Looking Hurricane Isabel in the face and boldly saying, “Feh!” the Baltimore Comic-Con has announced its line-up of panels and even one more last minute guest for this weekend's show at the Baltimore Convention Center.

“We've had an amazing number of people calling in during the last couple days concerned that the show might not go on. Despite the weather on Thursday, all the weather people are pointing to a beautiful weekend,” said Marc Nathan, the show's promoter.

“A couple of our guests flew in early just to make sure there was no difficulty, and it's really encouraging to hear how much the show means to them and the fans, too,” he said.

Karl Kessel has been added to the guest list, Nathan said.

“That gives us everyone who worked on Fantastic Four #60, which was last year's show giveaway,” he said. “He's a great talent and we're thrilled to have him at the show.”


Panel Schedule:

Saturday, September 20

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
What's new with CrossGen?
Find out what's coming new from CrossGen with Brandon Peterson, Ron Marz and George Perez. A “Major Announcement” is promised, as is a free exclusive Baltimore Comic-Con poster!

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
DC Comics
Slide Show presentation with VP of Editorial Dan DiDio and Manager - Events and Retailer Services Fletcher Chufong. Find out what's coming out new from DC Comics followed by questions and answers

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The making of More Fund Comics with John Gallagher
Find out what went into making of what may be the most important charity anthology book of this year.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Gaijin Studios Panel
Find out what the stars from Georgia are working on

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Stump The Experts! - Trivia with Mark Waid and Tom Brevoort. Beat them with trivia about anything about Marvel and DC for prizes!

5:00 p.m. - close
More Fund Art Auction for CBLDF
Incredible art pieces to be auctioned off to benefit the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

Sunday, September 21

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Writing 101
Fundamental plotting and scripting techniques from some of the industries most notable writers, including Geoff Johns, Judd Winick, Mark Waid and Brad Meltzer.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Art 101
Fundamental art lessons from industry leaders and pioneers hosted by the renowned Jose Villarrubia


1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
JLA - Avengers
Join George Perez, Tom Brevoort, and Tom Smith for their discussion on this long anticipated cross over

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Frank Cho and Scott Kurtz
Learn about the rigors of producing a daily web strip and daily newspaper strip from the creators of Liberty Meadows and PVP. Learn what these two are up to as they join forces to produce a brand new strip that debuted in More Fund.

More Fund at The Baltimore Comic-Con
If you've been hiding out under a rock and have missed all the hoopla about More Fund Comics (“the anti-censorship benefit comic you can actually show your mom”), it's a 192-page trade paperback, shipping in September, retailing for $10.00, Published by Sky Dog Press, Diamond Comic Distributors item #JUN03 2205. It hits comic shops in a few weeks, but it will be available first at the Baltimore Comic-Con.

Additionally, as we've reported previously in Scoop, there will be a show exclusive variant cover edition of More Fund Comics introducing a new creation by Frank Cho and PvP creator Scott Kurtz. The new character, Summer Days, who also is featured in the duo's 10-page story in the book, makes her debut at the show.

Originally solicited at 128 pages, Sky-Dog Press publisher John Gallagher that the book just kept growing as additional contributors signed up. George Perez (the regular edition cover featuring the Hulk), Mike Oeming, Erik Larsen, Geoff Johns & Scott Kolins, Mark Wheatley, Scott Kurtz, John Romita, Sr., Adam Hughes, Mike Wieringo, John Romita, Jr, Todd Nauck, and many others have lent their work to the project, and several teams of creators will actually be previewing new series in the book.

For more information on More Fund Comics, go to www.skydogcomics.com/.


Guests:

The Avengers/JLA art team of artist George Perez and colorist Tom Smith will appear, as will their Marvel editor, Tom Brevoort. Also high on the list is Batman artist and Wildstorm Productions founder Jim Lee. Matt Wagner (Mage, Grendel, Trinity), writer Mark Waid (Empire, Superman: Birthright, late of Fantastic Four), and writer Geoff Johns (Flash, Avengers, Hawkman, JSA). Current Fantastic Four artist Mike Weiringo, Elektra artist Sean Chen, and Avengers cover artist J.G. Jones also featured.

Thor and Orion writer-artist Walter Simonson, former Justice League artist (with a current stint on Fantastic Four) Howard Porter, Captain America and X-Men illustrator Ron Garney, outgoing Sojourn writer Ron Marz, Chimera artist Brandon Peterson, Todd Dezago and Craig Rousseau of Impulse fame, and artists Ray Lago and Michael Bair will be there.

Additional guests include Judd Winick, Michael Avon Oeming, Frank Cho, Billy Tucci, Adam Hughes, Neil Vokes, Top Shelf Productions, Greg Horn, Joseph Michael Linsner, Scott Kurtz, Steve Conley, Jim Calafiore, Brian Stelfreeze, Michael Kaluta, Dean Haspiel, Brad Meltzer, Marty Baumann, Karl Story, John K. Snyder III, Marc Hempel, Mark Wheatley, Alternative Press, Jimmy Gownley, John Gallagher, Rich Henn, Pop Mhan, Scott Kollins, James O'Barr, Dan DiDio, and Josh Middleton.

Gemstone Publishing, CrossGen, Wizard, CGC, Heritage Comics Auctions, Diamond Comic Distributors, Diamond Select Toys, ACTOR, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Insight Studios, Top Shelf Productions, Palisades Toys, Dinoship, TwoMorrows Publishing, SQP, Inc., Dreamworks, Skydog, and E.Gerber Products will be among the publishers, manufacturers and suppliers set up at the show.

For the full exhibitor list for the Baltimore Comic-Con, visit http://www.comicon.com/baltimore.