San Diego Comic-Con is underway, bringing over 130,000 people to enjoy the pop culture extravaganza taking place inside and outside the convention center. There is a lot to see and do every day during SDCC. More likely than not, if you don't go in with a plan for experiencing the things that you most want to check out, you'll miss them!

To help any con-going readers with their convention plans, ComicsAlliance has put together this handy list of panels we recommend. Some are panels we think sound cool and some are panels where you can see CA contributors! You may not be able to experience everything (and probably not everything on this list!), but here's what we think are the best panels to attend on day three, Saturday, July 11th!

  • 10:00am-11:00am: Kids' Graphic Novel Burgeoning Frontier: Kids with Disabilities

    Room 28DE

    Cece Bell (El Deafo), Doug TenNapel (Nnewts; Cardboard), Dave Elliott (A is for Autism; A1), John Shableski (Udon Entertainment), Talia Hurwich (Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth), and moderator Meryl Jaffe (CBLDF Using Graphic Novels in Education) discuss the real-life heroes comics still need to embrace: kids with disabilities. They'll evaluate how graphic novels are beginning to tell stories about kids with disabilities, illness and handicaps, and how others with great stories can be heard.

  • 10:00am-11:00am: MARCH with Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell

    Room 23ABC

    His first visit to Comic-Con made national news; now the legendary civil rights icon, U.S. congressman, and #1 bestselling graphic novel author John Lewis returns. Congressman Lewis, co-author Andrew Aydin, and artist Nate Powell re-team to share their award-winning March series. You'll hear about the incredible tour that's brought the message of March to schools, universities, libraries, and corporate headquarters from coast to coast. You'll see glimpses of the much-anticipated March: Book Three, covering Mississippi Freedom Summer and the unforgettable Selma-Montgomery March. And of course, you'll hear Congressman Lewis's firsthand memories of sit-ins, Freedom Rides, the march on Washington, Selma, and beyond, and the vital power of his message of transformative nonviolence in the world today.

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  • 11:00am-12:00pm: Drawn & Quarterly at Twenty-Five

    Room 4

    Drawn & Quarterly, the esteemed independent Canadian comics publisher, turns 25 this year, and has created a massive 770-page anthology of comics, essays, and photographs to celebrate the occasion. Drawn & Quarterly managing editor Tracy Hurren, marketing director Julia Pohl-Miranda, and Drawn & Quarterly authors Marc Bell (Stroppy), Michael DeForge (First Year Healthy), and Anders Nilsen (Poetry Is Useless) talk about the book and the future of the company. They will make announcements and give away prizes.

  • 11:00am-12:00pm: Mobilizing Fandoms for Charity

    Room 14A

    Panelists Marsia Powers (Whedonopolis/Fandom Charities, Inc.), Rebecca Safier (California Browncoats), Anastasia Hunter (Gaslight Gathering), and Kae Winters (Random Acts, GISHWHES) discuss how to utilize various fandoms to help create nonprofit organizations, to contribute to charitable causes, and to explore how individuals can get more involved individually, locally, and globally with fandom-related charities. Moderated by C.J. DeAngelus (Random Acts, Little Kids Rock).

  • 11:45am-12:45pm: Quick Draw!

    Room 6BCF

    Once again, three supercharged cartoonists duel to their dooms with Sharpies, each attempting to outdraw all opponents. It's one of the most popular Comic-Con events, and this year it's personal. Our returning champion Sergio Aragonés (MAD, Groo the Wanderer) goes mano a mano against Scott Shaw! (The Simpsons, The Flintstones) and Disney legend Floyd Norman. Plus, you can expect a few other cartoonists to get their licks in. Presiding over it all is your Quick Draw! Quizmaster, Mark Evanier. No wagering, please.

  • 12:15pm-1:15pm: Workshop with Laura Martin

    Room 2

    Premier comics color artist Laura Martin (Star Wars, Avengers vs. X-Men, Spawn, Ragnarok, Superman, Rocketeer, and others) is pleased to chat about her 20-year history in digital coloring and demonstrate the use of color for storytelling. Join Laura for a spirited discussion with moderator Scott Dunbier (special projects editor, IDW Publishing).

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  • 1:00pm-2:00pm: Diversity: We Demand Diverse Books

    Room 28DE

    Ethnic, religious, gender, racial, physical ability, and sexual diversity are underrepresented in science fiction and fantasy; but these authors are here to tell you that their stories speak for themselves. They seek to create worlds similar to our own, where people from various walks of life are represented and cross paths. Readers will find these authors and the tales they spin as empowering and fascinating as ever. Soman Chainani (School for Good and Evil), Cindy Pon(Serpentine ), Cece Bell (El Deafo), Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer), Scott Sigler (Alive ), and Judd Winick (Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth) discuss diversity in science fiction and fantasy with David Mariotte of Mysterious Galaxy.

  • 1:30pm-2:30pm: Spotlight on Allie Brosh

    Room 24ABC

    #1 New York Times bestselling author Allie Brosh (Hyperbole and a Half) discusses her award-winning blog, her work as an artist and a writer, and her new book,Solutions and Other Problems (coming in October), with Felicia Day (Geek & Sundry, author of You're Never Weird on the Internet . . . Almost).

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  • 2:30pm-3:30pm: Writing Engaging Nonfiction Comics

    Room 8

    Nonfiction comics are a wide and blossoming field, with lots of exciting projects emerging all the time. The genre of nonfiction comics can include biographies of important historical figures, as in Peter Bagge's Woman RebelThe Margaret Sanger Story; political cartooning, as in Jen Sorensen's short and long-form work for numerous periodicals or long-running web serials about the history of hip hop, as in Ed Piskor's Hip Hop Family Tree. Calvin Reid (senior news editor at Publishers Weekly) will find out what it is that drew them to work in nonfiction and how they make it interesting for their readers.

  • 3:00pm-4:00pm: Events for Community Engagement

    Shiley Special Events, San Diego Central Library

    Annual events like Children's Book Week, Star Wars Reads, and Banned Book Week are celebrated at libraries all over the country. How can graphic novels be included in these programs, and introduced to communities through them? Join this conversation with Charles Brownstein (CBLDF), Kuo-Yu Liang (Diamond), Gina Gagliano (First Second), and Kat Salazar (Image). Moderated by Eva Volin (Alameda Public Library).

  • 3:00pm-4:00pm: Friendship, Fandom, and Unexpected Opportunities: Lora Innes and The Making of The Dreamer

    Room 4

    Being an independent creator is often thought of as a solitary effort. Not so for IDW's Lora Innes. Over the past eight years The Dreamer has gathered a passionate, creative fan community and opened doors to a wide range of professional experiences that extend far beyond comics. Lora Innes (The Dreamer) will be interviewed by her co-host on the Paper Wings Show, Chris Oatley (The Oatley Academy).

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  • 3:00pm-4:00pm: Comixology Submit: The Future of Self-Publishing

    Room 29AB

    To date, comiXology Submit has released over 2,000 independent comic books, graphic novels, and manga, from celebrated indie creators such as Shannon Wheeler, Becky Cloonan, and more. John D. Roberts (comiXology co-founder and director of Submit) is joined by breakout Submit superstars Janelle Asselin (publisher, Rosy Press), Jody Houser (Cupcake POW!), Joe Glass (The Pride, Stiffs), Elliot Blake (The Package), Stephan Franck (Silver) and Joshua Fialkov (The Bunker, Life After, King) for a tell-all discussion on how you too can create, submit, and reach the ranks of comiXology Submit stardom. Moderated by Chip Mosher(comiXology VP of communications and marketing).

  • 3:30pm-4:30pm: Camp Out with Lumberjanes!

    Room 8

    Pack your bags, bring your s'mores kit, and get your badges ready! Join the brilliant minds and collaborators behind the breakout hit Lumberjanes, published by the BOOM! Studios imprint BOOM! Box! Creators Shannon Watters and Noelle Stevenson, along with BOOM! editor Dafna Pleban and special guest Carolyn Nowak, discuss the book's runaway success; what's in the pipeline for Mal, Molly, April, Jo, and Ripley; and the importance of hardcore lady types. Moderated by BOOM! Studios associate editor Whitney Leopard.

  • 4:00pm-5:00pm: Milestone 2.0: The Return of the Mack

    Room 9

    What's going on with the Static Shock live-action digital series? Who's in the cast? When does it start shooting? When does it debut? Will there be action figures of the classic Milestone characters? When do the new Milestone Comics debut? Who's working on the books? Denys Cowan, Reginald Hudlin, Derek Dingle, and other surprise guests set the record straight.

  • 5:00pm-6:00pm: Comics 101: Making Sense of the World of Comics

    Room 28DE

    Just getting into comics but not sure where to start? Some of the industry's biggest professionals impart their vast comic knowledge and personally recommend series just right for you. Hank Kanalz (SVP, editorial strategy and administration at DC Entertainment), Deb Aoki (contributing writer, Publishers Weekly), Jen Vaughn (cartoonist), Kara Szamborski (co-host, The comiXologist Podcast), Matt Kolowski (co-host, The comiXologist Podcast) and writer Marc Bernardin (Genius, and deputy editor Playboy.com) become your guides through the awesome world of comics. Moderated by Chip Mosher (comiXology VP of communications and marketing).

  • 6:00pm-7:00pm: Gays in Comics 28: At the Intersection of Comics and Life

    Room 29AB

    Creators examine how their queer identities intersect with other aspects of their lives, such as race and ethnicity, religion, and family, and how that influences and defines their comics work. Join Prism Comics and co-moderators Roger Klorese (Prism Comics Board) and Paige Braddock (Peanuts, Jane's WorldStinky Cecil), as they explore how diversity doesn't stop at LGBTQ. Panelists include Brian Andersen (Stripling Warrior, So Super Duper, The Advocate), Kris Anka (Ms. Marvel, House of MUncanny X-Men), Hilary Price (Rhymes with Orange), Dax Tran-Caffee (Failing Sky, 2015 Eisner nominee) and Kevin Wada (She-Hulk, Doctor Who). The panel will also include time for fans to mingle and a silent auction for Prism Comics, the nonprofit organization supporting LGBTQ and LGBTQ-friendly comics creators and readers.

  • 7:00pm-8:00pm: Best and Worst Manga of 2015

    Room 23ABC

    A lot of manga titles are available in English now, but what's really worth reading? A panel of opinionated bloggers, retailers, librarians, manga mavens, and comics curmudgeons spotlight the best new manga that hit the shelves in the past year. See them rave about their favorite continuing series. Watch them rant about the excruciatingly mediocre manga that they were forced to read. Find out what Brigid Alverson (Robot 6, Good Comics for Kids), David Brothers (4thletter!), Christopher Butcher (The Beguiling, Toronto Comic Arts Festival), Eva Volin (Alameda Free Library, No Flying No Tights), and Deb Aoki (Manga Comics Manga, Publishers Weekly) loved and loathed to read in the past year. Hear about their picks for the most anticipated upcoming releases for fall 2015 and beyond, and discover their favorite underappreciated manga gems that are worth picking up.

  • 7:00pm-8:00pm: Comics and Pop Music: Making New Noise!

    Room 25ABC

    Comic books and pop music both began as fleeting, disposable forms, and now wield massive influence on global culture, with both constantly showcasing vital new voices while drawing on long-standing common influences. Patrick A. Reed (Depth Of Field, ComicsAlliance) assembles creators and commentators to discuss the comics we love, the music that moves us, and the many ways that the two intersect.

  • 7:00pm-8:00pm: The Psychology of Star Trek vs. Star Wars: Episode V

    Room 24ABC

    Geeky psychologists Dr. Andrea Letamendi (The Arkham Sessions) and Dr. Ali Mattu (The Psych Show) step into the pop culture ring to debate the psychology of teamwork, rebellion, and galactic war. Panelists include Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise), Thom Zahler (Love and Capes), Consetta Parker (Rancho Obi-Wan), and Amy Ratcliffe (Star Wars Insider). Join a side, but remember: phasers and lightsabers are no match for this battle of wits! Refereed by Brian Ward (Comics, Assembled!)

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