Dr Strange’s movie costume! Netflix Daredevil vs. Punisher! Our picks for new comics coming out on 12/30/15! And the launch of a new feature: The Tuesday Night Book Club, where we review a graphic novel. This week’s book: Black Canary and Zatanna: Blood Spell by Paul Dini and Joe Quinones. Next week: Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot by Frank Miler and Geoff Darrow.
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Written by Nick Doyle and Billy Henehan.
They say if you can survive Saturday at NYCC, you can make it anywhere. There’s a reason why the Saturday tickets sell out before 4-Day Passes sell out and that is because Saturday is the mother of all days at NYCC. Most of the biggest events are happening today. Will you be able to make it all of them? Of course not, not unless you own a Time Turner. There are too many panels to go through on the NYCC site, but you don’t have to wade through them all. Because we have cut through all the mediocre panels to bring you the best of the best. If you have to choose, at least choose from these. Because these are the BEST of the BEST of New York Comic Con Saturday 2015.
Writers Unite: Writing and Pitching Comic Stories – 11:00-12:00 1A01
This seems almost like a sequel to Charles Soule and Marguerite Bennett’s panel together at Special Edition: NYC. That was a great panel; I expect this one to be as well. Writers talking writing. More panels like this please.
Spotlight on Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba: Different is Cool – 11:00-12:00 1A18
It’s been years since Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba have been at NYCC. If you’re a fan of theirs, you need to be at this panel, because who knows how long it will be until they return?
Thrilling Adventure Hour – 11:15-12:15 1A24
Listen to the cast and writers of Thrilling Adventure Hour discuss their dearly departed comedy podcast (which lives on as a couple of Image Comics series – check them out!).
All-New All-Different Marvel – 11:15-12:15 1A10
Marvel announcement. Glorious Marvel announcements. Oooh, Gerry Duggan is going to be there. Looks like I’m going to this panel dressed as Zenpool. If you spot me, be sure to say hi. 🙂
DC Comics: Heroes to the Core – 12:15-1:15 1A06
Dan Didio will be talking with DC creators on stage, including John Romita Jr (it’s still hard for me to think of him as a DC guy), Robert Venditti and more about the future of the DCU (not to be confused with DC You, which DC seems to be quickly backing away from).
Disney-Lucasfilm Publishing Presents Star Wars: Journey to Force Awakens – 12:15-1:15 1A21
Have you noticed the flood of Journey to Force Awakens books that have recently hit the marketplace? The writers of those novels, including Greg Rucka and Chuck Wendig, will be at this panel discussing their Star Wars writing.
Cinemax Presents Robert Kirkman’s New Series Outcast – 1:30-2:30 1A06
Wow, Cinemax really wants to drive the connection to The Walking Dead home on this one. Who can blame them? After the success of The Walking Dead, I can only assume they paid a good deal for the rights to Kirkman’s new series, Outcast. Series star Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous) and Robert Kirkman will both be here to talk about the upcoming show.
DC Comics – Batman: The Bat Universe 1:30-2:30 Empire Stage 1-E
Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Peter Tomasi, Amy Chu, Tom King, Tim Seeley, Khary Randolph and James Tynion IV will all be at this panel. What a line-up! If you’re reading a Batbook right now, this is your panel.
Using Tmblr to Sell Your Idea – 1:30-2:30 1B03
Here’s a panel that has both an interesting theme and a stellar line-up. Felipe Smith (All-New Ghost Rider), Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine) and Katie Cook (artist of the cutest and smallest con sketches ever) will be in conversation with Marlene aka @ilikecomicstoo about using social media to sell your idea. I’m a huge fan of Kieron Gillen’s tumblr blog, which gives behind-the-scenes insights into his writing. It’s like reading a director’s commentary for his comics. I will definitely be at this panel. You should too.
Clueless 20th Anniversary Panel – 1:45-2:45 1A10
Clueless writer/director Amy Heckerling will be speaking about the movie, which in my opinion is one of the best movies of the 1990s.
Marvel: Cup O’Joe – 2:45-3:45 Empire Stage 1-E
The Cup O’Joe panel is a mainstay of NYCC. If you’re a Marvel fan, you’re going to want to make sure you get a seat to this one. We’ll no doubt be seeing exclusive looks at post-Secret Wars Marvel Comics for the first time. Kieron Gillen will be here. Follow him from the tumblr panel to this one, where he’ll be talking about his upcoming Marvel work. Other guests include Charles Soule and Dan Slott.
The Splat: All That Reunion – 4:15-5:15 1A10
Wait, Kel will be here but not Keenan? That is not a Goodburger…
Cartoon Network Presents: Regular Show 4:15-5:15 – Hammerstein Ballroom
NYCC has grown so big this year that some panels and screenings are taking place at The Hammerstein Ballroom. If you walked over from Penn Station along 34 Street, you no doubt passed by it. What could make you leave the Javits Center to attend a panel? Four words: Regular Show. The Movie.
Marvel Netflix: Daredevil and Jessica Jones: Alias. 5:00-6:45 Main Stage 1-D
Hopefully the ticketing for this is not as big a clusterfuck as it was for last year’s Daredevil panel, where a bunch of jerks tried cutting the line, causing Marvel to send everyone on their way before Marvel had a ticket lottery later in the day. I am so excited for both the return of Daredevil and the new Alias series. If only they were also giving us some news on Damage Control. Who knows? Maybe they are. (Wristband required)
FUNimation Industry Panel – 5:30-6:30 1A24
After recently getting into Attack on Titan, I’m all about this panel.
NYCC Charity Auction – 7:00-9:00 1A18
This is my favorite event at all of NYCC. If you are an original art collector, this is a MUST ATTEND event. Mike Negin, the Artist Alley coordinator amasses a spectacular collection of original comic book art to be auctioned off every year for charity. All money raised goes directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Original art pages, covers (COVERS!) and convention sketches will all be auctioned off. Even if you don’t buy any art, come for the bidding, which tends to vicious at different points. Expect the Adam Hughes and Walt Simonson pieces to be the #1 and #2 most expensive pieces of the night (they were the last two years). It’s an awesome time, and a terrific charity fundraiser. GO TO THIS!
Doctor Who Fan Screening and Q&A with Screenwriter Toby Whithouse – 7:45-9:15
See the new Doctor Who episode Before the Flood before it airs on BBC America! I’m so tempted to go to this, but I’ll be at the Art Auction. While I’m losing out to bidders with a bigger bankroll, I will be sitting there jealous of all of you at this Doctor Who screening, especially because you’ll be able to ask screenwriter Toby Whithouse questions right after the episode. Please make them good questions. You’re watching the new episode that he wrote – make your questions specific to that.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – CollegeHumor and Dorkly Present “How to Get Paid For Being a Nerd” – 1A24
Even if you’re not interested in starting your own fansite, this should be fun.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – The League Screening and Q&A – Empire Stage 1-E
The League is one of the funniest shows on TV. You don’t have to like sports to like it. The League is about fantasy football about as much as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is about Philadelphia. The whole cast will be on hand to discuss season 6.
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM – MARVEL Cup O’ Joe – Empire Stage 1-E
Joe Quesada really stacked the deck at his panel. Brian Michael Bendis, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Dan Slott and Gerry Duggan. If you’re a Marvel reader, you’re probably reading a book written by at least one of these writers.
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – Nerdist Comics Panel – 1A24
Ben Blacker is joined by the writers of three of my favorite projects of the past year: G. Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel), Heath Corson (Batman: Assault on Arkham) and Greg Pak (Code Monkey Save The World). This would be a hard panel for me to miss. See you there!
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM – CBLDF: Tales from the Code – True Stories of Censorship – 1A18
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund does great work, defending the first amendment rights of comic book creators and retailers. Speakers Denny O’Neill and Paul Levitz both have long careers going back decades at DC Comics. I’ve seen Denny O’Neill speak before. He’s very outspoken. I expect this panel to be both educational and entertaining.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM – #YesAllGeeks: Let’s Talk About Harassment in Fandom – 1A21
Sadly, the reports of harassment at conventions have gone up over the last few years, leading New York Comic Con to adopt an official harassment policy last year. Like the CBLDF panel, I expect this panel to be very educational. Unfortunately, I think the con-goers that most need to attend this panel will probably be too busy harassing someone in a Phoenix costume on the show floor to attend this panel, but hopefully that’s not the case. Go to this panel. It may change your worldview regarding what’s acceptable at a convention.
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM – So They Say You Shouldn’t Cosplay – 1A18
I hate it when I hear people say someone is too black/white/fat/skinny/tall/short/female/male to cosplay as the character they want to cosplay. A friend of mine wanted to cosplay as Iron Fist a couple of years ago, but was told by his friends that because he’s black, he should cosplay as Luke Cage instead. No, he should cosplay as whomever he damn well feels like cosplaying! It’s unfortunate that this panel is directly conflicting with the #YesAllGeeks panel, because I think going to both of these panels would be more beneficial than going to just one of them. The topics they’re both covering seem like a good fit for overlapping. This should have followed #YesAllGeeks, not had to go against it.
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM [adult swim] Panel Block – 1A10
Like yesterday’s [adult swim] panel block, this one will not have the room cleared between panels. Today, you’ll be able to see the stars of Black Dynamite (5:00 PM – 5:45 PM), The Heart, She Holler (5:50 PM – 6:35 PM), and Mike Tyson Mysteries (6:45 PM – 7:30 PM). Mike Tyson will be there. Yes, you read that right. Mike Tyson will be there. Guard your ears!
5:15 PM – 6:15 PM – Marvel’s Daredevil, Exclusively on Netflix – Main Stage 1-D
This is the first public appearance of the cast of Marvel’s Daredevil series, which is coming to Netflix next year. I’m really hoping that they have some footage to show us!
7:15 PM – 10:00 PM – NYCC Charity Art Auction – 1A18
I went to the NYCC Charity Art Auction and was blown away by the artwork they had available. Sketches, original art pages, original art covers (!!). Mike Negin does a tremendous job collecting donations from artists, and he’s runs a fast and smooth auction too. I walked away with a Spider-Man painting by Franco and a page of original art from Hulk by Ed McGuinness. Follow Mike’s Twitter feed and you can get a sneak peek at what going to be up for auction. All the money raised goes to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As it says on the NYCC site: Have fun. Get art. Save lives.
This Harley Quinn sketch by Sara Pichelli is just one of the many pieces of awesome artwork available at the NYCC Charity Auction.
8:15 PM – 10:00 PM – ReedPop’s Fandom Film Festival – 1A14
It’s the end of the busiest day of NYCC. Maybe you just want to sit down and relax. In that case, head here for the inaugural ReedPop Fandom Film Festival.
8:15 PM – 9:15 PM – Doctor Who Fan Screening with BBC America – Empire Stage 1-E
See the new episode of Doctor Who, Mummy on the Orient Express, before it airs on BBC America! Sadly, neither Jenna Coleman nor Peter Capaldi will be here for this panel.
After sitting down with Andrea Romano at NYCC, I had the chance to sit and talk with James Tucker about Justice League: War. As you may know, James is the new Bruce Timm at DC’s animation group. In other words, he’s the new head honcho.
When asked if it was a smooth transition taking over for Bruce, James said it was. He elaborated, “He was outside smoking and said, “Hey, do you want to take over the DVDs?” and I went, “Sure.” It was that simple. It wasn’t like a coronation or anything. I didn’t go into the throne room and he knighted me. It’s very casual at Warner Brothers. ” By the time the official announcement was made, James already had experience in the job. According to James, “When it was announced, I had already been doing the job for two years. We were working on War a year ago. I had been doing the job long before they announced it. He was working on Green Lantern. It was very smooth and not a big deal.”
Regarding the future of the DC animated movies, James said that from this point forward, we’ll be seeing a Justice League movie, followed by a Batman movie, followed by a Justice League movie, followed by a Batman movie. Having movies whose stories focus on specific characters set in the framework of the Justice League. James used Wonder Woman as an example. “With the way we’re setting it up, it’s easier for us to do a Wonder Woman featured Justice League movie, meaning the story has something to do with her, but it’s a Justice League movie.” If you’re wondering why, according to Mr. Tucker, it’s because, “Home Video thinks they can sell it better. Rather than doing standalones. Because the Green Lantern movie didn’t do so hot. The Wonder Woman movie didn’t do so hot, despite what you see online about statistics. Pretty much Superman doesn’t even sell well. Sometimes it’s easier to focus on the character you want to focus on and in War, if you read the graphic novel, Cyborg gets a lot of the spotlight. Each movie will have one character who gets a lot of spotlight and the other characters will get…story development that will carry over to the next movie.”
In case you’re wondering what the next animated movie will be after Justice League: War, it will be a Son of Batman, based on the Grant Morrison Batman story that introduced Damian Wayne into the DC Universe. The Son of Batman movie will be in continuity with Justice League: War. “It’s totally different from what Bruce and those guys had done before. I like world building, so it’s a nice opportunity to have continuity among the movies, and yet Son of Batman will feel totally different than Justice League. It’s kind of like comics in a way, in that they’re connected, but not connected. Justice League comics are totally different than Batman comics, yet Batman is in both. ” said James.
For fans wondering why Aquaman is not in Justice League: War, the reason that he was replaced by Shazam (I know, I know, Captain Marvel) in this movie is that DC is planning a Justice League movie centered around Aquaman! Aqua-fans rejoice!
Shazam is replacing Aquaman in Justice League: War.
James walked me through some of the process of making these movies. When asked if he used the same animation studios for the Justice League and Batman movies, he revealed that DC has three different animation studios that “we float episodes to. Not one studio can do all the animation.”
When asked how Justice League: War would be different from past Justice League animated projects, such as Justice League: Unlimited, James said, “I worked on Justice League with Bruce and Justice League: Unlimited and I didn’t want to go back and do exactly that.” He elaborated, “When I read the New 52 Justice League, I could see see they were trying to break down the Justice League and make it something where you could not instantly know what to expect. We took that aspect and ran with it and pushed people’s personalities into different areas.” Comparing it to the Bruce Timm Justice League cartoon, James said, “If the fans are expecting a carbon copy of the TV series, they’re not going to get that. It’s going to be a little edgier and definitely more violent. It’s not Superfriends. Even the old Justice League cartoon show was kind of Super Friends, if it’s Friends the TV series with Jennifer Anniston. It was about relationships. This is more like a big movie, and their personalities are more edgy. They’re all new to it. They’re all trying to figure out how to be their own individual heroes. Some of them have codes about not killing. Others don’t. There’s all these areas of conflict we have that we didn’t normally address in the earlier versions of the Justice League.”
Expect Wonder Woman to use the sharp edge of her sword in Justice League: War.
Describing the state of superhero cartoons on TV, James was very blunt. “It’s a different climate for superhero action shows,” he said. The abrupt cancellation of Young Justice was cited. “I don’t think (Young Justice) was a great fit for Cartoon Network. They got caught in a situation where things are changing in the climate on television for animated things. They’re finding action in general is not doing as well on kids networks. A show like that would have been great for Netflix. That might be the next place for a show like that,” James said. Please note that this interview was conducted before Marvel announced their deal with Netflix. James seems very bullish on the Netflix model. He said, “As far as binge viewing, I think a show like Young Justice, Justice League too, will do well and I think that’s the future. I welcome it.” James went on to explain why he liked it so much. “You won’t have the same restrictions. You can do a limited miniseries. You can tell a really controlled story. You don’t have to worry about selling toys. The industry is all wondering what Netflix is going to do next.” With Marvel’s recent deal with Netflix, it will be interesting to see where DC and Warner Bros pursue their streaming model. Maybe Amazon Prime? Or Hulu Plus? We do know that James Tucker is in the driver’s seat at DC Animation and he likes the streaming model, whether it’s Netflix or elsewhere.
Will Netflix be the future home of DC superheroes?
James would like to incorporate lesser used characters into the animated movies. James said, “My goal for all the Justice League and Batman movies is to include at least one character who hasn’t appeared either on television or in the films.” When asked if there were any plans for Batgirl, say maybe Batgirl: Year One, James said that he would definitely like to do a Batgirl-centered story, but it probably wouldn’t be Year One. “The truth is, that’s not going to sell. I hate to say it. For whatever reason, they have a hard time selling that kind of stuff. Granted, that could (work) on Netflix. The thing about Netflix is that it’s open to niche markets. You could do something for a smaller group and not have to worry about selling units.
Justice League: War comes out on February 4, 2014.