GEEK ON
LGBT Guide To Comic-Con 2013
Thu. July 18, 2013 12:00 AM
by Danny Bernardo
San Diego's Comic-Con International is a celebration of all things geeky in pop culture. With over 200,000 attendees anticipated this year, between video games, comic books, and movies, there's a little something for everyone. I'll be covering a wide array of panels and press conferences, but I think that it's very important to point out the emerging LGBT presence at Comic-Con . If you're in attendance this week and need a break from the awesome cosplaying and "next big thing" studio announcements, celebrate your pride at these LGBT-panels and events:
Bizarre? Queer? Perfect: Taming the Wild Webcomics Frontier
Webcomics offer an instantaneous connection between artists and audiences-usually at a very low cost and without editorial interference. And the numbers of webcomics have grown steadily over the years. How has the proliferation of webcomics served LGBTQ creators and readers? Are webcomics serving the same purpose as the old underground "comix"? How can ambitious creators leverage the LGBTQ webcomics niche without getting pigeonholed in it? Join Prism Comics and moderator Nina Kester (tapastic.com) for a trip to the wild frontier of webcomics with panelists Tara Madison Avery (Dirtheads), Beth Dean (blackforestdraws.com), Kane Lynch (The Relics), Alex Woolfson (Artifice), and others to be announced.
Thursday July 18, 2013 5:00pm - 6:00pm, Room 28DE
Anything That Loves: Comics Beyond Gay and Straight
In the last 20 years, lesbian and gay people have made great strides toward better representation in pop culture. The road for people who are bisexual, who have fluid sexuality and gender, or who otherwise fall outside of "gay" and "straight" has been much rockier. (Ironically, they are often met with the strongest mistrust and resistance from gay people.) The new comics anthology Anything That Loves assembles 30 creators to delve into the complex world of nonbinary sexuality and hopes to expose some myths, offer some new insights, and bring together an often-splintered LGBT community in a new way. Moderator Charles "Zan" Christensen and contributors to this anthology discuss the origins of the project, why it's important, and the challenges of being a bisexual storyteller. How can bisexual creators resist pressure from both straight and gay communities to put them in categories that don't truly fit? And how can creators effectively reach out to queer potential readers in a way that doesn't alienate straight ones? Find out the answers to these questions and many more! With Ellen Forney (Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me), Lena H. Chandhok (Pony Tale), Josh Trujillo (The Provider), Kevin Boze (The Virgin Project), Randall Kirby (BOP! Comics), and Tara Madison Avery (Dirtheads).
Thursday July 18, 2013 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Room 28DE
A Look at Kevin Keller
Archie Comics introduced Kevin Keller, the first openly gay character in the Archie universe, in Veronica #202 in fall of 2010. Kevin's first appearance proved so popular that the issue sold out, prompting Archie to issue a reprint for the first time in its history. Kevin's stories as a teenager and as an adult in Life With Archie have made history in other ways by bringing LGBTQ issues and diversity to whole new audiences and winning the prestigious GLAAD Media Award in 2013. Kevin Keller writer/artist Dan Parent, Mike Pellerito (president, Archie Comics), Nina Kester (taptastic.com), Jeff Krell (Jayson Comics), and moderator Ted Abenheim (president, Prism Comics) discuss the creation of Kevin Keller and his impact on comics and fans.
Friday July 19, 2013 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Room 28DE
Dark Horse: Joss Whedon
Joss Whedon has rewarded fans the world over with some of the most compelling characters and plotlines in the history of comics, television, and movies. Here's your chance to find out what he has in store next, and get exclusive insight into Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, and much more!
Friday July 19, 2013 6:15pm - 7:15pm
Ballroom 20
Husbands: The New Marriage
The hit series Husbands has just completed filming its first new content under its exciting new relationship with the CW, and has already had a big year with the release of the hardcover Husbands comic book. Hear about the bouquet of new plans, new stories from the set, and the show's ring of bigger-than-big guest stars. Creators Jane Espenson and Brad Bell are joined by Husbands' co-stars Alessandra Torresani and Sean Hemeon, director Jeff Greenstein, and upcoming guest star Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse, Much Ado About Nothing)to discuss the much-anticipated future happiness of the comedy. Moderated by Jeff Jensen (Entertainment Weekly).
Friday July 19, 2013 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Room 7AB
Celebrating Ten Years of Prism Comics
In 2003, a new champion appeared on the comics scene, determined to make the industry a better place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender comics creators and readers. The nonprofit Prism Comics was founded by a small group of comics fans to provide a network for LGBTQ comics professionals and fans through their website, events, and convention appearances. Prism Comics has grown and now supports the next generation of creators through The Prism Comics Queer Press Grant. And diversity in the comics industry has grown as well. Where once LGBTQ comics and characters were marginalized, now they are frequently stepping into the spotlight. Moderator Justin Hall (No Straight Lines, Glamazonia, Prism advisory board) and panelists Ted Abenheim (president, Prism Comics), Tara Madison Avery (Dirtheads, Prism board), Andy Mangels (co-founder, Prism Comics) Paige Braddock (Jane's World, Prism advisory board), Charles "Zan" Christensen (co-founder, Prism Comics; Northwest Press), Roger Klorese (Prism board), Jon Macy (Teleny and Camille, Prism Queer Press Grant chairperson) offer a look back at where Prism Comics started, celebrate how far they've come, and a peek into the future of where the queer comics scene might be headed.
Saturday July 20, 2013 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Room 28DE
Gays in Comics XXVI
"We're Here...We're Queer...NOW What?" Whether it's the high-flying world of capes, spandex, and gravity-defying breasts or wondrously down-to-earth slice-of-life, the LGBTQ presence in comics has evolved beyond inclusion and visibility. Moderators Roger Klorese (Prism Comics Board) and Paige Braddock? (Jane's World) explore the next level of authentic LGBTQ storytelling with panelists Justin Hall? (No Straight Lines), Jane Espenson and Brad Bell (Husbands), Shena Wolf (Uclick/Universal Press Syndicate), Sina Grace? (Li'l Depressed Boy; Not My Bag), Alex Woolfson (The Young Protectors), Polly Guo (Strongman and Pianist) and others to be announced. The panel will be followed by the annual Prism Comics Gays Comic Fan Mixer and Silent Auction hosted by and benefiting Prism Comics, the nonprofit organization that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered comics, creators, and readers.
Saturday July 20, 2013 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Room 6A
Following the Gays in Comics XXVI panel is the annual Prism Comics Gays Comic Fan Mixer and Silent Auction, hosted by and benefiting Prism Comics, the nonprofit organization that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered comics, creators, and readers. Mingle with comics fans and creators and stay for the special drawing of the "Comics Gift Basket" and the silent auction of incredible comics items, including original art.
End Bullying! Responding to Cruelty in Our Culture
Have you or someone you love been a target of bullying? Join this life-changing discussion on how to overcome bullying, and learn strategies to create witnesses and allies out of bystanders. NOH8 makes it's first-ever Comic-Con appearance, with founders Adam Bouska and Jeff Parshley along with Jane Espenson (Once Upon a Time), Brad Bell (Husbands), Chase Masterson (Doctor Who: Big Finish), Bonnie Burton (Girls Against Girls: Why We are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change), Jenna Busch (entertainment editor, Fan TV), and Ashley Eckstein (Star Wars: The Clone Wars). Special topics include geek bullying, LGBT bullying, cyberbullying, and analyzing how media and entertainment affect attitudes toward bullying and aggression. Moderated by author (and mother of Katie the Star Wars Girl) Carrie Goldman (Harper Collins' Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear).
Sunday July 21, 2013 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Room 4