The Horrors of Comic-Con 2013: Day 1 Schedule

As we do every year, we sift through the daily breakdown and extract the genre stuff you might be interested in After the jump, you’ll find the “horror highlights.”

ShockTillyouDrop.com will be on site throughout the event which runs July 17th-21st. We’ll be bringing you images, interviews and panel highlights and will be storing them, not just on the home page as the news comes in, but in one convenient spot: RIGHT HERE.

Thursday, July 17th

10:30am / Paranormal Passion Panel: Authors discuss the inclusion of romantic elements in their action-packed novels. Protagonists must battle the forces of evil while trying to keep the world (and often their lovers) safe from destruction. Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy leads a discussion with Comic-Con special guest Christine Feehan (The Dark Series), Claudia Gray (Spellcaster), Aprilynne Pike (Earthbound), Lauren Kate (The Fallen Novels), Kendare Blake (Antigoddess), and Magnus Flyte (City of Dark Magic). Thursday July 18, 2013 10:30am – 11:30am Room 24ABC
11:30am / Masters of the Web: Some of the most prominent and influential film pundits on the web discuss the film industry, writing for film online, film fandom, and a whole lot more with a special focus on the world of horror this year. Moderated by the director and writer of the upcoming Lionsgate film You’re Next, Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett. Panelists include Ryan Turek (ShockTillYouDrop.com), Evan Dickson (Bloody-Disgusting.Com), Grae Drake (RottenTomatoes.Com), Heather Wixson (DreadCentral.Com), Lawrence Raffel (FearNet.com), James “Jimmy O” Oster (JoBlo.com), and hosted by John Campea (AMC Theatres). AMC is generously providing free movies passes to all attendees of the panel this year!Thursday July 18, 2013 11:30am – 12:30pm Room 24ABC
1:00pm / Ghost Ghirls: A Behind-the-Scenes Paranormal Experience with Jack Black: Hey Comic-Con! Jack Black is bringing his new quirky web series Ghost Ghirls to you. Ghost Ghirls follows the hilarious antics of two very blonde best friends, Heidi and Angelica, as they attempt to juggle their personal and professional lives-as ghostbusters. Each episode details the adventures of the funny duo as they work to solve the mysteries behind paranormal phenomena while attempting to convince their clients, some otherworldly visitors, and themselves, that they are legit. The show stars Amanda Lund and Maria Blasucci as the two paranormal investigators. It was created by Drunk History’s Jeremy Konner, along with stars Lund and Blasucci. You will see exclusive episodes before they premiere online. Executive producer and comedic genius Jack Black will join the creators to ghoul-out for an interactive panel session, share the inspiration for the show, and answer questions.Thursday July 18, 2013 1:00pm – 2:00pm Indigo Ball Room Hilton Bayfront
1:10pm / Europa Report: At the movies, it seems there’s so much science fiction, but so little science. Sebastian Cordero’s Europa Report seeks to change that. The film depicts a near-future crewed mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa, seeking evidence for life in an ocean beneath the moon’s icy surface. The movie uses current science to tell a story of discovery and danger. This panel features the film’s crew and cast, alongside scientists involved with a NASA concept for a real robotic spacecraft, the Europa Clipper, designed to investigate the mysteries of Europa, including whether it has the elements to support life. Participants include Sebastian Cordero (director, Rage and Chronicles), Bear McCreary (composer, Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead), producer Ben Browning, and actress Karolina Wydra, alongside JPL scientists Steve Vance and Kevin Hand. The panel will be moderated by astronomer Dr. Phil Plait (Slate magazine, Phil Plait’s Bad Universe). Space.com called the film “One of the most thrilling and realistic depictions of deep-space exploration since Moon and 2001: A Space Odyssey.”Thursday July 18, 2013 1:10pm – 2:20pm Hall H
4:00pm / Keep ‘Em at the Edge of Their Seats: The gory, gruesome, and paranoia-inducing elements in these novels will take readers on a jet-fueled ride to the dark side. These writers spare no expense to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up with stories that will surprise you at every turn. Their protagonists solve crimes, kick ass, and don’t let anyone-or anything-stand in their way. Thrill to the discussion with James Rollins (Eye of God), Duane Swierczynski (Point and Shoot), Stephen Blackmoore (Dead Things), Charlie Huston (Skinner), Jeffrey J. Mariotte (Season of the Wolf), and Roger Hobbs (Ghostman), led by David Mariotte of Mysterious Galaxy.Thursday July 18, 2013 4:00pm – 5:00pm Room 25ABC
4:15pm / The Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Panel: Robert Kirkman discusses the evolution of The Walking Dead and his plans to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, in a lively Q&A forum.Thursday July 18, 2013 4:15pm – 5:15pm Room 6A
4:30pm / Creepy and Eerie REBORN and UNDEAD: Are you ready to experience the Creepiest of the Creepy? An evil assemblage of ghoulish creators discuss all things Creepy and Eerie. Artist Jason Shawn Alexander (House of Gold and Bones), Creepy writer and editor Dan Braun, producer Josh Braun (Button Man), and moderator J. C. Vaughn (Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide) discuss the influence of the original Warren Creepy and Eerie magazines relaunched at Dark Horse in hardcover archival editions, new comic books, and artist compilation formats. They’ll also divulge details about the upcoming Creepy feature film. With very special guests and extra-spooky giveaways!Thursday July 18, 2013 4:30pm – 5:30pm Room 24ABC
6:00pm / Mortal Kombat: Legacy Season 2 Panel: Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Brian Tee (The Wolverine), Ian Anthony Dale (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), Samantha Jo (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), and Ed Boon (creator of Mortal Kombat) join series creator and director Kevin Tancharoen (Mortal Kombat: Legacy), producer Lance Sloane (Mortal Kombat: Legacy/Act of Valor), and Machinima’s executive vice president of network programming Aaron DeBevoise for an in-depth discussion about the highly anticipated second season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy, set to premiere exclusively on Machinima, the number one global video entertainment brand for young males. Moderated by Matt Atchity, editor-in-chief of Rotten Tomatoes.com, don’t miss your chance to see exclusive, never-before-seen footage and hear from cast members about the second season of the groundbreaking show that has been called one of the most successful web series of all time.Thursday July 18, 2013 6:00pm – 7:00pm Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
6:00pm / Teen Wolf: Join cast members Tyler Posey, Crystal Reed, Dylan O’Brien, Tyler Hoechlin, Holland Roden, Charlie Carver, and Max Carver plus executive producer Jeff Davis for a Q&A as they discuss season 3 and share a special video presentation exclusively for Comic-Con fans. Moderated by ETOnline reporter Jarett Wieselman.Thursday July 18, 2013 6:00pm – 7:00pm Ballroom 20
6:00pm / Showtime: Dexter: You’ve been there for every edge-of-your-seat moment, every kill, inside Dexter’s most intimate thoughts, watching him transform before your eyes. Now, after eight amazing seasons, it’s time to say goodbye to America’s Favorite Serial Killer. Join the cast, writers/executive producers, and surprise guest stars who are too big to mention, for a final farewell panel that even Hall H can’t contain! Ralph Garman (KROQ entertainment reporter) presides over a revealing interview and Q&A session with the stars and executive producers of Dexter. Featured panelists include series star/executive producer Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jennifer Carpenter (Deb), David Zayas (Batista), and James Remar (Harry). Also appearing are executive producers John Goldwyn, Sara Colleton, Scott Buck, and Manny Coto. Satisfy your Dexter obsession all weekend. The new season of Dexter airs Sundays at 9:00 ET/PT only on Showtime.Thursday July 18, 2013 6:30pm – 7:30pm Hall H
6:45pm / Hannibal: Feed Your Fear: Emmy Award-winning executive producer Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies), director David Slade (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), Martha De Laurentiis (Red Dragon), and star Hugh Dancy (Agent Will Graham) reveal juicy morsels from behind the scenes of the groundbreaking NBC drama Hannibal. This feast of many courses will serve key moments from the first season as an entree, followed by a digestif of sneak previews of the second season. Not to mention a few surprises along the way. Bon appetit, Fannibals!Thursday July 18, 2013 6:45pm – 7:45pm Room 6A
7:00pm / Horror Comics from the Monsterverse: A discussion of upcoming horror comics from Monsterverse featuring Bela Lugosi and classic undead monsters delivered with a modern twist. Learn of horror media projects from Scratch Lightning Productions. Sam F. Park (Monsterverse West Coast editor and Scratch Lightning executive producer) is joined by Hollywood concept, storyboard and Monsterverse comic artists Benton Jew (G.I. JOE) and Henry Mayo (Ted) and writer Ed Polgardy (From Dusk Til Dawn). Followed by a Q&A session and media presentation.Thursday July 18, 2013 7:00pm – 8:00pm Room 28DE
7:00pm / Horror on the Panelled Page: For five years at Comic-Con, Ain’t It Cool News’s Mark L. Miller has led a panel full of comics most frightening creators in a lively discussion on what it takes to incite horror and suspense in graphic storytelling. Join a star studded panel of writers, artists, and other spooky characters to find out what makes them scared, how they scare others, and what to do and not to do in horror comic books.Thursday July 18, 2013 7:00pm – 8:00pm Room 5AB
7:00pm / Zombies in Pop Culture: Max Brooks (Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z), Matt Mogk (Zombie Research Society), Steven Schlozman (The Zombie Autopsies), Scott Kenemore (Zen of Zombie, Zombie Ohio), Aaron Sagers (Journalist and TV host), Bradley Voytek (neuroscientist), and Jonathan James (DailyDead.com) discuss why zombies are so popular today. Join this expert panel for a Q&A session covering everything from the origin of the modern zombie to the deep-rooted fears it represents.Thursday July 18, 2013 7:00pm – 8:00pm Room 7AB
8:00pm / Not Guilty Due to Zombification? Law and Forensic Psychiatry in a Zombie Apocalypse: During a “zombie apocalypse” humans play by a new set of rules-or no rules at all. Zombies kill humans, humans hunt zombies, and humans murder other humans-with no legal repercussions. But suppose the zombie apocalypse ended after eradication of the zombies or the discovery of a cure that rejoined the dead with the living. When society’s laws are restored, what would happen if humans, zombies, and former zombies alike stood trial for their actions? Would any of them be found guilty, or would the circumstances of the apocalypse excuse crimes like theft, breaking and entering, misuse of a corpse, murder, and cannibalism? What legal defenses might apply? The forensic psychiatrists of Broadcast Thought-H. Eric Bender, M.D., Praveen R. Kambam, M.D., and Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D.-along with an attorney from Law and the Multiverse, James Daily (The Law of Superheroes), and attorney and professor Jeff Trexler examine the legal issues faced by a post-zombie-apocalyptic world. In a mock trial, the lawyers will be the prosecution and defense, the doctors will be the expert witnesses, and you will be the jury. Will the walking dead be found guilty or will they walk free?Thursday July 18, 2013 8:00pm – 9:30pm Room 7AB
8:30pm / Holliston: Inside the Laughs, Screams, Metal, and Geekery! Creator/star Adam Green (Hatchet), cast members Laura Ortiz (Happy Endings), and Oderus Urungus (GWAR), director Sean Becker (The Guild), and fan-favorite moderator Alison Haislip (The Voice) discuss the inner workings of their hit television series (now in its second season) and explain the process of creating a sitcom specifically for horror, sci-fi, comic, and heavy metal fans. Including exclusive clips and the world premiere of series character “Lance Rockett” (Dee Snider, Twisted Sister) and his band Dyver Down’s first original music video from the upcoming Season 2 finale, this just might be the most you’ll laugh all weekend long. Q&A to follow the presentation.Thursday July 18, 2013 8:30pm – 9:30pm Room 24ABC