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Gay events at Comic-Con

Published Thursday, 22-Jul-2004 in issue 865

Thursday, July 22

Wonder Woman DVD & Double Dare preview

5:30-7:00 p.m.

Room 6AB

Television’s amazing Amazon has a new DVD box set from Warner Bros., but the celebration doesn’t end there. Now get a sneak preview of Double Dare, the feature film documentary about Wonder Woman stuntwoman Jeannie Epper and Xena stuntwoman Zoe Bell, both of who will attend! Plus, see rare WW footage from the collection of moderator Andy Mangels and view one of the real Wonder Woman costumes. Prize giveaways include DVD sets from Warner Bros.

Friday, July 23

Gays in comics: Crossfire 3

5:30-7:00 p.m.

Room 5AB

The popular no-holds-barred roundtable returns for its third “straight” year, moderated by Joan Hilty, DC editor and creator of the comic strip Bitter Girl. What issues of race/gender/sexuality are driving the hottest debates? What are the best and worst imprints for queer content in comics? Are we more or less marketable to the mainstream than ever? Get a fistful of opinions from this wide range of queer comic creators, including Paige Braddock (Jane’s World), Marc Andreyko (Manhunter), Andersen Gabrych (Detective Comics), Tristan Crane (How Loathsome), Terrance Griep (Scooby-Doo) and Phil Jimenez (New X-Men).

Saturday, July 24

Gendering comics

1:00-2:00 p.m.

Room 7A

Chris Eklund (Purdue University) sees Alan Moore’s depictions of queer identity, whether in Watchmen or Promethea, as “performative” and connected to the conventions of heroic comics as a genre, though often with a drag sensibility. Justin Hall (All Thumbs Press) argues that transgendered characters in the work of Neil Gaiman, Grant Morrison and Alan Moore break apart conventional notions of identity, imagination, time, sex and death to create a bit of chaos, and perhaps enlightenment in the process. David James Cordes (California Baptist University) sees a mimetic application for the adolescent male of the transformations of the adolescent Clark Kent in “Smallville” and John Connor in the Terminator films into heroes.

Gays in comics: year 17

5:30-7:00 p.m.

Room 5AB

While Marvel and DC catch up, the independent comic world has been celebrating diversity with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered comics for years. Now, listen in as creators new and old discuss the relevance of gay comic characters. Moderator Andy Mangels (Star Trek) leads a panel that includes Gilbert Hernandez (Love & Rockets), Colleen Coover (Small Favors), Justin Hall (True Travel Tales), Charles “zan” Christensen (Prism Comics), Tim Fish (The Cavalcade of Boys), and the much-celebrated Jose Villarrubia (Alan Moore’s Mirror of Love).

Gay comic fan reception and party

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Room 5AB

Here’s your chance to socialize with other gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or open-minded fans and creators. This party is sponsored by the Gay League and will include lots of fabulous fun, surprises and dozens of comic and animation pros in attendance. Plus, a special Mirror of Love slideshow from Jose Villarrubia.

Points of interest

Prism Comics

Booth 2347

Get a free copy of the 2004 edition of Prism Comics: Your LGBT Guide to Comics before you can buy it in stores. Also pick up free samples of weekly “Queer Eye on Comics” online reviews, free Prism Comics stickers for your Comic-Con ID badge, and autographs from comics creators. Check at the booth for the signing schedule.

Register for a chance to win items like Tokyo Pop books, Buffy the Vampire Slayer trades from Dark Horse Comics, and DC Direct statues and toys.

GLBT creators in attendance and where you can find them

• Marc Andreyko (DC Comics booth #1915)

• Paige Braddock (Jane’s World/Girl Twirl Comics booth #2105)

• Colleen Coover (Fantagraphics Books/Eros Comix booth #1716)

• Tristan Crane (NBM Publishing booth #1429)

• J.A. Fludd (Quantum Comics booth #S4)

• Roberta Gregory (Artists Alley table #FF-05)

• Joan Hilty (DC Comics booth #1915)

• Patty Jeres (DC Comics booth #1915)

• Phil Jimenez (DC Comics booth #1915)