Comic-Con 2016: Thursday schedule

The first day of Comic-Con International will have plenty of comic book-related fun, and a few TV and movie previews, but organizers are clearly saving the big dogs for later in the weekend. The biggest draws will likely be panels with the cast and creators of “Mr. Robot,” “Silicon Valley” and “Luke Cage.” The schedule also allows comic book creators to shine, especially writer Grant Morrison and artist Jim Lee, who have spotlights dedicated to them.

Comic-Con - which kicks off with Preview Night on Wednesday, July 20 - has released the schedule for Thursday, July 21. Here are some highlights, with official descriptions courtesy of the folks at Comic-Con.

For the complete Thursday schedule, go here.

A study of DC Comic’s Joker

Comic-Con 2016 schedule

• Comic-Con 2016: Thursday schedule
• Comic-Con 2016: Friday schedule
• Comic-Con 2016: Saturday Schedule
• Comic-Con 2016: Sunday schedule

The Joker has menaced Batman for nearly 77 years. Since the Joker’s first appearance in Batman #1 in 1940, he has appeared thousands of times in comics, films, video games, television series, toy aisles, and other arenas of mediated and material culture. While a powerful antagonist, the character is nevertheless fascinating to children and adults alike. Join the contributors to the first book-length scholarly study of the Joker as they ask why the Joker has become the most important and interesting supervillain in popular culture and what it is about the Joker that makes the character so iconic. Rob Weiner (Texas Tech University), Robert Peaslee (Texas Tech University), Travis Langley (Henderson State University), Hannah Means-Shannon (Dark Horse Comics), and Ryan Litsey (Texas Tech University) discuss the nature of the Joker, his history, and why Batman refuses to kill a character that causes so much misery to the citizens of Gotham. Room 26AB, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Snowden

Open Road Films presents Oliver Stone’s Snowden, featuring never-before-seen footage and a live conversation with legendary filmmaker Oliver Stone, in his first visit to Comic-Con, and actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodly, Zachary Quinto and Scott Eastwood. Hall H, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Justice League Action

The world’s greatest superheroes return to television in Justice League Action, an all-new quarter-hour animated series. Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman lead the DC superheroes against their most infamous foes in adventures packed with relentless thrills, fun and action. No need to wait for the good stuff to start; each 11-minute episode jumps in with lightning-paced action and heroics. Whether defending the Earth, facing invaders from space, or battling the bizarre forces of magic, the always-rotating team of Justice League heroes are up to any challenge. Producers Butch Lukic (Justice League) and Alan Burnett (Batman: The Animated Series) and voice cast members Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) and Diedrich Bader (Batman The Brave and The Bold) present an exclusive sneak peek and Q&A at this highly anticipated new series. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Justice League Action is coming soon to Cartoon Network. Room 25 ABC, 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

Grant Morrison

Graphic India welcomes legendary creator Grant Morrison (Batman, All Star Superman, 18 Days, The Multiversity) to discuss storytelling, global mythology, mysticism, the rise of Indian superheroes and his latest groundbreaking, mythic/sci-fi project with Graphic India called Avatarex: Destroyer of Darkness. In Avatarex, the epic world of living myth collides with the mundane realities and cultural upheavals of contemporary India. What happens when an all-powerful super-being awakens to fight the Last War of the Age, only to discover he’s been sent too early for the End Days and must somehow learn to exist in a world that’s too small and too frail to survive his presence? How does humanity react to the challenges of such a paragon in their midst? Will Avatarex raise everyone to his level, or will everyone drag him down? Can the embodiment of their highest aspirations exist side-by-side with their all-too-human failings or will the gulf between what they wish they could be and what they are destroy them? Room 24ABC, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Jim Lee

DC Entertainment co-publisher Jim Lee (Superman Unchained, Justice League, Batman, Suicide Squad) talks about his 25+ years in the comics industry and sketches your favorite characters live on the big screen. This is a great opportunity to watch the creative process firsthand and learn the tips of the trade that bring DC Entertainment’s characters to life. Room 6DE, 12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m.

Star Trek: 50th anniversary

Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry (executive producer, 2017 Star Trek TV series, son of Gene Roddenberry) and Trevor Roth (executive producer, 2017 Star Trek TV series) will be showing a special 5-minute Star Trek celebration video, releasing some exclusive material from the Roddenberry Vault, and partaking in a Q&A session moderated by Tory Mell (producer, convention director at Roddenberry Entertainment). Room 24ABC, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Marvel’s X-Men panel

One of the biggest questions coming out of the 8-month gap between Secret Wars and All-New All-Different Marvel has been, “What the heck happened between the X-Men and the Inhumans?” Join this panel for an exclusive look at new series Death of X, plus the latest on all X-Men and Inhumans titles with editor-in-chief Axel Alonso and Marvel talent scout Rickey Purdin, as well as James Asmus (All-New Inhumans) and Cullen Bunn (Uncanny X-Men). Room 5AB, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

HBO’s Silicon Valley

HBO’s Silicon Valley, the Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated series, takes a comic look at the modern-day epicenter of the high-tech gold rush, where the people most qualified to succeed are the least capable of handling success. Silicon Valley concluded its third season in June and will begin production on season 4 later this year. The panel will include co-creator and executive producer Mike Judge, executive producer Alec Berg, and cast members Thomas Middleditch (Richard Hendricks), Zach Woods (Jared Dunn), Kumail Nanjiani (Dinesh Chugtai), Martin Starr (Bertram Gilfoyle), and Amanda Crew (Monica Hall). Moderated by Dan Snierson (Entertainment Weekly). Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.

MTV’s Teen Wolf

Executive producer Jeff Davis and the cast of Teen Wolf return to Comic-Con for the seventh consecutive year. The pack from MTV’s hit series will dish on the upcoming season, answer fan questions, and share the first sneak peek of season 6. Ballroom 20, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

The Walking Dead (comic)

The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead franchise, Outcast), longtime artist of The Walking Dead Charlie Adlard, and Skybound Entertainment editorial director Sean Mackiewicz discuss all thingsThe Walking Dead and what’s to come for the comics series as it approaches its 160th issue. This panel will be moderated by Jason Mantzoukas (The League, Brooklyn Nine-Nine). Room 6DE, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Captain America 75th Anniversary

Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America has been wielding his shield, donning red, white, and blue, and fighting the good fight for 75 years. From Captain America Comics #1 to Captain America: Civil War, Steve Rogers has had a pretty decent 75 years, to say the least. Come celebrate “Cap” with Jim Simon (Son of Joe Simon) and Allen Bellman (artist, Captain America) all while being interviewed and questioned by former Kirby assistant, moderator Mark Evanier (author, Kirby: King of Comics). Room 9, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.

Netflix and Marvel’s Luke Cage

The cast of the upcoming Netflix original series Marvel’s Luke Cage make their first-ever appearance, answering questions and giving fans a look at exclusive footage from the highly anticipated series, ahead of its September 30 global debut on Netflix. Moderated by Jeph Loeb (executive producer and Marvel’s Head of Television). Ballroom 20, 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m.

Mr. Robot

USA’s Golden Globe Award-winning series, Mr. Robot, is making its Comic-Con debut. Go behind the scenes with stars Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Portia Doubleday, Carly Chaikin and season 2 newcomer Grace Gummer as they discuss the series’ exciting second season. Mr. Robot follows Elliot, a cyber-security engineer who becomes involved in the underground hacker group fsociety, after being recruited by their mysterious leader. Season 2 explores the consequences of fsociety’s 5/9 hack on multi-national company Evil Corp. as well as the illusion of control. Room 6BCF, 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Source: DiscoverSD