I started my two-day adventure on Thursday by going to meet Bill Moseley (Devil’s Rejects, Halloween) at his autograph booth, and finished it on Friday with a late-night screening of Alien Vs Ninja with the cast sitting directly behind me. The third day (Saturday) was sold out so I didn’t get in, but still had fun outside running into Alessandra Torresani (Caprica) and David Blue (Stargate: Universe). Other celebrity meetings included Sean Patrick Flannery (Boondock Saints), Danny DeVito (It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia), Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn), Curt Schilling (former Red Sox pitcher) and Lloyd Kaufman (found of Troma). I also got up-close sightings of Rainn Wilson (The Office), the guys from Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Clara from The Guild. The panels I attended included Caprica, Burn Notice (Bruce Campbell in the house!), White Collar, Scott Pilgrim vs The World and Big Bang Theory, complete with surprise performance of the theme song by the Barenaked Ladies.
I feel like it doesn’t matter how many people are there or how many times you attend, every single person will have a different experience and every time will be unlike the last. There is just so much going on, and with surprises around every corner you never know what you might see.
The programming schedule for 2011 has just been released and I’ve gone through it and picked out some things I am interested in. I do know after last year that I’ll only end up attending a fraction of what I’m interested in as there’s so much do see and do. Anyway, below is a preview of some of my more anticipated panels, by day.
Thursday
Deadliest Warrior: Vampires vs Zombies
Deadliest Warrior is a show on Spike TV that pits historical “warriors” against each other to determine who would win in a battle. It is a very entertaining show that uses experts to help come up with a scientific way to determine the winner based on various types of weapons and other x-factors. This panel will feature a special episode, vampires versus zombies, and bring in experts Max Brooks and Wes Craven to help determine the winner.
Warner Premiere: H+ and Mortal Kombat: Legacy
This panel will feature an exclusive first look at the new web series H+. Following that, there will be a panel discussion with the creators and cast of the web series Mortal Kombat: Legacy, as well as a screening of the final episode.
Game of Thrones Panel and Q&A Session
If you read my blog entries for the previous season, you’ll see Game of Thrones at the top of a few lists (#1 Favorite New Show, #1 Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show and #1 Sci-Fi/Fantasy Male Character). Game of Thrones was a huge hit for HBO this year, and this panel is sure to be one of the highest anticipated panels of the convention.
Beavis and Butthead
The return of Beavis and Butthead!
FRIDAY
Epix Pictures: The Captains
This panel discussion is about a new documentary directed and produced by William Shatner which follows The Shat as he goes around the world to interview ALL actors who have played Starfleet captains. This panel will include Shatner and Avery Brooks (DS9) and will be moderated by Kevin Smith.
AMC’s The Walking Dead
Game of Thrones wasn’t the only big new hit on cable this past season. This panel will include the cast of Walking Dead and include discussions on the first season as well as preview where the show is going for season two.
The Adult Swim Panels
I’ve decided to group these up in one discussion. In one room for a few hours, the following shows will each have a panel discussion: The Venture Bros., Childrens Hospital, Black Dynamite, Robot Chicken and Eagle Heart. I very well might just plant myself in that room for all of them.
ThunderCats Premiere Episode Screening and Q&A
Another old favorite returns with a brand new series! Thundercats, Ho!
SyFy Panels
Eureka and Warehouse 13 have become two of my favorite shows, and I look forward to trying to see one or both of these panels.
At The Drive-In
A dual film panel introducing two up-and-coming filmmakers and their films. The first if Grave Encounters directed by The Vicious Brothers. The second is a film I’ve been highly anticipating for a year, Tucker and Dale vs Evil. This film stars Alan Tudyk (Firefly) and Tyler Labine (Reaper). TaDvE is like horror films in which teenagers go to the woods and get killed by rednecks, except in this film the rednecks are innocent victims dealing with teenagers who think they’re dangerous. It looks very funny.
Sushi Girl
Preview and discussion for Sushi Girl, about five friends who reunite six years after a diamond heist and rekindle tension between each other. It stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Noah Hathaway (Atreyu in Neverending Story), and also features the Candyman Tony Todd and Sonny Chiba.
SATURDAY
Chuck Screening and Q&A
This will be the final Comic-Con panel ever for Chuck. This is at the top of my list. Crossing my fingers that there’ll be a live Jeffster performance!
SyFy Panels
More back-to-back panels from SyFy, these two being Sanctuary and Being Human.
Community
I really look forward to seeing the Community cast together.
The Guild Season 5: Convention Timez!
I expect nothing but fun from this panel for the web series that has become a mainstay at Comic-Con, led by the Queen of the geeks Felicia Day.
Mythbusters
Two words…Mythbusters live.
Can DIY Filmmaking Replace Hollywood? Selling Your Own Damn Movie Without Selling Your Soul!
This panel discussion is led by Troma’s Lloyd Kaufman. I am yet to be unentertained in the presence of Mr. Kaufman. I expect there to be a sighting of Albuquerque’s resident stunt man and video store owner Kurly!
SUNDAY
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
The gang goes to Comic-Con!