Comic-Con 2009: 15 Toon Events You Must See

Rick DeMott gives a helpful cheat sheet of the top 15 animation-related events at Comic-Con 2009.

By Rick DeMott | Monday, July 20, 2009 at 12:00 am

Posted In | Magazines: AnimationWorld

Marvel is stepping up their animation presence.

10.) Marvel Animation [Friday 4:30-5:30 -- Room 6BCF]
Marvel has made a big push into animation with series Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored Adventures. Marvel's president of animation Eric Rollman, general manager of Nicktoons Network Keith Dawkins, head writers Greg Johnson (WATX), and Chris Yost (IMAA), supervising producer Craig Kyle (WATX, IMAA), voice director Jamie Simone (WATX) and voice of Wolverine Steve Blum will discuss what to expect in the future. Moreover, Marvel will unveil animation from its new venture with Japanese powerhouse Madhouse called Marvel Anime. Madhouse president Masao Maruyama (Gotham Knight, Tokyo Godfathers) and writer Warren Ellis (The Authority, Astonishing X-Men) will be there. The studio will also give fans a sneak peek at their next animated feature with Lionsgate.

9.) Writers Guild Panel: PG-13 Animation [Saturday 10:00-11:00 -- Room 3]
Pros and fans alike should really keep this one in mind. Alan Burnett (Green Lantern: First Flight), Matt Wayne (Hellboy Animated: Sword Of Storms), Michael Jelenic (Wonder Woman), Charles Horn (Robot Chicken), Paul Dini (Return Of The Joker), Greg Johnson (The Ultimate Avengers, The Invincible Iron Man, Doctor Strange) and Stan Berkowitz (Justice League: New Frontier, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies) will be discussing the maturing landscape of animation. And Comic-Con is also teasing fans with big announcements during the panel.

Comic-Con allows Astro Boy fans several looks at the new CG version.

8.) Summit Ent.: Astro Boy [Thursday 10:15-11:15 -- Room 6BCF]
Summit will be previewing Imagi's latest CG feature Astro Boy, based on the classic manga. Director David Bowers, producer Maryann Garger and stars Freddie Highmore (Astro) and Kristen Bell (Cora) will be there at answer questions. Attendees will also be treated to never-before-seen footage from the film.

If you want to get a chance to see Astro Boy in 3-D, you can also fight Twilight fangirls to enter Hall H for the Summit Ent. panel on Thursday at 1:45 pm.