Comic-Con 2012 :: Programming Schedule

Some highlights:

10:15-11:15 TheOneRing.net: The Truth About The Hobbit— The Hobbit movie is imminent just at the book turns 75. With on-set visits, intrepid reporting, and the pulse of fans worldwide, the TORn staff shred rumors, answer questions, share New Zealand images-but not as part of the official publicity machine. Also featuring a special visual presentation from Weta Workshop and an account of Fandalf traveling the world and (all that is the tip of the iceberg!). Featuring Cliff Broadway (Ringers: Lord of the Fans) and Larry D. Curtis (Hobbit embedded reporter) and additional staff and guests. Room 6DE

11:45-12:45 Stan Lee's World of Heroes— The legendary Stan Lee introduces his new YouTube channel that tells the stories of heroes, villains, and the fans who love them. In this epic panel, Stan, Mark Hamill (Star Wars), Adrianne Curry (America's Next Top Model), Peter David (The Hulk), Jace Hall (The Jace Hall Show), and Bonnie Burton (Star Wars Craft book) talk about their new shows, debut new episodes and trailers, answer questions from fans, and provide a few Stan Lee surprises. Room 6BCF

12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Bill Amend— Comic-Con special guest and FoxTrot cartoonist Bill Amend reports on his mission to inject as much geekiness as possible into the nation's comics pages. He'll share examples and stories from his 24-year career, discuss how he's adapting to a more digital world, and answer as many audience questions as possible. Room 32AB

1:00-2:00 Voltron: Form Blazing Fans!— The classic animated TV series and toys that introduced the world to wild robot lions and a giant combining hero returns to SDCC. Celebrate Voltron memories with some of the Defender's biggest fans, including Alex Albrecht (Diggnation, Project Lore podcast), Rob Bricken (ToplessRobot.com), Clare Grant with Team Unicorn (Geek and Gamer Girls), and other secret celeb guests. Plus an update on the live-action movie produced by Atlas Entertainment (The Dark Knight Rises); exclusive comic book reveals and announcements from VIZ Media with Traci Todd (senior editor, VIZ Media), Brandon Thomas (writer, Voltron, Dynamite Entertainment); and Voltron Classics toy info from Mattel's Scott Neitlich (marketing manager, MattyCollector.com). Win big Voltron prizes, and "Form the Head" with Voltron and be ready to share your own Voltron story. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

2:00-3:00 Inside the Shadow Show: Ray Bradbury's Lasting Impact on Literature, Comics, Film, and Beyond— Literary legend Margaret Atwood (The Handmaiden's Tale) and acclaimed horror and fantasy writer Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box) are joined by Sam Weller (The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life of Ray Bradbury) and internationally acclaimed horror writer Mort Castle (The Strangers), the co-editors of Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradburyl to reflect on the deep and lasting impact of Bradbury on their work, literature, comics, cinema, and beyond. Moderated by Chris Ryall, CEO and editor-in-chief of IDW Comics. Room 5AB

2:00-3:00 Before and After: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Star Trek: The Next Generation's Journey into High Definition— Star Trek: The Next Generation fans are finally getting their wish, with all seven seasons of the beloved series being retransferred into high-definition. Star Trek: The Next Generation-The First Season will be released on July 24, and the team behind the project will give fans an insider's look at how the original film elements were transferred into high-definition and how the visual effects were painstakingly re-created from the source material to look better than ever before. Robert Meyer Burnett moderates the panel, which includes Roger Lay, Jr. (producer/director, Blu-ray), Mike and Denise Okuda (project consultants), David S. Grant (vice president, multimedia, CBS Television Distribution), Ryan Adams (director, multimedia, CBS Television Distribution), Craig Weiss (creative director, CBS Digital), Eric Bruno (lead compositor), and Wade Felker (film transfer technician). Room 7AB

2:05-3:05 Walt Disney Studios: Frankenweenie, Oz The Great and Powerful, and Wreck-it Ralph— Walt Disney Studios hosts a Q&A panel featuring the imaginative director of Frankenweenie, Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland); a special look at the world of Oz The Great and Powerful with director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man trilogy); and the illustrious voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios' Wreck-It Ralph, including John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) and Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program), and director Rich Moore (Futurama). Hall H

3:45-4:45 Image: The Walking Dead— The bestselling, award-winning comic The Walking Dead has been a critical and commercial success-and its TV adaptation on AMC holds its own weight as a record-setting juggernaut. Join creator/writer Robert Kirkman and series artist Charlie Adlard for a rare sit-down, where they will discuss the past, present, and future of the decade's most talked about zombie phenomenon. A Q&A will follow the conversation between the visionary collaborators. Moderated by Sina Grace. Room 6A

4:45-5:45 The Expendables 2-Real American Heroes— Sylvester Stallone and the legendary cast of the sequel to 2010's smash hit film preview the real-deal muscles, weapons, skills, and explosions that went into making a film even bigger and badder than the original. Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Dolph Lundgren, Jean Claude Van Damme, and Arnold Schwarzenegger will join the panel discussion. Hall H

5:00-6:00 Archer: Screening and Q&A— This animated half-hour comedy revolves around the spy agency known as the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS) and the lives of its self-involved employees. Series creator Adam Reed (Sealab 2021) and the show's voice actors discuss their daunting and enigmatic work of espionage, reconnaissance missions, wiretapping, and undercover surveillances-which are all actually unmitigated occasions for the ISIS staff to undermine, sabotage, and betray each other for personal gain. Panelists include H. Jon Benjamin (Bob's Burgers) as the highly skilled yet incredibly vain master spy "Sterling Archer," Aisha Tyler (The Talk) as Archer's fellow agent and ex-girlfriend "Lana Kane," Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live) as the easily intimidated comptroller-turned-ISIS-agent "Cyril Figgis," Judy Greer (Arrested Development) as the loquacious secretary "Cheryl Tunt," and Amber Nash (Frisky Dingo) as the discordant director of human resources for ISIS "Pam Poovey." Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

6:00-7:15 Showtime: Dexter— The gasps from last season's finale can still be heard among Dexter fans as their worst fears were realized, Dexter got caught and by none other than Deb! What will he do? What will she do? What's next for America's Favorite Serial Killer? If the suspense is killing you, don't miss this incredible panel, where you'll be the first to see the Comic-Con exclusive first two minutes of the season premiere. Moderator Ralph Garman (KROQ Entertainment reporter) presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of Dexter. Featured panelists include series star/executive producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), and special guest star Yvonne Strahovski (Hanna). Also appearing are executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Scott Buck, and Manny Coto. Plus Dexter fans will be the first to see the world premiere trailer of one of the hottest series on television, Homeland, presented by executive producers Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa. The new season of Dexter premieres September 30, at 9pm ET/PT only on Showtime. Ballroom 20

6:00-7:00 RiffTrax Live— Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett (RiffTrax.com, Mystery Science Theater 3000) return to Comic-Con to perform another live, hilarious riff to a classic short. Join the riffers for fun, laughs and the latest news about their upcoming "Manos" The Hands of Fate and Birdemic live shows, playing for only one night each in select movie theatres nationwide this August and October. RiffTrax.com is the site where MST3K-style humor meets mainstream movies, TV shows and vintage shorts. At RiffTrax they don't make movies, they make them funny! Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

8:30-10:30 Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope— San Diego Comic-Con premiere screening of the ultimate fanboy documentary from executive producers Stan Lee, Joss Whedon, Harry Knowles, and Thomas Tull. Q&A to follow with director Morgan Spurlock (Warrior Poets) and special surprise guests. Ballroom 20

Whew! There's so much more but this was what caught me eye. Can't wait!