Welcome to Comic-Con Today, the official newsletter of Comic-Con International. Each morning, we will post a new digital issue with News, Updates, and Highlights of Comic-Con. We look forward to putting the information you need in your fingertips, or at least on your smartphone. |
Schedule Grids - Click Here!
Saber Guild to Perform Tonight at Masquerade
If you will be viewing the Comic-Con Masquerade, be sure to stick around for the Saber Guild lightsaber performance during the judging intermission. For over a decade, Saber Guild has been entertaining Comic-Con and WonderCon audiences as well as at numerous other conventions and events. Saber Guild is a global not-for-profit Lucasfilm-recognized group that promotes Star Wars cosplay and lightsaber performances with temples in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Tonight’s performance of “The New Jedi Order: A Padawan’s Tale” was written by Austin Verburg, his debut piece for the Guild. The performance will feature members from Jedha (San Diego), Concordia (Inland Empire), Skywalker (Los Angeles), and Prime (Orange County) temples.
Saber Guild has a long history with Comic-Con and WonderCon, “We actually started at WonderCon in the 2010 Masquerade as contestants and won one of the categories that year and competed again in 2011,” says Megan Wren of the Temple Prime in Orange County. “In 2012, we wanted to compete again at Comic-Con, but because we were no longer novices, we asked to perform at the show as part of the halftime entertainment.”
In addition to performing at conventions, Saber Guild chapters appear at libraries, hospitals, Star Wars Day and Free Comic Book Day events, and the various temples raise millions of dollars globally each year for charitable organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Each temple partners locally with charities in their own communities. “Charities are the premise that keeps us all here,” says William Holmes of the Jedha Temple in San Diego. “We can not only do our love of fandom and performance and everything else, but we can actually carry it out with a mission to help others and help our community.”
For more information, on Saber Guild, please visit the following:
-
Global – https://saberguild.org
-
Jedha Temple (San Diego) – https://www.facebook.com/JedhaTemple
-
Concordia Temple (Inland Empire area) – https://www.facebook.com/Concordiatemple
-
Skywalker Temple (Los Angeles) – https://www.facebook.com/sgskywalkertemple
-
Temple Prime (Orange County) – https://www.facebook.com/SGTemplePrime
Additions and Corrections
Guest Cancellations
The following guests had to cancel their appearance at Comic-Con:
-
Jo Duffy
-
Mariko Tamaki
Programs
Time and Room Change
The Sights & Sounds of Lumpia, The Deep Fried Universe has moved to Ballroom 20 at 3:45–4:30 PM.
Addition
1:00–2:00 PM | Dispatches from Middle-Earth: War of the Rohirrim—The Internet's longest-running Tolkien Community, TheOneRing.net (TORn), discusses the latest news about all things Middle-earth in 2023. Clifford Broadway (host of TORn Tuesday), Matt Graf (Nerd of the Rings), and Josh Long (Collecting the Precious) will talk about new games set in Middle-earth, new books, the LOTR Movie Trilogy's 20th Anniversary celebrations, events, and collectibles. The next big thing on the horizon is the "War of the Rohirrim" feature-length animated film, coming in April 2024. We will be discussing the voice cast, probable storylines, and share any images and rumors we have. The Rings of Power, Season 2 will be in post-production for the next several months, but we will share any Green Dragon gossip we have. Moderated by Justin Sewell (producer of TORn Tuesday). Middle-earth Costumes are always welcome and appreciated. Room 23ABC
The description of the following program was omitted from the Events Guide and is included below:
4:30–6:00 PM | William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill—Celebrate the icon himself, William Shatner, for an entertaining discussion about two of his most recent adventures: Legion M’s new documentary, You Can Call Me Bill, and the famed sci-fi captain’s real-life journey into space! Bill respectfully withdrew from attending the panel in solidarity with his striking brethren, but you can still beam into Hall H to witness some fascinating clips from the documentary, and a lively chat between doc director Alexandre O. Philippe (The People vs. George Lucas, Lynch/Oz); Hall H usher-turned-Space for Humanity Citizen Astronaut-01 Katya Echazarreta (the first Mexican-born woman in space); Michael Edmonds (president, Club for the Future), SVP of Blue Origin, the company paving the path to space so our children can build the future; Rachel Lyons, executive director for Space for Humanity, the nonprofit organization behind the world’s first Citizen Astronaut Program; and Legion M executives Jeff Annison and David Baxter. Among the topics will be how everyone will be able to see You Can Call Me Bill in the very near future, and a special, new joint venture between Legion M and Space for Humanity! Publicist Gary Miereanu moderates. Hall H
Cancellations
Abbott Elementary Class in Session, 12:30–1:30 PM, Indigo Hilton Bayfront
Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire Season 2, 3:45–4:30 PM
First Look at Orphan Black Echoes, 12:30–1:30 PM, Room 6A
Heels Season 2 Preview, 11:15 AM–12:15 PM, Indigo Hilton Bayfront
Hope and Perseverance of an Actor, 3:00–4:00 PM, Indigo Hilton Bayfront
Legendary Entertainment, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM, Hall H
Nathan Fillion: ABC’s The Rookie, 1:45–2:45, Indigo Hilton Bayfront
Sid & Marty Krofft Go Digital, 1:00–2:00 PM, Room 23ABC
That 70s Show 25th Anniversary, 10:00–11:00 AM, Indigo Hilton Bayfront
Autograph Area Updates
Limited Signings [Full Details]
You must have a line ticket from the Limited Signing ticket drawing to enter the queue.
Junji Ito (Uzumaki, Lovesickness)
AA05 3:00-4:30
Todd McFarlene (Spawn, Venom, Spider-Man)
AA04 1:00-2:30
Rachel Smythe (Lore Olympus)
AA06 2:30–4:30
Additions
Groups
Demon Slayer: (Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, Griffin Burns, Kira Buckland, Zeno Robinson)
AA03 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Spotlight on Victoria Aveyard: Victoria Aveyard, author (Red Queen series), Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author (Squad)
AA09 3:30pm - 4:30pm
What's the Best Superpower? Darcie Little Badger, author (A Snake Falls to Earth, Elatsoe), Steenz, cartoonist/editor/professor (Heart of the City), Jazzlyn Stone, writer (Trve Kvlt, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts 40x40)
AA04 12:00pm - 1:00pm
The Worlds We Return To, Chloe Gong (Immortal Longings), E.K. Johnston (Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Druid's Call), Cory Doctorow (Red Team Blues), Jacqueline Carey (Cassiel's Servant)
AA09 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Individuals
Ashnikko, recording artist (Weedkiller) Ashnikko will be signing exclusive DC Comic poster
AA17 5:00pm - 6:30pm
David Cheung, actor (Star Wars Andor, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
AA19 10:00-2:30
Stephan Franck, writer/director/animator/comics creator (Silver, The Iron Giant)
AA05 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Joe Quesada, editor-in-chief/CCO (NYX, The Ray)
AA10 3:15pm - 4:15pm
Samuel C. Spitale, author (How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality)
AA17 10:00-12:00
F.C. Yee, author (Avatar, the Last Airbender: The Legacy of Yangchen)
AA10 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Cancellations
Groups Signing
Babylon 5: The Road Home
Cursed Truths
Heels
Individual Signing
Erik Betts
Emily Tosta
Arne Starr
Catherine Corcoran
Comic-Con Masquerade Tonight!
The big Ballroom 20 stage becomes a celebration of fan costuming with a cosplay competition of impressive re-created and original design costumes crafted by our talented attendees. Not a dance or party, it’s a show on a stage with trophies, cash prizes, and other awards. The doors open for audience seating at 8:00, but picking up a free ticket early will save you from some line-waiting later. Free advance tickets are given out at noon on Saturday upstairs near Ballroom 20, and also at the Masquerade Desk after 3:00. If you don’t get a ticket, you can still attend if seating is available.
The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies will again be writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio, with special live intermission entertainment from The Corps Dance Crew and the Saber Guild Star Wars performance.
Eisner Results
Best Short Story
“Finding Batman” by Kevin Conroy and J. Bone in DC Pride 2022 (DC)
Best Single Issue/One-Shot
Batman: One Bad Day: The Riddler, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads (DC)
Best Continuing Series
Nightwing, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)
Best Limited Series
The Human Target, by Tom King and Greg Smallwood (DC)
Best New Series
Public Domain, by Chip Zdarsky (Image)
Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)
The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! by Mo Willems (Union Square Kids)
Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12)
Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (First Second/Macmillan)
Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)
Do a Powerbomb! by Daniel Warren Johnson (Image)
Best Humor Publication
Revenge of the Librarians, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)
Best Anthology
The Nib Magazine, edited by Matt Bors (Nib)
Best Reality-Based Work
Flung Out of Space, by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Abrams ComicArts)
Best Graphic Memoir
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, by Kate Beaton (Drawn & Quarterly)
Best Graphic Album—New
The Night Eaters, Book 1: She Eats the Night, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Abrams ComicArts)
Best Graphic Album—Reprint
Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, by Richard Stark, Darwyn Cooke, Ed Brubaker, and Sean Phillips (IDW)
Best Adaptation from Another Medium
Chivalry by Neil Gaiman, adapted by Colleen Doran (Dark Horse)
Best U.S. Edition of International Material
Blacksad: They All Fall Down Part 1, by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, translation by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander (Dark Horse
Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia
Shuna's Journey, by Hayao Miyazaki; translation by Alex Dudok de Wit (First Second/Macmillan)
Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)
Come Over Come Over, It’s So Magic, and My Perfect Life, by Lynda Barry, edited by Peggy Burns (Drawn & Quarterly)
Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)
The Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta, edited by Dian Hansen (TASCHEN)
Best Writer
James Tynion IV, House of Slaughter, Something Is Killing the Children, Wynd (BOOM! Studios); The Nice House on the Lake, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country (DC), The Closet, The Department of Truth (Image)
Best Writer/Artist
Kate Beaton, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands (Drawn & Quarterly)
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team
Greg Smallwood, The Human Target (DC)
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)
Sana Takeda, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts); Monstress (Image)
Best Cover Artist (for multiple covers)
Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)
Best Coloring
Jordie Bellaire, The Nice House on the Lake, Suicide Squad: Blaze (DC); Antman, Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)
Best Lettering
Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (IDW)
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
PanelXPanel magazine, edited by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Tiffany Babb (panelxpanel.com)
Best Comics-Related Book
Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects, by Benjamin L. Clark and Nat Gertler (Schulz Museum)
Best Academic/Scholarly Work
The LGBTQ+ Comics Studies Reader: Critical Openings, Future Directions, edited by Alison Halsall and Jonathan Warren (University Press of Mississippi)
Best Publication Design
Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, designed by Sean Phillips (IDW)
Best Webcomic
Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe (WEBTOON)
Best Digital Comic
Barnstormers, by Scott Snyder and Tula Lotay (Comixology Originals)
Other Awards
Eisner Hall of Fame
Judges’ Choices: Jerry Bails, Tony DeZuniga, Justin Green, Bill Griffith. Jay Jackson, Jeffrey Catherine Jones, Jack Katz, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Win Mortimer, Diane Noomin, Gaspar Saladino, Kim Thompson, Garry Trudeau, Mort Walker, Tatjana Wood
Voters’ Choices: Brian Bolland, Anne Nocenti, Tim Sale, Diana Schutz
Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: Beth Accomando, Scott Dunbier
Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award: Zoe Thorogood
Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing: Barbara Friedlander, Sam Glanzman
Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award
The recipient of this award is:
Cape & Cowl – Eitan Manhoff, Oakland, CA
Congratulations to the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award finalists:
-
Bat City – Stanley Baldwin, Matthew Live, and Shannon Live, Bradenton, FL
-
Blackbird Comics and Coffeehouse – David Craig and Candice Falknet-Craig, Maitland FL
-
Little Shop of Heroes – Albert Grainger, Lou Grainger, and Sinéad Grainger, Dunfermline, Fife, UK
-
Travelling Man – Nabil Homsi, Newcastle, UK
-
Zeppelin Comics – Natasha Curtis and Dan Curtis
Comic-Con Gallery
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 © 2023. 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 © 2023 SDCC.
Comic-Con Today
Editor-in-Chief – Chris Sturhann
Editor/Photographer – Christopher Machado
Editor/Writer – Carly Neun