Panel Descriptions
10:30-11:30 AI: Can It Tell a Better Story
Beth Accomando (KPBS Cinema Junkie and co-founder of Film Geeks SD) moderates a discussion about AI and whether it can tell stories as well as a human. Panelists are Pete Shaner (writer-director of Lover’s Knot and Nicolas) and William Nericcio (author, writer/creator of Mextasy, and professor of English and comparative literature at San Diego State University). Does AI pose a threat to writers? Are there any benefits that AI offers? Is there something inherently human in the act of storytelling? The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
11:30-12:30 Storytelling in a Time of Book Banning
What happens when you tell stories others don’t want told? To mark Banned Books Week, Rosie Knight, award-winning journalist and podcast host, will be joined by Ryka Aoki (author, Light from Uncommon Stars), Naz Kutub (author, The Loophole), Foz Meadows (A Strange and Stubborn Endurance), and Kiersten White (author, Mister Magic) to discuss the impact that a rise in book banning and censorship have on creativity, publishing, readership, diversity and inclusion. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
12:30-1:30 Storytelling in Education
Storytelling has been essential in preserving history and passing down cultural traditions since the dawn of humanity. In modern times, narrative art along with a sprinkle of magic and a dash of popular culture—remains crucial in how we learn and connect. Panelists Dr. Matthew Atherton (associate professor of social sciences, CSUSM), Dr. Virginia Loh Hagan (children’s book author), and Chris Ryall (CCO, Syzygy Publishing) share their experiences in world-building for audience exploration. Moderated by Moni Barrette (2023 Eisner judge). The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
1:30-2:30 Storytelling with Sina Grace
From slice-of-life indie books to sweeping superhero books and even fun all-ages adventures, writer/artist Sina Grace has done it all. After 15 years of working in comics (a decade of that fully freelance after editing The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman’s imprint of books at Skybound), Grace has come into his own and is ready to celebrate all that he’s learned from writing and drawing a young adult Superman graphic novel with readers. This will be an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how the cookies are made, from idea to hitting “approved” at the printer. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
2:30-3:30 Storytelling in Music
Impact24 PR and Incandescent Entertainment explore the dynamic relationship between music, sound, and storytelling in film and television with industry experts and their creative partners. Gain unique insights into the captivating world of sonic storytelling of different genres in film and television, from family content, to comedy, dramas, and beyond. Featuring re-recording mixer Kate Finan of Boom Box Post (Pupstruction) I composer Greg Nicolett (Pupstruction), director/editor Sean Olson (Camp Hideout), sound designer Andres Boulton (Camp Hideout), producer Jiarui Guo, and composer Pancho Burgos. Moderated by Film.Music.Media’s Kaya Savas. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
3:30-4:30 Storytelling in Comics
The comics medium is unlike any other, as the combination of words and art gives it uniqueness. Jim Thompson (comics historian, Eisner Awards judge 2021), Alonso Nunez (executive director of Little Fish Comic Book Studio, Eisner Awards judge 2021), Claudia Dominguez (creator of More Than Money by Amatl Comix/SDSU Press), Lonnie Millsap (cartoonist for The New Yorker, creator of bacön) and Jessica Tseang (international comics historian, Eisner Awards 2022 judge) discuss the critical components to perfecting storytelling through the sequential art medium. A Q&A follows the discussion for inspiring professionals. The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
4:30-5:30 Telling a Story Through Game Design
Expert game designers Jon Cohn, Kami Mandell, and Nate Murray share how the story of a game can be driven forward with mechanics, narrative hooks, and more. Looking for ways to improve your game design or want to add more to your Dungeons & Dragons campaign? Moderated by game composer, Weston Gardner. Come listen to this panel of experts! The Theater, Comic-Con Museum
Other Programming
12:00–2:00 The Hidden Stories a Comic Book Tells as Told by a Professional Comic Book Appraiser
Comic books tell a story outside of what’s written and illustrated on the pages. There is a hidden story based on the condition of the physical book. It can tell you how it was kept or how often it was read, and the story of how it became a part of your collection. Professional comic book presser and San Diego-based comic shop owner Jeff Shinn (Into The Void) will be on hand to talk to you about the story your comic tells as well as let you know what kind of condition it is in and why. Bring your oldies, your goodies, or your modern comics to learn a thing or two about what type of story your comic tells! Main Floor, Comic-Con Museum