Cosmos sculpted by mech warfare. Cellular metal petri monsters. Vendettas that span light years. Welcome to a future of glorious atrocities designed to raise pulses and ask questions, all rooted in modern anxieties. Join the most provocative, merciless voices in speculative fiction as they vivisect the timelines we’re all desperately avoiding. Chuck Austen (Defiant) and Scott Hoffman (Warm Fusion) gaze into the stars and the chaos to come. Moderated by Sami DeMonster.
Friday March 28, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A
A staple of pop culture and fandom is the idea of how everyone is welcome in fandom spaces—but what can be done to make the space even more accessible? Chelsea Schwartz (actor and pop culture creator), Kiah Amara (founder, IndieVisible; accessibility creator), Crystal Rivers (cosplayer, entertainment journalist), Rebecca Faith Quinn (influencer), and other accessibility advocates in the entertainment space discuss the small and big actions that can be taken to ensure everyone has a seat at the table. Topics include accessibility faux pas that may be perpetuated, what to look for to consider your workspace and/or event accessible, and practical actions and resources that film sets, TV productions, and fandom spaces can take advantage of.
Friday March 28, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Graphic novels are hot, hot, hot! Whether you're an artist, a writer, or both, you've probably thought about making your own. But how to start? Or maybe you've started, but now you're stuck? Award-winning creators Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire, Sea Sirens), Thien Pham (Family Style, Sumo), and Jordan Morris (Youth Group, Bubble) share their experiences and advice for getting published.
Friday March 28, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A
If you make comics—at any level—you are a part of the community of comics. What does that entail? What can you bring to the community, and what does the community give back to you? How can you be a better, more responsible member of this disparate group of professionals, amateurs, and fans? Co-hosts of the award-winning podcast The Writers Block, David Avallone (Elvira) and Rylend Grant (The Jump) will address these vital questions with a panel from across the spectrum of the comics community, including comics librarian Moni Barette (Creators Alliance), retailer Julio Galvez (We Can Be Heroes), editor Kris Longo (Panick), and artist Cat Staggs (Star Wars).
Friday March 28, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Jim Krueger (Justice, Earth X), Tim Sheridan (Alan Scott Green Lantern), Zen (Pink Power, HiCon Media), Mathias Lewis (Knowhere Games and Comics, Eisner Awards judge 2024), Jeromy DeChant (senior director communications and strategy. Modern Fantastic), and Mark Habbegar (North County Cartoonist Society, Little Fish Comics) are joined by Brock Smith (The Ferryman) and Christian Pedersen (The Ferryman) of ZRock Comics to field your questions about creating your comic book and breaking into the industry.
Friday March 28, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Hip-hop and comics share numerous connections and exist in constant communication with one another. Rappers and graffiti artists utilize superheroic imagery; DJs and producers create universes of sound; comic creators and animators incorporate Hip-Hop's musical and visual vocabularies; collectors dig through crates for key back issues and rare breakbeats. Both forms reconfigure and remix elements, blending styles and genres and inspiring passionate fanbases. Moderator Patrick A. Reed brings together an all-star group of artistic innovators to discuss the bonds between these two vital creative cultures.
Friday March 28, 2025 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Creators Charley Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides will take center stage alongside key members of the production team and an all-star voice cast to discuss the making of Netflix’s hit mythological anime Blood of Zeus. Panelists will include (subject to availability) Michael Hughes (producer), Meredith Layne (casting director, Castlevania, X-Men ’97, Arcane), Derek Phillips (Heron; Friday Night Lights, 42, Shooter), Claudia Christian (Hera; Babylon 5, 9-1-1, Atlantis: The Lost Empire), Cissy Jones (Demeter; Firewatch, Starfield, Elder Scrolls), Courtenay Taylor (Hecate; X-Men ’97, American Dad!), and Vanessa Marshall (Hestia; Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Harley Quinn, Star Trek: Lower Decks). They will delve into the origins of the series, the casting of legendary voices, and bringing Greek mythology to life with breathtaking animation. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, fan Q&A, and maybe even hints about what’s next in the Blood of Zeus universe.
Friday March 28, 2025 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A
Is the Joker actually “insane”? Does Two-Face have “multiple personality disorder” by today’s standards? From an ethical perspective, do Gotham’s rogues belong in prison or in rehab? In works like The Penguin, Joker: Folie a Deux, and Batman: White Knight, DC villains have brought "main character energy" to life, proving themselves as enduring figures in media storytelling—but just how well do these baddies depict the mental health landscape of today, and is there anything wrong with celebrating villain vibes? Media psychologist Drea Letamendi, Ph.D. (Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics), screenwriter Ernie Altbacker (Batman: Hush Animated), and comics writer Kyle Higgins (Nightwing, Batman Beyond 2.0, Batman: Gate of Gotham) deconstruct, decriminalize, and debunk Gotham City’s most notorious institution and the stories behind it. Moderated by Brian Ward (The Arkham Sessions Podcast).
Friday March 28, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A
The new series The Penguin takes viewers deep into the origin of one of Batman’s best-known villains. From being overlooked and disregarded to being the kingpin of Gotham’s underground, the origin story of the Penguin, as told by this series, is psychologically rich, with topics of trauma, relationships, overcoming insecurities, and forming one's identity present in almost every episode. Lorran Garrison, M.A. Ed. (Little Brainstorm), Dr. Sara Roldan (Our Oasis Community Podcast), Travis Adams, L.S.W. (Spider-Man Psychology), and Dr. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology) dive deep and explore the Penguin’s story to understand why he's a fan favorite. Moderated by Dr. Benjamin Taitz (Psychology for Geeks).
Friday March 28, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 300A
