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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 three, Saturday July 26, 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: IDW: Summer Blockbusters! Room 28DE

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    A lively discussion about the four biggest creator-owned books of the summer: Little Nemo, V-Wars, Ragnarök, and Winterworld.

    Moderator: Chris Ryall (editor in chief)
    Panelists: Eric Shanower, Gabriel Rodriguez, Jonathan Maberry, Walter Simonson, and Chuck Dixon

  • 10:00am - 11:00am: Writers Unite: Writing and Pitching Comic Stories, Room 25ABC

    Comics are everywhere and publishers are looking for fresh ideas from a new generation of talent. Listen closely as creators discuss pitching story concepts and offer advice on climbing to the top of the treacherous submission mountain, along with writing techniques and amusing anecdotes.

    Moderator: Jim Zub (Samurai Jack, Skullkickers)
    Panelists: Charles Soule (Superman-Wonder Woman, Death of Wolverine), Fred Van Lente (Conan, Magnus Robot Fighter)

  • 10:30am - 12:00pm: Queering Comics, Room 26AB

    Ayanna Dozier (New York University Steinhardt) examines the transformative properties of the pornokitsch aesthetic featured in Golden Age comics. Cameron C. McKee (Northwestern University) and Shane Duncan (San Francisco State University) argue that the tongue-in-cheek humor of camp was a central strategy for the construction of queer identity. Benjamin Varosky (California State University, Fullerton) looks at Matt Fraction's run on Hawkeye, a single story told through the separate lenses of masculine and feminine qualities.

  • 11:00am - 12:00pm: Spotlight on Don Rosa, Room 4

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    American cartoonist and Comic-Con special guest Don Rosa is best known for his Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck stories, especially his prize-winning Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck. Join Fantagraphics publisher and life-long friend Gary Groth as he interviews the man in the ink-stained gloves who wrote and drew a whopping two decades' worth of ripping Scrooge and Donald yarns.

  • 11:15am - 12:30pm: DC Comics-Superman: The Man of Tomorrow, Room 6DE

    The Last Son of Krypton is one of the most recognized pop culture icons of all time, and this year Superman is set to soar to new heights! Come by for exclusive access on what makes The Man of Steel the hero that he is with people who bring him to life

    Panelists: Geoff Johns (Superman), Aaron Kuder (Action Comics), John Romita Jr. (Superman), Charles Soule (Superman/Wonder Woman), and more.

  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Berkeley Breathed: The Last Comic-Con Panel! Room 9

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    Legendary creator Berkeley Breathed (Bloom County, Opus, Flawed Dogs) makes a rare appearance at San Diego Comic-Con. He's a bit mysterious about what he'll be presenting. However, there is unofficial word that he may be revealing recent illicit photos and art of his best friend Bill Watterson, "borrowed" from the latter's secret retreat in the foothills of Colorado.

  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Spotlight on Bryan Lee O'Malley, Room 28DE

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    Comic-Con special guest Bryan Lee O'Malley, creator of the bestselling Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series, discusses his newest project, Seconds, with Wired's Laura Hudson -- former editor of ComicsAlliance.

  • 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Kodansha Comics, Room 8

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    Kodansha Comics is back in San Diego and ready to talk about the hottest manga of the year, Attack on Titan! Penguin Random House's Dallas Middaugh and Kodansha USA's Kana Koide talk about what's happening with Sailor Moon, Attack on Titan, Fairy Tail, Vinland Saga and No. 6, to name just a few. They'll have some new title announcements and an Attack on Titan sampler for everyone to check out.

  • 12:30pm - 1:30pm: We Are BOOM! Room 24ABC

    After a banner year, BOOM! Studios and their special guests share their mission to create the future of comics... now.

    Panelists: Ross Richie, Matt Gagnon, Filip Sablik, Stephen Christy, Paul Jenkins (Fairy Quest, Deathmatch), Frank Gibson (The Amazing World of Gumball), and Noelle Stevenson (Lumberjanes)

  • 12:45pm - 1:45pm: DC Comics: The Weeklies, Room 6DE

    DC Comics is in the weekly business, with groundbreaking series such as Batman Eternal and Futures End. And with Earth 2: Worlds End on the horizon, the weeklies are part of the most exciting comic line since the launch of the New 52! Take a look at what the future holds for these series.

    Panelists: Marguerite Bennett (Earth 2: Worlds End), Ray Fawkes (Batman Eternal), Kyle Higgins (Batman Eternal), Dan Jurgens (Futures End), Jeff Lemire (Futures End), Scott Snyder (Batman Eternal), James Tynion IV (Batman Eternal), Daniel H. Wilson (Earth 2: Worlds End)

  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Saga, Room 7AB

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    Saga creators Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are ready, rested, and eager to talk to you about their book. What's coming up next on you-know-what? How could they do that thing to you-know-who? Whether you're coming in your finest cosplay or street clothes, you need to come to this panel.

  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Spark Your Creativity: Ladies Unite To Create More Female-Driven Content, Room 23ABC

    Female creators talk about how to cultivate your ideas and bring them to life. Leave with inspiration, confidence, a solid plan of action, and tons of new ideas.

    Moderator: Stephanie Pressman (Fashionably Nerdy, Stalking LeVar)
    Panelists: America Young (Geek Therapy, The Chimaera Project), Helenna Santos (Ms. In The Biz), Heidi Cox (Stalking LeVar, Geek Speak TV), Kristen Nedopak (The Geekie Awards, The Skyrim Parodies), Patty Jean Robinson (Pike & Trident, Awkward Embraces), Samantha Mason (Fashionably Nerdy, Legends of Atoll), and Stephanie Thorpe (Elf Quest, Shelf Life).

  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm: Spotlight on Jim Steranko, Room 9

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    Legendary Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. co-creator Jim Steranko is interviewed by pop-culture maven J. David Spurlock. Topics include the Winter Soldier, Mister Miracle, motorcycles, death-defying escapes, hot redheads, Marvel, moviemaking, and more.

  • 1:30pm - 2:30pm: The Whedonverse, Room 24ABC

    Dark Horse's continuations of Joss Whedon's cult favorites (Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer , Angel & Faith) remain some of the most-talked-about comics in the industry. Dark Horse is giving you an exclusive chance to hear all there is to tell about the current series.

    Moderator: Scott Allie;
    Panelists: Christos Gage (Buffy Season 10) Nicholas Brendon (Buffy Season 10); Georges Jeanty (Serenity); and TV and comics writer Jane Espenson.

  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm: Benoît Peeters & François Schuiten: Architects of the Obscure Cities, Room 4

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    Comic-Con special guests Benoît Peeters and François Schuiten discusses their careers in comics and the circumstances surrounding their discovery of the Obscure Cities.

    Moderator: Stephen Smith

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Spotlight on Lucy Knisley, Room 28DE

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    Comic-Con special guest Lucy Knisley, author of Relish: My Life in the Kitchen and the forthcoming Age of License, discusses her creative process, her upcoming book, and her unique approach to nonfiction graphic novels.

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 30th Anniversary, Room 23ABC

    Join TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman for a 30th anniversary celebration featuring a who's who of talented people who have contributed to the Turtles' enduring history.

    Panelists: Karl Aaronian (Playmates Toys), Townsend Coleman (voice of Michelangelo in the original TMNT animated series), Lloyd Goldfine (4kids TMNT, Turtles Forever), Ciro Nieli (executive producer, Nickelodeon TMNT), Ernie Reyes Jr. (Keno in TMNT II: The Secret of the Ooze), and Tom Waltz (writer, IDW TMNT comics), and panel moderator Andrew Farago (curator, Cartoon Art Museum; author of TMNT: The Ultimate Visual History).

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: Oni Press Comicstravaganza: All Cats Go to Purgatory! Room 9

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    I Was the Cat creators Paul Tobin and Benjamin Dewey share a hilarious presentation about their new graphic novel and the finer points of feline world domination. After that, it's Hemingway or the Highway when Joshua Hale Fialkov and Gabo present a live table read of The Life After #1!

  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm: DC Comics: New Places for Familiar Faces, Room 6DE

    DC Comics is proud to have David Finch and John Romita Jr. working on the three greatest heroes of our generation: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. For the first time ever, these three all-star creators sit down and discuss what it is like to work on the Trinity and what is in store for everyone's favorite characters. (Note: The description says three creators but only mentions two, so... make of that what you will.)

  • 2:30pm - 3:30pm: IDW: Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez, Room 24ABC

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    2014 saw the end of the Eisner Award-winning series Locke & Key. Creators Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, along with IDW's editor-in-chief and CCO Chris Ryall, discuss the end of that seminal series, Joe and Gabe's follow-up projects (The Wraith and Little Nemo, respectively), what they have coming for the future with IDW, and who knows what else?

  • 2:45pm - 3:45pm: Marvel: Cup O' Joe, Room 6BCF

    Join Marvel's chief creative officer Joe Quesada for this no-holds-barred exposé on everything Marvel.

    Panelists: Axel Alonso, C. B. Cebulski, Nick Lowe, Jordan D. White, Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man), and more.

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: 30 Years of Usagi Yojimbo! Room 28DE

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    Comic-Con special guest Stan Sakai, creator of Usagi Yojimbo, is interviewed by Dark Horse editor Diana Schutz about the upcoming Senso miniseries, The Sakai Project, and the return of the regular Usagi series after a two-year hiatus.

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: ComiXology Submit: The Future of Self-Publishing, Room 23ABC

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    Since its launch at SXSW in 2013, ComiXology Submit has released over 1400 independent comic book series. ComiXology's marketing & PR maven Chip Mosher and ComiXology co-founder and Director of ComiXology Submit John D. Roberts lead a discussion on how you too can join the ranks of ComiXology Submit stardom!

    Panelists: Joshua Fialkov (The Bunker), Becky Cloonan (The Mire), Brandon M. Easton and N. Steven Harris (Watson & Holmes)

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Strong Female Characters, Room 7AB

    Well-written, realistic female characters are celebrated in this panel. Strong female characters can be heroes or villains, have weaknesses and strengths, flaws or assets, and ultimately make the stories we love to read.

    Moderator: Maggie Thompson
    Panelists: June Brigman (Power Pack), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Colleen Coover (Bandette), Sara Mayhew (Legend of the Ztarr), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane), Fiona Staples (Saga), Paul Tobin (Bandette), and Brian K. Vaughan (Saga)

  • 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Big Trouble in Little China, Room 8

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    The hilarious adventures of Jack Burton continue as Big Trouble in Little China, one of the most beloved cult films of all time, is now a BOOM! Studios comic series. Join the panel for a lively discussion and to talk all things Big Trouble in Little China. Plus, writer and former ComicsAlliance contributor Christopher Sebela (Dead Letters) will be on hand with a special announcement.

    Moderator: ComicsAlliance senior writer Chris Sims
    Panelists: Eric Powell (The Goon), Michael Garland (The Empty Man), and editor Ian Brill.

  • 3:30pm - 4:30pm: Fantagraphics Forward, Room 26AB

    Fantagraphics looks to 2014 and 2015 with an unwavering and tasteful eye. Founder and publisher Gary Groth and associate publisher Eric Reynolds reveal some new comics for late 2014 and 2015 that are sure to please.

    Panelists: Eleanor Davis (How to Be Happy), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge and Donald Duck), Drew Friedman (Heroes of the Comics), Tony Millionaire (Sock Monkey Treasury)

  • 4:00pm - 5:00pm: Abrams ComicArts Preview, Room 28DE

    Charles Kochman (Abrams ComicArts editorial director) and Chad Beckerman (Abrams ComicArts creative director) talk about Abrams ComicArt's current titles and reveal details about their fall list

    Panelists: Mark Evanier (The Art of the Simon and Kirby Studio), Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet, editor of the Explorer series), and David Lasky (The Carter Family).

  • 4:00pm - 5:00pm: DC Entertainment: Batman 75th Anniversary, Room 6BCF

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    Throughout his 75-year history, the Dark Knight has become one of the most popular and widely recognized superheroes in the world. From comics to TV to movies to video games, the World's Greatest Detective has permeated all entertainment mediums and beyond. Get a look at Batman's rich history and what the future holds for this pop culture icon.

    Panelists: Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Ralph Garman, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, Peter Girardi, and more.

  • 4:00pm - 5:00pm: IDW: Pop Culture Mix-Tape, Room 4

    IDW's VP of marketing Dirk Wood, Godzilla scribe Chris Mowry, America's Army writer M. Zachary Sherman, Andy Schmidt from Comics Experience, special guests from Darby Pop, Monkeybrain and more discuss the ever-growing slate of exciting new projects from the powerhouse publisher.

  • 4:00pm - 5:00pm: Spotlight on Jeff Smith, Room 9

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    Comic-Con special guest Jeff Smith discusses his foray into the world of online comics with his new title TUKI: Save the Humans, as well as the 10th anniversary of Scholastic's color version of Bone. Moderated by Tom Spurgeon (The Comics Reporter).

  • 4:30pm - 5:30pm: Image Comics: I Is for...Ideas, Room 6DE

    What does it take for a writer to get into comics? What's it like once you get in? Where do you start with writing a script?

    Panelists: Scott Snyder (Wytches), Josh Williamson (Nailbiter, Ghosted), Kyle Higgins (C.O.W.L.), Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants), Brian K. Vaughan (Saga), and more.

  • 5:00pm - 6:00pm: Spotlight on Mimi Pond, Room 9

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    Comic-Con special guest Mimi Pond reads from her New York Times bestselling debut graphic novel Over Easy, a chatty, slyly observant coming-of-age story about a young woman going from naive, sexually inexperienced art-school dropout to self-aware, self-confident artist. P

  • 5:30pm - 6:30pm: Marvel Studios, Hall H

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    Some announcements, probably. Expect lots of screaming.

  • 5:30pm - 6:30pm: UDON 2014, Room 26AB

    Meet UDON's artists and editors, including Joe Ng (Street Fighter Origins: Akuma), Long Vo (Street Fighter II HD Remix), and Chris Butcher (director of marketing, UDON) as they discuss this year's big hits and preview their upcoming 2014/2015 books, including the new Manga Classics line.

  • 5:30pm - 7:00pm: Gays in Comics XXVII: It's a Queer, Queer World! Room 6A

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    The world spins on and gets ever queerer. And while society has miles to go, every day we see changes that show that LGBT people and their relationships are more and more mainstream. What are the responsibilities of creators to their audience's queerness as the radical becomes central?

    Moderators: Roger Klorese (Prism Comics board member) and Shannon Watters (BOOM Studios)
    Panelists: Elisha Lim (100 Butches), Noelle Stevenson (Lumberjanes), Graham Kolbeins (Massive), James Tynion IV (Batman Eternal, The Woods), and more.

  • 7:00pm - 8:00pm: Comics & Pop Music! Room 28DE

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    Comic books and pop music are uniquely American artforms, with many common inspirations and a large shared audience. Artists, writers, publishers, and musicians talk about the long, strange history of music-based comics and how these two media continue to inform and impact each other.

    Moderator: ComicsAlliance contributor Patrick A. Reed (Depth of Field magazine)
    Panelists: Marky Ramone (The Ramones, star of IDW's Killogy series), Vivek J. Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle), Chynna Clugston-Flores (Blue Monday), Jennifer de Guzman (Image Comics), Matthew Rosenberg (12 Reasons To Die), Alex Segura (Archie Meets Kiss), John Schork (Oni Press), and more.

  • 7:00pm - 8:00pm: Fight Club: From Page to Screen and Beyond, Room 25ABC

    Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club, Choke, Haunted), director David Fincher (Fight Club, Seven, The Social Network, and Gone Girl), Gerald Howard (Doubleday executive editor), and special guests discuss the seminal novel's journey from book to film and beyond. Expect coverage of the forthcoming Dark Horse comic Fight Club 2 by Palahniuk and Cameron Stewart.

    Moderator: Rick Kleffel (TheAgonyColumn.com).

  • 8:00pm - 11:00pm: Warner Bros/DC Entertainment: The Flash, Constantine, Arrow, And Gotham, Hall H

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    Stephen Amell hosts a three-hour event in Hall H featuring some of DC Comics's greatest characters, a world premiere public screening of Gotham, and the pilot episode of The Flash. Cast and producers from Gotham, The Flash, Arrow and Constantine will make special appearances.

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