Last week AMC Networks announced its extensive Comic-Con@Home lineup, which was stacked with horror panels. Now with the full 2021 panel lineup unveiled, we find that there are plenty of other panels for horror and Halloween fans to be excited about.
Comic-Con@Home is the free virtual alternative to San Diego Comic-Con, which was canceled again this year due to Covid-19. The online event is scheduled for July 23 through 25. However, panels are set for as early as July 21. Below I’ve curated a list of panels that horror and Halloween fans might be interested in checking out. (Note: All times in PST)
Thursday, July 22
- 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: GeekED Rewind 20-21: The True American Horror of Lovecraft Country
The experiences of college students and educators during the last year were inseparable from the horrors of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the realities of anti-Black racism. Enter Lovecraft Country, a powerful horror sci-fi story set in Jim Crow America, where the onscreen monsters and ghosts paled in comparison to the true horrors facing the protagonists. Numerous courses, lesson plans, and campus conversations emerged from Lovecraft Country, which served as both an analogy and an outlet for college students and educators alike. Join this panel of educators as they reflect on the impact this story had on their experiences, the impact of Black horror and sci-fi, and the power of telling our own story.
Friday, July 23
- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Garbage Pail Kids: Yuck-tastic Books and More
Join Goosebumps creator and Garbage Pail Kids author R.L. Stine as he reveals the inside scoop on upcoming GPK titles, behind-the-scenes stories, trading cards, and more with Ira Friedman (VP, licensing & publishing at Topps), Tara Sands (voice actor in the Garbage Pail Kids audiobook), and Charles Kochman (editor of the Garbage Pail Kids book series).
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Motherland: Fort Salem – A Look Into Season Two
Creator Eliot Laurence and the cast of Motherland: Fort Salem gather to discuss Freeform’s addictive series set in an alternate America where witches ended their persecution by cutting a deal with the government to fight for their country. The cast and creator discuss the empowering series and what’s to come in season 2. Panelists from the fan-favorite series include Eliot Laurence, Taylor Hickson, Ashley Nicole Williams, Jessica Sutton, Demetria McKinney, Amalia Holm, and Lyne Renee.TV Guide Magazine’s Damian Holbrook will moderate the conversation.
- 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Storm King Comics Breaks Open Sacred Hearts
John Carpenter Presents Storm Kids is the Storm King Comics imprint that focuses on all ages/YA releases and Sacred Hearts is the latest release in the series that explores the idea that you can’t get judge a monster by their appearance. The horror in the woods is never what it seems! Horror as allegory teaches kids how to deal with fear positively and these creators know all about that! Panelists include Steve Niles (October Faction, 30 Days of Night), Nat Jones (Death Dealer, Spawn), Sandy King (They Live, Vampires), and Janice Chiang (Ghost Rider, DC Superhero Girls). Panel Moderated by Lys Fulda of Sphinx PR.
- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Netflix Geeked: Fear Street Trilogy
All roads lead to Fear Street . . . In this exclusive first panel together since the release of the films, join Fear Street director Leigh Janiak, cast members Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., and Fear Street author R.L. Stine and celebrate the epic trilogy by hearing all the behind the scenes details on how they made the films and what it’s really like for R.L. Stine to see his vision turned into a blood-splattering epic.
- 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Destination Fear: Tales from Route 666
What happens when a group of siblings (Dakota and Chelsea Laden) and friends (Tanner Wiseman and Alex Schroeder) participate in a frightening social experiment about fear? You get a fright-fueled road trip to America’s most haunted locations, and that’s just the beginning. Join the daring paranormal explorers from Destination Fear (Travel Channel/discovery+) as they talk about the new season of the hit series, premiering on both Travel Channel and discovery+ this July. Since Dakota was schooled in scary as part of the crew of Ghost Adventures, he is psyched for his sister and buddies to share their latest freaky experiences spending the night alone inside abandoned haunted asylums, hospitals, and prisons, in pursuit of paranormal evidence, and a greater understanding of fear. In a lively conversation, fans will hear the friends’ terrifying tales firsthand, including their most shocking moments, scariest locations, and what it takes to endure sleepovers night after night inside these sinister destinations. But it’s not all scary . . . this crew likes to have fun too! In a panel moderated by podcaster Sapphire Sandalo, the team will reveal how they keep things lively and fun on the road and give fans an exclusive sneak peek at their upcoming adventures. Gear up for an exuberant ride with this high-spirited group!
- 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Vampirella: 50 Years and Counting
All of Vampirella’s biggest creators return one year later to discuss how her extended 50th-Anniversary celebration plans turned out and evolved, as well as what is next. Legendary writer Christopher Priest (Black Panther, Deathstroke) discusses the finale of his run, but also his huge next arc. Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson dig into Vampiverse and how it completely blows the doors open on the character’s lore. Artist Meghan Hetrick discusses how that new series allows her to explore so many diverse styles and portrayals. Ray Fawkes digs into how the new Purgatori title spins right out of her crossover with Vampirella.
- 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Heavy Metal Publishing
Heavy Metal is the definitive home for sci-fi, horror, and fantasy. Sit down with some of the biggest names of Heavy Metal as they discuss publishing comics, the magazine, and the future of Heavy Metal. Hosted by Lea Palmieri (Decider).
- 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Queer Horror
Horror films, TV shows, books, and comics have always attempted to bring us to the threshold of our fears and force us to come face to face with the “otherness” that exists outside of the mainstream. For those in the LGBTQ+ community, this sense of otherness is not only terrifying and titillating, it’s quite often also relatable. From James Whales’ Frankenstein to the oft-cited “gayest movie of all time,” A Nightmare on Elm Street 2, we’re posing the question: Does a queer horror genre exist, and if so what makes it different from mainstream horror? And how does the current social movement for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC diversity inform the creation of the horror comics, films, and television shows we see today? Join Prism Comics, moderator/filmmaker Michael Varrati (The Boulet Brothers Dragula, Unusual Attachment) and panelists Drusilla Adeline (Dead for Filth, Sister Hyde Design), Darcie Little Badger (Elatsoe, Strangelands), Terry Blas (Reptil, Dead Weight), Trinidad Escobar (Crushed, Bruhas), Joamette Gil (Power and Magic: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology), and Steenz (Archival Quality, Heart of the City) as they explore the horror genre from a queer perspective.
Saturday, July 24
- 10:00 am – 11:00 am: Behind the Veil: The Winchester Mystery House Comic Book Series
Writer Joshua Werner (Rampant, co-founder of Source Point Press) and artist Dustin Irvin (The Seance Room) discuss the behind-the-scenes creation of the upcoming Source Point Press comic book series The Winchester Mystery House. Introduced by Walter Magnuson, general manager of the Winchester Mystery House, this panel explores the thrills and struggles behind crafting a horror story based on one of the greatest architectural marvels in the world and the incredible life of its mysterious owner, Sarah Winchester.
- 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Disney Television Animation: Amphibia and The Owl House
The creative teams of Disney Channel’s Amphibia and The Owl House share what’s coming up and present an exclusive crossover with a table read from stars of each series. Creators/executive producers Matt Braly (Amphibia) and Dana Terrace (The Owl House) and art director Ricky Cometa (The Owl House) will be joined on the panel by Amphibia stars Brenda Song (Anne Boonchuy), Justin Felbinger (Sprig Plantar), Bill Farmer (Hopadiah Plantar–HP), Amanda Leighton (Polly Plantar) and The Owl House stars Wendie Malick (Eda), Sarah-Nicole Robles (Luz), and Mae Whitman (Amity). Moderated by Doug Bensimon, executive director, current series, Disney Television Animation (TVA), TVA will also offer fans a sneak peek of upcoming new series at the top of the panel, so be sure to tune in early!
- 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Robert Kirkman @ Home
Creator Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible, Die!Die!Die!) answers fan questions on his comic book titles, film and TV adaptations, and more!
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Dynamite Entertainment: All the Big Reveals
Dynamite is joined by several of its top creators to dig into all of 2021’s biggest new titles and news. Film and comics writer and producer Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia, Falcon) chats his twin new titles for Army of Darkness and James Bond. David Avallone (Bettie Page, Drawing Blood) returns to Elvira and brings along Vincent Price in a fun crossover. While Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn, Jonah Hex) talks Invincible Red Sonja and its future. And Fred Van Lente spills the beans on the continuing crossover DIE!namite and a new take on Jennifer Blood.
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Ray Harryhausen: Celebrating the Legacy of a Titan
Legendary stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen kept an incredible archive of some 50,000 items gathered throughout his filmmaking career, containing models and artworks from each of his classic films, including Jason and the Argonauts and Clash of the Titans. The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation are now responsible for the upkeep of this renowned collection. Join John Walsh (Foundation trustee) and Connor Heaney (collections manager) for behind-the-scenes images and astonishing insights from the Foundation’s restoration program, and learn more about plans for future exhibitions in the USA and beyond. In what would have been his centenary year, some of Ray’s most iconic creations have been conserved, repaired, and restored for public display. Restorer Alan Friswell, handpicked by Ray to preserve the model collection, has painstakingly conserved these priceless pieces in strict accordance with the creator’s wishes. As well as physically repairing models such as the Kraken, Kali, and the Hydra, the Foundation has also begun a pioneering program of 3D scanning, ensuring that a digital record of Ray’s techniques will live on for generations to come.
- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Dark Horse Comics: From Page to Screen and Screen to Page
Dark Horse Comics enjoys a myriad of cross-media tie-ins including Stranger Things, Critical Role, The Orville, Plants vs. Zombies, and The Witcher. Please join moderator Anthony Mauro as he leads a round table discussion with writers David Goodman, Jody Houser, and Paul Tobin about the process of adapting other works for comics.
- 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Young Adult Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Horror
Bestselling authors Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns), Mylo Carbia (Violets are Red), Sara Beth Durst (The Queens of Renthia), Jonathan Maberry (Rot & Ruin), and Seanan McGuire (October Daye) share their insights into writing dark speculative fiction (fantasy, sci-fi & horror) and the publishing industry, including book to TV/film. Moderated by Henry Herz (The Hitherto Secret Experiments of Marie Curie).
Sunday, July 25
- 11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Day of the Dead: Adapting a Legend
Showrunners Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, director Steven Kostanski (The Void), and cast members Keenan Tracey (Bates Motel) and Natalie Malaika discuss SYFY’s Day of the Dead and premiere a first look at the upcoming series with an exclusive trailer. Moderated by SYFY WIRE’s Caitlin Busch, the conversation provides a deep dive into the world of horror, a behind-the-scenes look into the show’s creation, how George A. Romero’s work inspired the producers of the series, and how it pays homage to The Godfather of Zombie’s original famous flesh eaters.
- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Behind the Score of Lovecraft Country
Renowned composer Laura Karpman (Marvel’s What If?) walks us through the musical themes, how they evolve, and showcases her work, co-scored with Raphael Saadiq, on the hit HBO series Lovecraft Country. The presentation is moderated and presented by Natalie Baartz, BMI’s VP creative, film, TV & visual media, and Chandler Poling of White Bear PR.
Looking for all the Comic-Con@Home panels? You can view the full panel lineup on Comic-Con.org.
