Panels for Emerald City Comicon announced & include queer content

YES! Mr. Takei is headin' to Seattle for Emerald City Comicon!

Hey Nerds, Nerdettes, Fan Boys and Gals! The 10th Annual Emerald City Comicon has just announced the schedule for the panels for this year’s event! We eyeballed them and here’s some things that interest us including some queer comics discussions with the folks from Prism Comics plus globs of the special media guest star appearances. You can check out the entire list at the Emerald City Comicon site.

Friday, March 30

Seattle Superstorm: A SyFy Channel World Premiere
Room: 4C3-4
Time: 4:00 – 5:30

The SyFy Channel presents the world premiere of it’s latest original movie, Seattle Superstorm! When an unidentified object crashes into Puget Sound off the coast of Seattle, Major Emma Peterson (Ona Grauer of V, Stargate Universe) is dispatched to investigate.  As a series of unusual weather and geological events start to hit the city, Peterson realizes the events are linked.  She asks her fiancé, scientist Tom Reynolds (Esai Morales of Caprica, 24, Jericho), to look after their teenaged kids.  But Tom’s instincts leave him unable to ignore the increasingly violent storms and earthquakes, and he leaves the kids to investigate, unaware that he’s placing them directly in the path of the worst disaster the city has ever seen.  Now, with the chaos escalating and the storms threatening to sweep across the continent, Emma and Tom must find a way to bring their family back together and stop the Seattle Superstorm before it spreads… and annihilates the planet!

The Bad and the Bold: LGBT Characters
Room: 3AB
Time: 4:00 – 5:00

Creators face a double-edged sword of either “positive” portrayals of LGBT characters and potentially creating lackluster work, or pushing the envelope and potentially sparking a firestorm and alienating readers. Mild gay innuendo labeled “Adults Only” in “Rawhide Kid”; gay blackmail in “The Boys” (which later won a GLAAD award); a bisexual alien in “Voodoo” spending a lot of time in strip clubs; a new, unabashedly flamboyant gay teen in “Teen Titans”: Some say these succeed as good comics and some disagree. What makes or breaks an “edgy” depiction of a queer character? Is there such a thing as “too far”? Join moderator Charles “Zan” Christensen for a lively discussion of LGBT representation in comics that’s sure to push some buttons.

Drawing Inspiration: The Art of the Whedonverse
Room: 4C1-2
Time: 5:00 – 6:00

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-panels look at the dynamic artwork of Dark Horses Joss Whedon titles, from pencils to inks to colors to print. Dark Horses public relations director, Jeremy Atkins, will lead a discussion with artists Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Phil Noto (Angel & Faith, Dollhouse), Chris Samnee (Serenity), and inker Andy Owens (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) for an inside look at the artists processes. We’ll be showcasing a variety of art from past and future issues of these best-loved titles, including exclusive reveals and first looks!

Wonder Woman in Bondage
Room: 3AB
Time: 5:00 – 6:00

Ben Saunders has over fifteen years of experience as a university lecturer and public speaker. He brings you a witty, accessible and historically accurate illustrated lecture on the curious psychological theories of Wonder Woman’s original writer, William Moulton Marston.  Taking the audience through Marston’s early years as a writer for the character, Ben will explain (in a manner suitable for a public audience) the curious psychological subtext behind those early stories. Marston developed some fascinating and strange theories about human sexual behavior and the male need to assert control through violence. He often used the comic book medium of Wonder Woman to express those theories, as well as to promulgate a more conventionally feminist message. Many have interpreted the bondage imagery of his comics as a contradiction of his feminism and in this panel, Ben shows how “Wonder Woman in Bondage” and feminist politics were entirely consistent, at least within Marston’s own mind.

Movie Mash Up featuring the finest Voice Talent the Galaxy has to offer
Room: 4C3-4
Time: 5:30 – 8:00

Ever wondered what The Lord of the Rings would have sounded like if Fry and Bender were Frodo and Sam? What if it was Batman’s voice that came from Woody and Buzz Lightyear had been voiced by Wakko Warner in Toy Story? Can you imagine Bubbles of the Powerpuff Girls as Scarlett O’Hara and Ren of Ren and Stimpy as Rhett Butler? These are just a few of the scenarios that are possible at this panel. Join seven of the universes finest Voice Talents as they re-enact scenes from your favorite films. Featuring Kevin Conroy, Jess Harnell, John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen, Tara Strong and Billy West.

Saturday, March 31

Talkin’ Dead with Jon Berenthal & Laurie Holden
Room: 4A
Time: 1:00 – 2:00

A “lively” discussion with The Walking Dead stars Jon Bernthal and Laurie Holden. Join them as they talk about the show’s record breaking viewing numbers, what it’s like to film in an apocalyptic, zombie filled world and what the future holds for Shane and Andrea. Hosted by David Boze (KTTH 770 AM).

Futurama: The Future Sounds Good
Room: 4C3-4
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

Join Futurama stars Billy West, John DiMaggio and Maurice LaMarche as they talk about the past, present and future of the show as well as share amusing stories about not only Futurama but the many other shows these amazing voice actors have worked on.

A Candid Conversation with Katee Sackhoff
Room: 4A
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

Hear actress Katee Sackhoff speak about her breakthrough role as Lt. Kara Thrace, a.k.a. Starbuck, on Battlestar Galactica as well as talk about her role in the upcoming Chronicles of Riddick movie where she will be playing a mercenary named “Dahl” whose job is tracking down Riddick. Hosted by Laremy Legel (Film.com and New Day Northwest KING 5)

Oh My! It’s George Takei!
Room: 4A
Time: 5:00 – 6:00

George Takei is known to millions worldwide as Hikaru Sulu, one of Star Treks most beloved characters. Join him as he regales you with stories from Star Trek’s past, his encounter with “The Donald” on Celebrity Apprentice (with fellow ECCC guest Tia Carrerre), his role as Howard Stern’s announcer and anything else that he wants to talk about. You’d listen to him read the phone book for an hour if that’s what he wanted to do and you know it! Hosted by Danny Bonaduce & Sarah (KZOK 102.5 FM)

QUEERS IN GAMING
Room: TCC 102
Time: 5:00 – 6:00

The presence of queer characters and culture in gaming has been a hot-button topic the last few years. Recent breakthroughs in representing and serving queer tastes in big titles such as Dragon Age, Persona 4, Mass Effect and others have elicited strong responses and highlighted a conflict in our wider culture. This panel will touch on many topics including gender, homophobia, diversity, and why having queers in gaming is a good thing. We’ll discuss where queers in gaming have been, where they stand now, and what we see for the future. Zan Christensen (Prism Comics), Ashley Cook (Writer), Jeremy Crawford (Wizards of the Coast), Crystal Frasier(Paizo Publishing), Erik Scott de Bie (Fantasy Author).

Sunday, April 1

A Conversation with Summer Glau
Room: 4A
Time: 11:00 – 12:00

The beautiful and talented Summer Glau talks about her roles on such shows as Firefly, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse and The Cape as well as her upcoming film Knights of Badassdom. Hosted by David Boze (KTTH 770 AM)

Yes, it's a fake Adam Baldwin image but we can always dream, can't we? Art: MaleEroPainter

Adam Baldwin: From Firefly to Chuck and Beyond!
Room: 4A
Time: 12:00 – 1:00

With a career spanning over three decades, Adam Baldwin has appeared in over 100 films and television roles. He is a fan favorite for his roles as Jayne Cobb, a role he played on the series Firefly as well the film Serenity and as John Casey on Chuck but you may also recognize him from is roles in X-Files, Independence Day, Angel or Full Metal Jacket. Hosted by David Boze (KTTH 770 AM)

Seeing Double – James and Oliver Phelps
Room: 4A
Time: 1:00 – 2:00

Join British twins James and Oliver Phelps as they discuss their famous roles as Fred and George Weasley in the blockbuster Harry Potter films. Hosted by Craig Sailor (The News Tribune).

Great Scott! It’s Christopher Lloyd!
Room: 4A
Time: 3:00 – 4:00

It’s 1.21 gigawatts of fun as Christopher Lloyd talks about his career. His roles have been legendary; Rev. Jim onTaxi, Uncle Fester in the Addams Family films, Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Commander Kruge inStar Trek III. However, it’s his role as Doctor Emmett Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy that he may be best known for. Hosted by Elisa Jaffe (Former Host “Northwest Afternoon” KOMO 4, Current Host “Sunrise Seattle” KVI) and Mark Christopher (Former Host Warm 106.9, Current Host “Sunrise Seattle” KVI).