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With hundreds of panels to choose from at San Diego Comic-Con, the show can be an overwhelming experience — and it’s far too easy to miss a panel you think you might have loved, or to find yourself on the wrong side of the con floor five minutes before a great panel is about to start!

Take heart, brave reader. ComicsAlliance has sifted through the schedule to offer up our pick of the best programming at the con. Today we offer our suggested highlights for day two, Friday July 25, 2014 — with an emphasis on comics programming. We’ll also let you know where and when you can find ComicsAlliance contributors at the San Diego show.

  • 10:00am - 11:00am: Marvel: Spider-Verse, Room 6DE

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    It's the most epic Spider-Man event of all time as every Spider-Man EVER come together to face a world-ending threat! This is one panel no Spidey fan can miss!

    Panelists: Nick Lowe, Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man) and Mark Waid (Daredevil)

  • 10:00am - 11:00am: Spotlight on Neal Adams, Room 9

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    Comic-Con special guest Neal Adams (Batman, X-Men, Ms Mystic) is one of the living legends of comics. From being a champion of creator rights to drawing just about every iconic comic book character who ever graced a page, Neal Adams has done it all!

  • 10:00am - 11:00am: Gender in Comics, Room 4

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    Panelists explore both the role of gender in mainstream and independent comics, as well as the impact of gender politics on the business side of the industry and in the media.

    Moderator: ComicsAlliance's own Janelle Asselin
    Panelists: Dafna Pleban (Boom Studios), James Tynion IV (The Woods), Jennifer de Guzman (Image), Sarah Gaydos (IDW), current ComicsAlliance editor Andy Khouri, and former Comics Alliance editor and current WIRED contributor Laura Hudson

  • 10:00am - 11:30am: The Black Panel, Room 5AB

    This year's panelists feature media movers and shakers from film, television, comics, and music. The Black Panel is produced by Tatiana El Khouri and hosted by its founder, Michael Davis.

    Panelists: Orlando Jones (Sleepy Hollow, MAD TV), Ne-Yo (actor, artist, writer, singer, etc.), J. August Richards (Angel, Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Kevin Grevioux (I, Frankenstein; Underworld), Cree Summer (Batman Beyond, Rugrats, A Different World), and Erika Alexander (Living Single, Concrete Park).

  • 10:30am - 11:30am: Rescued by Batman: Finding Hope in Something Terrible, Room 26AB

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    Tommy Cash (The Comic Arts Council) and Dean Trippe (Something Terrible) examine misconceptions regarding victims of sexual abuse and the potential value in identifying with superheroes as a coping mechanism.

  • 10:30am - 11:30am: Evangeline Lilly Discusses Her First Book The Squickerwonkers, Room 6A

    Evangeline Lilly (The Hobbit, Lost) introduces her first illustrated children's book The Squickerwonkers (Titan Books) -- a mischievous and uproarious tale about a clever and unruly child called Selma who meets the remarkable Squickerwonkers of the fabulous Squickershow. Read our interview with Lilly here.

  • 11:00am - 12:00pm: Image Comics: I Is for...Inception, Room 23ABC

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    Collaboration is the lifeblood of comics. Writers, artists, colorists, and letterers team up to create the comics you know and love. Image creators, including some special surprise guests, will discuss creating entire universes from scratch and the teamwork it takes to make their comics the best they can be.

    Panelists: Kelly Sue DeConnick (Pretty Deadly), Fiona Staples (Saga), Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky (Sex Criminals), John Layman (Chew), Steve Seagle (Imperial)

  • 11:15am - 12:15pm: DC Comics: Champions of Justice, Room 6DE

    The New 52 return to San Diego for a star-studded, action-packed panel. Join the creators of DC Comics's most powerful and influential heroes and heroines for a sneak peek at what is to come for these champions of justice!

    Panelists: David Finch (Forever Evil, Wonder Woman), Meredith Finch (Wonder Woman), Van Jensen (Green Lantern Corps), Geoff Johns (Justice League, Superman), Jeff Lemire (Futures End, Green Arrow, Justice League United), Charles Soule (Red Lanterns, Superman/Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing), Robert Venditti (The Flash, Green Lantern) and others.

  • 11:30am - 12:30pm: Milestone @ 21, Room 5AB

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    Milestone Media is all grown up, and here's your chance to get the lowdown on what's really the deal with all those rumors.

    Moderator: Phil LaMarr (Static Shock, Mad TV)
    Panelists: Denys Cowan, (Django Unchained, Green Arrow), Derek Dingle (Black Enterprise magazine), and Michael Davis (The Hidden Beach)

  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Top Shelf Productions Featuring Kevin O'Neill and More! Room 32AB

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    Top Shelf is so excited to début the The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century hardcover that they flew artist Kevin O'Neill all the way from England for his first U.S. visit in years! Also get a look at the much-anticipated Book Two of March, the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic memoir trilogy by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell!

  • 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Batman in the '80s and '90s, Room 5AB

    Legendary Batman writers and artists discuss how they kept the world's greatest detective going strong through the '80s and '90s.

    Moderator: Denny O'Neill (Batman, Green Lantern/Green Arrow)
    Panelists: Chuck Dixon (Batman, Airboy), Kelley Jones (Batman, Deadman), Graham Nolan (Detective Comics, The Phantom, Joe Frankenstein), and Brian Stelfreeze (Shadow of the Bat, Daymen)

  • 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Spotlight on Mike Mignola, Room 24ABC

    Comic-Con special guest Mike Mignola celebrates the 20th anniversary of his iconic creation Hellboy, star of comics, movies, and animation. Ask Mike about the Mignolaverse in this casual Q&A.

  • 12:45pm - 1:45pm: Marvel: Avengers NOW! Room 6BCF

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    This is the Avengers like you've never seen them before! Marvel is bringing its biggest creators and its best characters together for Avengers NOW!

    Panelists: Axel Alonso, Rick Remender (Avengers & X-Men: AXIS), Jason Aaron (Original Sin) and more.

  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Archie Forever: Life, Afterlife, and Beyond, Room 4

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    Learn about the story that shocked the world-the Death of Archie -- and find out more about the hit horror series Afterlife with Archie. Get exclusive news on upcoming classic Archie storylines, the new Sabrina ongoing series, and what's to come from Archie's superhero imprint.

    Moderator: Alex Segura (SVP-publicity and marketing/editor of Red Circle Comics)
    Panelists: Jon Goldwater (co-CEO/publisher), Victor Gorelick (co-president/editor-in-chief), Mike Pellerito (president), Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (chief creative officer/writer of Afterlife with Archie), Francesco Francavilla (artist of Afterlife with Archie), Dan Parent (writer/artist, Kevin Keller), Michael Uslan (writer, Farewell, Betty & Veronica)

  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Cosplaying 101: Costuming for Beginners, Room 29A

    Costume experts discuss the basics in costuming and go over tips, tricks, and techniques to help a beginning costumer get started in the world of cosplaying. Panelists will show you how you can get in on the all the fun even if you've never sewn before in your life.

    Moderator: Melissa Gene Meyer (assistant for the Comic-Con Masquerade).
    Panelists: Catherine M. Fisher (award-winning costumer), Mike Schiffbauer (master prop maker and costumer), and Bob Mogg (Steampunk expert extraordinaire)

  • 1:00pm - 2:30pm: Comics and Gender, Room 26AB

    How sexist are superhero comic books? How fairly do comic book creators depict females and femininity, and how do we view the creators who attempt to introduce feminist values?

    Rebecca Sader (University of Texas at Dallas) looks at how well Birds of Prey fares in light of methodology like the Bechdel test. Matthew J. Brown (University of Texas at Dallas) delves into the psychology and (unorthodox) feminist values of psychologist William Moulton Marston, the creator of Wonder Woman and a pioneer in the invention of the lie detector. Annamarie O'Brien (Bowling Green State University) looks at mommy issues in Jack Kirby's Fourth World saga, from idealized Mother Box to the monstrous depiction of mothering gone awry via the villainous Granny Goodness.

  • 1:30pm - 2:30pm: IDW & Hasbro: Transformers, Ponies, and More! Room 8

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    A comprehensive overview of all things IDW & Hasbro. Transformers! My Little Pony! G.I. Joe! Dungeons & Dragons! Announcements! Prizes!

    Panelists: John Barber and Carlos Guzman (editors), Michael Kelly (Hasbro's director for global publishing), Mairghread Scott, Tom Scioli, and more.

  • 1:45pm - 2:45pm: DC Comics-Batman: The Eternal Dark Knight, Room 6DE

    Even after 75 years of stories, the Bat-family comics couldn't be any hotter! Join the talent behind the Dark Knight for an exclusive look at what's in store for the World's Greatest Detective.

    Panelists: Marc Andreyko (Batwoman), Brian Buccellato (Detective Comics), Greg Capullo (Batman), Pat Gleason (Batman and Robin), Greg Pak (Batman/Superman), Scott Snyder (Batman, Batman Eternal), Peter Tomasi (Batman and Robin) and more.

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: June Brigman: Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Marvel's Power Pack, Room 9

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    Comic-Con special guest June Brigman will discuss the creation of Power Pack, as well as her 30-year career as a comics penciler. (ComicsAlliance says: OMG POWER PACK!!!)

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: LGBT Comics for Young Readers, Room 28DE

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    Comics today present an amazing range of stories and characters, including more LGBT stories and characters than ever before. What comics are out there for teens and younger readers? How can parents, librarians, and educators introduce such books to young people?

    Moderator: P. Kristen Enos (Active Voice, Creatures of Grace)
    Panelists: Brian Andersen (So Super Duper), Charles "Zan" Christensen (Northwest Press, The Power Within), Dusty Jack (Scuttlebutt Ink, Mahou Shounen Fight!), Grace Ellis (Lumberjanes), Dan Parent (Kevin Keller), Robert Paul (Little Rainbow Comics), and Elizabeth Watasin (Charm School)

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Spotlight on Brian K. Vaughan, Room 25ABC

    Comic-Con special guest Brian K. Vaughan, the Eisner Award-winning co-creator of Saga, Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina and Runaways, takes the stage for no-holds-barred Q&A session about writing, Image Comics, his time in the Hollywood trenches, gin, his new pay-what-you-want digital comics initiative PanelSyndicate.com, money, and just about anything else YOU feel like asking.

  • 2:30pm - 3:30pm: Who Created Batman? Room 26AB

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    Who really created Batman? Was it the Caped Crusader's officially credited creator, Bob Kane, or was it his secret collaborator, Bill Finger? What did editor Vince Sullivan, artist Jerry Robinson, writer Gardner Fox, and others contribute when first shaping the Batman mythos?

    Moderator: Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight)
    Panelists: Tom Andrae (Batman & Me), Brad Ricca (Super Boys), Athena Finger (The Cape Creator: A Tribute to Bill Finger), Marc Tyler Nobleman (Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman), Denny O'Neil (Batman), Arlen Schumer (The Silver Age of Comic Book Art), Jens Robinson (CartoonArts International), Michael Uslan (The Dark Knight films), and Nicky Wheeler-Nicholson (granddaughter of DC Comics's founder)

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Marvel Television Presents, Ballroom 20

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    Jeph Loeb (Marvel's head of television) returns with exciting news and fun surprises for fans! Join Jeph and the casts of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel's Agent Carter in this can't-miss panel that will take you behind the scenes and into the future of Marvel's live-action television series.

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Spotlight on Fiona Staples, Room 25ABC

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    Talk digital art, character design, and naked monsters with comic artist and Comic-Con special guest Fiona Staples (Saga). Moderated by Image Comics director of trade book sales Jennifer de Guzman.

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Spotlight on Jae Lee, Room 32AB

    Join Comic-Con special guest and recluse, Jae Lee, artist of Stephen King's Dark Tower comics and current artist of Batman/Superman, for a rare and candid Q&A about anything you wish to discuss. Ask Jae anything. Whether this session is exciting or boring is entirely up to you!

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Words and Pictures, Room 9

    The age of the graphic novel is truly beginning in the comics industry, and some of the most exciting voices in graphic novels today will discuss their own work, their process, and the future they see for graphic novels today.

    Moderator: Lev Grossman (TIME).
    Panelists: Michael Cho (Shoplifter), Faith Erin Hicks (Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong), Lucy Knisley (Relish), Jen Wang (In Real Life), and Gene Luen Yang (The Shadow Hero).

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: DC Comics: The Multiversity Enrollment, Room 6DE

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    It's open enrollment for the biggest adventure in DC Comics's history: THE MULTIVERSITY! Visionary writer Grant Morrison, Cameron Stewart and a cast of unforgettable characters from 52 alternate Earths of the known DC Multiverse present a behind-the-scenes look at the cosmos-spanning, soul-shaking series that asks the question "How safe is your head?"

  • 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Women Below the Line, Room 26AB

    Panelists explore the nontraditional roles of women in the comic and entertainment industries. Female editors, illustrators, prop fabricators, and creature creators will relate their success stories and how to follow your dreams in the industry, while exploring gender roles in the creative professions.

    Moderator: Glenn Freund (League of S.T.E.A.M.)
    Panelists: Sheyne Fleischer (assistant editor, The Bachelor, Hells Kitchen), Tess Fowler (writer/illustrator Game of Thrones Exclusive Animation, The Rascals), Alicia Minette (prop fabrication: Sushi Girl, Man at Arms), and Aubriana Zurilgen (creature creation: Steve Wang's Creature Workshop, MasterFX)

  • 4:00pm - 5:00pm: Spotlight on Francesco Francavilla, Room 32AB

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    From the critically acclaimed classic pulp feel of The Black Beetle to the unnerving horrors of Afterlife with Archie and everything in between, join Comic-Con special guest Francesco Francavilla for this Q&A session moderated by Jimmy Aquino (Comic News Insider podcast).

  • 4:15pm - 5:15pm: DC Comics: No Boundaries! Room 6DE

    Prepare to redefine your definition of hero! The status quo of your favorite characters is jettisoned for a new beginning as Grayson, Teen Titans, and Harley Quinn bring a fresh and gritty edge to DC Comics.

    Panelists: Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn), Tom King (Grayson), Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn), Sean Ryan (New Suicide Squad), Tim Seeley (Grayson) and more.

  • 5:00pm - 6:00pm: Chip Kidd with Pantheon Graphic Novelist Michael Cho, Room 28DE

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    Michael Cho and his four-time Eisner Award-winning editor Chip Kidd talk about comics and the making of graphic novels, specifically Michael Cho's upcoming debut, Shoplifter.

  • 6:00pm - 7:00pm: The Science of Science Fiction, Room 7AB

    In Hollywood, everybody "knows" that scientists are typically treated as supervillains or antisocial nerds. But more and more, scientist characters are playing the hero. Panelists will debate whether or not scientists have truly escaped the stereotypes.

    Moderator: Stephen Cass (Coming Soon Enough)
    Panelists: Kevin Grazier (Defiance), Jessica Cail, Ph.D. (The Hunted), Phil Plait (The Bad Astronomer), writers and producers Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy), Zack Stenz and Ashley E. Miller (Fringe), and ComicsAlliance's own Andrea Letamendi, Ph.D. (Under the Mask)

  • 7:00pm - 8:00pm: Showcasing the Best in Korean Comics & Animation

    A team of Korea's prolific artists and animation studios represented by Jongmin Shin (Padak, Breakups, Demian) showcases the latest and greatest trends in Korean comics and animation.

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