists David Malki ! (Wondermark), Kate Leth (Kate or Die), Nika Harper (Wordplay), Trin Garritano and Jenn Bane (Cards Against Humanity) attempt to define the weirdest an grossest terms the Urban Dictionary website has to offer. It's a super entertaining time as funny and charismatic comic creators attempt to guess and define these terms. This panel is recommended for those 18+

 

SATURDAY

Cover Artist Confidential
Room: Hall A (WSCC 611-614)
Date: Saturday, March 28th
Time: 12:00PM - 12:50PM

There's a special art to creating an awesome comic book cover. Fortunately, we've got some of the best cover artists in the business here to share with you their process, tips and tricks, and their inspiration on some of their most iconic covers. Panelists include Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman), Terry Dodson (Star Wars: Leia), Mark Brooks (Deadpool) and Adi Granov (Star Wars). [Moderated by Janelle Asselin]

ComiXology Submit: The Future of Self-Publishing
Room: Hall E (TCC 303)
Date: Saturday, March 28th
Time: 2:50PM - 3:40PM

To date comiXology Submit has released over 2,000 independent comic books, graphic novels & manga from celebrated indie creators like Shannon Wheeler, Becky Cloonan and more. Join John D. Roberts (Director of comiXology Submit) along with breakout Submit creators Erika Moen (Oh Joy, Sex Toy), Jody Houser (Cupcake POW!), Fabian Rangel Jr. (Doc Unknown), and Hope Nicholson (Publisher of Nelvana of the Northern Lights), for a tell-all discussion on how you too can create, submit, and reach the ranks of comiXology Submit stardom! [ComicsAlliance Senior Editor Janelle Asselin is on this panel too!]

Comics and Pop Music: Making New Noise
Room: Hall F (TCC 304)
Date: Saturday, March 28th
Time: 3:30PM - 4:20PM

Comic books and pop music cross over in many ways, creatively and historically. Both began as fleeting, disposable forms, and now wield massive influence on global culture, while inspiring vital new voices and drawing on shared influences. Hear Kieron Gillen, Andy Khouri, and Jen Van Meter discuss the comics we love, the songs we sing, and how the two fit together. [Patrick A. Reed moderates]

Teamwork: How Great Comics Are Made
Room: Hall G (TCC 305)
Date: Saturday, March 28th
Time: 4:10PM - 5:00PM

Ever wonder how your favorite monthly comics are made? It's a team effort with a plenty of challenges. Learn what everyone does and why, from editor to writer, penciller, inker and colorist. A panel of pros, including Amy Chu (writer/letterer), Janet K. Lee (artist/colorist), Harvey award winner Mark Morales (inker), former DC Comics editor Janelle Asselin and Matt Wilson (colorist) will walk you through how a book is made, what the challenges are, and where the magic happens.

 

SUNDAY

How Many Hats Can One Person Wear?
Room: Hall F (TCC 304)
Date: Sunday, March 29th
Time: 10:30AM - 11:20AM

What has three writers, one artist, two journalists, three critics, one retailer, three fans, two podcasters, six hands, and three heads? Rachel Edidin, Kate Leth, and Douglas Wolk discuss what it means to approach comics from multiple angles, balancing creative and critical perspectives, and straddling the fan/pro divide.

I Say a Little Prayer: Heartbreakers Gillen and McKelvie
Room: Hall A (WSCC 611-614)
Date: Sunday, March 29th
Time: 11:00AM - 11:50AM

If you're a fan of Young Avengers, The Wicked + The Divine, or Phonogram, Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie have probably broken your heart. Join ComicsAlliance's Andrew Wheeler as he takes them to task for causing you all those feels. Q&A will follow, so you can finally get the answers you need or at least cry to them about all you've been through.

Redesigning Heroes for the Modern World
Room: Hall A (WSCC 611-614)
Date: Sunday, March 29th
Time: 1:00PM - 1:50PM

We're living in a renaissance of comic book costumes, with our favorite heroes ditching the spandex for functional and fashionable redesigns that are also cosplay-friendly. Join the artists on the vanguard of these redesigns: Kristafer Anka (Spider-Woman, X-Factor), Jamie McKelvie (Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel), Cameron Stewart and Babs Tarr (Batgirl) and Robbi Rodriguez (Spider-Gwen), as they discuss their process of reinventing modern superhero costumes. [Andrew Wheeler moderates]

IDW Presents: The New Class of Licensed Comics
Room: Hall C (TCC 301)
Date: Sunday, March 29th
Time: 1:00PM - 1:50PM

Transformers, Adventure Time, Star Trek, Orphan Black, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic... What do these comics all have in common? They're all licensed comics, but they're also home to some of the best talent telling the best stories around! Come hear about the good (and sometimes challenging) aspects of working on books like these, from host Editor Sarah Gaydos, with guests Kate Leth, Corinna Bechko, Jody Houser, Editors Dafna Pleban and Shannon Watters, Chris Roberson, and Gabriel Hardman.

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