The hangovers will be in full force after two nights of schmoozing, but there’s LOTS to see and do on Friday involving those of us “from a foreign country”… David Finch and Chester Brown in the Spotlight, UDON has their panel, and The Dragon’s Jennifer Haines participates in the retailing panel.

10:00-11:00 Spotlight on David Finch— One of the most popular artists working in comics today, Comic-Con special guest David Finch is currently writing and drawing Batman: The Dark Knight. In this spotlight panel, Finch discusses his career in comics and what’s coming up for both him and the Dark Knight. Room 6DE
Tags: Art and Illustration | Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Superheroes

10:15-11:15 Star Trek: The Captains— William Shatner is joined by fellow Star Trek captain Avery Brooks to present a preview of the EPIX Pictures original documentary produced and directed by Shatner, in which he travels the world to interview all the actors who’ve played Starfleet captains. This lively discussion and Q&A session is moderated by Comic-Con fave Kevin Smith. Room 6BCF
Tags: Fandom | Movies | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television

1:00-2:00 Oni Press Panelmonium 2011— It’s a new comic extravaganza with trendsetting indie comic powerhouse Oni Press, featuring Comic-Con debut titles One Soul, Petrograd. and Spontaneous! Join in the Q&A with Ray Fawkes (Possessions) and get the first word on his game-changing graphic novel One Soul. Plus an in-depth chat with Phil Gelatt (Labor Days) and Tyler Crook (B.P.R.D) about their new historical graphic novel chronicling the infamous assassination of Rasputin, Petrograd! Joe Harris (Ghost Projekt) and Brett Weldele (Surrogates) talk about their new miniseries Spontaneous, while Artist Brian Hurtt and writer Cullen Bunn join in the fray to discuss their hit ongoing series The Sixth Gun. And, as always, Oni Press’s Panelmonium brings announcements, reveals, special guests, free comics, and the only interactive panel in town! Guaranteed by Oni Press’s totally biased employees to be “the most fun you’ll ever have at a panel”! Room 32AB
Tags: Comics

1:30-2:30 Spotlight on Chester Brown— Louis Riel, Yummy Fur, and Ed The Happy Clown cartoonist — and Comic-Con special guest — Chester Brown has been one of the most influential and acclaimed alternative cartoonists for the past 20 years. His 2011 graphic novel Paying for It: A Comic-Strip Memoir About Being a John is easily the most talked about book of the year and was praised in the New York Times. Join him on his panel as he performs his acclaimed slideshow, reading from his North American book tour for Paying for It. The slideshow will be followed by a Q&A. Ask anything you wanted to know about the most controversial book of the year. Room 8
Tags: Cartooning and Comic Strips | Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics

4:00-5:30 So You Want to Be a Comic Book Retailer?— ComicsPRO’s Retailer Mentoring Forum brings you this Comic-Con tradition — an always lively and fun discussion in which your dreams of owning your own comic book specialty store take flight! You have questions? This panel of experienced retailers has answers! Hosted by Joe Field (ComicsPRO president, owner of Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA), with Portyln Polston (Brave New World, Newhall CA), Jennifer Haines (The Dragon, Guelph ON), Chris Brady (4 Color Fantasies, Rancho Cucamonga CA), and Diamond Comic Distributors outside sales manager Dave Hawksworth. Your career in comics retail starts here! Room 32AB
Tags: Comics | Retailer Programming

4:15-5:15 DC Comics: Justice League— Comics’ top talents — writer Geoff Johns and artist Jim Lee — team up for the first time ever to bring you the new Justice League, making its debut as part of the new DC Universe. Johns, Lee, and DC executive editor Eddie Berganza bring together the talents behind the new JLA titles, including writers Dan Jurgens (Justice League International), JT Krul (Green Arrow), and Eric Wallace (Mister Terrific) and artists Francis Manapul (The Flash), Brian Buccellato (The Flash), and Philip Tan (The Savage Hawkman). Room 6DE
Tags: Comic-Con Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | Comics | Superheroes

5:30-6:30 CBLDF: Can Comics Send You To Jail?— What if the comics you took on a plane landed you in jail? That’s the danger facing one American, who could spend a minimum of a year in a foreign prison for doing just that. Turns out that anyone leaving or entering the country can be stopped, searched, or detained by customs agents because of comic art in print or on laptops, tablets, or cell phones — even without suspicion of criminal activity. Learn how the CBLDF is working to fight this trend and what you can do to help. Room 26AB
Tags: CBLDF Events | Comics

7:00-8:00 UDON and the Art of Comic and Game Design— Representatives from UDON share their trade secrets, learned from working with a host of different comics and game companies over the past 10 years. Take a tour of winning design elements through UDON’s vast portfolio of works, and get ready for special announcements of which comics, manga, artbooks, and video game properties they’ll be working on next. Featuring Jim Zubkavich (Skullkickers), Jeffrey Cruz (RandomVeus), Long Vo (Inception), and Matt Moylan (Mega Man Tribute). Room 4
Tags: Anime & Manga | Comics | Games

7:30-8:30 Lost Girl— Supernatural seductress Bo is a succubus who feeds off sexual energy. Having survived for years alone, she now discovers she is one of the Fae, creatures of legend who pass as humans. Unwilling to chose sides, Bo forges her own path between the human and Fae worlds, embarking on a mission to unlock the secrets of her origin. Join star Anna Silk (Ghost Whisperer); actor Emmanuelle Vaugier (Saw II), who guest stars as The Morrigan, the head of the Dark Fae clan; and the production team behind the series, Jay Firestone, executive producer (Andromeda, Mutant X) and Michelle Lovretta (Mutant X), as they discuss this exciting new show coming soon to SyFy! Room 24ABC
Tags: Science Fiction & Fantasy | Television

8:30-11:30 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards— The 23rd annual Eisner Awards, the “Oscars” of the comics industry, will be given out at a gala ceremony at the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront. The master of ceremonies is Bongo Comics’ Bill Morrison. Segment hosts include writer/actors Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant (Reno 911, Balls of Fury, Night at the Museum) and comedian/voice actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Family Guy, MadTV). Presenters include CCI special guests Anina Bennett and Paul Guinan, Walt and Louise Simonson, and Filipino cartoonist (and viral video star) Gerry Alanguilan, as well as Eisner nominees Joe Hill, Gabriel Rodriguez, and Ian Boothby, with many more to be announced. Other prestigious awards to be given out include the Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award, the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Bill Finger Excellence in Comic Book Writing Award, and the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award. Admission to the Eisners is free to all Comic-Con attendees — just be sure to bring your badge. Doors open for pro and VIP seating at 7:30 and for attendees at 8:15. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Tags: Awards Ceremonies | Comics