To make a comic really work, you need a good story. This years San Diego Comic Con International has a lot to offer aspiring comic book writers, with panels, workshops, and events by some of the best comic book writers out there. Check out this top picks of panels for the aspiring comic book writer. For a full list of events, go to the Comic-Con website. The Comics Reporter has a nice breakdown of just the comics related events as well. What follows are the events, with the text from the CCI website, with commentary by me.
1. Impact University: How to Write and Draw Comics and Graphic Novels
Friday 12:00-1:30 Room 30CDE"Some of the biggest names in comics will teach you what it takes to make it in comics and graphic novels. This year's star-studded faculty panel includes Peter David (She-Hulk, X-Factor), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game, Wyrms), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Tom Nguyen (Batman, Justice League Elite) and Comics Buyer's Guide senior editor Maggie Thompson. Find out the best way to submit your work, learn the dos and don'ts of the business, and participate in a Q&A session."
Commentary: This just looks to be one of the best panels for comic book writers. Many creators fall into many holes when submitting so heed the sage advice of these professionals and you just might get your chance to see your comic in print.
2. Wolfman and Kesel Writing Comics
Saturday 12:00-1:30 Room 30CDE"Marv Wolfman and Barbara Kesel conduct a comics writing workshop, discussing how to create characters, story, and theme. If you've ever wanted to become a comics writer, this is for you."
Commentary: Two classic powerhouses in the comic book world. These writers will definitely help you along the way. This is a must see for aspiring comic book writers.
3. The Hero Initiative: I'm Supposed to Retire on This?!
Saturday 6:00-7:00 Room 30CDE"When you're a professional in comics, you are in charge of your own destiny, including paying your taxes and funding your retirement. But how are you supposed to save any money when Uncle Sam takes it all? And if you do have any money left over, where do you put it -- IRAs, SEPs, savings accounts or bank CDs, what's the difference? Harlan Wenig (independent financial advisor) and Joe Davidson (registered tax preparer) explore the financial aspects of being a comic book professional."
Commentary: Think about your future. If you want to be a freelancer or self-employed creator, then you must attend this panel. It will help you make sound decisions that will affect you for a long time to come.
4. Writing with Mark Verheiden
Thursday 11:30-12:30 Room 4"Comic-Con special guest Mark Verheiden, co-executive producer of Battlestar Galactica and writer of the upcoming live-action Teen Titans movie, offers advice to aspiring writers in a lively Q&A session. Want to write for television? Features? Comic books? Bring your best nuts-and-bolts questions!"
Commentary: Writer's write. They don't necessarily just write comic books. Learn from someone who makes a living writing and you might just come away with some new insight for that next gig.
5. Storytelling with and Without Pictures
Saturday 2:30-3:30 Room 1AB"Authors of prose and comics discuss how they write differently for different media -- or do they? Find out with authors David Morrell (Captain America: The Chosen), Christopher Golden (The Myth Hunters, Talent), Mike Mignola (Baltimore, Or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire, Hellboy), Richard Morgan (TH1TRE3N, Black Widow), Tad Williams (Shadowplay, Aquaman), Barbara Hambly (Renfield: Slave of Dracula, Garden of Emptiness), and Mike Carey (The Devil You Know, Lucifer). Moderated by Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy."
Commentary: Such a diverse group of writers. This is bound to be a highlight of the con for aspiring comic book writers. Listen, learn, live.
6. Comic Book Law School 101: Let's Start at the Beginning
Friday 10:30-12:00 Room 30CDE"A very good place to start learning how to protect your intellectual property rights, that is. Learn the basics of copyright and trademark law in this popular interactive lecture series brought to you by noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book (soon to be an expanded graphic novel). This first workshop will cover the basics of protection..."
Commentary: Knowing how to protect your intellectual rights is paramount for young creators. Don't get caught with your proverbial pants down. Learn what to do when it comes time to sign that contract or protect your characters.
7. New Voices in Graphic Novels
Saturday 4:30-5:30 Room 4"The medium is exploding with new opportunities and new creative talent. Six graphic novel creators who have published their first books in the past year -- Miriam Katin (We Are On Our Own), Leland Myrick (Missouri Boy), George O'Connor (Journey into Mohawk Country), David Peterson (Mouse Guard), Christian Slade (Korgi), and Jamie Tanner (The Aviary) -- talk about their inspirations and about the place their books have in the changing graphic novel market. Moderated by Calvin Reid (Publisher's Weekly)."
Commentary: These new creators will undoubtedly have a lot of insight into the comic book world. It is wise to see what they did right, and wrong in getting their graphic novel published.
8. Comic Book Law School 102
Saturday 10:30-12:00 Room 30CDE"Learn the basics of copyright and trademark law in this popular interactive lecture series brought to you by noted attorney Michael Lovitz, author of the acclaimed The Trademark and Copyright Book comic book (soon to be expanded into a graphic novel). This second workshop will cover some of the more complicated issues facing creators who are looking to actually market their creations and ideas, including transfers and licensing of rights, marketing, merchandising..."
Commentary: Learning how to make money with your mind is an important part of the business for comic book writers. Your characters can make you money in other places than comics so it is important to see what you can do with them.
9. Comics Arts Conference Session #11: High Art and Low
Saturday 1:00-2:30 Room 30AB"Richard Becker (CSU Northridge) discusses the nature of the narrator and authorial self-insertions in comics, like those of Lee and Kirby, Gerber, and Morrison, and the schism between schools of storytelling in which the writer is very visible and another in which the writer seeks to be completely invisible. John A. Walsh (Indiana University) examines Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol stories and their punctuation by appearances of and allusions to similarly fracture, damaged, and outcast artists and works and asks whether the members of the Doom Patrol are artists or heroes and if there's a difference..."
Commentary: This seems a little highbrow, but digging in to how creators weave stories is a good thing.
