TrekMovie Guide To Comic Con 2008

On Thursday of this week tens of thousands will descend on San Diego California for the ultimate nerd-gasm that is Comic Con. Although there is no big panel for the new Star Trek film, TrekMovie is still going to report on all the other Trek happenings at the Paramount booth and with the other Trek licensee booths, Trek panels and with the various Trek celebrities who will be there. Today we have a full Trekkie guide to Comic Con 2008.

No Star Trek Panel, but a Trek presence for Paramount
Well the big event everyone wanted is not happening, as hard as it is to believe, Paramount is not holding a Panel for the new Star Trek movie. However there will be a significant presence of Trek at the Paramount booth (4418). Sources tells TrekMovie that up to half of the booth will be dedicated to Star Trek and they will be giving away the new posters reported last week. However a source tells TrekMovie that there is another poster related to the film that you will be able to sign up for at the booth. Details are sketchy but this other poster is apparently tied into some kind of cross-promotion between Paramount and chip maker Intel related to the movie. A guess is that the poster will show imagery from the previously released teaser. TrekMovie has also been told there may be some kind of cards and/or bags related to the new movie, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet. Look for an update on this later in the week.

In addition to the Paramount booth there will be a number Trek licensees who have booths at Comic Con. It has been confirmed that both Pocket and IDW will have Trek writers and artists at their booth for signings. See below for the full list and booth numbers.

Some non-movie Trek panels (including one with Anthony) + lots of Trek celebs
There are a few panels related to Star Trek going on. The only official one is being put together by the Trek Publishers IDW, Pocket and TokyoPop and it will include a number of Trek writers (including Wil Wheaton). That one takes place on Thursday. There are some other Trek-related panels being put together independently, most notably the "Life, Death, and Life if Star Trek" hosted by friend of TrekMovie’s Mark Altman. Other Treksperts chatting about the franchise will be Daren Dochterman, Robert Meyer Burnett and Jeff Bond, and me, TrekMovie’s Anthony Pascale. Other Trek panels include ones from anthropologist Daryl G. Frazetti and Rod Roddenberry. See below for full details on the Trek Panels

In addition to the Trek specific panels, there will be many Trek celebs in attendance. The entire ‘Supreme Court’ will be there, with four members (Abrams, Orci, Kurtzman and Burk) at the Fringe panel and Lindelof at the Lost panel. In addition, Simon Pegg (Scotty) will be promoting the Spaced DVD and Zachary Quinto will be at the Heroes event. Also many Trek veterans are at Comic Con for current projects including Robert Picardo, Jolene Blalock, Brent Spiner, Ron Moore and Bryan Fuller. Full details on the Trek celebs at non-Trek panels below.

Party at Star Trek The Exhibition
As reported previously, Star Trek The Exhibition opened up at the San Diego Air and Space museum a couple of weeks ago. It will be open during Comic Con and they are planning a lot of tie-in promotions. There will be tons of outdoor advertising for The Exhibit around Comic-Con, including buses that are skinned to look like Starfleet Shuttles. There will be two Shuttle buses running every 15 minutes from Comic Con to the museum (Wednesday thru Saturday night). Tickets will be available at Comic Con registration and there will be flyers distributed at a number of booths offering discounted admission, free transportation and extended hours. On Wednesday night July 23rd there will be a party at The Experience hosted by the 91X radio station…with a live band (Buddy Akai) and beer garden!

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TrekMovie.com Star Trek Guide to Comic Con 2008

STAR TREK RELATED BOOTHS

STAR TREK RELATED PANELS

Thursday, July 24

10:00-11:00 The Gene Roddenberry Legacy: Roddenberry in the 21st Century— Building on his father’s legacy with Star Trek, Rod Roddenberry and Roddenberry Productions are bringing the Roddenberry philosophy into the 21st century, through their work on the forthcoming feature documentary Trek Nation, as well as the development of original content in webcomics such as Rod & Barry and Gene’s Journal. This panel features exclusive Comic-Con looks at new Roddenberry content and projects currently in development. Featuring Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, Trevor Roth (COO of Roddenberry Productions), and Allen Holzman (Emmy Award winning editor). Room 10

4:00-5:00 Star Trek Without a Blueprint: How Books and Comics Keep Expanding the Boundaries of the Star Trek Universe— Andy Mangels (moderator and Star Trek author), Margaret Clark (executive editor, Pocket Books), Andy Schmidt (senior editor, IDW) and Star Trek authors Kevin Dilmore, Dave Mack, Scott Tipton, Wil Wheaton, and Dayton Ward discuss the future of Star Trek publishing. Room 32AB

6:00-7:00 Life, Death, Life of Star Trek— You’ve heard a lot of hype about sci-fi’s first franchise lately, now it’s time to see what it’s all about and celebrate an illustrious 40 years of boldly going with this regular panel of unpaid, uncensored Treksperts, who pay homage to Trek’s past and future with some special surprises and exclusive audio-visual treats you’ll only see here. Daren Dochterman (ST: TMP Director’s Cut Special Edition), Robert Meyer Burnett (Free Enterprise), Jeff Bond (The Music of Star Trek), Anthony Pascale (TrekMovie.com) and moderator Mark A. Altman (Free Enterprise) talk Trek like no one else can…or will. Room 2

Friday, July 25

7:15-8:15 Klingon Lifestyles Presentation— This latest mission for the crew of the IKV Stranglehold finds them seeking assistance from the last person in the universe they would ask for help, but is everyone who they say they are? Can they survive Rule of Acquisition number 218? All species are welcome to experience the ongoing voyage and adventure of life aboard a Klingon vessel. Room 6A

Saturday, July 26

6:30-7:30 The Anthropology of Star Trek— Daryl G. Frazetti of the Department of Anthropology at Lake Tahoe Community College discusses anthropological themes in the Star Trek universe. Select themes include politics, religion, social problems, and the anthropological concept of “race.” The subculture of fandom is also explored. All topics will span the franchise and look at the relationship between Star Trek at any given point and contemporary society. This forum is based on the course offered at Lake Tahoe Community College and professional research. Room 30AB  

Sunday, July 27

2:00-3:30 Starship Smackdown XI (not specifically Trek, but we know the Enterprise is in there with these guys) — The legendary Comic-Con exclusive celebrates another year of stellar showdowns as the original and infamous Starship Smackdown returns. Ever wonder if the USS Enterprise could take out the ID4 mothership (hint: Kirk’s can!)? Can the Galactica find Earth and destroy the Yamato (of course, it’s a cartoon)? Can the Serenity outplay, outwit, and outlast the fully functional firepower of an Imperial Super Star Destroyer? You’ll find out the answers to all of these questions and many more from the panel of expert spaceship-ologists, including Robert Meyer Burnett (The Hills Run Red producer), Jeff Bond (Geek Monthly editor), Steve Melching (The Clone Wars writer), Daren Dochterman (GI Joe production illustrator), Mary Forest (writer/comedian), and the Jeff Probst of the stars, moderator Mark A. Altman (DOA: Dead Or Alive, Free Enterprise). And it wouldn’t be Starship Smackdown without a few surprises, so expect the unexpected. Those in the know, realize the Smackdown is the only way to close out your weekend the San Diego way! Room 7AB

PANELS WITH STAR TREK CELEBRITIES
(Trek celeb highlighted)

Thursday, July 24

10:00-11:00 Kings: Exclusive Sneak Peek of the Pilot Prologue Screening and Q&A with Cast and Executive Producers— Kings is a contemporary re-imagining of the timeless tale of David and Goliath, an epic story of greed and power, war and romance, forbidden loves and secret alliances, and a young hero who rises to power in a modern-day kingdom. Be the first to see the prologue from the two-hour pilot. Moderated by Greg Grunberg (Heroes), with Q&A with creator/executive producer Michael Green (Heroes), director/executive producer Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), executive producer Erwin Stoff (I Am Legend), and the cast: Golden Globe winner Ian McShane (Deadwood), Chris Egan (Resident Evil: Extinction), Sebastian Stan (Gossip Girl), Susanna Thompson (Star Trek: Voyager) and Allison Miller (Seventeen Again). Room 6B

12:30-1:15 Humor in Science Fiction— Learn the secrets of the humor game from some top insiders in the field, including David Gerrold ("The Trouble With Tribbles"), William F. Nolan (Sam Space, Logan’s Run), John Truby (Anatomy of Story), George Clayton Johnson (Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Ocean’s 11, Logan’s Run), and Marc Scott Zicree (executive producer, Sliders; author of The Twilight Zone Companion). Moderated by Chas Holloway with Shadowstar Games president Mark O’Bannon. Room 4

1:15-2:00 How to Tell a Story— Get a deep insight into the craft of storytelling from these masters in the field: David Gerrold (TV writer, author of 30+ novels), William F. Nolan (TV and film writer, author of over a dozen novels), George Clayton Johnson (Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Ocean’s 11, Logan’s Run), John Truby (owner, John Truby’s Writer’s Studio, author, Anatomy of Story), and Marc Scott Zicree (TV writer, executive producer, Sliders; author of The Twilight Zone Companion). Moderated by Chas Holloway with Shadowstar Games president Mark O’Bannon. Room 4  

3:00-4:00 Wizard’s First Rule— A first look at the upcoming action-adventure series Wizard’s First Rule with book author Terry Goodkind and show executive producers Robert Tapert (Xena: Warrior Princess), Kenneth Biller (Star Trek: Voyager) and Sam Raimi (Spider-Man). The one-hour weekly television show premiering late fall is inspired by Terry Goodkind’s bestselling epic fantasy series: The Sword of Truth. The story follows the journey of Richard Cypher, a simple woodsman, as he discovers the magical powers he holds within. With the help of a mysterious woman and a powerful wizard, he must use his newfound abilities to stop a ruthless tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world. Join Terry, Rob, Ken and Sam for a moderated interview and audience Q&A session! Room 6B

3:30-4:30 Quantum Quest— This stellar panel will introduce Comic-Con audiences to Quantum Quest, the 3-D, large format CGI-animated film designed to both excite and educate young audiences about the wonders of science. Joining the panel will be co-directors Dr. Harry Kloor (Star Trek Voyager) and Dan St. Pierre (Everyone’s Hero, Shark Tales), voice actors Brent Spiner (Indpendence Day, Star Trek: The Next Generation), Robert Picardo (Star Trek), Gary Graham (Enterprise), Anousheh Ansari, the world’s first female private space explorer whose blog from space thrilled millions of visitors daily, and Charles Kohlhase, the NASA/JPL coordinator for the film. Shawn Clement, the film’s composer, rounds out the panel. Ballroom 20

Friday, July 25

12:15-1:15 Stargate Atlantis— With new allies and new challenges, Stargate Atlantis is making big waves in its action-packed fifth season. Be on hand for this exclusive panel discussion with the cast and creators of SCI FI’s hit series. Panelists include cast members Joe Flanigan, Robert Picardo, and Jewel Staite, co-creator and executive producer Brad Wright, and , Chris Sanagustin, VP original programming SCI FI. Moderated by Martin Gero, executive producer. Ballroom 20

1:45-2:45 Entertainment Weekly’s The Visionaries: Showrunners— Carlton Cuse (Lost), Damon Lindelof (Lost), Josh Schwartz (Chuck, Gossip Girl), Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies), and Josh Friedman (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) are the television producers who are changing the face of television with deeply immersive entertainments marked by distinctive, cutting edge storytelling. They have also been at the forefront of bringing "genre programming" or "cult TV" to the mainstream. Prepare for a candid conversation about creative integrity in a commercial medium and the future of broadcast TV in an increasingly digital world. Spoiler Alert! Upcoming plot developments may be teased. Moderated by Entertainment Weekly senior writer Jeff Jensen. Room 6CDEF
Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television

12:30-1:15 Spaced— Actor/creator Jessica Hynes (Shaun of the Dead), actor/creator Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), and director Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz) recall Spaced, the clever and edgy comedy series that started it all for the award-winning team behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Plus: Q&A session. (Look for the Spaced screening tonight in the same room at 10:15PM!) Room 6A

2:00-3:30 Scribe Awards/Media Tie-in Writers Panel— The second annual presentation of the International Association of Media-Tie-in Writers (IAMTW) "Scribe" awards, honoring such notable franchises as CSI NY, Murder She Wrote, Criminal Minds, Stargate Atlantis, Star Trek, Resident Evil and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The awards presentation is followed by a panel of nominees, including William Dietz (Hitman), Stacia Deutsch (Nancy Drew), Kevin J. Anderson (Last Days of Krypton), Steven Paul Leiva (12 Dogs of Christmas), Alan Dean Foster (Transformers), Lee Goldberg (Monk), and moderator Max Allan Collins (American Gangster). Andy Mangels (Iron Man) will present the awards. Room 32AB

Saturday, July 26

10:30-11:45 Heroes: Exclusive First Look at “Villains” and Q&A with the Entire Cast, Tim Kring, and Tim Sale— Heroes chronicles the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary abilities. Watch an exclusive first look at "Chapter 3: Villains." Moderated by co-executive producer/comic book writer Jeph Loeb, participating in a Q&A session with creator Tim Kring, comic book artist Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween), and the cast: Jack Coleman (H.R.G.), Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman), Ali Larter (Niki Sanders), James Kyson Lee (Ando Masahashi), Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura), Hayden Panettiere (Claire Bennet), Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli), Zachary Quinto (Sylar), Sendhil Ramamurthy (Mohinder Suresh), Dania Ramirez (Maya Herrera), Cristine Rose (Angela Petrelli), and Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli). Hall H

Saturday, July 26
12:00-1:00 Lost— If the most recent season finale was any indication of things to come, you will not want to miss this panel. Co-creator/executive producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Carlton Cuse will discuss season 4 of Lost, leading up to the season finale. They will answer your questions and maybe even offer up some surprises of their own. Hall H

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Bryan Hitch — Superstar penciller Bryan Hitch, the artist with the wide-screen movie style, talks about his work on titles such as The Ultimates and Fantastic Four,  plus his design work on Doctor Who and Star Trek 2009. Room 7AB

2:15-3:15 Battlestar Galactica— Last year, Battlestar Galactica took San Diego by storm. Now the best show on television returns to Comic-Con for a panel filled with excitement, laughter, and a sneak peek into the final revelation. Focusing on the character relationships that give this hit series its power, this exclusive panel sheds new light on the ties between Humans and Cylons and provides valuable insight into the adventure ahead. Panelists include cast members Tricia Helfer, James Callis, Michael Trucco, and Katee Sackhoff and executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, along with moderator Kevin Smith. Ballroom 20

4:45-5:45 Fringe Q&A and Trailer Screening— J. J. Abrams (Lost), Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman—the team behind Mission: Impossible 3, Alias, and the upcoming Star Trek feature—join fellow Fringe executive producers Bryan Burk (Cloverfield) and Jeff Pinkner (Lost), as well as stars Anna Torv (The Pacific), Josh Jackson (Shutter), and John Noble (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King), for an exclusive Q&A about one of the most anticipated new television series of the fall season, a drama that will thrill, terrify and explore the blurring line between science fiction and reality. The session will kick off with the screening of a trailer for the series. Television Week deputy editor and columnist Joe Adalian moderates. From Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fringe premieres September 9 and airs Tuesdays at 9:00 PM on FOX. Ballroom 20 NOTE: The Fringe Pilot will be shown at the Wednesday night preview (Ballroom 20)

5:00-6:00 Join The Fight: Starship Troopers 3: Marauder— Join Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Jolene Blalock (Star Trek: Enterprise) and writer/director Ed Neumeier (writer of Starship Troopers and RoboCop) for a preview of the third installment in the wildly popular Starship Troopers franchise. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment invites you to “Join the Fight” and take part in an audience Q&A that will be recorded for download over Blu-ray’s BD-Live network. Bring your Bluetooth phone and access exclusive content beamed directly to your handset during the panel! Room 7AB

5:45-7:15 Gays in Comics Panel: 21 and Legal!— Starting its third decade at Comic-Con, the long-running "Gays in Comics" panel takes a thrilling look at the diversity in the comics world today. With DC Comics leading the charge with the lesbian Question and Batwoman, the shadowy Obsidian, and Wildstorm’s Apollo and Midnighter, where will they go next in the realm of superhero comics? And when will other companies substantially move forward to represent gay characters? Meanwhile, independent publishers and creators are building their own worlds that spotlight gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered characters, pleasing the thousands of fans who are out of the comic book closet. This all-star panel of GLBT creators (and one straight one) offer startling 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) are Roger Klorese, the president of PRISM Comics and longtime comic and internet trailblazer; Ariel Schrag, writer/artist of the critically acclaimed Potential, plus Awkward, Definition, and Showtime’s The L Word; Greg Rucka, the writer of Final Crisis: Revelations, Checkmate, Daredevil, and many other hot titles; Jeff Krell, writer/artist of the long-running Jayson strip and new graphic novel Jayson Goes to Hollywood; Jack Mahan, executive director—editorial administration for DC Comics; and maybe a surprise panelist! Afterward, stick around for the hour-long gay comics fan mixer/social, hosted by PRISM Comics, with prizes and surprise special guests! Room 6A

Sunday, July 27

10:30-11:30 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia— The FX hit comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is coming to the Con. See an unaired episode from the upcoming season followed by a panel discussion featuring series stars Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, and director Fred Savage. The panel will be moderated by Damon Lindelof, creator/executive producer of Lost. Attendees of the screening and panel have the chance to win one of thousands of prizes. Ballroom 20

More details at the official Comic Con site.