A FULL OPENING DAY AT COMIC-CON
“Big Wednesday”? That was a surf flick. “Bigger Thursday”? That's today, baby, and it's for real – Opening Day of the 39th annual Comic-Con International. Is variety truly the spice of life? Then you'll be livin' la vida spicy.
Start with a warm bath of nostalgia: Celebrate 75 years of Doc Savage, the ur-superhero, with D.S. editor Anthony Tollin and pop culture historian Michael Uslan. 10 a.m., Room 5-AB.
Bag your first Con celeb sightings: Keanu Reeves and Jennifer Connelly show clips from the next big, non-surf movie thing, the remade “Day the Earth Stood Still” – followed by Mark Wahlberg and Ludacris plugging their video-game-turned-film, “Max Payne.” 11:30 a.m., Hall H.
Sit at the feet of the guy who started Marvel: Stan Lee. 'Nuf said. 1 p.m., Room 6-A.
Take a chance: with Eoin Colfer, author of the “Artemis Fowl” series, presenting his one-man show, “Fairies, Fiends and Flatulence.” 1:30 p.m., Room 7-AB.
Splash on some color: Robert Rodriguez directing and Rose McGowan starring? “Red Sonja” should be bloody good. The two will wade through gore to answer your questions. 2 p.m., Room 6-CDEF.
Exercise your critical faculties: When it comes to developing hit TV series, HBO's track record – “Sex and the City,” “Six Feet Under,” “The Wire” – is sweet. “True Blood,” about vampires living more-or-less peacefully with humans in a Louisiana village, may be the next “Sopranos.” Who's to say? You, that's who, after seeing clips and hearing from creator Alan Ball and stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer. 4:30 p.m., Room 6-CDEF.
Finally, for your nightcap, we suggest the Rebel Alliance cheese platter: the seventh annual Star Wars Fan Film Awards, sponsored by Lucasfilm. “Interrogation Drone,” “Clone Trooper Down” “The Empire Strikes Back (in 60 Seconds)” – prepare to meet your destiny! 8:30 p.m., Ballroom 20.
– PETER ROWE
