Saturday at Comic-Con 2009 is truly packed with so much in the way of panels, programs, presentations and more, it’s going to be hard to get in time on that massive convention floor. Here are some highlights, with Uncle D Picks noted.

10:00-11:00: Writers’ Guild Panel: PG-13 Animation — Is animation growing up, or is a PG-13 rating just an excuse for cartoon writers to use bad words and graphically kill off their characters? Alan Burnett (Green Lantern: First Flight), Matt Wayne (Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms), Michael Jelenic (Wonder Woman), Charles Horn (Robot Chicken), Paul Dini (Return of the Joker), Greg Johnson (The Ultimate Avengers, The Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange), and Stan Berkowitz (Justice League: New Frontier, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) will answer this as well as other, more serious questions about this new genre (if you don’t count 1972’s Fritz the Cat). Expect these writers to announce lots of exciting new projects. Room 3

10:00-11:30: The Black Panel — By now, you must have heard about the massive amount of fun The Black Panel is! 2009’s panel will be the one that puts all others to shame. This year’s panel includes Ludacris, Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite), Kel Mitchell (Kenan & Kel, The Brash Brothers), Prodigal Sunn (The Wu Tang Clan), Reggie Hudlin (Black Panther animated series), Denys Cowan (Black Panther animated series) and, as always, some surprise guests! Moderated by Michael Davis. Room 5AB

*Uncle D Pick*
10:00-11:00: Marvel: “Hero Up” with The Super Hero Squad Show! — Marvel’s first action-comedy series is a manic, mind-blowing, all-ages romp through the Marvel Universe. Coming to Cartoon Network in September, the animated show is loaded with superstar voice talent. Several of the actors will preview their characters in a live performance: Tom Kenny (Spongebob) as Iron Man and MODOK, Charlie Adler (Cow and Chicken, Transformers features) as Dr. Doom, Steve Blum (Wolverine and the X-Men) as Wolverine, Grey DeLisle (Fairly Oddparents, Clone Wars) as Ms. Marvel, and Stan “The Man” Lee as The Mayor. Supervising producer Cort Lane (Iron Man: Armored Adventures), Matt Wayne (Justice League Unlimited), supervising director Mitch Schauer (Freakazoid, Angry Beavers), and executive producers Joe Quesada (Marvel editor-in-chief) and Eric Rollman (president, Marvel Animation) share series secrets, a world premiere clip and a preview of THQ’s epic Super Hero Squad video game. Followed by Q&A! Room 6BCF

10:00-11:00: IDW: Angel on the Rise — With L.A. back from Hell, what’s next for IDW’s Angel comics? Fans of the show and the tall, dark, and brooding fangster can find out who’s still fighting, who’s been eaten, and what sinister forces are still to come during this panel, featuring Juliet Landau (Angel writer/actress), Brian Lynch (Angel: After the Fall), Peter David (Fallen Angel), plus the reveal of the all-new monthly Angelwriter and more! Room 7AB

*Uncle D Pick*
10:00-11:00: Chuck Screening and Q&A — Chuck returns to Comic-Con! Executive producers and co-creators Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl) and Chris Fedak are joined by series stars Zachary Levi (upcoming Alvin and the Chipmunks), Yvonne Strahovski (upcoming I Love You Too), Joshua Gomez (Without a Trace), Ryan McPartlin (Super Capers), Mark Christopher Lawrence (The Pursuit of Happyness), Vik Sahay (This Is Wonderland) , Scott Krinsky (The O.C.), Sarah Lancaster (Everwood) , and Adam Baldwin (Serenity) for a Q&A to discuss season three and screen an exclusive retrospective highlight reel. Plus, don’t miss a special surprise from some of your favorite characters! Produced by College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Chuck airs Mondays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Ballroom 20

10:00-11:00: TwiFic FanGroup — AngstGoddess003 (Wide Awake), EZRocksAngel (Creature of Habit), tby789 (The Office), manyafandom (The Arrangement) and more of the most popular writers in Fan Fic discuss their stories, writing, and thoughts on canon. Join us for Q&A time with some of the best fan fiction writers out there! Room 24A

10:15-11:15: Eastwick Pilot Screening and Q&A — Be among the first to see the pilot of the highly anticipated series, Eastwick. Based on the John Updike novel and the hit film The Witches of Eastwick, this sexy and bold comedic drama centers on three young witches whose powers are awakened when a mysterious man moves to town. Be careful what you wish for — the perfect man truly may be the Devil! Series stars Rebecca Romijn (X-Men), Lindsay Price (Lipstick Jungle), Jaime Ray Newman (Veronica Mars), and Paul Gross (Due South) join creator/executive producer Maggie Friedman (Related) and director/executive producer David Nutter (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) to answer questions from the audience after this exclusive sneak peek. Produced by Warner Bros. Television, Eastwick airs Wednesdays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT this fall on the ABC Television Network. Room 6A

10:30-11:30: Nickelodeon: Are You Ready, Kids? Ten Years of Spongebob SquarePants! — Celebrate 10 years of happiness with the world’s most beloved sponge, along with executive producer Paul Tibbitt, creative director Vincent Waller (The Ren and Stimpy Show), and story editor Steven Banks (The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius). The cast, including the voice of SpongeBob himself, Tom Kenny, will perform a live table read of a classic fan-favorite from Season 1. Q&A with the cast and crew follows, and be among the first to watch the yet-to-air episode, “Greasy Buffoons.” Moderated by Claudia Spinelli, executive in charge for Nickelodeon. Room 6DE

11:00-12:00: Dark Horse: We Love Comics Too! — Join director of public relations Jeremy Atkins and senior managing editor Scott Allie, along with a cast of top creators, for an exclusive preview of all that Dark Horse has to offer in the coming year. This is the big one! Dark Horse breaks the mold with a format you’ve never seen! With breaking news on all of your favorite Dark Horse titles, major announcements and surprise guests, be the first to know about heroes, horror, and more! Room 2

11:00-12:00: Spirituality in Comics — Panelists discuss the influence of spiritual themes in comics and popular culture and the importance of spirituality to readers, creators, and the stories they tell. Moderated by Scott Shuford of the Christian Comic Arts Society, with panelists including Holly Golightly (School Bites), Buzz Dixon (Serenity, Goofyfoot Gurl), Leo Partible (Behind the Screen: Insiders on Faith), and others. Room 3

11:00-12:00: Dune — The legacy of legendary science-fiction author Frank Herbert lives on in the safe hands of his son, Brian Herbert, and co-author Kevin J. Anderson, both Comic-Con special guests this year. Brian and Kevin will talk about the ongoing series of novels and all things Dune: past, present, and future. Room 7AB

11:00-12:00: Lost: The Final Season Begins, with Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse — In appreciation of all the fan support through five seasons of Lost, co-creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Carlton Cuse will pay homage to all the fans at their final Comic-Con appearance for Lost. Questions will be answered. Fun will be had. And you won’t want to miss the surprises in store for the audience! Hall H

11:15-12:30: Quick Draw! — We say it each and every year, but it’s true: Quick Draw is the most fun panel you can visit at Comic-Con. Mark Evanier puts Sergio Aragonés, Scott Shaw!, and this year’s guest artist, Disney Legend Floyd Norman through their paces as they draw on the big screen. If you haven’t seen this amazing display of cartooning magic, this is the year for you. Join the fun! Room 6BCF

11:15-12:00: Family Guy — Seth MacFarlane and the brilliant creative minds behind Family Guy present a raucous discussion of what goes on behind the scenes of TV’s most subversive animated hit. They’ll also be offering a not-to-be-missed sneak peek at “Something, Something Dark Side,” the Empire Strikes Back parody follow-up to Star Wars: Blue Harvest. Giggity! Ballroom 20

11:30-12:30: The Stories of DC Universe Online, featuring Jim Lee and Marv Wolfman — Jim Lee (Batman: Hush) and Marv Wolfman (The New Teen Titans) have joined forces to help create DC Universe Online. Jim, Marv, and key members of the development team from Sony Online Entertainment talk about how storylines are being built into this upcoming online action game at every level. Room 5AB

*Uncle D Pick*
11:30-12:30: Marvel: Dark Reign — The Cabal has taken over the Marvel Universe and forever changed it. Now, Norman Osborn has his LIST and is taking everyone down who stands in his way. What lies on the horizon? Find out here, as the creators behind the madmen and women putting the Marvel Heroes through their paces answer your questions and let you in on what happens next! Joe Quesada, Rick Remender (Dark Reign: The List), Matt Fraction (Invincible Iron Man), Jason Aaron (Dark Reign: The List), Frank Tieri (Dark Reign: Made Men), Joe Casey (Dark Reign: Zodiac), Marvel editor Alejandro Arbona, and others shed some light on Dark Reign! Room 6A

11:30-12:30: Spotlight on Sheldon Moldoff — Golden and Silver Age comics great Sheldon “Shelly” Moldoff is once again a Comic-Con special guest! The prolific artist (Hawkman, Batman) talks with comic book writer/editor Mark Waid (Amazing Spider-Man, 52, editor-in-chief of BOOM! Studios) about Shelly’s long career in comics. Room 10

11:30-12:30: Activision/Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 — Marvel and Activision have a long history of bringing some of the world’s most popular and beloved comic book storylines to video games and their fans. That pedigree will continue with a number of Stan Lee’s famed Marvel characters inspired by Mark Millar’s Civil War storyline, brought to life in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Learn first-hand the various facets that go into transforming a comic book’s storyline into a captivating video game, including voice work, writing, development, and creativity, all the while evolving with the high-definition environment of the gaming world. Join Stan Lee, game voice-over actors Armin Shimerman and Fred Tatasciore, and members from Activision’s development studio, Vicarious Visions, to gain insight and a preview of the imagination, creative process and technology used to develop some of the most advanced superhero games ever. Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront

11:45-12:45: Ben 10 — It’s all about Ben 10 at this panel, featuring director Alex Winter and cast members from the upcoming live-action movie, Ben 10: Alien Swarm, coming this fall to Cartoon Network. Also appearing are Ben 10 Alien Force producer Glenn Murakami, story editor Dwayne McDuffie, and Yuri Lowenthal (voice of Ben). Make sure not to miss an exclusive look at what’s coming next with a sneak peek at Generator Rex and the first images from the upcoming series, Sym-Bionic Titan, by creator Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack, Dexter’s Laboratory). Room 6DE

12:00-1:00: Indiana Jones Fan Group Meeting: Indyfans and The Quest for Fortune and Glory — The Indyfans are back for their third year. Meet the documentary’s filmmakers and discuss all things Indy. Talk with special guests from within the world of Indy merchandise, and don’t miss out on giveaways and more! It’s time once again to keep up with the Joneses. Room 24A

12:15-1:15: Solomon Kane — From Robert E. Howard, the legendary creator of Conan and Red Sonja, comes Solomon Kane, the epic tale of a savage warrior in 16th Century England who seeks redemption by renouncing violence to live a life of purity, only to find himself challenged to pick up his sword once again to vanquish an evil so great it threatens the world. Anchored by a star-making performance from James Purefoy (Resident Evil, Rome, The Philanthropist), Solomon Kane is an action-packed, dark and intense story directed by Michael J. Bassett with a stellar supporting cast, including Pete Postlethwaite, Max Von Sydow, and Rachel Hurd Wood. Appearing in person are writer/director Michael J. Bassett and Solomon Kane himself, James Purefoy. Hall H

12:30-1:30: Hasbro: Marvel — Michelle Favaloro and Scott George (Hasbro Marketing), along with Joshua Lamb, Dave Vonner, Logan Lubera, and Dwight Stall (Hasbro Design), present the latest toys from the Spider-Man, Iron Man, Wolverine, Marvel Universe, and Super Hero Squad toy lines from 2009. Also, see a sneak peek into the 2010 line! Plus Q&A! Room 5AB

12:30-2:00: Cartoon Voices I — Another annual gathering of the cream of the voice acting business. Co-hosts Mark Evanier and Earl Kress bring you the vocal stylings of Laraine Newman (As Told by Ginger), Bill Farmer (Goofy), James Arnold Taylor (Johnny Test), TV legend Chuck McCann, and others. Room 6BCF

12:30-1:30: Sanctuary — Before Sanctuary returns for an all-new season, don’t miss your chance to go inside the action and behind the scenes. Join stars Amanda Tapping (Dr. Helen Magnus) and Robin Dunne (Dr. Will Zimmerman), as well as executive producers Martin Wood and Damian Kindler for an exclusive conversation about one of television’s most innovative shows. Moderated by Michael Logan, TV Guide. Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront

*Uncle D Pick*
12:45-2:00: DCU Editorial Presentation — Senior VP/executive editor DCU Dan DiDio, senior story editor — DCU Ian Sattler, and countless DCU talent are gathering for a discussion that’s not to be missed. Now that Blackest Night is upon us, what lies ahead for your favorite heroes? Got a question for your favorite DCU creator? Come on by! There’s no greater gathering of top-tier creative talent! Room 6A

1:00-2:00: Will Eisner’s New York — Did you know that New York City played a central role in much of Will Eisner’s writing and artwork? Learn about the life-long relationship between Will Eisner and New York City from Charles Kochman (executive editor, Abrams ComicArts), Paul Levitz (president & publisher, DC Comics), Diana Schutz (executive editor, Dark Horse Comics), Dennis Kitchen (Will Eisner’s publisher, agent, and long-time friend), and Carl Gropper (Will Eisner’s nephew and manager of Will Eisner Studios). Room 8

1:00-1:45: Futurama: Life or Death?! — Be a part of sci-fi history! Join executive producers Matt Groening and David X. Cohen, and stars Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, and Maurice LaMarche for high-stakes thrills as a top-ranking FOX executive decides live, on stage, whether Futurama will make yet another triumphant return or whether it is gone forever! The very fate of Futurama hangs in the balance! Paramedics will be standing by in case the intense excitement causes any panelists to collapse. Raucous celebration or abject despair to follow the news. Ballroom 20

1:30-2:30: Bram Stoker: The Joss Whedon of His Day? — Moderator Leslie Klinger (The New Annotated Dracula), an authority on the influence on generations of storytellers of Stoker’s work, discusses Stoker’s impact with panelists Dacre Stoker & Ian Holt (Dracula: The Un-Dead), Jeanne Stein (The Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles), Chris Marie Green (The Path of Razors), Tony Lee (From the Pages of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’: Harker), J. F. Lewis (Staked), and Steve Niles (30 Days of Night). Room 5AB

1:45-2:30: The Simpsons — Now entering its record-breaking 21st season on the air, The Simpsons is the longest-running series in the history of American television and a household name around the world. Get a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming up in the Simpsonverse, including never-before-seen highlights from the upcoming “Treehouse of Horror XX,” with a panel including Simpsons creator Matt Groening, showrunner Al Jean, executive producer Matt Selman, and supervising director Mike Anderson. Ballroom 20

2:00-3:00: Spotlight on Dennis Kitchen — Writer, cartoonist, publisher, agent, and comics historian Dennis Kitchen is a Comic-Con special guest, from his early days as a staple of the Underground (both as artist and publisher) to his current books (Harvey Kurtzman: The MAD Genius of Comics, Underground Comix) and his friendships with legends Kurtzman and Will Eisner. Kitchen has had a 40-year career that is a history of comics in and of itself, including his founding of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. And let’s not forget his cartooning prodigy daughter, Alexa Kitchen, who created her first published book when she was seven! Room 3

*Uncle D Pick*
2:00-3:00: Nickelodeon’s The Penguins of Madagascar: Making a Splash — Executive producers Mark McCorkle and Bob Schooley (Kim Possible), supervising producer Bret Haaland (Futurama), creative consultant and voice of Skipper Tom McGrath (Madagascar 1 & 2), and cast members John DiMaggio (Rico), Jeff Bennett (Kowalski), and Danny Jacobs (King Julien) preview a never-before-seen clip from an upcoming Penguins special and perform a table read from a new episode. Followed by Q&A as they discuss the process of bringing the popular Penguins from the big screen to their very own series. Moderated by Rich Magallanes, executive director for Nickelodeon. Room 7AB

2:15-3:15: Warehouse 13 — This summer, the unknown has an address in the new Syfy Original Series, Warehouse 13. Stars Eddie McClintock (Pete Lattimer), Joanne Kelly (Myka Bering), Saul Rubinek (Artie Nielsen), Allison Scagliotti (Claudia Donovan), Jack Kenny (executive producer/showrunner) and David Simkins (executive producer) reveal confidential information. Room 6A

*Uncle D Prime Pick*

2:15-3:15: DC: Green Lantern: Blackest Night — The dead are rising in the DCU — who will survive when the Blank Lantern Corps attacks? This is your only chance to hear what’s coming up in Blackest Night, the most anticipated comic event of the year! Featuring all the key figures behind the biggest, coolest threat to the DCU in years!  Hosted by group editor Eddie Berganza with Geoff Johns (Green Lantern), Pat Gleason (Green Lantern Corps), and others! Room 6BCF

2:30-3:30: Using Comics in the Classroom — Calling all teachers, school librarians, all-ages publishers and kid-friendly cartoonists! Help cultivate the next generation of comic readers with a practical guide on the hows and whys of using comics in the classroom, courtesy of this panel of Certified Awesome experts. Teachers will learn how to win over skeptical administrators, integrate comics into the curriculum, and find the best books for their students, while publishers will be given strategies for getting their titles into this burgeoning new market. Panelists include Jimmy Gownley, Peter Gutierrez, Gina Gagliano, and David Serchay, with moderator Josh Elder. Room 4

2:30-3:30: Spotlight on June Foray — She’s the first lady of cartoon voices! Comic-Con special guest June Foray, known for her memorable work with a certain moose and squirrel (Bullwinkle and Rocky, the Flying Squirrel, that is), returns to Comic-Con for the 40th show. Mark Evanier and Earl Kress interview June about her career as a voice actress, author, and Hollywood legend. Room 5AB

2:30-3:30: BOOM!: Farscape Comics — BOOM! Studios’ best-selling, sold-out Farscape line of comics are the surprise hit of 2009! Farscape creator and comics writer Rockne O’Bannon and writer Keith R. A. DeCandido offer for an intensive discussion about the past, present, and future of this enduring sci-fi franchise. If you are a ’scaper, don’t miss this panel. Big announcements will be made! Room 10

2:45-3:45: V Pilot Screening and Q&A — Already one of the most talked-about new series of the upcoming television season, catch a special screening of the pilot episode of V, a re-imagining of the groundbreaking miniseries, followed by a Q&A with stars Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), Morris Chestnut (The Cave), Joel Gretsch (The 4400), Morena Baccarin (Firefly), and Scott Wolf (Go), along with executive producers Scott Peters (The 4400), Jeffrey Bell (Alias), Steve Pearlman (Related) and Jace Hall (Chadam). From HDFilms in association with Warner Bros. Television, V will premiere midseason on the ABC Television Network. Ballroom 20

2:45-3:45: Sony Pictures: Zombieland and 2012 — Sony Pictures previews two exciting new movies at Comic-Con!

Zombieland — What if the zombies won? Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) doesn’t have fears. If he did, he’d kick their ever-living asses. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved survivors. But now they’re about to stare down the most terrifying prospect of all: each other. Zombieland is also starring Emma Stone and Abigal Breslin as two sisters who seem to constantly cause even more trouble for our erstwhile heroes. Appearing on stage: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and director Ruben Fleischer.

2012 — Director Roland Emmerich has tried to destroy civilization before, but nothing you’ve seen will prepare you for what he has in store for the world in 2012. Never before has a date in history been so significant to so many cultures, so many religions, scientists, and governments. 2012 is an epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors. Roland will be onstage to reassure all it’s make-believe…we hope.

3:00-4:00: Spotlight on Doug Moench — The prolific comics writer, Doug Moench (Moon Knight, Batman, Master of Kung Fu), is a Comic-Con special guest. Doug talks to famed writer/editor Len Wein about his career in comics and beyond. Room 3

3:00-4:00: Marv Wolfman Writing Seminar — Comics writer and editor Marv Wolfman has been conducting his acclaimed writing seminar at Comic-Con International, as well as across the world, for many years. He’ll discuss how to create characters, stories, plots and much more. You need to attend if you are interested in writing either professionally or even just for fun. Q&A session! Room 30CDE

3:15-4:15: Heroes: Exclusive First Look at “Redemption” and Q&A with Tim Kring and Castmembers — Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an amazing roller coaster ride, as Heroes debuts a trailer for “Volume 5: Redemption.” Participate in a Q&A session with creator Tim Kring and some of the cast. Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront

3:30-4:30: Wildstorm: This is WildStorm! — Get the inside scoop on what’s upcoming with DC’s wildest imprint from VP Hank Kanalz, senior editor Ben Abernathy, and creators Fiona Staples (North 40, Trick ‘r Treat), Kurt Busiek (Astro City), Adam Beechen (Killapalooza), Christos Gage (Wildcats, Dante’s Inferno), Darrick Robertson (Prototype), David Tischman (Red Herring), Liam Sharp (Gears of War), Jason Craig (Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash), Brian Wood, Rebecca Isaacs, and more! Find out about what’s new in the WildStorm Universe! There will be tons of info and sneak peeks for Wildcats, The Authority, Gears of War, World of Warcraft, Ex Machina, and much, much more! Room 4

3:30-4:30: Spotlight on Ray Bradbury — The legendary fantasy and science-fiction writer is once again a Comic-Con special guest, as he was for the very first show in 1970. Ray Bradbury will discuss his new books, plays, and other projects with his long-time friend, writer and producer Arnold Kunert and biographer Sam Weller. Room 6BCF

4:00-5:00: We Control The Vertical: Writing and Producing For Television — Some of TV’s most talented writers and show-runners discuss the writing and production of your favorite television shows, past and present, and share amusing anecdotes from the television trenches. Starring Dave Simkins (Warehouse 13, Blade: The TV Series, Dresden Files), Javier Grillo-Marxuach (The Middleman, Day One), Charles Murray (V, Criminal Minds, Castle), Sarah Watson (The Unknowns, Parenthood), Gabrielle Stanton (Vampire Diaries, Moonlight), Steve Kriozere (NCIS, Dead & Deader, V.I.P.), Steve Melching (The Clone Wars, The Batman), Matthew Federman (Human Target, Jericho), and Ashley E. Miller (Fringe, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). Moderated by Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise, Castle). Room 8

4:00-5:00: Fringe Screening and Q&A — Fringe cast members Anna Torv (upcoming The Pacific), Josh Jackson (Shutter), and John Noble (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) appear with consulting producers Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen) and executive producers Jeff Pinkner (Lost) and J. H. Wyman (Keen Eddie) for a Q&A with fans and an exclusive video presentation. Join the discussion of this critically acclaimed thriller which explores the ever-blurring line between science-fiction and reality, where hybrid monsters tear through sewers, thieves walk through walls and portals open to worlds unknown. From Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fringe airs Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT this fall on FOX, premiering September 17th. Fringe: The Complete First Season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def September 8th. Ballroom 20

*Uncle D Prime Pick*
4:00-5:00: Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment: Iron Man 2 — Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the sequel to the blockbuster film based on the legendary Marvel superhero, Iron Man. Directed by Jon Favreau, Iron Man 2 stars Robert Downey, Jr. Joining Downey in the cast are Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Jon Favreau, Clark Gregg, John Slattery, Mickey Rourke, and Samuel L. Jackson. Hall H

4:30-5:30: Mike Mignola: Hellboy — The creator of Hellboy talks about upcoming projects and what’s next for the Beast of the Apocalypse. Mike Mignola and his long-suffering editor, Scott Allie, provide an overview of the coming year and an always frank Q&A session! Room 4

4:30-5:30: Top Cow: Comics & Multimedia — Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia), Matt Hawkins (president of Top Cow), and Filip Sablik (publisher of Top Cow) hit you with a hurricane of exciting news and announcements from comics, film, television, anime, and much more! Joining them will be Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes, Berserker) and Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead)! Don’t miss major announcements regarding the Witchblade feature film, Witchblade anime, and Darkness video game! Plus a major casting announcement for The Darkness film and a special surprise guest or two! Room 7AB

4:45-5:45: Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski — Triple Eisner-nominated and Comic-Con special guest J. Michael Straczynski presents a freewheeling discussion about his work in comics (Brave and the Bold, Thor, Amazing Spider-Man), television (Babylon 5), movies (Changeling, Ninja Assassin, Forbidden Planet, Lensman and more), and anything else that comes to mind. Every year, JMS’s talks are a focus of heated conversation, and that’s just between us and law enforcement when they show up midway through… Room 6A

4:45-5:55: Human Target Pilot Screening and Q&A — Join Human Target stars Mark Valley (Fringe), Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies) and Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), the show’s executive producers Jon Steinberg (Jericho), Brad Kern (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman), Peter Johnson (Supernatural: Origins Comic Book Series), and co-creator of the original Human Target comic, Len Wein (Swamp Thing), for an exclusive Q&A and a screening of the highly anticipated pilot based on the popular DC Comics title about a mysterious agent for hire who assumes different identities, literally becoming a human target on behalf of his clients. From Bonanza Productions, Inc. in association with Wonderland Sound and Vision, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Television, Human Target will air Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT beginning in January 2010 on FOX. Room 6BCF

5:00-6:00: Comic-Con: El Cortez Memories — People who’ve been attending Comic-Con since its early days look back most fondly at the shows held at El Cortez Hotel in the 1970s. What made it special? Those who were there can tell you. And if you were there, come along to reminisce! Panelists include Sergio Aragonés, Mark Evanier, Mike Friedrich, George Clayton Johnson, Jack Katz, Lee Marrs, Mike Royer, and William Stout, with David Scroggy as moderator. Room 2

5:15-6:15: True Blood Panel and Q&A session — Just as it seemed things were settling down in the backwoods Louisiana town of Bon Temps, deadly new twists and evil forces have begun to threaten Sookie Stackhouse and everyone around her. Mixing romance, suspense, mystery, and humor, True Blood kicked off its 12-episode second season on June 14th on HBO. The series, which earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series—Drama for its debut season, follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin, the X-Men films; Golden Globe-winner for True Blood season one; Oscar-winner for The Piano), who can hear people’s thoughts, and her soul mate, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer, The Starter Wife). Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy-winning HBO series Six Feet Under) created and serves as executive producer of the series, which is based on the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. The series also features Nelsan Ellis (The Soloist) as Lafayette Reynolds, Rutina Wesley (How She Move) as Tara Thornton; Sam Trammell (Medium, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) as Sam Merlotte; Michelle Forbes (In Treatment, Battlestar Galactica) as Maryann Forrester; Alexander Skarsgård (Generation Kill) as Eric Northman, and Deborah Ann Woll (The Mentalist) as Jessica Hamby. Moderated by Kate Hahn of TV Guide. Ballroom 20

5:15-6:45: Kevin Smith — Direct from New York City, where he’s directing the new Warner Bros. film, A Couple of Dicks, starring Bruce Willis, Seann William Scott, and Tracy Morgan, Kevin Smith returns to the Hall H stage for his annual report to the masses. And remember: he flew in just for YOU. Hall H

5:30-6:30: Made for Mobile: Creating Comics for the iPhone and the Big Small Screen — With the advent of bigger screens and increased bandwidth, mobile comics are now poised to make the creative and economic leap to become a major force in the universe of comics. Uclick, the top name in mobile comics, hosts a panel of experts in creation and distribution in the medium. Learn how existing comics are being adapted and new comics are being created specifically for this next generation of mobile devices. Get important information from Uclick on their open call for new and established creators designing comics specifically for mobile devices. Panelists include Douglas Edwards (president and CEO of Uclick, LLC), Rantz A. Hosely (CEO of LongBox, Inc.), Shannon Wheeler (Too Much Coffee Man), and Shena Wolf (asset manager for Uclick). Moderated by Peter Maresca of Uclick and Sunday Press Books. Room 10

5:30-6:30: Sideshow Collectibles — Creative director Tom Gilliland and key staff offer a presentation of new products and licensing announcements, along with the opportunity to speak directly with the Sideshow team in a Q&A session! Room 30AB

5:30-6:30: Gears of War: The Gearsiverse — Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski, Gears of War movie scriptwriter Chris Morgan, Gears of War comic book author and Gears of War 2 scriptwriter Joshua Ortega, and Gears of War movie director Len Wiseman present a preview of what’s next in the 11 million–selling Gears of War franchise. Get in on all the action, including an exclusive sneak peek at the deleted scene from Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection, as well as an insider’s glimpse into the highly anticipated Gears of War motion picture. Whether you play the games, read the books, or have a Crimson Omen tattoo, this star-studded meeting of the minds is too exciting to miss! Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront

5:55-7:00: The Vampire Diaries Pilot Screening and Q&A — The Vampire Diaries stars Nina Dobrev (Degrassi: The Next Generation), Paul Wesley (Killer Movie), and Ian Somerhalder (Lost) appear with executive producer/writer Kevin Williamson (Scream), writer Julie Plec (Kyle XY), and executive producer Bob Levy (Gossip Girl), as the series makes its Comic-Con debut with a screening of the much-talked-about pilot, followed by a Q&A. This edgy and romantic new drama, in which two vampire brothers — one good, one evil — are at war for the soul of one girl, is based upon the bestselling book series of the same name. Lynette Rice of Entertainment Weekly moderates. From Bonanza Productions, Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT this fall on The CW, premiering September 10th. Room 6BCF

6:00-7:00: Harvey Kurtzman/MAD — The creator of MAD and Playboy’s “Little Annie Fanny,” Harvey Kurtzman was called “one of the most important figures in postwar America” by The New York Times. Kurtzman discovered Robert Crumb and gave Gloria Steinem her first job in publishing. Terry Gilliam started at Kurtzman’s side, met an unknown John Cleese in the process, and the genesis of Monty Python took place. Art Speigelman has said that he owes his career to Kurtzman. And Kurtzman is one of Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner’s favorite artists. Harvey was an astonishingly talented and influential artist, writer, editor, and satirist without whom treasures such as Saturday Night Live, Airplane!, and The Simpsons may never have been conceived. This panel promises to be a lively discussion about the life and work of “The MAD Genius of Comics,” led by comics historian Mark Evanier and featuring Kurtzman’s daughter, Nellie Kurtzman; the author of the just released The Art of Harvey Kurtzman, the MAD Genius of Comics, Dennis Kitchen; Paul Levitz (president/publisher of DC Comics/MAD); William Stout (a colleague of Kurtzman who worked on “Little Annie Fanny”); and Charles Kochman (executive editor of Abrams ComicArts). Room 3

6:00-7:15: Adult Swim Development/The Venture Bros. Panel — Fans will get the chance to hear from the Adult Swim development team and get a first look at upcoming Adult Swim programming. Nick Weidenfeld, director of development for Adult Swim, and Matt Harrigan, executive producer/series writer for Adult Swim, will give highlights of what’s in the tube for fall 2009. Then, Jackson Publick (co-creator), Doc Hammer (co-creator), Jon Schnepp (co-director), James Urbaniak (voice of Dr. Venture) and Mike Sinterniklaas (voice of Dean Venture) discuss the hit animated Adult Swim series The Venture Bros. and give fans insight into the future of the series.  Vice president of production for Adult Swim, Keith Crofford, moderates. Room 6A

6:00-7:30: Gays in Comics: Year 22! — Now in its third decade at Comic-Con, the long-running “Gays in Comics” panel presents an all-star look at the diversity in the comics world today. The mainstream companies DC and Marvel are both front-lining gay characters such as Batwoman and Northstar, as well as top-level gay or gay-friendly creators. And smaller independent publishers and creators are publishing unequivocal content spotlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters to the cheers of the thousands of fans who are out of the comic book closet. This top-level panel of GLBT and straight creators will give amazing insights and glimpses of surprises to come! Joining founding moderator Andy Mangels (best-selling author of Star Trek novels and Iron Man: Beneath The Armor) and Greg Rucka, the acclaimed author of Detective Comics (featuring the lesbian Batwoman and The Question) are Phil Jimenez, artist of Astonishing X-Men and Amazing Spider-Man; Gail Simone, the celebrated writer of Wonder Woman and the sexually diverse Secret Six, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the GLAAD-winning writer of Marvel’s Divas, Stephen King’s The Stand and HBO’s smash hit polyamorous drama Big Love, Peter David, writer of Fallen Angel and lots of novels, Ed Luce, the writer/artist of the Bear-centric Wuvable Oaf and small-press retailer behind San Francisco’s cutting edge Goteblüd comic and zine store, and small press and Internet sensation writer/artist Sina Grace, whose Books with Pictures and illustrated novel Cedric Hollows in Dial M for Magic are getting rave reviews online and from Hollywood personalities! Plus, there’s always a surprise panelist or two. Afterward, stick around for the hour-long gay comics fan mixer/social, hosted by Prism Comics, with prizes and surprise special guests! Room 6DE

6:30-7:30: Black Dynamite — He’s super cool and he knows kung-fu! When “The Man” murders his brother and floods the ghetto with adulterated malt liquor, Black Dynamite is the one hero willing to fight all the way from the blood-soaked city streets to the hallowed halls of the Honky House. Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight) stars as Black Dynamite, a gun-toting, nunchuck-wielding ladies’ man and soul brother. Director and writer Scott Sanders (Think as Thieves) is joined by cast members including Byron Minns (Undisputed), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (I Am Legend), moderator Elvis Mitchell, and more! Room 5AB

6:30-7:30: Where Does He Get Those Wonderful Toys? Action Figure Licensing — Are retro licenses hotter than new ones? Are video game properties the new cash cow? The comic book direct market, mail order, and the Internet have all changed where and how you can find your favorite toys. Does Wal-Mart control which characters get made? Can a license without a media tie-in make it in today’s crowded market? Come ask any burning question you’ve ever had about the action figure business, as some of the top names in the industry sit down together — as they only do once a year at Comic-Con — and talk toys. Panelists include Georg Brewer (DC Direct), Jesse Falcon (Marvel Comics), Randy Falk (NECA), Scott Neitlich (Mattel), and Frank Sopuit (Kotobukiya). Moderated by Daniel “JuliusMarx” Pickett of ActionFigureInsider.com. Room 30AB

6:30-8:00: Troma Roast — Join Lloyd Kaufman (Troma Studios president/founder, director of Toxic Avenger) as he gets roasted by Tromaster of Ceremonies Adam Green (Hatchet), and help from BFFs: Stan Lee (Spider-Man, Fantastic Four), Terry Jones (Monty Python’s Flying Circus), Brian Pulido (Lady Death, Evil Ernie), Chad Gilbert (lead guitarist of New Found Glory), Richard Saperstein (John Q, Se7en), Batton Lash (Supernatural Law, Simpsons, Archie), Steven Paul (Ghost Rider), Penelope Spheeris (Decline of Western Civilization, Wayne’s World), Ron Jeremy (Toxic Avenger: Citizen Toxie, Killing Zoe), Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2), Jim Salicrup (Marvel editor for Toxic Avenger, editor-in-chief Papercutz), Mick Garris (Stephen King’s Desperation, The Stand, Sleepwalkers), John Rieber (G4 senior VP), Jean Prewitt (chairman of The Independent Film Alliance), Tim Seeley (writer/artist/creator Hack/Slash), Alan C. Carroll and Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics), Brick & Tiger (One Shot Presents), and more! What a way to celebrate 35 years of Reel Independence with Troma Entertainment! Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront

Nighttime

7:00-8:00: Da Jammies — FarCor Studios Ralph Farquhar (executive producer), Dwayne Corbitt (executive producer), and creators Aulsondro Novelist Hamilton and William Dolla Chapman II of Toon Farm, LLC unveil Da Jammies, a new 3D animated music sitcom. The creator of such Disney hits as The Proud Family and Wendy Wu: Princess Warrior is back in the animation game with this groundbreaking show featuring hip-hop dances, music, and fashion. Join the producers, cast, and creative team for a sneak peek presentation of the new series and Q&A session moderated by Lil JJ of Just Jordan and the TBS series Men of a Certain Age. Room 8

7:15-9:15: CBLDF Benefit Auction — This is the big one! Support Free Speech and walk away with incredible original art at this year’s CBLDF Auction! Highlights include original art by Mike Mignola, Dave Gibbons, Jill Thompson, Charles Vess, Mike Deodato, Eric Powell, Neil Gaiman, and many, many more. Stop by CBLDF’s booth #1920 for a complete auction list. All proceeds from this auction will benefit the First Amendment legal work of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund! Room 2

7:15-8:15: Myth Busters Q&A and Sneak Peeks — The series called “the best science program on television” by The New York Times returns for its second year at Comic-Con. Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are joined by Tory Belleci and Grant Imahara to discuss their offbeat series that uses science to determine the truth behind urban legends. Adam, Jamie, Grant and Tory will answer questions and share behind-the-scenes stories and showcase world premiere sneak peeks of upcoming myths. MythBusters airs Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. E/P on Discovery Channel. Room 6BCF

*Uncle D Prime Pick*

7:30-10:00: Torchwood/Doctor Who Screenings

Torchwood: Children of Earth, an epic television event from BBC America’s highest rated series, has the Torchwood team facing their fiercest threat to date — one that throws the future of Torchwood and the entire human race spiraling into danger. The finale finds Torchwood defenseless and Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) standing alone as the final sanction begins. As violence erupts and the world descends into anarchy, an ordinary housing estate becomes a battleground where the future of the human race will be decided. Torchwood: Children of Earth hits stores on Blu-ray and DVD July 28, 2009.

In the first of the final four specials from Russell T Davies and starring David Tennant, Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead finds the Doctor trapped on a desert alien planet with a red double-decker bus but no Tardis. He soon discovers the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets hidden in the sand and is forced to team up with a mysterious, aristocratic thief, Lady Christina (Michelle Ryan, Bionic Woman), to get back to Earth. But time is running out as the deadly Swarm gets closer. This is the first Time Lord adventure to be shot in HD. Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead hits stores on Blu-ray and DVD July 28, 2009. Room 6DE

8:00-9:00: Showtime: Weeds — If you are addicted to Weeds, this is the panel you don’t want to miss! Find out everything you want to know with a Q&A and interview with the series creator and its stars! Featured panelists include Jenji Kohan (creator/executive producer), Hunter Parrish (Silas), Justin Kirk (Andy), and other cast members. Weeds airs on Mondays at 10:00 p.m. on Showtime. Indigo Ballroom/Hilton Bayfront

8:30-12:15: Watchmen: Director’s Cut — Live with Zack Snyder! Plus Sneak Peek of Batman: Arkham Asylum with Mark Hamill & Kevin Conroy — Get the ultimate inside track on two landmark Warner Bros. releases with the world premiere screening of Watchmen: Director’s Cut and a first-look panel for the breakout Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment game Batman: Arkham Asylum. The festivities will open with a Batman: Arkham Asylum panel led by the benchmark voices of Batman and the Joker, Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars), as well as award-winning writer Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series). Then Watchmen director Zack Snyder, legendary illustrator Dave Gibbons and actor Jackie Earle Haley discuss the nuances of the film’s Director’s Cut, which hit stores on July 21st. And for the pièce de résistance, Snyder will host a BD Live Community event providing a real-time, in-person director’s commentary for Comic-Con attendees (and BD Live viewers at home) as the film rolls. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of Snyder via computer kiosks within the room, making for an entirely interactive viewing experience. Room 6BCF

8:30-9:30: Atom.com, Lucasfilm, and Olivia Munn talk Star Wars Fan Movies — Olivia Munn (G4’s Attack of the Show) joins Atom.com, Lucasfilm, and top fan filmmakers to discuss 2009’s newly anointed Fan Movie Challenge winners and new developments in fan filmmaking. Get a sneak preview of the highly anticipated sequel, Star Wars Gangsta Rap: Chronicles, and hear about Olivia’s new fan film project (hint: it could be yours). Also joining the panel will be former George Lucas Selects Award winners Trey Stokes (Pink Five), Robert Reeves (Padme), and Chris Crawford (Star Wars Gangsta Rap). Moderated by Chris Albrecht, co-editor of NewTeeVee.com. Room 7AB

8:45-11:45: HBO’s True Blood Presents: The San Diego Comic-Con International Masquerade — Fabulous original and re-created costumes crafted by our talented attendees appear on stage before an audience of thousands, with impressive awards and cash prizes bestowed to those judged most outstanding. Doors will open for audience seating at 8:15 p.m., but the line will start much earlier! Tickets will be required for seating and will be given out free to those lining up near Ballroom 20 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Masters of Ceremony are writers/artists Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio of Studio Foglio, and halftime entertainment will feature special advance movie previews, behind-the-scenes films, and more. (Overflow seating available in Rooms 5AB, 6A and in the Sails Pavilion.) Ballroom 20

8:45-1:30: Masquerade Party — Join your friends in the Convention Center’s beautiful Sails Pavilion to party the night away while the Masquerade plays on the big screen! Sails Pavilion

9:30-11:30: Pander Brothers of Grendel Fame Screen Debut Feature Film, Selfless — Awarded Best Feature at the BendFilm Fest and Best Supporting Actor (Mo Gallini), Selfless is a psychological thriller about an architect whose life is terrorized by a spiteful identity thief. Director/co-writer Jacob Pander (Accelerate, Grendel) and producer/co-writer Arnold Pander (Tasty Bullet, Grendel), actor Mo Gallini (2 Fast 2 Furious, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), and film critic David Walker (Badazz MoFo) are on hand for this special advanced screening and panel Q&A! Room 7AB

10:00-12:00: Give ‘Em Hell Malone Screening and Panel — Catch an exclusive early screening of the upcoming noir-action film, Give ‘Em Hell Malone, followed by a Q&A with stars Thomas Jane (The Punisher) and Chris Yen, along with director Russell Mulcahy (Highlander) and writer Mark Hosack. Room 6DE