There’s lots for Disneyana enthusiasts & Marvel fans to do later this week at San Diego Comic-Con

Jim Hill

11 years ago

There's a common misconception out there right now that — just because The Walt Disney Company is holding its third D23 EXPO at the Anaheim Convention Center on August 9 – 11 — this then means that the Mouse is taking a pass on this year's Comic-Con in San Diego.

Which isn't entirely true. I mean, sure. The Disney Company has significantly cut back on the number of panels & presentations that it will be hosting inside & around the San Diego Convention Center over the coming week. Opting instead to concentrate most of its corporate promotional firepower on next month's "Ultimate Disney Fan Event." But that said, there's still enough cool Disney-related stuff going on San Diego later this week to warrant braving the crowds at that city's convention center and/or battling those miles-long traffic jams on the 5.

"Like what?," you ask. Well, how about what Disney Interactive is doing in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter? Which is kicking off its "Summer of Endless Fun" tour to help promote next month's launch of Disney INFINITY. Which is supposed to be the biggest and most ambitious video game the Company has produced to date.

On the other hand, if you're a Macys-versus-Gimbels kind-of-guy like me (As in: You always try & keep tabs on what Disney's competition is up to), you're probably going to want to make your way to Room 6A on Thursday, July 18th between 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. That's when DreamWorks Animation will be presenting its Filmmaker Focus panel. More to the point, this is when old Walt Disney Animation Studios hands like Rob Minkoff ("The Lion King ") and Dean DeBlois ("Lilo & Stitch ") will be discussing their upcoming DWA projects, "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" and "How to Train Your Dragon 2."

If — on the other hand — you're more of a Walt Disney Television Animation enthusiasts … Well, you might want to make plans to drop by Room 6A between 1 – 2 p.m. on Thursday. You see, this is when Dan Povemire & Jeff "Swampy" Marsh (i.e., the creators of the Disney Channel's super-popular animated series, "Phineas and Ferb") will be talking up what happens next on this TV show. Which includes next month's epic crossover event, "Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel."

And speaking of Marvel … If you'd like a sneak preview of one of the most highly anticipated shows of the coming television season, then you really need to make your way to Ballroom 20 at the San Diego Convention Center on Friday afternoon between 1:45 – 3 p.m. You see, this is when Jeph Loeb (i.e, Marvel's head of television), Joss Whedon (the director of "Marvel's The Avengers ") and several surprise guests will be talking up "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." Which is the first live-action television series produced by the House of Ideas. Which begins airing on ABC Tuesday nights this Fall.

On the other hand, if you're more of an animation history buff … Well, the Comic-Con panel that's sure to P-P-P-Please you is being held in Room 6BCF on Friday afternoon from 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. That's when legendary producer Don Hahn will be hosting a 25th anniversary celebration of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit ." And among the many talented folks who are scheduled to take part in this sure-to-be-entertaining presentation are Charles Fleischer (i.e., the voice of Roger Rabbit), master animators James Baxter & Andreas Deja, animation historian Tom Sito and special effects wizard Dave Bossert.

If you're more of a fan of the Company's contemporary efforts … Well, then you're really going to want to find a seat in Ballroom 20 on Saturday morning. You see, from 10:15 – 11 a.m. Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz will be on hand to talk up their new ABC series, "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland." And then from 11 – 11:45 a.m., Kitsis & Horowitz will be joined onstage by "Once Upon a Time" cast members like Robert Carlyle, Ginnifer Goodwin and Jennifer Morrison. Where they'll then offer up some hints about where the third season of this hit ABC Television series is headed.

Mind you, if you're sitting in Ballroom 20 on Saturday morning, that then means that you're missing out on the panel that Marvel Television will be presenting in Room 6BCF. Which is where they'll be talking up what's coming up next for the Marvel Universe over at Disney XD (i.e. their new animated series, "Marvel's Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H." Which bows next month on multiple platforms before officially making its Disney XD debut on August 11th). And you'll also be missing out on all the fun that'll be going on inside of Room 7AB on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Which is where "Gravity Falls" creator Alex Hirsch will be sharing a stage with voice actors Jason Ritter & Kristin Schaal as they share a clip from that hit Disney Channel series' season finale as well as offer up a sneak preview of Craig McCracken's new animated series, "Wander Over Yonder."

I know, I know. It's frustrating when something like this happens. When the powers-that-be at Comic-Con scheduled three or more panels back-to-back that would then appeal to the exact same fan base. But there's honestly no point in getting yourself worked up about these sorts of pop culture-based Sophie's-Choice moments. Especially since — starting this year — Comic-Con will begin playing back select Hall H & Ballroom 20 panels nightly in Room 25ABC.

Now please understand that Comic-Con will not be rebroadcasting EVERY Hall H & Ballroom 20 presentation. They're only setting aside a 3-hour block of time on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night between 8 – 11 p.m. More to the point, it's the convention attendees themselves who — through a show of applause — will decide which panels & presentations get played back. Also these rebroadcasts will only include the panel discussions. None of the film clips or footage shown at these live events will be screened as part of the playbacks in Room 25ABC.

And if I were a betting man, I'd bet that one of the panels that will be rebroadcast on Saturday night will be the Marvel Studios presentation. Which is when — from 6 – 7 p.m. — Kevin Feige, the president and producer of Marvel Studios, will be taking to the stage in Hall H. Where he (along with several surprise guests) will be talking up "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

Jumping ahead to Sunday morning now … If you were a gamer back in the 1980s, then you're going to want to be in Room 25ABC from 10 – 11 a.m. Which is where Austin Ivansmith, Matt Bozon and Rey Jimenez will be talking about "DuckTales: Remastered," which is one of the more eagerly anticipated video games of 2013.

And speaking of "DuckTales
" … If you were a fan of that "Disney Afternoon" programming block, then you're really going to need to find a seat in Room 7AB between 2 – 3 p.m. Which is when Comic-Con will be presenting "25 Years of the Disney Afternoon: The Continuing Legacy."

They've really pulled out the stops for this panel, people. I mean, look who's heading to San Diego this coming Sunday to celebrate the Disney Afternoon: Tad Stones (the creator of "Darkwing Duck
" and "Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers "), Jymn Magon ("DuckTales," the creator of "Talespin
"), Bob Schooley (co-creator, "Kim Possible
," co-ex producer "The Penguins of Madagascar
"), Rob Paulsen (voice actor, "Darkwing Duck," "Animaniacs
"), and Aaron Sparrow ("Darkwing Duck: The Duck Knight Returns
").

And right after this panel wraps, Disney fans are going to want to hurry on down to Room 29A. Where — between 3 – 4 p.m. on Sunday — PinPics event director Jennifer Colyn will be moderating a "History of Disney Pins" panel. Actor Holland Hayes & pin author Austin Badgett will be taking part in this discussion of the tradition of Disney pin trading & collecting. And these three are sure to have some great stories to share about the miniature works of art at the very heart of these most interactive of all Disney collectibles.

So there's all this … Plus all of the great stuff that Disneyana fans can always find as they wander the show floor at Comic-Con. So if you just can't wait 'til August for all of the Disney goodness that you'll undoubtedly find at the Anaheim Convention Center during the D23 EXPO, then a trip down to San Diego may definitely be in order later this week.

The banners are up all over the city. The fun
begins in 48 hours.

If you actually managed to score a Comic-Con badge back in February before they sold out in 93 minutes, that is.

Your thoughts?