Friday

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Welcome to the web-based version of Comic-Con Today. It’s been a long three years since we all got together. Comic-Con’s main goal is to return to an in-person event that is safe and fun for all, and we look forward to bringing you the information you need.  Each morning, we will post a new digital issue with News, Updates, and Highlights of Comic-Con, all without getting ink on your fingers or injuring any trees.

 

Congrats to Inkpot Recipients

Each year Comic-Con grants Inkpot Awards to passionate, committed individuals who demonstrate excellence in comics and related areas. Established in 1974, the inaugural recipients included comic creators Milton Caniff, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Russ Manning, and Charles Schulz, animators Bob Clampett and Chuck Jones, SF writer Ray Bradbury, voice actress June Foray, film director Frank Capra, magazine editor Forrest J. Ackerman.

Since then, the Inkpot Awards have been presented to hundreds and hundreds of creative individuals, and the list of awardees reads like a Who's Who of the comic industry. Comic-book manga, and comic strip creator awardees include: Will Eisner (for whom the Eisner Awards are named), Sergio Aragonés, Kyle Baker, Lynda Barry, Chris Claremont, Amanda Conner, Mark Evanier, Mary Fleener, Ramona Fradon, Neil Gaiman, Rick Geary, Matt Groening, Los Bros. Hernandez (Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Mario Hernandez), Keith Knight, Kazuo Koike,  Jim Lee, Frank Miller, George Pérez, Richard Pini, Wendy Pini, Whilce Portacio, Trina Robbins, Jimmie Robinson, Eric Shanower, Scott Shaw!, Louise Simonson, Gail Simone, Scott Snyder, Art Spiegelman, Rumiko Takahashi, Mark Waid, and Cat Yronwode; from SF and fantasy art and literature, Douglas Adams, Poul Anderson, Cory Doctorow, William Gibson, H. R. Giger, Charlaine Harris, Robert Heinlein, Greg Hildbrandt, Tim Hildebrant, George R. R. Martin, Luis Royo, R. L. Stine, and Boris Vallejo; and from film, television, and animation, Don Bluth, Francis Ford Coppola, Roger Corman, Ray Harryhausen, Jim Henson, John Kricfalusi, Hayao Miyazaki, Nichelle Nichols, Kevin Smith, Steven Spielberg, and Adam West. In addition, Inkpot Awards are also given to key Comic-Con staff and volunteers and others in the industry for fandom services. Throughout the Con, 2022 Inkpot Awards will be presented at Spotlight panels and other events.

An Inkpot Surprise for Bill Morrison Thursday Afternoon

 

Masky Bunch

Autograph Area

Limited Signing [Full Details]

For all Limited Signings: Ticket Line-Up, 7:00 AM-9:00 AM; Ticket Drawing, 9:00 AM-10:00 AM

Pierce Brown, author (Red Rising series)

AA03 | 1:30-3:30

David Dastmalchian, actor/writer (The Suicide Squad, Count Crowley, Dune)

AA04 | 5:00-6:30

Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai (cast and crew based on availability)

AA07 | 2:00-3:00

Looney Tunes (cast and crew based on availability)

AA06 | 1:00-2:00

Todd McFarlane, artist (Spawn, Venom)

AA02 | 10:00-11:00

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (The! Proud! Family! What? Creator and executive producer Bruce W. Smith, executive producer Ralph Farquhar, and series stars Kyla Pratt (Penny Proud), Paula Jai Parker (Trudy Proud), JoMarie Payton (Suga Mama), Alisa Reyes (LaCienega Boulevardez), and Soleil Moon Frye (Zoey Howzer) will autograph exclusive San Diego Comic-Con posters in advance. Attendees winning limited signings line tickets will receive pre-signed posters distributed by on-site staff.

AA04 | 2:30-3:15

Genndy Tartakovsky, creator (Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars)

AA05 | 11:30-12:15

 

Additions and Corrections

Museum Hours

The Comic-Con Museum hours are incorrect as listed in the Quick Guide. The correct hours are as follows:

Daily 10 AM-6 PM

Note that a separate admission is required for the Comic-Con Museum. However, a free shuttle to the Museum is available with paid admission (on Harbor Drive, near the Manchester Hyatt Hotel).

Program Updates

The Bob’s Burgers panel (Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront) will play material from the show, but will not feature the talent described in the Events Guide.

Cancellations

Star Wars Fandom: The Early Days, 12:00-1:00, Room 7AB

Horror in Comics, 5:00-6:00, Room 32AB

Remember, approved face masks are required regardless of vaccination status. Not only do they stave off COVID-19, they may also help prevent the dreaded Con Crud that we all know so well. Next week, you may thank us.

Eisner Awards Tonight!

The 34th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards ceremony will be held tonight  in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront, just a short walk south from the Convention Center. Doors open at 7:45, and the ceremonies begin at 8:00 and are expected to run until about 11:00. Attendance is free to all Comic-Con members (with badge and COVID wristband). It will be followed by a VIP reception in the Indigo Ballroom foyer, with a live jazz duo for entertainment.

The Eisners: Comics’ “Oscars”

Named for the pioneering comics creator and graphic novelist Will Eisner, The Eisner Awards will be given out in 32 categories for works published in 2021. A complete list of all the nominees can be found in the Souvenir Book download.

This year’s presenters include comic legend Frank Miller, author Neil Gaiman, voice actor/comedian Phil LaMarr, actor/writer/director Tom Lennon, and many more! The Hall of Fame Awards will be presented to Denis Kitchen, publisher of dozens of Will Eisner’s works. The title sponsor for the awards this year is HarperAlley, a collaborative, creator-focused publisher of graphic novels for kids and teens. The principal sponsor is Gentle Giant Studios, which manufactures the Eisner trophies. Supporting sponsors are Alternate Reality Comics, Atlantis Fantasyworld, Diamond Comics Distributors, and Golden Apple Comic and Art Foundation. The afterparty is sponsored by Tapas Media.

Other Awards

The Eisner Awards evening includes the presentation of several other special awards: The Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, which will go to Annie Koyama, of Koyama Provides. Also being presented are the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, and the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing (presented by Mark Evanier). The major sponsor for the Finger Award is DC Comics. Supporting sponsors are Heritage Auctions and Maggie Thompson. In addition, the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailing Award, presided over by Joe Ferrara, will be presented to on of the following nominees:

  • Blackbird Comics and Coffeehouse, Candice & David Craig, Maitland, FL
  • Books with Pictures, Katie Pryde, Portland, OR
  • Cape and Cowl, Etian Manoff, Oakland, CA
  • The Comic Bug, Jun Goeku, Manhattan Beach, CA
  • Pulp 716: Coffee & Comics, Amy & Jay Berent, North Tonawanda, NY

Games Threatens to Overrun Comic-Con

With over a thousand scheduled events spread over the Mezzanine level at the Convention Center, the Marriott Marquis Pacific Ballroom, and the Omni Hotel, Gaming has something for everyone.

On the Mezzanine level, you’ll find board games and card games galore (Doomlings, Exploding Kittens, and Pokémon to name a few). Staff is on-hand to demonstrate the games and show you how to play. There is also a huge game library located at both the Mezzanine level (Rooms 15AB) and Marriott Marquis (Rooms 21/22) available for people to check out and play games for free.

Don’t forget the return of the popular Miniatures Paint and Take, a big hit returning after Comic- Con Special Edition. You can learn basic painting techniques, color choice, and base coating for miniatures. Paint, brushes, miniatures, and other supplies will be provided – and yes, you get to keep the miniature you paint! Check the schedule, as there are classes each day on special techniques taught by Aaron Lovejoy (Mezzanine Room 14A).

Over in the Pacific Ballroom there are new and classic role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons, Steve Jackson Games (GURPS, Munchkins) and LARPs, along with the Stern Pop-Up Arcade with a huge variety of fancy Pinball machines for free play, with daily tournaments.

Also in the Pacific Ballrooms is the E-Games area with the E-Sports Lounge, and SD Lan. In the E-Sports Lounge, you will find open play with consoles and PCs, plus tournaments with prizes every day. Additionally, Konami and Viacom are presenting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, with an appearance by co-creator Kevin Eastman. For new games, Goddess of Victory is providing hands-on play, while there will be comic books and swag for the game Shrapnel. For SD Lan, there is free play every day with a variety of games such as Call of Duty, Halo, Blur Racing, and Rocket League. If commanding a spaceship is more your style, come visit the Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator (Santa Rosa Room) where you and your friends get to control different bridge positions while you explore the stars.

Comic-Con is excited for our first ever live role-playing game theater, called RPG Play Theater! For this event, attendees can enjoy live RPG games with master storytellers and celebrated personalities from the tabletop game industry. Join the audience to embark on epic adventures and live tabletop game experiences! (Omni Grand ABC, today 1:15 PM to 7:30 PM, and Saturday 10 AM to 7:30 PM.).

For those of you wanting something that can be played at home, the Storytelling Across Media (SAM@Home 2020) role-playing games can be played along on Discord.

Comic-Con Gallery

The Unsettling Spider-Man

May I Please Have Everything in this Case?

Bookin’ it from Bowser

Rocking the Alligator Handbag

Hulu Recruiting New Faculty

William Shatner Looking Great at 91

Comic-Con Today does not accept photo submissions, but if you notice something cool that you think we should know about, please drop us a line at newsletter@comic-con.org, no guarantees. Be sure to include a phone number in case we have questions.


MISSION STATEMENT: The SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION (Comic-Con International) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation organized for charitable purposes and dedicated to creating the general public’s awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, including participation in and support of public presentations, conventions, exhibits, museums and other public outreach activities which celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.

All content is the property of Comic-Con® International © 2022. Visit www.comic-con.org for more information.

Comic-Con® and the Comic-Con logo are registered trademarks of Comic-Con International.

Photographer credits as indicated. All photos © 2022 SDCC.

 

Comic-Con Today

Editor-in-Chief – Chris Sturhann

Editor/Writer – Brian Norquist

Editor/Photographer – Christopher Machado

Editor/Photographer – Justin Hurt

Editorial Assistant – Carly Neun

Publication Designer – Daniel Tideman