New York Comic-Con Preview: What To Do On Saturday

While a far cry from the chaotic wall-to-wall obstacle course that is Comic-Con International in San Diego, Reed Exhibitions' New York Comic Con has quickly become one of the United States' most trafficked events for comic books, film, television, games, and all sorts of awesome things of a similar nature. The number of discussion panels, parties, contests and other events can seem overwhelming, so ComicsAlliance is here to help you navigate the coming weekend with a handy guide on the panels and events you don't want to miss in our New York Comic Con Preview for Saturday, October 15!

Green Lantern: The Animated Series World Premiere Screening and Conversation with Bruce Timm

10:30 am - 11:30 am

Location: MTV Theater, 1A10

Speaker: Bruce Timm

Description:

World-renowned producer, artist, animator and Comic Con favorite Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) will be on hand to unveil Green Lantern: The Animated Series, his latest television project from Warner Bros. Animation, coming soon to Cartoon Network. New York Comic Con attendees will be treated to the world premiere screening of this all-new CG action-adventure animated series, and will take part in a moderated Q&A with an animation icon.

ComicsAlliance says: I have a lot of questions for Bruce Timm, but if I have to limit it to just Green Lantern, there's only two answers I want: Will "Rowdy" Roddy Piper be reprising his role as Bolphunga from the Emerald Knights movie? And if so, would they consider casting "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan as Nekron? Whatcha gonna do when Blackest Night runs wild on you, brother?!

MARVEL: Avengers: Shattered Heroes

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: American Airlines Theater, 1A06

Speakers: Axel Alonso, Christos Gage, Kieron Gillen, Matt Fraction, Tom Brevoort

Description:

After the Marvel Universe was dealt a treacherous hand courtesy of Fear Itself – the heroes of the Marvel Universe emerge shattered. With new questions and new surprises, we've got your exclusive first look right here! Get the answers to all your questions from Executive Editor Tom Brevoort, Editor In Chief Axel Alonso, Matt Fraction (Fear Itself), Kieron Gillen (Journey into Mystery), Christos Gage (Avengers Academy) and more.

ComicsAlliance says: It's always fascinating to hear creators like Fraction and Gage discuss their work and what their plans are for the future of comics, but let's be honest: The real star here is going to be Gillen, who will be discussing those same things, but in a British accent that will wrap you up like a warm fuzzy blanket. Also, it's worth noting that there's a pretty good chance that he'll do the MC Hammer dance if you ask nicely.

Buffy and Angel Present: Dark Horse Does Vampires Right!

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Location: 1A15

Speakers: Christos Gage, Jeremy Atkins, Rebekah Isaacs, Scott Allie

Description:

Dark Horse Comics invite you to attend a special panel highlighting the growing number of brand new comics featuring vampires! In addition to the highly successful, Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics, we introduce you to new titles like Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden's Baltimore, P.C. and Kristin Cast's House of Night, and Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Strain! Join Dark Horse Managing Editor Scott Allie; Dark Horse Director of Public Relations, Jeremy Atkins; and Angel & Faith writer, Christos Gage, and artist, Rebekah Isaacs; as well as a few surprise guests for a panel you can "really sink your teeth into." If that's not enough, every attendee will receive a free copy of Angel & Faith #1!

ComicsAlliance says: Surprisingly, the best thing about this panel isn't getting to hear about new horror comics from Dark Horse, or even getting a free comic just for sitting in a particular room for an hour. The best part is that it's called "Buffy and Angel Present," which gives me the idea that Buffy and Angel themselves took some time out from battling the forces of evil to organize a panel at New York Comic Con. Just imagining them on the phone trying to book a hall has brightened up my day considerably.

DC ALL ACCESS: Justice League

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: MTV Theater, 1A10

Speakers: Brian Azzarello, Brian Buccellato, Cliff Chiang, Dan Jurgens, Eric Wallace, Francis Manapul, Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Jim Lee, JT Krul, Philip Tan, Tony Daniel, Yildiray Cinar

Description:

Before they were the World's Greatest Superheroes, they were considered the world's most feared vigilantes. Join some of the creators of the new DC universe in a panel discussion headlined by the creative team behind the flagship title of DC COMICS – THE NEW 52 - DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and DC Comics Co-Publisher Jim Lee. Including all-star creators such as Brian Azzarello (Wonder Woman), Brian Buccellato (The Flash), Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman), Yildiray Cinar (The Fury of Firestorm), Tony Daniel (Detective Comics, The Savage Hawkman), Dan Jurgens (Justice League International), JT Krul (Captain Atom), Francis Manapul (The Flash), Joe Prado (Aquaman), Ivan Reis (Aquaman), Philip Tan (The Savage Hawkman) and Eric Wallace (Mr. Terrific).

ComicsAlliance says: If it's anything like the comic it's discussing, this panel will feature Jim Lee and Geoff Johns doing a Q&A for 55 minutes, then the sudden last-minute arrival of one of the other panelists, with a teaser that the other ten creators involved might just show up on one of Sunday's panels. And the audience will absolutely love it.

Comics Studies Conference 3: Requiem for Weisinger: The Life and Work of Superman Editor Mort Weisinger

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Location: 1B03

Speakers: Arlen Schumer, Dr. Hank Weisinger

Description:

Comic book historian and illustrator Arlen Schumer (The Silver Age of Comic Book Art) presents the work of Mort Weisinger, editor of the Superman line for 30 years (1940-70), through Weisinger's own words and artist Curt Swan's images, with the participation of Mort's son, Dr. Hank Weisinger.

ComicsAlliance says: The Mort Weisinger era of Superman was the source of some of the greatest, most insane comics of all time, and for fans of vintage comic book insanity, this promises to be one of the most informative and enjoyable panels of the show. My hope that it gets archived online is only matched by my hope that there's a 20-minute slide show of all the different heads Superman was sporting due to Red Kryptonite, ancient curses or attempts to drive Lois and Jimmy out of their minds.

Archie Comics: Riverdale and Beyond

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Location: 1A02

Speakers: Alex Segura, Craig Yoe, Dan Parent, Jon Goldwater, Kari Silbergleit, Michael Murphey, Mike Pellerito, Victor Gorelick

Description:

Archie Comics continues to blaze trails across all platforms, including print, digital and beyond! Join Archie Co-CEO Jon Goldwater, President Mike Pellerito, Editor in Chief Victor Gorelick, iVerse's Michael Murphey, Licensing Coordinator Kari Silbergleit, comic historian Craig Yoe (The Best of Archie's Madhouse) superstar creator Dan Parent (Kevin Keller) and Executive Director of Publicity and Marketing Alex Segura (Archie Meets Kiss) for a look into the future of Archie stories including the forthcoming Archie Meets Kiss crossover and a number of major announcements! Join us for special guest stars, exclusive sneak peeks and much more! All panel attendees will receive giveaway bags with over $100 worth of content including BEST OF ARCHIE, ARCHIE THE MARRIED LIFE Vol. 1, MEGA MAN and SONIC comics!!

ComicsAlliance says: Gay marriage, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Sarah Palin, the Red Circle heroes, KISS... it's becoming truly impossible to predict what's coming next from Archie Comics, a statement that remains delightfully weird to say. We expect something cool to come out of this panel.

NYCC Exclusive! Smallville: The Complete Series Retrospective Premiere

2:00 pm - 3:45 pm

Location: 1B01

Description:

New York Comic Con fans get the first and only advance look at the entire 100-minute Smallville retrospective in anticipation of the November 29 release of Smallville: The Complete Series on DVD. The Smallville retrospective, one of the most heralded features within more than 192 hours of content in the box set, features a fascinating look into every aspect of the series, including all-new interviews with producers, directors and cast alike. Be the first to see this all-encompassing revisit to the beloved series.

ComicsAlliance says: Unfortunately, I'm not attending NYCC this year, so I'll be missing out on reliving the countless "beloved" hours of Superman not being Superman. My fellow former Smallville reviewer David Uzumeri, however, is attending and I believe that it's his responsibility -- nay, his duty to attend this panel and document it for my amusement -- er, my information.

Comics Studies Conference 4: Batman vs. Iron Man: Can a Person Truly Become Either?

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Location: 1B03

Speakers: Andrea Letamendi, Dennis O'Neil, E. Paul Zehr, Robin Rosenberg, Travis Langley

Description:

They're rich, smart, strong, and they have the most wonderful toys. They're leaders among superheroes even though they have no superpowers and they intimidate other heroes. Batman and Iron Man belong to that very small group of superheroes who have a veneer of reality. Both superheroes are defined by their human frailty combined with extreme training and use of technological enhancements. Comics legend Dennis O'Neil (Batman, Iron Man) and kinesiologist E. Paul Zehr (Becoming Batman, Inventing Iron Man) join psychologists Travis Langley (Batman in His Belfry), Andrea Letamendi (UCLA), and Robin Rosenberg (The Psychology of Superheroes) plus retired NYPD sergeant Mike Bruen in examining what it takes both physically and mentally to create a superhero without benefit of cosmic rays, magic rings, mutant genes, or otherworldly origins.

ComicsAlliance says: Wait, they need an entire hour to figure out if you can build a nuclear powered robot suit in a cave or fit an actual grappling hook launcher into a belt pouch? What're they going to do with the other 59 minutes?

Kirby Krackle Live

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

Location: Hasbro Stage

Speakers: Bryce Francis, Jim Demonakos, Kyle Stevens, Nelson Estes, Patrick Porter, Scott Andrew

Description:

KIRBY KRACKLE is a nerd rock band that creates songs dedicated to the nerdiest aspects of comic book, video game and pop culture. They've performed their unique style of pop rock all over the world, from Melbourne to New York, Toronto to Seattle and numerous places in between. They've been featured on TV, radio and magazines, and their music has been called "Geek Rock Perfection" by Wired.

ComicsAlliance says: During last year's New York Comic Con, I saw Kirby Krackle perform an amazing show live with nerdcore MC Adam Warrock. He won't be there this time -- he'll actually be down here in Columbia, South Carolina when NYCC kicks off and I hope I see any local CA readers at the show -- but CA's favorite comic book rockers do just fine by themselves, and shouldn't be missed.

DC ALL ACCESS: The Edge/ The Dark

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: 1A22

Speakers: Adam Glass, Andy Lanning, Dan DiDio, Ivan Brandon, Jeff Lemire, Jimmy Palmiotti, Josh Fialkov, Justin Norman, Keith Giffen, Moritat, Paul Cornell, Scott Snyder, Viktor Kalvachev

Description:

The DC universe is home to all kinds of heroes – including some who barely fit that name! Hear what's coming up in the pages of titles like JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK, SWAMP THING, O.M.A.C., ALL-STAR WESTERN and more, with top talent including Ivan Brandon (Men of War), Paul Cornell (Stormwatch, Demon Knights), Josh Fialkov (I, Vampire), Keith Giffen (O.M.A.C.), Adam Glass (Suicide Squad), Viktor Kalvachev (Men of War), Andy Lanning (Resurrection Man), Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E.), Moritat (All-Star Western), Jimmy Palmiotti (All-Star Western), and Scott Snyder (Swamp Thing)!

ComicsAlliance says: Wow, I'm really impressed with this one. I mean, I knew DC was going all out to promote their relaunch, but actually getting the dude from U2 to show up for a convention panel? I'm not sure what that has to do with comics, but considering that they're stealing him away from the Spider-Man musical, that's going to get a lot of eyes on -- what's that? The Edge is just what they call a group of titles? Oh. Well. Nevermind.

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm

Location: American Airlines Theater, 1A06

Speakers: Chris Baker, Francis Mao , Miguel Corty , Riota Niitsuma , Seth Killian

Description:

The wait's almost over as the much anticipated followup to last year's monster fighting hit is only a month from launch. Come to this panel to hear the latest news about this legendary fighting game franchise straight from producer Ryota Niitsuma. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek as well as a chance to come onstage to showcase your fighting skills against each other for fantastic prizes. Followed by a Q&A session.

ComicsAlliances says: It's important to note that this panel tells attendees to "come onstage to showcase your fighting skills against each other," but says nothing about doing this by playing a video game. Clearly, this is where we finally get to see if a Phoenix Wright cosplayer's "OBJECTION!" sign can break through homemade Iron Man armor.

Ghost Rider – Spirit of Vengeance

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Speakers: Brian Taylor, Mark Neveldine

Description:

After blazing a trail around the globe in the worldwide hit Ghost Rider, Nicolas Cage returns as Johnny Blaze in Columbia Pictures' Ghost Rider – Spirit of Vengeance. Still struggling with his curse as the devil's bounty hunter, Blaze is hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe when he is recruited by a secret sect to save a young boy (Fergus Riordan) from the devil (Ciaran Hinds). At first, Johnny is reluctant to embrace the power of the Ghost Rider again, but it is the only way to protect the boy – and possibly rid himself of his curse forever. Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, the directors of the film, will be in attendance to give you a look at their vision for the film in 3D and their no-holds-barred style of directing.

ComicsAlliance says: I have never seen the Ghost Rider movie, but I have seen Crank: High Voltage, the greatest achivement in cinema since Gymkata. As such, I am operating under the impression that Taylor and Neveldine will most likely dose the crowd with the Beijing Cocktail and then show them movie footage exciting enough to keep them alive. Please do not tel me if this turns out not to be the case.

MARVEL: Cup O' Joe

Date: Saturday, October 15

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Location: MTV Theater, 1A10

Speaker: Joe Quesada

Description:

This is it Mighty Marvel fans, the no-holds-barred, anything goes, full of surprises panel you wait all year for, and it's here! Marvel's Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada takes on all questions, shocks the audience with jaw-dropping announcements, and keeps you guessing with surprise guests. You never know who will show up, but you better be here, because this is the panel that everyone will be talking about!

ComicsAlliance says: Marvel's Joe Quesada always hosts an incredibly lively Q&A with fans that is an uncommon blend of straight answers to serious questions and good, old fashioned trolling. As such, it's nearly impossible for comics journalist to cover live, so you should go just to see them suffer.

Zombie Apocalypse

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Location: 1B01

Description:

Get a sneak peak of a work-in-progress Syfy Original Movie! Six months after a deadly zombie virus spreads around the world, 99% of the population is infected; and things don't look good for those who are left. Defying the odds, a ragtag group of survivors fights their way across the American continent, risking everything to get to the California coast and Catalina Island, rumored to a a safe haven. Starring Ving Rhames (Dawn of the Dead), Lesly-Ann Brandt (Spartacus: Blood and Sand), Taryn Manning (Hustle and Flow; 8 Mile); Johnny Pacar (Make It or Break It, Flight 29 Down), Gary Weeks (Deadland) and Eddie Steeples (My Name is Earl). Directed by Nick Lyon. A production of The Asylum. A Syfy Channel world premiere original movie. Airs on the Syfy Channel on Saturday, October 29th at 9pm.

ComicsAlliance says: If you're just reading through the panel schedule, you don't see the descriptions for things, so you don't know that this is actually a panel about a movie called Zombie Apocalypse. All it says is that there's a zombie apocalypse scheduled the fact that it only lasts an hour and a half makes it seem like "apocalypse" is overselling things quite a bit. Still, it's nice to know that you need to have your machete and chainsaw shopping done for a change.

ZOMBIE SUMMIT: How to Survive the Inevitable Zombie Apocalypse

7:45 pm - 8:45 pm

Location: 1A24

Speakers: Dr Ali Khan, Gale Anne Hurd , Greg Nicotero, Robert Kirkman, Scott Allie

Description:

We all know it's just a matter of time, so Sirius XM Satellite Radio has convened a panel of experts to help you survive the inevitable zombie apocalypse. Do you head for mall or run for the hills? Is a blunt weapon a better choice than (say) a flamethrower? And what to do with those pesky infected friends and loved ones? With one eye on the rise of zombie lit and the other running down our face - err, the other on what you'll need to do to avoid becoming zombie chow, the Zombie Summit is the only panel you'll need to attend- if you want to survive!

ComicsAlliance says: Wait -- They've scheduled the panel on how to survive the Zombie Apocalypse for three hours after they scheduled the actual Zombie Apocalypse?! Damn you, New York Comic-Con! Your bureaucracy has doomed us all!!

Masquerade

8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Location: IGN Theater

Description:

The New York Comic Con and New York Anime Festival Masquerade's an event for cosplayers looking to put on a show. Our Masquerade is a costume showcase that is part fashion show and part talent show with prizes on the line... The Masquerade's winning team takes home prizes from our contest's sponsors and $1,000 in prize money. Spend your Saturday night watching giant robots, wizards, magical girls, and at least one Time Lord take the stage!

ComicsAlliance says: We're pretty big fans of checking out cosplayers around here, but even I think it's hilarious that the official description of this panel goes into frustrated predictions of the same damn constumes whomever wrote it sees every year. It stops just short of "Hope you like Heath Ledger Jokers and SuckerPunch girls, you hacks!" Still, it should be a pretty fun time for costume-watchers out there.