Hall H on Friday Brought Excitement and a Sad Goodbye

 

Jeri Jacuqin

Hall H is always the place to be for film and television and Friday’s panels are no exception. Beginning the morning with a huge surprise by Stephen Colbert opening the day and leading the way to Prime’s upcoming series LORD OF THE RINGS: The Rings of Power. With the unusual look of an orchestra on the stage, Colbert introduces musician extraordinaire Bear McCreary who plays the most intense music with choir right behind. It is stunning, beautiful and ethereal. That is exactly what LORD OF THE RINGS: The Rings of Power is.  

The cast is so large it took three different panels because the stage would be overcrowded if they all came at once. Showing trailer after trailer, the audience became more and more excited and, at times, bantered with Colbert on who knew more about Middle Earth and it was hilarious.

The panel included Patrick McCay, J.D. Payne and Lindsey Weber as they explained their love of Tolkien and how deep their feelings run. Making sure our trip back thousands of years before Frodo and the gang is as wonderful, trust me when I saw fans and even those who might just want to check it out will not be disappointed.

There will be more on this in another article because trust me when I saw there is so much to share.

AMC brings Chris Hardwick back to the stage to moderate The Walking Dead Universe and after receiving a wonderful welcome back from the crowd, Hardwick introduces a new show. TALES OF THE WALKING DEAD is the next journey with six stories into the dead universe at Scott Gimple comes to the stage.

The panel includes Showrunner and Executive Producer Channing Powell, Director Michael Satrazemis, Terry Crews, Danny Ramirez and Samantha Morton returning as Alpha. To best describe the show, Satrazemis says, “This is everything with amazing stories and new people. TALES OF THE WALKING DEAD feels exciting and we like what we have done”. Of course a trailer makes the audience cheer knowing that universe has many surprises.

Hardwick then moderates AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD for its final panel in Hall H at San Diego Comic Con. Speaking with a few people in the audience, they tell me it is a mixture of sheer sadness yet happiness to be in Hall H to be a part of saying goodbye. Hardwick, trying to keep it together himself, introduces the cast that includes the return of Scott Gimple, Angela Kang, Greg Nicotero, Melissa McBride, a very blonde Josh McDermitt, Ross Marquand, Seth Gilliam, Lauren Ridloff, Cailey Fleming, Michael James Shaw and, of course, Norman Reedus.

There were laughs, memories shared and nods to other cast members but also there were tears coming from so many people on the stage and in the audience. McBride, who had played Carol from the very first season, tries to speak and continually becomes choked up tries to express her feelings about the end of THE WALKING DEAD.

Everyone notices two cast members who were not present and that is because Maggie aka Lauren Cohen and Negan aka Jeffrey Dean Morgan had an announcement of their own to make. Seems Maggie and Negan are going to find their way to New York City in another break out show ISLAND OF THE DEAD. I don’t care what they call it because I am more interested in how Maggie and Negan end up in New York as all will be revealed.

As the cast says their final goodbyes both to the audience and each other, it gets very intense. Each of the cast tells the audience how much their support has meant and as much as we all love the show (and I am a huge fan, just ask my Sheriff Rick Grimes badge on my desk), they wanted the fans to know their feelings are equally returned.

As they exited the stage, Scott Gimple remained because an audience member earlier had asked about the movie that had been rumored to explain where Andrew Lincoln aka Rick Grimes had gone. Gimple starts to talk when he is drowned out by the audience going nuts as Danai Guiria aka Michonne and Andrew Lincoln aka Rick Grimes saunter onto the stage.

There big announcement is that instead of a movie, there will be six episodes on AMC+ (I’m sure their subscription is going to go through the roof now!) that will explain where Rick and Michonne have been and wrap up that part of the story…or will it? Lincoln makes a date with the audience for next years Comic Con to answer questions and I’m sure there will be plenty. Its not like we want these characters to ever go away.

The next panel kept everyone in their seats as the panel for BRZRKR, Keanu Reeves comic book character gets its first time in the very large Hall H. Along with Ron Garney, the book is about a half-man-half-god making his way through time. Moderator Coy Jandreau was geeking out a little speaking with Matt Kindt, Matt Gagnon, Eric Harburn, Mattson Tomlin and Stephen Christy.

Speaking about the character of B, Reeves says, “I had this idea of a character who can punch you through the chest and rip arms off who was cursed with violence trying to figure out who they are and reclaim their humanity.” Meeting with Boom! Studios, the idea was pitched and it took a few years to put it together.

Continuing to gush about the project, Reeves says, “The people at Boom! Curated my experience in a special way. They brought together a team that helped this be more enjoyable. But when the first issue was in my hand, I thought it was f**king Christmas. When I read it, I thought it was some of the best creative days of my life.”

Growing up with comic books in Toronto, it is clear that this project is something special by Reeves and his team so expect it to be epic.

But that isn’t all – Reeves returns to the stage letting fans know they were not going to get out of Hall H with empty hands. Giving out posters for JOHN WICK 4, fans (yes, I’m one) get an even bigger swag gift with a trailer to the film.

That is a day fill with excitement that can only be found in Hall H! Now comes Saturday, the day people have slept overnight for on concrete because who doesn’t want to go home with a story of their own to tell. It is going to be a feast for the eyes and senses because San Diego Comic Con in Hall H never disappoints!

  

AMC'S THE WALKING DEAD

Moderator Chris Hardwick

Scott M. Gimple, Chief Content Officer

Angela Kang, Showrunner and Executive Producer

Greg Nicotero

Norman Reedus

Melissa McBride

Ross Marquand

Khary Payton

The season 10 finale which never aired will premier Sunday, October 4th at 9 p.m., followed by the series premier of The Walking Dead: World Beyond and an all new episode of The Talking Dead.

We saw that Beta is coming and walkers are acting strangely?

Angela: Beta is being Beta and he was use to Alpha telling him what to do. We learned about him and he's had to find some other voice to tell him what he needs to do now being the Beta Alpha hybrid. He and Alpha talked about liking the walkers and the sound of the walkers because he soothed him.

Greg directed the season ten finale.

Greg: I love the last few shots of episode 15 with Beta and the thousands of walkers advancing on the towers. I have to give Angela and the writers a huge thumbs up. It felt like every episode gave you something more than the episode before. It was a great ride. We know the people know how to move within the heard putting the walker guts but never had to maneuver in a herd with human beings mixed in. They can't be as stealthy because the Whispers are in the group of walkers.

Daryl is dealing with a lot, what was the most interesting part of the arc?

Norman: There were a lot of trust issues with Carol. It's like watching a friend have multiple breakdowns and act on them but it’s also putting members of the group in danger and losing people. There was that sort of heartbreak there. With Michonne leaving and he promises her he'd take care of the children and trying to play daddy and trying to support his friends while taking care of the group while being attacked. Mentally it was pretty exhausting having to go from all directions, but it was a hard thing for Daryl to watch his friend go through that. Also, keep up appearances for Judith that he's there for her as well. He had to be in a lot of different places at once. He basically said, leave me alone I have a house in the woods and if you left me alone and I got a dog. He's a character that will always be there but he's always being brought in. He's constantly being put in situations and apart of him likes being Uncle Daryl. He has moments with Judith and the snowball fight we had when we came back to Alexandria, those moments of kindhearted laughter he needs that as well. He's never really the guy that initiates them.

Is Daryl itching for a rematch with Beta?

Norman: I don't know he's a big guy. Me personally, Norman, there is that kind of 'come get me' that we joke between each other, but I took a lot of Excedrin the day after that first fight.

Khary: That's saying something because most people don't realize that guy is HUGE!

Norman: He's a big guy.

People are worried about RJ and Judith, who would be the best guardian candidates?

Scott: The real reason I won't answer that is, if you look at Judith's history of parents and guardians, they are the one in danger. Judith can take care of herself and RJ. Anyone gets in that position with Judith, she came in under a crazy situation. I'm not as worried about RJ and Judith as I am the people taking care of them.

How would you compare Carol from the beginning to the end of the season?

Melissa: She is in the same place but different, same water different boat. I don't know. She's trying to make some amends for where she left out. She was out getting respite and perspective and get out of the eye of the storm. She comes back and is blinded by this enormous grief and to the detriment of her friendship with Daryl. She blows up a lot of things. What I loved about the end episode is the talk she had with Kelly and she needed that so badly to remind herself that she is a lone wolf and to not lose yourself and embrace that and be okay with it.

Norman: I can hear you now by the way.

Angela: They are starting from a bad place and the thing about Daryl and Carol is that they have one of the coolest relationships on the show. It is fun to write for Norman and Melissa. It is complicated, they can be real in ways not that others can which means the hurt runs deeper. You start from one point and they have a long road to travel. We are writing some stuff so we will see where they land.

Ezekiel, running away or running toward adventure?

Khary: A little bit from column A and a little bit from column B. I think there are aspects of his life that he wants to leave behind. He has failed relationships, memories of loved ones that have come and gone and a community build that has been toppled. I think he is looking for a fresh start. He is a guy that has a clock on him. He has that tick tock in his brain that says he is not long in this world. And in this world where no one has much time he feels like he has less since he has cancer. He is going to fit his bucket list some way somehow. He is taking a dive into the unknown. Sometimes there is no planning it. They say you never know how far the road stretches in front of you and in this case, he started peddling so let’s see how far he goes.

What is keeping him hopeful?

Khary: The adversity gives him hope, even that thing on his neck gives him hope. That's one more thing that hasn't stopped him yet. I think you can get beaten down by an avalanche of things that come your way and you can let them fall on top of you or let them fall and get out of the way and climb on top. Use all of that crap to stand up on top of it and take you higher. For me, I see him looking at all this happening in his life and all this loss and all the times he was supposed to die and it hasn't gotten him yet. Moving forward, every obstacle in his path he can point to this thing on his neck and say, 'what else are you going to do to me?' - to me that's my character in a nutshell. He started off being positive in his search for the light and he's becoming more aggressive now in his search for his light. The Kingdom was this thing he radiated out for someone to come and find the light, now he's grasping for it.

Aaron is separated and meets the mask stranger?

Ross: It’s a huge introduction to a character like when we see Michonne. I'm happy to see it all come together because it’s exciting but looks like something out of a horror movie.

If Judith had told Daryl the truth would he have followed her?

Norman: Not at that moment. I feel like you have to take care of the kids and the rest of the group. If he followed Michonne at that moment, they could have used his help so no. Michonne can take care of herself.

Ride a tiny size Judith motorcycle for the rest of your life or a unicorn tattoo on your back?

Norman: I did get one of these do it yourself tattoos kit, so I'd get the tattoo.

Working with Jeffrey Dean Morgan for the first time?

Melissa: It was very exciting because there was so much anticipation. It was delightful.

How did they make the lump of your neck look so real?

Khary: It was the magic of the Nicoterium. It's actually a murder hornet bite and that's how you know we are ahead of the times.

Nicotero: We brought them in. We got a wide of cotton and shoved it down his throat. We actually had two prosthetic pieces so one was a full wrap around and it went underneath his wig and up to his hairline and then we had a stick on.

Ross get a new love interest.

Ross: Aaron came very close with Jesus hinting with some sort of relationship. At this point there are so many threats coming from so many angles that love isn't Aaron's thought process right now. Maybe he shouldn't have someone because Eric died, and Jesus died. Maybe he can just be fond of someone.

The season because of the quarantine?

Angela: Obviously Covid has disrupted a lot of workplaces including ours and our writers have gone remotely for the past few months. We will get back as soon as we safely can. We won't be airing season 11 episodes this year as we normally will. But we are excited to announce an extended season 10 and there will be six extra episodes that follow the finale and those will run in early 2021 if all goes well and we are working on those now and will have more to share soon.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Lauren Cohan

Josh McDermitt

Seth Gilliam

Paola Lazaro

Lauren Cohan is officially back!

Lauren: Maggie feels like doing Comic Con in her slippers is a great way to go forward. She's thinking about a casserole and comfy things. What can I tease? Nothing. I think the most important thing is that she is coming back, not just a visit. Its moving from pen pals to real life friends. Her and Carol have been writing each other. I really feel like I never really left on every level. I was so lucky because I spent a whole month catching up so when Maggie comes in I wasn't overwhelmed from seeing everyone. It was a good catch up and get to know new cast. I'm interested in learning what it takes to direct, it was mind bending to have the opportunity to learn.

Directing Lauren again?

Nicotero: I went to set early that day and went into her trailer and we started giggling and laughing. Lauren and I got really close and we play guitar online. We have had a lot of great actors come back in cameos, or a day or two but knowing Lauren was coming back as part of the family…when you are part of The Walking Dead family you never truly leave. I was really excited to sit in the trailer and it felt really good and really natural. I learned a lot from Lauren. She taught me a lot about how to work with actors and directing and I took a lot of that and I feel like that made me better.

Lauren: The biggest moment was the circle with Mr. Jeffrey Dean…that's when we got really close. Not a fun scene but we got close.

Nicotero: Twelve pages of dialogue in one night.

Maggie and Negan seeing each other?

Angela: I mean Negan killed her husband and burned down her house so its not going to be an easy road for either of them. Negan has been on this whole other journey while she was gone. She hasn't seen any of that. Hilltop was destroyed and the man that was in jail is out walking around. These two have to figure out how to occupy the same space. These two amazing actors and we will try to write to their abilities.

Jeffrey: I mean I did save some of her friends while she has been away. I'm hoping some people stick up for me with her.

Negan has evolved and has a soft spot.

Jeffrey: Negan has a soft spot for the younger generation. I think he has a relationship with young kids because they are very honest. I don't think he'd shy away from who he is with the kid and deal with it. I think initially Maggie will want to kill him. Negan has gone through such a journey in the last few years and the redemption arc has been amazing. But in there…is still Negan and I'm not sure that will ever go away. He will be walking a fine line, especially from Maggie.

What if Rick and Michonne has decided to kill Negan?

Josh: Boring. We would have had to grow our own tomatoes.

Scott: We talk about the butterfly affect a lot and showed it with Michonne's last episode. I think if they had killed Negan the conflicts would have been different with the community. Maybe Rick would be dead. Maybe that herd would have run through a community. Maybe the Whispers would have wiped them out. It's the butterfly effect.

Gabriel has had a tremendous arc.

Seth: I feel great, the more power the better. I think Father Gabriel has embraced the inner voice in him that is the communication with God. He failed the first go around locking his flock outside the church. He thinks God has given him a second chance at leadership and he is going to do the right thing. He made some hard decisions and he didn't do a lot of consultation and surviving the way he has he feels he has got a purpose. He is justified in listening to his inner voice.

What does Eugene see in Stephanie that he didn't see in Rosita?

Josh: He hasn't seen Stephanie so. I don't know that he's thought about what she looks like. They have similar interests and connects on a level he didn't with Rosita. She laughs at his weird references and has some of her own weird references. I think Rosita and Eugene have an awesome relationship now but when we first met them it was a bit more adversarial and built on lies. They were able to get past that but what he is building with Stephanie is a more solid foundation. I think he's excited about that because she is someone more like minded. It will be interesting to see what they don't like about each other. Maybe Eugene snores and Stephanie doesn't like that. I think that if you've ever been in a relationship and you grow that's a place that's lacking in Eugene's life. I'm not saying he will be in a relationship but I'm hoping there is more there. He has never really experienced a relationship. I would hope he would get a chance for that.

As Princess, what has it been like for you?

Paola: Honestly, its mostly been online. I don't leave the house or try not to. Most of the interactions have been online. Apart from my dad saying 'look there is a stalker at the fence' my family plays with me. Its been really beautiful because I've been able to share with the world something, I've worked so hard for and share a character that has a huge heart. I've always been a transparent person and me sharing my struggles with the audiences and it’s created a beautiful conversation with them. I'd love to have scenes with Negan because both of our characters are wild, and I have to admit my favorite character is Carol. I just want Carol to like Princess, I'm a big fan of Carol.

How is this quarantine affecting the show?

Angela: These are unprecedented times and we are trying to approach things with the best creativity we can. At the same time sometimes the limits that are placed on you bring out creativity. We still have a lot to do. We want everyone comfortable shooting and safe when we do it. It's not a huge burden for us, we get to sit and make up stories in our heads and these actors bring them to life.

Hershel meeting Judith.

Lauren: I want to meet little Hershel! I have watched this season be such a torch with how the writers have written young people and see the world through these young people’s eyes. I feel really excited because Kaylee is so good and who ever we find for Hershel is going to start some illuminating conversations. I'm super jazzed.

Does Negan want Lucille back or get a new weapon and call it Rick?

Jeffrey: That could be a step back. Look, I think it would be great to get Lucille back but we may have moved past that at this point. I tend to forget how long it’s been since I've seen Lucille. In The Walking Dead era it’s been ten years. We will see, I wouldn't be scared to see and hold her again. In the comic book when he loses Lucille, I miss that scene, we never got to do that scene and I've always loved it. Lucille represented so much to him beyond a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. We've moved so far from that; we will have to see what Scott and Angela do with that.

What do you miss most about being on set?

Josh: Filling my arms with JDF musk. The guy smells great.

Jeffrey: I miss Josh's timing is what I miss.

Is there anything playing Father Gabriel that's been difficult to adjust to?

Seth: Wearing all that black. I go back and think I'm comfortable with it and then the heat, it's brutal. I'm gamy, sweating and no matter how much Axe I spray. The eyeball I love, it takes two or three minutes to put it in and I get babied by the staff about it. It’s a cool look.

What animal companion would you get and the name?

Paola: I would want an animal named Risky and I'd want an eagle that can fly above the walkers. Less chance of getting bit.

If you could create a series with one character who would you chose?

Scott: I'd go right to Glenn because I miss working with Steven and it would be funny. I will say we are working where we are looking at past characters. We are looking at where we can take a peek early into the apocalypse.

How will you continue to include diversity in the show?

Angela: I think inclusion is a core value of The Walking Dead showing people from all walks of life. The message is that there is no one type of person to be a survivor. I think it’s part of the message of the show, it’s not what we do to put on a public face. We try to ensure it by continually hiring amazing actors looking for diversity from all axis. We do that behind the camera as well.

Excited to see in the finale?

Angela: It’s been a million years since we worked on it. Greg did an amazing job directing it and the actors and I'm excited for people to see what happens with Beta, Carol and her revenge arc, Daryl and his leadership role, the commonwealth group and come to a pretty cool point on their journey, return of Maggie and Negan has a key role. I'm really excited to see the whole group doing their thing and face what is in front of them.

Nicotero: The last five minutes takes it to a whole new place.

San Diego Comic Con International Zombies its Day Two

Jeri Jacquin

It is day two and what a day it’s been! There is no doubt it is Friday as the crowds are getting bigger and trust when I say that Saturday is going to be a day to bring plenty of patience and humor.

Today I was in Hall H and there was more than enough to keep everyone’s eyes and ears happy. Beginning with Writing Avengers: Endgame moderator Jeff Goldsmith talks to screenwriters/producers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely about the process of creating an immersive story. From ideas onto storyboards to making sure timelines mash up, it was a conversation that was enlightening and has everyone scratching their heads with more ways to expand the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

That wasn’t the end of it as the Russo Brothers, Joe and Anthony, took the stage as moderator Steven Weintraub broken down the years and films the two creative minds have brought to screen. Talking about the stories and showing their own boards, the audience was keen to know if they would take on the SECRET WARS storyline but no straight answer was given. The fun came when the cast ‘phoned in’ their questions and Paul Rudd walked away with the laughs. When Robert Downey, Jr. took to the screen the entire audience just about lost it seeing their one and only Iron Man again.

The morning was about to be taken over by zombies and the crowd couldn’t be happier. The moderator and host of the AMC after show The Talking Dead, the audience was thrilled at the return of Chris Hardwick to the stage for AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead. Along with Scot M. Gimple was Andrew Chambliss, Ian Goldberg, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and Greg Nicotero and new comer Michael Satrazemis. They all spoke on the apocalyptic universe and where the show might be headed.

After, the cast took to the stage including Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Maggie Grace, Colman Domingo, Danay Garcia, Austin Amelio, Alexa Nisenson, Karen David, Jenna Elfman and Ruben Blades telling their stories of their characters arc and the antics that can be found on the set. The audience was treated to a preview of Sunday’s mid-season finale with the announcement of its return to finish the season on 8/11/10. Also a teaser from Gimple about a third show being planned for this universe coming soon.

On the heels of one group of zombie survivors comes the next panel for AMC’s first hit show The Walking Dead. Taking the stage first to moderate again was Chris Hardwick along with Scott M. Gimple, Angela Kang, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and Greg Nicotero. So much has changed with Daryl, Michonne, Carol and the gang with the Whisperers wreaking havoc which, we are told, will continue.

Then the cast including Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Avil Nash, Ryan Hurst, Nadia Hilker, Eleanor Matsuura, Cailey Fleming and a video message from Samantha Morton all take a seat. The hardest part of the panel was hearing it confirmed that Danai Gurira who plays Michonne will not be returning after the 10^th season is finished airing. The crowd was not happy and Danai herself became emotional. To try and make it better, the crowd gave her a standing thunderous applause because, after all, once a part of TWD – always a part.

The audience had a chance to ask their questions and without giving anything away, each cast member used humor to make sure they didn’t. This was the first Comic Con for Cailey Fleming who plays Rick Grimes’ daughter Judith and she immediately enchanted the audience. At one point an attendee asked Norman Reedus if he’d consider being the leader to all those who will be invading Area 51. Once filled in on what that was all about, his reply was, “yea, sure” and the audience went wild. Of course if that were to happen I’d be there!

Netflix has a new original series coming to their programming with The Witcher starring Superman himself Henry Cavill. Of course in his role as Geralt of Rivia, he looks more like Legolas from LORD OF THE RINGS. As awesome as Legolas is, I have a sneaky suspicion that Geralt, or the White Wolf, might have a thing or two on the bow carrying elf. He is a wanderer who doesn’t realize destiny has another fate for him that involve a sorceress and a princess. The series also stars Freya Allan, Jodhi May, MyAnna Buring, Anya Chalotra, Hlynur Haraldsson, Millie Brady and I can’t wait to see it.

Game of Thrones made its final appearance in Hall H and fans had the opportunity to talk out all their feelings regarding the ending of this HBO mega hit series. Based on the George R.R. Martin books A Song of Ice and Fire, fans have embraced the characters and, I feel, needed the closure. The panel included Jacob Anderson, John Bradley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Liam Cunningham, Conleth Hill, Maisie Williams, Isacc Wright and Miguel Sapochnik.

Pennyworth is a new cable series that takes viewers back in time when Alfred Pennyworth, Batman’s serious awesome butler, was a younger man. It is 1960s London and Pennyworth is a former British SAS Soldier who begins working with Thomas Wayne. The cast includes Jack Bannon as Alfred, Ben Aldridge as Thomas Wayne in this DC series created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. The show can be found on EPIX beginning July 28^th.

Amazon Prime is also bringing something unique and very mysterious with their new series Carnival Row. Orlando Bloom stars in this Victorian fantasy world of mythological creatures and learning how to live with humans. Cara Delevingne stars as the refugee fairy who has a thing for Bloom’s character Rycroft Philostrate (and lets be honest, who wouldn’t?!) There is also a screening of Carnival Row on Saturday that is going to give attendees a sneak peak at what’s to come.

Comic Con wouldn’t be, well, Comic Con without the FX series Archer having its moment in the sun. The animated series is one of my absolute guilty pleasures with the sarcasm of Archer and Lana Kane, Archer’s mother Mallory and the rest of the crew that makes this show hilarious. The panel included H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell, Judy Greer, Amber Nash and Lucky Yates. The new season is coming soon and it is in space aboard the M/S Seamus. Of course there will be aliens, pirates and the works because Archer needs something to keep his wit razor sharp!

Of course, at San Diego Comic Con International, the nighttime comes alive even more than usual. The outside events are in full swing and parties can be found everywhere for the enjoyment of attendees and non-badge holders alike. It is such a great time to meet up with friends and walk all around to just have a little fun.

Saturday promises to be once again filled with activities, shopping and panel discussions. It also means that the Marvel panel might just have a little something in store for those who have spent days waiting in line.

We will be there to cover it all!

Friday's Line-Up Include Zombies, a look at HALLOWEEN and a BUMBLEBEE

Jeri Jacquin

It's Friday and that means we are at the halfway point of San Diego Comic Con 2018 - yet it doesn't feel like it! That's a good thing because it's another early morning gathering up badges, laptops, phone (with extra charger) and water, water and more water.

Friday is also the day fans of the zombie world are hoping to get answers about their favorite characters but let us not jump ahead too much. The first panel of the morning is the DR. HORRIBLE'S SING-ALONG BLOG brings a reunion of Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day and Maurissa Tancharoen back to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the show. To be honest, anytime Nat Fillion is on a panel I will be there with bells on, he's hilarious!

AMC brings a double dose of zombies with FEAR THE WALKING DEAD and the cast panel to talk about where the show left off midseason and the shocker that everyone is still talking about. Scott M. Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and executive producer Greg Nicotero give fans teasers as the show prepares to return to finish out the season on August 12th.

There wouldn't be a FEAR THE WALKING DEAD without the next panel of AMC's THE WALKING DEAD with Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride and Jeffrey Dean Morgan with new executive producer Angela Kang. Let us hope the issue of Rick's coming or going will finally be put to rest in a room where 7,000 people won't misunderstand. Kirkman, who was on the IMDB boat with Kevin Smith earlier said about Lincoln’s departure, "It's looking that way. It does make the differences between the comic and the show more pronounced. But at the end of the day, it's about Andrew Lincoln. This is a human being. This is someone I have known for almost a decade, somebody that I love. He's been sweating in Georgia, away from his family, for so long."

After promising that Rick Grimes' end will be extremely satisfying, he continues with, "He [Lincoln] cares about his fans. He cares about the show deeply. He wants to do something special on the way out. We have something amazing planned. I wouldn't want to spoil anything, but anybody who has been a fan of his journey, who loves Rick Grimes, who loves the world of THE WALKING DEAD; you're going to want to see what we do."

I have a feeling there will be tons of questions for the cast and those in the know but trust me when I saw that after all the years of covering THE WALK DEAD panels - they give nothing away, are very vague and relish in watching us all become grumpy at not getting answers. That being said, it is still fun!

To lighten the zombie mood a little, CBS's hit show STAR TREK: Discovery brings of journey of the U.S.S. Discovery. The cast and producers bring the panel to talk about what to expect for the next season.

Universal Pictures is bringing two of the most anticipated films to their block with M. Knight Shyamalan's GLASS and David Gordon Green's HALLOWEEN. In GLASS, Bruce Willis, James McAvoy and Samuel L. Jackson return in the characters that have been destined to meet up and I am thrilled beyond reason to see how it all plays out. HALLOWEEN reunites Laurie Strode with Michael Meyers and how it plays out forty years later. I'm going to bet Laurie is much tougher and wiser than Michael could ever imagine, plus I think Jamie Lee Curtis is awesome!

Paramount Pictures brings an early Christmas with BUMBLEBEE along with director Travis Knight and star Hailee Steinfeld and the story of the most adorable and probably slightly more famous than Optimus Prime - the yellow wonder that is Bumblebee.

The evening continues with Sony Pictures first bringing VENOM and Tom Hardy playing the title role means that fans will be flocking to see how he plays the role of duality. Speaking of duality - the creator's of Spiderman will be bringing their wisdom to fans who want to know so much more about their webbed icon and a look at the upcoming animated movie with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

AMC has the final say of the evening with the hit series PREACHER and a panel of stars including Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun as well as the show's producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. It's time to talk season 3 and what direction is the story going to take for another season.

In Ballroom 20, ComicCon wouldn't be the same without a peak inside THE BIG BANG THEORY Writers' Room where fans can get a sneak peek are some of the highlights of season eleven and prepare for the series return for season 12 this fall. Perhaps you are looking for something more, well viking-ish? Then the History Channel happily brings you the hit series VIKINGS along with Kathryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Alexander Ludwig, Alex Anderson, Georgia Hirst and Michael Hirst who is the creator/writer of this amazing show. Of course I am a little partial being a huge fan of the show (p.s. I miss you Ragnar!)

One of the most anticipated events at ComicCon is the Hulu World Premier Screening of CASTLE ROCK. This is a collaboration of J.J. Abrams and Stephen King hometown horror. After the screening is the panel including executive producers Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason along with the amazing cast of Sissy Spacek, Bill Skarsgard, Melanie Lynskey and Jane Levy to talk about this small American town full of disturbing events.

Marvel Television brings Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Emma Lahana, Ally Make and Joe Pokaski and their new series MARVEL'S CLOAK & DAGGER. Bringing footage and panel discussion, Marvel fans have another show to be thrilled about.

At the Indigo Ballroom Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Cartoon Network brings the best to celebrate 10 years of ADVENTURE TIME. Another fan favorite, THE VENTURE BROS. takes questions from fans about there seven seasons on air. My personal favorite, ROBOT CHICKEN is back for it's always hilarious return to ComicCon with Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Douglas Goldstein, Tom Root, Breckin Meyer and Tom Sheppard. This panel is always unexpected and hilariously entertaining.

More hilarity follows as BOB'S BURGERS brings some of my favorite voices to panel with H. Jon Benjamin (also of ARCHER fame), Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal, Larry Murphy and David Herman bright never-before-seen footage and a panel that always has me laughing to the point of tears. Following hot on its comedy heels is ARCHER and H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell, Amber Nash and Lucky Yates to make sure that when it's all said and done, our funny bones will never be the same.

The 30th Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards overlooks 31 categories to recognize comic creators for their work. Also presented are the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Writing, and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. It's going to be a fantastic evening of celebration!

The evening, for me at least, is topped off with a trip to the Horton Grand Theatre for a 25th Anniversary showing of Tim Burton's THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS screening.

Now it's time to rest up as Saturday means more panels, more presentations and more people flocking downtown with their families to have an amazing experience like no other. This is as it should be because San Diego Comic Con is an adventure that has now ventured outside the Convention Center and spilled into the streets in such an awesome way that I constantly tell people to put on their comfy shoes, water up, hop the trolley and make an amazing weekend out of this.

Till Saturday!