The Mary Sue’s Must-See New York Comic Con 2014 Panels
We combed through the entire panel list so you don't have to.
Miscellaneous Fun
How to Survive in a Dystopian World
Thu. October 9| 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM | 1A18
The world as we know it is gone. The government has collapsed, the environment is in ruin, and there is no cell phone service! What makes dystopian societies so popular? And would you survive the new world order? James Dashner (The Maze Runner), Margaret Stohl (Idols), Pierce Brown (Golden Son), Rachel Cohn (Emergent), Alex London (Proxy series), Maya Rock (Scripted) and Joshua David Bellin (Survival Colony 9) converse with Scott Westerfeld (Afterworlds) about surviving the Post-Apocalypse.
IDW & Hasbro: Transformers, Ponies & More!
Thu. October 9| 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM | 1A14
2014 has been a huge year for IDW and Hasbro! Join Senior Editor & Writer John Barber, with very Special Guests Amy Mebberson, Katie Cook, Sarah Stone, Mairghread Scott and Jim Zub for inside information on what’s happening with My Little Pony, Transformers, G.I. JOE, Dungeons & Dragons and more! Announcements, excitement, gossip, prizes and Q&A!
Geek Geek Revolution
Fri. October 10| 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM | 1A21
Geek Geek Revolution is a no-holds-barred geek culture game show featuring six science-fiction/fantasy Authors competing for the chance to be TOP GEEK. Audience members will be asked to ‘write-in’ questions in hopes of stumping the Authors and winning a pack of books. Hold onto your hats, Nerf herders, this might get ugly. Featuring Peter Brett (The Skull Throne), Maureen Johnson (The Name of the Star series), M.D. Payne (Monster Juice), Amber Benson (Witches of Echo Park), Lou Anders (Frostborn) and John Scalzi (Lock In). Moderated by Patrick Rothfuss (The Slow Regard of Silent Things).
Nerdist Writers Panel
Fri. October 10| 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | 1A18
Join Brian K Vaughan (Saga; Y: The Last Man) and more Writers TBA for a special NYCC edition of the Nerdist Writers Panel. The Nerdist Writers Panel is an informal chat among professional Writers about the process and business of writing. A top podcast and one of the first on the Nerdist network, the Panels are moderated by Ben Blacker (Co-Creator of The Thrilling Adventure Hour; Writer for Superatural, Puss in Boots, more) and feature some of the best Writers and Showrunners working in television, film, literature and more.
CollegeHumor & Dorkly Present “How to Get Paid for Being a Nerd”
Sat. October 11| 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM | 1A24
You love nerdy stuff – but is there a way to turn your excessive knowledge of Star Wars and Pokemon into cold, hard cash? The staff Editors and Illustrators from number one comedy website CollegeHumor.com and leading fandom website Dorkly.com want to tell you how they do that every day, and invite you to join in! Learn how to turn the nerdy stuff you love into internet comedy gold – plus see the premiere of a new Dorkly Original video!
Spotlight on Randall Munroe with Bill Nye
Sat. October 11| 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | 1A10
Join Randall Munroe (Creator of wildly popular webcomic xkcd) and Bill Nye (the Science Guy), for an enlightening Q&A session poring over serious answers to hypothetical questions you probably never thought to ask – until now. Get ready for a fun, highly educational discussion covering anything from computer simulations to declassified military research memos; evolution vs. creationism to global windstorms; time travel to Star Wars references and, of course, some really weird science.
Nerd Music Panel: Rock Comic Con
Sat. October 11| 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | 1B03
Have an idea for a great nerdy song? Want to start your own nerd band, choir or folk duo? It’s an incredible time for the burgeoning, inclusive nerd music scene. Join the Founders of Rock Comic Con as they talk to some of the best and emerging acts, including: Harry & the Potters, Kirby Krackle, Math The Band, H2Awesome!, Daenerys & the Targaryens & surprise Guests! Panelists will discuss their origins, geek perspective, deconstruction and play their favorite tunes. With musical challenges, on-the-spot songs, audience participation…and perhaps a Sarlacc mosh pit. GREAT for all ages!
Not Your Mother’s Fairy Tales
Sat. October 11| 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM | 1B03
Get ready to travel over the river and through the woods, to a Panel where standard fairytales get transformed into something more. From the grimm-est retellings of old favorites to all new adventures, fairytales dark and gritty or light and fluffy have been catching readers in their spell for centuries. Featuring amazing tale-spinners like Naomi Novik, Nicole Peeler and Brian and Wendy Froud, don’t be late to this Panel, or you risk the wrath of pissed-off jinn and mischievous fae-folk!
The Big Idea: Delivering on Christopher Reeve’s Dream
Sat. October 11| 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM | 1A24
October 10 marks the 10th anniversary of Christopher Reeve’s passing. A superhero beyond the cape, he captivated Fans and inspired a movement in his pursuit to cure paralysis through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Reeve once said a hero is an ordinary individual who perseveres despite overwhelming obstacles. So rather than mourn his loss, the Reeve Foundation will honor his legacy at New York Comic Con. Exclusive to Attendees (who are encouraged to dress in their Superman best), this event will feature a Panel with Reeve Foundation Board Member, Matthew Reeve, and Surprise Guests to discuss a groundbreaking campaign and honor the man who showed the world nothing is impossible.
From Dreams to Reality – Science Fiction as an Inspiration for NASA and Private Sector Space Development
Sat. October 11| 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | 1B03
Science fiction has had a tremendous impact on the development of actual space hardware and missions. This Panel will explore the influence of science fiction on real space programs being conducted by both private sector corporations and NASA. Officials from Virgin Galactic, NASA and Bigelow Aerospace, will describe exciting new developments and technologies while illustrating how science fiction inspired these projects as well as lifelong careers in the aerospace field.
Villains: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Sat. October 11| 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | 1A18
Darth Vader, the Evil Queen, Hannibal Lecter, Nurse Ratched…let’s face it, being a villain is way more fun sometimes. Join Walter Jury & Sarah Fine (Scan), Lexie Dunne (Superheroes Anonymous), Matthew Cody (Villainous), Brandon Sanderson (Steelheart and Firefight), Peter Moore (V is for Villain) and Anna Schumacher (End Times) as they discuss with Anna Jarzab (Tandem) what makes a villain memorable, why we need them and if the tables were turned, would they be the heroes of their own tales?
Last Unicorn News with Author Peter S. Beagle
Sat. October 11| 6:00 PM – 6:45 PM | 1B03
If you think THE LAST UNICORN is just a classic novel and animated film, guess again! Come learn all the latest from Peter S. Beagle and Producers Connor Cochran and Lauren Sands. Graphic novel news, the biggest screening tour in history, an innovative “rehanced” edition, new video releases, new publishing, new soundtrack CD, a Broadway-bound musical (with VERY surprising Co-Producers) and yes, news about the live-action version too!
The NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay with Special Performance from KÀ by Cirque du Soleil
Sat. October 11| 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM | Main Stage 1-D
KÀ by Cirque du Soleil 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM KÀ by Cirque du Soleil will deliver an exciting live performance at New York Comic Con to celebrate the launch of its third custom Marvel Comic Book! Guests will see an act from the critically-acclaimed, $165 million production followed by a Q&A with KÀ team members. KÀ by Cirque du Soleil is a heroic journey of love and conflict presented on a 360-degree rotating stage which forms the backdrop for a cinematic journey of aerial adventure and acrobatics. For more, visit www.ka.com. The NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM The NYCC Eastern Championships of Cosplay makes its debut this October in the Big Apple as the largest and most prestigious costume contest on the East Coast. This is the first stop in the “Quest for the Crown,” a new global Cosplay competition circuit. Join us for what is sure to be a fun-filled competition celebrating the talent, skill and determination of the best Cosplayers in the world.
ReedPOP’s Fandom Film Festival
Sat. October 11| 8:15 PM – 10:00 PM | 1A14
We may return to our everyday lives at the close of NYCC, but the spirit surrounding it never subsides. ReedPOP’s inaugural Fandom Film Festival is a celebration of our unending passion as Fans! Meet the Filmmakers who are telling our story, documenting the fandom that exists beyond NYCC and showcasing pop culture’s stamp on mainstream society. See clips and meet the Filmmakers from the documentaries “Plastic Galaxy,” “Rise of the eSports Hero” and “Legends of the Knight.”
Any panels you’re looking forward to that we missed? Drop ’em in the comments so your fellow geeks can know about them.
- The Mary Sue Presents NYCC’s Anti-Harrassment Policy (And We Helped!)
- Closet Cosplay Tips and Suggestions for Everyone Who Left Their NYCC Outfit to the Last Minute
- Come One! Come All! To The Mary Sue’s Geek Girl Headquarters at New York Comic Con!
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