Welcome to the first day of Seattle’s Emerald City Comic Con! Doors open at 2pm this fine Thursday to kick off the four day convention. Thursday is a light day, and a great one to get oriented to the convention center and figure out where the rest of the weekend events are going to be. It is also going to be a great chance to check out the talent hanging out in Artist’s Alley, as well as all the vendors coming to sell awesome swag in the dealer hall. Whatever you’re doing this Thursday, be sure to consider the following great events that are our top picks for opening day.
Harry Potter Fan Meetup 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM @ Room T205
Welcome to the Harry Potter meetup! Come with your friends and make new ones as you talk about the Harry Potter books, films, and the upcoming play.
Getting into Comics and Staying There 3:00 PM –4:00 PM @ Room T305
Come hang out with Matt Gagnon (BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief) as he discusses the origin stories of editors, creators, and the behind-the-scenes professionals he works with to make the comics you enjoy. This is a great “Breaking into Comics” panel.
The Official Aspen Comics Panel 2016 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM @ Room T301
Aspen Comics staff and creators detail the publisher’s massive Fathom and Soulfire crossover event. They will also be revealing upcoming titles, offering sneak peeks, and will hold a special Q&A with fans.
DC Entertainment – All Access 4:15 PM — 5:15 PM @ Room T303
Come hang out with DC Entertainment as they go behind the scenes and offer an in-depth look at some of the most exciting stories ever told across DC Comics, Vertigo, and MAD!. Come and join a tutorial on the essential stories, videos, and products from DC Entertainment.
Comic Book Women Present: You Made a Comic – Now Sell it! 4:15 PM — 5:15 PM @ Room T305
Join a number of lady creators who want to share their wisdom on marketing creator-owner properties in this hour long panel! Absorb the girl power as they discuss things from crowd-funding to conventions and come away with a lost of dos and don’ts regarding how to get your content into the hands of fans.
Using Tumblr to Sell your Idea 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM @ Room T304
Social media plays a huge part in creating and marketing comics and other created content. Come hang out with a number of Tumblr pros and friendly Tumblr staff with tips and tricks on using the site to sell your ideas.
Steve Lieber Presents Pro Tips: Lessons in Making Comics Learned the Hard Way 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM @ Room T302
If you have any interest in creating your own comic, then this is definitely the panel for you. Steve Lieber (Superior Foes of Spider-Man) shares about the art, craft, and business of comics. After 25+ years in the field, he’s definitely someone who has a brain worth picking.
BOOM! Studios: Discover New Worlds 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM @ Room T303
Join a number of professionals, as well as the BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief as they discuss their work in the world of comics, and what is to come. Get some great information on the future of the industry and maybe come away with some tips for your own projects.
How to Run an Anthology and Not Screw it Up 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM @ Room T305
Putting together a project like an anthology takes a lot of work and organization. Anthologies require a number of different writers, artists, and other talent in order to create something successful.
Image Comics: Where Creators Own Style 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM @ Room T304
Join a number of Image comic producers as they discuss how to create comics, and what goes into their creations. Now is the time to pick the brains of experts who have been through the journey of producing creator owned comics.
Not interested in any of the panels? That’s alright. The first day of the convention is usually pretty light in terms of panels. That means it is a good time to check out the dealer floor and gather your bearings. A number of people are probably going to be coming after work, so let Thursday be a low pressure day for everyone.
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