The following is a press release from Warner Bros. Television Group:
Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) joins in the celebration of Comic-Con(R) as it turns 50 this year, rolling out the red carpet in grand style for this historic milestone as stars and producers from 16 of the Studio’s fan-favorite series are scheduled to participate in Comic-Con International: San Diego from July 17-21. The 2019 edition of the world’s largest comic and pop culture festival will feature the final SDCC appearances of long-running hit WBTV series “Arrow” and “Supernatural,” as well as the world premiere screenings of highly anticipated DCTV series “Batwoman” and “Pennyworth,” plus the revival of “Veronica Mars.”
Warner Bros. Television highlights include:
· Farewell to “Arrow” and “Supernatural”: Fans attending Comic-Con will have their last chance to celebrate long-running hit series “Arrow” and “Supernatural” as they make their final appearances at SDCC: “Arrow” on Saturday in Ballroom 20 and “Supernatural” in its traditional Sunday slot in Hall H.
· Preview Night/World Premieres of “Batwoman,” “Pennyworth” and More: SDCC will be the place for world premiere screenings of the Arrow-verse’s newest DC Super Hero drama “Batwoman” (in advance of its Sunday, October 6, premiere at 8/7c on The CW) and DC origin story “Pennyworth” (prior to its Sunday, July 28, debut at 10/9c on EPIX) on preview night, Wednesday, July 17. WBTVG will also feature an advance sneak peek of the pilot episode for the highly anticipated FOX dramatic thriller “Prodigal Son,” starring Tom Payne and Michael Sheen. And for those of you who like your Super Heroes a little more animated, we have something for you as well, with the world premiere of the upcoming DC UNIVERSE animated comedy series “Harley Quinn,” as well as a never-before-seen episode of the hit Cartoon Network series “Teen Titans GO!,” and more.
· World Premiere of “Veronica Mars”: The cult favorite returns after 10 years with Veronica (series star Kristen Bell) drawn into an epic eight-episode mystery as a series of bombs terrorize spring breakers in Neptune. Fans attending the show’s Friday panel will get to see the show’s first episode a week prior to its July 26 debut on Hulu.
· DC UNIVERSE Saturday Night: DC UNIVERSE fans can enjoy an evening of sneak peeks, first looks and breaking news for “Titans,” “Doom Patrol,” the second half of “Young Justice: Outsiders” and the upcoming animated comedy series “Harley Quinn” during a special two-hour event on Saturday night.
· Panels: Returning Comic-Con essentials “Arrow,” “Black Lightning,” “DC Super Hero Girls,” “The Flash,” “Legacies,” “Riverdale,” “Supergirl,” “Supernatural,” “Teen Titans GO!,” “Veronica Mars” and “Young Justice: Outsiders” are all back in San Diego, along with “Batwoman,” “Doom Patrol,” “Harley Quinn,” “Pennyworth” and “Titans” making their SDCC debuts.
· Warner Bros./DC Booth: The Studio’s massive multi-level booth #4545 will now more than ever become a must-visit destination on the convention floor, when Warner Bros. teams up with DC for an awesome mega-booth.
· Signings: Autograph signings will take place in the WB/DC booth #4545. WBTVG follows Comic-Con’s ticket drawing/wristband distribution procedure for all signings. Visit https://www.comic-con.org/cci/autographs for more info.
· @warnerbrostv on Social Media: For additional info on the Studio’s plans for Comic-Con and real-time updates during the convention, please follow @warnerbrostv on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – official hashtag #WBSDCC – and visit http://comiccon.thewb.com.
· Social Media Contacts: To connect with WBTVG series, talent and producers in the social space, check out the social media contacts page here: http://comiccon.thewb.com/wbtv-social-media-contacts/
SPECIAL PREVIEW NIGHT SCREENINGS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
6:00-10:00 p.m. “Batwoman” and “Pennyworth” World Premieres and Special Sneak Peek Screenings – Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television Group proudly continue the annual Preview Night tradition with exclusive world premiere pilot screenings of the new series “Batwoman” and “Pennyworth,” exclusively for the Comic-Con audience. Additionally, WBTVG will screen the pilot of the highly anticipated FOX dramatic thriller “Prodigal Son,” starring Tom Payne and Michael Sheen; the world premiere of DC UNIVERSE’s animated comedy series “Harley Quinn”; a never-before-seen episode of the hit Cartoon Network series “Teen Titans GO!”; and more. Ballroom 20
WBTVG/WBA SERIES SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE: Series stars and creative teams scheduled to attend are subject to change. Additional information on panel sessions, signings and other events will be provided as news breaks.
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. “Veronica Mars” World Premiere Screening and Q&A – Ballroom 20
12:30-1:30 p.m. “DC Super Hero Girls” Brand-New Episode Screening and Q&A — Room 6DE
3:15-4:15 p.m. “Legacies” Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Room 6BCF
4:30-5:30 p.m.” Pennyworth” Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Room 6BCF
8:00-9:00 p.m. “Rooster Teeth” Special Video Presentation and Q&A – Room 6DE
SATURDAY, JULY 20
10:30-11:45 a.m. “Batwoman” Pilot Screening and Q&A – Ballroom 20
3:30-4:15 p.m. “Arrow” Special Video Presentation and Q&A – Ballroom 20
4:15-5:00 p.m. “Supergirl” Special Video Presentation and Q&A – Ballroom 20
5:00-5:45 p.m. “Black Lightning” Special Video Presentation and Q&A – Ballroom 20
5:45-6:30 p.m. “The Flash” Special Video Presentation and Q&A – Ballroom 20
7:00-9:00 p.m. DC UNIVERSE Series Sneak Previews and Q&A – Indigo Ballroom
SUNDAY, JULY 21
10:30-11:30 a.m. “Supernatural” Special Video Presentation and Q&A – Hall H
11:45 a.m.-12:45p.m. “Riverdale” Special Video Presentation and Q&A — Hall H
Legendary caped crusader Batman celebrates his 80th Anniversary this year, and paying tribute to this milestone, Warner Bros. Television Group (WBTVG) will feature two highly anticipated upcoming Bat-related DC dramas — The CW’s “Batwoman” and EPIX original series “Pennyworth” — on the official hotel keycards of Comic-Con 2019. In addition to WBTVG producing keys for “Batwoman” and “Pennyworth,” HBO will also release an exclusive “Watchmen” keycard that will be available to fans at SDCC.
With more than 40,000 branded room keys available at nearly 40 participating major hotels throughout the San Diego area during Comic-Con, fans will find doors opening all over the city thanks to the Wayne family fortune — and a group of outlaw superheroes.
“Pennyworth” premieres Sunday, July 28, at 9/8c on EPIX. Executive produced by Bruno Heller (“Gotham,” “The Mentalist”) and Danny Cannon (“Gotham,” “CSI” series), the one-hour drama from Warner Horizon Scripted Television is an origin story that follows Alfred Pennyworth (Jack Bannon), a former British SAS soldier who forms a security company in 1960s London and goes to work with Thomas Wayne (Ben Aldridge), Bruce Wayne’s billionaire father.
“Batwoman” premieres Sunday, October 6, at 8/7c on The CW. From Warner Bros. Television and executive producers Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “The Flash”), Caroline Dries (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Smallville”), Geoff Johns (“Wonder Woman,” “Aquaman”) and Sarah Schechter (“Supergirl,” “Black Lightning”), the latest series in Berlanti Productions’ DCTV Arrow-verse follows Kate Kane (Ruby Rose), a highly trained street fighter who soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman.
“Watchmen” debuts in fall 2019 on HBO. Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, this drama series from executive producer Damon Lindelof embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name while attempting to break new ground of its own. “Watchmen” is produced for HBO by White Rabbit in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producer/writer Damon Lindelof, executive producer/director Nicole Kassell, executive producer Tom Spezialy, executive producer/director Stephen Williams and executive producer Joseph Iberti. The series is based on the graphic novel co-created and illustrated by Dave Gibbons and published by DC.
The following is a combination of press releases from D23:
Disney Music Emporium, the online destination for collectible Disney music products, returns to D23 Expo 2019 with a pop-up store on the show floor. Over the three-day Ultimate Disney Fan Event, the Emporium will feature album signings by artists and award-winning composers. Limited quantities of a wide assortment of music products will be available, including new releases from Marvel and Lucasfilm, vinyl albums, die-cut picture disc vinyl, cassettes, Crosley turntables, cassette players, posters, and more. Additionally, visitors to Disney Music Emporium will be able to pre-order the Matthew Morrison Disney album.
In addition to the 23 new offerings available at D23 Expo 2019, 10 titles are first-to-market, including Avengers: Endgame (12” picture disc), Aladdin: The Songs (vinyl album), “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” (12” vinyl single from The Lion King), “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite” (12” picture disc), “Married Life”/”Carl Goes Up” (12” vinyl from Up), The Princess and the Frog: The Songs (12” picture disc), and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” (12” single from Fantasia).
Album signings at the Disney Music Emporium shop include Oscar®- and Grammy®-winning composer and Disney Legend Randy Newman (Toy Story films, Thee Princess and the Frog, Cars films); composer Tyler Bates (Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1); actor Anthony Gonzalez (voice of Miguel from Coco); singer-songwriter, actor, and dancer Matthew Morrison (Glee); plus Hollywood Records artist JD McCrary (voice of young Simba in The Lion King). Scheduled artists subject to change. Randy Thornton, Disney Music Group’s Supervising Producer and Music Historian, will present “Great Moments with Walt Disney,” on Friday, August 23, at the Archives Stage from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Grammy-winning producer will present audio recordings of Walt Disney as he recalls developing the first cartoon with synchronized sound, creating Disney’s first hit song, and meeting Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev.
About Disney Music Group and Disney Music Emporium
Disney Music Group is home to Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, Disney Music Publishing, Buena Vista Records, and Disney Concerts. The labels’ genre-spanning rosters include (Grammy nominated) Demi Lovato, Queen (in the U.S.), Sofia Carson, ZZ Ward, Breaking Benjamin, Bea Miller, Sabrina Carpenter, Joywave, morgxn, Tini Stoessel, Dreamers, JD McCrary, and more. DMG also releases family music and film and television soundtracks such as the chart-topping Guardians of the Galaxy, Beauty and the Beast, Descendants, Oscar-winning Coco and Moana soundtracks, and the Oscar and Grammy-winning Frozen soundtrack. Recent releases include Toy Story 4, Aladdin, Avengers: Endgame, and Captain Marvel. Upcoming soundtracks include The Lion King, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and Frozen 2. DMG has a rich catalog with a lasting legacy that has impacted pop culture globally, including music from films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio and Star Wars, artists like Annette Funicello, and beloved classics like “It’s a Small World.” Disney Concerts licenses and produces hundreds of shows around the world, including Star Wars in Concert, Disney On Classic, Beauty and the Beast, Soy Luna, and many more.
Honoring the continuing legacy of the Disney music catalog, Disney Music Emporium (DME) is the destination for collectible Disney music products. For more information and product offerings, visit DME at www.disneymusicemporium.com.
To stream classic Disney hits, please visit: http://disneymusic.co/DisneyHits
Kids, tweens, and families can meet their favorite Disney Channel and Disney Junior stars during three fun-filled days at D23 Expo 2019, the ultimate Disney fan event, taking place FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. With special appearances scheduled daily, fans are invited to stop by the Walt Disney Television booth on the Expo show floor to meet and take pictures with some of their favorite stars from hit Disney Channel series and movies. Popular Disney Junior characters Fancy Nancy and Vampirina will also be on hand to greet young fans over all three days. In addition, the schedule features a Q&A session, including a special appearance by the world’s most famous amphibian, Kermit the Frog, as he joins the creators and voices behind Disney Television Animation’s hit series “Amphibia” and “Big City Greens,” taking place at Stage 28 on Saturday, August 24.
A limited-edition collection of T-shirts from classic Disney Channel favorites, including “High School Musical,” “Hannah Montana,” and “Camp Rock,” among others, will be available for purchase exclusively to D23 Expo attendees in the Walt Disney Television booth.
On FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, fans can meet the young stars of “Raven’s Home” and the cast of Disney Channel’s newest series “Just Roll With It. ”
On SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, fans are invited to hop over to Stage 28 where “Amphibia” stars Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Amanda Leighton, and Justin Felbinger and series creator/executive producer Matt Braly will join “Big City Greens” cast members Marieve Herington and Bob Joles, and creators/executive producers Chris and Shane Houghton for a lively Q&A session featuring the one-and-only Kermit the Frog. Cast members from Disney’s Emmy® Award-nominated “DuckTales” and hit Disney Channel series “Sydney to the Max” and “Coop & Cami Ask the World” will be on hand to meet fans and take pictures in the Walt Disney Television booth.
On SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, fans can meet the stars of Disney’s Emmy® Award-nominated “Big Hero 6 The Series,” based on Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning feature film, as well as cast members from the Disney Channel Original Movie “Zombie” and fan-favorite Disney Channel series “Bunk’d”
Following is the full schedule* of stars making special appearances in the Walt Disney Television booth throughout the weekend:
Friday, August 23
9 a.m. Fancy Nancy character appearance
10 a.m. Vampirina character appearance
12 p.m. “Just Roll With It” stars Suzi Barrett, Tobie Windham, Ramon Reed, and Kaylin Hayman
3 p.m. “Raven’s Home” stars Navia Robinson, Issac Ryan Brown, Jason Maybaum, and Sky Katz
Saturday, August 24
9 a.m. “Vampirina” character appearance
10 a.m. “Fancy Nancy” character appearance11 a.m. “Sydney to the Max” stars Ruth Righi, Ava Kolker, Jackson Dollinger, and Christian J. Simon
12 p.m. “Coop & Cami Ask the World” stars Dakota Lotus, Ruby Rose Turner, Olivia Sanabia, Albert Tsai, Paxton Booth, and Rebecca Metz
5 p.m. “DuckTales” stars Bobby Moynihan and Toks Olagundoye
Sunday, August 25
9 a.m. “Big Hero 6 The Series” stars Genesis Rodriguez and Brooks Wheelan
10 a.m. “Zombies” stars Meg Donnelly, Kylee Russell, and Carla Jeffery
1 p.m. “Bunk’d: stars Miranda May, Mallory James Mahoney, Raphael Alejandro, Will Buie Jr., Shelby Simmons, Scarlett Estevez, and Israel Johnson
3 p.m. Vampirina character appearance
4 p.m. Fancy Nancy character appearance
*Schedule subject to change.
Single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday of D23 Expo 2019 are available for $89 for one-day adult admission and $69 for children 3–9. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $77 for a one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. Single-day Saturday tickets and three-day passes are sold out. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2019, visit D23Expo.com.
About D23 Expo 2019
D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2019 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.
About D23 The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99), Gold Family Membership ($129.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The following is a press release from Comic-Con Museum:
The Comic-Con Museum announced today it will hold its first annual fundraising event, The Gathering on Wednesday July 17, 2019 from 5:00pm to midnight, to coincide with the opening of Comic-Con International. The Gathering, held at the Museum’s home in San Diego’s Balboa Park, will be a yearly fundraising event that brings fans together in celebration of their favorite pop culture characters and to preview what is to come at the Comic-Con Museum (CCM). It will also help to raise critical funds for the construction of CCM scheduled to open in 2021.
This special evening will feature an introduction of The Comic-Con Museum Character Hall of Fame (CCM-CHF) and a tribute to Batman, its inaugural inductee. On the occasion of Batman’s 80th Anniversary, a ceremony honoring DC’s most popular Super Hero will be the centerpiece of the event.
Kicking-off at 5:00pm, a “Black Carpet Reception” will allow guests to visit Gotham City inside CCM, complete with displays of authentic Batman props, memorabilia and interactive experiences. Starting at 7:00pm, guests will experience “The Main Event,” the highlight which will be the Dark Knight’s induction to the CCM-CHF and special guest appearances. And to close out the night, at 9:00pm party-goers can dance the night away at the “After Party” featuring immersive entertainment.
“We are excited to announce we have created a new way in which to honor iconic characters from comics and popular culture with the Comic-Con Museum Character Hall of Fame,” said Adam Smith, Executive Director of the Comic-Con Museum, “and we are equally excited to reveal Batman as our first inductee. 2019 marks the 80th Anniversary of DC’s Batman who has become a truly global icon of popular culture.”
The 68,000 square foot Museum is planned as an experiential pop-culture wonderland featuring rotating immersive exhibits, theaters of varying sizes and extensive educational programming. Open both day and night time, the Museum will cater to the interests and passions of fans of all ages. A common thread connecting those passions are the timeless characters who have shaped popular culture; CCM will pay tribute to them in a key exhibit, the Comic-Con Museum Character Hall of Fame.
Tickets and sponsorship packages to the historic event are available now, including an affordable ‘after party’ option for fans and industry professionals that are attending Preview Night, via the museum website Comic-ConMuseum.org/events. Proceeds from ticket sales, silent and live auctions and sponsorships, will directly benefit the Museum’s $35.6 million capital fundraising campaign.
Sponsors of The Gathering include: Title: DC and Warner Bros.; Presenting: U.S. Bank; Gold: Chosen Foods, SDG&E, Kaiser Permanente and Reprohaus; Silver: Sycuan Casino & Resort; and Bronze: Wells Fargo.
Fans can join in on social media using the hashtags #ComicConMuseum #Batman80 and #LongLiveTheBat
Fans of Investigation Discovery (ID) were treated to up-close-and-personal experiences with the network’s stars at the fourth annual IDCon, which took place at Center 415 in New York City on May 18, 2019. The event sells out quickly every year. ID show hosts Joe Kenda, Tony Harris (who was the event’s emcee for the third year in a row), John Walsh, Callahan Walsh, Candice DeLong, Garry McFadden, Derrick Levasseur, Chris Anderson, Fatima Silva, Rod Demery and Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi all participated in the event, and most of them did meet-and-greet sessions with fans. ID show hosts Paula Zahn and Tamron Hall made brief appearances. This year’s IDCon theme was “Dangerous Minds.”
The event kicked off with a greeting from Henry Schleiff, group president of Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel and Destination America. He thanked the fans for making ID the top-rated U.S. cable network for women ages 25 to 54. Zahn also did a brief introduction on stage. Before the event started, Zahn (who hosts “On the Case With Paula Zahn”) was in the lobby mingling with fans. Hall, who made a surprise appearance on stage at the event, is set to have a very busy 2019. In addition to her hosting duties for ID’s “Deadline: Crime With Tamron Hall,” she’s launching her own nationally syndicated TV talk show this fall. She also busy being a new mother: She gave birth to her first child (a son named Moses) on April 25, 2019.
The biggest news out of IDCon 2019 was saved for the end. At the conclusion of Kenda’s Q&A session with ID’s senior VP of production Sara Kozak, Kenda announced that the upcoming ninth season of his popular show “Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda” would be the program’s last season. The show is based on Kenda (who is a retired police lieutenant) talking about his cases as a homicide investigator for the Colorado Springs Police Department. The ninth and final season of “Homicide Hunter” is set to premiere sometime in August 2019.
Kenda explained to the audience why “Homicide Hunter” is ending: “I don’t have enough cases remaining after Season 9 to support the continuation of the show. I didn’t want to be the guy who is the athlete who played one season too long, or the singer who remained on the stage when they lost their voice. I want to go out on the top of my game—and Season 9 is. It has been my honor to entertain you, and it’s meant a lot to me. It’s been therapeutic for me. I never cared about the money.”
He said about the decision to end the show: “It’s my decision, not theirs [Investigation Discovery executives]. They were shocked when I provided them with my decision a short time ago, but the reality is that I’ve always done the right thing. And this is the right thing.”
Although many people in the audience seemed surprised and disappointed over the news, they also seemed to highly respect Kenda for this decision, and he got a standing ovation. The good news for Kenda and his fans is that ID is planning another show for him. It’s too early to know the details of the new program, but ID will no doubt make the show a top priority, since “Homicide Hunter” has been one of ID’s highest-rated series. (Kenda is also treated like a rock star at IDCon.)
IDCon 2019 also showed sneak-preview footage of the second-season premiere of “People Magazine Investigates: Cults” (debuting June 3, 2019, at 9 p.m. ET/PT) and the special “Rebecca Zahau: An ID Murder Mystery,” which premieres May 27, 2019, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
After taking place for the first three years at the Altman Building (which can seat about 300 people), IDCon moved this year to Center 415, a larger event space that can seat about 600 people. There were less activations at IDCon 2019 than in previous years. (For example, there was no Truth Booth where ID fans could videorecord confessions about why they love the ID channel.) Some of the returning activations included a polygraph demonstration, a display where people could test their eyewitness skills, and a photo portrait station where attendees could get IDCon slogans super-imposed on their pictures. Also returning this year was an ID Ink station where attendees could get temporary tattoos of artwork themed for the event.
New this year was an ID Addicts Unite Wall, where attendees could take Polaroids of themselves and leave messages on Post-In notes. There was another room featuring a wall of photos and facts of notorious criminals, such as Charles Manson, Jodi Arias and Ted Bundy.
The larger event space at Center 415 also allowed for a separate room for meet-and-greets. The room had a wall decoration that simulated a height chart for mugshots. People could pose for mock mugshots in this room. The room also featured a wall showing many of the criminal fugitives who’ve been profiled on ID’s “In Pursuit With John Walsh.”
The Investigation Discovery website is undergoing a revamp/redesign in the near future, because IDCon 2019 had a wall with different web page designs, and attendees such as myself were polled about which designs and features we wanted the most for the new website. It looks like ID is aiming for more customized options, making it easier for users to access their preferred content on the site. It also looks like ID is considering more interactive features on the site, such as trivia questions and more exclusive bonus content from ID shows.
All proceeds for IDCon are donated to New York’s Silver Shield Foundation, an organization which provides educational support to families of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty. At the beginning of the event, Schleiff presented a mock-up of a $20,000 check to Silver Shield Foundation chief operating officer K.C. Fuchs and NYPD widow Lisa Tuozzolo, whose sergeant husband was killed during a shooting in 2016.
There was no on-stage polygraph demonstration (as there was at IDCon in 2017 and 2018), but new in 2019 was an on-stage demonstration of self-dense techniques from the Center for Anti-Violence Education. Harris, who is a super-lively host, even jumped on stage as a volunteer participant in the demonstration.
Here were some of the highlights of IDCon 2019 panels:
Team In Pursuit
Moderated by People/Entertainment Weekly senior editor of crime Alicia Dennis, the “Team In Pursuit” panel marked the IDCon debuts of John Walsh and his son Callahan Walsh, the stars of “In Pursuit With John Walsh.” John Walsh, of course, is a TV pioneer in true crime: He was the original host of “America’s Most Wanted,” which was on the air from 1988 to 2012. ID’s “In Pursuit With John Walsh,” which debuted in January 2019, has a similar concept of profiling notorious fugitives from the law and asking the public to provide any tips that will help to arrest the fugitives.
John Walsh (whose 6-year-old son Adam was kidnapped and murdered in 1981) also founded the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) as a result of this tragedy. Serial killer Ottis Toole, who confessed to Adam’s murder while in prison for other crimes, died of liver failure in 1996. Evidence uncovered in 2008 proved that Toole committed the murder.
“I will always be the heartbroken father of a murdered child. There’s no such thing as closure,” John said on the panel. He added that after the end of his CNN show “The Hunt With John Walsh,” he thought he would be retired from hosting a true-crime TV show. But he was convinced to change his mind in 2018.
“America has descended into this incredible level of gun violence and homicides,” John said. “About a year ago, the FBI and U.S. marshals came to me and said, ‘2018 looks like it’s going to be the most violent year in the history of America.’ They were right. ‘We need you. You have this bond with the public.’ So I went to Henry Schleiff … and they said, “We’d love to have you on ID. Would you come out of retirement?'” John added that one of the main reasons he had wanted to retire was because he didn’t want to travel as much as he did when he was hosting his other TV shows. Therefore, his son Callahan does most of the on-site reporting for “In Pursuit.”
Callahan talked about the work that NCMEC does, including educating people about child safety; doing age-progression portraits to show what children who’ve been missing for years would liked now; and helping law-enforcement with witness tips and evidence. “We had over 18 million reports in last year alone,” Callahan said. He also noted that technology has been a double-edged sword, since it’s helped capture criminals with more sophisticated methods of gathering evidence, but technology has made it easier for people to lure kids into danger.
During the segment where audience members could ask questions, someone asked John what he thinks of the controversial issue of people trying to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border. John didn’t hold back on his opinions, as he replied: “It’s a nightmare! … I’ve been all along that border. Every portion of that border is managed by criminal enterprises on the Mexican side. It’s a huge business.”
John said he thinks that U.S. politicians are part of the problem too. “I’ve been going to Capitol Hill since 1981. I’ve never seen a more mean-spirited, vitriolic Congress. They’re in gridlock. They’re not doing what you want them to do. The public has to say to the United States Congress, ‘You’ve got to quit this B.S.! We’ve sent you there to make this country safe and take care of us. You better get busy and do something about illegal immigration!'”
The Walshes couldn’t stay for the IDCon meet-and-greet sessions because they had to travel to a charity event for NCMEC. But their presence at IDCon was much-appreciated, and there’s a high probability that they’ll be at IDCon in 2020.
Scales of Justice
Three sides of law enforcement—defense attorney Fatima Silva (co-star of “Reasonable Doubt”), prosecutor Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi (star of “True Conviction”) and sheriff Garry McFadden (star of “Homicide City: Charlotte”)—gathered for the “Scales of Justice” panel, moderated by CrimeFeed.com’s Michelle Sigona, to discuss their perspectives on getting justice. The panelists talked about the importance of discovery, the legal term for evidence presented in a case.
Police investigators are on the front lines of discovery. McFadden said that in handing over evidence to the prosecution, “Sometimes as detectives, we don’t think that one sheet of paper or that text message is important. If we don’t produce that information, and later on in an appeal, that comes up, the defense team will come after us, and that person is released on a technicality. And that’s happened.”
“Reasonable Doubt” takes another look at cases of convicted criminals who say they didn’t commit the crime. In many cases on “Reasonable Doubt,” the show couldn’t find enough evidence to prove that the conviction was incorrect. As a defense attorney, Silva says that people accused of crimes can avoid many problems with their cases if follow this advice: “Respect law enforcement, but also know your right to remain silent.”
Silva says she can sympathize with friends and family members who want to prove that there was a wrongful conviction, but when it looks like the defendant probably committed the crime, “At some point, you want to give them that peace so that they can say, “I still love that person, but I can’t wake up every day and do this fight anymore.'”
Nicolazzi echoed that belief as a prosecutor, as she talked about her main goals in her work: “If I can bring any amount of relief to all of the people that are impacted by these cases.” When asked what her definition of justice is, she said: “Getting it right.”
As for the impact that technology such as social media, smartphone footage and body cams have had on criminal cases, McFadden said there are pros and cons. “It’s a challenge,” he said. McFadden also noted that although it may seem that this new technology makes it easier for law enforcement to gather evidence, law enforcement also has to spend a lot of time verifying the “authenticity,” since the technology can be manipulated.
Dangerous Minds
Moderated by Monsters & Critics features writer April Neale, the “Dangerous Minds” panel featured hosts of popular ID shows. The panelists were detective Derrick Levasseur (“Breaking Homicide”); detective Rod Demery (“Murder Chose Me”); FBI profiler Candice DeLong (“Deadly Women”); and detective Chris Anderson (“Reasonable Doubt”).
DeLong said that many homicides might be prevented if people didn’t dismiss death threats. “A lot of people with murder on their mind telegraph their intent. If someone is talking about murder, take them seriously. Go to the police.” She got a little choked up when she talked about a child kidnapping case that deeply affected her emotionally. After the child was found and DeLong accompanied him to the airport to reunite with his parents, the child ran back to her to thank her for finding him.
The panel also talked a lot about methods of interrogating suspects. Demery said that in an interrogation, one of the tell-tale signs that a confession is coming is when the suspect “drops his or her head.” DeLong added that she likes to “play dumb” in interrogations, because “constantly underestimated” as an investigator can lead people to reveal evidence they wouldn’t reveal under other circumstances.
Anderson added that although he doesn’t have a problem with police lying to suspects in order to get a confession (a tactic that’s legal in the U.S. but not in many other countries), he did acknowledge that this tactic can sometimes lead to false confessions. “It depends on the interrogator and the suspect.” Anderson also said that one of the worst ways to handle an interrogation is to allow it to deteriorate into “shouting match” between the investigator and the suspect. When that happens, the suspect has “taken control of the interview,” said Anderson.
“Breaking Homicide” is about helping families get answers for unresolved or disputed murder cases. Each episode ends with Levasseur telling the families about any new evidence that was uncovered in the show’s investigation. He said that the biggest change in the show’s second season is “not only telling the family what we found, but me going back to the police departments, sitting in their actual building, telling them what we have, and saying, ‘Hey now go do something about it. Here’s your chance.’ We really stepped it up a notch.” The second season of “Breaking Homicide” premieres on June 3, 2019, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. By the way, Levasseur has become quite the star heartthrob at IDCon, based on all the squeals he got from women in the audience.
DNA evidence, which has become the center of many investigations, has its pros and cons, according to Anderson. He elaborated: “The down side to DNA evidence, investigators will wait and make their whole case dependent on DNA or forensics evidence, rather than getting out there and pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, talking to people and interviewing people. The hard-nosed type of policing that some of our veteran guys did back in the day has become a lost art. Forensics should work hand-in-hand with your investigating.”
Kenda Confidential
Moderated by ID executive Kozak, this panel was a Q&A with Kenda, who was later joined on stage by his wife Kathy. Except for the announcement that “Homicide Hunter” was ending, Joe Kenda didn’t really much that was new. During the segment when audience members could ask questions, Kenda said that even though Boulder, Colorado, was out of his jurisdiction when he was a police detective, he was asked to work on the notorious JonBenét Ramsey murder case, eight days into the case in 1996.
Kenda said, “My question to [the Boulder Police Department] was, ‘Are the press accounts accurate of what you’ve done far?'” When they told him, Kenda said he replied, “You’re doomed … That case cannot be prosecuted in court. There’s no way to do it. Fatal investigative errors. They couldn’t get in a courtroom with a confession. That’s the reality.” The JonBenét Ramsey murder case remains unsolved.
The “Homicide Hunter” star also said that since his retirement, two of the 31 unsolved cases that he had when he retired have since been solved by DNA evidence. “They [the suspects] were the people I suspected,” he said, “and they’ve been proven to be the killer and have been convicted in court. ” Of the remaining 29 unsolved cases, Kenda says, “I absolutely know who killed in 17 of [those cases], but I can’t prove it.” He added that he thinks about all of his unsolved cases “all the time.”
Robert Downey Jr. and Bette Midler, along with such luminaries as Wing Chao, Jon Favreau, James Earl Jones, Kenny Ortega, Barnette Ricci, Robin Roberts, Diane Sawyer, Ming-Na Wen, and Hans Zimmer, will be honored as official Disney Legends during D23 Expo 2019 for their remarkable contributions to the Disney legacy. Hosted by Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger, the Disney Legends Awards ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 23, in Hall D23 of the Anaheim Convention Center.
“The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor we can bestow; it’s a recognition of talent, a celebration of achievement, and an expression of profound gratitude to the remarkable men and women who have made an indelible mark on our company and our creative legacy,” said Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “This year’s honorees have earned a place in our hearts and our history for their significant contributions in film, television, and our theme parks around the world.”
The Disney Legends Awards program is a 32-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and the first Disney Legend was Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), who was honored in 1987. The awards ceremony is just one of the dozens of spectacular events that Disney fans can enjoy during the threeday D23 Expo.
The 2019 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:
WING CHAO For 37 years at Disney, Wing T. Chao played a vital role in designing and developing exceptional and inspirational projects, worth over $12 billion dollars, at Disney parks and resorts worldwide. Wing served as vice chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for Asia Pacific Development as well as executive vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering where he oversaw master planning, architecture, and design. Wing directed development teams consisting of Disney Imagineers and many of the world’s most renowned architects and designers, developed and built projects including resort hotels, parks, cruise ships, entertainment venues, water attractions, convention & exhibition centers, sports stadiums, restaurants, retail spaces, recreational complexes, office spaces, and two new-town communities at The Walt Disney Company’s
properties in California, Florida, Hawaii, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and other locations worldwide.
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. is a two-time Academy Award® nominee and Golden Globe® winner who has appeared in more than 80 films. Considered one of the industry’s most talented and respected actors, Downey has embraced both dramatic and comedic roles, including his Disney debut in the 2006 remake of The Shaggy Dog. After numerous standout performances, Downey then went on to help launch Marvel Studios with his celebrated performance as Tony Stark as Iron Man. His role has spearheaded the iconic blockbuster franchises Iron Man and Avengers, for which he’s starred in three Iron Man films, The Incredible Hulk (2008), Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017); and four Avengers films, including the most recent, Avengers: Endgame (2019), which shattered box office records and became the largest ever film debut, bringing in $1.2 billion worldwide in its opening weekend. Downey will next star in the title role in 2020’s The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle and is in pre-production on the third installment of the successful Sherlock Holmes franchise.
JON FAVREAU Jon Favreau started his career with appearances in film and television and has since become one of Hollywood’s most successful producers and directors. Jon’s first roles included appearances on TV shows such as Seinfeld and Friends, but his big break came with the Miramax indie film Swingers (1996), for which he wrote the screenplay, starred, and co-produced. His directing credits include Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), the live-action remake of The Jungle Book (2016), and this year’s reimagining of The Lion King. Jon also made appearances in several Marvel Cinematic Universe films as Tony Stark’s loyal bodyguard, Happy Hogan. As an executive producer for the Marvel Studios, John holds credits on such films as Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Iron Man 3 (2013), Marvel’s The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). He has also voiced characters for Disney television shows and feature films, including Hercules (TV, 1999), Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (TV, 2000), G-Force (2009), Star Wars: The Clone Wars (TV, 2010–13), and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). Jon is writing and executive producing the live-action Star Wars series The Mandalorian for Disney+, which will premiere this November.
JAMES EARL JONES James Earl Jones started his acting career with television and film roles, including appearances in As the World Turns (1966) and Dr. Strangelove (1964). But the Oscar®, Emmy®, and Tony® Award-winning actor is well known for his iconic voice acting, beginning with the role of Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). This villainous vocal performance was reprised in subsequent Star Wars films, including most recently in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and TV shows like Star Wars Rebels (2014–18). His voice can also be heard in Disney Parks around the globe, including recurring vocal performances as Darth Vader for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Other Disney credits include ABC’s Recess in 1998 as the voice of Santa Claus, narrator for the Disneynature film Earth (2009), segment host for Fantasia/2000 (2000), and as the celebrity narrator for the Candlelight Ceremony at Disneyland. Audiences also recognize the actor’s basso profundo as that of Mufasa in The Lion King (1994), a role James would return to in The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride (1998), The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015), and this summer’s reimagining of The Lion King.
BETTE MIDLER When the Disney studio set out to expand the breadth of its film production with Touchstone Pictures, it was Emmy®, Grammy®, Golden Globe®, and Tony® winner Bette Midler who helped lead the way to box office success for the new division. She appeared in a string of hit comedies including Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), Ruthless People (1986), Outrageous Fortune (1987), and Big Business (1988). Touchstone’s 1988 drama Beaches not only proved to be a smash with audiences, but it also included Bette’s platinum-selling rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Other Disney films followed, including Stella (1990) and Scenes from a Mall (1991), as well as a memorable vocal performance as the spoiled poodle Georgette in Oliver & Company (1988). Bette is well known to Disney audiences for her role as the witchy Winifred in the perennial Halloween classic Hocus Pocus (1993). She also starred in The Lottery (1989), a short film produced for the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios) in Florida for guests of the park’s Backstage Studio Tour.
KENNY ORTEGA is a multi-award-winning director, choreographer, and producer. His first work with Disney was choreographing the TV special Disney’s Totally Minnie (1988), followed by Mickey’s 60th Birthday the same year, and he would go on to direct three episodes of Touchstone Television’s Hull High in 1990. In 1992, Kenny directed his first feature film, the beloved Disney musical Newsies, which was followed, in 1993, by the perennial Halloween favorite Hocus Pocus. In 2006, he helmed the Disney Channel smash hit High School Musical, and the success of the first film would bring him back to direct—and choreograph—the sequels High School Musical 2 (2007) and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). Ortega also produced and staged the High School Musical Concert Tours, as well as the Miley Cyrus and Jonas Brothers Best of Both Worlds Tour. His other Disney credits include directing the 2014 short The Making of Frozen, The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006), and most recently the international phenomenon Descendants (2015), Descendants 2 (2017), and Descendants 3, which will be released this summer.
BARNETTE RICCI Barnette Ricci started her career with The Walt Disney Company as a choreographer at Disneyland. In the late 1960s, Barnette created and directed Kids of the Kingdom before going on to choreograph and direct many parades, including Christmas parades, America on Parade, and the Main Street Electrical Parade. She worked on the grand openings of Walt Disney World, EPCOT Center, and Tokyo Disneyland and directed popular stage shows such as Golden Horseshoe Revue at Disneyland and the Diamond Horseshoe Revue in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. Perhaps her biggest project to date is the creation of Fantasmic! Debuting at Disneyland in 1992, the production combines state-of-the-art special effects with live performers along the Rivers of America. The show continues a successful run at Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, and now Tokyo DisneySea. Following Fantasmic!, Barnette moved to The Walt Disney Studios as the vice president/show director of Special Events. After more than 40 years with The Walt Disney Company, Barnette retired in 2013.
ROBIN ROBERTS In 1990, Robin Roberts joined ESPN and would quickly become a frequent contributor to the network’s programming. In her 15 years at ESPN, she contributed to NFL Primetime and hosted SportsCenter and In the Game with Robin Roberts. Robin began making appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA) in
1995, and in 2005 left ESPN to join the show full-time as co-anchor. Since joining GMA, the show has won four Emmys® for Outstanding Morning Program. For ABC, Robin has hosted In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville, as well as ABC’s red carpet coverage of the Academy Awards®, and has created original broadcast and digital programming for the network through her production company, Rock’n Robin Productions. In 2007, Hyperion publishing released Robin’s first book, From the Heart: 7 Rules to Live By. Among Robin’s many awards are the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, membership in the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, and being named one of Glamour’s Women of the Year.
DIANE SAWYER Diane Sawyer is an ABC News anchor, tackling some of the biggest issues of our time with original reporting, primetime specials, long-form interviews, and in-depth investigations. One of the most respected journalists in the world, she has traveled the globe delivering breaking news reports, and has conducted interviews with almost every major newsmaker of our time. Her primetime documentaries have won critical acclaim for shedding light on difficult and previously under-reported topics, including her reporting on the realities of poverty in America. Sawyer’s reporting has been recognized with numerous awards, including duPonts; Emmys®; Peabodys; the grand prize of the premier Investigative Reporters and Editors Association, an IRTS Lifetime Achievement Award; and the USC Distinguished Achievement in Journalism Award. In 1997 she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. After more than a decade in television news, Sawyer joined ABC News in February 1989 as coanchor of Primetime. She was named co-anchor of Good Morning America in January 1999, and held the post until taking over the World News anchor chair in December 2009.
MING-NA WEN can currently be found saving the day as Agent Melinda May, aka “The Cavalry,” on the ABC series Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Ming is also known for her seven years playing Jing-Mei Chen on ER. Ming-Na Wen found success on the big screen when she appeared in the acclaimed Hollywood Pictures adaptation of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. Five years later, she would find animation immortality as the title star of the Disney classic Mulan, a role for which she would receive an Annie Award. Ming-Na returned to the role of heroic Fa Mulan in a slew of projects, including an animated sequel, videogames Kingdom Hearts II and Disney Infinity, on television’s House of Mouse and Sofia the First, and in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018). Ming-Na has been well known to audiences for her television projects, including her voice work in Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb, Disney XD’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Milo Murphy’s Law, the upcoming six-part digital short Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors, and a recurring role in ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat.
HANS ZIMMER has scored more than 160 projects which, combined, have grossed over $28 billion worldwide. Zimmer has been honored with an Academy Award®, two Golden Globes®, three Grammys®, an American Music Award, and a Tony® Award. In addition to his long list of credits, including notable projects such as Gladiator and The Dark Knight trilogy, Hans has had a great history with The Walt Disney Company. His early work for them includes additional music for White Fang (1991) and co-writing music for Cool Runnings (1993). His groundbreaking, Academy Award®-winning instrumental score for The Lion King (1994) was followed by many memorable projects,
including Crimson Tide (1995), Muppet Treasure Island (1996), The Rock (1996), Pearl Harbor (2001), King Arthur (2004), and Iron Man (2008). Hans is the guiding force behind the music of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, serving in various composing, editing, and producing capacities for The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Dead Man’s Chest (2006), At World’s End (2007), and On Stranger Tides (2011). Hans composed the music for this summer’s reimagining of The Lion King.
Honorees receive a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity, and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients will also participate in a handprint ceremony at the end of the event, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.
Admission to the ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is included in the price of a ticket to D23 Expo 2019.
Including this year’s honorees, a total of 288 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Julie Andrews, Beatrice Arthur, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Jennings, Sir Elton John, Angela Lansbury, George Lucas, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Regis Philbin, Marty Sklar, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, Betty White, and Robin Williams. Beginning with the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, thousands of Disney fans have been able to enjoy the Disney Legends Awards ceremony live.
Tickets for D23 Expo 2019 are available for $89 for one-day adult admission and $69 for children 3–9. Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club can purchase tickets for $77 for a one-day adult admission and $59 for children 3–9. For more information on tickets and D23 Expo 2019, visit D23Expo.com.
About D23 Expo 2019 D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings together all the worlds of Disney under one roof for three packed days of presentations, pavilions, experiences, concerts, sneak peeks, shopping, and more. The event provides fans with unprecedented access to Disney films, television, games, theme parks, and celebrities. For the latest D23 Expo 2019 news, visit D23expo.com. Presentations, talent, and schedule subject to change. To join the D23 Expo conversation, be sure to follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and use the hashtag #D23Expo.
About D23 The name “D23” pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his first studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney’s 90-plus-year history. It gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication, Disney twenty-three; a rich website at D23.com with members-only content; member-exclusive discounts; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year.
Fans can join D23 at Gold Membership ($99.99), Gold Family Membership ($129.99), and General Membership (complimentary) levels at D23.com. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow DisneyD23 on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
The third annual CrimeCon for fans of true-crime stories is set to take place at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans from June 6 to June 9, 2019.
The guest speakers include:
Nancy Grace: Oxygen host; founder of Crime Online; former prosecutor; author; former HLN and Court TV host
Maureen Maher: correspondent for “48 Hours”
Josh Mankiewicz: correspondent for “Dateline NBC”
Keith Morrison: correspondent for “Dateline NBC”
Andrea Canning: correspondent for “Dateline NBC”
Dennis Murphy: correspondent for “Dateline NBC”
Kelly Siegler: former prosecutor; star of “Cold Justice”
Tonya Rider: detective at Toledo Police Department; co-star of “Cold Justice”
Steve Spingola: former detective; co-star of “Cold Justice”
Paul Holes: former forensics investigator; star of “The DNA of Murder With Paul Holes”
Matt Gutman: chief national correspondent for ABC News
Dr. Henry Lee: forensic scientist
Christopher Darden: defense attorney; former OJ. Simpson prosecutor
Tom Lange: former LAPD detective in O.J. Simpson criminal case
Debra Newell and daughter Terra Newell: survivors of violent con artist John Meehan, also known as “Dirty John”
Matt Murphy: Orange County (California) senior deputy district attorney
Rodie Sanchez: former homicide detective; former star of “Killing Fields”
Jan Broberg: kidnapping/abuse survivor; star of the documentary film “Abducted in Plain Sight”
Skye Borgman: director of the documentary film “Abducted in Plain Sight”
Leslie Rule: daughter of the late author Ann Rule
Several of the guest speakers will be doing meet-and-greet sessions with CrimeCon attendees.
True-crime network Oxygen (which is owned by NBCUniversal) has signed as the event’s presenting sponsor, which explains the prominent presence of Oxygen stars Grace, Siegler, Rider, Spingola and Holes, as well as several correspondents from NBCUniversal’s “Dateline NBC.”
In addition to panels about famous crime cases (such as O.J. Simpson, John Meehan aka “Dirty John,” NXIVM, Richard “The Iceman” Kuklinski, New York City’s “Cannibal Cop,” Adnan Syed, Daryl Pinkins and Roosevelt Glenn), CrimeCon will be a highly interactive event, with a courtroom experience with attendee participation, a K-9 search demonstration and a forensics demonstration.
CrimeCon, produced by Red Seat Ventures, is a rival to IDCon, an annual one-day convention in New York City for fans of Investigation Discovery (ID), the true-crime network that debuted in 2008 from Discovery Networks.
Here are the main difference between the two events:
CrimeCon takes place over three days and has programming from various media outlets, whereas IDCon is one day only and focuses only on programming from one network: Investigation Discovery.
CrimeCon takes place in a different city every year, while IDCon is in New York City.
The cost of CrimeCon is much higher per day and is a much larger event. CrimeCon’s 2018 admission prices range from $229-$1,199, not including the cost of on-site meals. IDCon has one admission price, which includes on-site lunch. IDCon’s admission price for 2019 was $75. IDCon moved to a larger venue in 2019 and is expected to have about 600 attendees. CrimeCon has not yet released its attendance figures.
Investigation Discovery (ID) has announced that its fourth annual IDCon, an event for ID fans, will take place May 18, 2019, at Center 415 in New York City. The theme of the event is “Dangerous Minds.” Tickets, which are $75 each, go on sale at EventBrite on April 5 at 10 a.m. ET. According to ID, all proceeds for IDCon will be donated to New York’s Silver Shield Foundation, an organization which provides educational support to families of firefighters and police officers killed in the line of duty.
ID’s “Scene of the Crime” host Tony Harris will emcee the event for the third year in a row. ID show hosts Joe Kenda (“Homicide Hunter”) and John Walsh and his son Callahan Walsh (“In Pursuit With John Walsh”) will also be in attendance for panel discussions. There will also be meet-and-greet opportunities and more talent appearances to be announced. Fans are encouraged to get the latest updates about IDCon at ID’s Crime Obsession Facebook Group. Updates about IDCon, exclusive web content, bonus material and news reports can also be found on ID’s Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as ID’s true-crime blog, CrimeFeed. For people unable to attend IDCon, there will be livestreams on ID’s Facebook page.
In a statement, Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel and Destination America group president Henry Schleiff commented: “Investigation Discovery doesn’t just have viewers, we have super fans. Our self-proclaimed ‘ID Addicts’ have driven ID to unparalleled success, catapulting us to be the #1 network for both women and people, ages 25-54, in total day. As our thank you, we are thrilled to bring back IDCon, our annual love letter to our fans, made bigger—and, I’ll boldly declare—even, better than ever before!”
The event, which is expected to sell out quickly, will once again feature panel discussions, immersive experiences and meet-and-greet opportunities with ID stars. This is the first year that IDCon will take place at Center 415, which has a seating capacity of about 600 people. In its first three years, IDCon took place at New York City’s Altman Building, which has a seating capacity of about 300 people.
WHO & WHAT: This three-day event with attendees getting a chance to play investigators/detectives in a real-life cases. The case and leaders are to be announced. Admission prices range from $279 to $749 per person.
The main CrimeCon convention takes place this year from June 7 to June 9 at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans. Red Seat Ventures produces all CrimeCon events.
The animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” was one of the most talked-about revelations at the 2018 edition of New York Comic Con in New York City. Not only were fans given a huge surprise treat by seeing the first 35 minutes of the film before the panel discussion took place, but those in the audience who saw the sneak preview were also raving about it. Simply put: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (which opens in theaters on December 14, 2018) has the makings of being an award-winning hit.
The movie also represents the first time on the big screen that Spider-Man will be played by characters other than Peter Parker. The main Spider-Man in “Into the Spider-Verse” is Miles Morales, a half-Puerto Rican, half-African American high schooler from Brooklyn, who almost reluctantly becomes the masked webslinger under the mentorship of Parker. The trailers for the movie indicate that Morales’ love interest Gwen Stacy will also take on the persona of Spider-Gwen, plus there are other variations of Spider-Man in this movie’s alternate universe. (No spoilers here.)
After getting rapturous applause following the sneak preview, several members of the “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” team took to the stage for a discussion panel. They included Shameik Moore (voice of Miles Morales); Jake Johnson (voice of Peter Parker); Lauren Velez (voice of Rio Morales, Miles’ mother); Brian Tyree Henry (voice of Jefferson Davis, Miles’ father); producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller; and directors Bob Persichetti and Peter Ramsey. Here is what they said:
Phil and Chris, how did you get involved in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”?
Lord: When Sony came to us and said, “Wouldn’t it be cool to do Spider-Man as an animated movie?” And the first thing we thought was, “Yeah, that would be awesome to see a comic book come to life, but wouldn’t it be the seventh Spider-Man movie? It would have to feel like something super-fresh.” So we said we wouldn’t want to do it unless it was Miles Morales’ story.
Miller: It seemed like they really wanted us to do this, so we could make some demands. And so, we used the fact that this story had been told a lot of times to our advantage, because the expectation now is, “How can we do it differently?”
The visuals are stunning. Peter and Bob, can you talk about the visual approach and how the story is set in Brooklyn?
Ramsey: As Phil said, this was a chance for us to really lean into a medium that was made for Spider-Man … How can we take advantage of a medium that has been visually expressive for so many years and tie it into the original source material? And so, we started to lean into flash frames and visuals that are really reminiscent of drawings, but we had to figure out a way to do it with a computer, which is its own giant task.
And then separately, we’ve seen the Peter Parker story. We know. We haven’t seen the Miles Morales story. Brooklyn is such a character. There are so many things that were born out of New York: hip-hop, graffiti, Miles. How do we view the movie with a character that is the city? Each borough has its own flavor.
Persichetti: The great thing for us, as filmmakers, is that the stars all kind of lined up, and we were in a situation where we had producers/creators—Phil [Lord] and Chris [Miller]—who had a vision, and a studio that said, “You can do that,” even though they didn’t know what we were going to do.
Every step along of the way, everyone on the team pushed as far as they could into his idea of using animation to be more expressive, be like a comic book, honor the original source, and to try to bring New York 2018 to life in a way that everybody in the audience can understand, so everyone can go through this experience in Miles’ shoes. Hopefully, we got it right.
Ramsey: And I think the secret was we didn’t tell them how bold of a visual approach we were going to take until it was too late to change it.
Shameik, what was it like to inhabit the Miles Morales character?
Moore: I can relate to the upbringing we’re looking at. I’m not actually Latino, but I feel the spirit. I’m very excited. When I was younger and I first saw Miles Morales, I was like, “Dude, there’s a black Spider-Man out there.”
I wrote it down in a journal filming this movie called “Dope.” I said, “I am Miles Morales. I am Spider-Man.” And two years later, I got the opportunity, with these guys. We made an amazing movie. It really is a crazy thing.
Jake, what can you say about the Peter Parker character in “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”?
Johnson: It’s Peter Parker at 40. Peter Parker who’s a little chubby. Peter Parker who’s a little depressed. I just saw [the movie] this morning. It’s just so exciting, and I’m fired up to be in it.
Jake, how would you describe the relationship between Peter Parker and Miles Morales?
Johnson: They become partners in crime. They become unlikely friends. There’s a little bit of “The Karate Kid.” They end up needing each other to get out of a situation, and they become friends along the way.
Brian, how would you describe your Jefferson Davis character as Miles’ father?
Henry: It reminded me of my father. I was raised by my father for … most of my formative years—junior high through high school—puberty, mostly. My father was a Vietnam vet, and there was this kid he was trying to raise. Looking at the [the movie], I was like, “Oh, that’s what he was going through!” I didn’t think I was that bad, but I was off the chain!
There is nothing more important to me than to see a black boy and his father. We’ve seen the single mom trying to bring up a teenage boy to be a man, but it’s really nice to see … Miles Morales has both of his parents. He’s bilingual and raised in Brooklyn. His mom works in a hospital, and [his father] is a cop.
He had a damn good upbringing. We made a good man! It’s important for everyone to see that Miles is part of that. It was very important for me to be part of that, to be someone trying to raise [Miles] right and make him a decent man … And to play the husband of Lauren Velez? I jumped at the chance. Our son is the bomb! It’s an honor to be on this panel with all these creators. And Miles is “dope.” See what I did there?
Lauren, can you talk about your Rio character, who’s Miles’ mother?
Velez: This is my first animation [project] ever. I had no idea what to expect at all. I’m floored by everything. I’m floored by the storytelling, the visual style. Is that animation? Look at the depth of that. So much if it is beyond what I expected. I really have the most amazing family.
My son [Miles] is so dope and my husband is amazing. I’m the daughter of a cop [in real life], and seeing this [movie] made me think so much of my own family and growing … [Miles] doesn’t come from a broken home. He comes from a real stable, professional parenting environment and parents who want the best for him, and want him to achieve his highest potential. That’s why they’ve sent him away to a school that is better for him but is still diverse; he’s not completely away from his world. All of that I thought was so important.
And the bilingual aspect of it. I’m Nuyorican, and I think Miles is such loving, wonderful son on the cusp of manhood. I feel like [Rio] supports him in moving toward being the man she wants him to but still wants to nurture him and hold on to him and take care of him. I think, secretly, she thinks his art is so dope, and she supports that.
The 13th annual New York Comic Con takes place October 4 to October 7 in New York City. The event is expected to draw about 200,000 people, according to ReedPOP, the company that produces the event. New York Comic Con’s main hub is at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, but there are also numerous activities taking place at several other locations in the city, including Hammerstein Ballroom, Shop Studios, the New York Public Library and the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
TV shows dominate the most high-profile panels and activities. “The Walking Dead” TV series has had a panel at New York Comic Con every year since the show debuted in 2010. The show’s ninth season (which premieres October 7, 2018) will have the last episodes with Andrew Lincoln, who plays “The Walking Dead” group leader Rick Grimes. Lincoln is leaving the show because he says he wants to spend more time with his family.
New York Comic Con in 2018 also has four major exclusive TV panels: “Outlander,” which is coming to New York Comic Con for the first time this year; “Doctor Who,” with the Comic Con debut of Jodie Whittaker, the first woman to play the show’s title role; “Tardis Time,” a panel reuniting former “Doctor Who” cast members David Tennant, Matt Smith and Alex Kingston; and a “Netflix and Chills” panel, with sneak previews of Netflix’s upcoming supernatural shows (“Umbrella Academy,” “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance”), as well as interviews with some of the cast members.
Meanwhile, “Riverdale” will have its New York Comic Con panel debut this year. “Gotham,” which has been at New York Comic Con since its 2014 debut, will have its final New York Comic Con panel before the series ends in 2019.
There are some movies due to be released in theaters that will also be showcased at the event, such as “Mortal Engines,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World” and “Dragon Ball Super: Broly.” And, of course, there will be plenty of panels, exhibits and previews for comic books, video games, fantasy novels and other pop-culture attractions.
ANIME FEST
As previously reported, for the first time this year, New York Comic Con has partnered with Anime Expo to create Anime Fest, which will take place on the same days as New York Comic Con 2018 in New York City: October 4 to October 7. Anime Fest, which will be held at Pier 94, requires a separate price of admission for everyone. New York Comic Con badges not do not include admission to Anime Fest, and a New York Comic Con badge is not required to purchase admission to Anime Fest.
SHOP STUDIOS PANELS AND SESSIONS
New at Comic Con this year are panels and sessions presented by Entertainment Weekly and the Motion Picture Association of America at Shop Studios, which is at 528 W. 39th Street. Some of the panels require tickets. For ticketed panels, most are free to New York Comic Con badge holders and have various prices for people without New York Comic Con badges.
Some of the highlights of Shop Studios include:
Entertainment Weekly presents a conversation with actress Sophie Turner (“Dark Phoenix,” “X-Men Apocalypse,” “Game of Thrones”). Tickets are not required. (October 6, 2018, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Comic-book illustrator Alex Ross does a rare Comic Con autograph session to celebrate his book “Marvelocity,” a retrospective celebration of the world’s most beloved Marvel characters. Ross is also doing a panel conversation with editor and designer Chip Kidd. This is a ticketed session, with admission charges for everyone, including New York Comic Con badge holders. All tickets include a copy of “Marvelocity” and an exclusive Black Panther print. Ticket prices are $75 for the panel and autograph session or $65 for the autograph session only. (October 6, 2018, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Entertainment Weekly presents the “Visionaries” panel with filmmakers Robert Rodriguez (“Alita: Battle Angel,” “Sin City,” “From Dusk Till Dawn”), Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok,” “What We Do in the Shadows”) and Drew Goddard (“Bad Times at the El Royale,” “The Cabin in the Woods”). This is not a ticketed panel. October 6, 2018, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Entertainment Weekly presents the “Brave Warriors” panel with actors Josh Bowman (“Time After Time”), Josh Dallas (“Once Upon a Time,” “Manifest”), Joel de la Feunte (“The Man in the High Castle,” “Manifest”) and Jason Lewis (“Midnight, Texas”). This is not a ticketed panel. (October 7, 2018, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM)
Bill Nye does a Q&A conversation with Gregory Moyne. This is a ticketed panel. Free admission tickets are no longer available for New York Comic Con badge holders. Ticket prices are $25, which includes priority seating and a pre-signed copy of Nye and Moyne’s book “Jack and the Geniuses #3: Lost in the Jungle.” (October 7, 2018, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)
AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS AND PHOTO OPS
Several stars from movies and TV shows will have individual autograph sessions and/or photo opportunities with fans. They include:
Mark Ruffalo (“Avengers: Infinity War,” “Thor: Ragnarok” and other Marvel Studios superhero movies) on October 4.
Zachary Levi (“Shazam!,” “Chuck”) on October 4 and October 5.
David Tennant (“Doctor Who,” “Good Omens”) on October 5 and October 7.
Jason Momoa (“Aquaman,” “Justice League”) on October 6.
Michelle Rodriguez (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise, “Lost,” “Avatar,” “Resident Evil”) on October 6.
Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead,” “Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War”) on October 6 and October 7.
Aisha Tyler (“Archer,” “Criminal Minds”) on October 6 and October 7.
Matt Smith (“Doctor Who,” “The Crown”) on October 6 and October 7.
NYCC LIVE STAGE
Various celebrities will be stopping by for brief interviews at the NYCC Live Stage at Booth 174 at Javits Center. Here are some of the most high-profile appearances:
Robert Rodriguez and Michelle Rodriguez
October 4, 2018, 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez (“Alita: Battle Angel,” “Sin City,” “From Dusk Till Dawn”), actress Michelle Rodriguez (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise, “Lost,” “Avatar,” “Resident Evil”) and writer Racer Rodriguez discuss their new, first-of-a-kind VR project “The Limit.” (Racer is Robert’s son. Michelle is not related to them.)
Zachary Levi
October 4, 2018, 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The star of “Shazam!” stops by to preview the movie.
“Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” Cast Interview
October 5, 2018, 11:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Omar Miller (Raph) Josh Brener (Donnie), Brandon Smith (Mikey) Kat Graham (April O’Neil), Andy Suriano (Character Designer), Ant Ward (Producer), and Rob Paulsen (Voice Director) swing by to discuss the reboot of everyone’s favorite “Heroes in a Half Shell.”
“Titans” Cast Interview
October 5, 2018, 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Pal around with the Titans themselves: Brenton Thwaites (Robin), Teagan Croft (Raven), Minka Kelly (Dove), Anna Diop (Starfire), Alan Ritchson (Hawk), and Ryan Potter (Beast Boy), as they discuss the upcoming DC Universe series.
“Outlander” Cast Interview
October 6, 2018, 11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Go inside the hit fantasy drama’s upcoming fourth season with the show’s stars Sam Heughan (Jamie MacKenzie Fraser), Caitriona Balfe (Claire Beauchamp Randall/Fraser), Sophie Skelton (Bree Randall), and Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield).
“Good Omens” Cast Interview
October 6, 2018, 1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Writer Neil Gaiman and director Douglas Mackinnon discuss the end of the world with Michael Sheen (Aziraphale), Miranda Richardson (Madame Tracy), and David Tennant (Crowley).
“Manifest” Cast Interview
October 6, 2018, 2:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Series creator Jeff Rake waxes poetic on disappearing commercial airliners alongside Josh Dallas (Ben Stone) and Melissa Roxburgh (Michaela Stone).
TELEVISION AND WEB SERIES PANELS
“Marvel’s Runaways”
October 5, 2018, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
“Marvel’s Runaways” is headed to Madison Square Garden, for the very first time, with an action-packed panel, Q&A and never-before-seen-footage. Join Jeph Loeb, head of Marvel Television, along with the cast and executive producer, as they let you in on what’s to come for the highly-anticipated Season 2 of the Hulu original series “Marvel’s Runaways.” You won’t want to miss this fun-filled event! And don’t forget all 13 episodes of “Marvel’s Runaways Season 2” will drop on December 21, 2018, only on Hulu.
“DreamWorks Tales of Arcadia: 3Below”
October 5, 2018, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Guillermo del Toro offers a first look inside his upcoming Netflix original series “DreamWorks Tales of Arcadia: 3Below,” the second chapter in the “Tales of Arcadia” trilogy. The panel will also include executive producers Rodrigo Blaas, Marc Guggenheimand Chad Hammes, and actor Diego Luna (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”). The series follows two royal teenage aliens,and their bodyguard who flee a surprise takeover of their home planet by an evil dictator and crash land in Arcadia. Now on the run from intergalactic bounty hunters, they struggle to blend in and adapt to the bizarre world of high school all the while attempting to repair their ship so they can return and defend their home planet.
“Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
October 5, 2018, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM
Main Stage 1-D Presented by Verizon – Javits Center
Rise up! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in the next mutation of New York’s half-shell heroes. Join us as we celebrate the latest incarnation of The Turtles. Featuring Omar Miller (“Ballers”) as Raph, Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation”) as Leo, Josh Brener (“Silicon Valley”) as Donnie, Brandon Smith (“You’re the Worst”) as Mikey, Kat Graham (“The Vampire Diaries”) as April and special guest Maurice LaMarche (“Pinky and the Brain”) as the Foot Brute. Joining the cast are co-executive producers, Andy Suriano and Ant Ward, and legendary voice director Rob Paulsen. Panel highlights will include never-before-seen clips from the series, special guests and exclusive giveaways.
Netflix and Chills
October 5, 2018, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Main Stage 1-D Presented by Verizon – Javits Center
The midnight hour is close at hand with Netflix’s Mega Block of chills, thrills, and everything else of the other-worldly variety. Join the casts of “Umbrella Academy,” “The Haunting of Hill House” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” as they descend upon New York Comic Con to discuss these highly anticipated new series. Plus, get a first look at “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” before anyone else. Panelists: Ellen Page, Mary J. Blige, Rob Sheehan, Emmy Raver-Lampman, David Castañeda, Aidan Gallagher, Cameron Britton, Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Kate Siegel.
Tardis Time: Matt Smith, David Tennant and Alex Kingston Live
October 5, 2018, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Hammerstein Ballroom
The Tenth and Eleventh Doctors are joined by River Song in a once-in-a-regeneration experience at the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 5, 2018. David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Alex Kingston (along with companion/host Aaron Sagers) will make you laugh, cry, and feel bigger on the inside with their tales from across space and time. This is a ticketed event that is not free to New York Comic Con badgeholders. Tickets range from $19-$249.
The forces of good and evil take the stage to give fans a first ever sneak-peak of the highly anticipated series adaptation of Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman’s best-selling “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” novel. A dark, comedic story set in modern day Britain that centers on the stoic and sensible angel, Aziraphale (played by Sheen) and the suave man-about-town demon, Crowley (played by Tennant) as they join forces to prevent the coming of the Apocalypse.
“Good Omens”
October 6, 2018, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
The forces of good and evil take the stage to give fans a first ever sneak-peak of the highly anticipated series adaptation of Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman’s best-selling “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” novel. A dark, comedic story set in modern day Britain that centers on the stoic and sensible angel, Aziraphale (played by Michael Sheen) and the suave man-about-town demon, Crowley (played by David Tennant) as they join forces to prevent the coming of the Apocalypse. Panelists: Neil Gaiman, David Tennant, Douglas Mackinnon, Michael Sheen Miranda Richardson
“Marvel’s Daredevil”
October 6, 2018, 1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Witness New York Comic Con’s highly anticipated return of “Daredevil,” Marvel’s first superhero on Netflix! Join the series’ stars Charlie Cox, Elden Henson, Deborah Ann Woll, Vincent D’Onofrio, Joanne Whalley, Wilson Bethel, Jay Ali, series showrunner Erik Oleson and executive producer/Marvel head of television Jeph Loeb for what promises to be an epic panel full of surprise reveals.
“Star Trek: Discovery”
October 6, 2018, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
“Star Trek,” one of the most iconic and influential global television franchises, has left an indelible mark on our world. What began as a TV show over 50 years ago became a window into the future and a reflection of our greatest hopes for a better tomorrow. Join the cast and producers of “Star Trek: Discovery” as they discuss the legacy of the franchise, and what adventures await the CBS All Access Original Series as it warps into Season 2. Panelists are to be announced.
“Outlander”
October 6, 2018, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Join executive producers Ronald D. Moore and Maril Davis, along with cast members Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton and Richard Rankin, for a discussion about the new season of the hit Starz Original Series. Season 4 of “Outlander” continues the story of time-traveling doctor Claire Fraser and her 18th-century Highlander husband Jamie Fraser as they try to make a home for themselves in the rough and dangerous “New World” of colonial America. Meanwhile, in the 20th century, Claire and Jamie’s daughter Brianna Randall and historian Roger Wakefield search for proof that Brianna’s parents found each other in the past.
“The Walking Dead”
October 6, 2018, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Cast and executive producers from AMC’s “The Walking Dead” will discuss the show’s exciting new chapter and share some hints of what’s to come with a sneak peek into season 9, debuting on October 7th at 9PM ET/PT. Panelists: Danai Gurira, Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Angela Kang, Scott M. Gimple, Robert Kirkman , Gale Anne Hurd and Dave Alpert.
“Riverdale”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sos50JmdgFM
October 7, 2018, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Following yet another drama-filled season and shocking Season 2 finale, don’t miss “Riverdale” when it makes its debut at New York Comic Con this year! Join Archie and the gang as they continue to dive into the secrets that loom and keep emerging from the shadows in a town that once seemed like a quiet, ordinary place. The circumstances surrounding Archie’s arrest kick off the drama of season three as the gang tries to #FreeArchie, while Hiram Lodge continues to flesh out his plans to control not only Riverdale, but also the ever growing SoDale. Based on the characters from Archie Comics and produced by Berlanti Productions (“The Flash,” “Supergirl,” “Blindspot,” “Arrow,” “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”) in association with Warner Bros. Television, this one-hour drama is a bold, subversive take on the surreality of small-town life. Join us for an exclusive sneak peek at Season 3, followed by a Q&A with series stars and producers. “Riverdale” returns for Season 3 on October 10, airing Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW. “Riverdale: The Complete Second Season” is available now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital. Panelists announced so far: KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart, Luke Perry, Mädchen Amick, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Jon Goldwater.
“Gotham”
October 7, 2018, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Join “Gotham” as the show returns to New York Comic Con for its final appearance. With Gotham on the brink of total anarchy and cut off from the outside world, only Jim Gordon, Bruce Wayne and a handful of heroes remain behind to retake the city. Inspired by the “No Man’s Land” arc from the comics, villains including Penguin, the Riddler, the Sirens and Jeremiah have taken claim on various regions of the city. Will order be restored, or will chaos reign in Gotham? Be among the first to hear what’s in store for the final chapter of Gotham as the show returns to New York Comic Con for a special video presentation, followed by a Q&A with series stars and producers. From Warner Bros. Television, “Gotham” returns for its fifth and final season midseason on Fox, and “Gotham: The Complete Fourth Season” is available now on Digital, Blu-ray and DVD. Panelists announced so far: David Mazouz, Donal Logue, Robin Lord Taylor, Cory Michael Smith, Camren Bicondova, Sean Pertwee, Chris Chalk, Erin Richards, John Stephens.
“What We Do in the Shadows”
October 7, 2018, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Hammerstein Ballroom
Exclusive Sneak-Peek Screening and Q&A – Based on the classic cult film of the same name, FX presents an exclusive screening of its new vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows, followed by a spirited discussion with executive producers Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi and Paul Simms. Set in Staten Island, What We Do in the Shadows follows three vampires who have been roommates for hundreds, and hundreds, of years. Following the screening, fans will have a chance to hear directly from the producers about the unending ennui of everyday immortal life that mere humans take for granted. The series will debut on FX in Spring 2019.
“Doctor Who”
October 7, 2018, 1:45 PM – 3:30 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
BBC America is bringing “Doctor Who” to New York Comic Con for its global premiere! When the new season of “Doctor Who” hits BBC America timed to the U.K. premiere broadcast on Sunday, October 7th at 1:45 p.m. ET/PT, fans will get to experience the first episode live together at New York Comic Con. The screening of the first episode with new star Jodie Whittaker, entitled “The Woman Who Fell to Earth,” will be followed by a panel and fan Q&A with Whittaker, showrunner Chris Chibnall and executive producer Matt Strevens.
“RWBY” and “gen:LOCK” Mega Panel
October 7, 2018, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Rooster Teeth is bringing exclusive sneak peeks of “RWBY Volume 6” and “gen:LOCK” to New York Comic Con. Join “RWBY” cast and crew Lindsay Jones (Ruby), Kara Eberle (Weiss), Arryn Zech (Blake), Barbara Dunkelman (Yang), Miles Luna and Kerry Shawcross for exciting “RWBY” news, hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and more. “gen:LOCK” writer/director Gray G. Haddock will show the most that’s ever been seen of “gen:LOCK.”
In addition, these TV shows or web series will be showcased with panels at New York Comic Con this year:
“The 100”
“American Dad”
“American Gods”
“Archer: 1999”
“Batman: The Animated Series”
“Big Mouth”
“Blindspot”
“Boy Meets World”(25th Anniversary Reunion)
“The Boys”
“Charmed”
“Cobra Kai”
“Cosmos: Possible Worlds”
“Cowboy Bebop”
“Critical Role”
“Deadly Class”
“A Discovery of Witches”
“The Dragon Prince”
“Drunk History”
“Family Guy”
“Future Man”
“The Gifted”
“Happy!”
“Human Kind Of”
“Hilda”
“Impractical Jokers”
“Legacies”
“Liver Spots and Astro Nots”
“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” (25th Anniversary Reunion)
“Lore”
“The Magicians”
“The Man in the High Castle”
“Manifest”
“Mars”
“Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors”
“Midnight, Texas”
“Mythical Beasts”
“Nightflyers”
“Origin”
“The Orville”
“Our Star Wars Stories”
“The Passage”
“Project Blue Book”
“Roswell, New Mexico”
“She-Ra and the Princesses of Power”
“Siren”
“Stan Against Evil”
“SuperMansion”
“The Tick”
“Titans”
“Trailer Park 2.0”
“Voltron Legendary Defender”
MOVIE PANELS
“Mortal Engines”
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
October 5, 2018, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Hundreds of years after civilization was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, humankind has adapted and a new way of living has evolved. Gigantic moving cities roam Earth, ruthlessly preying upon smaller traction towns. Now, two fugitives forge an unlikely alliance destined to change the future. Join cast & filmmakers from “Mortal Engines” the startling, epic adventure from the filmmakers of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” as they share exclusive materials and thrilling tales of production. Panelists: Peter Jackson Philippa Boyens, Hugo Weaving, Jihae, Leila George, Rob Sheehan, Stephen Lang, Hera Hilmar and Christian Rivers.
“Dragon Ball Super: Broly”
October 5, 2018, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
The greatest action animated series of all time returns for a new movie of epic proportions! Join a roster of English voice actors—and special guests from Japan—as they discuss the film and reveal never-before-seen announcements. This panel reunites the English and Japanese voices of Goku, Sean Schemmel and Masako Nozawa, along with Japanese director Tatsuya Nagamine and English voice actors!
“Hellboy” (2019)
October 6, 2018, 11:00 PM – 12:00 PM
Main Stage 1-D Presented by Verizon – Javits Center
Join stars David Harbour, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim and Ian McShane, and comic book creator Mike Mignola to discuss the film. Based on the Dark Horse comic book “Hellboy” caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battles an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
October 6, 2018, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Cast and filmmakers from Sony Pictures Entertainment’s highly anticipated “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” from the creative minds of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, will give audiences an inside look at the limitless possibilities of the Spider-Verse—where more than one can wear the mask. The film is presented in association with Marvel. Panelists: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Velez, Miller, Lord, Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichietti.
“How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World”
October 7, 2018, 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden
Welcome cast and filmmakers from DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.” Get ready to rediscover Toothless—the King of all Dragons—as he meets a potential girlfriend and journeys alongside Hiccup to a hidden world you thought only existed in myth. Writer/director Dean DeBlois will be joined by special guests as he reveals all-new footage and brings us deep into his surprising tale about growing up, finding the courage to face the unknown, and the most unlikely of friendships—one that’s spanned the lifetimes of both the Night Fury and the chief of Berk.
“Twilight” (10th Anniversary)
October 7, 2018, 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Main Stage 1-D Presented by Verizon – Javits Center
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of “Twilight’s” original theatrical release, Lionsgate invites you to join director Catherine Hardwicke and “Twilight” actors Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone and Edi Gathegi to reminisce about the epic saga and how it changed the state of fandom.
*All panel descriptions are courtesy of New York Comic Con.