Well, I've take a quick scan of the program listing for Comic Con and so far have picked just a few points of interest:

(items in red are in a time conflict... I can only go to one of them... items in bold are "Really Want To See"... items that are gray are of mild interest)


Program items of interest:

Thursday:

2:30-4:00 New Challenges in Self-Publishing- In recent years, comics self-publishers have had to take a hard look at the best way to present their work. Webcomics, pamphlet publishing versus graphic novel format, print on demand-all of these factor into the way creators publish their own work. Among the hardy band of successful long-term creators discussing these new challenges are moderator Batton Lash (Supernatural Law), Kyle Baker (The Bakers, Nat Turner), Paige Braddock (Jane's World), Rich Koslowski (The 3 Geeks), and Comic-Con special guest Phil Foglio (Girl Genius). Room 7B

3:00-4:30 Deepak Chopra and Grant Morrison: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Super-heroes- Virgin Comics presents literary icons Deepak Chopra (How to Know God and co-founder of Virgin Comics) and Grant Morrison (All-Star Superman) in a far-ranging discussion about Dark Knights, Devis, and the development of tomorrow's mythologies in this special Comic-Con exclusive event. Hosted by supermodel/spokesperson Saira Mohan. Room 20


6:00-7:00 Webcomics 101: Getting Started- It's easy to make a webcomic, but hard to do it well. Bill Barnes (Unshelved) asks fellow web cartoonists Dave Kellett (Sheldon), Jon Rosenberg (Goats), Brian Fies (Mom's Cancer), and Phil Foglio (Girl Genius) why they went online and what artistic, business, and technological choices they made. Room 3

7:00-10:00 7th Annual Kung-Fu Superhero Extravaganza- You've laughed six times. You've gasped six times. You've cheered six times. It's seven times lucky for the latest, maybe greatest, installment of World Martial Art Hall of Famer and Inside Kung-Fu magazine's movie master Ric Meyers's newest collection of scenes from the wildest and coolest Asian action flicks coming to a theater or DVD player near you. Freebies, too? Natch! Room 6A

10:15-12:15 CCI:IFF Extra: IFC Presents This Film Is Not Yet Rated- This Film Is Not Yet Rated, an IFC Original Documentary from Oscar-nominated director Kirby Dick (Twist of Faith), is an unprecedented investigation into the MPAA film ratings system and its profound impact on American culture. See what Entertainment Weekly calls "an irresistible muckraking documentary that might just shake up the world of movies, which would be good news for movie addicts everywhere," followed by a Q&A with Kirby Dick and producer Eddie Schmidt. Room 6B

Friday:


10:30-11:30 Blank Label Comics- The groundbreaking independent comics co-op offers a look at its unique recipe for success and explains why "webcomics" are dead. Moderated by the hosts of the popular Blank Label Comics podcast, Dave Kellett (Sheldon) and Kristofer Straub (Starslip Crisis), the panel will include David Willis (Shortpacked!), Paul Taylor (Wapsi Square), Howard Tayler (Schlock Mercenary), Steve Troop (Melonpool), and Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.). Room 1A

10:30-11:30 Marvel: Spider-Man: Then and Now- Welcome, True Believers, to a once-in-a-lifetime event! In one room for the first and only time, join the men who have influenced Spider-Man's life from the beginning and those who are shaping him into the man he is today: Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, and J. Michael Straczynski! Find out what went into creating the world's greatest superhero and what the future holds for the wall-crawler. Room 6A

10:30-11:30 Hellboy Animated- Tad Stones (director) and Mike Mignola (creator) along with Hellboy movie director Guillermo del Toro, Phil Weinstein, Matt Wayne and Sean Galloway invite you to be one of the first to experience the new project Hellboy Animated from IDT Entertainment. Clips will be previewed, followed by Q&A session. Room 6B


12:00-1:00 Scott McCloud's Making Comics- Scott McCloud (Zot!, Understanding Comics) unveils his new book, Making Comics, in this fast-paced visual presentation. Scott and his whole family will be on hand to discuss one of the most ambitious promotional tours in comics history, the year-long Making Comics 50 State Tour beginning in September! Room 8

12:30-2:00 NBC: Heroes Pilot Screening and Q&A with Cast and Producers- Debuting on NBC this fall, the highly anticipated series Heroes chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. Be the first to watch an exclusive 72-minute cut of the pilot episode, created specifically for Comic-Con. Join cast members Ali Larter (Final Destination), Greg Grunberg (Alias), Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls), Hayden Panettiere (Ice Princess), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Blind Guy Driving), and Masi Oka (Scrubs); creator/executive producer Tim Kring; executive producer Dennis Hammer; co-executive producer/comic book writer Jeph Loeb (Lost, Superman for All Seasons); and legendary comic book artist Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween) for a Q&A session. Room 6CDEF


12:45-2:15 Twentieth Century Fox Presents- Twentieth Century Fox returns to Comic-Con in a big way, with a sneak peek at some of the studio's most anticipated 2006 and 2007 releases. It's a program so epic it couldn't be contained in one hour! Get ready for some very special guests, exclusive footage, screening announcements, and eye-opening-if not jaw-dropping-surprises. Hall H

1:15-2:30 Comic Arts Conference Session #6: Visual Language- Neil Cohn (Meditations: 1999-2002) reveals the "secrets" of sequential art: the grammatical rules and visual "parts of speech" underlying comics' use of sequence. Zon Petilla (Cal State University-Fresno) asserts that there is a universal visual grammar operating in comics that can be used to teach language. Hal Shipman (Northwestern University) examines the contrast between the vocabulary and grammar of visual language in European and American comics, represented respectively by the adventure strips Tintin and Terry and the Pirates. Room 7B

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Phil Foglio- The fan-favorite creator of characters such as Buck Godot and Girl Genius is a Comic-Con special guest. Join Phil Foglio in this special spotlight event as he talks about his work and answers your questions. Phil is also the master of ceremonies of this year's Comic-Con Masquerade on Saturday night! Room 1B

1:30-2:30 J. Michael Straczynski on Writing- One of the most prolific writers in comics (and TV, and movies!) sits down for an intimate discussion on the craft of writing. J. Michael Straczynski is a Comic-Con special guest once again this year. Please note: this is a classroom style setting and seating is extremely limited and available on a first come, first served basis. We do NOT clear the room between events. Room 3

2:00-3:00 SCI FI: Battlestar Galactica- "The #1 television show of 2005"-Time magazine. "One of the most original and provocative programs on television"-New York Times. "The toughest, smartest show on television"-Rolling Stone. "A wildly intense gem . . . riveting . . . not to be missed"-TV Guide. If you're not watching it, you should be. See what the buzz is all about. Be sure to stop by the SCI FI booth for a chance to win the ultimate BSG prize packet! Panelists include stars Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama), Mary McDonnell (Laura Roslin), James Callis (President Gaius Baltar), and Lucy Lawless (D'Anna Biers), plus executive producers David Eick and Ronald D. Moore and SCI FI VP for original programming Erik Storey. Moderated by Lisa Chambers, features director, TV Guide. Room 20

2:30-3:30 Paramount Pictures- Paramount Pictures is proud to present an early look at footage from the upcoming fantasy adventure film Stardust from director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura (Constantine, Four Brothers and the upcoming Transformers). After captivating audiences in both novel and graphic novel formats, Neil Gaiman's Stardust makes its big-screen adaptation debut next March starring Claire Danes, Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, and Charlie Cox. Neil Gaiman (The Eternals and co-writer with Roger Avery of the screenplay for the upcoming Beowulf), illustrator Charles Vess, co-screenwriter (with director Vaughn) Jane Goldman, and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura will discuss the film, which is currently in production. (Credits not contractual.) Hall H


4:00-5:00 D.O.A.: Dead or Alive- Jaime Pressly (My Name Is Earl), Holly Valance (Prison Break and international music sensation), Sarah Carter (new CBS show, Shark), and Natassia Malthe (Elektra) star in this new movie from Dimension Films, based on the hit video game series, D.O.A. Join the stars and some special guests for the premiere of exclusive footage from the new movie and a Q&A with the sizzling hot cast. Room 6CDEF

4:30-5:30 Webcomics 102: Finding Your Audience- When will your genius get the adulation it deserves? Bill Barnes (Unshelved) asks fellow web cartoonists Jerry "Tycho" Holkins and Mike "Gabe" Krahulik (Penny Arcade), Scott Kurtz (PvP), R. Stevens (Diesel Sweeties), and Kristofer Straub (Starslip Crisis) how they attract crowds online. Room 1B


5:45-7:00 New Line Cinema Presents Snakes on a Plane- Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the fright. New Line Cinema will show exclusive footage from Snakes on a Plane. Samuel L. Jackson makes his first San Diego Comic-Con appearance, along with director David R. Ellis, to discuss his new film! And, watch out-snake wrangler Jules Sylvester will also be on hand with live snakes from the movie. Also included in the presentation will be a special preview of New Line Cinema's upcoming The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning, while Final Destination 3 director James Wong and star Ryan Merriman demonstrate the unique "Change-Their-Fate" interactive feature on the upcoming DVD, available from New Line Home Entertainment on July 25. Hall H

6:00-7:00 Keenspot 2006: Spotlight on Awesomeness- The world-renowned Internet powerhouse that makes webcomics history with every new pixel returns to Comic-Con for its 6th annual panel discussion! Keenspot creators who may very well appear (assuming no cool Star Trek panels overlap with this one) include Dan Shive (El Goonish Shive), Jennie Breeden (The Devil's Panties), Aeire (Queen of Wands), R. Smith (Funny Farm), and Darren Bleuel (Nukees). The panei will be moderated by Keencast hosts Chris Daily (Striptease) and John Troutman (Flint Again), who will be podcasting this panel. Hear Keenspot's late-breaking big announcements and preview their newest comics and animation projects before anyone else! Free Keenspot giveaways for everyone who attends. Room 9


8:30-11:30 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards- The 18th annual Eisner Awards, the "Oscars" of the comics industry, will be given out by celebrity presenters, along with such other prestigious awards as the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award and the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award. This year's master of ceremonies is Bongo Comics' Bill Morrison. Admission to the Eisners is free to all Comic-Con attendees-just be sure to bring your badge. Doors open for pros and VIPs at 7:30 and for attendees at 8:15. Room 20

9:00-10:00 Worst Cartoons Ever- Animation historian Jerry Beck (Cartoon Brew.com) presents an all-new, all-hilariously bad collection of the worst animated cartoons ever made. This program, now in it's fourth year is quickly becoming a must-see convention favorite! New episodes of Mighty Mr. Titan (the limited-animation physical fitness guru), Johnny Cypher in Dimension Zero (a spaced-out space cadet), and Super President (a one-man weapon of mass destruction) will be joined by new, equally horrendous examples of bad animation art-all real, all unbelievable, all crap-tacular! Room 6CDEF


10:00-12:00 Spike & Mike Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation- Vote via applause for your favorite short animations! Spike, animators, and celebrities will be in attendance and to introduce the show. Can you survive the gauntlet? Send Spike & Mike your films to be considered for next year's festival!! There will be an encore presentation of HTF TV to close out the Spike & Mike Sick and Twisted Film Festival screening! Come join the fun and get your photo taken with the 7-foot tall Cuddles mascot! Room 6CDEF


Saturday:

11:30-12:30 Greg the Bunny- Greg the Bunny is an adult-themed puppet show that began on New York public access and has since had life as a series on IFC and a Fox sitcom. IFC and Shout Factory are releasing the Greg The Bunny: The Best of the Film Parodies DVD in October. Creators Sean Baker, Spencer Chinoy, and Dan Milano bring their puppet pals along for a Q&A session and an appearance by friend and collaborator Seth Green (Robot Chicken). Room 6CDEF

11:30-12:30 Top Cow: Freshmen- Top Cow president/COO Matt Hawkins, the Freshmen crew with Seth Green (Robot Chicken, Austin Powers) and Hugh Sterbakov, and the rest of the herd will showcase next year's big launches and projects! Room 8

(hm, Seth Green scheduled in two separate rooms at the same time... does anybody even check these things?)

11:45-12:45 Grind House- Rose McGowan (Charmed), Marley Shelton (Sin City), Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under), Michael Biehn (Aliens), and Jeff Fahey (Dark Hunters) star in Grind House, the new double feature from Dimension Films, directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, hitting theatres in April 2007. Join filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and members of the cast for a quick trip to Rodriguez's "Planet Terror," and be the first to hear exclusive news about what to expect once Tarantino's "Deathproof" cameras start rolling. Hall H

12:00-1:30 Masters of Alternative Comics- The brothers who helped start the alternative comics movement with Love and Rockets, Gilbert Hernandez (Sloth) and Jaime Hernandez (Locas), are joined by other contemporary masters of the genre: Ivan Brunetti (Schizo), Mary Fleener (Life of the Party), Roger Langridge (Fred the Clown), and Souther Salazar (Kramer's Ergot). Meet all six as they show their best work, detail their influences, and engage in lively discussion with author Michael Dooley (The Education of a Comics Artist). Room 2

12:30-1:30 Flight: A New Kind of Comics Anthology- The critically acclaimed Flight anthology has begun paving the way for a new vision in comics. Flight artists Kazu Kibuishi (Daisy Kutter), Phil Craven, Kean Soo (Jellaby), Jeff Smith (Bone), Steve Hamaker, and special guest Scott McCloud (Understanding Comics, Making Comics) talk about creating comics for a new generation of readers and artists. Room 9

1:00-2:30 Kevin Smith- The moment is here. Kevin Smith's Clerks 2 is in theaters now, and the man, the myth, the legend behind it is here at Comic-Con to talk about the making of the film and whatever else he damn well pleases. Hall H

2:00-3:00 Terry Moore- Meet the creator behind Strangers in Paradise at this one-man panel where Terry Moore promises to dish the dirt and reveal all the shocking secrets behind the scenes at SiP. Find out why a romance comic can enthrall the comics industry for 13 years and what Terry plans to do when the series ends next May. Room 1B

3:30-4:30 A Marvel Studios Production: The Future of Marvel's Film Franchises- The next great era of comic book films begins as Marvel Studios launches its new slate. The studio is currently developing many of its landmark titles for adaptation to the screen, including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Nick Fury, and Ant-Man. At this presentation, the directors of Iron Man (Jon Favreau), The Incredible Hulk, and Ant-Man (Edgar Wright) will share their visions for these highly anticipated films. Producers Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, and Ari Arad will join the panel and be on hand to answer questions from the audience. Moderated by Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter. Room 6CDEF

4:00-5:00 How to Make Compelling Web Comics- Lee Marrs (Pudge, Girl Blimp, Indiana Jones) will present the most direct methods and pitfalls of creating both webcomics and interactive hypercomics, with demonstrations and examples. The direct-from-the-trenches "Marrs Hypercomics Recipe" will be shared by this Inkpot Award winner and Emmy Award-winning TV art director. Room 3

4:30-5:30 Veronica Mars- Series creator and executive producer Rob Thomas (Drive Me Crazy, Cupid) and cast members Kristen Bell (the upcoming movie Pulse, Showtime's Reefer Madness), Jason Dohring (Deep Impact), Francis Capra (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Ryan Hansen (Death by Engagement), Michael Muhney (upcoming Lovers, Liars & Lunatics), and Enrico Colantoni (Galaxy Quest) have brought to life some of the most memorable noir characters on network television today. Join Veronica and the rest of Neptune's residents for a Q&A session about the San Diego-filmed series moderated by tvguide.com's Daniel Manu. Room 20

5:00-6:00 The 2nd Annual Fanboy Radio Panel- "The Voice of Comics" returns to San Diego with an even bigger, better panel than last year! Host of the comic book radio talk show Oliver Tull will moderate "A Civil Conversation" with panelists Scott Hinze (other host of FbR) and guests including Joe Quesada (editor-in-chief, Marvel Comics), Heidi MacDonald (comics blogger of The Beat), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Marvel Team Up), David Hopkins (Emily Edison), Scott Kurtz (PvP) and more! Join the rambunctious hour filled with special announcements, prizes, and tons of fun! Room 4

5:00-6:30 Sony Presents- Sony Pictures proudly presents a pair of Marvels: The classic Marvel comic Ghost Rider comes to the big screen with Academy Award-winning Nicolas Cage playing Johnny Blaze. Appearing in person to answer your questions and show some previews will be the film's stars Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes and director Mark Steven Johnson. Oh, and did we mention Spidey 3? Come find out why we don't have to say anything else . . . besides Sam Raimi! Hall H

6:00-7:00 Webcomics 103: Making Money- Can you really make a living posting comics to the web? Bill Barnes (Unshelved) leads fellow webcomic businessfolk Robert Khoo (Penny Arcade), Howard Tayler (Schlock Mercenary), Phillip Karlsson (Dumbrella Hosting), and Jennie Breeden (The Devil's Panties) in a discussion on how they turn bits into bucks. Room 3

7:00-10:00 CBLDF Free Speech Benefit Auction- This is the big one! The CBLDF holds its biggest auction of the year at Comic-Con, and this year offers some amazing one-of-a-kind items to raise money for free speech! Primo items include original art by Jim Lee, Will Eisner, Matt Wagner, Neil Gaiman, Jaime Hernandez, Amanda Conner, Terry Moore, Mark Brooks, and many more. Plus a mind-blowing array of rare signed items, including scripts by Garth Ennis, JMS, and Alan Moore, plus scarce comics and books. Support the Fund's current casework in Georgia, and help them shore up reserves to protect comics' First Amendment rights against any threat on the horizon. Preview: 7:00; auction: 7:30. Room 8

8:00-10:00 CCI:IFF Extra: Done the Impossible: The Fans' Tale of Firefly and Serenity- Adam Baldwin hosts the telling of this vivid Browncoat story that features interviews with Joss Whedon, creator of Firefly and Serenity, the cast, crew, and most important, the fans themselves. Join filmmakers Brian Wiser and Jeremy Neish for a Q&A after the film! Room 6B

8:30-1:30 Masquerade Party- Party under the sails and watch the Masquerade on the big screen! Dancing starts after 10:00 PM. Sails Pavilion

9:00-11:00 The Animation Show featuring Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt (first screening)- Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head, Office Space, King of the Hill) and Don Hertzfeldt (Rejected, Billy's Balloon) have picked their favorite animated shorts from previous Animation Show tours with a sneak peak of the new upcoming theatrical program. Mike and Don will be on hand with special guests for a Q&A and big announcements regarding the new tour! (first screening) Room 6CDEF

11:00-1:00 The Animation Show featuring Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt (second screening)- Mike Judge (Beavis and Butt-Head, Office Space, King of the Hill) and Don Hertzfeldt (Rejected, Billy's Balloon) have picked their favorite animated shorts from previous Animation Show tours with a sneak peak of the new upcoming theatrical program. Mike and Don will be on hand with special guests for a Q&A and big announcements regarding the new tour! (second screening) Room 6CDEF

Sunday:

10:30-11:30 The Tick: Belated Tenth Anniversary- Never before released on DVD, the animated series' creative forces, including Benjamin Edlund (creator), Townsend Coleman (voice of the Tick), Randolph Heard and Chris McCulloch (writers), and Bob Polio (comic book letterer) discuss the cult classic that will finally debut on August 29. Join them for a discussion and Q&A session. Room 6CDEF

10:30-11:30 History of Webcomics- Join writer T Campbell (Penny and Aggie, Fans, Rip and Teri) and some possible surprise guests to discuss 13 years of online comics, the challenges, conflicts and controversies of chronicling them, and where the project goes from here. Room 9


11:30-1:00 Comics Podcasting- Meet the faces behind the names of some of the web's most popular comic book podcasts. Find out what it takes to do a podcast and why they do it. Moderated by comics writer B. Clay Moore (Battle Hymn, Hawaiian Dick), the panel will feature podcasters Josh Flanagan (iFanboy.com), Bryan Deemer (Comic Geek Speak), Scott Hinze (Fanboy Radio), Lene Taylor (I Read Comics), Joe Gonzalez (Comic News Insider), John Siuntres (Word Balloon), Chris Marshall (Collected Comics Library), Charly La Greca (Indie Spinner Rack), Jose Brito (Los Comic Geekos), and Augie de Blieck Jr. (Comic Book Resources Pipeline). Room 8

12:00-1:00 Emily the Strange- What's black and red and strange all over? Emily the Strange comics! Join the creators of the underground icon for this fun, freeform panel discussion about the world's most beloved 13-year-old weirdo, and get the inside scoop on the upcoming comic book issues, the first trade paperback collection, upcoming celebrity interviews, and whatever else you can dream of asking. Plus trivia, tall tales, and lots of rockin' Emily door prizes! A panel not to be missed, unless you are too square to know better. Room 2

3:30-4:30 Breaking into Sci-fi Writing- In a relaxed writing workshop format, veteran and rising star science fiction authors tell you their secrets on how to kick in the door of the publishing industry. Panelists include Elisa Kassin (co-editor, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and Dayton Ward (Vanguard: Summon the Thunder), Paul Tseng, Cathy Pike, Frederick Kim, Geoff Thorne, andDavid Schibi. Moderated by Dr. Joseph D. Di Lella (author of Tao of Trek, Eastern New Mexico University). Room 1B