It’s finally here! After all your planning, scheduling, and prepping, San Diego Comic-Con is back for another year, and we have our highlights for all five (we’re obviously counting preview night) days of the convention weekend! So get the comfy shoes, the graphic tees, and the sunscreen ready for the weekend as we list out our top picks for SDCC 2019!
Of course, beyond the convention room floor and the ballrooms, there are off-site activations that have become more and more popular. These activations can range from a simple photo opportunity to a full blown obstacle course in the dark with night vision goggles on!
WEDNESDAY
World Premiere Screenings of Batwoman and Pilot Screening of New Series Pennyworth Plus Special Sneak Peek Screening of The 100 and Rooster Teeth
6:00pm – 10:00pm @ Ballroom 20
Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue their annual Preview Night tradition with the exclusive world premiere screening of new series Batwoman and a pilot screening of new series Pennyworth as well as a sneak peek of fan favorite The 100, Rooster Teeth, and more.
THURSDAY
Gamifying Technology: The Future of Gaming
11:45am – 12:45pm @ Room 6BCF
We are at a unique moment in history where technology is finally catching up to our imagination and creative ambitions–voice, sound, touch, augmented reality, virtual reality, the Internet of Things and beyond. The next generation of gaming technology will allow completely new kinds of experiences for players. Join the Godfather of Video Games Nolan Bushnell (Atari, X2 Games) and Hollywood creative director and 3D visionary behind the J.A.R.V.I.S. system holograms in Marvel’s Iron Man Zai Ortiz (Dark Matter, X2 Games) alongside connected play innovator and analyst Valerie Vacante (Collabsco) in a discussion on gamifying technology and designing the future of gaming. Learn how Nolan and Zai co-created their first game together, St. Noire, the world’s first murder mystery game powered by Alexa, fusing cinematic sound and Hollywood-level voice acting. Hear perspectives on pioneering the video game industry, bridging artistic storytelling with technical innovations, and take a glimpse into the near future of gaming.
A Song of Ice and Fire: Game of Thrones Fan Discussion
12:00pm – 1:00pm @ Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Ashley Mitruk (A Podcast of Ice and Fire, Bastards of Kingsgrave podcast), Tara Lynne (The Geekiary, Ice & Fire Con), Chloe Ketchum (Girls Gone Canon, Ice & Fire Con), and Amin Javadi (A Podcast of Ice and Fire, Bastards of Kingsgrave podcast) discuss fan theories, compare the books to the television show, and take part in a general Q&A.
Entertainment Is LGBTQ
12:00pm – 1:00pm @ Room 28DE
BOOM! Studios and GLAAD present an in-depth roundtable discussion about LGBTQ representation in pop culture and the path forward to a brighter, more inclusive future, with panelists from all corners of the entertainment world, including Lilah Sturges (The Magicians: Alice’s Story,Lumberjanes), actor/comedian Zachary Barack (Spider-Man: Far From Home), Sina Grace(Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers,Ghosted in LA), artist Noah Hayes (The Avant-Guards), Megan Townsend (director of entertainment research and analysis, GLAAD), and more. Moderated by Joshua Yehl (senior features and news editor, IGN).
Netflix’s New Hit YA Fantasy Series, The Order
12:30pm – 1:30pm @ Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront
Meet the cast of Netflix’s The Order at their first ever Comic-Con appearance. Featuring Jake Manley, Sarah Grey, Adam DiMarco, Devery Jacobs, Thomas Elms, Katharine Isabelle, Louriza Tronco, creator/showrunner Dennis Heaton,writer/EP Shelley Eriksen, and executive producers Chad Oakes and Michael Frislev. They’ll premiere a sizzle reel with never-before-seen footage.
Evil Exclusive Screening and Panel
12:45pm – 2:00pm @ Ballroom 20
Evil is a psychological mystery that examines the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion. The series focuses on a skeptical female psychologist who joins a priest-in-training and a carpenter as they investigate the Church’s backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions, and hauntings. Their job is to assess if there’s a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work. Please join series stars Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, and Michael Emerson, along with co-creators and executive producers Robert King and Michelle King for an exclusive sneak peek of the first episode followed by a panel discussion. Moderated by Lynette Rice from Entertainment Weekly. Evil will air Thursdays this fall on CBS.
From Mexico to the USA, a Bridge One Comic at a Time
1:00pm – 2:00pm @ Artists’ Loft, BarrioHaus
Joel Ojeda Lopez (The Death of Superman part one), Adalisa Zarate (Building Blocks), Adriana Rodriguez Leon (Studio XIII), Fers Sanchez (SoulKeepers), and Oscar Seal (coordinator, Draw Break) talk about the challenges and rewards of working with American editors and artists and how comics and animation create bonds between both countries. Moderated by Sebastian Fink.
Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks in Conversation
1:00pm – 2:00pm @ Room 28DE
Rainbow Rowell (Eleanor & Park,Fangirl,Carry On) is a New York Timesbestselling author with the highly anticipated Wayward Son coming this fall. Faith Erin Hicks (The Nameless City, Friends with Boys) is an Eisner Award–winning graphic novelist. They are fans of each others’ work and now collaborators! Pumpkinheads comes out from Rainbow and Faith this August. It’s a tender and hilarious romantic comedy set in a pumpkin patch, and it’s Rainbow’s first original graphic novel. Hear these two in conversation prior to the release.
State of the Tabletop Industry
1:00pm – 2:00pm @ Santa Rosa Room, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Tony Serebriany, Justin Gary, Scott Gaeta, Elisa Teague, and Satine Phoenix, working in different roles in publishing, design, and media in the tabletop industry discuss growing trends, the changing market landscape, and how Kickstarter, Twitch, and social media are changing the shape of the industry.
Gnomes, Gunslingers, and Gelatinous Cubes: A Super-Fun Guide to Dungeons & Dragons and Tabletop RPGs
2:00pm – 3:00pm @ Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Welcome to a new edition of this popular panel series on everything to do with the wonderful world of Dungeons & Dragons and Tabletop RPGs. Both new and veteran players will be right at home as the panelists provide tips on roleplaying great characters, finding the right game for your playstyle, and making sure players and GMs are working together to create a fun gameplay experience. Plus, tips on the coolest RPGs to check out! Moderated by Jeff Burns (Super Geeked Up,Super Knocked Up) and featuring Omar Najam (co-host on El Rey Nation, Thank You For Questing!), Malika Lim Eubank (CEO of Hyper Rabbit Power Go), Stacy Dellorfano (founder of The ConTessa Foundation), Chris Czerniak (organizer of The San Diego Roleplaying Association, co-organizer of RPG’s at Kingdom-Con), and Trip Hope (actor/producer – The League of S.T.E.A.M.,The Human Race). And don’t miss the opportunity to play RPGs with the panelists! They’ll be running a gameplay session immediately after the panel in Pacific Ballroom 21 of the Marriott Marquis and another session on Saturday night at 8:00 in the same room. Join the adventure!
Nancy Drew Exclusive Screening and Panel
2:00pm – 3:15pm @ Ballroom 20
Nancy Drew is a brilliant teenaged detective whose sense of self has come from solving mysteries in her hometown of Horseshoe Bay, Maine—until her mother’s untimely death derails Nancy’s college plans. Devastated by her mother’s passing, Nancy swears off crime solving, but when a socialite is murdered, Nancy finds herself embroiled in a ghostly murder investigation. A supernatural presence begins to haunt Nancy’s investigation, and she discovers that the current crime has an astonishing connection to the unsolved murder of a local girl. Whether the ghost is here to help or hinder Nancy remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Nancy’s going to have to unravel the clues from both the living and the dead to solve the crimes. Join series stars Kennedy McMann, Leah Lewis, Maddison Jaizani, Alex Saxon, and Tunji Kasim, along with executive producers Noga Landau, Melinda Hsu-Taylor, and Stephanie Savage for an exclusive sneak peek of the first episode followed by a panel discussion. Moderated by Damian Holbrook of TV Guide Magazine. Nancy Drew will air Wednesdays this fall on The CW.
The Business of Podcasting
2:00pm – 3:00pm @ Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library
Okay, you have a great idea for a podcast. Now what? This panel brings together podcasters, sound engineers, and podcast advertising professionals to explain how to take your podcast from initial launch to monetization. They’ll explore issues like choosing the right recording equipment and software, building an audience through social media, and getting advertising on your show. Bring your questions! Featuring Gary Kelly (creator, Murder We Wrote), Lindsay Piper Shaw (senior marketing consultant, Right Side Up; co-creator, Murder We Wrote), Devon Handy (creator, Hellbent), Abe Gomez (sound engineer, As Yet Untitled), and Keefe Kaupanger-Swacker (sound engineer, Bell Sound Studios).
D&D: All Bards
3:00pm – 4:00pm @ Horton Grand Theatre
Comic-Con special guest Sam Sykes (Seven Blades in Black) will DM a bunch of authors playing an hour-long D&D session where everyone is a Bard and combat isn’t allowed. The bold adventurers include Chuck Wendig (Wanderers), Paul Krueger (Steel Crow Saga), Pierce Brown (Dark Age), E. K. Johnston (Star Wars: Queen’s Shadow), and Jim Zub (Monsters & Creatures; Warriors & Weapons).
Skybound: In Conversation with Robert Kirkman
3:00pm – 4:00pm @ Room 6A
Comic book creator, writer, and executive producer Robert Kirkman answers questions from fans and discusses his latest projects, including The Walking Dead, Invincible, Oblivion Song, and more.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
3:30pm – 4:30pm @ Hall H
The cast and producers of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. take over Hall H for the first time ever! Be the first to hear the scoop about the show-stopping conclusion for season 6 and what awaits in season 7 of Marvel’s flagship television show. With your favorite stars in attendance, including Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker, Henry Simmons, Natalia Cordova-Buckley, and Jeff Ward, along with executive producers Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon, Jeff Bell, and Jeph Loeb, this is a must-see panel to celebrate seven seasons with the world’s greatest fans! This action-packed series from Marvel Television and ABC Studios airs Fridays at 8/7c on ABC.
Stumptown
4:15pm – 5:15pm @ Indigo Ballroom
Based on the Stumptown graphic novel, ABC’s new drama series follows Dex Parios (Cobie Smulders), a strong, assertive, and sharp-witted Army veteran with a complicated love life, a gambling debt, and a brother to take care of in Portland, Oregon. Her military intelligence skills make her a great P.I., but her unapologetic style puts her in the firing line of hardcore criminals and not quite in alliance with the police. Panel participants include cast members Cobie Smulders, Jake Johnson, Michael Ealy, Camryn Manheim, Tantoo Cardinal, Cole Sibus, andAdrian Martinez, with executive producer Jason Richman and Stumptowngraphic novel author Greg Rucka.
Superstore
5:30pm – 6:30pm @ Indigo Ballroom
Attention, Cloud 9 shoppers! Universal Television brings NBC’s hit workplace comedy Superstore to Comic-Con 2019. From the bright-eyed newbies and the seen-it-all veterans to the clueless seasonal hires, together the employees tackle the day-to-day grind of rabid bargain hunters and riot-causing sales, as well as the varied complex issues facing the American working class today. Join your fellow Cloud 9 employees for a Q&A session with the cast and producers: America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Ben Feldman (Mad Men), Mark McKinney(Saturday Night Live), Lauren Ash (Super Fun Night), Colton Dunn (Parks and Recreation), Nico Santos (Crazy Rich Asians), Nichole Bloom (Shameless), Kaliko Kauahi (Raven’s Home), and executive producers Justin Spitzer (The Office), Gabe Miller (The Office, The Mindy Project), and Jonathan Green (The Office, The Mindy Project).
The d20 Dames: Building Inclusive Gaming Adventures for All
7:00pm – 8:00pm @ Room 32AB
Are you ready to move past the pre-gen table top adventures and build a nightmare landscape (or delicious pie-scape) for your friends? These panelists are here to help! Build an adventure with live-play D&D podcast d20 Dames Jen Vaughn and Kat Kruger, plus some mysterious guest NPCs. They’ve written a little bit of everything from D&D adventures to YA novels to comic series. They’ll cover some of the basics on what makes a great RPG/D&D campaign in addition to highlighting some of their favorites from this past year.
The Storyteller’s Guide with Satine Phoenix
8:00pm – 9:00pm @ Room 32AB
Moderator Satine Phoenix and dungeonmasters Travis McElroy (Adventure Zone) and Kailey Bray (Damsels, Dice and Everything Nice) will create a fantasy adventure before your eyes using storytelling and improv techniques.
English