The first Long Beach Comic-Con recently announced its programming schedule for the event, October 2nd-4th.  Here are some highlights:

FRIDAY

4:00-4:45 p.m. Star Wars Uncut

The original Star Wars split into 15-second segments for anyone who wants to re-shoot them and then edit them back together to match the original running time.

4:00-4:45 p.m. com.X Spotlight

Meet Com.X, England’s most exciting and creative publisher. Learn more about upcoming releases, including “45” from the Com.X team leaders, including Eddie Deighton (owner of Com.X and An.x), Jon Sloan (anxagency.com), Ben Shahrabani, and Andi Ewington.

5:00-7:30 p.m.

Check it Out, bub!

Wolverine 100 Preview Party! 100 Wolverine covers by today’s hottest artists. Brilliant artwork courtesy of the Hero Initiative! Convention Center, Room 204.

Thomas Jane (Getty Images)

7:00 p.m. Dark Country Movie Screening (Sony Pictures)

Thomas Jane’s new film and directorial debut, Dark Country, is a twisted, psycho-noir about a couple forced to deal with a body en route from Vegas and the dangerous truth that body may reveal. Thomas Jane, Lauren German and Ron Perlman star. Hosted by Jane too.

4:00-4:45 p.m. Write Bros Presents: Heroes, Villains, and Dramatica archetypes

Stories are populated with heroes, villains, sidekicks and more. Find out what makes them tick and how to use them in your stories. Explore the basics, then go beyond simple character archetypes and create far more interesting, complex characters.

8:30 p.m.

Live Art experience! Atomic Apple hosts an awesome live art show! Starring Jim Mahfood and friends! Convention Center, Room 204.

SATURDAY

11:00-11:45 a.m. Men of action: Beyond Ben 10

Join comic book creators Steve Seagle, Duncan Rouleau and Joe Casey as they discuss their career path from the biggest superhero franchises to creator-owned glory and the massive success of Ben 10. Plus an exclusive preview of their new animated action series, Generator Rex (debuting in 2010 on Cartoon Network).

3:30-5:30 p.m. Trick ‘r Treat (Warner Premiere)

Screening and Q&A hosted by writer/director Michael Dougherty. From producer Bryan Singer and writer/director Michael Dougherty, Trick ‘r Treat is a creepy, darkly comic celebration of the scariest night of the year: Halloween.  The film’s ensemble cast includes Academy Award-winner Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Leslie Bibb, Dylan Baker and Tahmoh Penikett.

12:00-12:45 p.m. DC Nation

Join Bob Wayne, VP Sales, Ian Sattler, Senior Story Editor and artist Jim Lee from DC Comics as they talk about the DC Universe tales set on Halloween night. Trick ‘r Treat is a collection of creepy stories that mix fun with fear and candy with poison.

1:00-1:55 p.m. 50 Queations in 50 Minutes With Mark Waid

Mark Waid

Superstar comics writer and BOOM! Editor Mark Waid takes on a challenge to answer 50 questions in 50 minutes. Fast-talking Waid will answer moderator and audience questions in rapid-fire succession.

1:00-1:45 p.m. Aspen Company Panel, Presented By Aspen Comics

Meet the creators and team leaders who work in the Aspen Comics Studio. Get the latest on upcoming releases and events from the teams creating the comics.

1:15-2:45 p.m. Robot Chicken Panel

Meet the creative talent behind the wildly successful TV show, Robot Chicken. Watch behind-the-scenes clips and teasers for upcoming shows. Talk with Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Doug Goldstein, Tom Root, Mike Fasolo, Hugh Sterbakov, Kevin Shinick & Chris McKay. Plus…a preview of their upcoming show, Titan Maximum!

7:00 p.m. Give ‘Em Hell Malone (Raw Entertainment)

In Thomas Jane’s upcoming film, Give ‘Em Hell Malone, directed by Russell Mulcahey and written by Mark Hosack, a tough-as-nails private investigator squares off with gangsters and their thugs to protect a valuable secret. Malone goes through hell to protect the information, but he dishes some hell as well.

2:00-2:45 p.m. Berkeley Breathed on Bloom County

Presented by IDW

An exceptionally rare appearance by Berkeley Breathed, creator of Bloom County. Don’t miss this.

3:00-3:45 p.m. Selling to Hollywood: The Insider’s Guide

Learn more about how comics are being tapped by Hollywood to make movies. Darick Robertson (The Boys), Jimmy Palmiotti, Stephen Christy (Archaia), Matt Hawkins (Top Cow) and Jeff Katz (Wolverine) talk candidly about their experiences adapting comics to the silver screen.

8:00 p.m.

Kirby Krakle in Concert

Rock out and help out — at the same time! Enjoy the world’s first comic book rock band and help out the Hero Intiative.  All door proceeds benefit The Hero Initiative. Convention Center, Room 204

SUNDAY

11:00-11:45 a.m. Comics to Screen – Hollywood View of Comics

Top Hollywood producers talk about how comics are made into films. Meet Jeff Katz (Wolverine), Laura Harkom, Jeph Loeb (Smallville, Heroes), Christopher Leone (Lost Room) and more, as they explore comics on the silver screen.

11:00-11:45 a.m. Boom! Spotlight

From monster hit original series like Mark Waid’s Irredeemable to their BOOM! Kids line of Disney/Pixar comics & bestsellers like Farscape, 28 Days Later, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and many others, BOOM! Studios has been redefining comics for the 21st century. Join Mark Waid, Ross Richie, Matt Gagnon and Chip Mosher as they take control of LBCC for one full hour. Learn what is next for BOOM!

12:00-12:45 p.m. Story Structure and Character Development

Get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to write comic books, with Joshua Hale Fialkov (Top Cow/Archaia), Jeph Loeb (Batman, Hulk), Peter Tomasi (Green Lantern Corps) and David Petersen (Archaia).  Insight on the craft and business of creating comics.

1:00-2:45 p.m. Exclusive Movie Screening: Dixie Dynamite

Dixie Dynamite introduces audiences to a novel new genre – “redneck kung fu!” The independently produced animated feature offers a tongue-in-cheek take on a classic kung fu myth, complemented by an original score of American/Japanese/redneck fusion music. Includes an epic taiko drum and shamisen version of the Lynard Skynyrd classic, “Free Bird.”

3:00-3:45 p.m. Comic art Techniques with Whilce Portacio

Learn creative character design techniques from Spawn artist and Wetworks creator Whilce Portacio. Hands-on demos to help you improve as a creator.

For Long Beach Comic-Con ticket info, see this previous Buzzine story.