2020 – this year is the 50th Anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con, and it will be different in every way. Due to the COVID-19 spreading across the globe, SDCC made the hard decision to hold a virtual version of the convention – Comic-Con@Home. While those of us who have attended will miss our annual pilgrimage to this con, it gives everyone around the world the opportunity to attend and watch panels together.

The Good News

Comic-Con@Home 2020 will feature over 350 separate panels spread out over all five days of the event. There will be something for everyone! Here’s how it works:

Head to ComicCon@Home schedule and peruse your panel options. We recommend creating a profile here so you can save your schedule. The majority of the panels will also be available AFTER the July 22-26 dates, although there are some that may have a limited time period attached to them.

Each panel will contain a link; when you click on that link, you’ll launch another page that has the panel video embedded on it … that video will be available on the date and time listed. When it’s available, simply push play and watch! *Poof* – you are attending an SDCC Panel. Free admission and no hours-long lines for panels? Sign me up!

More good news – no more choosing between panels booked at the same time! Since panels will be live-streamed to YouTube, you can watch your favorites later at your convenience. Though note which ones will have a limited time period attached.

Panels with Diversity in Mind

While we recommend heading to Comic-Con@Home to peruse the schedule of panels yourself, we’ve curated a selection here. These panels spotlight diversity and inclusion in life and media.

Wednesday, July 22

3:00pm PT

  • GeekED: Re-storied: Re-imagining creative privilege
  • YouTube: https://youtu.be/wo5ukr8575s
  • History is a story told by the victors: until it’s not. The story landscape is changing. There is more space in the narrative world for stories both by and about people with diverse experiences. Join our lively panel debate to see how that re-storying is emerging; in academic institutions, in live performance, in digital experiences, and in a proliferation of creative tools that empower people to tell their stories.

4:00pm PT

  • Books for All: It’s Time to Redefine How We Share Books With Kids
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/2w5blSCH6ZQ
  • In a panel hosted by the LitX teacher cohort, Jill Gerber (teacher, Rowland Hall School), Tony Weaver (CEO, Weird Enough Productions), Adan Alvarado (teacher, Bloom Township High School), Yehudi Mercado (comic creator Sci-Fu, Fun Fun Fun High School), and Christina “Steenz” Stewart(comic creator, Archival Quality, Heart of the City) discuss how teachers, librarians, creators, and parents can share impactful and diverse comics with kids of all ages. Moderated by Adam Ebert (teacher, Bloom Township High School).

Thursday, July 23

10:00am PT

  • Body Talk
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/oMoS6dNZ5T0
  • Visual storytelling mediums have an opportunity to show diverse bodies and yet it seems to still be a struggle to find true representation for many marginalized people. Now, more than ever, having difficult discussions about inclusion, representation, diversity, and the power of stories to remind us all of our humanity matter, need to happen. Join creator Jules Rivera, Christina “Steenz” Stewart, Mari Naomi, Sequoia Bostick, and Lilah Sturges for a frank, thoughtful, and funny discussion about these topics. Moderated by Mariah McCourt.

12:00pm PT

  • All the Starfleet Ladies: Then and Now
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/Bn8F0BDks_g
  • From Uhura to Janeway to Burnham, Star Trek has a rich history of portraying complex, powerful female-identifying characters. How do Star Trek authors perceive their role in continuing this legacy in their Star Trek novels? Join Una McCormack (author of Picard: The Last Best Hope), Swapna Krishna (space, tech, and pop culture journalist), author Cassandra Rose Clarke, LJ Jackson (publicity manager at Saga Press), and moderator Kendra James (editor at StarTrek.com), as they examine the ladies of Star Trek from its inception to the present.

1:00pm PT

  • Insider Art: A Compendium of Comics, Crafts & Cats for All Ages
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/8C0UTAP1r38
  • Insider Art is a comics initiative that begin during the early days of the COVID19 pandemic; a way to bring female and non-binary creators together to raise money for our own: female and non-binary comic book retailers who faced financial hardships under quarantine. 8 editors, 1 retailer liaison, and over 100 creators from around the world united for one grand mission: to bring over 250 pages of comics, crafts and cats to the masses and conquer the tedium of the great indoors.

Friday, July 24

10:00am PT

Saturday, July 25

12:00pm PT

  • Diversity and Comics: Why Inclusion and Visibility Matter
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/8aA_jH-I4do
  • The past year has witnessed the birth of transformational change in the social fabric. The growth of more diverse faces on the pages of popular comic books and in feature films has proven to be essential to reflect the world in which we all live. We will bring an award-winning panel together to challenge ongoing issues and push the conversation forward.

5:00pm PT

Sunday, July 26

2:00pm PT

  • Super Asian America
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/BKBifGHxhPY
  • From blockbuster productions like Mulan and Shang Chi to streaming hits like The Half Of It, Asian Americans continue to make strides in media and representation. Join Racebending for our 10th annual (and first virtual) discussion of all things Super Asian American, featuring Peter Shinkoda (Daredevil), Deric Hughes (The Flash), Joy Regullano (White Fetish), and Bao Phi (Sông I Sing).

Fandom Panels

Interested in fandom panels? We’ve curated a list of those too. Richard and I will cover these on the next episode of Skywalking Through Neverland with Eric Onkenhout (writer).

Thursday, July 23

10:00am PT

12:00pm PT

  • From Script to Screen: Behind-the-Scenes of Your Favorite Film & TV Shows
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/l8nVyUHpicM
  • Entertainment creatives discuss on how they bring your favorite film and television projects from script to screen! Panelists include composers Devin Burrows (The Wretched), Chad Rehmann (Camp Cold Brook), and Ian Chen (Green Door), makeup designer Burton LeBlanc (The Handmaid’s Tale), screenwriter/director/editor Tirsa Hackshaw (Jessica Jones), and cinematographer Catherine Lutes (Anne with an E). Moderated by actress Danielle Harris (Halloween Franchise).

1:00pm PT

  • A Look Inside “Marvel’s 616” on Disney+
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/_dqPLYpDoNs
  • Marvel’s 616 explores how Marvel’s rich legacy of stories, characters and creators exist within the “world outside your window.” Join directors Gillian Jacobs, Paul Scheer, and executive producers Sarah Amos and Jason Sterman as they discuss the making of this Disney+ original anthology series with moderator Angélique Roché.

Friday, July 24

10:00am PT

  • The Mandalorian and His Many Gadgets
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/vWOWSMfiVOQ
  • Daniel J. Glenn (podcast producer), Dr. Michael Dennin (science expert: ancient aliens, Star Wars tech), and Ben Siepser (bio-engineer) of the podcast Fascinating Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gear-Based Technologies explore the science behind the various tools Mando uses to secure his bounties. 

11:00am PT

12:00pm PT

Saturday, July 25

10:00am PT

1:00pm PT

  • Blast Off with Disney+’s “The Right Stuff”
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/iyudS7OPIJM
  • From Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way and Warner Horizon Scripted Television, The Right Stuff is the first scripted Disney+ original series from National Geographic. The series takes a clear-eyed look at the early days of the US space program.In this 45-minute panel moderated by former NASA Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, you will hear from the cast and crew about making this compelling and cinematically extraordinary series, PLUS an exclusive first look will be revealed!

Sunday, July 26

2:00pm PT

  • A Conversation with Nathan Fillion
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/iJJJ-z18Pyg
  • Showrunner Alexi Hawley (The Rookie) talks with Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle, The Rookie) about his career in film and television. With special appearances by Joss Whedon, Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres, Mekia Cox, Molly Quinn, Seamus Dever, and Jon Huertas.

3:00pm PT

  • Wakanda, Forever! The Psychology Black Panther
  • YouTube:https://youtu.be/S9Ehapb5vPA
  • What do people mean whey they shout, Wakanda Forever! Join Scott Jordan (Westworld psychology), Alex Simmons (Blackjack), Victor Dandridge, Jr.(Vantage Inhouse Productions), Daniel Jun Kim (Black Panther psychology), Vanessa Hintz (Joker psychology), Eric Wesselmann (Wonder Woman psychology), and Stanford Carpenter (Institute of Comic Scholars) as they discuss the psychological issues addressed in the Black Panther movie and comics, including topics such as micro-aggressions, cultural representation in media, and the power of love and empathetic leadership. By the end of our panel, you, too, will be shouting, Wakanda Forever!

More ComicCon@Home Links

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