Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: Batman, comic art, Comics, Danny Fingeroth, entertainment, inking, J.M. DeMatteis, jerry ordway, Justin Jordan, spider-man, superheroes, Wizard World Atlanta

Wizard World Atlanta: Get Educated On Comic Art, Batman, Spider-Man, And Comic Films

Published Fri, 30 May 2014 08:00:00 -0500

by Hannah Means Shannon

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Wizard World Atlanta starts today, and in keeping with some of the recent Wizard Worlds and with help from former Marvel editor and author Danny Fingeroth, the offerings are wide-ranging in terms of comics history, all-star creators, and practical discussions of the comics medium. There are panels on comics art and inking, panels on the history of Batman and Spider-Man, a focus on female heroes in comics, and plenty of talent supporting the educational and fan-inspiring programming.

The full comics programming schedule is:

FRIDAY, MAY 30

5:30 – 6:15PM

SUPERSTAR ARTISTS: JUNE BRIGMAN, BILLY MARTIN, AND ALE GARZA

Three top comics artists talk about their careers, their craft, the comics business and whatever else might come up. Join June Brigman (Brenda Starr; Power Pack), Billy Martin (Vitriol: The Hunter; Marvel Trading Cards) and Alé Garza (Superman/Batman; Spider-Man) for this pencil-powered panel. Danny Fingeroth (How to Create Comics from Script to Print) moderates. (A314)

6:30 – 7:15PM

1939: BATMAN'S BEGINNING AND THE YEAR THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING WITH J.M. DeMATTEIS, AARON SAGERS AND DANNY FINGEROTH

75 years ago, as fateful events that would lead to the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 were coming together in Europe, the U.S.A. was experiencing an explosion of popular culture. In 1939, Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27; Timely (later Marvel) Comics released Marvel Comics #1, showcasing the first Marvel superheroes, Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch; and Hollywood produced classic films including The Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind and Stagecoach. Discussing historical and cultural factors that made that year so important is a panel including J.M. DeMatteis (Spider-Man; Justice League,) pop culture expert Aaron Sagers and Danny Fingeroth (Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero.) (A314)

SATURDAY, MAY 31

11:00-11:45AM

HOW TO WRITE COMICS WITH J.M. DEMATTEIS, JUSTIN JORDAN, NATHAN EDMONDSON AND DANNY FINGEROTH

Accomplished comics writers J. M. DeMatteis (Spider-Man; Moonshadow,) Justin Jordan (Superman; Green Lantern,) Nathan Edmonson (Ultimate Iron Man; Black Widow,) and Danny Fingeroth (Deadly Foes of Spider-Man; How to Create Comics from Script to Print) show and tell you how to write comics and graphic novels, going from initial idea to outline to script to finished story. Plus, the panelists will answer your questions about both the creative and business sides of the comics writing profession, including how to find an artist to work with (hint: a comics convention is the number one place!) and how to write exciting dialogue! (A314)

12:00 – 12:45PM

WONDER WOMEN OF THE 21ST CENTURY

We couldn't imagine our favorite comic book, TV show, or film without our beloved super heroines, however the journey for them has not been easy. Whether it's cultural barriers or societal sexism, super women have had to fight more than just crime in order to survive. Come join author Genese Davis (The Holder's Dominion, The Gamer in You, MMORPG.com) Eric Kieron (Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo) June Brigman (Star Wars, Power Pack, Brenda Starr) Danny Fingeroth (Superman on the Couch) and Ken Lashley (Lady Deadpool, Supergirl, X-Men) discuss the challenges and obstacles to creating relevant female protagonists in today's male dominated industries. (A313)

2:00 – 2:45PM

DEMATTEIS & SON: SPIDER-MAN'S J.M. DEMATTEIS IN CONVERSATION WITH ADULT SWIM'S CODY DEMATTEIS

J.M. DeMatteis is one of the most admired names in comics writing with long stints on Spider-Man and Justice League, as well as acclaimed work on his creator-owned projects, including Moonshadow and Brooklyn Dreams. His son, Cody DeMatteis, is a creative force in his own right, including working on Adult Swim's Off the Air! Today, father and son discuss the ups and downs of the creative life with each other and with comics writer and editor Danny Fingeroth (The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels.) (A314)
3:30 – 4:15PM

HOW TO INK COMICS WITH NATHAN MASSENGILL, DREW GERACI AND ROY RICHARDSON

Perhaps the most mysterious of the creative skills involved with making comics, inking can make or break the effectiveness of individual illustrations and entire comics stories. Highly accomplished, veteran inkers Nathan Massengill (Deadpool; Spider-Man,) Drew Geraci (Batman; Thor) and Roy Richardson (Captain America; The Flash) talk with moderator Danny Fingeroth (How to Create Comics From Script to Print) about their incredible careers and about the craft of inking, including meeting the challenges of the digital world. Includes demonstrations of the art and craft of inking. (A315)

4:30 – 5:15PM

THE RETURN OF SPIDER-MAN WITH MARK BAGLEY. J.M. DEMATTEIS, AND DANNY FINGEROTH

[Note: Mark Bagley is appearing only at this panel, not on the convention floor.]
With the recent blockbuster release of the Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie, and the concurrent return of Peter Parker in Spider-Man's comics, the world is, more than ever, Spider-Man crazy. As if that's not reason enough to celebrate all things arachnid, 2014 is the 30th anniversary of the debut of Spider-Man's alien costume (which would become Venom) and the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the controversial Clone Saga! Join legendary Spider-Man comics creators Mark Bagley (Ultimate Spider-Man; Thunderbolts,) J.M. DeMatteis (Amazing Spider-Man; Kraven's Last Hunt,) and Danny Fingeroth (former Spider-Man group Editor and writer of Deadly Foes of Spider-Man) for a freewheeling discussion of the life and times of Peter Parker's wall-crawling alter ego! (A315)

SUNDAY, JUNE 1

12:00 – 12:45PM

ONE-ON-ONE WITH JERRY ORDWAY

Writer/Artist Jerry Ordway is known worldwide for his work as a writer, penciler, inker and painter in the world of comics. He has written and drawn a variety of work, including the continuity-redefining Crisis on Infinite Earths with George Perez, his long running work on Superman, and writing and painting the Captain Marvel original graphic novel The Power of Shazam. Not to mention his work on other iconic books such as The Justice Society, All Star Squadron, The Avengers, Zero Hour and The Fantastic Four. Still busy in the field, his work can be seen in The Brave and the Bold, Challengers of the Unknown and Justice Society of America. He recently revamped the 1940's character, Human Bomb in the mini-series for DC, with writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti. Most recently, his beautiful covers can be seen on the new six-part series for IDW written by Taran Killam of Saturday Night Live, entitled Illegitimates (with writer Marc Andreyko). Jerry speaks about his work and career with comics writer and editor Danny Fingeroth (Superman on the Couch). (A313)

1:30 – 2:15PM

COMICS TO FILM WITH J.M. DEMATTEIS, BOB LAYTON AND AARON SAGERS

With movies adapting comics at what seems a record-breaking pace—with everything from Amazing Spider-Man, Superman, Batman and The X-Men to American Splendor and Art School Confidential—some top creators who have worked both sides of the fence talk about the creative process and the business side of working on characters and properties that exist in comics, as well as in movies and on TV. J. M. DeMatteis (Spider-Man; Teen Titans Go!,) Bob Layton (Iron Man; The Helix) and Aaron Sagers (Entertainment Weekly) talk about their experiences with comics and screened media. Danny Fingeroth (The Stan Lee Universe) moderates. (A314)