Comic-con 2009: Tell me where to go

I'm going to Comic-Con again this month, and I could use your help.

When I first went in 1999, there was but a single television tangent to what was then still mainly considered the largest comic book show on the planet. It was the rising popularity of anime in the "Pokémon" craze -- and even then, I had to reach for a movie reference in Disney's mainstreaming efforts with "Princess Mononoke." Here is what I wrote then. (Note the fierce urgency of the story: I wrote it five months after Comic-Con.)

That year, I did go to this intriguing panel that featured a number of the stars of an old science fiction show from the 1970s who were trying to lead a revival of the series. The group had even shelled out a few thousand bucks to make a trailer for their proposed film/TV show. I wonder whatever happened to "Battlestar Galactica."

When I returned in 2006, television was starting to eclipse movies as the big Hollywood presence at Comic-Con. The picture you see above was taken at Sci-Fi's (remember that old channel?) booth on the exhibition floor. And here is what I wrote then. I'm not going to pretend that this article started the trend of TV critics heading down to San Diego in July... but I was the only one I saw there.

Anyway. I'm going again and probably will make it an annual event, because television has just exploded at Comic-Con. In fact, I am feeling a little bit overwhelmed by all the concurrent TV-related sessions running this year. Many shows have very little to do with the world of fantasy as Comic-Con purists know it -- but they're at Comic-Con, and in many cases they ain't coming to press tour (which was moved to late July).

I'm mostly rejecting the come-ons arriving, 10 or 20 a day now, in my mailbox. Like this pitch from a leading videogame company: "We will have food, drinks, and games for you to play and check out. The main game that may interest you would be SAW the game based on the movie." Ah, yes, exactly how I like to spend a little down time -- decapitating victims for fun. (Paging The Onion.)

So here's where you come in. Have a look at the schedule and tell me what you like and why. Here are the schedules for Friday and Saturday, the two days I'm attending.

Comments

[Lynn]

The pool at your hotel if you want to keep your sanity :)

True Blood would be good, though.

[Sam Redding]

These would be interesting to see covered, some for obvious reasons:

Fri Jul 24 7:30-8:45 Stan Helsing— Clips, interviews and Q&A with filmmaker Bo Zenga (Scary Movie) and stars Leslie Nielsen (Naked Gun), Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Diora Baird (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning), Steve Howey (Reba), and Desi Lydic (The Real Wedding Crashers). Anchor Bay's Stan Helsing horror spoof features parodies of the six greatest movie monsters of all time: Freddy/Nightmare on Elm Street, Jason/Friday the 13th, Leatherface/The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pinhead/Hellraiser, Chucky/Childs Play, and Michael Myers/Halloween. Room 6BCF

Fri Jul 24 6:15-7:15 TV Guide Magazine: Sci Fi Hot List— TV Guide magazine takes an

in-depth look at some of the most buzzed-about new and returning TV series
, featuring the hottest talent from in front of the camera and behind the scenes. TV Guide executive editor Craig Tomashoff moderates this panel that offers the inside scoop, along with special surprises. Scheduled participants include Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Scott Peters (executive producer, V), Rebecca Romijn (Eastwick), Kevin Williamson (executive producer, The Vampire Diaries), Scott Wolf (V), John Cho (Flash Forward), Marc Guggenheim (producer, Flash Forward), Allison DuBois (the real person behind Medium), and others. Ballroom 20

Fri Jul 24 4:00-5:15 Dollhouse— Join Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon and star/producer Eliza Dushku for a no-holds-barred Q & A about what they have planned for season 2, after they unveil a special screening of the never-before-seen "Epitaph One" episode of the Fox hit, which releases on DVD just four days later. Ballroom 20

Fri Jul 24 District 9—Peter Jackson makes his eagerly and long-awaited first visit to Comic-Con to introduce you to the world of District 9, which focuses on a world in which extraterrestrials have become refugees in South Africa. Thirty years ago, aliens made first contact with Earth. Humans waited for the hostile attack or the giant advances in technology. Neither came. Instead, the aliens were refugees, the last survivors of their home world. The creatures were set up in a makeshift home in South Africa's District 9 as the world's nations argued over what to do with them—as well as their powerful technology and advanced weaponry that can only be activated by Alien DNA. Please join Peter Jackson as he gives fans a first look at scenes from District 9 and takes your questions along with director Neill Blomkamp and star Sharlto Copley. From Sony Pictures Entertainment
Hall H

Sat Jul 25 3:30-4:30 The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day— In the sequel to the cult classic The Boondock Saints, Director Troy Duffy brings back Sean Patrick Flanery (Suicide Kings, Powder), Norman Reedus (American Gangster, Blade 2), and Billy Connolly (The Last Samurai) and introduces Clifton Collins JR (Star Trek, Crank 2) as a new partner in crime and Julie Benz (Rambo, Punisher 2, Saw) as the sexy F.B.I. operative who is hot on their trail. Please join Troy and the cast for a panel discussion about the new film and the world premiere of the trailer. Room 6DE

Sat Jul 25 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 pm on Showtime. Indigo Ballroom / Hilton Bayfront

Sat Jul 25 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

Sat Jul 25 1:30-2:30 Miramax: Extract— Mike Judge, the creator of such comedy classics as Office Space, Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill is back with his latest film Extract starring Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), and Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live). Join Judge and his cast for a discussion and first look at scenes from their new film. Hall H

Holy Toldeo, they're re-making V:

Sat Jul 25 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

Have fun... And please take your camera!

[Jim]

Looks like the Kansas City Barbeque is back open and just across the street from the Convention Center - call the Blair's and let them know that you'd like to join them for a nice meal - (619)231-9680 http://www.kcbbq.net/

[Jesse Jackson]

A lot of great choices and many of them are happening at the same time. here are a few suggestions (or things I would do if I was going)
Friday -
10:00 Batman Brave and Bold - I love this series, the writers are doing a great job of capturing everything I loved about comics when I was a kid.

11:30 - 12:30 The Prisoner - I don't know if this will work but I want to see what they are going to do with this remake. Will it be BSG or Bionic Woman?

1:00 to 2:00 Big Bang Theory - one of the funiest shows on TV and Comic-Con will be their element!

4:00 - 5:15 Dollhouse - the show doesn't have our favorite writing team anymore but I still think this will be a great session followed up by....

5:15 - 6:00 Joss Whedon spotlight - what is there not to love?

Saturday

10:00 - 11:00 Chuck - with its 3rd season coming up, I'd like to hear the plans.

11:00 - 12:00 The TV geek in me wants to go to the Lost Panel but the comic geek in me would love to see the Terry Moore (STrangers in Paradise) panel.

4:45 - 5:45 Spotligt on J. Michael Stracynski OR
5:15 - 6:45 Kevin Smith Panel

You can't do both but either one of them will be entertaining, Kevin will make you laugh and JMS will make you think.

MY MUST SEE EVENT -
8:50 - 12:15 Watchmen Director's Cut Screening

I would have to see the movie with Zack Snyer there introducing it.

Enjoy the trip. You probably don't need to be told this but it always worth repeating, enjoy the moments, don't worry about what panels you aren't seeing but focus on what you are seeing and enjoy those panels.

[OJ]

On Friday, the only one that I saw that would be cool would be the Eureka panel. I think the District 9 panel is on Friday so that would be cool to see since that movie looks pretty sweet.

Saturday is the big day with Chuck, Fringe, Sanctuary and if you're a Lost fan, then that panel as well. The Big Bang Theory one would also be pretty good.

[Kevin Hamburger]

Don't forget the Burn Notice panel featuring Bruce Campbell.

[As Kevin knows, I love BURN NOTICE. And Jeffrey can now be considered an actor of the caliber of Kiefer (bad joke). Still, it does feel kind of funny going to a panel at Comic-Con for that show. --AB]

[Chris]

Burn Notice. and try to make your way over to "The Guild" to see what's happening with that show... :)

Thanks! Have fun Aaron!