1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Phil Jimenez— WonderCon special guest Phil Jimenez helped us through an Infinite Crisis this year. As the lead artist on the multi-world spanning epic from DC Comics, Jimenez tackled one of the toughest assignments of his career. Phil talks about what's next—including a certain very popular web-slinger over at Marvel Comics—in this spotlight event. Room 200

1:00-2:00 From Daydream to Reality: Make Your Creative Ideas Come to Life— Which side of the convention table do you want to be on, artist or fan? And what’s keeping you from getting there? If you have an idea in your head that you’ve had trouble bringing into reality, you might benefit from this practical goal-setting workshop. Teacher and leadership trainer Douglas Neff will show you techniques for setting and achieving your most important goals. Whether you want to write your own screenplay, draw your first comic, or shoot your independent film, you’re sure to get something useful from this informative workshop. Room 228

1:00-2:00 Learn How to Draw Star Wars— Meet author Bonnie Burton and Star Wars artists Matt Busch and Tom Hodges, who just produced You Can Draw: Star Wars for DK Publishing. Young artists and artists of all ages can learn to draw Star Wars characters with instructions and tips from Hodges and Busch, and coaching from Burton. The book, You Can Draw: Star Wars, features tutorials on how to draw major characters from the entire saga including Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Padmé Amidala, Princess Leia, Emperor Palpatine, Yoda, Jabba the Hutt, C-3PO and R2-D2, just to name a few. Room 236

1:30-2:30 Battlestar Galactica Forum and Q & A with Actor Richard Hatch— Richard Hatch discusses his role on the new BattleStar Galactica series, the new Tom Zarek comic miniseries and his new BSG book So Say We All, a collection of thoughts and opinions on the new and original Battlestar series. In addition Hatch will play the latest BSG gag reel and a trailer for “Behind the Music of BSG,” featuring composer Bear McCreary. Richard Hatch is an internationally known actor, writer and director and is the author of several BSG novels, books and comics including his latest, So Say We All, from Ben Bella books. He has recently written, directed and hosted a documentary on the securities industry debuting later this year on TV. Room 220

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Judd Winick— Award-winning writer/cartoonist Judd Winick has brought us everyone from Batman to Barry Ween, from Juniper Lee to Oliver Queen.  Judd talks about his work—past, present and future—in this free wheeling spotlight. Room 200

2:00-3:00 Learn How to Create Comics and Manga On Your Computer!— eFrontier’s Manga Studio, the leading Manga and comic art software, provides all the essential tools you need to create professional, ready-to-publish pages from start to finish! Manga Studio offers an intuitive interface, and delivers the best suite of ready-to-use screen tones, content and special Manga and comic effects for hobbyists, experienced artists and professionals. Join Fahim Niaz (Product Manager, eFrontier) and Lincy Chanc (Manga artist, TOKYOPOP) for this sure to be educational how-to discussion! Room 228

2:00-3:00 Mark Evanier/Gerard Jones— We were tempted to call this one “When Historians Clash!,” but we didn’t. Writer and comics historian Mark Evanier talks to writer and comics historian Gerard Jones, author of the beginnings of the American comic book industry book, Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters and The Birth of the Comic Book. Evanier and Jones will talk about the men who created the super-hero comic book as we know it today, men such as Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Bob Kane, Will Eisner and many others. This is Comics History 101! Room 236

2:30-3:30 Noel Neill: The Original Lois Lane— To many of us who grew up in front of the television set, there's always been only one Lois Lane. Noel Neill, who originated the character on the big screen in Columbia Pictures' Superman serials and went on to star in the George Reeves TV series, talks about her career as a comic book character come to life. Moderated by Larry Thomas Ward, author of the definitive book on Miss Neill's career, Truth, Justice & the American Way: The Life and Times of Noel Neill, The Original Lois Lane. Room 220

3:00-4:00 Spotlight on Michael Turner— One of the most popular artists working in comics today, Michael Turner not only draws comics, he owns his own company! Michael's company, Aspen MLT, continues to publish such cutting-edge comics as Soulfire and Shrugged. Turner has kept up his workload with other publishers, too, producing a memorable run of covers for Marvel (Civil War) and DC (Identity Crisis). Turner and the folks at Aspen talk about what's next from this fan-favorite artist and publishing company. Room 200

3:00-4:00 SLG Publishing: Eyemelt!— SLG talks about its new digital download site Eyemelt.com and its upcoming summer releases as well as answering questions about publishing, how to submit new projects to the company and announcements of new projects for the summer of 2007. Room 228

3:00-5:00 Lucas Licensing Portfolio Review— Do you have what it takes to create art for the Star Wars galaxy? Troy Alders, Art Director at Lucas Licensing, will conduct portfolio reviews, provide critiques, and offer tips for aspiring artists. Room 232

3:00-4:00 The Sergio and Mark Show— They’ve collaborated so many times, they’ve probably lost count, but WonderCon special guests Sergio Aragonés and Mark Evanier are best-known for their work on a certain wandering barbarian named Groo. Sergio draws it, Evanier … well, we’re not quite sure what Evanier does on Groo, but that’s okay, because neither is Mark. Groo celebrates his 25th anniversary this year and Mark and Sergio will talk about the banner year ahead and maybe even mention something about a movie … maybe. Room 236

3:30-4:30 Terry Moore: SiP: RIP— It's the end of an era as one of comics' longest running independent series comes to a close with Strangers In Paradise #90. With three volumes totaling 107 issues printed in ten languages, Moore's epic love story has won the loyalty of fans all over the world. Find out why he chose to end the series, what's next, and the truth behind those nasty rumors of Katchoo partying with Lindsay and Paris. Room 220

4:00-5:00 DC Nation—Dan DiDio— Dan DiDio, Senior VP—Executive Editor DCU, and Bob Wayne, VP—Sales, are joined by Matt Idelson, Senior Editor—DCU, Jann Jones, Coordinating Editor—DCU, and others to call upon the DC NATION once again! Don’t miss the news on what will sure to be the most talked about events of the coming year! Open to current DC NATION members and new recruits! Room 200

4:00-5:00 One Man Star Wars Trilogy with Charles Ross— The One Man Star Wars Trilogy is a hilarious, high energy, nonstop blast through the original Star Wars trilogy, but with one catch: there's only one cast member, Canadian writer and solo performer Charles Ross. Ross plays all the characters, recreates the effects, sings the music, flies the ships, and fights both sides of the light saber battles, making for a side splitting evening. Ross has performed around the globe, from Toronto to Edinburgh, Dublin to Dubai, winning critics over everywhere he goes. Now playing at San Francisco’s Post Street Theatre through Sunday, March 11, but see this special preview and ask questions of Mr. Ross only at WonderCon! Room 228

4:00-5:00 Spotlight on Al Feldstein— Once upon a time, in the 1950s, there was an amazing line of comic books that brought together the very best artists to tell incredible, weird, two-fisted, frontline tales of terror, horror, war and science fiction. WonderCon 2007 special guest Al Feldstein was the editor—and sometimes writer and artist, too!—of the legendary E. C. line of comics. And while E. C. was a victim of a climate of censorship in the 50s, it rose from the ashes with its greatest book of all, Mad Magazine. Join Mark Evanier as he talks to Al Feldstein about the glory days of E. C. and Mad, and Al's current work as a top wildlife and Western scenery painter. Room 236

4:30-5:30 Spotlight on Linda Medley— The fan-favorite writer/artist of Castle Waiting returns to WonderCon as a special guest! Linda Medley's career in comics includes penciling superhero books such as Justice League and Doom Patrol, but she's also known for her coloring work. Her creation of Castle Waiting in 1994 gave her a whole new audience and the book is undergoing a renaissance at Fantagraphics, where it was revived in 2006. Writer/editor/cartoonist Shaenon Garrity (Narbonic.com) interviews Linda in this spotlight event. Room 220

5:00-6:00 Spotlight on Brian K. Vaughan— One of the most exciting and topical writers working in comics today, WonderCon special guest Brian K. Vaughan's work includes Ex Machina, Y: The Last Man, and Runaways. His recent graphic novel with artist with artist Niko Henrichon, Pride of Baghdad, garnered praise from both the mainstream and comics press. Brian talks about his work in this special spotlight panel. Room 200

5:00-6:00 Masquerade & Costuming 101— An overview of fan convention costuming, both for on-stage as well as for “hall costuming”, including its growth and style differences at various conventions, design, fabrication, and presentation tips, what mistakes to avoid, how to make an impact on stage, how masquerades are run, and how to have a lot of fun with this living art form. Panelists will include WonderCon Masquerade Director Martin Jaquish, and highly experienced award-winning fan costumers Dany Slone and Valerie Perez. Room 228

5:00-6:00 Dark Horse Comics— Please join Dark Horse Editor Shawna Gore, Publicist Jeremy Atkins and some surprise guests for a peek into Dark Horse's future, as the maverick publisher enters its third decade on the cutting edge. The first 20 years were just the beginning! Room 236

5:30-7:00 Trek Lives! The Rise, Fall and Rise of Star Trek— Our panel of Geek Monthly expert Treksperts discuss the past, present and future of sf's first franchise as the 40th anniversary festivities conclude, showing rare and never-before-seen audio and video material from the history of Trek and weigh in on J.J. Abrams and Star Trek XII. Featuring panelists Jeff Bond (author, Music of Star Trek), Anthony Pascale (webmaster, TrekMovie.Com), Robert Meyer Burnett (director, Free Enterprise) and Daren Dochterman (visual effects producer, Star Trek: The Motion Picture DVD). Get out of your parent's basement and into a seat for this not-to-be-missed panel featuring a few special surprises. Room 220

6:00-7:00 Spotlight on Tony Harris— Comic readers first became aware of WonderCon special guest Tony Harris's lush art style on Starman from DC Comics. Since then, Harris has gone on to become one of the top visual stylists currently penciling comics. His co-creation with Brian K. Vaughan, Ex Machina, chronicles the ongoing adventures of the super-powered mayor of New York City, Mitchell Hundred. Tony talks about his work in this panel. Room 200

6:00-7:00 BOOM! Studios— Join Wizard Magazine's 2005 "Best New Publisher” and get a look at what's coming up for BOOM! The launch of Warhammer 40,000: Damnation Crusade heralds the Spring debut of Warhammer: Forge of War. 2006 will see such high-profile projects as the screenwriter of the film Ray, James L. White, creating Hunter's Moon, and the writer-producer-director team The Polish Brothers (The Astronaut Farmer) launching Salvador! Get a peek at upcoming art and some very special announcements! Room 228

6:00-7:00 National Cartoonists Society: Womb to Toon: The Creation and Development of A Character— Join Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Michael Jantze (The Norm) and Alexis Fajardo (Kid Beowulf) for an intimate look at how some of your favorite characters in comics were conceived, developed and ultimately brought to a national (and sometimes international) spotlight. Other topics discussed will be the similarities and differences of writing for characters in different mediums such as comic strips, comic books and animation. Room 236

7:00-7:30 WonderCon Talkback, Session I— Here's your chance: tell us what we're doing right, wrong or not at all. Representatives from the WonderCon staff will be present to answer your questions and hear your comments. Room 228

7:30-11:00 The Best of the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival 2006— In its six years as a mainstay of programming at San Diego Comic-Con, the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI:IFF) has continued to celebrate independent film, with the accent on genre-related entries. Featured genres include original comics-oriented films, along with science fiction and fantasy, humor and parody, horror/suspense, animation, and pop culture-related documentary. A juried event, the Festival includes respected principals in the fields of film and popular arts view the submissions and decide which films are most deserving of awards and prizes. The judges for 2006 were actress/writer/filmmaker Amber Benson (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Latter Days, Race You to the Bottom, Chance, and Lovers, Liars, and Lunatics), film journalist/TV host and filmmaker Chris Gore (The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, My Big Fat Independent Movie), and journalist Thomas J. McLean (Variety, Animation Magazine). The Festival will once again be held at this year's Comic-Con International in San Diego, July 26-29.

Tonight's program features the winners from six of the seven categories, including the winner of the Judges' Choice Award, picked by the judges as the best film in the Festival. Our thanks to the filmmakers—some of whom will be present to talk about their films and answer questions—for permission to share their films with the WonderCon audience.

The films are:

Der Ostwind—In despair of finding a worthy opponent, Wolfgang von Kellermann, the German World War I ace known as Der Ostwind, is attacked by a seemingly invulnerable American. As Kellerman becomes increasingly obsessed with seeing his deadly opponent's face, he finds himself in the duel of his life and discovers at what price he will hold to his honor. Written and directed by Kohl Glass. Winner, CCI-IFF Best Action/Adventure Film.

Gorgonas—This lushly animated film from Argentina updates the mythological Gorgons to the pop music world of today, with horrifying results. See how pop music can change the world! Directed by Salvador Sanz. Winner, CCI-IFF Best Animated Film.

The Vinyl Battle—An evil drive-time radio DJ (Patton Oswalt) tries to wipe out a race of microscopic people living in his records, but one tiny resident (Dennis Gubbins) fights back. Written and directed by Owen Hammer. Winner, CCI-IFF Best Humor/Parody Film.

Post-Mortem—During a mysterious epidemic, an intern and a security guard at an emergency morgue must survive the night as they watch over the dead. Written and directed by Jennifer Soemantri. Winner, CCI-IFF Best Horror/Suspense Film.

Outside—After the apocalypse, in a society where people are isolated in sealed bunkers, a young woman confronts her fears of the unknown when she makes contact with an outsider. Winner of the Directors Guild of America Student Film Award. Written and directed by Jenn Kao. Winner, CCI-IFF Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Film.

Zombie Prom—A 1950s horror comic book brought to life as a musical comedy film, Zombie Prom is the Atomic Age tale of Toffee and her "rebel" boyfriend, Jonny. The two fall in love, but their school principal (portrayed by vocalist and international celebrity RuPaul) intervenes, persuading Toffee to break up with him. In despair, Jonny races to the local power plant and flings himself into a nuclear reactor. Toffee mourns the loss of her love until the day when Jonny returns, risen from the dead—as a teenage nuclear zombie! Written, produced and directed by Vince Marcello. Winner, CCI-IFF Best Comics-Oriented Film and Judges' Choice Award.

Room 200